Pastries and Pilfering

by Danielle Collins

  But now, after a romantic dinner and in the warm breeze swirling around them, she wanted to experience that again. To feel his lips, soft but strong on hers. And the next instant, she did.

  Her eyelids fluttered closed and his free hand wrapped around her, pressing gently against the small of her back. His fingers were warm through the silky fabric of her summer dress and the spicy scent of his cologne intermingled with the flowery scent of her perfume.

  The kiss was short but not without its own type of passion. Tender, but firm; sweet, but short. His lips gone from hers much too quickly.

  “Have a good cruise, Margot,” he said. His breath fanned out warm against her cheeks.

  “Have fun teaching, Professor Eastwood.” His deep chuckle broke some of the spell and she stepped back to head toward the house. “I will. And, Margot—”

  She looked up at him.

  “I’ll tell you when I can.”

  “You’d better.”

  The next morning dawned bright but subtly cooler than the previous day. Margot didn’t mind, but knowing that it would be even cooler on the ship, she pulled a lightweight, striped sweatshirt over jean capris with comfortable, cushioned flats to finish off the ensemble. Then, making sure she’d repacked everything she’d need on the cruise, she followed Renee out the door.

  “Have fun and relax,” her sister said when she dropped her off at the docks.

  “Tell Taylor and Dillon bye for me. I’ll see you all when I get back.”

  Margot pulled her large canvas purse higher on her shoulder and toted her rolling suitcase behind her as she made her way toward the large ship sparkling in the morning sunlight.

  The Carousel Luxury, the finest in its fleet, rose up in front of her to a stunning height of fifteen floors for the cabin area with a length of over one thousand feet. The bright yellow and red flags stuck out against the gleaming white sides of the massive ship and flapped wildly in the wind. She felt like an ant the closer she came.

  “Hello, ma’am,” a kind looking older man said. He wore longer, white shorts and a white, button-up shirt with a badge that read “Jack” and held a clipboard in his hand. “How can I direct you?”

  She showed him her ticket, uncertain of where she was supposed to go.

  “Oh, you’re here to help Miss Petit? Wonderful,” he said, his smile widening, if that were possible. “Let me get someone to show you to the right entrance. Just one moment.”

  She nodded and watched as he keyed into a microphone attached to a radio. Soon a younger man came and led her to a gangplank that appeared to be the crew’s entrance. “Right this way, ma’am,” the young man said.

  She followed him up the ramp and soon they were stepping into a room where a woman sat behind a desk looking slightly harried.

  “Phillip, I thought I told you not to—” When she looked up, she stopped and pressed her lips into a smile. “I'm sorry, I didn’t know you had brought a guest on board.” Her gaze flickered to the young man at Margot’s side and he rushed to explain.

  “This is Miss Petit’s guest for the week.”

  The woman flashed a forced smile at Margot and turned several pages in a thick binder in front of her. “Ah, Mrs. Durand?”

  “Yes,” Margot said.

  “Welcome aboard.” She looked to the young man, “You’re dismissed, Phillip. I’ll take Mrs. Durand to her room.” Standing, she turned back to Margot. “I’m Sophia and I’ll take you to your room if you’ll follow me?”

  Margot did, rolling her suitcase behind her as they turned down a long corridor.

  “Your cabin has a lovely view of the water. I’m sure you’ll be very happy with it.”

  “Thank you very much,” Margot said, picking up her pace to match that of the woman.

  They turned down one more hall before the woman pulled up short. “Ah, here we are.” Retrieving a keycard, she opened the door and pushed it in. “Welcome to your suite, Mrs. Durand.”

  Margot gasped as she stepped past the woman into the ocean view room. She hadn’t expected this. When she’d agreed to Addie’s pleading to join her on a cruise, she’d thought the room would be in the interior and just big enough to fit a bed, but this room exceeded any idea she’d had.

  It wasn’t large by any standard, but it was bright and cheery, with an incredible view just as the stewardess had said. The sliding glass door led out onto a tiny deck with two chairs. Inside, a queen-sized bed took over the space of one wall with a small couch and chair at its foot. The tiny bathroom sat to the left with a closet next to it and then a desk next to that. Everything she needed—and more.

  “This is lovely. Thank you.”

  The woman gave a brisk nod and handed her some papers. “Here is a map of the ship. I’ve indicated here, here, and here—” She pointed to the paper. “—where the kitchen and bake shop are located. You’ll likely find her in the kitchen at this hour. This special keycard will get you there.”

  Sophia looked up and flashed another business-like smile before motioning to close the door.

  “Uh, Sophia?”

  The woman stopped, her mask of helpfulness firmly in place.

  “Thank you, for all of this. I really appreciate the hard work you’ve done. I hope today isn’t too stressful for you.”

  The woman seemed taken off guard but a real smile broke through. “One of our senior crew members is out sick for this cruise so things are a little…crazy,” she said, breaking her business-like manner. “Thank you. I really hope you have a great time.”

  Margot watched her go then closed the door and sunk down onto the plush bed.

  “Oh, I think I will,” she said to the stillness of the room before she fell back against the cushions.

  “I'm not sure what to do, Noah. I am one hundred and twenty percent certain I ordered more than enough, but I’m not seeing it on this inventory sheet. And where in the world are my other boxes?”

  Margot smiled as she came around the corner into the commercial grade kitchen. She’d recognize that voice anywhere.

  “Miss Petit,” she said in her sternest teacher’s voice.

  The young woman, now in her early thirties, turned around, her dark brown hair pulled back into a tight French twist.

  “Margot!” she screamed and rushed at her with open arms. “You’re here!”

  Margot laughed, hugging the woman back with equal force. “As if I’d miss this trip.”

  “I’m so glad you could come. Are you sure you don’t mind helping me?”

  “I am more than happy to do whatever you need me to. I’m at your beck and call.”

  The woman laughed, the sound like tiny silver bells, as she clasped Margot’s hands.

  “No, no! None of that. You are here to help me with the gala and awards ceremony, but in every other respect, you are our guest.” The young man behind Addie coughed. “Oh goodness! I’m so sorry. Margot Durand, this is Noah Spence, he’s my right-hand man.”

  “Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Durand. Addie has told me a lot about you.”

  The handsome young man smiled back at her, showing off deep dimples. He was handsome in a boyish way and when he turned his gaze on Addie, she wondered if they were more than friends. She filed the information away to ask her friend about later.

  “It’s nice to meet you too, Noah. Have you worked on board this ship long?”

  “About three years now,” he said, grinning at Addie. “Though this boss of mine has made it feel like more.”

  “Oh, don’t listen to him,” Addie said, laughing. “He’s a great pastry chef in his own right and I’m lucky to have him on my team. So, are you ready to get the grand tour?”

  Margot looked between Addie and Noah. “Can you get away like this?”

  Addie laughed. “I’m a pastry chef, not a prisoner. And yes, we’ve been prepping early—baker’s hours,” she said with a wink at Margot, “and the guests won’t all be on board for several more hours. It’ll be relatively quiet. The perfect time for a tour.�
�

  “Great,” Margot said, “lead the way, Chef.”

  Addie paused, closing her eyes and holding her hands out.

  “What are you doing?” Noah asked, looking skeptical.

  “Just basking in the moment that my most formidable, and most talented, teacher called me Chef. I have arrived.”

  The three of them laughed and Noah gave her a gentle shove. “Go on then.”

  They walked back out into the hallway and she turned to look at Margot. “What have you seen so far?”

  “Seen?” Margot said, looking doubtful. “The hallway and my room.”

  “Got it,” Addie said, grinning. “Then we’ll head to the mezzanine and you can see what most people see first.”

  As they walked, Margot asked Addie to fill her in on the years since she had graduated from the institute that Margot had taught at. Filled with internships and jobs in well-known French bakeries in Paris, Addie then made her way to the West Coast where she gained employment with Carousel on their primary luxury ship.

  “Will you be going back to France?” Margot asked when Addie had finished her litany of jobs.

  She smiled. “I'm not sure. I’ll have to wait and see how things turn out here.”

  There was something in the girl’s smile that reminded Margot of how she’d acted when she’d been in love with Julian. “Addie, is there something you’re not telling me?”

  The girl’s face blanched. “Not…telling you?”

  “Is there—”

  “Oh, there you are,” said a loud, booming voice.

  Both women jumped and turned to see a man dressed in dark pants, a white shirt, and a navy blue vest. He carried a folder with him and looked to be in a hurry.

  “Please tell me you’ve made all of the arrangements for the gala. We set sail in less than five hours.”

  “Michael,” Addie said, resting her hand over her heart, “I sent you a text not an hour ago telling you what I still needed. Somehow I’ve got supplies missing, though I don't know how that’s possible. You replied that you were on it. Is that not true?”

  The man stuttered. “I-I did?”

  “Yes.” Addie sighed then turned to look at Margot. “Would you give us a minute? The mezzanine is just that way. Feel free to look around, though I don't think any of the shops will be open yet.”

  “Take your time,” Margot said and then slipped past them.

  As she walked away, she heard them lower their voices as they compared notes. It was interesting that, on such a large ship with such limited access, Addie would find things missing from her kitchen. Or was it called a galley?

  Margot smiled to herself but it soon turned into a gasp. As she pushed through two double glass doors, she was stunned with the beauty of the mezzanine. Against the far wall was a glass-fronted elevator that looked like it ran to the top floors of the ship. Then, in a circular space surrounding the open lobby-like area, Margot saw couches and reading nooks, small tables, and shop fronts surrounding the lower floor.

  As she looked higher, she saw that at least three of the lower floors were open, accessed by elevators or a staircase that sat at the far side. The décor was a gaudy mix of deep reds and golden yellows with accents of navy blue. Vibrant green plants dotted the sitting areas and the dim but plentiful lights sparkled off the gold surfaces. It really was a sight to behold.

  “Sorry about that,” Addie said, coming up behind Margot.

  “That didn't take long.”

  She rolled her eyes. “He’s taking over for one of our senior crew members—”

  “The one who’s out sick?”

  Addie looked surprised. “How did you know?”

  Not wanting to get the woman in trouble, in case that type of information was classified, she just smiled. “I heard a rumor.”

  “It’s so sad, Alison is great—super organized and always on top of things—but she came down with something awful last night. When I got the text, I knew it was going to be crazy today. I just didn't expect this. Michael’s been trying to slip into her spot for a while now—always showing up where he doesn’t belong—and now this. I’m afraid the power will go to his head.”

  “How did you know she was going to be gone? She texted you?”

  “We’re friends,” Addie said, smiling. “We do yoga together in the mornings—there’s a great class on board. You should totally join.”

  Margot merely smiled at this.

  “But yeah, she was feeling fine then suddenly she’s sick. It’s bizarre. I mean, Michael’s a good guy but he’s…overzealous to put it mildly. And he’s also nowhere near as organized as Ali.”

  “Do you have what you need? I heard you say something about missing supplies.”

  Addie shrugged. “He says he’ll get it here. The thing I don’t get is how I’m missing flour. It’s not like anyone is going to use extra bags of flour. Maybe I just miscalculated. Anyway, let’s continue the tour and then grab lunch. We have the best food on board the Carousel Luxury.”

  Margot had heard as much and agreed. “I’m ready to get to the relaxing part of this cruise. Lead the way.”

  Chapter 3

  A new day dawned and found the Carousel Luxury cutting deftly through the vibrant, aqua blue ocean on its way toward Mexico and the port of Ensenada. Margot hadn’t been to Mexico before and she was thrilled with the thought of exploring the touristy city. If she’d been traveling on her own and not with a cruise line, she might have considered a foray into the wilds of the land, seeing the true side of Mexico that she’d read about, but as it was, she and all passengers like her would be relegated to specific areas.

  She pushed the thoughts of exploration aside as she strode out onto the wood deck and searched the area for a free chaise lounge. They wouldn’t be in Mexico until the next day so she had no reason to think about what she would do until the next day. Wasn’t that the luxury of the cruise? To relax, eat, and push worries to the side?

  She’d donned shorts and a tank top, forgoing her swimsuit seeing as how a slight haze still clung to the morning sky. It was warm enough in the sun, but she wouldn’t be swimming. Instead, she’d packed a few novels. All thrillers, all involving crime, and all guaranteed to grip her attention no matter how distracting the activities of the deck became.

  Fortunately, since it was still early, there were fewer people out and she was able to snag a chair overlooking the vast ocean as it slipped past. Reclining back and donning a floppy straw hat, she smiled to herself. This was perfection. The salty breeze played with the towel she’d tossed over her legs to ward off the nip in the air, but her attention was arrested by the horizon that met the sky in a gentle kiss. A perfect mingling of blues.

  Reaching into her bag, she pulled out the newest Baldacci thriller and opened to the first chapter. She relished the feel of the trade paperback in her fingers; the thick weight of the book in her hand promising adventures one right after the other. She’d just started into the first paragraph when a shadow fell over her towel-draped legs.

  “I’m fine, thank you,” she said without looking up. She knew the stewards were good at their jobs. They were present and helpful, but at this moment they were being too helpful. She didn’t want or need anything aside from silence and peace.

  The shadow didn’t move.

  Closing her eyes and taking in a deep breath, Margot fought the urge to continue to ignore the shadow. They would go away eventually, wouldn’t they?

  “I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else,” a deep voice said.

  Now she rolled her eyes. The action was hidden by her hat from the man whose voice she’d heard, but she was tempted to take the hat off and repeat the action. Instead, she remembered that there was no need to be rude—merely firm.

  “I’m sorry, did I take your chair?” she said, still not looking up. “Or, perhaps, I’m in the way of your view?” Her tone wasn’t exactly curt, but it was clipped and to the point.

  “Nothing like that,” he said. “But, i
f you were, I’d say you were entitled to it.”

  She rolled her eyes again and gave up the hope that he would go away. She should have expected this. A single woman with a book in her hands was supposed to be a clear signal: leave me alone. Apparently, this man had missed the sign.

  “I’m sorry, but—” She looked up and stopped midsentence. Brice Simmons stood before her in all of his star-actor glory. He was tall, at least six feet, with broad shoulders, muscled arms and chest revealed beneath the deep V of his button-down Hawaiian print shirt, and a boyish grin that belied his forty years. To say he was tan was an understatement and it only helped to offset his bright white smile. The same smile women around the globe had lusted over for the last twenty years of his somewhat tumultuous career.

  Margot closed her gaping mouth and tried to regain some of her composure. “Uh, what is it that you need of me then?”

  He’s just a man. But even as she tried to convince herself of that, she found it difficult to keep her thoughts straight with the exceptionally handsome man towering over her.

  “I was wondering if this seat is taken.” He indicated the lounge next to her in a row of five empty seats next to it. He was going to sit right next to her?

  Her mouth went dry and her stomach clenched. She’d brought engaging reading because she wanted to be lost in the world of fiction, but not even one of her favorite authors could keep her distracted with Brice Simmons sitting next to her.

  But that was ridiculous. She chided herself for her foolish, schoolgirl thoughts. She was a forty-one-year-old woman who owned a pastry shop. Not some teen with a star-crush looking for a ship romance.

  “Sure,” she said, her voice sounding pinched in her own ears, “feel free.”

  He grinned as if he sensed the underlying tension and the effect he had on her, then he slipped into the seat next to her. His long, muscled legs, just as tan as the rest of him, stretched out on the lounge. Then he began to unbutton his shirt.

  She yanked her gaze back to her novel, feeling her cheeks heat, and desperately tried to read the rest of the first page. It was two short paragraphs but she kept reading the first line, hyper-aware of every move the man next to her made.