Against the Tide: High Seas Weddings

by Cheryl Phipps

Instead, he concentrated on her pain. “There are a lot of people out there who can’t see what they have until it’s gone. In business and in relationships.”

  “I don’t think Damien ever cared about me or the business. I’m pretty sure he just moved on to some other sucker. I wish I’d seen much earlier what was right in front of me.” She threw her hands in the air. “That’s bull. If I’m honest, deep down I’d realized a lot earlier than I let on that he was using me, but for some reason I chose to ignore it, hoping he would be the person I thought he was.”

  Aiden felt her sadness and hurt. It made him hyper-aware of his own issues, and for the first time in years, he was thinking about something that wasn’t his work or career. The marines had filled part of a void, gotten the anger about his stepfather's brutality out of his system, to a point. Still, he carried an empty space that had yet to be filled, which he’d thought impossible to do. Then in walked Keira, and suddenly he had hope that he’d found someone to make that space smaller and perhaps close it altogether.

  He shook his head. He was getting ahead of himself. They’d known each other barely a few months, and there he was imagining a life with her. It was not only crazy, but it would be damaging to pin his hopes on that eventuality. Did it matter if what they had wasn’t forever? Whatever length of time he had with her would be better than no time at all.

  Sometimes you had to live in the moment. Although that hadn’t worked too well for him before this. The feeling of being rudderless had been curbed by Majestic, but his first love was made of cold steel and mostly empty rooms. Keira was a beacon of light that drew him in like a sailor trying to find a haven on a jagged coast. She was warmth and honesty, goodness and possibilities, and he found that he wanted that. All of it. For more than a night. More than a fling.

  His mind was warring with opposing views on life going forward, and both sides had merit. He knew he should concentrate on what he could do with Majestic, not what he could do with Keira. But that wasn’t going to happen because there were too many things— beautiful things—he wanted to do to Keira right then that had nothing at all to do with cruises or weddings. He wanted her, and the feeling wasn’t about to go away unless he said no to any and all of her propositions.

  He sighed. The battle had been waged, and she’d won without trying too hard, or being aware of it. He had no idea why he wanted her to have everything he could give her, but he was beyond trying to fight the attraction.

  “You’ve gone again. Are you all right? Was my sharing too much?”

  She put a hand on his thigh, and he placed his over it. Their fingers locked.

  “Not at all. I want you to tell me things about your life. I’m sorry it wasn’t a bed of roses. All I can say is that it’s like that for most people.”

  “Is it really?” she scoffed.

  “Nah. I’m just trying to make you feel better.”

  Keira roared with laughter. “I love your sense of humor. Tell me about your past.”

  The smile fell from his face, and he felt himself tense.

  “If you have a problem with me knowing, that’s fine.” She smiled gently.

  Keira was letting him off the hook, but she had been so open with him, so he sucked up the paranoia that exposing himself would come back to haunt him and told her what he could.

  “My two brothers and I had a rough childhood. Our stepfather wasn’t a good man, and we suffered physically and mentally at his hands. I had to get away from him, so I joined the marines as soon as they’d have me. Mitchell and I tried to protect Gabriel, and we succeeded for years, but once we’d both left, he got it worse than we ever had. He’s a gentler soul than us, and it was difficult for him to fight back. We live with that guilt every day.”

  She wrapped herself around him. “I’m sure you did your best.”

  “Sometimes that’s just not good enough.” His voice cracked, and he kissed her neck to cover his emotion.

  She sighed and leaned back. “I wish I could make things better for you.”

  “You do. Every minute you’re here.” He kissed her long and deep.

  It was way too soon to tell her that he was loving more and more about her every minute they spent together, but it was the truth.

  Chapter Fifteen

  For the next few weeks, they were inseparable, and Keira couldn’t have been happier. Not only had their lawyers made the task of fund sharing as easy as they could, but Aiden had embraced the off-season business so well that he was bouncing ideas off her.

  As she drove to the pier, she smiled. Life felt wonderful, and if it hadn’t been for Margaret and Jane sniffing around her for information about her relationship with the captain, she would be perfectly happy. She’d had to lay her cards on the table and state that this was a business outside of work hours and wasn’t around weddings. Aiden had agreed to that for the time being, because he understood she needed an income in case their venture failed.

  The most exciting thing was that the mystery cruise was a go. Since that wonderful night, there had been many others, and each time, both their relationship and the cruise business were furthered. It was a win-win situation that she was loving. Business and pleasure, just the way she’d imagined it should’ve been with Damien.

  She was on a perpetual high these days and thankful that she had Chloe in her corner tonight. They worked so well together, and even though they still had so much to do to ensure the mystery cruise tonight encouraged new business, nothing could dampen her enthusiasm.

  Aiden’s sister-in-law, Mila, was unavailable due to a prior commitment, but Mitchell was coming, and so was Gabriel.

  Since they hung out in the same circles, Mitchell had roped in a few of Mila’s ex-coworkers from The Sunrise Beach Reality Show. They were B-grade actors, but it had garnered a bit of interest from the press. Chantelle had agreed to be the murderer and, according to Aiden, was relishing the chance to act.

  Keira hadn’t been pleased about having her around, but Chantelle had a lot of rich friends. Keira had given Chloe the job of liaising with her and collating an extensive list, which was loaded with names that Keira knew but might never have found a way to contact.

  She parked her car and climbed out to find that the wind had picked up, Majestic rocking a little more than Keira would’ve liked. She squared her shoulders, determined not to get seasick, and marched up the gangway.

  Aiden was there as soon as she stepped foot on the ship. He grinned and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. “You look good enough to eat.”

  She flushed. “Aiden! Behave, people will see.”

  “And we can’t have that, can we?” he teased as he led her into the main salon.

  They had been careful about their time together, but it was inevitable that his crew would see them together, and she knew how the gossip grapevine worked in this town. She wanted to be seen as a professional and not an extension of Aiden or any man ever again.

  The tables and chairs were set up in half of the room for dinner, with couches adorning the other half, complete with a pretend fireplace and a fake roaring fire. Portable heaters had been placed outside to thwart the cooler evening breeze, and with the heat on, it was cozy enough.

  The grand piano had been pushed into the corner with enough room around it for a sing-along, and a sound system had been set up for later to give the piano player a break.

  The bar was ready with punch bowls, glasses, and flutes waiting for the champagne.

  “May I take your coat, madam?”

  Aiden gave her a low bow. He was resplendent in a naval costume, and Keira’s mouth was actually dry as she drank him in. She undid her buttons and turned for Aiden to slip the coat from her shoulders. Her 1920s dress was straight, and not as loose as she would’ve preferred. It also had a low neckline, making the swell of her breasts visible.

  Her cheeks burned as she turned. A picture couldn’t have captured the many expressions that slid across Aiden’s face, but the one she was left with gave her no illusions
as to what he was thinking.

  His eyes traveled the length of her and back, ending at her face. A grin split him from ear to ear, and his dimples danced merrily on his clean-shaven cheeks.

  “Wow, you look amazing.”

  “Not too much?” Keira pulled at the neckline.

  He shook his head. “Leave it. You’re perfect just the way you are.”

  “Then I think we should check on things once more.”

  “You already triple-checked things before you left this afternoon.”

  “You can never check enough.”

  Aiden laughed. “Come on, then, slave driver.”

  She wrapped her arm through the one he offered. “What will you be doing tonight while I’m orchestrating our first event?”

  “Watching you.”

  She slapped his arm as he tucked her into his side. “Stop that. We have to be professional.”

  “I will be. But if you hadn’t wanted me to follow you around all night, then you shouldn’t have dressed like that.”

  She gulped. “Like what?”

  “Like the hottest woman in the room.”

  That made her laugh. “No one’s here yet, so how can you possibly say that?”

  “I don’t have to see anyone else to know it’ll be true.”

  Keira almost laughed again, until she saw how serious he was. His ability to turn her on by one look was a worry. How the heck did she get them back to a normal conversation when his eyes were pulling her to him as surely as if he had her on a piece of string?

  “Ah, here’s someone I’d like you to meet. Keira, this is my brother Mitchell.”

  Mitchell was apparently as soft-footed as his brother and as tall. There was a definite similarity to the two of them.

  He took her hand and smiled. “I’m pleased to finally meet the woman who has been monopolizing my brother’s time.”

  “I had no intention of doing that.” Keira fumbled with her response, disturbed by Mitchell’s words.

  “Of course, I can see now how being with his family would pale in comparison with you.” He smiled again, and his eyes twinkled.

  Keira shook her head. “You and Aiden are very alike when it comes to teasing women.”

  Mitchell grinned. “We’re nothing compared to our youngest brother. Wait until you meet him.”

  “Maybe it would be best if I kept Keira off his radar,” Aiden added.

  The brothers laughed at the inside joke, and Keira was filled with warmth. This is how a family should be.

  “Here comes Chloe,” she told them. “You two clowns can enjoy each other’s company while I get things started.”

  Keira joined Chloe in welcoming the guests on board, and when she thought everyone had arrived, they went into the glass reception room to begin the theme of the evening. Aiden was nowhere to be seen, but Keira could feel his presence.

  “He hates the falseness of some of our guests.” Mitchell stood beside her with his mouth twitching as if he could read her mind.

  Keira didn’t pretend to misunderstand. “What do you mean?”

  “Actors can be a little narcissistic, and conversations get very one-sided.”

  “But you’re married to an actor.”

  “True. Mila was a bit like that, but she’s not anymore.”

  “You changed her?”

  “Hah. She’s a very strong woman and doesn’t take kindly to being told what to do.”

  “Then what happened?”

  “I guess it was love. I called her on some of her way of being, she called me on mine, and before we knew it, we’d both changed.”

  “Wow. Nice story.”

  He shrugged. “It works for us, and now that we have a business together, we have to put on other hats than we previously wore. Change in many aspects can be incredibly refreshing.”

  “Aiden said you were very private.”

  “We both are as a rule, but I get the feeling that you’re not one to spread rumors.”

  “Thank you. I suspect your unburdening has an underlying message.”

  He chuckled. “Beautiful and smart. I see what my brother finds so irresistible.”

  “Good grief, you two are more alike than I thought. I’m going to get the meal started.”

  As she made her way to the small stage, she saw Aiden talking to Chantelle in the corner. He winked at her and the twinge of jealousy abated.

  It’s show time. Keira welcomed the guests and signaled to the waiters who brought out the first course.

  A pianist played softly in the background, and after everyone had enjoyed their meals, Keira cued Chloe, who’d volunteered for the role of victim and stood waiting by the piano. Dressed as a flapper in the brightest red dress Keira had been able to find, Chloe climbed the three steps onto the stage, let out a blood-curdling scream, and collapsed in a heap. The stage was high enough for everything to be visible to the guests, yet far enough away from everyone for them to believe something terrible had happened.

  Keira ran across the stage and felt Chloe’s pulse. “I’m afraid she’s dead,” she said somberly.

  There were a few rehearsed screams around the room from crew members who’d blended in with the guests, and then Keira threw a sheet over the ‘body.’

  Chantelle stepped up to the stage and turned theatrically. “This poor girl has been killed by one of you. We shall not leave this ship until the murderer is found.”

  Aiden joined her. “As captain of Majestic, I insist there must be clues around here, and for the person who solves the murder, I offer a reward. You have two hours before we return to shore.”

  He carried it off brilliantly, and soon everyone was invested in solving the crime. Keira checked on Chloe, who was eating a bar of chocolate and playing solitaire on her phone under the sheet.

  “You okay under there?”

  Her friend giggled. “I’m fine. With what you’re paying me for doing nothing, I’m happy to stay here all night.”

  “That won’t be necessary. The clues are being dropped on the guests randomly by the crew and Chantelle, so we should have a winner soon.”

  “Well if I take a nap, don’t wake me, okay?”

  Keira dropped the sheet and had to move away quickly before she laughed out loud. Chloe was surely the funniest corpse.

  “Hi. It’s Keira, isn’t it? Sorry I haven’t caught up with you before now. I’ve been working in Aiden’s cabin. I’m Gabriel, his brother.”

  He really was a younger version of Aiden, just a little darker in coloring. He shook her hand.

  “I’m so pleased to meet you finally. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  Gabriel laughed, just like Aiden, although it sounded a little harsher. “I find that hard to believe. Aiden doesn’t talk about his family too much. None of us do.”

  “Maybe not, but he thinks the world of you and Mitchell.”

  Gabriel looked over to where Aiden stood by the door, and she saw their eyes meet.

  “Does he? That’s really interesting.”

  She didn’t know what to make of the underlying tension that had cropped up seemingly from nowhere, and now she felt awkward.

  “I better go make sure no one’s bored. Will you be okay?”

  Gabriel gave her a knowing smile, as if he knew she was making an escape. “I’ve never been bored a day in my life. You carry on. I might check out the piano.”

  Keira watched him walk away. He wasn’t as tall as Aiden, but he had his dry sense of humor and, looking so much like him, Keira already liked him. And Mitchell. Aiden was lucky to have his family, even if they all radiated a certain air of mystery.

  As soon as he sat down, his expression went from amusement to passion. It turned out that Gabriel was fantastic on the piano. No, better than that. His playing was riveting, and soon those who weren’t into solving the crime surrounded him.

  Keira carried out her duties with one eye on Aiden and the other on Gabriel. After a couple of heart-stopping tunes, Chloe whispered in his ear and he
blanched, then shrugged. His fingers hit the keys, beginning a well-known tune that had his crowd joining in a sing-along.

  Half an hour later, one of the guests, having solved the clues Keira had hidden, pointed out Chantelle as the murderer. The game was up, and now they were all free to enjoy the remaining time with dancing and singing, which happened to be many of their guests’ better skills.

  When they docked, Keira and Aiden took the stage to a round of applause. The photographer who accompanied the reporter she’d given free tickets to had taken many photos over the night, and now he took one of the two of them. Keira made a mental note to get a copy for her personal use.

  Aiden stood closer to the microphone. “Thank you so much for taking the time to attend our very first event as a team. An expert as a wedding planner, with amazing credentials, Keira has done all the organizing. I don’t think you’ll find any event planner, wedding or otherwise, who could’ve made it a better evening.”

  Another round of applause ensued as she stepped up beside him.

  “Thanks for that, Aiden. As you leave, there will a crew member at the gangway handing out our cards, which have a brief overview of the cruises we have on offer and details on how to contact us, as well as an online critique form. If you would be kind enough to complete the form, you’ll be entered in a drawing for a gift basket. There is also a discount for anyone from tonight who books over the autumn months, and a free gift for recommending someone else.”

  “How long do you think this venture will last?” The reporter, who’d been standing to one side, thrust his microphone into Aiden’s face.

  “Well as I said, we’ve only just begun, but I’m thinking it’ll be for a very long time.”

  “Does the fact that Ms. Davis was bankrupt a short time ago, and still owes a lot of people some serious money back in New York, not worry you about jumping into bed with her, so to speak?”

  Keira was red-faced and angry. How dare he? But this was his business, and she’d invited him, so she bit back the retort that was about to explode from her mouth.

  Aiden’s expression was stony, but he answered in a reasonably normal voice. “It does not. Keira is attempting to pay back her creditors as she can afford it. Working as hard as she does, I can’t imagine that being a problem.”