Merissa plunked down on the bed. “It scares me. I think I like him far too much to let this go down in history as just another ship romance,” said Merissa.
“I know the feeling. But Skip doesn’t live too far from us. I think we can keep the vibes going when we return home.” Amy did one more round of lipstick, put it in her make-up bag and turned to face Merissa.
“I suspect the North Pole wasn’t too far off on this little outing to the Caribbean,” said Amy.
Merissa’s smile was weak. “That unfortunately, is the only thing that bothers me. I was hoping when I finally met another man it would not result from someone’s manipulation.”
Another thought replaced it and Merissa bounced to her feet. “I’ve never asked Chad where he lived. I know where his parents live but not him. Surely he’d be close to his best friend, right?”
“Sounds about right to me.”
Merissa walked out of the room with a brighter step. Chad was in the hall and she slipped her hand into his as if she’d done it her entire life.
In the theater that evening, an orchestra of stringed and horned instruments filled the air with songs of Christmas celebration and when it was over those who wanted, gathered behind the guitar player and marched off to sing-the-ship to peace. Merissa and Chad held hands as they joined in the merriment. As they passed other guests along the way, the crowds parted and created a path for the group to pass through.
Later, they dined late with Amy and Skip. Everyone was in a celebratory mood.
“Thanks for the newsflash today. We had a great time at the pool. Funny thing, I didn’t see you two in the square-of-elimination,” said Chad.
“That’s because we were in the other crowd, watching,” said Skip.
“Chicken,” Merissa said.
“Partridge, or doves, or hens, or blackbirds, goose, or even a swan – but I never saw a chicken hanging around on the ship all week.” Amy tried the piping hot soup while craft paper flutes and pipe organs littered the table setting. “Oh, this is so good! I’ll never eat fast food ever again.”
In the lounge, the male staff wore a lord’s-outfit and played the part expertly as guests piled into the dancehall. The female servers portrayed ladies-in-waiting, and they created quite a show to win the attention of the lords in the room while serving drinks and snacks to the crowd. Soon everyone was bowing and curtsying and attempting some arrangement of formal dancing. Many people plain wiped out and landed on their backsides roaring laughing. But Chad had a fine handle on the art of ballroom dancing, which pleased Merissa. She’d taken lessons and despaired when no suitors showed interest in tackling the skilled discipline. But here she was, aboard the imperial Voyager, being swept across the floor as if she and Chad had always done it together. Soon the dance floor emptied, leaving them alone. As a finale, Chad swung her head backward on his arm and her eyes drifted to the sidelines where couples stood and watched.
Embarrassed, Merissa curtsied first to Chad and then to the cheering fans.
On the way to her seat Merissa beckoned the server over. “Can I have a sparkling soda limeade with one of those fancy umbrellas on top, please?”
“Ginger ale for me, please,” said Chad. “You can skip the umbrella.”
They laughed and dropped onto a cushioned couch. “You were terrific, Mr. Livingston.”
“Yeah, it was my mother’s idea – you just never know Chad-my-boy when dancing lessons will come in handy. At least she had the good grace to keep it under wraps. The guys would have teased me mercilessly.”
“I can’t wait to thank your mother. She made my dream come true. I love ballroom dancing.” Merissa sat to attention. “I’m sorry that was presumptuous of me. I mean – inviting myself to meet your mother.”
Chad remained silent and Merissa’s nerves shot needles through her. “I mean – I don’t even know where you live?” Merissa glanced his way again and saw hesitation in his eyes. She urged her foolish mouth to shut up. What a way to ruin the moment. “I should have ordered alcohol in that drink?”
Chad grimaced. “Let’s not go there.” He swallowed hard and wiped his palms on his pants. “Brought me a girlfriend home, once – quite a while ago. Suffice to say I played the fool, and she played the party queen. I thought she was what I wanted, but it ended badly. I dug into my work and moved on. I meet her type all over the world, but Merissa James, I’ve never met someone as pure and loveable as you. If I were to do it again, Mama would like you.” He chuckled. “She’d be planning a wedding before we left the ranch.”
When Merissa looked startled, he added, “Yeah – My mother has been waiting a long time.” He stood and looked away awkwardly. “Maybe we should turn in. Tomorrow is a big day.”
The Final Day
Merissa awoke the final day of the cruise with mixed emotions. She’d put the grief of her first love behind her, but Chad had yet to show interest in pursuing a relationship when they hit land. Was he still waiting for her permission to move forward? He was the most accommodating man she had ever met, and sadly enough, she did not know how to take a romantic lead anymore.
The last day at sea found the schedule packed with activities. Twelve drummers drumming made for a loud theme and an excited bunch of guests. Amy and Merissa signed up for the parade at the desk before heading up for breakfast. Today they would eat at the dining room for every meal and enjoy being catered to. It appeared their table companions
