Page 6 of Too Far To Sea
“Then let’s get you to customs. And don’t worry about missing the bus. We get to take the short way.” Thewoman pushing the chair stopped by an electric vehicle which resembled a glass enclosed golf cart. She opened the door for Dana. “I need to find another traveler who needs assistance. Then we’ll be on our way.”
A few minutes later, the woman returned with an older gentleman dressed exactly like what Dana pictured an old Cambridge professor would wear, down to the bow tie and tweed jacket.
The attendant slid in the driver’s seat and turned to Dana. “Where are you going on your cruise?”
“We are sailing around Ireland, then back to London for my half-sister’s wedding.”
“Well then, let’s not miss that cruise bus.” The driver circumvented the long customs line and drove the little cart through a designated assistance lane.
When she was the first to reach the bus, Dana tipped the assistant extra, glad that she’d picked up a few pounds while in the states. She wasn’t sure that tips were necessary in the UK, but she would rather be generous when possible. “Thank you so much for your help.”
Dana watched Sheila, her step-father, sister and the rest of the bridal party herd their suitcases to the bus only to be told they were supposed to drop them with the porter as Dana had upon leaving customs. There were advantages to needing wheelchair assistance. She should have tipped her helper double for showing her the drop off.
At the docks, another wheelchair waited for her, allowing her to bypass the long line of passengers waiting to board and get her key card. Deck 8-1269. Sheila must have planned this room change weeks ago. She couldn’t have orchestrated this from the plane.
Using another shortcut, the crew member wheeled Dana onto the ship. A uniformed officer stood at the securitycheckpoint, scanning cards. Two bars on his shoulder boards indicated his seniority. His bearing spoke of military experience—Navy, maybe. She’d seen enough former military in private security to recognize the telltale signs. But it wasn’t his uniform, though it fit him perfectly, that caught her attention. It was the almost-smile playing at the corners of his mouth, as if he found something quietly amusing but was too professional to show it. Her heart did an unexpected flutter when his gaze met hers. Get it together, Dana. He’s just doing his job.
He stopped her chair. “Ms. Knight? I don’t have you listed for wheelchair assistance.”
Her eyes met his—a warm hazel that seemed to see right through her. He wore the perfectly non-committal expression most bodyguards used. It was difficult to guess if he would smile or frown next. Dana forced herself to maintain her composure. “Um. No. I just sprained it two days ago. I should be fine on my crutches.”
“How?”
“How what? Did I hurt it? Or how am I going to get around this enormous ship,” Dana glanced at his name badge, “Officer Worth?”
His neutral expression slipped into a genuine smile that transformed his entire face. “Both?”
“Playing soccer with a three-year-old. And I’ll just skip my upper body workouts for the next few days.” Dana used her crutches to help her balance as she got out of the wheelchair and slung her backpack over her shoulder. She turned to the young man who had pushed it. “Thank you so much for your help. I’ll be good from here.”
Officer Worth nodded at her. “Don’t forget to check in at your muster station.” His voice held a note of concern that seemed more personal than professional. More likely, it was her imagination or the extra ibuprofen.
“Thank you, have a great day.” Dana kept her voice steady, though she felt his eyes on her as she maneuvered past the elevators to have her card scanned at the muster station.
Her brief bubble of satisfaction at handling that interaction professionally popped when she made her way to her stateroom. As she expected from her key card number, instead of the spacious multi-bedroom suite her sister had booked months ago, a dark, cramped interior room awaited her. The cruise line had decorated the room trying to counter the feeling, but another light or two would have helped more.
On the bright side, being alone, she wouldn’t feel like the crusty camp counselor when the rest of the bridesmaids got seasick or drank too much. Any refund for the difference between her portion of the classy suite and the compact room would go into Sheila’s pocket.
Dana sat on the end of the single twin sized bed and elevated her throbbing ankle. The tiny room was small enough she wouldn’t need her crutches to hop around, as long as the seas were calm. For her current situation, this was the better option of a room. Something she wouldn’t tell her mother. Luxury was overrated.
A glance at the ship’s app told her that the closest open food venue likely to have ice was four floors up, near the pool. The others wouldn’t open until the ship left the dock hours from now. With a sigh, she maneuvered to her feet and grabbed the crutches, bracing herself for the trek to the upper decks.
Despite her best efforts to focus on navigating the ship’s layout, her mind kept drifting back to Officer Worth’s smile. She’d met plenty of attractive men in her line of work—why did this one make her pulse quicken? Maybe it was just the pain medication making her light-headed. Yes, that had to be it. Because developing feelings for a crew member would be the worst possible complication to an already complicated trip.
Notwithstanding her bravado earlier, getting around the ship on crutches was daunting. Once at the pool deck, she found she had to cross to the other side. Cheyanne and her friends sat around the main pool already in swimming suits, although it was a cool day. Her half-sister waved her over with a flourish of her mimosa. “Dana! Come join us. We were just talking about going to the casino tonight. You must come.”
“Thanks, but I think I’ll pass this time.” Dana eyed the bridesmaids, who were already tipsy if Lindie’s and Erin’s giggling was any sign. Renee said something to Amy-Kate behind her hand. The inside cabin was a bigger blessing than she thought it could be. “I should stay off my foot as much as possible.”
“It’s my bachelorette cruise. Celebrate with me.” Cheyanne’s gaze slid past Dana, lighting up as she caught sight of a man approaching. “Chandler!”
Dana pivoted on her crutches. Chandler strode towards them, clad in khakis and a polo shirt, looking every bit the proper British gentleman on a holiday. Two of his grooms-minions followed him. His cold eyes raked over her with a hint of disdain. The minions, full on sneered.
“A pleasure to see you again,” he said, though his tone indicated otherwise. He turned to Chey. “Sunscreen? I’d hate for you to ruin the photographs.”
“Of course. Do you need some?” Chey plucked a bottle out of her bag.
Chandler sniffed. “Remind me to get you some of my brand.”
The minions squeezed in between the bridesmaids only after Chandler sat on the end of Chey’s lounge chair.
