Free Never Say Never by Lena Nelson Dooley Page B

understanding in her daughter’s expression, she slogged through the water toward the wooden stairs.
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    Gareth hadn’t been able to get his thoughts off Charlotte and her daughter. He almost didn’t hear Doug when he suggested that they take part in the Monopoly Tournament the next day.
    â€œWhy would we want to do that?”
    â€œSometimes you play some of the games. I just thought it would be good PR. Since this is a new ship. People like a captain who makes himself available to them, and word gets around.”
    â€œOkay, put us on the schedule.”
    Gareth didn’t want to think about games. His mind was on other things. He had made sure the room steward took the invitation to dine at his table to the cabin and put it on Charlotte’s pillow where she would be sure to find it. If she didn’t come tonight, he would have to find a way to talk to her later. Something was wrong, but he couldn’t figure out what. He didn’t like this feeling of not being in control—of his own emotions as well as whatever was going on with Charlotte and her daughter. Maybe he had been at sea too long. Was it time to think about a position shoreside?
    After arriving at the Captain’s Cocktail Party, he took his usual non-alcoholic fruit punch and looked for Charlotte. When he didn’t see her, he mingled with the guests, stopping to shake a hand here, compliment a lady there. Usually, he didn’t eat any of the hors d’oeuvres supplied by the chefs, but nervousness took him to the table. Of course, they were excellent, but before he realized how many he’d eaten while he was speaking to the various clusters of people, he started to feel a little full. Not a good move. With lobster and steak tonight at dinner, he wanted to save room.
    The party seemed to take forever without Charlotte. He moved close to the door every time a new group arrived, but she didn’t come. Finally, it was time to call everyone’s attention and introduce the senior members of his staff, who were in their dress uniforms. When that task was completed, the orchestra struck up some swing dance music, and Gareth quietly slipped out with the rest of the crew. He didn’t enjoy feeling like a teenager trying to catch a glimpse of his crush-of-the-week. This had to stop.
    Everyone he invited to share his table at dinner arrived several minutes early, except the two Halloran women. The effort of trying to hide his disappointment nearly choked him. He leaned down to hear what the elderly woman sitting beside him was saying. Her extremely soft voice was almost drowned out, even though the dining room wasn’t noisy.
    â€œCaptain—” A voice spoke over his shoulder. “I’m sorry we’re late. It was my fault, not Mom’s. She wanted to buy me a dress at the boutique, and I had a hard time choosing between this one and another one.”
    He quickly stood and pulled out the chairs for both Charlotte and Chelle. The lightness of his heart made him feel that he could take off flying. “You’re not too late.” He pushed in the teenager’s chair and reached for Charlotte’s. The delicate fragrance of her perfume filled his senses making him feel almost intoxicated. “That dress was a very good choice. Besides, we haven’t started ordering yet.”
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    Charlotte perused the extensive menu, not able to make up her mind. Seafood, prime rib, other steaks. Even though her stomach growled at the thought of the food, she couldn’t decide.
    â€œWhat will you be having, Charlotte?” Gareth’s deep baritone voice settled into her spirit.
    â€œI can’t make up my mind.” She read the entrees once again. “I love both lobster and prime rib.”
    Gareth signaled the waiter, who hurried over. “Mrs. Halloran will have both the lobster and the prime rib.”
    Charlotte gasped. “I won’t be able to eat all