Page 71 of Love Overboard
“Welcome back.” Lacey greeted the worn-out passengers as they wobbled past her. “I hope you enjoyed yourself.”
“You bet I did. Check this out.” A middle-aged woman showed off the banana-yellow poncho she’d haggled over with a street vendor.
Lacey oohed and aahed in the correct places. “Fifty dollars? I’m surprised you talked him down so much.”
Lacey eyed every bag that came aboard and made a note of anyone wearing clothes baggy enough to disguise something underneath while still performing her normal hostess duties. She answered questions about the after-dinner show, complimented purchases, and directed a pair of cherry-red passengers to the infirmary for sunburn cream. They plank-walked away with their arms pointed straight out to keep any part of their body from touching the rest.
“There you are.” Jon appeared at her side. “I’ve been missing you all day.”
She shushed him and answered another person’s question. “Yes, sir. You can use the money you exchanged at the next port of call.”
“Did you miss me too?” Jon kept his eyes on the passengers and didn’t see the glare she gave him.
“Please go away. Do you want everyone on the ship to know we’re a couple?”
He shrugged. “I wouldn’t mind.”
“I would.” Lacey stepped a few feet away, but he stayed at her heels.
He tweaked the chignon at the nape of her neck. “I was wondering if we—”
A male voice bellowed, “What a miserable place that was!”
Lacey backed away from Jon.
Her father stalked into the lobby and flung his arms wide. “It’s good to be back in civilization.”
Her mother followed behind him, carrying several shopping bags.
Lacey avoided Jon’s questioning glance and hurried to her parents. “What’s wrong, Dad? Didn’t you enjoy the port of call?”
“I would have if it weren’t full of thieves.”
“Excuse me, sir.” Jon joined them. “Is there anything I can help you with?”
“You’re the cruise director, correct?” Her father tugged his straw hat lower and held out a hand. “Thank you for offering. I wouldlovesome help.”
Jon shook the outstretched hand. “My pleasure.”
Lacey shoved in between them, breaking the contact. “What happened? Did a pickpocket steal your wallet?”
“You could say a one-armed bandit robbed me.” Her dad collapsed onto a lobby armchair and spread his legs out in front of him. “It’s no big deal. I lost a little money.”
“Lost it, how?” She suspected the answer but wanted him to admit it with his own lips.
“The beach was blazing hot. Your mom and I decided to go into one of the hotels to cool off. They had a casino in there and—” He pointed his index finger at Jon. “How do I file a complaint to the city? They shouldn’t take advantage of tourists.”
Lacey blocked her father and pushed Jon away before he answered. “I’ll manage this.”
Jon studied her parents. “I could check—”
“No.” She held up a hand. “I know my dad. Let me deal with this problem.”
Lacey recognized the stubborn set of his mouth. He wanted to argue.
“Please,” she whispered.
Jon searched her face. He started to say something but stopped. He nodded and left without a word.
