admitted to himself this could be trouble. Big trouble. He couldn’t deny he felt a strong attraction to her, but there were strict rules about passenger/staff onboard relationships.
He’d never broken that rule before, but Becky Montgomery might just cause him to bend it a little if he wasn’t careful.
He could only hope she and her kids hated water sports.
“BUT WHY DO WE HAVE TO wait until after dinner to go to the pool?” Connor asked, giving his suitcase a little kick while he stood in front of the twin beds.
“Can we at least unpack first?” Becky liked settling in when she was in a strange place.
“Don’t you want to look for the pendant first?” Sarah asked, still hopeful.
“No, I don’t want to look for that dumb old pendant,” her brother grumbled.
“Well, I do,” Sarah said, and flung herself across her bed.
A knock at the door stopped further arguments as the kids ran to answer it, nearly tripping over themselves trying to get to it first.
When they opened the door, both Sarah and Connor squealed with laughter and excitement. Their cousin Laura slowly entered the room, both kids hanging on her.
“Mom wanted me to wait until dinner to see you guys, but I couldn’t wait. I am so happy you’re here.” The kids tumbled Laura to the floor in a heap of tickles and laughter.
Becky couldn’t believe her eyes. All Laura had to do was walk into the room and Connor’s whole disposition changed. Whatever magic Laura was dispelling, Becky wanted the potion.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Becky echoed.
“Save me, Aunt Becky,” Laura spluttered as she tickled Connor’s belly. Sarah lay on Laura’s stomach, one hand tickling Laura under the arm. Laura fought to get her off, but Sarah was persistent. Finally, after a few minutes, both Connor and Sarah rolled away, scrambled to their feet, grinning from ear to ear. Laura stood, then walked over and gave Becky a warm hug.
“Let me look at you,” Becky said as they pulled apart.
Laura backed away and Becky was pleasantly surprised by how much this fifteen-year-old had grown. She had almost reached Becky’s height of five-seven and her hair was a rich golden-brown cut short and shaggy around her face. She definitely looked like a Montgomery with those thick eyebrows and that chiseled nose. Her skin had cleared up and was now glowing, and although she was several pounds heavier than Becky had remembered, it seemed to suit her well. However, her makeup was rather thick and her clothes were simply too tight, but Becky didn’t care if she wore vampire makeup and arrived in a toga. She was thrilled to see her, and instantly realized just how much she’d missed her.
“You’re beautiful,” Becky told her.
“I’m fat,” Laura countered.
“Aren’t we all?”
“Not my mom. She’s perfect.”
“Impossible. Nobody’s perfect.”
“Tell that to my grandmother.”
“I’ll do that.”
“Can I watch?”
“Only if you hide any and all sharp objects first.”
“It’s a deal.”
They hugged again, laughing, then parted. Sarah joined them and tugged on Laura’s hand. “I want to find the magic pendant.”
“How could you ever find it on this big ship?” Connor said with more than a little sarcasm as he stepped closer. Apparently it didn’t take long for his mood to change.
“Yeah, but somebody has to find it,” Laura suggested, ignoring his crankiness and supporting Sarah’s excitement.
“And it won’t be us,” Connor scorned. “Nothing good ever happens in this family.”
Laura tousled his hair, and Connor let her, but Becky could tell his attitude was deteriorating quickly. “Oh, I don’t know. We’re all on this cruise together. That’s something good.”
“You know what I mean.” He moved away from her hand. “I mean to my family, like me and my sister and my mom.”
“Well, maybe if we find the pendant, your luck will start to change,” Laura said.
“I seriously doubt it.” He walked away and plopped himself down on the sofa.
“If we all think positive thoughts, maybe we’ll have a better chance of finding it,” Laura decreed, sitting next to him.
Connor shrugged. “Whatever.”
Sarah looked pensive for a moment. Becky could tell she was trying to figure something out. Suddenly her face brightened. “Thoughts like raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens?”
“Don’t get her started,” Connor whispered.
Ignoring him, Laura added, “Sure, whatever makes you the most happy.”
Suddenly, Sarah started singing “My Favorite Things.” Connor slid down on the sofa. Laura joined in the tune, then got up and grabbed Sarah, spinning her around, laughing. Becky joined in, as well.
When they’d finished dancing around the room, and bugging Connor whenever they got the chance, his attitude picked up slightly.
Becky relished the fact that Laura had such a positive effect on her kids. She knew Connor was just as thrilled as Sarah to see his cousin, but he purposely didn’t want to show too much enthusiasm. However, it was almost impossible when Laura was in the room. It was as if he was fighting against his true self and couldn’t trust his own emotions. As if he was afraid to be happy.
It tore Becky apart.
At least so far it didn’t seem to be affecting his schoolwork, and he still participated in some school activities, so she didn’t think he needed a therapist yet. However, if this family cruise didn’t change his somber disposition, she had already decided to make an appointment with a good family therapist when they returned home.
“I think I’m going to find the pendant and we’re going to be the luckiest family in the whole world,” Sarah announced.
The chances of them finding the pendant were next to zero, Becky figured, but Laura’s enthusiasm was infectious. Becky wished, for Connor’s sake, that by some miracle the kids would find the pendant.
“This is bogus,” Connor mumbled. “We can think positive thoughts for the next million years and we still won’t be able to find it.”
“No deadbeats allowed,” Laura insisted, grabbing hold of Connor again and tickling his belly. He smiled briefly, but then turned away. Becky knew Laura was working her happy magic on him, and the ice was at least melting around the edges. “Come on, Connor, have a little faith, at least for
