Page 39 of Honeymoon for Seven

“You know that, but will she? I doubt it. I already feel awful I didn’t notice Monica lost her precious bunny. Your mother would be devastated if she didn’t notice how sad you are.”

“She still has my sister.”

“But that’s not her baby boy.”

He seemed to lean back a bit. “How’d you know I was younger than my sister?”

“Doesn’t matter. A mother always sees her grown son as her baby. My aunt Antonia drives my cousin Giovanni nuts when she tries to baby him.”

“Mom is a nurturer.”

For a fraction of a second, Nick thought he saw a hint of a smile on the man’s face. Glancing about, there was still no one official anywhere in sight. He didn’t even know how to call for help. Ginnie shimmied closer to the guy and Nick’s stomach did a somersault.Please Ginnie, don’t.

Her right arm waved for Nick to come around to her right side. She didn’t have to gesture twice. He eased to his right and as quickly as he dared, came up beside her.

“What do you say we go inside and you can tell me more about your mother?”

“Mom would like you. Tell her I love her and it’s not her fault.”

“You tell her!” Ginnie shouted, losing her calm for the first time.

“No.” He stood up, only one hand tethering him to the ship. “There’s no point.”

In a flash, Ginnie flung herself left, her arms wide. Nick’s arms wrapped around Ginnie’s waist as her arms wrapped around the man’s torso. In a huddled thud, all three landed back onto the deck. Nick had never been more thankful to God for his athlete’s reflexes.

As he lay there on his back, his arms still tightly wrapped around Ginnie, he whispered, “Are you all right?”

“Ask an easier question,” Ginnie muttered.

As the deck vibrated beneath him, the sound of thundering footsteps grew louder at the same time Mr. Heartbreak recovered from the surprise of the fall and began pulling away from them.

“Let me go!” he shouted. “I want to die. Let me jump!”

That’s when Nick realized several crew had taken hold of him and an officer in white actually approached with a straight jacket. Who knew ships had straight jackets?

“May I help you up?” Another officer extended his hand to Ginnie.

Before she could move, Nick tightened his grip around her. “No, thank you. I’ve got this.”

The officer looked down at him, frowning. “You sure?”

“I’m sure.” Nick nodded and rolled around so he and Ginnie were on their side. “I just need to hold you for another minute. You scared the crap out of me.”

“Sorry, but I had to do something.” She snuggled into his shoulder. “You can hold me as long as you want.”

“Good. I don’t think I want to let go—ever.”

Chapter Sixteen

Ginnie had been waiting for the chance to wear that little cocktail dress she’d packed for formal night. Since half the passengers were not on board for the original formal schedule, it had been postponed until all passengers were present. Now she wasn’t so sure that wearing it was the right thing to do.

She still loved the dress, but somehow felt even more exposed than she had in the shop. Tonight was the first night everyone, including Theresa and Alan, were having dinner together and she didn’t want to give the wrong impression. Channeling her inner little sister, she swallowed hard and closing her eyes, zipped up the dress before staring at herself in the mirror. It really did fit her like a glove. Shaking her head, she came within an inch of changing when a knock sounded on the door.

Without thinking it could be anyone besides the cabin steward, she flung the door open and came face to face with one Nick Maroney, more handsome than ever in his suit. “Wow.”

Her hand flew to her cleavage. “I should change.”

Shaking his head, Nick grabbed her hand. “Please don’t. I want every man on this ship to be jealous that I’m with the prettiest girl onboard.”

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