Page 37 of Hearts Aweigh

W AS STEAM SHOOTING FROM HER ears? Abby might combust at any moment. Did the man have to make marriage to her sound like the equivalent of a root canal?

From the look on Spencer’s face, he recognized his faux pas. He obviously hadn’t meant for her to hear his emphatic declaration, but that didn’t lessen the sting.

A flush rose up his neck. “Abby, I—”

“Maddie”—she turned her back to him and squatted in front of his daughter—“why don’t you give Grandma Daisy a hug? I’m sure she’s missed you.”

“Yes!” Daisy hastened from her chair and around the table. “I’ve missed you ever so much, Madeleine.” She knelt and held open her arms.

“Hello, Grandma.” Maddie walked into the woman’s embrace.

Daisy cradled her granddaughter for a few seconds, then released her.

Althea joined them. “If someone’s giving out hugs, I could use a couple.” She grabbed both Daisy and Maddie, squeezing them close.

Abby noted Spencer’s softening countenance.

Their eyes met and she almost smiled, but then she remembered his unflattering words.

How dare the man reject her as a possible marriage partner!

Had he misunderstood the hug she’d given him in the children’s center?

She imagined he was used to all sorts of women throwing themselves at him.

Was he under the impression she’d been coming on to him?

If so, she’d correct the stupid assumption as quickly as possible.

“You’re just in time, dear.” Emily waved her over. “We spent five hours reviewing a new list of candidates for you. I expect you’ll be pleased with our choices.”

“Wonderful!” Perhaps Abby’s response was a little too bright, but she wanted Spencer to get the message there were plenty of fish in her matrimonial sea. “Could you arrange a date for this evening? It will be a pleasure to spend more than forty-five minutes for a change.”

“Hold on.” Spencer took a step her way. “You agreed to a specified time in our list of expectations.”

She raised her nose. “The agreement expired when our last cruise docked in Galveston, Mr. Masterson. I’m under no stipulations this time.” She smiled at Emily. “Just let me know when and where.”

“And who?” Gerry stopped typing.

“Right.” Abby’s cheeks heated. “Definitely who. That’s the most important part.”

Emily patted her. “We’ll discuss the who after my friends and I hold a quick conference. Would you excuse us?”

The minute they left the Shippers’ table, Spencer drew Abby away to an empty spot by the railing.

She remained placid, putting one arm around Maddie. “Mr. Masterson, I’d like to apologize.”

“Apologize? For what?”

“I acted unprofessionally when you arrived with Maddie at the childcare center. I’m a hug-first-and-think-later type. My intention wasn’t to be flirtatious—”

Spencer held up a stiff hand. “And I didn’t take it that way. What you overheard was … I didn’t mean I found you objectionable as a …” He looked out at the water. “I realize my words sounded harsh, and”—he faced her—“I’m truly sorry.”

The tension in Abby’s spine loosened a fraction. “You don’t want anyone to misunderstand. I get it, Mr. Masterson.”

“Spencer. And what you say is true. I wouldn’t want any rumors to damage your reputation.” His gaze returned to the ocean. “I’ve seen firsthand how ugly the gossip mill gets when an employer steps over the line.”

Abby glanced down at Maddie. His daughter leaned against the rail, staring at the whitecaps surrounding the ship. The child was too young to comprehend the content of their conversation, but Abby wanted to be sure. “I get it, Mr. Masterson.”

“Spencer,” he reiterated. “Please allow me to say one last thing. I respect you, both as a professional and a person. When I said I didn’t, that is, when I told the Shippers I never planned to marry again, it had nothing to do with you.

After my first”—he noticed Madeleine and lowered his voice—“union ended, I resolved to avoid repeating the same mistake. Please don’t take my words personally. ”

Had he really used the old It’s not you, it’s me cliché?

Abby’s soul shriveled. Only an hour ago, the sight of him and Maddie had spun her heart on its axis. How quickly things changed.

Or didn’t change.

That was the problem. No matter how much Spencer churned her insides, he was still immune to her and always would be. Better to concentrate on whatever new man the Shippers found. Abby wanted marriage and a family more than anything.

And Spencer was on a totally different page.