Page 18 of Midnight Serenade
“Then you have a deal, Sebastian. And Sebastian?”
“Yes?”
“You treat my Gracie right. I’m bringing my baseball bat with me, just in case.”
“Of course, ma’am.”
“And I’ll think long and hard about your offer to turn me.”
“It’s always open to you, Mama Liora.”
She giggled like a woman half her age. “I just love that you call me that. I’m not going to tell you my actual name now.”
Grace groaned. “Mama, don’t flirt with him!”
I pressed my lips together. Her mom reallywasa firecracker. “I’m honored by whatever name you choose to have me call you, Mama Liora,” I assured her.
She laughed again and hung up.
Grace sat back in her chair as if she’d just run the Boston Marathon. She looked exhausted and slightly embarrassed, but... whole and happy.
I’d have to let the captain and crew know about the new arrangements. Mama Liora was coming aboard, and heaven only knew what would happen next.
Chapter 7
Grace
Mama joined the cruise on day six as we sailed into Hilo, Hawaii. My guards and I, along with Sebastian, met her at the docks.
She dumped her stuff on the ground and gave me a tight squeeze. “Gracie girl. I was worried about you.”
My eyes got a little misty. My mom’s hugs were the best in the world. I pulled away from her, eying her warily.
“You’re looking suspiciously tan.” I said. “I’ve only been gone a few days!”
“I put on that fake tanning stuff,” she sassed.
I laughed and helped her grab her things, then we met the little tender boat. In less than five minutes, we were back on board theKamaria.
My mom about fainted when I showed her where she would stay for the next month. Sebastian had kept quiet, but I knew Mama wouldn’t let him do that for much longer.
She put her hands on her hips and turned to inspect him from stem to stern. “You’re sure handsome.”
“Thank you, Mama Liora.”
She grinned at him. “What excursion do you have planned for us today?”
I sighed, trying not to roll my eyes to the heavens and plead for mercy. “Mama, he’s the owner of the ship. That’s not his job.”
Mama smiled slyly. “He’s got something planned, I can tell.”
Micaela, who was eating a cookie on the sofa, said through her munching, “I really like your mama, Grace.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. And then I noticed Mama had brought the pink baseball bat that she’d threatened Sebastian with. Probably the only way she’d been able to bring it was because she’d flown on a private plane to get here. I for sure didn’t think they allowed baseball bats to go through TSA.
“I do have something planned,” Sebastian said, ruffling Kazi’s fur. “But it’s tonight.” He glanced at me. “Feel free to spend all day on the island if you want, but the excursion starts at eight. We need to be there to check in by seven-thirty, so we’ll leave here by six forty-five.”
Mama knelt before her cat carrier and pulled out Sir Winsor out. Sir Winsor took one look at Kazi and hissed. His back arched and his fur stood on end. Kazi pranced over and licked him. His tongue covered the entirety of Sir Winsor’s head, and Sir Winsor yowled at him, less terrified now, and just mad that he was suddenly sopping wet.
