Dinner is over quickly, and Summer is only too happy to offer to collect the twins and return with them to their cabin. Hayden and Hayley take her hand and pull her to the door of the dining area leading to the outside decks.
“Please, Summer. We want to see the stars and Hayley thinks she will see a mermaid!” Hayden exclaims excitedly.
“It is possible, Hayden and you said you wanted to see it too!” Hayley snaps.
“Girls, it isn’t proper for us to stroll around the deck unaccompanied.” Summer explains softly when a voice interrupts from behind.
“Perhaps I can be of assistance. I would be honored to accompany you this evening.” Dr. Rudolph offers giving a quick bow. Summer catches her parents watching, and her father gives a nod.
“That’s very kind of you, Dr. Rudolph. What do you think girls?” She asks with a smile.
Both girls curtsy and smile up at him. “That would be a yes.” Summer continues with a laugh.
“Ladies.” He gestures to the door and offers Summer his arm. Feeling like she has no other choice, she takes his arm, and they move into the crisp night air.
Hayden and Hayley stay close and murmur in excitement when they get close to the railing.
“Only a few turns around the deck girls, I’m sure the doctor has more important matters to attend to.” Summer suggests.
“I do, but what kind of dummkopf would I be to ignore your plight?” He says, glancing down at her with a cheeky grin.
“You talk funny,” Hayden tells him looking back from the railing.
“Do I? I am sure it sounds odd to you. I am from Germany. It is the way we speak.” He snaps.
“Please don’t be offended, Dr. Rudolph she is just a child.” Summer replies and steps back from him to pull Hayley from the railing.
“I can’t see anything, Summer,” Hayley grumbles. She joins her sisters at the railing and points out to sea, ignoring the wind as it whips her hair about her face. Excitement fills her voice.
“Imagine you are a mermaid in a sea of darkness, surely they come up at night to gaze at the stars,” Summer teases them.
“You shouldn’t fill their head with nonsense, Miss Denning.”
Hayden glares at him and whispers at her sister and they both strain to see a fin or listen for a splash.
“I am sure it sounds like nonsense to you, Dr. Rudolph but to a child everything is magical. Why must they grow up too soon?” She snaps and pulls the girls close to her side.
“I meant no offense, please forgive me.” He says, realizing he has upset them.
“I’m tired, Summer can we go back to our room?” Hayley asks.
“Of course, allow me.” Dr. Rudolph seems relieved to be moving once more.
They stroll quickly around the deck and down to the hall which leads to their cabin. The girls break free and run towards the door and Summer allows them this freedom. They will be cooped up for the next week and need to get their energy out somehow.
“You must be very proud to work beside someone with such talent and skill, Miss Denning.”
“It is a blessing to spend time with my father, and the work is gratifying.”
“How many of his journals have you assisted with?” He wonders. A couple is walking up the hallway, and they are forced to squish together to allow them passage. Summer catches his eyes dropping to take in her shape, and she feels her stomach roll. When she tries to back away, he grabs her upper arms.
She gasps in alarm, “Careful, Miss Denning you wouldn't want to fall over. Please call me Jung,” he murmurs in a husky voice pulling her close against his strong chest. He stands five feet nine, and his strength is undeniable.
“Dr. Rudolph, please release me,” she retorts. Immediately he lets her go, and she stares up at him. “Do not mistake me for some dimwitted female who will fall for your attention.” Hayley runs back and grabs Summer's hand.
“You promised us a story before bed, Summer.”
Dr. Rudolph is red-faced and angry, but he bows, “Ladies, please accept this gift as a token of my friendship.” He presents a small tin decorated with small flowers and Summer is speechless. “Enjoy your fairy tales.” He turns and storms away.
“What is it?” Hayley asks, jumping up and down.
Summer watches him go with a sick feeling in her stomach. She rubs her upper arms and walks with Hayley to their cabin. “We will see. Let's go.” This will be a long week. Her mother taught her to trust her instincts, and she does not like or trust Dr. Jung Rudolph, no matter how good looking he is.
When they return to their cabin, Jung slips back down the hallway and waits until they close the door. Now he knows where Dr. Denning's cabin is. He had hoped to use the daughter to gain access to the man's medical journals, but that will be more difficult than he imagined. Now he will simply have to find another way. This new protocol of the good Doctor is working on is the reason he came on this ship. He will get those journals, one way or another!
Chapter 4
“Who wants a bedtime story?” Summer asks her sisters. The girls squeal in excitement, and she laughs. “Alright then, change into your night clothes, and I will meet you.”
The girls rush to their room and her smile fades.
