Against the Tide: High Seas Weddings

by Cheryl Phipps

  “It was a ridiculous fight, and I started it. I guess I was scared and I wanted to push James to see if he truly loved me, even when I wasn’t nice.” She gave a small sob. “I love him so much. I really don’t know what I’ll do if he stands me up. Keep drinking?”

  Keira took the glass from her trembling fingers. “No you won’t. We’ll talk about that if it happens, but I think we should be optimistic and not ruin makeup without a darn good reason. Where are your bridesmaids?”

  “Next door. I sent them away. They had too many opinions, and none of them made me feel better.”

  “Right. Give me two minutes with them. After that, I’ll find out if you’re getting married one way or another.”

  Tiffany took a proffered tissue and dried her eyes. “Okay.”

  Keira marched the few steps to the other room and barged right in. The three women looked up guiltily. Obviously they were gossiping about the latest events.

  “As bridesmaids, you have a duty to look after the bride. That means keeping her occupied and happy. You can’t do that from here. Get your dresses on, and you can finish your makeup next door. Any questions?”

  They had formed a cluster, and one stepped forward. “Is the groom coming?” she asked nervously.

  “He is until I tell you otherwise. Ready?”

  They scampered into their dresses and fled past her out the door. Keira dusted her hands. She must have developed the scary look she’d used from being around Jane and Margaret.

  It was time to find the groom, or at least his whereabouts.

  Ryan was coming down from the wheelhouse, and she waited for him. “Can you help me find the groom?”

  “He’s below decks with his best man and groomsmen. Do you want me to take you to them?”

  Keira blew out a relieved sigh. “That would be great.”

  She followed him down one level, and he knocked on the door. “Anything else?”

  “Could you get someone at the gangway directing any early guests to the back of the ship, please? I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  “I’m on it.”

  As the door opened, she made a mental note to tell Aiden how good Ryan was.

  “Hello, gentlemen. I’m Keira, the wedding planner. Where’s James?”

  A sad-looking young man came forward. “I heard Marilyn had an accident when Ryan brought us here.”

  “That’s right. Tiffany and her parents asked me to step in, so I’m checking that you four are good to go when the time comes.”

  “You’ll have to ask the bride if it’s still happening first. Last night she said she didn’t want to see me again.”

  Keira counted to ten in her head and gave him a big smile. “Yet you’re here. I’m assuming you still want to marry Tiffany?”

  “I do, but she—”

  “That’s all I need to hear. Tiffany’s sorry. She was scared, said things she didn’t mean, and wants to marry you with all her heart. Shall I tell her you’re sorry too?”

  Color returned to his cheeks and he grinned. “Yes, please.”

  The other men hooted, and one of them made a whip sound. The groom spun around. “Tiffany is the best thing to happen to me, so you can all shut up or leave.”

  The guilty party punched James on the arm. “We’re just teasing. Put a smile on that ugly face and let’s get you married!”

  Satisfied, Keira went back to the bride and bridesmaids, who were fussing over her as if nothing had happened. “Talk about weddings being a box of chocolates,” she muttered under her breath as she gave them a thumbs-up. “He’s here, he’s sorry, and he can’t wait to marry you.”

  The four of them began bouncing around the room. Keira’s head had a drum beating inside it as she grabbed the blue dress and went behind the partition to change. When she came out, Tiffany squealed.

  “You look awesome! I knew that dress would suit you.”

  A bridesmaid clucked. “You really do, but your hair needs to be up.”

  Before Keira knew what was happening, she was forced into a chair and hands were everywhere. She tried to protest at the wasted time, but they insisted. A few minutes later she was handed a mirror, and she was stunned.

  The blue of the dress matched her eyes, and now with her hair up and several tendrils gracing her neck, she looked as if she belonged at the wedding.

  “So much better than your skirt and blouse, don’t you think?” Tiffany said proudly.

  She swallowed hard. “Like chalk and cheese. Thank you. Now, I have to go.”

  Keira shifted back into planner mode, which was the only way to move at a frenetic pace without alarming anyone.

  Putting everything in place for a great wedding didn’t mean it would stay on the track she’d mapped out. There were a lot of people out there who didn’t like to be told what to do, or when to do it. The rich and famous were the worst in her book, and it only took one incident to ruin months of planning.

  Or, in her case, a few hectic hours.

  Chapter Six

  Aiden stood at the edge of the stairway surveying the situation below him. He liked to ensure for himself that things were fine below him, so everything received a cursory glance, from his staff to the guests. Everything except Keira. He spent more time looking at her than anything or anyone else and was acutely aware of every move she made. He was also irritated when he couldn’t see her.

  Where had she gotten the powder-blue knee-length dress that showed off her slender legs? Legs that were slightly visible in the sunlight through the fabric. She looked so different to the unsure woman who had boarded Majestic earlier that day. Her clothes had been prim and proper then, her bravado amusing. Now she was personable yet professional and exuded self-confidence. Where had that been hiding?

  She’d also hidden what a great figure she had. The dress hugged her curves in an alarmingly appealing way. Although, the attraction had begun before the clothing change. Her hair, which had earlier swung around her shoulders, was now pulled back into a bun at the nape of her neck with tendrils softening the effect—one more thing to get him hot under the collar.

  He found it impossible to be unaffected by the diminutive bundle of energy, but there were other feelings at play than mere attraction. He wanted to find time to take those feelings out and give them a thorough inspection.

  He’d also glimpsed her desire on more than one occasion, and, like him, her fight against it. That was both intriguing and amusing as he watched her subtly organize the guests and bridal party throughout the afternoon, though the amusement had morphed into admiration.

  Keira was carrying out the impossible, with precision and no fuss. It wasn’t originally her wedding, but she’d made it so.

  One of his crew stood at the bottom of the gangway taking invitations and checking for gatecrashers, while Keira stood at the top personally welcoming the guests aboard and explaining the layout for the wedding and where the facilities were. Even the snobbiest of people warmed to her.

  Somehow she had found time to organize the quartet. They had set up on the back deck, which was where she directed everyone. The small touches and her personable manner had lightened the mood, and now Majestic was once more a fun place to be for the people hiring it and their guests.

  Totally immersed in the proceedings for the last hour or so, she hadn’t given him a glance. As irritating as that was, it was also completely natural. Keira had no idea he wasn’t at the wheel and that he continued to behave as he had throughout the afternoon, watching her yet trying to maintain a distance while preparing for the cruise.

  The trouble was she’d become a magnet to his hardened heart. So much so that he’d found himself thinking about her as he’d slipped Majestic out from her berth and into the harbor. His concentration was pathetic, and his ship deserved better.

  Once she was running parallel to the shore, he’d left the wheel with his second-in-command and come to where he could see the wedding. And he couldn’t pretend that he had more interest in the planner t
han was healthy.

  A fixation like this had never happened to him before. His general unease at letting himself be even slightly vulnerable in any capacity didn’t seem to factor into what he was allowing himself to think and feel.

  After another trip to check on the course of his ship, Aiden was back just in time to see Keira get the guests to take their seats. Ryan, cleaned up and in his whites, had been instructed to watch for her signal. When she gave it, he helped the bride, her father, and the bridesmaids to the prearranged assembly point.

  Keira lifted the train so it flowed from the bride’s body, handed out bouquets, lined bridesmaids in order, and signaled to the quartet. It all went so smoothly that before he knew it, everything had fallen into place without a clipboard in sight.

  As the music began, all eyes turned to the aisle between the seats while Keira melted behind a pillar and the photographer slipped around to the front of the room. A gentle breeze lifted the veil, and Mr. Grant whispered into the bride’s ear. It looked like they were sharing a joke. Then he took her arm, and they sauntered down the aisle behind the bridesmaids who were dressed in various shades of pink.

  The ceremony itself was picture perfect, and the guest erupted in applause when the groom kissed his new wife for quite some time.

  After the line of thanks, the wedding party disappeared to the top level for photos. With the photographer in charge, Keira was free to move amongst the guests, which she did with aplomb, not spending too long with any one group or person, making each feel special and thankful to be there and aware of what was happening when.

  Unfortunately, although to be expected, several men of varying ages watched her with interest, while a group of older teenagers nudged each other and whispered.

  Aiden wasn’t happy with how any of that made him feel. It was ridiculous to be so tied up in knots. He had a ship to sail and a business to run; he didn’t need to feel like this. Strike that—he didn’t want to feel like this.

  Striding off to the wheelhouse, he began to make a list in his head about why he wasn’t going to follow Keira around for the rest of the night.

  It was a very small list.

  “You okay, boss?”

  Ryan startled him, and that was a first. Aiden was the one who had been trained in stealth as a marine and was often guilty of catching people unaware. It wasn’t something he was conscious of anymore; it had become merely a way of being for him. Allowing another person to have any power over him wasn’t anything he cared to contemplate, let alone allow.

  One more thing to consider when thinking about the petite blonde.

  “I’m working on something. Do you need me?”

  Ryan’s mouth twitched. “No, sir. I’m just reporting on the wedding, as you asked.”

  “And?”

  “Everything is smooth sailing.” He grinned.

  Ryan had been an enigma when he’d come to Aiden looking for work. He’d bizarrely struggled with seasickness, which had been a huge negative, but he was determined, amiable and a hard worker, and that’s why he was still hired. He was also hopeless with women and in awe of Aiden’s reputation, even though he’d tried to play it down.

  “Glad to hear it. Not too many drunks yet?”

  “No, sir. Keira’s pushing the punch, which, as per her instructions, is being made weaker each time.” Ryan grinned.

  “Did she get told to do that by the bride or her parents?” Aiden was curious.

  “No, sir. She told me on the quiet and said it was a little trick she’d learned.”

  “It’s a good one,” Aiden said admiringly.

  “I agree, and no one seems any the wiser.” Ryan gave a small laugh as he headed outside.

  Aiden shook his head at Keira’s cunning. Less alcohol in the punch was excellent, but it wouldn’t stop the ones who drank other things from getting drunk.

  There was a specific loop the cruise did once Majestic left the small harbor, and they were now halfway through it.

  He called out to his second-in-command. “ Will, take control, please. I’m going to do my usual check.”

  Will shook his head. “I wondered when you would. The noise down there has gotten louder, and I’m pretty sure we have guests in areas they shouldn’t be.”

  Aiden’s exasperation returned. “Ryan assured me it was all under control.”

  “Ryan’s still an innocent. He likes looking through his rose-colored glasses.”

  With Will’s laughter following him, Aiden started on the top deck. A teenage couple had gone under the rope and were kissing on the bow. It was one of those classic moments that could be a fun Titanic thing or could lead to something he wasn’t prepared to let it.

  He coughed and they jumped apart. “Sorry to interrupt, but this area is out-of-bounds tonight. Might I suggest you head back to the party?”

  They nodded guiltily and verged on a run as they made their way along the deck and down to the other guests.

  Hopefully they’ll be the only ones with the need to explore this far.

  Chapter Seven

  Finally all the speeches had been made, the cake was cut, and the bride and groom took to the floor for their first dance. Keira looked on with a sigh as the Grants followed soon after with the remainder of the bridal party. Even after all these years, Dawn and Ray were in love. It was apparent to anyone who cared to see, and enough to remind Keira of why she was in this profession, which certainly had more than its fair share of significant ups and downs.

  “That dress suits you,” Aiden said from beside her.

  She jumped, wishing he wouldn’t do that, even though she’d been wondering where he was and thinking what a shame it was if he had to be at the wheel the whole night. Or that she’d missed him, and he was potentially in the crowd somewhere. Hah! If she had to be honest, she’d had one eye looking out for him ever since he’d left her. By the attraction she felt toward to him, she should’ve known if he was within twenty feet of her.

  It did make her heart race to think that he might’ve been watching her, and that he’d noticed and approved of her wardrobe change.

  She touched the soft fabric, and his eyes followed her hands. “Thank you. Tiffany got a message to her dressmaker and asked her to bring something along with the wedding dress. I guess she didn’t think I would blend in, what with my suit so crumpled. Luckily we’re the same build, except I’m obviously shorter.”

  Something about Aiden made her mouth run away, blurt out all kinds of information, and generally embarrass herself.

  He pulled his glance back to her face with a sexy smile. “I’m glad she did. I don’t think it could look better on anyone else than it does on you. In fact, the wedding dress would’ve suited you better too.”

  She blushed. “Thanks, but you shouldn’t say such things. Poor Tiffany, she was under some stress recently.” It was true, but she felt as though she were giving away secrets.

  The dress wasn’t as fitted as it should’ve been since the bride had lost a great deal of weight in the last week. The dressmaker had tutted and fussed and done her best to fix it, but there hadn’t been time to make it perfect.

  “I wouldn’t talk about it with anyone else. Anyway, it’s been a great wedding so far. Well done.”

  “Thanks. That means a lot coming from someone who’s no doubt seen a few.”

  He laughed. “I certainly have. Some went exactly as they should, but none were as well executed as this, despite having months to prepare.”

  She reveled in his praise. “It wasn’t perfect because of the time factor, but I think they’ll have fond memories.”

  “So will I.” Aiden picked up a lock of her hair and tucked it across her shoulder.

  Keira gulped at his touch, so warm on the bare skin of her neck. “What do you mean?”

  “You were so unsure of yourself when you came on board this morning. I watched you deal will the planner from hell, and then, in spite of her rudeness, you took care of her when she injured herself. Then you picked
up the challenge of a wedding you knew nothing about, which you nailed. That’ll be more than a fond memory to keep of this day. For all of us, in different ways.”

  His voice was as soft as a caress, and Keira’s mouth was dry. “It’s my job,” she managed.

  He shook his head. “Not at the start. You could’ve walked away.”

  She shrugged. “No I couldn’t. Not when that family had no other option. Besides, I’m new in town. I want to make a good impression.”

  He made an odd sound. “You certainly did that.”

  Keira studied his face. “Are you laughing at me?”

  “Only at your seriousness.”

  She stood as tall as she could. “I want people to have a good time and get value for their money. I’m trying hard to be professional and grow my business because I have bills to pay. All of that makes it very serious to me.”

  He stilled for a moment. “I hear you. Running a business is a balancing act.”

  Keira was genuinely surprised by his admission. “You can’t be worried about money.”

  “Because I have a beautiful ship?” he scoffed.

  Keira nodded. Although, there were other reasons a man like Aiden should feel happy with how his life was tracking. Being a hunk certainly couldn’t hurt.

  “A ship like Majestic costs a fortune to run. With fuel, maintenance, and staff, I need a steady income stream to cover the overhead, including a hefty mortgage.”

  He took a step away from her to lean over the railing, and she wondered if he regretted being so open with her. Still, she was curious. “I thought you were booked up months in advance.”

  He sighed. “I am, and into next year, but for the better seasons only. No one wants to be out on the water when the weather sucks.”

  “I never thought about that.” She looked around the beautiful ship, thinking what a waste that it wasn’t being used more. “How long are you not in service for?”

  He swung around, his eyebrows raised. “Between four and five months a year.”