“I’ll take care of them.” Danielle materialized out of nowhere. She took Delilah’s bag from Millie and grasped Delilah under the arm. “Right this way.” Danielle didn’t wait for a reply as she steered the woman toward the nearest bank of elevators.
Roger trailed behind like a puppy dog.
Beth slipped her hand into her mother’s hand. “Mom. I am so sorry. I didn’t know how to tell you. I was going to tell you when we talked last week, but you were so excited to be coming back to Siren of the Seas and Captain Armati, I chickened out.” Beth babbled on. “I tried to give Dad and Delilah the slip so I could warn you before they boarded but they stuck by us like glue.”
The sensation of disbelief began to fade, replaced by a rage Millie hadn’t felt since the night she built a bonfire in her backyard and torched Roger’s belongings. “I forgive you, Beth, but as you can imagine, I’m very upset right now.”
“There’s one more thing,” Beth lowered her voice. “Dad and Delilah are getting married on board the ship tomorrow, by the captain. They asked Linda, Delilah’s daughter, to stand up with them. They asked me but I told them I couldn’t.”
“Is there any more good news?” Millie groaned.
“I think that about sums it up, other than the fact you’re going to be stuck with them for a week.” Beth moved away from her husband and children. “There are a few others coming on board…Delilah’s sister and brother-in-law along with Delilah’s daughter and son-in-law and another couple. I’ll try to give you a heads up so you can keep an eye out for them.”
Andy, who had been hovering nearby, stepped close. “You go ahead Millie. Show Beth and her family to their cabins. I’ll cover here. I’m sure Danielle will come back to help.”
Millie nodded, relieved she would have a few moments to pull herself together and try to wrap her head around what had just happened. She shifted into assistant cruise director mode as she escorted her family on a brief tour of the ship.
A fresh wave of determination washed over Millie. Roger had done this on purpose, to shove his soon-to-be wife and her family in Millie’s face. It wasn’t bad enough he’d cheated on her and walked out after 38 years of marriage, but now he was rubbing it in.
The old Millie would’ve crawled into bed and stayed there for a week, until they’d disembarked the ship, but not now. The new Millie was strong, stronger than she’d ever been and with each step Millie took, she became more determined to prove to Roger, to Delilah, that she was not going to be intimidated by them, by any of them.
Millie finished giving them a ship tour and led them to their cabin where she excused herself and made her way back to Andy.
Andy smiled as Millie marched across the atrium and resumed her position near the gangway. “Ah. I see the Millie I know and love, the one with more spunk than a hundred Delilahs, has returned.”
“They’re going to regret ever setting foot on board my ship,” Millie vowed.
Andy chuckled. “I almost feel sorry for them. Almost.”
A group of passengers descended on them and Millie pushed the thoughts of Delilah and Roger to the back of her mind. She would deal with it later. Right now, she had a job to do.
Millie smiled as she greeted a couple of “regulars” she’d come to know over the past year. They welcomed Millie back on board and told her they’d missed her while she was gone. “It’s good to be back.” Despite Roger and Delilah’s unexpected arrival.
The rest of the afternoon flew by. After the last passenger boarded and the crew removed the gangway, Millie headed to the lido deck to check on the Sail Away Party. She waved to Felix, one of the dancers in charge of the line dancing. He winked and blew Millie a ‘welcome back’ kiss. She shook her head before returning the gesture.
Her steps were light as she made her rounds, greeting the other crew, her friends. Roger was on her turf now. He had made an unwise decision to board her ship and taunt her with his upcoming nuptials.
She vowed to avoid him and his entourage at all costs. The last thing she needed was drama. She’d had enough drama to last a lifetime.
Millie swung by Ocean Treasures Gift Shop where her friend, Cat, worked. There were only a couple shoppers milling about since it was nearing the dinner hour. She stepped inside and made a beeline to the back where Cat was chatting with a passenger.
Cat smiled when she caught Millie’s eye and Millie stood off to the side to wait until the customer paid for their purchases and exited the store.
“Oh…I’ve missed you, my friend.” Cat darted around the side of the cash register and hugged Millie. “This joint has been as dull as a butter knife since you left. Annette and I were on the verge of plotting a crisis just to liven the place up.”
Millie hugged Cat and took a step back. “I missed you too. There’s something different. You changed your hair.” Cat’s signature jet-black beehive hairdo was gone. In its place was a glossy coat of smooth black hair. The tips touched the top of her shoulders.
Cat smoothed her hair. “I’m trying something new. Joe talked me into it.”
“Joe?” Millie frowned. “Who is Joe?”
“Doctor Gundervan. You know. Joe Gundervan.”
“Ah.” Millie lifted a brow. “That Joe. It must be serious if he’s talking you into changing your hairstyle.”
“Nah.” Cat waved a dismissive hand. “We’ve gone out on a couple dates since you left and now that I’m finally able to leave the ship without freaking out.” She stopped abruptly. “Okay. Who am I kidding? Yes, we’re dating.”
Millie grinned. “That’s wonderful, Cat. I’m so happy for you.”
Cat had been through a lot since Millie had met her. Cat’s ex-husband, a convicted felon, had escaped from prison, tracked her down, kidnapped her and almost killed her. Thankfully, he was back behind bars. The experience had been so traumatic; Cat had refused to leave the safety of the cruise ship.
Millie and their friend, Annette, had become so desperate they’d hired a psychologist on the island of St. Thomas to meet with Cat and work with her. “How is Doctor Johansen? Are you still seeing her?”
“Yep.” Cat nodded. “Not for much longer, though. I’m doing so much better now, thanks to you and Annette. I even went shopping in Miami last week while we were in port.”
“That’s great news!” Several more shoppers wandered into the store. Millie said her good-byes and promised to catch up with her friend soon.
She exited the store and headed toward the galley where her friend Annette worked. When Millie reached the galley, she peeked through the window and quickly changed her mind. The place was a beehive of activity as the galley crew rushed around the kitchen.
Millie glanced at her watch. They were right in the middle of the first and second seating for dinner.
Vowing to return later, Millie stepped away from the galley door and headed to Andy’s office to check on tomorrow’s schedule. She fleetingly wondered if Roger and his soon-to-be-new family would be in the audience.
Get a grip. There’s nothing you can do…not for the next seven days until they get off the ship.
Millie turned the corner and started down the steps leading to the stage and the back where Andy’s office was located.
“Wait!”
Millie spun around and caught a glimpse of Danielle hurrying to catch up with her. “I’ve been looking all over for you,” the young woman said when she caught up with Millie. “You sure know how to liven things up around here.”
“I assume you’re talking about my ex and his entourage.”
Danielle rolled her eyes. “That woman, Delilah what’s-her-name is a witch with a capital ‘W.’ I almost feel sorry for your ex.”
“Don’t,” Millie said. “They deserve each other.” She began walking and Danielle fell into step.
“Did you catch the part where Nic…Captain Armati is marrying them on board the ship? Can you believe the nerve of your ex?” Millie could feel her blood beginning to boil again.
; “You would’ve laughed if you’d seen them together,” Danielle said. “She was bossing him around as if he was some sort of servant.” She lifted her voice an octave. “Roger. Turn the air conditioning down. It’s too hot in here. This bed is lumpy. You call this tiny space a bathroom? How much did they charge us for this dump?”
Millie chuckled at Danielle’s imitation of Delilah. “That makes me feel a little better.”
“If I were him, I’d pitch the witch overboard.” Danielle laughed. “Get it? Pitch the witch? It has a nice ring to it.”
Millie followed Danielle up the side steps and their heels echoed on the stage floor as they hurried to the back. “Another couple stopped by their suite as I was leaving. The woman looked a lot like Delilah so I’m guessing they’re related.”
“It was probably Delilah’s sister,” Millie said. “They’re here to help celebrate the joyous nuptials.”
Danielle brushed her hands together. “I say good riddance. You’re lucky. I’d be counting my blessings every day to be rid of that circus.”
A dim light shone from the bottom of Andy’s door. Millie tapped lightly, turned the knob and eased the door open.
Andy was sitting at the conference table, his head down as he studied a clipboard in front of him. He shifted his gaze and looked up. “Right on time, gals. I take it you both survived your run-in with Millie’s ex?”
“Whew.” Danielle yanked out a chair and plopped down next to her boss. “What a trip. I was telling Millie she should count her blessings.”
Andy tapped the tip of his pen on the paper in front of him. “My suggestion is to avoid them as much as possible.”
“You don’t have to tell me,” Millie mumbled. She changed the subject and pointed at the papers. “Are you working on tomorrow’s schedule?”
“Yep.” Andy slid a sheet to Millie and another to Danielle. “It’s so nice to have my whole crew back on board. I have a couple new activities I’ve been tossing around and decided now would be the perfect time to give them a go.”
Millie slipped her reading glasses on and studied her schedule for the following day. She scanned the list, which started with Sunrise Stride. She noticed she was also in charge of two trivia games as well as co-hosting the cruise’s first round of bingo.
There was also wine tasting with the ship’s sommelier, Pierre LeBlanc. When she got to the first activity after her lunch break, she paused. “What is Cruise Clue?”
“I’m glad you asked,” Andy said as he stuck his hand under his clipboard and pulled out a small stack of papers. “It’s a new adult murder mystery/crime-themed activity.”
Danielle snorted. “That’s right up Millie’s alley.”
Millie shot Danielle a death look and reached for the stack of papers. “This is part of it?”
“Those are the clues,” Andy nodded. “I came up with the first set while you were gone. I was thinking if it went well, I’d let you run with it and you come up with the mystery and clues.”
Millie glanced at the paper on top. It was intriguing…a mystery game on board the ship.
“I put together a list of instructions. Some of the entertainment staff and I practiced with a mock game to try to work out the kinks. I think it’s going to be one of our most popular activities once we get it up and running.”
“What about me?” Danielle asked. “Do I get to host any cool new activities?”
“Yep.” Andy nodded as he reached for another sheet and slid it to Danielle. “I’ve put you in charge of our new dating game event. Remember the 60’s show ‘The Dating Game’ where the contestant asked questions of prospective dates, who were hidden behind a wall and the contestant chose the winner based on the answers?”
Danielle frowned. “No. That was decades before I was even born.”
Millie burst out laughing. Danielle hated hosting the “Mix and Mingle” singles parties. This was the icing on the cake.
“It’s not funny.” Danielle shot Millie a dark look.
“It’ll be fun. You need to give it a chance, Danielle,” Andy said. He went over a few new changes he’d implemented in Millie’s absence and then stood. “It’s time for me to have a pre-show pep talk with the dancers, unless, of course, you have any questions?”
“I don’t.” Millie stood and Andy lifted his hand. “Don’t forget about the visit with Santa Claus later this evening.”
“Thanks for the reminder.” Millie had almost forgotten. Noah and Bella would be deeply disappointed if they missed a visit with Santa.
Danielle and Millie wandered out of Andy’s office. “How come you always get the good stuff?” Danielle grumbled when they were out of earshot.
“Tell you what, you try your dating game show tomorrow and I’ll host the mystery game and then next week, if you want, we’ll switch to make it fair.”
The girls parted ways with Danielle taking her break and Millie heading back to the cabin to drop off the schedules and freshen up for the evening show. She wandered down the corridor to her cabin. As she got closer, she noticed a woman dressed to the nines in high heels and a skin-tight shimmering cocktail party dress, lounging outside her door. It was Delilah Osborne.
Chapter 3
Millie fleetingly contemplated turning around and heading in the opposite direction, but curiosity got the better of her. She wondered why on earth Delilah was outside her cabin door. She also wondered how the woman had managed to gain access to a “crew only” area.
“Hello,” Millie said coolly as she approached her cabin door.
Delilah twisted her sparkly stiletto heel and attempted to peer down at Millie despite the fact Delilah was a good three inches shorter than her fiancé’s ex-wife was.
She lifted her hand and flashed her diamond ring in front of Millie’s eyes. “I cannot believe someone lives in these squalid conditions. Is there running water in this part of the ship?”
The palm of Millie’s hand began to itch and the urge to slap the smug expression off Delilah’s face was overwhelming. Instead, she clenched her fist and dug her fingernails into the palms of her hands. “This area is off limits to guests. How did you get down here?”
“A nice uniformed man escorted me. I think his name was Simon or something,” Delilah answered. “He was a bit reluctant until I stuck a twenty-dollar bill in his hand. Twenty dollars must be a lot of money for overworked servants like yourself.”
Millie lunged forward. Visions of wrapping her hands around Delilah’s neck and strangling her filled her head.
Delilah, noting the look in Millie’s eyes, took a tentative step back. “This isn’t a social call.”
“You could’ve fooled me.”
Delilah ignored the sarcastic reply. “The reason I’m here is to ask if you’d be interested in selling your home in Grand Rapids. It’s obvious you’re not using it anymore. The dump isn’t worth much in its current condition. I was thinking if you let Roger and me purchase it from you, we could tear it down and build a new home. The value, of course, is in the land.”
Millie’s Michigan home was located on the shores of Reeds Lake, one of the most prestigious lakes in the area. A large picture window boasted a magnificent view of the lake. Although the home, built in the late 1980’s, was dated, she and Roger had taken good care of the home. It needed some cosmetic updates but other than that, was in tiptop shape.
“Roger put you up to this?” Millie gritted through clenched teeth.
“No. He told me to let it go but I can’t. My – our - condo is cramped and developers are building a high rise unit that will eventually block my view of Lake Michigan. I simply can’t stay there without a view,” Delilah rattled on. “Another reason is my daughter may be moving in with us soon and we need more room. What would you be willing to sell the house for?” She stared at Millie expectantly.
“My home is not for sale,” Millie said. “Not now. Not later. Not ever, at least not for you.” Her level of anger grew at the thought of Delilah razing her home and building
a brand new one in its place.
“Three hundred fifty grand,” Delilah countered.
“No.”
“Three seventy five.”
“NO!”
“Four hundred thousand dollars. That’s my final offer,” Delilah said.
“No. No. No. Never.” Millie could hear her own voice as she screeched at Delilah. A cluster of the ship’s crew passing by them gave the women an odd stare.
One of them stopped. “Is everything okay Miss Millie?”
“Yes. Thank you Tariq.” Millie forced a smile. “Ms. Osborne was leaving.” She clamped a hand around Delilah’s arm and propelled her down the hall.
“Let go of me.” Delilah hissed as she stumbled forward on her high heels, attempting to keep up with Millie’s fast clip. “You’re making a scene.”
“You made a scene when you decided to show up on my doorstep,” Millie said.
Delilah whined the entire way but Millie refused to release her grip. She stopped in front of the door that led to the passenger area and reached for the handle. “Do not ever show your face down here again or you’ll be sorry.” She yanked the door open and glared at Delilah.
“No wonder Roger left you. What a horrid woman.” Delilah stepped over the threshold and shot Millie a dirty look before stomping up the steps.
“Good riddance.” Millie slammed the door and started down the hall.
The door suddenly swung open. Millie spun around, certain it was Delilah but it was Annette hurrying toward her.
“What was that all about? I could hear you and the blonde woman yelling from two decks up.”
“My ex-husband’s soon-to-be-wife,” Millie said.
Annette nodded. “Ahh… So you decided to bring them back with you?”
“They followed me,” Millie groaned. While they walked, Millie explained to Annette what had transpired from the moment Roger and Delilah boarded the ship and finished with a recap of the heated exchange she’d had with Delilah.
“Captain Armati agreed to marry them?” Annette asked.
Suite Revenge (Cruise Ship Christian Cozy Mysteries Series Book 8) Page 2
