Page 61 of Hearts Aweigh

S PENCER STOOD WITH P RISCILLA ON the pier. She wore an outfit more fit for a political rally than a flight—immaculate white suit with a red-and-blue designer scarf, five-inch heels, and minimal but expensive jewelry.

His ex-wife eyed him, her lips pursed. “You’re sure you won’t regret this impetuous decision?”

He battled the temptation to start another fight. “I can’t predict the future. But I’d like to spend the rest of it with Abby. She’s a beautiful, loving, genuine person. It will do Madeleine good to be around her.”

Priscilla smoothed her chignon. “On that point we agree.”

“Excuse me?” Spencer cocked his head.

Her gaze met his. “If this affair with the nanny falls through, I’ll consider taking you back.

But if your crazy gamble pays off, I can at least take comfort in the knowledge a warm, caring woman is raising our daughter.

” Priscilla sagged. “Perhaps she can give Madeleine the happy childhood neither you nor I lived.” Clearing her throat, she drew a pair of diamond-studded sunglasses from her bag, slipped them on, and held out a hand. “No hard feelings.”

He studied the long fingers with their perfectly shaped red nails, and a twinge of regret hit. They hadn’t been happy together, but they’d done one thing right—Madeleine. For the gift of his daughter, he’d always be grateful to Priscilla.

He shook her hand. “Take care of yourself.”

His ex-wife walked to the waiting limo. The chauffeur opened the door, and she slid inside. Spencer headed for the ship with anticipation. Whatever awaited him in the future, he was sure it would be better than his past. Because of Abby.

He checked his watch and quickened his pace.

They were supposed to meet in his suite after she dropped Madeleine off at the Kids Kingdom.

They’d agreed it might be better for his daughter not to be present when they revealed their new relationship status to the Shippers.

She was too young to grasp the intricacies of dating.

Spencer strode up the gangplank and through the tranquil lobby.

Most of the passengers must be enjoying their day in port.

An elevator ride took him to the suite’s floor, and his heart raced as fast as his feet.

The few kisses Abby and he had shared before she left last night had only awakened a craving.

If he hurried, they might be able to sneak a few more before the Shippers arrived.

He let himself into the suite and stalled as the door shut behind him. Abby stood in the same flirty green dress she’d worn the night she’d dined with the chef. At the time, Spencer had hated the outfit, but now that she was wearing it for him, his pulse tripped.

She extended a foot and waggled her gold, high-heeled sandal. “I chose my tallest shoes so we won’t be totally mismatched.”

Spencer bounded across the room. She giggled as he caught her in his arms. He pressed her close and bent his head near her ear. “Who says we’re mismatched? You fit perfectly.”

He kissed her lobe, and she shivered.

“Don’t start.” She squirmed from his arms. “The Shippers will be here any minute.”

“All the more reason to not waste a second.” Again, he reached for her.

Abby dodged right. Spencer stalked her around the living room couch. Her heel caught on the edge of the area rug, and she tottered to the side. He grabbed for her and wrapped her in a secure embrace.

“That’s more like it,” Spencer said.

Her emerald eyes sparkled. He bent his head, his lips a hair’s breadth from her own … and a knock sounded.

Spencer moaned and buried his face in her neck. “Why do they have to be so punctual?”

She pushed him aside and hurried to the door.

The four matchmakers entered the room and stood in a row, his mother at the end. Identical expressions covered each face. Suspicion.

Daisy spoke first. “You asked to see us, Spencer.”

“Yes, ma’am.” In his current euphoric state, he could even imagine healing the breach with his mother. “Please stop throwing men at Abby.”

His beloved scurried to him with a scowl. “Try to put that nicer.”

“What? I said please.”

Emily crossed her arms in front of her floral shirt. “It’s none of your business who Abby chooses to date.”

“Actually”—Abby twisted her gold sandal in the rug—“it is. Spencer and I admitted our feelings for each other last night. I mean, we decided—”

“We’ve decided to enter into a romantic relationship,” Spencer said.

The Shippers wore identical expressions again—this time of confusion.

Emily uncrossed her arms. “I’m not sure what to say.”

“Oh, Abby, are you sure?” Daisy tugged her watch necklace. “My son can be quite ill-tempered.”

“Thanks a lot, Mom,” he said.

“You know it’s true. I’m thrilled for you and Madeleine, but I wouldn’t want Abby to draw the short stick.”

Hidden doubts dimmed his rosy-hued outlook. Who knew him better than his mother? Was she right? He didn’t deserve someone as pure as Abby. She was summer sunshine to his winter storm. What if he froze her solid?

Abby slipped an arm around his waist. Leaning her head against him, she laughed. “Don’t worry, ladies. The only short thing we’ll deal with is my height. Otherwise, we’ll do fine.”

“Glory be.” Althea launched forward and drew them both into a hug. “I’m relieved the match worked out. For y’all but also for Maddie.”

“Yes”—Spencer smiled down at the older woman’s beaming face—“that’s one of the best parts.”

“For me too,” said Abby.

She released him and hugged the other Shippers. They softened in an instant from the sheer force of her exhilaration. Gerry and Emily chided Abby for not informing them right away, while Daisy dabbed her ring finger at the corner of her eye.

A pat on his back drew Spencer’s attention. Althea glowed with tenderness. “You’re so much like your momma.”

He drew away. “I beg to differ. I’m the inverse of Daisy Randolph Masterson.”

“See there. You even talk like her. Some people might be put off by the hoity-toity manners, but not me.” She elbowed him in the side. “You’re a beignet. Once a person gets past the crusty cover, there’s nothing but sweet, squishy goodness on the inside.”

His gaze returned to Abby. He hoped for her sake Althea was right. There’d been a time not long ago when darkness filled him in his never-ending search for perfection and status. But God had shone a light on his soul. Highlighted the things that truly mattered.

Lord, help me not to let her down. Help me not to hurt her again.

Emily clapped with glee as another happy match was made. Granted, the Shippers hadn’t been keen on Spencer in recent days, but she was willing to let bygones be bygones. After all, men struggled when it came to love. That’s why so many needed the ladies’ matchmaking expertise.

She tapped her cane against the suite’s floor in a loud cadence. “Come on, girls. Let’s leave these lovebirds to themselves. I’m sure they’d appreciate time alone.”

“Good idea.” Gerry shoved the sleeves of her cardigan to her elbows. “I’d like to check my room for any new blackmail notes.”

“Blackmail!” Abby grabbed her sleeve. “What do you mean?”

“Yes,” Spencer said. “This is the second instance I’m hearing of blackmail on the MS Buckingham .” He approached his mother. “Yesterday, you told me someone was blackmailing you. What’s going on?”

“Nothing we can’t handle.” Daisy waved him away.

“Don’t worry, baby,” Althea said. “We’ve got a plan in place.”

“Uh-oh.” Abby said. “I’ve seen the results of your plans in the past.”

Emily brushed a gray curl behind her ear. “Successful, weren’t they?”

“That wasn’t the word that came to mind.” Abby grasped Spencer’s arm. “You have no idea what the Shippers are capable of. Truth be told, I pity the blackmailer.”

Spencer squinted. “Dare I ask what you ladies are up to?”

“We made use of one of our old favorites.” Emily grinned. “The lost-and-found storage.”

Abby groaned. “Don’t tell me you locked someone in there again.”

Spencer drew back. “You locked someone in a storage room?”

“It was business.” Emily propped her cane against the wall and rubbed her hands together. “We wanted a recalcitrant couple we were matching to stop avoiding each other and thought it’d be a good idea if they enjoyed some togetherness.”

“It was my former roomie.” Abby chuckled. “I was the one who let them out. Boy, was she livid.”

Emily nodded. “But it worked, didn’t it? You were on the front row at Jon and Lacey’s wedding.”

“This is madness.” Spencer pointed at his mother. “I refuse to allow you to take part in any dangerous and possibly illegal activities. If you and your friends found information regarding the blackmailer, deliver it to the security team and let the professionals take care of it.”

Althea chortled. “You don’t know us very well, baby.”

Gerry folded her arms. “We can’t tell security because—”

Emily laid a hand on her shoulder. “No, he’s right, Gerry.”

“Huh?”

Emily faced Spencer. “Mr. Masterson, you have my word. We will definitely alert security.”

Abby mimicked Spencer’s position and pointed a finger at Emily. “And you promise not to lock anyone else in the storage closet?”

“Cross my heart and hope to die.”

Abby studied her warily. “I didn’t expect you to agree so easily.”

“What can I say?” Emily shrugged. “I see the wisdom of Spencer’s suggestion. Be assured we’ll let security know without fail.”

“I’m glad you’re listening to reason.” Spencer took hold of Abby’s elbow. “It’s time to pick up Madeleine.” He eyed every member of the Shippers before settling on Emily. “Remember. You promised to let security handle it.”

They exited the suite as a group, and Spencer and Abby walked to the elevators, leaving the Shippers in the hallway.

Gerry raised an eyebrow. “I don’t recall you promising to let security handle it.”

“How right you are.” Emily smirked. “I said I’d let security know . And I made no mention of when I’d do so.”

Althea clicked her tongue. “You’d think a lawyer would pay more attention to the details.”

Daisy bit her lip. “Spencer will be terribly irritated when he finds out.”

“That’s his problem.” Emily thumped her cane. “Come on, ladies. We’ve got a blackmailer to catch.”