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PROLOGUE
CHAPTER ONE THE ONLY REASON Becky Montgomery had agreed to this Caribbean Christmas cruise aboard Alexandra’s Dream, with her late husband’s family was because of Laura, her fifteen-year-old niece. The girl knew her way around Becky like no one else, especially when it came to dealing with Becky’s mother-in-law, Estelle, the matriarch of the family. “You don’t even have to see her,” Laura had said with that assuring voice of hers. “You know how much she hates the sun. She’ll probably stay in her cabin all day sleeping, or annoying the staff telling them how to run things. Besides, I need you and the kids to keep me sane. Between my mom nagging me all day and Grandma reciting the proper rules of etiquette over and over again I might end up hurling myself overboard. You wouldn’t want that on your conscience, would you?” “If I go, I may have to hurl myself with you,” Becky had told her. There was no doubt in her mind that she would be going on any cruise with Estelle Montgomery. The mere
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO “I CAN’T BELIEVE you pulled this off, Patti, that this treasure hunt idea is actually happening.” Thanasi Kaldis walked up behind Dylan, who was handing out brochures in the lobby with Patti Kennedy, the cruise director. “Look at them,” the ship’s hotel manager continued, “half the people aren’t even glancing at their brochures. I still say that no one will bother looking for that silly pendant. I thought the whole idea was rejected, Patti.” Thanasi was in his late forties, wore his navy-blue blazer over meticulously pressed whites; he had a crop of black wavy hair and a charismatic smile…most of the time. However, at that precise moment he directed a teasing scowl at Patti. “It was never rejected,” she told him in a confident voice. “You must have dreamed that, so stop your stressing. Just go with it. Besides, it’s going to be fun.” Patti, also dressed in a navy blazer and whites, was a brown-haired dynamo who had celebrated her thirty-ninth birthday in Venice on a gondola
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE “I DON’T CARE what you have to do, but if you ever want to see your son again, you’ll find my diamond.” Sal Morena’s voice was harsh and menacing and it made Tracy Irvine shake right down to her very core. “How do I know he’s all right?” She pleaded into her cell phone, tears streaking her face. “I need to talk to my son.” “He’s fine,” he said lightly. “Never been better. A boy needs his father. I don’t know why I stayed away so long.” “A court ordered you to,” Tracy reminded him. “That was your fault,” he yelled. “If you weren’t cheating on me, none of that would have happened.” She wiped the tears away with shaking fingers as she remembered the beatings she’d suffered. Being involved with Sal and his scheme scared her more than she could imagine, but she knew she had to be strong for her son. “I never cheated on you, Sal.” He laughed and her knees went weak. “Don’t lie. It won’t help the situation. You’re a whore. Everybody in Vegas knew it, but I was just too blind to
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR “LAURA, WAIT UP,” Becky called as she made her way through the crowded main lounge, bumping into a woman who didn’t even stop to let her apologize. It was hard moving quickly because Sarah had wanted to be carried so she could play with the necklace around Becky’s neck. At seven, Sarah was too big to be carried, but Becky knew she was dead tired. Sarah and Connor chimed in for Laura to stop, and she finally did, but Becky could see the torment in her eyes. Sliding down from her mom’s embrace, Sarah ran to meet Laura. “She’s my grandmother and I love her, but sometimes she just makes me so mad I want to scream,” Laura said, with the emphasis on “scream.” “You can scream if you want, Laura,” Sarah told her. “This room is so big I don’t think anyone would notice.” Becky looked around. Sarah was right. They were standing in the Court of Dreams—a huge space with Doric columns and a sweeping staircase with ornate gold railings and marble steps. A fiber-optic chandelier hung in t
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE INSTEAD OF BECKY SPENDING the rest of the day with her kids, their grandfather decided to treat Connor and Sarah to a rousing game of miniature golf, then Mark caught a movie with them in the theater, and afterward took them on a private tour he’d arranged of the workings of the ship. Somewhere in there they’d had dinner and attended a dessert extravaganza. Her first thought had been so much for wanting to spend more time with her kids. But while they were golfing and seeing movies, Becky had shifted gears and made use of her packet of perks, spending most of the day at the Jasmine Spa. She was in a Zen mood when Mark finally appeared at her door. Sarah had fallen asleep on his shoulder and Connor was almost sleepwalking. “I hope they didn’t cause you any problems,” Becky told Mark as she tucked Connor into bed. “Not at all. Matter of fact they saved me from spending the day on some carriage ride tour of Cockburn Town on the island with Estelle. Not that I didn’t want to s
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX “HOW DO I LOOK?” Becky asked Sarah as they stood in front of the full-length mirror on the back of the closet door. “Turn all the way around and let me see,” Sarah demanded. Becky whirled around. She was wearing the turquoise dress, and even though she was a little heavier than the first time she’d put it on, it was the kind of fabric that seemed to adjust to her body, hugging it in all the right places. She hadn’t wanted to wear it, but Sarah had insisted. “You look beautiful, Mommy, but you should wear my pretty blue butterfly clip in your hair. It matches your dress, and butterflies are beautiful, just like you.” “I’d love to wear your butterfly clip, sweetheart.” “I’ll get it.” And off Sarah went in search of her clip. Estelle had planned a private Christmas party in the Polaris Lounge on deck six. It was something she’d set up months before. Estelle always was one for planning ahead. Sarah was excited, but Connor and Becky were both apprehensive about the event. They h
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN BY THE END of the evening, Becky’s head was spinning. Not to mention the fact that she was falling for Dylan. She couldn’t be sure if it was the magic of the pendant or his charm that had captivated her. Conversation had come easily as they’d danced. Even when they had sat and chatted about silly things, it was as if she’d known him for a long time and now all they were doing was catching up. Of course, some of the ease of conversation may have been due to the champagne she’d consumed over the last three hours, but what did that matter? She’d forgotten how fabulous it felt to be in a man’s arms. How safe, how sexy it made her feel. But somewhere deep down inside, she still couldn’t relax. Couldn’t surrender to the moment and simply enjoy Dylan’s company. By the close of the evening, she and Dylan had moved off by themselves, dancing in a secluded corner of the room where moonlight illuminated the walls as they swayed to the music. Dylan pulled back to face her during a ra
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT ONCE THE TENDER arrived on shore and a few hundred passengers went off to their various adventures, Becky and the kids boarded a small green bus with about thirty other people. It was a relatively short journey to the private lagoon where the trained dolphins awaited their latest visitors. On the way, Sarah mastered her new dolphin calls, and Laura made friends with a few teens. Becky had thought she might get to spend time with Dylan, but he was simply too popular with the passengers. A blond babe had lingered outside, stepping on the bus at the last minute so she could sit next to him, and four other model types occupied his every moment. Occasionally, Dylan would look over at Becky and smile, but he was playing the cordial escort, so his attention had to be focused on his group. As she watched the attractive young women talking and laughing with Dylan, she wondered why, if he could have any one of them, he would bother to pursue her. Not that she was unattractive, or e
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE “THIS IS LOVELY,” Becky told Dylan once she and the girls had boarded the beautifully restored boat. It had to be at least forty feet long, with a huge wheelhouse and bench seating for more than twenty people up front. The deck was polished dark wood, as was the gunwale. The windows that encircled the wheelhouse had that rippled look, like fine old glass. “Yeah. It’s an old fishing boat. Been in my family for three generations. We had it dry-docked on Twillingate Island in Newfoundland.” Becky smiled. “That’s where you’re from, right? I noticed your name tag the first day of the cruise.” He nodded. “Born and raised.” “Too cold for me.” He chuckled. “A lot different from this part of the world, that’s for sure. But when you grow up there, you come to like the cold and the change in seasons. You’re more in touch with nature.” “Sounds like you miss it.” Dylan hesitated for a moment, then he said, “Sometimes I do.” “So, you said your brother brought this boat down?” “Yeah, Bea
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN TRACY WAITED PATIENTLY for opportunity to come knocking once again. It had been a miracle that she’d overheard Dylan talking to his brother on his cell about taking Becky and her family for this little excursion. With the good fortune of having the afternoon off herself, she had immediately decided to sneak onboard. She had the distinct feeling that this whole thing was something Dylan had cooked up to be near Becky. She’d decided there really was something brewing between them, evident in the way they acted when they were around each other. But she was the last person to squeal on him. Everyone deserved a little happiness, in her book, and it wasn’t their fault there were rules against staff/passenger romances. She was just glad he hadn’t had a fit when she’d appeared on deck. When Bear finally took over with Sarah, showing her all the dolphins swimming around the boat, Tracy had the perfect opportunity to check out Becky’s bag more thoroughly. The first time she’d had it
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN “THIS IS JAN MILTON,” Mark said without missing a beat. “I think you two met at Estelle’s Christmas party.” “Nice to see you again,” Becky said, then she turned to Dylan. “This is Dylan Langstaff. Sarah fell asleep on the tender and Dylan offered to carry her back aboard.” Mark grinned, and Becky could sense he knew there was something brewing. She wanted to die right there…but before she did, she needed to know what was going on with Mark and Jan. And did Estelle know? That would be interesting to watch. Jan, who had to be in her late forties or early fifties was dressed in a tight-fitting creamy yellow tee, white capris and sandals. Her dark blond-streaked hair was windblown and sexy, pulled back with a black hair band. She was attractive and had a warm smile. Becky was delighted to see her with Mark. It was an awkward moment for Becky, but Dylan seemed to be able to handle just about anything. “I believe we met at the Montgomery party.” He shook hands with Mark and Ja
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE “I WANT TO SAIL AGAIN, Mom,” Connor said as he took his seat at the round family table in the Empire Room on Athena deck. The Empire Room was the main dining room on Alexandra’s Dream, and the most elegant. Everything seemed to sparkle with opulence from the fine china to the crystal wineglasses. Estelle was in her element, dressed in a couture black gown, ruby earrings and matching necklace. Becky had chosen something a little less formal, a simple deep purple strapless gown, silver earrings, and of course, the pendant. Kim wore a gold-lace number that could only be Armani, diamond earrings that swept her shoulders with every turn, and a crystal-studded evening bag that screamed Judith Leiber. There was more money in accessories and gowns at their table than some small countries could generate in a year. Becky slipped off her shoes under the table. She was exhausted. Who knew sailing could be so much work? What with all that jibing and tilling and pulling on lines and m
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN “HOLD STILL,” Becky told Laura as she tried to fasten the moon goddess’ tear drop pendant around Laura’s neck. They stood in front of the mirror in Becky’s bedroom getting ready for their day on Saint Thomas Island. Connor and Sarah were watching The Escape Clause in the other room. Their laughter echoed through the doorway every now and then, reminding Becky of how much she had missed hearing that in the last couple of years. “Are you sure you want me to wear this today, Aunt Becky?” Laura asked. “I mean, your luck might change if you’re not wearing it.” “You’re going to spend the entire day with Bob,” Becky said as she fiddled with the clasp. “You’ll need all the luck you can get, kiddo.” The clasp had always been a little loose, but for some reason, it seemed as if it was actually broken. Finally, Becky got the delicate mechanism to close, and Laura turned to look in the mirror to check it out, but as she did, the pendant fell to the floor. “I’m just not meant to we
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN “THIS IS A GREAT SPOT,” Bob said, stopping about fifteen feet from the water on the creamy-white sand. The beach was crowded with kids already in the process of building sandcastles. He dropped the blue canvas bag he’d been carrying and it landed in front of Laura with a thunk. “There are shovels and molds, and all sorts of junk in this bag to make your castle. Have at it.” Connor looked up at him. “But aren’t you going to help? We can’t win without you.” “Your uncle Bob has something important to do. I should be back to help in a few hours, but if I’m not—” “A few hours!” Laura interrupted, disgusted at the very thought that he was leaving them. “Yeah, don’t get excited. I’ll be back, but just in case I’m not.” He pulled out his wallet. “Here’s a five spot to get you through.” “Five bucks,” Laura protested. “You’re leaving us with five dollars? That won’t even buy one of us lunch.” “You all ate like pigs this morning. How much more food could you possibly need? You’re
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN BECKY HAD BOUGHT up half of Sonita’s shop. Silk-screened scarves, blouses and dresses, sweaters made of fine woven silks, floral skirts with hand-embroidery work the likes of which she’d never seen even on some designer garments, silver jewelry, and even a few hand-blown glass pieces featuring colorful local sea creatures that she planned on using to decorate her shop. She took down the names of the local artists who created all these wonderful things, and took Sonita’s information, as well. Sonita herself was responsible for a purple, orange and blue silk-screened dress with an intricate detail that Becky would have thought impossible to create. “My partner, Lacey, is going to love this one especially,” Becky said, beaming. “Can you make more of these?” “All that you want, dawta.” Sonita’s voice had that lovely island lilt to it, and Becky loved to listen to her speak. The Jeep was loaded down with bags from Sonita’s shop and a few others, as well. Becky had picked up
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN BECKY WAS TRYING to remain calm, but when she had returned to her stateroom and didn’t find any evidence of the kids at three o’clock, she started calling Laura. But Laura didn’t answer so she left a dozen messages and even a text message. No response. A dozen times she listened to the cut-off message that Laura had left, and each time she heard it, her guilt for having left her phone in the Jeep grew tenfold. If she had only thought to bring it with her, she would know what Laura was trying to tell her about Bob. By six she was frantic. With still no sign of the kids or Laura or Bob, Becky scribbled a note to leave in the cabin in case she missed them, and then went looking for Kim. She found her and Estelle covered in green seaweed masks, waiting to be detoxified with a Himalayan crystal salt bath at Jasmine Spa. The sight was almost comical, but Becky was in no mood for laughing. “I’m sure they’re having a great day with Bob, and they simply forgot about the time,” E
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN WHEN TRACY RETURNED to her cabin, Erica was asleep on the lower bunk. Meryl Streep’s voice boomed from the small TV telling Ann Hathaway that she had no style or sense of fashion. The Devil Wears Prada was Erica’s favorite movie, and she watched it whenever she wanted to de-stress. Something that Tracy desperately needed to do herself. She sat on the floor so she wouldn’t wake her cabin-mate. She was still shaking from the events of the day and hoped the movie would work its magic for her, too. Tracy had returned to the ship right after the incident with Bob, but had spent most of the remainder of the afternoon in the crew’s lounge drinking martinis, hoping to relieve herself of guilt for having left Bob in the ditch, but so far they weren’t working. The whole thing was turning into some kind of endless nightmare. Once again she had been duped by a fast-talking guy into thinking he was the real deal. All that she’d gone through with Bob had proven to be just another r
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN “HE STILL HAS his wallet,” Kim told Becky as they sat out on one of the two teak verandas of Estelle’s penthouse. The sky was a silky blue, but the ocean seemed angry. In the distance, rain plummeted from the clouds in a dark patch on the horizon. There was a slight chill in the air, but Kim had wanted to talk somewhere private, and the veranda off the master bedroom was the only place. “That doesn’t mean anything,” Becky said. “They only wanted the bracelets.” “No, you’re not getting it. He told us they stole his wallet. He even told Security they stole his wallet, but I found it this morning in the inside pocket of his trousers. He has these special travel clothes. There’s a hidden inside pocket for passports and such. His wallet was in there, along with five hundred dollars in cash and two ATM receipts. Why do you think he’s lying about his wallet? I mean, he was obviously mugged.” Kim was visibly upset over her discoveries, but Becky didn’t have the answer. “I don’
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN BECKY, CONNOR AND SARAH headed for Estelle’s private table next to the indoor pool in the Mermaid Lagoon. Kim and Bob walked in front of them, with Laura and Estelle leading the way. Mark was running late, according to Estelle, and would meet them later. The event was formal, so Connor wore a gray pinstriped suit, with his orange T-shirt sticking out above the collar of his white dress shirt, and Sarah had chosen her favorite red silk taffeta party dress. Becky wore her deep purple gown with one of Sonita’s silk scarves. A small orchestra featuring traditional string instruments plus a beautiful golden harp serenaded the guests from a wooden platform surrounded by elaborate flower arrangements. The azure pool reflected the soft lighting, and the light scent of sweet chocolate filled the air. Dessert tables set up along one side of the pool featured chocolate fountains, dark–and white chocolate sculptures, and cakes tied up with chocolate bows. There was enough chocolat
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY ABOUT TEN PEOPLE HAD JUMPED into the now murky pool to save the flailing Bob, but it was Connor who calmly towed Bob to the shallow end. The passengers surrounded the pool and cheered for Connor when he brought Bob to safety. Dylan and two other men jumped in to help Bob out of the pool. When that was accomplished, Dylan turned to Connor, but Connor didn’t want to get out. Instead he swam back to the spot where Bob had fallen in. Kim met Bob as he was dragged out of the pool, said something to him then stormed out of the area, clutching on to Laura for support. Estelle never moved from her table. She simply poured herself another glass of wine and nibbled on the food Connor and Dylan had brought over, as if nothing out of the ordinary was going on. The orchestra kept on playing, but the big screen went black. When Becky looked around for Mark, she found him with Jan, cheering Connor on at the far end of the pool. Becky wanted to call to her son and tell him to come out o
CHAPTER TWENTY
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