“Well,” she said, deliberately drawing out her answer as long as possible, “it was going to be my ex, but that’s definitely not happening. So, if you play your cards right, you might have a shot at it.”
“Oh, so is that what this is all about? Finding a cabin-boy for arm candy?”
“And for turn-down service,” Katie continued, not missing a beat. “I hear military men really know how to make a good bed, with all that quarter-bouncing stuff.”
“All valid points. But, since I’m clearly going as hired help, you’d better sell me on it. How was the cabin on your last trip? Did you have a balcony?”
Katie hesitated. Their suite had easily been the best on the ship, with an upper- and lower-balcony, courtesy of her father’s money, and it had been one of the more spectacular places she had ever stayed. Considering the opulence to which she was accustomed growing up, that was saying a lot. But disclosing such details might seem like she was flaunting her former wealth, and she wasn’t interested in divulging such information, at least not yet. “I did,” she answered enthusiastically. “I had a stunning view of the ocean. And I’m sure my cabin on the upcoming voyage will be just as good if not better!”
Carson didn’t seem to notice her slight hesitation, as he was deeply engrossed in her description. “Yeah,” he said wistfully, “there’s nothing like just looking out at the ocean as it stretches to the horizon. It’s like there’s a whole new world on the other side, calling to you to explore it. Whenever I look at it, I think there’s nothing I can’t do, no one I can’t be. Nothing is impossible.”
Katie watched his eyes drift into a thousand-yard stare as he seemed to take a very short vacation from reality. “That was very profound,” she told him.
Carson’s attention snapped back to her. “I’m sorry.” He dropped his head sheepishly. “I didn’t mean to get all philosophical with you.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Katie said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “I’d rather spend time with a thinker than some brick-brain who never sees anything but the obvious.”
“I appreciate the leeway,” Carson told her before draining his mug. “Are you ready to get on board?”
“Aye aye, admiral, Sir!” She snapped her hand up in a rather poor imitation of a salute.
“Geez,” he said with a hint of embarrassment as he gathered his hat and his fanny pack from the table. “I told you, I wasn’t even an officer. I never got anywhere near admiral.”
“Yeah,” Katie said dismissively. “You told me, you were chief something-or-other. But I think you’re being modest. A guy like you is in charge of people, a leader.” They joined the line in front of the short dock waiting to board.
“I was in charge of some people, but an admiral is in charge of pretty much everyone,” Carson explained patiently. “Plus, I’m way too young to be an admiral. I’m only 37.”
Katie gave him a pithy look. “James Kirk was only 37 when he became a rear admiral in Starfleet.”
He cocked his head. “Number one, how – and why – would you know that? And secondly, are you seriously comparing me to a character from a 50-year-old science-fiction TV show?” Carson looked as if he was speaking with a mental patient.
“Yes, I am, and clearly you don’t measure up,” she told him with palpable sarcasm. She extended her hand in expectation of his assistance in stepping on the dock. Carson didn’t miss a beat, making his rather massive forearm available so she could grab it and step onto the gently-rocking wooden platform. Katie gave it a surreptitious squeeze as she boarded. It was like steel. Damn.
“Maybe not, but I have been on the USS Enterprise, so take that.”
Now it was Katie’s turn to be impressed. “I’m assuming the big ship with planes and not the starship.”
Carson chuckled, shaking his head. “Correct. Our helicopter landed there one time. It’s the only aircraft carrier I’ve ever been on.”
“I knew there was more to you than what you were letting on,” Katie told him as they reached the entrance to the Discovery II. The crewman standing at the railing offered his hand in assistance, but she ignored it in favor of getting another chance to experience the steady platform Carson offered. Only when she was safely on deck did she address the young man.
“Sorry, but I had to let him help me. He’s an admiral!” She added emphasis to the last part, making sure her voice sounded full of wonder and awe.
The mate raised his eyebrows first at Katie and then at Carson, who pressed two fingers and a thumb against his now thoroughly-creased forehead as if the victim of a sudden and powerful headache. The deckhand may not have fully understood the joke, but he clearly picked up on it and provided a crisp salute, far better than Katie’s from a minute ago. “Well then, welcome aboard, sir!”
Carson managed a slight grin. “Seriously, man?” he asked in a good-natured tone before adroitly hopping onto the deck. The mate laughed and resumed helping the other guests aboard while Katie and Carson headed to the stairs leading to the open upper level.
“OK, so when is this ‘admiral’ thing going to stop?” Carson asked as they reached the upper deck.
“When I get you to loosen up,” Katie replied.
“What do you mean?” Carson protested. “I’m loose. I’m taking you on a luxury cruise, aren’t I?”
“That’s not loose. That’s good manners, and those you have in spades. You’re wound tighter than a watch you win at a carnival booth for knocking over bottles with a baseball. One way or another I’m going to get you to relax around me.”
“Where do you get your sayings? And what makes you think it’s your job to relax
