“Excuse me?”
“The reason I’m here, on this cruise,” Merissa explained.
“I know nothing you’ve not told me. And I avoid gossip at all costs. I prefer hearing the tale first hand,” said Chad.
Merissa chuckled as she mopped away the last streak of moisture from her face. “Says the man who doesn’t know how to mind his own business.”
“Touché.”
“I’m not sure why, but I believe you, Chad Livingston. But mine is a long, sad story. Sure you’re up to it?” asked Merissa.
“If you lived it, surely I can listen to it,” said Chad.
Merissa leaned against the rail and stared into the beauty of the Keys as she told her story – meeting Kyle, their dreams, their wedding plans, his work, and finally his death. She did not include the honeymoon gift she’d shredded and had somehow reappeared packaged from the North Pole. Merissa wondered if the half-cruise ship ornament tucked in the safe in her room had been a gift from Kyle. A gift he’d not had time to give her. She’d never know.
When she finished, Chad spoke. “I can’t imagine your grief. To have your entire life altered in a moment.”
“Thank you. Too many people think they can,” said Merissa.
“Amy?”
“She says what’s on her mind – all the time – but Amy’s been my lifeline. Dragged me out of the house on over one occasion.”
“I promise not to invade where you don’t want me, but I would feel privileged to hang out with you – help reintroduce you to life in the fast lanes.”
Merissa laughed. “Well, the old me resurfaced last night, and it was fun. Thank you, Chad.”
“Take encouragement from the man who lived in this house. Four wives must have been at least three broken hearts to mend,” Chad said.
Merissa grabbed hold of Chad’s hand. “Let’s get some of that ice cream Skip was bragging about.”
“I thought you’d never ask. I’ve been drooling ever since I saw that young chap licking triple time to keep the drips from running up his arm.”
Amy and Skip were already sitting at a table, finishing the last of their three scoops of ice cream packed on top of a waffle cone.
Merissa groaned. “How can you eat so much, Amy? You’ll never fit into those new jeans you paid a small fortune for.”
“Maybe I’ll join you on your morning runs – or not! I think I will just dance harder and longer.”
“Hear, Hear!” agreed Skip. “I can help you there.”
When Merissa and Chad finished their modest cones, the troop began to trek up and down the streets, visiting the array of interesting shops and picking up souvenirs to bring home. Chad and Merissa split from their dawdling companions, leaving them in some high-end clothing store with two baskets of garments to try on.
“Interesting choice of friends you and I have?” Chad commented.
“I’ve heard opposites attract.” Merissa smiled. “And Amy helps to keep my life unpredictable.”
“Do you consider us opposites?” Chad asked.
Merissa looked to see if he was kidding but confronted his earnest expression. “We’ve barely met.”
“Yet you’ve bared your heart to me. That must count for something.”
“You asked, and my life is not a secret, as much as I’d like it to be. You’d have found out, eventually.”
Chad glanced away, but not before she saw the disappointment in his face. He didn’t like her answer. What did he expect?
Merissa liked him enough to try again. “Total opposites between a man and a woman would definitely present challenges, but I think stretching helps us to grow and mature as individuals. You, sir, stretch me – in a good way – and that’s all I know about us right now.” She grasped his hand to draw his focus back. “No two people are alike in all things. God did not create carbon copies.”
When he redirected his attention back to Merissa, she saw a grin spread over his face. “So, you’re saying you need some prickles but mostly roses in a relationship. Did I get that right?”
“Eloquently put, sir.” Merissa glanced to the sea, and the ship drew her. “Have you had enough of this excursion? I think I’d like to sit in the pool for a while before dinner.”
“That sounds wonderful. Let’s go.”
Much later that evening – after food, theater, and music – which Chad had excused himself from; Merissa soon tired of watching couples on the dance floor. She wandered out on the deck, drinking in the cooler evening air, and watched the waves lap against the ship far below her. She shivered, her spaghetti strapped dress insufficient to stop the breeze from creating goosebumps on her arms. It was time to turn in.
When Merissa reached her stateroom and stepped across the threshold, she heard something crinkle under her foot. She closed the door and bent down to pick up a thin envelope slipped under the door. Someone had scrawled, Merissa on the front with precise calligraphy. She sat on the end of the bed – beside the crafted turtle dove made with towels and left by the stewards – and ripped the seal. Unfolding the paper enclosed, she read.
Dearest Merissa
Thank you for a wonderful day. I’m enjoying your company probably more than you’d like. I sent a letter rather than embarrassing you with a face-to-face unveiling of my heart.
An interesting fact about those turtle doves is that they mate for life. Can I be so selfish as to tell you I’m a tad grateful that you and Kyle never made it to the altar? For you, dear girl, are as precious as one of those dainty birds, and it pains me to see you hurting as a dove that’s lost her mate. Some even associate doves with rain in nature, and I’m confident that the many tears you’ve shed have made
