Page 107 of Lochlan

I mumble my thanks, ending our conversation to slip inside the salon. I sprawl on the couch, pushing pillows aside to throw an arm over the back. Emptying the rest of the whiskey in my glass helps me to process the driver’s grim information that there will be no Kenzie here tonight.

A man dressed in white emerges from the galley, looking more pleasant than I feel. “We’re ready to begin service, Mr. MacTavish.” My name is mangled as he tries to manage the pronunciation with a heavy French accent. “The champagne is ready to be served with the appetizers when your guest arrives.”

“Thanks, I’ll let you know.”

His demeanor doesn’t change when I give no further details; he just gives a slight nod before leaving to wait in the galley below for orders.

I splash more whiskey in my glass as this sets in. I waited too long to contact her and there isn’t any interest in seeing me again. This would be the time to go to Plan B, but I neglected to form one. I was too sure or too arrogant to think my plan would fail.

What’s troubling is that Kenzie was seen with two men in the hotel bar, probably celebrating her win. Those men could be anyone from players, sponsors, or spectators. There were enough men in the stands eyeing her during the games. With her beauty and her winning, it would make sense she’d have a large male fan base. I heard one guy screaming at her, when there were pauses in play, to meet him later for a drink. I almost confronted that vocal admirer, but that would have tipped Kenzie off to my presence. Instead, I monitored him until I was convinced he was all talk.

I’m contemplating taking the boat out as planned. Just because she’ll never see this expensive gesture doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the experience. I call the captain and tell him to get underway and to start appetizers on the upper deck just before sunset. Before I end the call, I ask to have champagne brought to the salon. I have some time before the sun sets, and switching alcohol might put me in a better mood.

A few minutes later, a steward appears, offering me a glass of champagne on a tray. I exchange it for my tumbler of whiskey, thanking him as he backs away.

There’s a distant rumble of the engines as we prepared to leave the dock. I savor the nutty effervescence of the drink and plan a new future. The possibilities for the next stage of my life are endless, when there’s no one else to consider.

The phone in the cabin rings. “Captain?”

“Mr. MacTavish, we have someone hailing us from the dock.”

My cell buzzes. I pull it out to see the Catriona logo light up my phone. “Kenzie?”

“Lochlan,” she shouts over the idling engine noise. “I read your note hours after the driver left. I thought I was too late until the hotel sent the driver’s message to my room.”

“The hotel told the driver you were having drinks in the bar with two men,” I interrupt her.

“Someone must have mistaken me for my partner Livi. I’ve been in the room all evening. As soon as I read the note, your driver left, so I took a taxi to the address. I thought the Manuela was a hotel on the pier.”

“Just a moment,” I say to Kenzie, then grab the phone to the captain. “My guest has arrived. Please welcome her to the boat and escort her to the salon.” I switch phones again. “Stay there. Someone will help you on board.”

A crew member opens the door to the salon to allow Kenzie to enter. The wind bellows her orange sundress slightly as she steps inside and brushes the long strands of dark hair from her face.

I step forward to embrace her, but a steward blocks my path as she’s offered champagne, while another server sets up a bottle in an ice bucket. When they leave, I move toward Kenzie, eager to welcome her, but she turns away to scan her surroundings. “Did you buy this expensive toy as your new home?” She uses her glass in a sweeping motion to point out the salon. “Or have you taken up sailing since we last met to wander the world?”

That’s an interesting thought. I smile at the notion that I’m roaming the seas like a pirate on a luxury yacht. “I rented the boat for a few days while I’m in Mexico. Would you like a tour?”

“Later. You said you wanted to talk.”

“I also said I wanted to celebrate your victories with a dinner. Have a seat and I’ll tell the captain we’re ready to leave.”

She settles on the couch while I pick up the phone to speak with the captain, but her gaze darts around the room like a trapped animal. Why did she make the effort to come if she’s unsure about seeing me? I place the receiver down until I know why she’s here.

“Kenzie, I’ve arranged for us to watch the sunset on the upper deck, then have dinner afterwards. We can change plans if that doesn’t suit you. Would you be more comfortable at a restaurant?”

She bites her lower lip, weighing the options. “I’d like to watch the sunset from the boat. Sorry for the hesitation. I’m nervous.”

“There’s nothing to worry about. I’ll do whatever you wish.”

She smiles with less reluctance.

“Are you sure it’s sunset on the boat and dinner?”

She nods.

I call the captain and the engines rumble to life. I shrug into my blazer to show her this night is special and swipe the bucket of champagne and motion that we should walk out the salon door.

We pad to the upper deck, where there’s a long sofa bench that was designed as part of the boat’s exterior, strewn with bright pillows. I put the bucket down and wonder for a brief second if our drink will be safe.

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