Page 7 of Waylaid in Whittier

The snow machine was only just getting started and began dropping more of the white stuff on her with increasing speed…on the floor, on the bench seat.

Nic folded his arms, an amused expression on his face. “Millie has entered her own winter wonderland,” he teased.

“It’s creative,” Donovan said. “What’s the purpose?”

“To offer a unique experience, something other cruise lines don’t have,” Andy said. “I’ve done a great deal of research. This snow shower will be the next hottest feature on board cruise ships and Siren of the Seas will be one of the first ones to offer it to guests.”

“Or the coldest,” Donovan joked.

“For a fee, I’m sure.” Millie shifted to the side, watching as the snow continued falling and began piling up at her feet.

“Not only is it fun, but the snow shower offers health benefits, from detoxing to increasing circulation.” Andy removed his cell phone from his pocket and held it up. “This is the perfect photo op. I need a snapshot for the new flyer we’ll be adding to the passenger promo packets.”

Millie started shaking her head. “Oh, no. I agreed to demonstrate it for you…reluctantly I might add. I didn’t sign up to be part of your sales pitch.”

“C’mon, Millie,” he coaxed. “You look great.”

“I’m with Andy,” Donovan said. “It’s a good look.”

“Fine.” She pursed her lips. “But make it quick. My toes are getting numb.”

Camille made her way through the crowd. “I’ll be darned. I’ve never seen such a thing.” Scout wiggled and squirmed until she set him down. The curious pup promptly scampered over.

“I wonder what Scout will think.” Millie coaxed him inside.

Yip.He promptly hopped over the threshold and into the shower, prancing in a circle, a look of pure joy on his furry face.

“I don’t know how passengers will react, but Scout gives it four paws of approval,” Nic joked.

A pile of the white stuff landed on his head. It dripped down the sides of his muzzle, forming a snowy white beard.

“This is one for the printing press.” Andy snapped a picture of Millie and her pup. “The temperature might need a little tweaking. The snow seems a little too wet. I was hoping for more of a powdery shower, a sort of snow globe effect.”

“I disagree. I think the snow is the perfect consistency for…” Millie’s eyes filled with mischief. She scooped up a handful of snow, expertly forming a snowball. She playfully tossed it at Andy, grazing his shoulder. “Snowball fight!”

“You called it.” Andy shoved his phone in his pocket. He swooped down, grabbed a handful of snow and flung it at Millie.

“I’ll have you know I’m an old pro.” Millie scooped up another handful and aimed it above her former boss’s head, skimming his hair and hitting the wall.

“We’ll have to see about that.” Andy hurled the next one at her knee. It landed dead center, sending snow spraying in all directions.

They ran out of snow and the spontaneous snowball fight ended as quickly as it began.

Camille grabbed a pile of clean towels from the bin. She handed one to Andy, a second to Millie, and wrapped the third around Scout, who was soaking wet.

“Thanks.” Millie dried her face. “I don’t know how many passengers will pay for a snow shower, but Nic is right. Scout’s a fan.”

“They’re gonna love it,” Andy predicted. “Think about how refreshing a snow shower will feel in the middle of summer in the sweltering Caribbean heat?”

“I have to give you an A+ for originality,” Camille said. “You might be onto something. Only time will tell.”

“Maybe you can pitch it as a BOGO—buy one, get one free spa snow package.”

“Great minds think alike.” Andy tapped the side of his forehead. “We could pass out snow session vouchers to trivia contest winners.”

“There are hundreds of ways to get the word out.” Millie peeled the raincoat off and fluffed her hair. “Unfortunately, the fun and games are over. It’s back to work for Scout and me.”

The other attendees had already left, and Millie and her pup weren’t far behind. They swung by the almost empty lido deck. Finding a lounge chair close to the pool had not been an issue during their Alaska season. The hot tubs, on the other hand, were an entirely different story, almost always packed from morning until late into the evening.

---