Page 57 of Hearts Aweigh
“I’ve survived quite well without any.”
Her expression changed. Annoyance retreated, and pity took its place. She stood contemplating him.
He squirmed under her observation. “Please refrain from feeling sorry for me. I’m not the demonstrative type.”
She looked even sorrier at his statement. “Everyone needs a hug now and then.”
“An admirable attitude for someone who works with children. I’m sure your sympathetic nature serves you well.”
Abby pressed her lips together, nodded, and turned to leave. Spencer uncrossed his arms and reached out a hand but dropped it to his side. Why was his first impulse always to stop her? She was a temporary person passing through his life. Nothing more.
“Oh, I can’t stand it.” Abby spun around. “We’re not supposed to hug adult passengers, but—”
Slim arms wrapped around him, trapping his own against his body. Her silky red hair rested somewhere around the area of his heart as she squeezed him tight. Her softness pressed against him and warmed his entire being.
Spencer stood paralyzed. Everything stopped—his breath, his heart, even his thoughts.
Then started again at a much higher velocity.
When was the last time someone had hugged him? He honestly couldn’t remember. Another thought followed. Apart from Abby, when was the last time someone had hugged Madeleine? He certainly hadn’t taken her in his arms, and Ms. Blanchet—for the short time the governess was with them and not seasick—had exuded discipline, not affection.
Abby released him sooner than he liked. “Don’t be afraid to ask for a hug. Or give one. Especially to your own child.”
Was she a mind reader? How did she know he was thinking of Madeleine? Before he could respond, Abby spoke.
“Let me grab something from my locker.” She rushed off.
Spencer stood with his arms still pressed close to his side. An unfamiliar emotion filled his brain.
Fear.
It made no logical sense.
A suspicion hit him. Did seeing Abigail O’Brien play a bigger role in his decision to return than he’d realized? This redheaded whirlwind had bewitched him with her hugs and smiles and declarations of silver-lined possibilities. No matter how his brain tried to dismiss her as a temporary person, he feared her effect on his heart would be long-lasting and irreversible.
CHAPTER 30
GOSSAMER CLOUDS RACED ABOVEEMILY’Shead. The white puffs scurried through the bright blue sky as if they were late for an appointment. A gust hit her, and she clutched her cardigan tighter around her body.
“There’s a change in the wind. A storm’s brewing somewhere.”
She sat with her three friends at a table on the lido deck. They observed the passengers frolicking with all the excitement of their first day at sea. The chilly breeze did nothing to deter the tan-seeking sunbathers stretched out on the deck chairs.
Gerry ignored the festivities in favor of a new book, Althea offered her phone to Daisy with the latest pictures of her grandchildren, and Emily made mental notes of the people around her.
She drummed her fingers on the wooden tabletop. “We missed the new crop boarding.”
Gerry droned from behind her novel. “You were the one who wanted to choose new candidates for Abby O’Brien.”
“Yes, but I didn’t expect it to take five hours.”
“I agree,” Daisy said. “The strategy meeting lasted much too long.”
Althea slipped her phone in her sparkly red fanny pack. “Who knew our first two candidates would go so horribly wrong? Are we losing our touch?”
“Don’t be silly.” Emily bristled at the suggestion. “Unforeseen factors affected our results. Abby spent an inordinate amount of time with Daisy’s son and granddaughter. Perhaps things would’ve gone smoother with her and the minister if she’d been able to focus.”
Althea shook her head. “There was no chemistry with the preacher. Now Abby and Spencer”—she elbowed Daisy—“they could’ve lit the lido deck with their sparks.”
