Page 50 of Too Far To Sea
Cheyanne shook her head. “It was Amy-Kate, wasn’t it? She is the one Chandler has been cheating on me with.”
That her sister already suspected unfaithfulness was not a possibility Dana had thought through. “You knew?”
“I suspected something. I just hoped—” Cheyanne leaned into Dana’s side and cried. Lindie, Erin, and Renee slipped out of the room.
Dana wrapped her arm around her sister, wishing she could shield her from more than just this moment’s pain. If Dana ever saw Chandler again, she would hit him. As for Sheila, Dana would carry her role in this to the grave, or at least for a few days. One blow was enough for the morning. There was a chance her mother would confess her role in the debacle herself. Not much, but a chance.
Only one port left. McKay rubbed the back of his neck, trying to loosen the knot that had been growing all day. Dana and her sister had returned to the ship earlier than most passengers. Shortly after, Amy-Kate had disembarked with more luggage than she could manage. The wedding was off. A sense of guilt gnawed at him.
McKay pushed the guilt aside the best he could. It wasn’t his fault that Chandler was unfaithful. Yet he could have let it be known days ago. Would it have made a difference? He told himself likely not, but the rationalization felt hollow.
The wind whipped around the ship as they headed south. He completed a round of the empty upper decks hoping that Dana might be sitting in the alcove where they met before. A couple played a game of cards in the spot.
In the library, the sole occupant was a leprechaun rubber duck tucked into a cushion. He left it for a passenger to find. Since he didn’t have to clean the ship, McKay found the tradition of passengers hiding ducks cute. Gracie would love to find one or two if she ever sailed. Crew members kept a bucket full of the most unique duckies they’d found in the crew lounge. Pink cowgirl, pirate, and zombie ducks all found their way to the bucket during the few hours when the crew cleaned the ship for the next cruise. They also displayed a board showing the funniest places duckies had been found. Most passengers hid them respectfully, avoiding bathrooms, the buffet, and crew areas. He should take one from the crew area to Gracie. There had to be room in his luggage somewhere.
Dana wasn’t in any of the public areas. With a resigned sigh, McKay opened the communications app from Ogilvie Inc. Would it work? McKay typed in Dana Knight and his heart jumped when her name popped up.
Mac: How did your day go?
There was a pause before a message appeared.
Dana: Security told me not to use this app on board.
Mac: I think you’re ok.
Dana: My day went as expected. No wedding.
Mac: How is your sister?
Dana: Better than expected. His parents are livid and are on her side, so that is helpful. Especially since Chey shipped most of her belongings over to their home. Sheila is a mess. We are ignoring her.
Mac: And you?
He held his breath, waiting for her response.
Dana: Curious.
Mac: About what?
Dana: Why was Chandler escorted off the ship?
Mac: Not sure I can say. Legal is still dealing with things.
Dana: Okay.
Mac: Any plans for tomorrow?
Dana: I still want to *air* kiss the Blarney Stone. Trying to talk Chey into going. She says she wants alone time.
Mac: The castle and stone are worth it. The line can bea pain, but it is one of those things you should do once if you have the chance.
Dana: You’ve been?
Mac: Yes. When I was a teenager on a family vacation. For the record, it worked for my sister.
Dana: Chey says she doesn’t need to because she already has more words than she can say to Chandler.
Mac: Tell her she can deliver the words more eloquently.
