Page 4 of Hearts Aweigh
One dubious benefit of his ex-wife’s constant criticism had been that it left him in no doubt of her desires. Spencer had been a full-time father for all of three days and still hadn’t a clue what his little girl wanted. Would Madeleine tell him if she needed something? Or would their relationship resemble his own childhood? Always passing messages through a bevy of servants and employees.
God?
Spencer swallowed. The awkward sensation of seeking help from an invisible Creator rankled his Masterson pride. He’d been taught to never show weakness to anyone. But he’d recentlyrealized the value in relinquishing things to Someone greater than himself.
I’m new at this whole prayer thing. If you’re listening, I could use assistance. Please help me be a father she can trust and depend on. I have no idea where to start.
A musical voice sounded behind him. “Welcome to the MSBuckingham, dear honored guests.”
He turned to find a diminutive young woman dressed in a long purple gown like a princess from a fairy tale. Her fiery hair curled around her face, and her smile beamed with a warmth to match. She held a silver tray with bottled water.
He would have responded, but she wasn’t looking at him. Her twinkling eyes were fixed on Madeleine. She dipped in a curtsy and held out the tray to his daughter.
“Would you care for water, Your Majesty?” She spoke the words in a fake British accent and without a trace of irony, even though her own tiara listed to the side.
Madeleine shook her head. “No, thank you, ma’am.”
The wannabe princess stood tall, if five foot two could be considered tall. Her compact but shapely figure turned his way as she lifted the tray. “Water, sir?” The pesky breeze whipped her red hair, and she twisted her full pink lips to puff it away. “Sir?”
“No.” He’d paused for only a second, but it bothered him. Why was he so distracted? As the most reputed lawyer in New Orleans, he was never at a loss for words.
She moved to the next passenger in the VIP line. Spencer forced his attention away and focused on the mammoth ship in front of him. The pristine white sides towered above them. Crew members rushed along the decks with armloads of miscellaneous items. A twisting mass of tube slides rose from the pool at the front end of the ship. Near the gangplank, a mariachi band stood in black suits with gold embroidery and wide redties, filling the air with spirited music. It was a giant, floating amusement park.
Spencer squinted at the festivities. “It baffles me why Daisy is living in a place like this.”
CHAPTER 2
THESHIPPERS STOOD ON THEpier. Semitrucks rumbled in the distance as forklifts unloaded pallets of perishables. The crowd of excited cruisers undulated like an ocean wave, jostling each other in carefree abandon.
A random elbow bumped Emily. She tottered forward, the hard pavement rushing to meet her.
Gerry grabbed her in a death grip. “Careful, now.” She hauled her up and blocked Emily’s smaller frame from the crowd. “Where’s your cane?”
“I don’t need that sissy stick.”
Gerry had honed the art of silent disapproval during her many years as a librarian. Her thin lips pinched. She eyed her friend like she would an overdue book.
Emily shuffled her feet. “I’m fine. Truly.”
“A few months ago, you were in the infirmary with a heart arrhythmia. You should take precautions.”
“I can lean on one of the railings for support.”
“Forget the railings, honey.” Althea slipped a soft hand around Emily’s free arm. “Lean on me. I’m much cushier. We can chat about cute little Abby.”
Daisy raised her perfectly plucked eyebrows. “What do y’all think of our latest candidate?”
Althea shrugged. “I like her.”
“Liking her isn’t the problem,” Emily said. “Can we help her? Our last match required so much effort, we took a break after the wedding.”
“I’d hardly call two weeks a break.” Gerry snorted. “And we all saw you making mental notes. I bet you already have a list of prospects for Abby.”
Emily didn’t bother denying it. The other ladies knew her well. She lived and breathed her mission.
Daisy opened her clutch purse and withdrew an embroidered handkerchief. “It makes it easier if she fills out her own background information and preferences. Saves us hours of legwork. My vote is yes.”
“You normally don’t say much when we choose a client, baby.” Althea looped her other arm around Daisy’s. “What’s different this time?”
