Page 88 of Hearts Aweigh
Spencer fumed. Another crazy date cooked up by the Shippers. Hadn’t their past candidates proved they didn’t have a clue what they were doing? He scowled at the four meddlers gathered in his living room. Gerry read a book in an armchair, while the other three women fussed over Madeleine.
“You must be proud of yourselves”—he strode to their group—“finding a new date for Abby after the last dud you picked.”
“Yes.” Emily’s lip curled. “I admit our last choice was less than impressive. We should’ve known better.”
Althea snickered.
Daisy tweaked Maddie’s chin. “You look beautiful, sugar. Did Abby let you pick your own outfit?”
“I picked it all by myself.” Madeleine twirled with her arms outstretched to show off how her dress billowed. “Do you like it?”
“I love it.” Daisy clapped. “It’s a shame she can’t take care of you all the time.” Her eyes cut to Spencer. “Perhaps ifsomeonehadn’t made an unfortunate mistake, things might have been different.”
“How do you know about that?” Spencer said. “Were you spying on us at the waterfall?”
“You poor thing.” Gerry’s dry voice filtered from behind her book. “Your mother’s not talking about the waterfall. Do you truly believe that’s the reason Abby’s mad at you?”
Not the waterfall? Was there another transgression he’d committed?
“I”—Spencer searched his memory—“I’m not sure to what you are referring.”
“Show him, Emily,” said Althea.
The head Shipper pulled a cell phone from her large handbag and tapped the screen. “I’m sending you a picture, Spencer. Take a look and then ask yourself what Abby assumed when she saw that setup.”
His phone dinged, and he checked his texts. It took a split second to understand her implication. A picture of a couple filled the screen.
Him and Abby.
It was circumstantial evidence. But the moon shining on the waves. The candles on the beach? The anticipation in Abby’s posture. They led the viewer to one conclusion. Someone was getting engaged.
Had Abby made the same deduction?
Impossible. There was no way she’d have jumped to such an assumption. After all, they’d known each other a mere two weeks at the time.
But hehadkissed her at the waterfall.
And hehadacted like a jealous fool when she dated another man.
Spencer groaned. There were more bridges to mend than he’d imagined. He’d start as soon as Abby returned.
At 8:06.
CHAPTER 45
SLAM!
The four Shippers jumped as Spencer closed the office door behind him.
Emily smirked. “Someone’s unhappy. Why do you suppose he gets so upset about his nanny’s dinner break?”
“Serves him right,” Althea said. “He had his chance, and he blew it.” She sashayed to the couch, settled beside Daisy, and kissed Madeleine on the cheek. “Honey, you’re too sweet. You taste like candy.”
The girl giggled. “Can we play hide-and-seek?”
“Oooh.” Althea cringed. “My old body doesn’t work so good for hide-and-seek anymore. Is there something else you wanna do?”
Maddie scratched her head. “Can we read a story?”
