Covert Affairs

by Rhonda Laurel

  He’d confided that fact to Charles when they were chatting at Derek and Charisma’s wedding. After more than a few drinks, it was hard to keep it to himself, especially since he’d spent most of the night trying to keep Derek’s hockey buddies away from her. He’d watched her go out with that loser Lawrence. He wasn’t going to sit around and let another man get close to her. If he wasn’t careful, he’d get friend zoned permanently. A week was too long not to tell her that he wanted her back in his life for good, and this time around he wouldn’t be running away.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Theresa walked around the deck, taking another head count. Some of the group members were taking selfies, while others were waving from the bow at family members who’d dropped them off. She looked for some place on the deck to go over some last-minute details. Once she found an out-of-the-way spot, she rallied her group.

  “Can everyone in the Great Escapers group come over here for a moment?” She reached into her tote bag on wheels. “Mrs. Reed, can you pass out the bags?”

  “Sure thing,” Grandma Reed said.

  “OK. This will only take a moment. The group’s all here.” She perused her notes. “I have everyone’s medication schedules, allergy lists, and emergency contact information. I know everyone wants to have a good time, but don’t forget to take your meds.”

  “I’m on my vacation, I don’t want to be stuck in the room taking pills all morning,” Mrs. Johnson said.

  “I’d feel much better if you took your meds, and I assure you the group will wait for you. We don’t want anyone in the medical center. We’re all in this together, right?”

  “Right.”

  “Also, I promised to post lots of photos on my agency’s social media accounts. This will show your family and friends you’re having a good time and will cut down on me sending individual emails letting them know you’re OK. Last thing, anyone who purchased special wrist bands or a special card for onboard purchases, please keep track of those things. It will save you time and energy from trekking to your cabin. My cabin number is on the card in your goodie bags, along with sunscreen and other essentials you may have forgotten to pack.”

  “You’re so good to us Theresa,” Mrs. Donahue said.

  “You’re pretty cute too.” Mr. Stewart, the group’s geriatric Casanova, yelled out. “How about I take you salsa dancing at the discothèque?”

  Theresa tried to hide her amusement. It could have been worse. He could have said rave.

  “I was hoping she’d join me for dinner,” a familiar voice said in the back of the crowd.

  When the crowd parted, her heart damn near leaped out of her chest. It wasn’t a figment of her imagination. It was Trevor.

  “Trevor!” Grandma Reed rushed over and gave him a good squeeze.

  “Surprise.” He embraced her.

  “You bet it is.” Grandma Reed motioned for everyone to come closer. “Everybody, this is my grandson Trevor.”

  “He’s the one who takes photos of bobcats and deserts, right?”

  “Something like that.”

  “It’s good to meet you. We’ve met almost everyone in Grace’s family. We were beginning to think you were a figment of her imagination,” Mrs. Donahue said.

  Theresa waded through the crowd, her heart still beating fast from the surprise. “Trevor. What are you doing here?”

  “I was able to get a last minute cabin. What luck, eh?”

  She squinted. She hated when he answered a question before she asked it. “Luck? I’d say it was a one-in-a-million shot.”

  “You know these big ships don’t fill up. I had to get a suite, but it was worth it. I haven’t had a vacation with my grandma in such a long time.” He hugged his grandmother again.

  The knot in Theresa’s stomach relaxed a bit. She wouldn’t be spending the entire cruise wondering if he’d be home when she returned. Her stomach clinched again with a new worry. What was he doing here? That week was going to give her time to figure out what she wanted to do with him besides kiss him. And he did look utterly kissable in his navy blue shirt and khaki cargo shorts. She’d seen how well-defined his upper body was these days when she’d helped change the dressing on his wound. He had the shapely muscular legs of a runner. It was all she could do not imagine his him totally naked so she could get a full picture of him. It had to be the slowest strip tease in history.

  She could tell by the way he was clinging to his grandmother that he was on edge. She suspected it was because he was uncertain of her reaction to his unexpected arrival. Even when they were younger, he’d gravitate to his grandma when he felt uneasy about something. She was his rock, and it was endearing to see after all these years that a grown, sophisticated, worldly man still relied on her for spoiling and comfort. She looked around at her group. It would be great to keep them around as a buffer but she was sure they wanted to get on with their vacation.

  “OK everyone,” she called out. “Have fun exploring. I’ll see you all in the main dining room at four-thirty for dinner.”

  As the crowd disbanded, she saw Mrs. Reed give him another hug and say something about checking out the shops with a few of her friends. Theresa watched as her group scattered, leaving her alone with him.

  “Dinner at four-thirty?” He raised an eyebrow.

  “The term ‘early bird special’ wasn’t invented because senior citizens are night owls.”

  “Ah.” He laughed.

  “If this is a ploy to keep an eye on your grandmother, I can assure you it will backfire.” She folded her arms across her chest. “I told you that you didn’t have to worry. I’ll take good care of her.”

  “I’m not worried about Grace Marie Reed. She’s more than capable of taking care of herself.”

  “Good.”

  “I’m worried about whether or not you have a dinner date.”

  She cleared her throat. “I’m eating with your grandma and five of her friends. I can add you to the reservation. I’m sure she’d like that.”

  “Sure. Would you like that?”

  “It depends. What are you doing here?”

  “Truth is, I couldn’t wait for our date, so I decided to join you. I know that sounds like the warning signs of a stalker. I admit, it was an impulsive move.”

  “You’re right. It does sound like a stalker move, but for you, it’s perfectly normal behavior.”

  “Want to take a walk around the deck?”

  “I have to send some emails to my staff, but I look forward to dinner.”

  He smiled. “It’s a date.”

  She turned and did a little strut down the deck. OK, the man had gone through the trouble of booking a last minute cruise, which had to have cost him a fortune, but that didn’t mean she’d go falling into his arms. She needed to keep her head before she found herself going overboard without a life vest.

  * * *

  Trevor looked around the casino floor, hoping to find one of the women in his life. He’d stepped into high gear getting a reservation for the cruise that night he’d talked to Charles. With a few phone calls and an impromptu shopping trip that morning he’d pulled it off. He’d been fortunate enough to book a suite on the same floor as Theresa and his grandmother.

  They’d been on the ship for two days. The seniors group got off to an early start every day by having breakfast at six in the morning and they’d been on the go ever since. It had been quite a time keeping up with Theresa, who’d been avoiding him since after dinner the first night. He thought they’d get a chance to be alone and talk, but she was swarmed by the group. It was nice to see her working her magic, she was excellent at crowd control, but it was frustrating that he couldn’t get any time with her. So he’d thought he’d table any talk about the two of them until today, but she was off and running at the crack of dawn again.

  Across the room, he saw his grandmother and a few of her friends sitting at the slot machines. Maybe Grandma knew where to find the busy coordinator.

  “Hi, Grandma.” He ki
ssed her on the cheek.

  “Hi, baby.” She patted his cheek, then turned to her friends. “Isn’t my grandson a handsome devil? He looks just like his grandfather.”

  He blushed. “Grandma.”

  “Are you single?” one of the women asked. “My granddaughter’s unattached. You want to see her photo?”

  “Knock it off, Irene. Everyone knows your granddaughter is single because she tried to burn down her ex-boyfriend’s house. Besides Trevor’s taken. Trevor, baby, what’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. I was just looking for—”

  “Theresa?” Grandma Reed hit the button on the slot machine.

  “Yes.”

  “The last time I saw her, she was near the miniature golf course with some of our group. There’s a few people that need hand-holding. And a few others that just like attention.”

  “Like Mr. Stewart?” The discothèque man had continued his attempt to charm Theresa at dinner last night. He was too amused by the absurdity of it to be jealous.

  “Yes. He’s smitten with your Theresa. But you let me know if he tries to trip you with his cane again. I’ll take care of him for you. He knows he doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell with Theresa, but he fancies himself as some sort of sugar daddy. He doesn’t have enough sugar left in the bowl to sweeten a cup of coffee.”

  He grinned. “I’ll let you know if I need an assist.”

  She went into her fanny pack and took out some money. “Here’s ten dollars. Take Theresa to the Aloha bar when you find her for a drink.”

  “I don’t need any money.”

  “I insist. It’s good luck to spread your fortune around.” She pointed at the display on the slot machine. “I’m up one hundred and eighteen dollars.”

  “Way to go, Grandma.” He beamed.

  “I’m so happy you surprised me by coming along. I feel like I don’t get enough time with you, but that’s all about the change.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “I know when you have something on your mind. It’s why you came home.” She caressed his cheek again. “When we get back home, there’s something I want to give you. Actually, I’ve been meaning to give it to you for some time, but now I think you’re ready for it.”

  He only nodded, not sure what she was referring to or what to say.

  “Give me a kiss for good luck, then go enjoy yourself. I’m sure you’ll find your way to Theresa.”

  Trevor obliged as Grandma Reed tucked the ten dollars into his shirt pocket.

  “Good luck, ladies,” He said and made his way to the upper deck. There she was, playing mini golf with Mr. Hornsby and Mr. Stewart. Theresa kept her eye on the ball and took a swing. The ball went into the shark’s mouth. “Yes!”

  He wandered closer. “Excellent form.”

  Mr. Stewart gave him a sour look. “Well, if it isn’t Mr. Casanova.”

  “Good to see you too, Mr. Stewart.”

  Theresa was all smiles. “Gentlemen, it was a pleasure playing with you,” she said in her best cruise director voice. “Don’t forget our island tour is in two hours.”

  After Mr. Stewart and the others wandered off, Trevor caught and held her gaze. “I was just about to ask you if we could spend the afternoon together. You know, to catch up.”

  “You could join me on the island tour. The entire group is going. I could use an extra pair of eyes.”

  That wasn’t the alone time he’d wanted, but right now he was desperate. “I’d love to help out.”

  He remembered the money his grandmother had stuffed into his pocket. “In the meantime, do you want to get a drink at the bar before we go on land?”

  She seemed to consider it for so long that he started to sweat. She was really keeping him on edge since he’d crashed the cruise trip. Finally, she smiled and sweetly said, “I’m free after the tour. But until everyone’s safely back on the boat, I should avoid anything even vaguely alcoholic. I’m the designated trip coordinator, after all.”

  She walked off. He couldn’t help but admire the swing of her hips. He might have a dangerous job, but this woman was going to be the death of him.

  * * *

  Trevor strolled the market looking at the colorful clothes and knickknacks, all the while keeping his eye on the group. It had been an eventful afternoon helping Theresa keep up with the seniors, and he had to admit he was having a good time. In addition to his grandma, he’d won the affections of a few of the women, and they doted on him.

  Grandma Reed picked up a dress from the rack and handed it to him. “Your mom would really like that dress. She loves colorful things, just like your sister.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “It would be a nice gesture. You’ve bought something for most of the women in the family, might as well pick up something for her too.”

  “I suppose.” He hesitated, then decided to press on. “Grandma, tell me the truth. What’s with the change in my parents? I went to their house with Charisma and Alexis and I felt like they were pod people. How could they do that much changing in a few short years?”

  “Trevor.” Grandma Reed put down the bag she’d been eyeing. “I taught you better than that. We work through things, and we forgive in this family. Why are you still hanging on to all that old stuff from the past?”

  “I can’t let it go just like that. I can’t come back to town and boom, the clock has been reset on my relationship with my parents.”

  “Whose fault is that?”

  “What?”

  “Every time you come to town, you avoid your parents like the plague. I know it’s how you coped before, but it’s time for a change. We can’t stay stuck in time and remain the same so you feel justified in ignoring them whenever you come home. We’ve all moved on, and I think we’re all in a better place for it.”

  “I wasn’t asking anyone to do that.”

  “I know but you should want more than that. If you have some stuff to work out with them, pay them another visit when we get back. Whatever you say, they’ll be happy to hear it. They miss you when you’re gone. We all do. It breaks my heart, wondering if you’re safe and happy. Every time you come home, I feel like my prayers have been answered. They just want to feel the same way too.”

  “Grandma.” He embraced her. “I never meant to make you feel this way.”

  “I know you don’t. I worry about you. You’re more like your father than you know. Quiet, keeping things bottled inside and avoiding your feelings.”

  Trevor blinked. For all the time he’d spent trying not to be reclusive like his dad, he’d become like him. “What can I do?”

  “You’re doing it. Staying in town for more than a few days is a big gesture. I’m not the only one who realizes that.” Grandma Reed pointed at Theresa coming their way. “It’s rare that a person gets a second chance. Don’t blow it.”

  Theresa joined them, smiling. She glanced at the dress in his hand. “Nice dress.”

  He handed the garment to the woman to ring up. “Grandma thinks my mom would like it.”

  “It’s her style, but I think she’ll love it because it came from you.” Theresa looked at her watch. “We have twenty minutes left here, and then it’s time to get on the bus.”

  Out of the corner of his eye, he could see a man in a tan fedora coming his way. It was Rick Drake. What the hell was he doing here? He handed the vendor a twenty dollar bill while trying to figure out a way to put some distance between them, but the situation resolved itself.

  “I want to circle back to a table with the pretty coral jewelry and get a few things,” Grandma Reed said.

  “I’ll go with. I saw something I liked too.” Theresa jostled the bags she had in her hand.

  “I saw a crystal dolphin I think Alexis might like, but I forgot where I saw it.” Trevor kept watch as Rick got closer. “Do you mind if I hang back for a few minutes?”

  “Sure. Just remember we have to be back on the bus soon.”

  “I’ll be there.”


  He watched as the women continued down the aisle. Then he glided over to the next table littered with colorful knickknacks. Rick wasn’t alone. Trevor spotted a guy who’d been looking too intently at a hat on a rack for the last five minutes. Trevor picked up a crystal dolphin with shades of blue running through it. Alexis really would love it.

  “Nice,” Rick said. “I had you figured for a great white shark kind of guy.”

  “What’s going on, Rick?” Trevor didn’t make eye contact.

  “Rutledge sent me here.”

  “Why?”

  “When your top agent’s real name pops up on a cruise manifest, people get nervous. He sent me to make sure you weren’t flying the coop or in some kind of distress.”

  “Do I look like I’m distressed?”

  “No, you’re not as tense.” Rick chuckled. “It looks like you’re healing well from your injury.”

  “Nothing a little home cooking and TLC couldn’t fix.” He paid for the dolphin and began walking.

  “Of course I saw your grandmother’s name on the list, but I didn’t tell him that. If he’s too lazy to read an entire report, he deserves to pay for me to lie on a tropical beach for a week. Plus expenses of course. Or maybe he did see it. He’s anxious to get you back in the saddle.”

  “He wasn’t happy the last time we talked.”

  “When is he ever happy? It’s a stressful job. No wonder you wanted a cruise.” Rick nodded in Theresa’s direction. “I also saw Theresa’s name on the manifest.”

  Trevor watched her off in the distance with a necklace in her hand. “Leave her out of this.”

  “Why? You’re clearly not leaving her out of this.” Rick shook his head. “I thought she’d be pretty, but I underestimated my own imagination. She’s stunning.”

  His jaw ticked. “Do you have a reason for interrupting my vacation?”

  “I come bearing information. We might have a lead on the Gregorians.”

  “It’s no longer any of my business. I told Rutledge I was thinking of resigning. I’m sure he told you about that.”