Page 67 of Hearts Aweigh
Ten Months and Fifteen Days Later
“L OOK WHAT CAME IN THE mail.” Emily joined her friends at a table on the upper deck. She waved an envelope of expensive cream linen paper. “I bet it’s a wedding invitation.”
“We already know Spencer and Abby are getting married.” Gerry typed on her laptop. “Daisy told us a week ago.”
“But this makes it official.” Emily slipped her finger under the flap. “Besides, we can add it to our trophy collection.”
“Gerry’s suggestion about scanning invitations to her computer was smart. Who knows how many we’ll end up with?” Althea wiggled her flowered shawl from under her thighs. “Can you imagine toting a scrapbook around in our suitcases?”
Daisy tapped the invitation in Emily’s hand. “I’m relieved they chose the off-white. It’s so much more elegant. Don’t you think?”
“I think we shouldn’t claim credit for this one.” Gerry kept typing. “Abby and Spencer found each other with minuscule help from us.”
“What are you talking about?” Emily tossed her gray curls. “Who arranged their first kiss at the waterfall? Who convinced them to strengthen their relationship before saying ‘I do’? Us. That’s who.”
“Quite right.” Althea nodded. “But I wonder how they held out this long. I’m sure if Spencer had his way, the wedding would’ve been much sooner.”
Daisy pulled her phone from her pocket and swiped the screen.
“I’m afraid I have to agree. He was none too happy when Abby said she wanted to finish the school year before she could enjoy the bridal festivities.
” She turned the phone to show her friends the wedding photos.
“They decided to take their pictures before the ceremony. Less to do on the actual day.”
“How unromantic.” Gerry clicked one last key and shut the laptop lid.
“Makes sense to me.” Althea accepted the cell from Daisy and studied the photo. “They already saw each other in their wedding duds on the ship. The surprise is gone.”
“Still.” Gerry crossed her arms. “I hope Abby gets a new gown for the ceremony.”
Emily took the phone and beamed at the evidence of another successful match.
The picture showed the couple posed on a winding wrought iron staircase.
Spencer sat in the back with his arms around Abby, one long leg stretched to the side.
Abby nestled against him while embracing Maddie.
The little girl’s mouth was open in an abandoned laugh.
Emily sniffled. “Well done, Shippers. Well done.” She dabbed her sleeve to her eyes and returned the cell to Daisy. “I’m glad you decided to use the phone Spencer bought. It makes operations so much easier.”
“All ’cause Daisy wanted to talk to her grandbaby.” Althea chortled. “She jumps for that phone whenever Maddie calls.”
“Whatever the reason, it’s a lot more convenient than the walkie-talkies.”
“What happened to those things?” Gerry asked.
“I stored them in the lost and found in case we ever hit a storm and get bad reception on our phones. It always pays to have a backup plan.”
A nervous voice rang out, “Mrs. Windsor!” Peter scurried to their table. His crisp first mate’s uniform matched the whites of his wide eyes as he joined them. “You haven’t forgotten it’s turnaround day, have you?”
“I’m not senile, dear.” Emily rose. “I was just about to fetch my purse.”
“Really?” He beamed and grabbed her in a wiry hug.
She gave him a quick pat before he raced away to hurry the passengers loitering on the lower deck. The almost-finished cruisers swarmed the lido deck, rushing to take last-minute pictures before they returned to normal life. Emily spotted a face in the crowd and paused. Her head tilted.
“What?” Gerry asked. “What is it?”
“My bones are telling me something.”
“Heaven help us.” Daisy pressed a hand to her chest.
Althea moaned. “I hope it’s not another warning signal.”
“On the contrary”—a smile broke across Emily’s face—“I’ve found our next client, girls. Right over there.” She pointed below.
Her friends peered over the railing, and Daisy gasped. Althea chuckled and shook her head.
Gerry sighed as she reopened her laptop. “I don’t know about this one. Are you sure you heard your bones right?”
“Loud and clear.” Emily rubbed her hands down her arms. “They’re tingling like crazy. What can I say? The Lord moves in mysterious ways. Come on, Shippers. Let’s get to work. This is going to take extra planning.”
“Maybe Peter will let us stay aboard,” Althea said.
“Not much chance of that.” Gerry started typing. “It’s turnaround day.”
“Poor Peter.” Daisy took her sunglasses from her handbag. “He is persistent. Bless his heart.”
Emily marshaled her friends around the table and started to map out their next battle plan. The identity of their new client surprised her. But God gave her noisy bones for a reason. Who was she to argue with the Ultimate Matchmaker?