Page 60 of Hearts Aweigh
Daisy cradled her granddaughter for a few seconds, then released her.
Althea joined them. “If someone’s giving out hugs, I could use a couple.” She grabbed both Daisy and Maddie, squeezing them close.
Abby noted Spencer’s softening countenance. Their eyes met and she almost smiled, but then she remembered his unflattering words. How dare the man reject her as a possible marriage partner! Had he misunderstood the hug she’d given him in the children’s center? She imagined he was used to all sorts of women throwing themselves at him. Was he under the impression she’d been coming on to him? If so, she’d correct the stupid assumption as quickly as possible.
“You’re just in time, dear.” Emily waved her over. “We spent five hours reviewing a new list of candidates for you. I expect you’ll be pleased with our choices.”
“Wonderful!” Perhaps Abby’s response was a little too bright, but she wanted Spencer to get the message there were plenty of fish in her matrimonial sea. “Could you arrange a date for this evening? It will be a pleasure to spend more than forty-five minutes for a change.”
“Hold on.” Spencer took a step her way. “You agreed to a specified time in our list of expectations.”
She raised her nose. “The agreement expired when our last cruise docked in Galveston, Mr. Masterson. I’m under no stipulations this time.” She smiled at Emily. “Just let me know when and where.”
“And who?” Gerry stopped typing.
“Right.” Abby’s cheeks heated. “Definitely who. That’s the most important part.”
Emily patted her. “We’ll discuss the who after my friends and I hold a quick conference. Would you excuse us?”
The minute they left the Shippers’ table, Spencer drew Abby away to an empty spot by the railing.
She remained placid, putting one arm around Maddie. “Mr. Masterson, I’d like to apologize.”
“Apologize? For what?”
“I acted unprofessionally when you arrived with Maddie at the childcare center. I’m a hug-first-and-think-later type. My intention wasn’t to be flirtatious—”
Spencer held up a stiff hand. “And I didn’t take it that way. What you overheard was … I didn’t mean I found you objectionable as a …” He looked out at the water. “I realize my words sounded harsh, and”—he faced her—“I’m truly sorry.”
The tension in Abby’s spine loosened a fraction. “You don’t want anyone to misunderstand. I get it, Mr. Masterson.”
“Spencer. And what you say is true. I wouldn’t want any rumors to damage your reputation.” His gaze returned to the ocean. “I’ve seen firsthand how ugly the gossip mill gets when an employer steps over the line.”
Abby glanced down at Maddie. His daughter leaned against the rail, staring at the whitecaps surrounding the ship. The child was too young to comprehend the content of their conversation, but Abby wanted to be sure. “I get it, Mr. Masterson.”
“Spencer,” he reiterated. “Please allow me to say one last thing. I respect you, both as a professional and a person. When I said I didn’t, that is, when I told the Shippers I never planned to marry again, it had nothing to do with you. After my first”—he noticed Madeleine and lowered his voice—“union ended, I resolved to avoid repeating the same mistake. Please don’t take my words personally.”
Had he really used the oldIt’s not you, it’s mecliché?
Abby’s soul shriveled. Only an hour ago, the sight of him and Maddie had spun her heart on its axis. How quickly things changed.
Or didn’t change.
That was the problem. No matter how much Spencer churned her insides, he was still immune to her and always would be. Better to concentrate on whatever new man theShippers found. Abby wanted marriage and a family more than anything.
And Spencer was on a totally different page.
CHAPTER 32
“STILL THINKI’M CRAZY?” EMILYinclined her head toward the couple at the rail. “Spencer’s working overtime to mend fences.” She looked at Daisy. “You know your son better than anyone. Is this how he normally behaves?”
“I must admit”—Daisy studied him—“I’ve never seen him so considerate of someone else’s opinion.”
“Yep,” Althea said. “The boy’s smitten.”
Daisy sighed. “Perhaps we could consider taking a personal relationship between them under advisement.”
“Yes!” Emily clasped her hands and shook them. “Let’s draw up a battle plan. Should we set Abby up with a random person to prod Spencer out of his comfort zone?” She opened her binder and scanned the list of names. “Who would be a good decoy match? Someone who won’t be hurt when it doesn’t work out.”
