Page 6 of Hearts Aweigh
The other Shippers turned to the entrance as a tall man in a business suit strode through the lobby. He scanned the room and settled on Daisy. His shiny dress shoes clicked against the floor like a soldier in lockstep. She drooped as he neared and stopped in front of the couch.
Emily didn’t care for his calculating gaze. She inserted herself between the stranger and her friends. “Can we help you, young man?”
He ignored her, looking to the shrinking woman seated beside Althea.
“Hello, Daisy.” A polite smile crossed his grim face. “Or should I say Mother?”
CHAPTER 3
SPENCER APPRAISED HIS LONG-ABSENTprogenitor. She didn’t appear any the worse for wear. On the contrary, her cheeks lacked the gaunt pallor he’d noted the last time they’d met.
One year and six months ago. At his father’s funeral.
The woman standing in his way moved to a nearby chair.
“Mother?” The full-figured woman beside his parent sat forward. “Is this your son, Daisy?”
“Yes, I … he … this is my son, Spencer Randolph Masterson.” Daisy lifted a trembling hand his direction.
“He’s a young thing. You must have had him late.”
“I was in my forties.”
The stranger shuddered. “I bet that hurt. But what a good-looking boy you produced.” She popped off the couch and grabbed his waist. “Hello, baby. Give me some sugar.” She bussed his cheek with her wide lips. “Any child of Daisy’s is a child of mine.”
Spencer leaned away. Who was this woman? And what relation did she have with his mother?
She laughed. “You act just like your momma used to. Guess I’ll have to train you too. It’s good to see family.”
His real family remained on the sofa, her posture as stiff as the spine of a law book. They had never been close, but maybe Madeleine would be the much-needed catalyst that brought them together.
“Did your wife come with you?” Daisy asked.
“I no longer have a wife. We’ve finalized our divorce.”
“Bless your heart”—the lady still holding him patted his back—“I’m sorry to hear that.”
Daisy looked anything but sorry. Relieved, in fact. “What are you doing here?”
Spencer disengaged himself from the overly affectionate woman. “I was worried about you. You vanished after the funeral, and no one has seen you since.”
“How long did it take you to notice I was missing?” Her delicate eyebrows rose.
Spencer gritted his teeth. Did she have to paint him as an unfeeling robot? Of course he’d known his mother was on an extended holiday. He’d checked with her housekeeper more than once since Daisy had taken off. But starting an argument wasn’t the most amicable way to begin a reconciliation. Safer to change the subject. “I’ve been aware of your lengthy vacation for a while. Don’t you think it’s time to come home?”
The hugger settled on the couch again, as if she had a say in the conversation.
“Home?” Daisy scoffed. “And where would that be?”
“In New Orleans. With your friends and family.”
“I have both right here on this ship.”
“That’s right, baby.” The woman beside his mother wrapped an arm around her. “We take good care of your momma.”
“I beg your pardon.” Spencer glowered. “Who exactly are you?”
“Althea Jones.” She held out her hand. “I’m your mother’s roommate. We share a cabin.”
