Page 76 of Love Overboard
She turned in his arms and tilted her chin. “Food is overrated.”
Jon’s eyes twinkled, and he lowered his head. But she leaned back and raised her gaze. “There’s something I should tell you.” The ship’s stack marred the view and blocked the stars with its white plume of smoke.
The arms around her tensed. As she looked at Jon’s face, she saw his smile fading.
“Don’t worry. It’s not about us. Not exactly. It’s about … my family.”
His muscles relaxed. “I expected there was more to the story.”
Lacey bit her lip. “It’s not a pretty one. I’m afraid it doesn’t have a happy ending. But I’m willing to tell you if you want to listen.”
Jon sidestepped with her, never letting their bodies separate, and sank onto the bench, pulling Lacey down with him. He tucked the blanket tight around her. “I’ve got as much time as you need.”
Her heart sprang open at his unconditional acceptance. She took a deep, fortifying breath. “When we had our little talk at the lighthouse, there were embarrassing details I left out.”
Jon’s arms loosened, but he didn’t let her go. Lacey peered up at him. She had his full attention.
“Two and a half years ago, I flew home for a visit and found a foreclosure notice taped to the front door. My dad had taken a second mortgage to finance a ‘surefire’ investment that flopped. I managed to stave off the bank by signing as his guarantor, but I’m still paying for his mistake on the first of every month.” Lacey’s cheeks heated as she spread out her family’s dirty laundry. “You’ve met my father. He’s a sweet, charming, and, I admit it, sincere man … In some ways, you remind me of him.” She pulled away far enough that the evening air chilled the empty space between them. “That’s what terrified me. I was afraid I’d end up babysitting another loser for the rest of my life.”
The hum of the ship’s engines and muted voices from the decks below were the only sounds. She waited for him to protest, but Jon said nothing. He watched her, waiting for anything she wanted to give him.
“You’re not my father.” Lacey bent toward his warmth and placed a hand on his chest. “I know that now. It sounds pathetic to say ‘I’m sorry.’ It’s not enough for being an idiot back then and hurting you. But I am … I am so, so sorry.”
His rapid pulse beat under her fingertips.
“I wish we could’ve had this talk years ago.” Jon brushed at the tear sneaking across her cheek. “We’ve wasted too much time.” His irrepressible smile appeared. “But it’s going to be a whole lot of fun making up for it.”
“That’s it?” She studied his expression. “You don’t want me to grovel?”
He puckered his lips and wrinkled his brow. “Tempting. But that doesn’t sound nearly as enjoyable as my plan.”
Something unwound deep inside of Lacey. She bracketed Jon’s face with her hands and stared at him. Her soul unlocked its last hidden stronghold and opened to the man in front of her, and she reveled in the freedom of meeting his eyes—no more misunderstandings or secrets between them.
CHAPTER 34
EMILY RAPPED TWICE ON THEdoor, paused, and knocked three more times. No one answered. She tried again, with the same result.
“They might be asleep,” Gerry said. “Like we should be.” She tugged the black hood of her jacket onto her head and leaned against the wall.
“I told them three o’clock sharp.” Emily raised her knuckles again.
The door swung open before she knocked. Althea stood before her. At least, she assumed it was Althea. The woman wore a black track-suit, leather gloves, and oversized Jackie O sunglasses. A thick scarf wrapped around her head, obscuring half her face.
With one finger, she lowered the fabric below her mouth and whispered. “Daisy refuses to get up. Once the girl is out, it’s easier to wake the Sphinx.”
Emily humphed and pushed by her. “I’ll take care of this.” She marched to the single bed closest to the bathroom and shook her friend’s delicate figure. “Daisy, it’s mission time.”
Daisy moaned and rolled away, tugging the padded white duvet over her head.
Emily poked a finger in her back. “Daisy Mae Randolph Masterson, you’re delaying the whole operation.”
“Go without me,” Daisy mumbled from underneath the covers.
Emily looked at Althea and Gerry in the doorway. They shrugged.
“I think we should leave her,” said Gerry.
“We’re all in this together.” Emily grabbed the comforter and sheets and flipped them to the end of the bed.
