Page 35 of Hearts Aweigh
S PENCER ALLOTTED A BBY THIRTY MINUTES to placate her ill-tempered supervisor before he headed to the Kids Kingdom with Madeleine.
They entered the cheerful open layout of the reception area, where a few parents and children milled about.
A joyful squeal issued from his daughter.
She bounced to a nearby bookshelf, chose a volume with a fairy on the cover, and flopped in a beanbag chair.
Spencer marveled at her laid-back manner.
The first time they’d set foot in this room, she’d been like a frightened fawn avoiding a hunter.
But one voyage on the MS Buckingham , and her comfort with the place was obvious.
He suspected it had more to do with Abby than the lavish ship.
The woman possessed an innate ability to set people at ease.
She was partly the reason he’d committed to a second cruise.
His primary objective was convincing Daisy to return to New Orleans.
But allowing his daughter to spend more time with the skilled childcare worker would do her good.
Who knew how Madeleine might blossom in Abby’s nurturing presence?
A bedazzled brunette pixie about the same age as his daughter skipped over to him. “Can I show you my pet?”
He squinted at the strange girl. “Pet?”
“His name’s Dwight.” She extended her purse. The top was made of glittered plastic, and the bottom was a rainbow-colored mesh.
Spencer peered inside. Two moist yellow eyes stared at him. A frog? The child had a frog in her purse.
He cleared his throat. “Do your parents know you brought Dwight on the cruise?”
“Not yet.” She giggled and threw her arms open. “Can I have a hug?”
Spencer reared back. “I …” None of the adults heeded the girl. Which one did she belong to? “No. No, thank you.”
“Hug.” She waggled her outstretched arms.
Should he call for help? He gulped. “I don’t work here.”
She extended her lower lip in an exaggerated pout. “Hug!” she demanded.
Spencer’s eyebrows lowered. “Do I look like your teddy bear? Find someone else to coddle.”
“Hello, sweetie!” Two arms caught the child from behind. Abby hovered over the precocious girl.
Spencer exhaled.
Abby squeezed the frog smuggler. “If you want a hug, come to me. That’s my specialty.” The child giggled. Abby bent near her ear and whispered loud enough for Spencer to hear. “There’s someone else who needs a hug. Her name is Maddie, and she’s sitting there on a beanbag chair.”
The girl skipped away, and Abby straightened. She put her hands on her hips. “A person might presume you seriously dislike children.”
“I don’t dislike children. But I’ve little use for the things that come with them.”
Abby’s mouth quirked. “The smiles and giggles and hugs?”
“The dirt and frogs and runny noses.”
“What’s the big deal? It’s just a hug.”
“I don’t know her.” Spencer relaxed with the departure of the uncomfortable child. “I doubt her parents would appreciate a strange man embracing their daughter.”
“Good point.” Abby shrugged. “But I’m a big believer in the power of affection.”
Spencer crossed his arms. “Do you always hug any stranger who asks?”
“If it’s a child, I do. Haven’t you read those studies that say people require a certain number of hugs a day to survive?”
“I’ve survived quite well without any.”
Her expression changed. Annoyance retreated, and pity took its place. She stood contemplating him.
He squirmed under her observation. “Please refrain from feeling sorry for me. I’m not the demonstrative type.”
She looked even sorrier at his statement. “Everyone needs a hug now and then.”
“An admirable attitude for someone who works with children. I’m sure your sympathetic nature serves you well.”
Abby pressed her lips together, nodded, and turned to leave. Spencer uncrossed his arms and reached out a hand but dropped it to his side. Why was his first impulse always to stop her? She was a temporary person passing through his life. Nothing more.
“Oh, I can’t stand it.” Abby spun around. “We’re not supposed to hug adult passengers, but—”
Slim arms wrapped around him, trapping his own against his body. Her silky red hair rested somewhere around the area of his heart as she squeezed him tight. Her softness pressed against him and warmed his entire being.
Spencer stood paralyzed. Everything stopped—his breath, his heart, even his thoughts.
Then started again at a much higher velocity.
When was the last time someone had hugged him?
He honestly couldn’t remember. Another thought followed.
Apart from Abby, when was the last time someone had hugged Madeleine?
He certainly hadn’t taken her in his arms, and Ms. Blanchet—for the short time the governess was with them and not seasick—had exuded discipline, not affection.
Abby released him sooner than he liked. “Don’t be afraid to ask for a hug. Or give one. Especially to your own child.”
Was she a mind reader? How did she know he was thinking of Madeleine? Before he could respond, Abby spoke.
“Let me grab something from my locker.” She rushed off.
Spencer stood with his arms still pressed close to his side. An unfamiliar emotion filled his brain.
Fear.
It made no logical sense.
A suspicion hit him. Did seeing Abigail O’Brien play a bigger role in his decision to return than he’d realized?
This redheaded whirlwind had bewitched him with her hugs and smiles and declarations of silver-lined possibilities.
No matter how his brain tried to dismiss her as a temporary person, he feared her effect on his heart would be long-lasting and irreversible.