Free Aboard the Wishing Star by Debra Parmley Page A

in his tone. Then Neil asked her to wait by the entrance to the zoo while he went into the gift shop. He came out holding a soft, black and white, stuffed panda, and she laughed and gave him a big hug and a kiss to thank him. He asked the gray-haired man nearby to take their picture. He handed the man his camera, pulled her close, and they both smiled for the photo.
    On the way home, they stopped for gas. Neil got out to fill up the car.
    A shot rang out.
    Neil crumpled to the ground.
    Kara woke gasping. She tried the breathing exercises to stop the panic. She was safe in the ship's cabin, not the car. She hadn't had the dream in months. She'd forgotten about the phone call. Now her thoughts raced.
    Who had called Neil?
    She might never know.
    It was Sunday. His day off. There'd been calls on his cell phone at odd times during that trip. She'd never know what those phone calls had been about, but he was a contractor and calls came in at odd hours. It went with the job.
    But he was gone now. She couldn't confront him. What should she do with this? Why did Viv tell her now?
    She got up for a glass of water and noticed a package on the desk next to the vase of flowers. A box of Godiva chocolates and an envelope with her name on it. Had Nate sent them? Their kissing kept them too busy to notice it was there. Maybe he had. She opened the envelope.

Chapter Eight
     
     
    Sweets for the sweetest girl in the world . Daryl .
    Her heart sank.
    They weren't from Nate. Had Daryl sent the flowers too?
    It was nice to receive gifts, but this ... First the expensive spa certificate and now this. Why was Daryl sending gifts? He was her boss and a bon voyage gift was thoughtful, but he'd sent more than one and he'd been acting strange before she left too. As if he didn't really want her to go, though from everything he'd said he was all for it.
    Viv was acting strange. Daryl was acting strange. Nothing was strange before I won this cruise and now it's like everything in my world has shifted somehow .
    She glanced at Viv, who rolled over and snored. Kara opened the desk drawer and shoved the chocolates in. If Viv doesn't see them I won't have to explain.
    She got back into bed, but tossed and turned.
    If it was true that Neil propositioned Viv, there must have been others. Her mind shifted, sorting facts but giving her no answers.
    Neil had always said they had a perfect marriage. Kara had learned not to want too much. That way he couldn't disappoint her.
    As she lay in the dark, her inner voice told her she wanted the magic. Wanted to be loved, treasured, and cared for. Wanted a full life, not the one she'd been living.
    Viv snorted in her sleep and rolled over.
    This cruise has not turned out anything like I'd hoped.
    Kara watched the newsletter with the day's events slide under the door as someone did each morning.
    It's time I took a day to myself.
    The note she left for Viv said, "Taking some me time." Kara showered, dressed and left.
    Kara stopped in the Parisian pastry café to load up on caffeine since she hadn't slept. Then she went to watch the culinary art demonstration where chefs prepared food and carved fruits and vegetables into sculptures, followed by the art of napkin folding and a galley tour.
    She went to the open house bridge visit to meet the captain and see how the ship was steered, and took a Texas Two Step lesson. Though she stayed busy, thoughts of Nate crept in. Before each event she scanned the room for him and wondered what he was doing, but the entire day passed without a glimpse.
    How could she miss him so much when they'd only just met?
    Kara reached the dining room early, having managed to avoid Viv by getting ready for dinner early. She'd already ordered when Nate and Adam arrived with Viv.
    "I missed you today." Nate sat beside her.
    His husky voice sent a ripple of awareness through her. Somehow her feelings for him had intensified.
    "I went on the tours to see the bridge and the galley and watch the chefs.