Free First Mates by Cecelia Dowdy Page A

and closed her eyes. Settling into the soft cushions, she rehashed the evening’s events. Jordan was determined to enter her life again. Why? She dozed, willing her headache to disappear.
    When she awakened, she took a shower. The pounding water eased her stress. As she dressed for bed, she gazed around her room. Since her breakup, her dresser and desk looked bare, bereft of Jordan’s pictures. She kneeled, resting her elbows on her blue comforter, sending her prayer to heaven, begging God to give her the strength to handle Jordan’s sudden reappearance in her life.
    Before she slept that night, she wrote in her journal. She recorded her thoughts about Winston, Jordan and the last few days of her cruise. She then turned off the light and fell asleep.
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    Could life get more complicated? After seeing Rainy safely home, Winston’s head was still spinning as hepulled into his garage. As he exited his car, he smelled the enticing scent of chocolate.
    An unexpected voice greeted him in the darkness. “Hi there, big brother.”
    Jumping back, Winston banged his derriere into his car. “What in the world? Deion, you scared me!” His keys clattered to the ground as he clutched his stocky younger brother in a strong embrace. “Where’s your car?” He glanced up the street.
    â€œI parked a few blocks away. Remember how you and Pam used to go off and play by yourselves, and I’d get mad? I’d always think up my own mischief, ways to scare you guys. Thought I’d give it a try tonight.” His mouth twitched with amusement as Winston chuckled along. Soon their laughter died away and the night was silent except for crickets chirping in the humid air.
    Deion slapped Winston’s shoulder. “I still think about Pam a lot, you know.”
    â€œYeah, man, me, too.” They settled on the steps of the side entrance near the garage. Winston sniffed. “Hey, do I smell chocolate?”
    Deion lifted a white bakery box from the ground. “That cruise was my birthday gift to you. But I figured no birthday was complete without your favorite cake. Chocolate!” He jiggled the box in Winston’s face.
    â€œFrom Marcel’s Bakery, with butter-cream frosting?”
    â€œOf course. Nothing but the best for this day of the year.”
    Winston retrieved his keys and unlocked the door,flipping the lights as they entered the kitchen. “You want coffee or milk with your cake?”
    â€œYou know me. I’m a milk man.”
    Winston removed the carton of milk and poured two glasses. He opened the box and inhaled. “Ahh. I haven’t had one of these in ages.” The white icing was decorated with bright green piping reading Happy Birthday Winston. He removed the cake and placed it on a china plate. After pulling a knife from the drawer, he cut two large pieces. “Oh, this is great.” He closed his eyes, enjoying the sweet treat. They ate two pieces each before Winston placed the cake back in the box.
    Deion noticed a picture on the counter. “Wow! Looks like you had a great time on that cruise. Who’s the lovely lady?” He whistled as he gazed at Winston’s favorite cruise photo, the one he told Rainy he’d always keep.
    Winston pulled the picture away, the evening’s events crashing back into his mind. Why were Jordan and Rainy arguing earlier? Did Jordan want her back?
    â€œHey, you look like you just saw a ghost. Don’t tell me your cruise ship romance went sour already? What’s the problem? Does she live far away? Take my advice, man, those long-distance romances never work.” Winston tuned his brother out as he continued to spout words of advice about relationships.
    â€œHey.” Deion snapped his fingers in front of his face. “Are you even listening to me anymore? What’s up with the lady in the picture?”
    â€œOh, she lives here in Miami. But I don’t know if we’ll be seeing