Page 34 of Hearts Aweigh
A BBY TUGGED AT THE WAISTLINE of her ball gown. Her tiara pinched her head, and a dull ache pounded at her temples. Two more voyages, and she’d return to life on dry land. But that meant only two more voyages for the Shippers to find her a soulmate.
After seeing the wonderful guy they’d found for her friend Lacey, Abby had assumed the process would be easy.
She’d expected her lovely matchmakers to scout the perfect man and introduce him, and then she’d start picking out the wedding colors.
She hadn’t expected the revolving door of candidates.
To be fair, two men didn’t constitute a revolving door.
But neither Reverend Boynton nor Cedric made her heart pound like …
She recognized the direction of her thoughts and jerked them back to attention.
No use dwelling on sweet but damaged fathers and their adorable, golden-haired five-year-olds.
Spencer and Maddie were gone. She’d waved goodbye to dozens of cherished students in her teaching career, and she could put these two behind her as well.
Abby dug among the crowns, plucked a tiara from the basket, and scanned the lobby for potential princesses.
She spotted a young girl by the elevators, looking at a cell phone.
The child was wearing a long black dress.
Maybe second or third grade. Abby hurried over, donned her best faux British accent, and presented the sparkly accessory.
“Welcome to the Monarch kingdom, fair lady.”
The apathetic girl stared at the phone without response.
A woman who must have been her mother winced at Abby. “Sorry. My daughter’s really into that show.” The mother leaned over the girl and pointed. “The nice lady brought you a crown. Can you say thank you?”
Her daughter glanced up. “Thank you.” Lightning fast, her attention returned to the screen.
Abby shifted from one foot to the other, and her sore ankle twinged. Her arms lowered. She passed the tiara to the mom. “Would you like to hold it for her?”
“Yes.” The woman gave her an apologetic grimace and took the crown. “Thanks.”
Abby understood why parents used the devices to help their children behave in public.
But it saddened her when she saw the kids who fixated on the screens like a drug addict craving a fix.
She had to give Spencer credit. Even with his parental ignorance and penchant for overworking, he’d never once passed his phone to Maddie to keep her amused.
Abby pinched herself as she walked away. “There you go again. Stop thinking about passengers in inappropriate ways.”
Technically, he wasn’t a passenger. His cruise had ended, and he was gone. The observation made her feel worse, and she surveyed the families milling about for any little girls without a tiara or a cell phone.
People swarmed the lobby, and the sounds of live mariachi music bounced off the marble floor.
Abby hustled from group to group, bestowing crowns and taking pictures with the new group of cruisers.
After an hour on princess duty, her right ankle was screaming how much it hated her.
She’d worn her most comfortable tennis shoes, but her still-healing injury didn’t approve.
Abby slipped behind a massive round pillar. She dropped her almost-empty basket and rotated her ankle. Who knew how she might have injured it worse, if Spencer hadn’t carried—
She slapped her forehead. “No. No. No.”
How much longer would she be haunted by the ghost of Spencer Randolph Masterson?
Two small arms wrapped around her from the back. It must be picture time again. She turned to see what tiny stranger was gifting her with a hug. Looking down, she found familiar blue eyes in a face wreathed with artfully sculpted blond curls.
“Maddie!” Abby sank to her knees and pulled the child close. “What are you doing here?”
“Sailing.” Maddie giggled.
“We decided one cruise wasn’t enough.” Spencer’s rich baritone wafted above her.
His voice washed through Abby and shivered her spine. She took a breath before glancing up.
He wore a fashionable black polo shirt, tan chinos, and a smile. “Surprised?”
“I am.” Abby released Maddie and stood. “You finally found appropriate vacation clothes.”
He shrugged. “We took advantage of our debarkation to go shopping.”
Madeleine wore a pink T-shirt and jeans. “Do you like my new clothes?” She twirled in a circle.
Abby placed an arm around the child. “I love them.” She turned her attention back to the father. “One cruise wasn’t enough, huh?”
His gaze flicked to the ceiling. “My mother was more recalcitrant than I expected. There must be a way to talk her into returning to New Orleans. Plus, it won’t hurt to spend extra vacation time with my daughter. We left Ms. Blanchet on shore this time.”
“Did you find a nanny who doesn’t get seasick?”
“The best. She even has experience watching Madeleine.” He pointed a finger Abby’s direction. “We plan to utilize Monarch Cruises’ excellent VIP nanny valet service.”
“Oh boy.” Abby rubbed the bridge of her nose. “I’d better head to the Kids Kingdom and start buttering up my boss.”
Spencer motioned for Maddie, and she slipped away from Abby to join him. “We’re in the same suite as before, so it shouldn’t take long to get settled.”
“How did you swing that? Those suites usually book up way in advance.”
“I went to school with the son of a Monarch Cruises board member. When I contacted him, he pulled some strings to offer a substantial compensation to the customers who held the reservation. It seems the family was more than happy to accommodate us.”
“Must be nice,” she snarked. “I hope my supervisor will be half that agreeable.”
“Do you think it will take long? How about we meet you at the children’s area, and you can join us for lunch?”
Abby moaned. “Twila will be spitting fire.” Despite the unpleasant task awaiting her, happiness filled her voice as she held out a hand. “Welcome aboard, Mr. Masterson.”
“Please”—his hot fudge sundae eyes warmed as he took her fingers in his—“call me Spencer.”