Page 90 of Love Overboard
“Is Lacey aware of this?” Emily asked.
“She knows about the smugglers. But not my true identity. I plan to tell her soon.”
“Soonis too late.” Gerry stepped beside Emily. “If she hears it from someone else, it will break her. Confess everything now.”
“I’m working on it.” Jon rose to walk around the desk and held out his hands. “Please, give me one more day. I wanted to tell her in a special way when I propose.”
“Propose!” Althea clapped her hands together and squealed.
“Are you crazy?” Gerry’s mouth hung open. “It’s too soon. There are countless examples of unexpected marriage proposals that went haywire: Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth, Rochester and Jane Eyre—”
“None of those people actually existed.” Althea swatted at her. “Besides, I’m sure Jonny is going to tell her all about himself first.” She turned to him. “Right?”
“Would I ask her to marry me without explaining who her new in-laws will be?” Jon grinned. “Let me get the ball out of the way tonight. Then we dock in Cozumel tomorrow. Since you introduced us to its romantic lighthouse on our last visit, I arranged for a special surprise.”
Daisy uncrossed her arms. “What kind of surprise?”
“The beach covered in candles and orchids. A special chef flown in to prepare the meal. Orchestra playing in the background. The works.”
Althea and Daisy made eye contact and cooed in delight.
Gerry shrugged. “Sounds like a decent setting. It might soften her up before you tell her.”
But Emily shook her head. “It’s too risky. What if she finds out before then? It would crush her.”
“No one will tell her. Only the captain is informed of my true identity, and he won’t say a word.” Jon took her small hands in his. “Trust me, Emily. I never want to hurt Lacey. It’s just one more day.”
“Did you pray about this?”
“Why do I need to pray about it? Isn’t God the one who brought Lacey and me back together? I don’t want to miss the chance he’s given me.”
Emily stared at him. A cross between a groan and a growl left her lips as she withdrew her hands and moved away. “I hope you don’t end up regretting this. Let’s go, girls.”
The other three parted to the sides, and she walked through the middle and out the door. Gerry and Daisy followed without comment. Althea stopped at the threshold. She gave him a wink before closing the door.
Jon let out the breath he was holding. He walked around his desk, hooked his foot under the bottom drawer, and slid it open. A small black box sat inside. He retrieved it and flipped the lid to reveal a delicate engagement ring. After kissing Lacey during their time in Nevis, thoughts of spending the rest of their lives together had flooded his brain. He’d barely waited a day before calling to place an order with a well-known jeweler in Galveston, and then picked up the ring on their last turnaround in home port.
The design reminded him of Lacey in every way. Unpretentious but rare. Jon held it closer to the window behind his desk. The afternoon sunlight hit the diamond and cast tiny rainbows across his office floor.
He sank onto his chair.
Was Gerry correct? Would Lacey also think it was too soon? It took almost three years to get her to officially admit she was dating him. Perhaps thiswasrushing it. But Jon couldn’t help it. He needed to be sure Lacey wouldn’t run again. More than that, he wanted to stop wasting time. And a life without Lacey was the biggest waste of time he could imagine.
CHAPTER 40
THE STRAINS OF A CLASSIClove song wafted through the double doors to where Lacey stood by the elevators. Past the entrance, gauzy tents, chocolate fountains, and flickering tea lights awaited the guests. The lido deck had been transformed into a romantic wonderland.
Lacey lifted a gloved hand to move a tendril that tickled her chin. Her hair curled in gentle waves and fell around her shoulders. The softer style complimented her turquoise evening gown. The floor-length dress swished around her as she moved.
She held a black basket with the Monarch crown emblem on the front. Red and white long-stemmed roses peeked out of the top. To her left sat a table filled with masks of all shapes and sizes. Guests began to arrive and choose which disguise they preferred before entering the moonlit masquerade. Lacey passed them a rose on their way in.
“Greetings, honored guests,” she said to the couple who stood in front of her.
Such over-the-top dialogue would not have been her first choice, but the cruise line was attempting to create a regal atmosphere. She extended them two roses. The woman placed the flower in her teeth and pulled out a phone.
“Lesss take a pictchah,” she mouthed around the stem as she dragged her partner down into the shot.
“Allow me to help you.” Lacey placed her basket on the ground, took the phone, and counted to three.
