Page 32 of The Words We Lost

“Um, Captain Hal?” Cece started, zipping her coat to her chin and tucking her notebook underneath her arm. “I actually have one last question for you, only it doesn’t have much to do with my research.”

He cocked an eyebrow, amusement lurking behind his robust expression.

“With your permission, I’d like to hold an on-location writing session tonight. Here, if possible.”

“Here, on the cruiser?” he asked, and she nodded. “And what would thissessioninvolve?”

“Just your permission to come aboard after dark.” She held up her palm as if she was ready to recite a pledge. “It will only be the three of us—and only for the purposes of writing.”

He narrowed his eyes, stroked his auburn beard. “And who isthe three of us?”

“Ingrid, Joel, and myself, sir.”

His brilliant azure eyes flicked to where his daughter sat immersed in story. “Why not ask your uncle? It’s his boat.”

Apparently, her silence was easy enough to decode. Uncle Stephen may be generous, but he wasn’t a man who often colored outside the lines. He was black and white. Straight and narrow. Rules, rules, rules. Much like his son.

But she’d be willing to bet that Captain Hal was a man who thrived in the gray.

He leaned in close to keep their conversation confidential, and Cece’s nose prickled at the hint of something sweetly sour on his breath. “And this cousin of yours, he’s a good boy?”

“Obnoxiously so, yes.” No need to stretch the truth there. If not for Ingrid, Joel would be the first to boycott this entire plan. But the Joel of last June was not the Joel of this January.

Hal chuckled and bobbed his chin. “I’ll expect you to treat this vessel with the same respect you treat your uncle’s hotel.”

“Yes, sir. Of course.”

“And you’ll lock everything up before you leave the dock.”

“Absolutely.”

His eyes softened to a look Cece had only ever seen him give his daughter. “You’ve been a good friend to my girl—getting her head out of those books and into the real world. Keep it up.”

Cece beamed at his high praise. “You should know she’s been an even better friend to me. Like the sister I’ve always wanted.”

He considered her for another moment before adding, “No loud music. No drinking. No shenanigans of any kind. And not a soul outside the three of you. Got it?”

“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir!” She spun to join Ingrid and tell her the plan for tonight when Hal called after her once again.

“Curly.”

She twisted back and a rogue curl caught between her chapped lips. She blew it away. “Yes, sir?”

“You’re positive you don’t want to write about the great Nordic Vikings?”

Her cheeks stretched so wide they crinkled her eyes. “I’m afraid it will always be a pirate’s life for me.”

He waved her off with a teasing gleam in his eye, and for just a moment, it felt like the only approval she’d ever need.

“I’ve been thinking,” Cece announced as she tossed a stack of pillows for Ingrid to shove into the rolling laundry cart that would aid them in their escape to the parking lot via the staff elevators. Cece could hardly wait to see Joel’s face when she told him they were headed to the marina overnight. Though Cece hadn’t specifically asked Captain Hal for permission to sleep aboard the boat, he also hadn’t mentioned a time they’d need to disembark. A fact Cece had taken note of when he slipped her the key earlier that afternoon. “What if you and I played matchmaker? My mom and your dad.”

“What?” Ingrid jerked to a sitting position, her elbow accidentally knocking a line of travel-sized toiletries to the cement floor. She shook her head and crawled to gather the scattered bottles. “No way. Your mom is way too sweet and trusting, and my dad is—”

“Literally the coolest guy I’ve ever met. Believe me, my mom could use some adventure in her life. Her idea of a good time is getting up before sunrise to walk the beach. Oh, and checking out art books from the library that she never does anything with.” Cece rolled her eyes. “We could totally set them up on an awesome blind date in town.” Cece flung her arms out wide. “Just think how incredible it would be if they hit it off! We could be sisters—therealkind.”

Ingrid slumped back on her haunches, as if considering the rich payoff of such a brilliant plan: the two of them legally bound together for life as sisters! Cece was certain Ingrid wanted that as much as she did—they’d discussed their desire for a sibling multiple times during the nights Ingrid stayed over. In fact, they’d discussed many of their shared desires. Whatever Ingrid did or did not believe about God, Cece knew the two of themhad been brought together for a purpose. And perhaps that purpose was to become a family.

“I think you’ve watchedThe Parent Traptoo many times.” Ingrid didn’t glance up as she finished restocking the toiletries on the shelf. “Besides, my dad doesn’t date.”

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