First Mates

“Do?”

He waited for the waiter to fill his coffee cup before he continued. “Yes, I’m talking about activities. We won’t be returning to Miami until this coming Sunday, so we’ve got six more days of fun before we get home.”

She nodded, as her pretty eyes glanced at the glossy brochures. “When you say home, I’m assuming you mean Miami? Is that where you live? I told you yesterday that I work downtown at the Miami newspaper.”

“I’ve lived in Miami most of my life.”

Together, they scanned the ship’s itinerary. Today they were at sea, but tomorrow they were docking in Cozumel, Mexico. “Have you ever been there?” he asked.

“I’ve been there a couple of times. Once our church group sponsored a trip to Mexico and we stayed in Cozumel for a few days.” She told him what she remembered about the place as he read the list of Cozumel’s attractions.

Rainy picked up the itinerary and read the rest of it aloud teasingly. “Day four, at sea, day five, dock in Grand Cayman, day six, dock in Jamaica—day seven is the last day we’ll have at sea before returning to Miami.”

He chuckled as she placed the papers on the cloth-covered table. “Sounds like we’re going to be having ourselves a nice trip. I’ve never been to so many places in such a short period of time.”

“Me, either. This sounds like an adventure. I’m determined to just forget about everything and focus on having a good time.”

Her dark brown eyes sparkled as she stirred her coffee. He wondered what in the world had happened in her soured love relationship that would cause her friends to force her to go on this cruise. He was tempted to ask, but she looked so happy, he didn’t want to spoil this joyous moment by mentioning the bad experience she’d briefly told him about.

They sat in companionable silence as they finished their food. The waiter returned with the breakfast cart, asking if they wanted more, but they declined as they finished their coffee.

As the breakfast food settled in Winston’s stomach, his fatigue returned. He stifled a yawn as he pushed his cup away. “You know, I was going to go on a swim at one of the pools this morning. But now I think I might go back to sleep for a few hours.”

He watched her as she gathered her belongings and placed them into her large tote bag. “Well, I’m wide awake so I’m going to sit up on the deck and read for a bit.”

“Okay.” He made a note to look for her later when he did take his swim. He watched her lithe body as she exited the dining room. He then stifled another yawn before he trudged back to his cabin. The sunlight was now brighter as it spilled through the small round window. After changing into his nightclothes, he fell into a deep slumber.

Later that day, after a long nap, Winston returned to one of the pool areas, eager to take his swim. He removed his T-shirt and was about to plunge into the water when he noticed Rainy lounging on a chair, wearing a one-piece black bathing suit. Her hair was twisted into a bun, and she was sporting a pair of sunglasses. She was reading a book and when she looked up and saw him, she dropped it on the floor. Smiling widely, he hurried to her lounge chair, sitting in the empty seat beside her.

“Hi.” He lifted her book and when she took it, their fingers touched. Her skin reminded him of warm, soft butter.

“Hi, yourself. Did you have a nice nap?” She placed a marker in her book and set it on the table.

He sighed and ran his hand over his face. Feeling his stubble, he realized he hadn’t shaved. “Well, about as well as can be expected. This boat is always rocking.”

“Does that bother you? I can barely feel it.”

“No, it doesn’t really bother me. Sometimes I have trouble sleeping in strange places. Whenever I’m on a business trip, I always wake up in the middle of the night.”

Rainy sat up in her chair and placed her chin in her hand. He could barely see her gorgeous brown eyes behind her shades. “That reminds me, you still haven’t told me what you do for a living. You know all about me, but I barely know anything about you.”

“Well, I work with numbers, like you do. I’m a financial analyst. I like it well enough. It’s a job.”

An orange beach ball crashed between them, knocking her iced tea off the small table.

A young girl approached and retrieved her ball. “Sorry about that.” She ran back to the pool, her pigtails flying in the wind. A waiter appeared with a fresh glass of tea and cleaned the mess.

She sipped her drink. “It’s so hot out here that I’ve had to drink a lot of liquids.”

He wiped sweat from his brow. The clear blue water in the swimming pool rippled in the light breeze.

An Asian couple walked by, holding hands. She frowned and bit her lip.

“Sometimes you seem happy and sometimes you seem sad, Rainy. Why?”

Her hand shook as she sipped her iced tea. “I told you last night that I just ended a relationship.” She paused as she placed her tea back on the table. “Well, that’s not true. I didn’t end the relationship, Jordan did.”

“Oh?” He leaned back in his chair and listened intently while children’s laughter rippled in the afternoon breeze. “If you want to talk about it, you can. I’m a good listener,” he urged.

She removed her sunglasses, wiping away tears. He found napkins at an adjoining table and he pressed the paper squares into her palms.

“It just hurts so much. Sometimes I’m fine and I don’t think about Jordan at all. Other times, Jordan will just pop into my mind suddenly. I just don’t understand why it’s taking so long to forget him.”

She gripped her armrest and gazed at the sea. “I can’t believe I’m acting like this in front of you. You’re practically a stranger.”

His fingers brushed her shoulder, wanting to offer her comfort. “Don’t worry, I’m not trying to find fault with you. I can tell that you’re hurting. Jordan’s obviously a fool. You said last night this happened a few months ago?”

She nodded as she blew her nose.

“Well, that’s not very long ago. It takes time to get over these things.”

Children continued frolicking in the swimming pool, splashing tiny drops of water onto the passengers. She seemed to be thinking—weighing his words of advice. “Have you ever been in love?”

He sighed. “Yes, a long time ago. Things didn’t work out between us. We were both young and in college. She joined the Peace Corps after she graduated. It’s been years since I’ve heard from her.”

He continued. “Tonya was my first love. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if we’d gotten married.”

“How long did it take for the pain to go away?”

He smiled fondly, remembering. “I don’t remember. I do know it took longer than a couple of months. Just give it some time. I’m sure you’ll forget all about Jordan soon enough.”

He returned to his seat. “I know we’ve just met and everything, but I enjoy spending time with you.” Her dark brown eyes widened at his remark. She leaned back into the chair and put her napkin aside.

“Winston—”

“No, you don’t have to say anything. I just feel that there’s a connection between us. I don’t like seeing you sad. I think we should do something to get your mind off of Jordan.”

She shrugged. “Like what?”

He chuckled. “Like having some fun. Why don’t we play some games? There’s lots to do on this ship to keep us busy, I’m sure.” He helped her out of the chair and they walked to the shuffleboard game. A cruise director taught them how to play. Delight erupted in her laugh as she learned to ace the match.

Later, they sat in the Jacuzzi and enjoyed the rushing water as it tickled their brown skin. They visited all three pools on the ship so that Winston could swim his laps. Drinking fragrant cups of steaming coffee in the café, they watched the ocean view.

He ran along the lower deck, and she vowed to catch him. “You can’t get away from me. I was a track star in high school.” She flew down the deck, grabbing his arm as they shared a rich hearty laugh.

They stopped on the terrace as they enjoyed cookies for afternoon teatime. Rainy grinned as she gazed at the vanilla and chocolate cookies, coated with sugar. “These look great.” She pulled a chocolate cookie from the tray. “They feed you an awful lot on these cruises!”

As he poured coffee, they watched the sea before munching on their snack.

The workout room was nearby, and he spotted a group of women sweating through an aerobics class. The instructor yelled so loud, he could hear her through the window.

Rainy eagerly selected another sugar cookie and sipped her coffee. She brushed the crumbs from her fingers and continued to grin. When they were finished with their snack, they returned to the pool. She dozed while Winston swam laps. When he was finished swimming, he grabbed a towel and headed toward her.

He wiped drops of moisture from his torso and arms as he walked to the rail. Two female Hispanic teenagers stood at an ashtray, smoking cigarettes. They gasped when he approached, and they scanned the deck as they hurriedly doused their cigarettes. They giggled as they raced to the pool and jumped into the water.

The rippling ocean sparkled beneath the bright sunlight. The view was so breathtaking, he was amazed and thankful that God created such beauty on this earth. He took a deep breath and grasped the railing.

Rainy stirred in her slumber. She opened her eyes and his heart pumped a steady rhythm as her gaze settled upon him. He strolled to her chair and touched her face. A thoughtful smile curled her shapely lips, and he wondered what she was thinking. “Did you have a good nap?” he asked.

She nodded. “How was your swim?”

“It was great. You know, we had such a good time at dinner last night that I was wondering if I could enjoy your company tonight, too.”

“I’d love to have dinner with you tonight.” He touched her shoulder.

“Thanks,” he whispered.

Chapter Three

Rainy rushed to her cabin late that afternoon. She opened her closet and scanned every dress before removing a few selections. The sapphire-blue dress would bring out the brown color in her skin. The silk taffeta was simple but striking. The cranberry dress looked good also. While chewing her lower lip, she finally made her selection.

Choosing the taffeta, she entered her bathroom and gazed at her reflection in the mirror. Piling her hair on top of her head, she wondered if she should sport a more sophisticated look for her dinner date. So many choices!

While showering, she thought about her day. This cruise was going to be so much fun! Sarah and Rachel had really done her a favor by forcing her onto this ship.

After drying herself with a white fluffy towel, she dressed for dinner. Upon opening her jewelry box, the first item discovered was Jordan’s necklace. Her fingers touched the expensive freshwater pearls.

Would Jordan want her back? The sound of his voice as he called her from England, ending their engagement, scattered through her mind like unwanted weeds in a garden. I can’t believe he actually found another woman in a foreign country! He said he didn’t want me, so do I even want him back? She shook her head, dispelling further thoughts of Jordan. They weren’t going to reconcile, and that was final. She replaced the necklace and slammed the lid of her box. The sound echoed in the small room. The only jewelry she would wear was a pair of earrings.

She forced herself to think of Winston as she placed the studs in her ears. Gazing at her reflection in the mirror, she sprayed her favorite jasmine perfume over her chest and arms before she finished dressing. The wonderful floral scent tingled her nose.

While pacing her room she glanced at the clock, finally sitting on the bed and continuing to wait. A hard insistent knock vibrated through the room. Seconds later she opened the door and gazed at Winston Michaels. His dark tuxedo accented his broad shoulders and trim waist. His silk shirt was a splash of ivory decorating his chest. Waves of nostalgia washed over her as she recalled her first high school party.

He touched his head. “I got a haircut. The barber-shop was pretty crowded, but I convinced them to squeeze me in.”

A warm glow radiated from his face as he looked at her. “You look nice.” I’m glad I took the extra time in preparation for this special date.

She returned his smile, hoping her voice wouldn’t falter. “You look nice, too.”

He cleared his throat. “I’m glad they have some formal dinner nights on this cruise. It gives us a chance to dress up.” He chuckled softly. “I love having a pretty lady with a fancy dress on my arm.”

Her heart raced with excitement as they strolled to dinner. The dining room was extravagant. Each table was decorated with white tablecloths and a vase of fresh flowers. The lights were dimmed, and the soft glow of candles permeated the room.

Most of the women wore formal dresses in different colors. It seemed as if a rainbow exploded and the shades randomly settled around the tables.

The waiter showed them to their seats. “You look nice tonight, ma’am.” The waiter attempted to pull her chair out, but Winston beat him to it. She thanked him as she settled into her seat.

“You look so beautiful tonight,” he mumbled as they opened their menus.

“Thank you.” That’s the second time he’s complimented me tonight.

The waiter returned minutes later. “Our special tonight is filet mignon with baby potatoes.” He took their dinner and drink orders before leaving the table.

Rainy smiled. “I find it hard to believe we spent the whole day together. We’re acting like we just met.”

Winston gazed around the festive room. Subdued voices mingled in the background. “I know. The formal clothes, and the candles—” he tilted his head toward the lighted tapers “—make things seem different. But I’m the same guy who was wearing swimming trunks this afternoon.”

She giggled and relaxed into her chair. “I’m glad we’re having dinner together.”

“Me, too.”

The waiter returned minutes later with their food. He placed the dishes on the table and removed the silver covers. “Enjoy your meal.”

He cleared his throat, looking slightly nervous. “Do you mind if we pray over our meal together?”

She nodded, pleased by his request. “I’d love to.” She bowed and closed her eyes, listening to his strong voice as he thanked the Lord for the food and for this day of life. He prayed for their safety while on the cruise. He prayed for God to heal Rainy’s aching heart. After saying “Amen” simultaneously, they started their meal.

The scents of juicy steak and buttery potatoes wafted through the air. The clinking of silverware against china filled the room as the other diners enjoyed their meals. After they had their apple pie and ice cream for dessert, they took a long walk on the deck. Several couples passed, still wearing their formal evening attire. A warm gentle breeze blew over the water.

Winston leaned against the railing. “You know we’re docking in Cozumel tomorrow.”

“Yes, I can hardly wait. I’m ready to get off this ship for a day.”

“Would you mind if we spent the day together?”

She smiled and touched his muscular arm. He reminded her of a schoolboy asking for his first date. “I wouldn’t mind at all. As a matter of fact, I was kind of looking forward to spending the day together tomorrow.”

She was rewarded with his huge grin.

“You know, since both of us live in Miami, I think we’ll be seeing a lot of each other once we dock,” he commented.

They continued to stroll around the deck as the calm, soothing silence enveloped the beautiful night with tranquility.

Later that night, as they watched the comedy show, Rainy laughed so hard that tears came to her eyes. After the show, they returned to the upper deck.

Scents of luscious berries, fruits and desserts wafted around the deck as the crew prepared for the midnight buffet. As the workers carved a mermaid-shaped ice sculpture, Rainy prepared a plate of food and they sat at a table to enjoy their late snack. “I’m going to gain ten pounds by the time this cruise is over.” She patted her full stomach.

He perused her from head to toe with his hazel eyes. “I don’t think gaining a few pounds will hurt you at all.” She flushed with pleasure. She sometimes worried about her weight and it was nice that Winston liked her appearance.

Early the following day, she met Winston for another breakfast date. As she slathered butter and syrup over her hotcakes, she caught him staring at her.

A fluttering ripple of butterflies seemed to move through her stomach. He quickly looked away, focusing on his plate of scrambled eggs and bacon. “What’s the matter?” she asked before taking a bite of sausage.

“I’m just concerned that I’m monopolizing your time on this cruise. I know you came here to relax and everything and…”

She shrugged. “And what?”

“Well, I just hope you don’t mind spending so much time with me. We barely know each other.” He gazed at the other passengers enjoying their breakfasts. “This ship is full of people and I don’t even think you’ve had the opportunity to mingle with the other guests.”

I can’t believe he seems to be on the verge of apologizing for spending time with me. A horrifying thought entered her mind. What if he’s only spending time with me because he feels sorry for me? What if he wants to be rid of me for the rest of the cruise so that he can meet other women?

She sliced her fork through the stack of pancakes, but she’d lost her appetite. “Look, if you’re having second thoughts about spending the day together—”

“No,” he said quickly, “it’s not that. I just don’t want to make you feel like I’m pushing myself on you. If you get tired of my company then you’ll need to say something, because…” He glanced toward the windows before looking at her again. “Because, I haven’t had such a good time in ages. I’m glad I met you, and I enjoy your company.”

Mentally sighing with relief, she gazed into his hazel eyes. “I’m glad we met, too. I’m looking forward to seeing Cozumel today.”

After enjoying their meal, they boarded the small boat with other passengers for the short ride to Cozumel. The crewman announced the last boat returning to the cruise ship would leave at midnight.

They strolled the crowded port area, gazing into store windows. Natives walked the streets, speaking only Spanish. Rainy gazed at her surroundings in wonderment, knowing it would be impossible to see everything in one day.

She admired Winston’s strong legs as she walked beside him. “I’m going to need to get a few things for some people at home,” he said.

“Me, too. Why don’t we go shopping first?” After they visited several stores, she checked her watch. “We’ve only been gone for a few hours, and I already feel beat.” She clutched her bags of gifts as they continued to wander the streets. She pulled her gift list from her tote bag. Every name was crossed out except for one. Winston’s name was the last one on the list. She crumpled the paper and when they passed a trash can, she threw it away. I don’t want him to know I’m buying him a birthday card!

He entered a sandwich shop. “I’ll get a few cold drinks.”

“Okay, I’ll be in there in a minute. I still have a thing or two to buy.”

He chuckled as he entered the shop. “You’ve already purchased enough gifts for half the city of Miami.”

She left him for a few moments and found a secluded gift shop. She found a pile of greeting cards and she flipped through them. A card with a striking picture of the ocean caught her eye. After reading the greeting, she decided it was perfect for Winston. The words were warm and simple and she was sure he would like it. After purchasing the card, she signed it and carefully placed it into her purse.

After she joined Winston in the sandwich shop, they decided to spend the rest of the day on the beach. They found a local man to transport them to the best swimming location. He recommended a shallow beach where they could play with the colorful fish. The local welcomed them into his car. The engine sputtered several times before it finally started.

Minutes later, they were transported to the most exquisite beach Rainy had ever seen. She removed her T-shirt and shorts and stepped into the gentle cool royal-blue water. The fish swam around her legs, and she opened a bag of stale bread she’d purchased from the shop and fed the small critters.

As the day progressed, she watched Winston slice through the water like an expert. A few times, she noticed his frown as he looked to the horizon.

Too soon, their romantic day was over. She closed her eyes as they took the boat back to the ship. She could barely lift her legs as she climbed the ladder onto the large boat. She noticed it was seven o’clock. “Dinner is casual tonight.”

He touched her arm as he walked her to the cabin. “I’m glad about that. I don’t have the energy to put on a tux tonight.”

When she returned to her room, she took a long hot shower, hoping the water would soothe her aching muscles.

Winston’s hard knock announced his arrival. “Hey, beautiful,” he greeted. As they strolled to the dining room, they saw that the place was cluttered with passengers. The buffet was almost empty, and harried crewmen bustled from the kitchen with steaming trays to replenish the food supply. The noise level reached a deafening pitch, and Rainy wondered how they would communicate during dinner.

A server approached, leading them farther into the room. “We only have one dinner seating tonight instead of two. Just sit wherever you can. I’ll be around to get your drink orders later.”

They walked through the crowded dining area until Winston spotted a couple leaving a table. They plopped into the chairs. Another couple occupied the remaining two seats. After they got their food and said a quick prayer, they attempted to enjoy their meal. She struggled to stay awake as she ate her crab cakes and salad. She declined dessert, and Winston suggested strolling on the deck before heading back to their cabins.

Rainy sighed as they walked outside. She leaned on the railing and stared at the dark sky. The moon was an ivory circle amid the blackness. Clouds floated by, enshrouding the moon with their shadows.

“Isn’t it pretty?” she asked, tilting her head toward the sky.

“It’s a perfect night. A wonderful end to a perfect day.” As he escorted her back to her cabin, she yawned.

“Tired?”

“Yes. I know I’m going to sleep good tonight.” When they arrived at her cabin, he caressed her cheek. Rays of warmth and passion clouded her fatigued brain, and she was reminded of the dangers of being alone with a man. She swallowed as she gazed into his hazel eyes.

“You have circles under your eyes. You need to get to sleep.” He crowned her with a warm smile. “Good night.”

She paused. “Good night.” She watched him until he was no longer in sight. She closed the door and walked to her dresser. The boat gently swayed as she touched her cheek. She tried to remember the last time she’d been so happy. As she dressed in her pajamas, a frightening thought entered her mind. The last time I was this happy was when I started dating Jordan.

He’d romanced her like an expert. He took her to expensive restaurants. He showered her with expensive gifts and roses. He made her feel like a queen. However, that special feeling was burned to ashes. She still had his engagement ring in her jewelry box. She didn’t even know the proper protocol about such things. Was she supposed to return the ring since she was no longer getting married? Jordan had not asked for the ring back, so she didn’t know what to do with it.

Her fatigue lifted for a few moments as her anxiety returned. She wrote her confusing thoughts in her journal. She was concerned about her budding feelings for Winston Michaels. She was still upset about Jordan’s betrayal. When she was finished with her journal entry, she lay on her bed.