“It wants to know if you’re married.”
“I’m not married.”
Kate got a big grin on her face. “You can marry Uncle Bray and be my aunt. I want an aunt. I only have uncles.”
I swallowed wrong and choked, grateful the others weren’t watching us. I hoped so, anyway.
Braedon put his phone back in his pocket and returned to us.
With a pinched mouth, Aislinn held out her hand to him. “You promised, Bray. Hand it over.” Awkward. Braedon relented, and Aislinn stuffed his phone in her purse. I avoided looking at him.
“Sorry about that.” Aislinn scrutinized me. “Kate doesn’t usually take to strangers so quickly. We do really need to get her to dinner now, though.”
The little girl shifted, indicating she wanted to get down, but she took my hand once her feet were on the deck. “I can walk with you guys,” I offered. “I need to find my cabinmate anyway.”
Now that the ship had moved out of the harbor, the impact of its motion on my balance became more pronounced. Kate giggled at me stumbling as I climbed the stairs. Braedon took my elbow to steady me, clasping the handrail himself. I would be glad when I finally adjusted and got my sea legs. I said a silent prayer of gratitude that I at least didn’t suffer from motion sickness.
“See you around,” I said to Braedon and his family when we reached the lido deck. Kate let me go with a little kiss on the cheek, and I went to join Elle. Naturally, she stood among a circle of people. I could almost see the words ‘date potential’ in her eyes as she glanced between Braedon and me. I ignored her and we headed to the dining room.
Later, we returned to the lido deck for the sailing party. Elle clapped her hands in delight. This was her environment: people, food, and music. She pointed to the band in the middle of the deck. “I want to request a song.”
“I’ll get us some seats,” I shouted over the din of people. She waved her approval.
After I secured a table and some chairs, I sat guarding them. I planned to stay only a few minutes and then make my escape to listen to a chamber group performing somewhere else. Somewhere more quiet and less crowded.
I smelled Jori’s cologne before I heard his voice behind me. “I didn’t see you at dinner.”
So much for not telling Elle. I glanced up. “Hello again.” I did a quick scan of the band area—no sign of Elle.
He sat beside me, pulling a sketchbook and pencil from under his arm. “Are you saving all these seats?”
I craned my neck again in the direction of the band. “Yes, Elle’s just stepped away ....”
“Your friend from earlier?”
“Yes.” Elle was nowhere in sight. I surrendered to the inevitable. “If you aren’t a full-time artist, what do you do for a living?”
He made a wry face. “Modeling. It pays well enough, but I don’t like it.” He observed the people around us as he toyed with his pencil. “I wish I’d thought to come on a cruise before.”
I pointed at his sketchbook. “May I see?”
After a slight hesitation, Jori handed it to me. I flipped open the cover and was immediately captivated. Some would consider his sketches unfinished. They weren’t quite complete pictures but rather parts of pictures—a child’s face, a young woman’s profile, an old man’s hand. Jori used relatively few strokes, yet he still managed to capture the essence of his subjects.
“These are beautiful.” I looked up from the last page. “Have you sold any of your pieces yet?”
“I haven’t tried.” He shrugged. “I guess I don’t believe anyone would want them.”
I was perplexed by his insecurity. “I’m no authority on art, but I know what I like. Your pictures touch me.”
“Thank you.” The tightness around his eyes relaxed. “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s said about my work.”
I suddenly understood. “Your family doesn’t get it, do they, your love of art?”
The sound of the pencil as he tapped it on his knee turned to sharp smacks. “No. Especially my father. He thinks I’m wasting my time.”
I hated it when parents tried to crush their children’s dreams. I had only been teaching for three years, but I had already seen too much of it. “You’re good, Jori.” I reached over and touched his agitated hand. “I hope you don’t give up on this.”
“Give up on what?” Elle asked as she walked up behind Jori, followed by her growing entourage. Her eyes widened when he turned to look at her. “Who’s this?”
He stood and took her hand. “You must be Elle.”
Unlike me, Elle didn’t flush very often, but she turned pink as he did his little bow over her hand. For a fleeting moment, I considered playing the matchmaker with them, but I quickly dismissed the thought. That just might give her further ideas regarding me.
“Elle ... and everyone.” I waved the rest of Elle’s group over. “This is Jori. He’s an artist—come and check out some of his drawings.” Before he could stop me, I handed Elle the sketchbook.
I checked my watch and whispered to Elle, “I’ve got to go.” She nodded, occupied by Jori’s sketches.
The Explorer’s Lounge was a small area on the upper deck. Several people had gathered there, and the musicians— consisting of a pianist, a violinist, and a cellist—had already begun playing. The ambiance created by the low lighting, the gilded murals of old sailing ships, and a map of the world made me think of a drawing room. I found a small loveseat to sit in and closed my eyes, savoring the combination of the ship’s sway and the lovely music.
At the end of the third piece, a man whispered, “Excuse me, Lyn. Do you mind if I share your couch?”
Recognizing Braedon’s voice, I opened my eyes. His sister and her family had found places on a sofa to the side, but no other empty seats remained.
“Sure.” I slid over, and he sat down next to me. I closed my eyes again as the next number began, trying to ignore how nice his cologne smelled. What was it today with men’s cologne, anyway?
When the number finished, Kate turned to her mother. “Mommy, I want to sit with her.”
Aislinn looked at me questioningly, and I nodded. Kate headed to me and turned her back so I could lift her onto my lap.
She smelled like baby shampoo, and as she snuggled against me, I had a fleeting thought that I might have been expecting a child of my own by now. Jace and I had talked about not wanting to wait to start our family. I shut down the painful thought, blinking against the sudden burning in my eyes.
After several more numbers, I checked my watch. “Kate, I have to leave to go meet my friends.” She gave me a hug, slid from my lap, and returned to her mother.
As I rose, the ship suddenly swayed and, to my horror, I toppled onto Braedon’s lap.
“Decide to stay for the rest of the music?” he said, trying not to laugh.
My faced burned. “Excuse me.” I tried to figure out where to put my hands to lift myself again. I finally got to my feet, supporting my weight on the arm of the couch. I attempted to straighten, but another shift of the floor sent me askew again, and I landed back in Braedon’s lap.
By then Braedon was laughing outright, and everyone stared at us. This was ridiculous. Braedon raised his hands but didn’t seem to know how to help. The best thing he could have done was give my bum a push, but he had the good sense not to do that.
Luckily, D’Arcy came to help and pulled me to my feet.
“Thank you.” I turned to Braedon, mortified. “I’m so sorry.”
He shook his head, still chuckling.
I walked from the room, hoping I didn’t look as ridiculous as I felt and praying I could make it down to the Show Lounge without another blunder.
Elle was waiting for me, sitting among some of her new friends. I waved hello to them and sat in the chair she indicated.
“Where did you find Jori?” she asked.
“I know, right?” I peered around her to see if he had come.
“He was feeling seasick, so he went back to h
is cabin.” Elle looked at me. “He seemed interested in you.”
I leaned my head back and shut my eyes for a moment before glancing at her from the corner of my eye. “How many guys do you plan on playing matchmaker with?”
She made a face. “Just flirt with them. You can date a guy without marrying him—” Elle snapped her mouth shut when she saw the pain in my expression. “I’m sorry. But you know what I mean.”
I sighed and squeezed her hand. “I do. Have you given that job offer anymore thought?”
Elle made a face. I wasn’t surprised. She had worked at half a dozen different things since high school. Recently, she had gotten her Colorado court reporter certification. I had told her that sitting invisible in a corner would never suit her. Evidently, now that the job offer had made that a reality, she was having second thoughts.
“Then don’t take it,” I said.
She leaned her head back. “I wish I could be my own boss, doing something I like.”
“Play to your strength—people.” We had been over this before, but fear of failure kept her from starting an Etsy business with some online friends. It was the same problem she had with guys, but I wasn’t going to go there.
At the end of the show, the members of Elle’s group who hadn’t gotten seasick wanted to go to the Crow’s Nest, the ship’s dance club.
“You’re coming, aren’t you?” Elle asked.
I shook my head, thinking of my mishap with Braedon. “I’d prefer to wait until the deck is steadier before going dancing.”
Elle put on a martyred expression. “Well, based on the stormy weather forecast, you’ll have to get used to it. I’ll let you go today, but tomorrow you will come.”
“Okay,” I agreed. “Night, everyone.”
CHAPTER 3
THE SHIP’S rocking was so much gentler in the morning that I felt it was safe enough for a workout. Though I arrived at the gym early, two guys were already there on the treadmills. I went to the workout floor near the entrance and took off my hoodie and shoes.
I sipped some lime-flavored water and took a couple of minutes to admire the view of the ocean. I couldn’t help but notice the nice physique of the shirtless man jogging on the treadmill. He must know what he was doing when he lifted weights; it took time and knowledge to get such a defined build without the grotesque bodybuilder look.
I suddenly realized it was Braedon and choked on my water. Embarrassed, I turned away, trying not to draw attention to myself with my coughing.
While I did my sensei-required thirty minutes of stretching, I focused my attention on the list of books I planned to read on the cruise, refusing to look at the treadmills again. Once finished, I took a long drink and allowed myself one peek in his direction. He had moved on to the weights. I tried not to remember my humiliation at falling all over him last night.
I began the kata, starting with yellow belt forms, and lost myself in the movements. When I completed the forms for the brown belt, I took a break. Braedon stood by a young guy and a pretty Hispanic girl I had seen at dinner last night, apparently giving them instructions on how to use the weight machines. I scrutinized Braedon, curious about what kind of teacher he might be. Our eyes met before I had a chance to look away. Busted! My face went hot.
I spun, stumbling a little over the first moves of the black belt kata, so I had to start over. I could almost feel Braedon’s eyes on my back as I returned to the beginning position. I closed my eyes and slowly did the opening bow, forcing my thoughts into the next move. After a pause, I exploded to the right, performed a right strike and Haku kick, stepped into a left stack, and followed with a right augmented block. By the time I moved forward to do the next block, I had found my zone.
After completing the six required forms one after the other, I was drenched in sweat. I grabbed my towel, wiping my face. Water bottle in hand for a refill, I didn’t see him until I turned around.
Braedon leaned against the wall, watching me with his arms crossed in front of his chest. A towel hung loosely over his shoulder, his skin glistening with a faint sheen of perspiration. He straightened. “Karate?”
“Yes.” I moved toward the water cooler.
Braedon followed. “Are you a black belt?”
“First degree.” I bent to fill my bottle. “I should be ready to test for my next level by fall.”
The lanky guy Braedon had helped joined us, the girl following closely behind. “You’re Elle’s friend Lyn, right?” He thrust a tanned hand forward. “I’m Jimmy Hewitt and this is Maria Sandoval.” His eyes lit up. “Was that Kung Fu stuff you were doing?”
With that accent, he had to be from the south. Texas, maybe. There was something so likeable about him that I couldn’t help smiling. “It’s karate.”
“I’d love to learn some moves sometime.” Jimmy glanced from me to Braedon.
Maria moved closer, taking Jimmy’s arm. “Elle and a bunch of us are meeting for breakfast. You two coming?”
“I’m heading to the first class in that series about Hawaii, so I won’t have time.” I threw my canvass bag over my shoulder and headed toward the elevator, followed by the others.
“I’ll have to pass too.” Braedon reached his arm past me and pushed the elevator button. “I’m meeting my family for that same class.”
“Oh, okay.” Jimmy nodded. “Hey, I was wondering—”
The elevator opened, and we stepped aside to let out the people, Braedon’s hand on the frame to keep the door open. I looked at Jimmy. “Yes?”
“Well, see, I play the guitar, and I’m looking for other people who play instruments.”
I glanced at Maria, who was watching him in obvious adoration. “Why?” I asked him.
Jimmy’s face glowed. “I’m trying to talk the cruise director into letting us have a passenger talent show.”
I hoped Elle hadn’t told him that I played the piano and the guitar. I was on vacation and had no intention of performing. “I’ll let you know if I find any.”
Jimmy gave me a big grin. “Wicked. Thanks!” He headed toward the stairs.
“Hang on a sec,” Braedon said to me. He let the elevator door go and dashed toward the buffet by the pool area. He grabbed a few things and hurried back, handing me a muffin. “After that workout, you can’t skip breakfast.”
“What?” I laughed and pushed the elevator button again. “Are you a doctor or something?”
He nodded. “Surgeon.”
That explained the cell phone obsession, but he looked too young to be a doctor. “General surgery or did you specialize?”
“I’m a thoracic surgeon.”
“Wow. How old are you?” I blurted and immediately covered my mouth in dismay. “Sorry. It’s just I know that involves an extra four years after medical school, so it’s what? Fifteen years of training after high school?”
Braedon blinked. “I am younger than most in the field.” The elevator door opened again, and we entered. “I graduated early from high school with an associate degree, so I had a head start.”
“How old were you when you graduated?”
He paused. “Fifteen.”
“You graduated from high school at fifteen with an associate degree? I’m ... speechless.”
Braedon chuckled, but there was a hint of bitterness to it. “You wouldn’t be if you’d known my mother.”
The doors opened to our floor, and we stepped into the narrow hallway.
“Did your mother push you to graduate early?”
He shrugged. “No more than I pushed myself.”
Cocking my head, I lifted one eyebrow.
“What?”
“I’m a high school teacher. Even graduating at eighteen with an associate degree is a big deal. Did you do anything but study?”
“My mother was a very determined woman, and she knew how to get what she wanted ... and, to be honest, what I wanted. I had a rigid schedule, but I did have a social life.”
The smile left his face. “She wanted to keep
me from growing up to be like my father. He’s a rancher in Montana, and she knew how much I loved to be out on the range with him. So when I expressed an interest in medicine, she jumped on it with a vengeance and made sure I never had time to change my mind.”
He winced. “I’m sorry. You don’t need to know all this.”
Yet at that moment, I wanted to know the whole story. “Did you ever? Change your mind, I mean.”
He shook his head.
“How did your dad feel about you becoming a doctor?”
Braedon snorted, but his expression softened. “He can be really hard on people, but he supported me in whatever I wanted—as long as it was my choice. Dad’s not one to trust people who aren’t family. After the divorce, my mother was no longer family.”
Being caught between them must have been tough. My heart swelled at the thought of my own parents. “Your mother and father sound like they’re from two very different worlds.”
“It’s amazing they ever got together—the cowboy and the debutante. Their story was the stuff of a chick flick ... if there’d been a happy ending.” He lifted his chin toward me. “What about you? How did you get into martial arts?”
“There’d been a rash of rapes around campus, so I registered for karate. I loved it and kept going even after the police caught the guy.”
“I studied Taekwondo in school—traditional, not sport. I only got up to my red belt, though. Other things became more important to me at that time in my life.” He gave a soft chuckle. “Like cars and girls.”
“Cars and girls. Makes me think of my brother.” I grinned and paused when we reached his door. “So you didn’t go beyond red. What level is that? I’m not familiar with Taekwondo’s belt colors.”
“In my dojo, it was just before black.”
Elle stuck her head out of our door a few feet away. “There you are!” Her eyes widened when she noticed Braedon.
“See you,” I said to him and nudged Elle into our cabin.
I had to give her credit for trying to hide her smug expression. “You coming to breakfast?” she asked.
Stepping out of my gi pants, I nodded toward the day’s itinerary on the desk next to her. “Don’t you remember I said I wanted to go to the briefings?” I took a big bite out of the muffin.
A Change of Plans Page 2