By Monday, Tia felt like she had put her concerns over Leo behind her. She had convinced herself that she’d overblown the whole thing. Melinda was right: Leo could deal with this himself. From now on, she was determined not to get pulled into their drama. Leo and Natalie could sort out their own problems. Tia needed to keep her full focus on the boat. She had to manage the various workers, track the numerous deliveries, and keep Julie in the loop. That was more than enough to occupy her mind.
To her relief, Leo seemed preoccupied too. Their conversations were limited to what was going on around them, what needed to be done, and who was doing it. In a way, they were like ships in the night. Except it was daytime.
But toward the end of a very busy week, Tia wondered if it was only the boat business that Leo was preoccupied with. On Friday afternoon, she caught him gazing out over the bay with such a glum expression she couldn’t help but ask him if he was okay.
He gave a half smile. “Yeah . . . just thinking.”
“About something sad?” she asked.
“Not exactly.”
She wished she hadn’t said anything. Why not let sleeping dogs lie? She changed the subject. “Anyway, I was wondering if everything is set for tonight’s cruise. I mean engine-wise. Is the Pacific Pearl all ready to sail?”
“She’s shipshape.” His smile seemed to grow brighter. “Did you hear the engines running this morning?”
“I did. It sounded good.”
“Can’t wait to take her out.”
“Me too. I’ve never been out on her before. I’m really looking forward to it.”
“That’s right.” He nodded. “You weren’t here yet when I took her out several times. For a somewhat clunky-looking old boat, she’s smooth and sleek in the water.”
“You think she’s clunky-looking?” Tia demanded.
“No, I think she’s a classic. But some might think she looks a little old-fashioned.”
“I guess I like old-fashioned.” She ran her hand over the railing. “Do you need any help tonight? I mean, like a crew?”
“I’ve got a couple of friends to act as my deck hands. Jake offered to play first mate this time.”
“Is he good with boats?”
“Good enough. He knows how to take orders.” Leo looked intently at her. “Jake is a really good guy, you know?”
She nodded. “Yeah, I can tell.”
“You guys sounded pretty good last week when you were playing music together. That lighthouse song was amazing.”
“I know. I couldn’t believe how good Jake is on mandolin. I didn’t realize he was such a musician. I thought he only played harmonica.”
“Jake’s a man of many hidden talents.” Leo sighed. “He’s also good at hiding his feelings, if you hadn’t noticed. He likes playing the clown.”
“That does provide some good entertainment,” she admitted.
“Did you know that Jake thinks you’re pretty cool, Tia?”
She shrugged. “I think he’s cool too.”
“No, I mean Jake is into you, Tia. Were you aware of that?”
“Oh, I think he just likes me as a friend, that’s all.”
“I’ve known Jake for years. You can trust me when I say he likes you for more than just a friend.”
“Oh . . .” She frowned.
“He’s looking forward to you fixing him dinner sometime.”
“That’s right.” Tia slapped her forehead. “I forgot all about that promise. I wonder how he feels about peanut butter.” She chuckled. “That’s what I had for lunch today.”
“Well, he knows how busy you’ve been, so I think he’s waiting patiently.”
Tia pursed her lips. What was Leo getting at?
“I’m not trying to interfere,” he said slowly, “I just thought you should know. Jake is interested in more than just friendship with you.”
“Well, I appreciate the heads-up. I’ll confess that I’m sort of surprised.” She bit her lip. “I don’t know what to do.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, I wouldn’t want to lead him on, Leo. Jake is a sweet guy. And a fabulous musician. I’d like to think he’s a good friend too. But that’s all. Really.” She shook a fist at Leo. “Now that you told me that, I’ll probably feel uncomfortable and get all standoffish and everything. Why did you have to tell me that?”
He made a lopsided grin. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to get you all fired up.”
“Well, you did.”
“Want me to drop him a little hint, let him know that you’re not looking for that kind of relationship just now?”
“Thanks, but that’s not really my style. I’ll handle it. I’ll just let him know that I would appreciate his friendship more than anything right now, at least for the time being.”
“Meaning you might change your mind?”
“Meaning I don’t really know.” She shook her head. Guys could be so dense sometimes. “I still have a lot to do to get stuff ready for tonight.”
“Need any help?”
She considered this. “Probably.” She explained how she wanted to stage some of the tables inside the dining room to give the appearance that people were eating when Melinda took photos. “Let’s arrange the deck chairs around the deck too.”
“Just tell me what to do and I’ll do it.” He glanced at his watch. “At least until six. Then I need to make a run into the city to get Natalie, get her back here in time to change into my captain’s uniform, and prepare to sail.”
“She’s coming?”
“Yeah.” He gave Tia a curious look. “She was invited too, wasn’t she?”
“Of course.” Tia turned away. “I’ve gotta get busy.”
With the two of them working together, it didn’t take long to get things arranged and staged for Melinda’s photo session. The plan was for everyone to pose and cooperate during the first half of the cruise. Then they would change into casual clothes to make the photos appear to be of another type of event, and they could enjoy another hot dog roast and jam session with the fireworks in the background.
As Tia got cleaned up and dressed for the evening, once again putting on the checked sundress, she wondered if Natalie would actually show up tonight. Or would she come up with another excuse? Tia told herself as she brushed her hair that she didn’t even care. That was Leo’s problem.
“Ahoy there,” called a female voice from the main cabin. “Tia?”
She went out to see Julie carrying two grocery bags. “I brought the food for staging the dining room. It’s kind of a hodgepodge. I hope you can make it look somewhat believable for the photos.”
Tia peeked in the bags to see an assortment of cartons of salads and things. “Well, according to Melinda, the food on the plates will not be the main focus tonight. It will be the boat and the smiling faces and the scenery.”
“Perfect.” Julie set the bags on one of the tables that hadn’t been staged for photos. “I can’t wait to see the results. Have a wonderful evening.”
“Aren’t you coming?” Tia asked.
“Roland’s not really up for such a long night. We weren’t even two hours at the engagement party and he was worn out.” She frowned. “Although I think it’s more emotional than physical.”
“Maybe it’s both.”
“Probably.” Julie patted her cheek. “You look very pretty tonight. Have fun, okay?”
“We’ll enjoy your boat to the max,” Tia promised.
“I’m glad.” Julie waved good-bye. “Someone should.”
Tia felt sorry for Julie as she left. As devoted as she was to Roland, Tia suspected that Julie was missing out on a lot. Yet it was reassuring to think that true love was like that—it made a person willing to settle for less in some ways in order to have what mattered most in larger ways.
Melinda was the next to arrive. She took a few minutes to walk Tia through her plan, explaining the areas they would use for staging photos and the areas where guests could dump bags and musical instruments and the foods they’d brought for the weenie roast later.
By seven, the guests were starting to arrive. Dressed semiformally, they were a festive-looking crowd and in good spirits. Tia explained Melinda’s plan and started assigning people to tables. “You don’t have to go into the dining room until the boat leaves the dock,” she told them. “I’ll ring the dinner bell. The food on the plates is for photo purposes,” she said apologetically. “But feel free to eat it if you’d like. Just don’t hurry, so that Melinda can get some good pictures. If you don’t like it, don’t complain. It’s just staging. Mostly you need to act like you’re having a great time.”
“Act?” one of the girls said. “We will be having a great time.”
Tia noticed Leo walking by, already dressed in his captain’s uniform and looking strikingly handsome. “Where’s Natalie?” Tia asked, expecting him to say she’d come down with a sudden headache.
“She wasn’t ready when I got there. She wants to drive herself down here.”
“But she’s coming?”
Tia just nodded. Yeah, sure she’s coming.
It was almost 7:30 when Tia heard the boat’s engines firing up. She looked around, curious as to whether Natalie had shown, but she didn’t see her amongst the crowd.
“Just in time,” she heard a guy calling out. “Come on, Natalie, we were about to pull in the gangway. Hurry up before you’re left behind.”
Natalie, dressed in a lovely pink dress that reminded Tia of the inside of a seashell, reached for the guy’s hand as she slowly crossed the gangway. As soon as her feet touched the deck, a couple of guys pulled the gangway in.
“Welcome,” Tia said as she went to greet her. “I’m glad you could make it.”
“I took some Dramamine about half an hour ago,” Natalie whispered as she waved to some friends. “I’m praying it works.”
“Just try to stay on deck as much as possible,” Tia advised. “Fresh air is supposed to be good. Sometimes it helps to be on the foredeck or bow. Facing the direction we’re headed.”
“Okay.” Natalie smiled. “Thanks for the tips!”
“No problem. I’ve got to go get stuff ready in the dining room now. Leo’s at the bridge. In fact, that might be a good place to be too. Especially if you open the windows to get the air flowing through.”
“Good idea. I’ll go join the captain right now.” She smiled bravely. “I’m sure I’ll be just fine.”
Tia hoped so as she went into the dining room. Her plan was to arrange the foods that Julie had brought as artistically as possible on the Pacific Pearl plates. She would set the tables in a believable fashion before the “models” came in to pretend to dine. As she felt the boat’s motion, she wished she could go out on deck to watch the Pacific Pearl heading for open water, but she knew she needed to get things set up first.
“That looks really good,” Melinda said when she came in to check on Tia’s progress. “Almost as good as the food you prepared yourself.” She leaned down to examine a plate. “Almost.”
“Do you think we’re far enough out to have a good background for the photos yet?” Tia looked at the windows next to the staged tables.
“Looks good. Go ahead and call in our guests.”
“Don’t you mean victims?” Tia teased as she went out to ring the bell.
Before long, Tia and Melinda got the boisterous crowd seated and the photo session began. Seeing that Melinda had things under control, Tia went out for some fresh air and to experience the sensation of the boat she’d grown to love now moving through the water. Leo was right. She was sleek and smooth. The engine wasn’t very noisy either. Plus, because of the holiday and fair weather, the bay was crawling with all sorts of boats, which in her opinion made the excursion all the more interesting.
Tia went out to the bow, enjoying the feel of the breeze in her face and watching as the boat slowly moved toward the Golden Gate Bridge. It wouldn’t be long until Melinda could get the bridge framed through the dining room windows, with the diners merrily enjoying their grocery store food in front of it. The western sky was growing peachy and golden, which would be a perfect backdrop behind the bridge.
“Tia!”
She turned to see Leo waving frantically at her from up on the bridge. “Help! Hurry!”
Feeling a wave of terror, she took off, sprinting across the deck. Was the boat in peril? Did they have sufficient lifeboats? Visions of the Titanic rushed through her head as she ran up the stairs, bursting in to find Leo with one hand on the helm and the other supporting Natalie. The small sunny room reeked of vomit.
“She’s sick,” he told her. “Can you get her to a head before she throws up again?”
“Yeah. Sure.” Tia took Natalie by the arm, guiding her down the steep stairs and through a side door into the main cabin. She considered taking her to one of the newly furbished dining room heads but decided the stateroom might be better for the sake of the other guests.
“Come on, Nat,” she urged, “you can make it.”
Several people glanced up as Tia rushed Natalie past. Thankfully, they made it to the stateroom in time, and like déjà vu, Natalie collapsed to the floor, heaving into the toilet. Tia stooped over to hold back Natalie’s shiny blonde hair, wishing there was a way to protect the shell pink dress as well. It looked like it was silk, and probably ruined. Just like this evening would be for Natalie. Tia reached for one of her hair elastics and used it to make a messy ponytail for Natalie.
“I hate this,” Natalie gasped when she finally came up for breath. “Tell Leo he’s got to turn back.”
“Turn back?”
“I can’t do it,” Natalie said in a hoarse voice. “I hate this boat.”
“But we’re on a schedule,” Tia explained. “We want to get photos of the sunset and the bridge. We’ll be there in a few minutes. If we go back, we’ll miss those—”
“I have to go back!” Natalie demanded. “I can’t stand another minute of this. Tell Leo to turn around at once.” Suddenly she was heaving again.
“Okay . . .” Tia backed slowly from the room, closing the door behind her. She was tempted to ignore Natalie altogether, to just leave her there until they’d secured the photos they’d come for. But she knew that was wrong and selfish. Besides, she thought as she hurried back to the bridge, this was the captain’s decision.
“What?” Leo demanded after Tia relayed Natalie’s frantic message.
“She wants you to turn the boat around.”
“What about Melinda’s photos? The sunset behind the bridge?”
“I know,” Tia told him. “But Natalie is sick.”
“Is she seriously sick?” he asked her.
“She’s throwing up.”
“I know that.” He wrinkled his nose as he pointed to the splattered wastebasket.
Holding her breath, Tia gingerly picked it up and set it outside. She’d have to bring some disinfectant spray and paper towels up here later.
“I don’t want to be insensitive.” He kept his eyes on the water ahead of him, moving to give way to another yacht as he tried to allow sufficient room for a sailboat. “But how sick is she? Does she need medical treatment?”
“Not really.” Tia shook her head. “She’s seasick.”
“Then let her ride it out,” he said.
“But she said—”
“Look, I’m sorry she’s sick. But if it’s just plain old seasickness, it’ll pass. We need to finish what we started here tonight. It’s not fair for Natalie to spoil it. Right?”
She gave him an uncertain smile. “Yeah . . . I guess.”
“Tell her I’m sorry. Maybe you can get her to drink some Sprite or something. Get her outside into the fresh air maybe.”
“Aye-aye, Captain.”
He grinned. “Thanks, Tia.”
Feeling encouraged and hopeful, Tia hurried back down to the stateroom. But when Natalie heard Leo’s response, she grew angry.
“Did you tell him I’m dying down here?” Natalie demanded.
“Well, you’re not exactly dying.”
“I feel like I’m dying.” Natalie looked up with red-rimmed eyes and tear-streaked cheeks. “Doesn’t it look like I’m dying?”
“Come outside and get some fresh air,” Tia urged.
“I can’t have the others seeing me like this.” Natalie clung to the toilet. “It’s too humiliating.”
“I’ll get you some Sprite and—”
“I don’t want any Sprite!” she screamed. “I want Leo to turn this stupid boat around. Tell him if he doesn’t turn back I’ll—I’ll jump overboard.” She hunched over the toilet again, her shoulders jerking from dry heaves.
Tia waited for her to stop. “You wouldn’t really do that,” Tia said quietly.
“Oh, wouldn’t I?” Natalie’s eyes flashed. “If Leo doesn’t take me back, I’ll jump overboard and the Coast Guard can come pick me up.”
“Natalie!”
“Please, Tia. I can’t stand this. Please tell him to turn around.”
“I’ll tell him, but I can’t promise anything.” Tia backed out again. “I need to help Melinda with the photos. Will you be okay for a few—”
“I am not okay!” Natalie screeched. “Tell Leo what I said. And get my purse while you’re up there. It has my phone in it. If Leo doesn’t turn around, I’ll call 911 and ask the Coast Guard to rescue me from dying.”
Tia just nodded, closing the door and hurrying away.
“You gotta be kidding,” Leo said to Tia. “She really said that?”
“I’m not making it up.” Tia pointed to the pretty beaded bag. “Should I take her phone to her?”
“Not if she’s calling the Coast Guard. Does she realize she could be charged with a crime and fined for that?”
“I’m not sure she cares.”
Leo looked at Tia with troubled eyes. “What should I do?”
“Turn back,” she said quietly. “We’ll lose some photos, but really, it’s just not worth it.”
“Fine.” He looked both ways, then started to slowly turn the helm. “Turning back.”
“I’ll explain to Melinda.”
“But you tell Natalie that when she gets off, she gets off alone. She can’t expect me to go with her. Understand?”
“Okay.”
“Tell her it’ll be about half an hour before we get there.”
By the time Tia made it to the dining room, several people were asking why the boat was turning around. “Natalie is seasick,” she said simply. “Leo needs to get her back on dry land.”
She quickly relayed the news to Natalie, and before Natalie could complain again, Tia went back out into the dining room, quietly explaining the situation to Melinda.
“Seriously?” Melinda scowled as she checked a shot on her camera. “Natalie is forcing us to miss the sunset?”
“Not much we can do about it.”
“Is she really sick or just faking for attention?”
“She’s really sick. I guess her secret is out now.”
“Her secret?”
Tia nodded.
“That she gets seasick?”
“Extremely seasick,” Tia clarified. “Just being on Leo’s houseboat makes her sick. It’s a real thing, Melinda.”
“Wow, that’s pretty weird. I mean, considering who Leo is . . . his love of boats and water. Don’t you think?”
Tia shrugged. “Get as many shots as you can for now. Leo will take us back out once Nat’s off. We might still get some sunset time. And there’s still the fireworks.”
The fireworks came sooner than expected for the Pacific Pearl. After Leo got the boat docked, he and Natalie exchanged some words—Natalie standing on the dock and Leo standing on deck, with everyone else watching.
“You aren’t coming with me?” Natalie yelled at him. “You’re not taking me home? Don’t you care about me?”
“Are you still sick?”
“Well, no, but”—Natalie held out the skirt of her soiled dress with a crumbling expression—“I’m a mess and I—”
“I’m the captain, Nat. I have to take the boat out to—”
“Of course! You would choose your stupid boat over me!”
“I’m not choosing, Nat. It’s just my responsibility to—”
She shook a fist at him. “I can’t believe you refused to turn the boat around!”
“Not at first, you didn’t. You only turned it around when I threatened to jump overboard.”
“Natalie, you’re being—”
“What? I’m being sick, Leo? Do you even get it? You think this is my fault? Like I can help being sick?”
“No. But we need to go, Nat. I’m sorry you’re—”
“Forget it, Leo.” She held up her left hand with fingers splayed. “I just wish you’d given me a ring so I could take it off and throw it at you right now. I would!”
“Natalie, don’t get so—”
“Don’t tell me what to do, Leo. I’m done. The engagement is over. The wedding is off. I’m through with you! And I’m through with stupid boats!” She went storming off down the dock.
“Leo,” Tia said to him. “If you need to go to her, it’s okay. We can do this another time. Everyone will understand. It’s not like they’re paying guests.”
“Forget it,” he snapped. “It’s over. You heard her. We’re done.” He stormed across the foredeck. “Get ready, everyone. We’re outta here.”
His makeshift crew and first mate scrambled to get ready, but it was their expressions that got Tia’s attention. Leo’s friends looked relieved, as if they felt this was a good change of events. As quickly as the Pacific Pearl had docked, she was taking off again. Heading back out into the sunset. But the mood on the boat had changed. The party vibe seemed somewhat subdued now. Although she tried to conceal it, Tia’s heart was no longer into it.