“So are Tristan and me. But I’m willing to bet my last dollar we’ll be lovers before we finish our next itinerary. I think of him constantly, intimately. The man is hot.”
Gabrielle laughed. “He is definitely hot, and I’m not talking about Tristan.” She gave Marjorie a knowing smile. “I’ve had some intimate thoughts of my own about Cameron…”
A guest walked into the clinic, which immediately silenced Gabrielle.
Once the lady was signed in and had filled out an information sheet, she was assigned an exam room. Both Cameron and Gabrielle read what the nurse had written on the complaint sheet. It seemed she had a simple case of the sniffles; a runny nose but no cough.
“I’ll take her, Cameron. You can get one of the men who just came in. I’m sure they’d rather have a male doctor,” she joked.
Cameron winked. “Not if the female doctor is as beautiful as you.”
Gabrielle introduced herself to the patient who was in her mid-thirties, according to the paperwork she’d filled out. “What seems to be the problem, Mrs. Cannon? By the way, I’m sorry you don’t feel well, but you look really good.”
Mrs. Cannon shrugged, forcing a weak smile. “Thank you, Dr. Grinage, but I feel like crap. I’ve had a runny nose since yesterday. I can’t seem to get it under control even with the allergy-cold medicine I’ve been taking.”
Using her stethoscope, Gabrielle listened to the
patient’s lungs. When she didn’t hear anything unusual, she took her temperature. She then checked her heart and blood pressure, standard procedures for all patients who were medically assessed.
“The good news is that you don’t have a fever and your blood pressure is excellent. However, when I checked your glands, they felt a bit swollen. The runny nose may be the beginning of the flu, but we can’t treat you for anything that isn’t manifesting. I suggest you see your own physician as soon as you get home. And you should stop taking the cold medicine since we don’t have a definite diagnosis yet.”
Mrs. Cannon got to her feet. “I’ll follow your orders, and thanks for your time. How much will this visit set me back?”
“Not a single penny. I merely did an assessment. It was a pleasure meeting you.” Gabrielle extended her hand to Mrs. Cannon, who shook it gently.
* * *
Over an hour later Gabrielle walked into Cameron’s office and took a seat. “Mrs. Cannon’s medical problem was an easy one. How are the crewmembers?”
Cameron smiled. “Everything looks good, so far. We haven’t checked everyone, but we’re making progress.”
“That’s good to know.” She sighed with contentment. “I can honestly say I’ve enjoyed my first sailing. The days have flown by like wildfire. I can’t wait to see my family, and I hope everyone shows up. I emailed my brothers and asked them to please come by.”
“I’m sure they won’t disappoint you. My parents will be in Europe, so I don’t plan to go to their place in Houston. Besides, it’s too far for such a short time. I hope you have a grand time with your family—I almost envy you.”
Surprised by Cameron’s comment, Gabrielle arched an eyebrow. “Envy is such a strong word. I hope you don’t mean that.”
“No, I didn’t. I said almost. I don’t see my sisters as often as I’d like to, and we don’t stay in close contact.”
Gabrielle appeared concerned. “Why not?”
He shrugged. “I write them emails, but weeks go by before they respond. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I should’ve made myself clearer.”
“I’m not hurt.” She smiled. “Why don’t you come home with me? I know my family would love to meet you. I’ve already emailed them about you.”
“You have? How deep into details about us did you go?”
“Nothing personal, mostly job-related stuff. I mentioned how kind you’ve been to me.”
Since he hadn’t even commented on her offer to join her family, she wished she hadn’t gone there. Gabrielle rushed to her feet. “I’d better check to see what’s happening up front.”
* * *
Cameron saw tears in her eyes, and he couldn’t help wondering what had brought them on. He hit his forehead with an open palm, when he realized he hadn’t responded to her invite.
Once Gabrielle had come out of the bathroom from repairing her tear-stained face, Cameron went to her and said he’d love to meet her family. She’d barely been able to hide how happy she was that he would join her.
* * *
Emma Grinage had warm mahogany skin and silky mixed gray and black hair. Slender and classy, she stood at five-five. She hugged her daughter tightly in the foyer, like it was the last time she’d see her. “Let me look at you, my precious girl. It appears you’re being treated very well. Love the suntan.”
Emma realized that she needed to meet and greet her daughter’s friends. They’d already met her husband, Ross.
Slipping one arm around Gabrielle’s shoulder, Emma extended her hand to each of the guests. “Welcome to the Grinage home. It’s a pleasure for my husband and me to have you. I’ll leave the other introductions to Gabrielle.”
Over six foot three, Ross Grinage was an attractive man, with bone-white hair, blue eyes and fair skin. He had met everyone at the dock, so Gabrielle presented her brothers Ryan, Christopher and Jonathan to her shipmates. One brother was missing in action, but he was coming. Maxwell had given his sister his word; she’d never known him to go back on it.
“You all will meet Maxi when he arrives,” Gabrielle said.
Emma and Ross led the way into the interior of their clean-as-a-whistle, modest, beautifully furnished beach house. They lived closer to the Gulf of Mexico than was safe during hurricane season, but they’d been blessed over the years. Some minor damages had occurred to their property, but nothing significant. The beach house had been in their family for generations. They’d raised their children in a large two-story home on Galveston Island, but had moved into the beach house after the last offspring had flown the coop. Gabrielle had been the last bird to leave the nest.
“Where’s our baby girl?” Maxwell’s deep baritone voice echoed throughout the place. “Come and give big brother his hugs, baby sis. I’ve missed you.”
Gabrielle ran back to the foyer and leaped into
Maxwell’s arms, kissing his face and the top of his head, hugging him warmly. “Good to see you, Maxi. I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you more,” he said.
The brunch in Gabrielle’s honor had been prepared by her mother, who loved to whip up all sorts of recipes while she puttered around in her kitchen. She had prepared a light Sunday brunch of both breakfast and lunch items and lots of cut up fresh fruits.
In the spacious, newly remodeled kitchen, Gabrielle slipped up behind her mother and encircled her waist with her arms. “Thanks for allowing me to bring my friends home and for fixing a meal on such a short notice. Out of the blue, I asked Cameron to come home with me and meet my family. He’s a great man. Marjorie and Tristan were also happy to be invited.”
“Everyone seems happy,” Emma responded. “Dr. Quinn sure is a handsome devil. I wonder if he’s a spiritual man. Are you two soul mates?”
Gabrielle looked thoughtful. “I think on some level we are, but we’re both very cautious. We’re building a relationship from the ground up. He was hurt by a romantic relationship with a colleague, just like I was. It’s hard to regain trust.”
“Yes, it is very hard indeed. But we can’t go around mistrusting everyone we meet. That would be unfair. You were taught to be forgiving, so I can’t see that standing in your way. You have forgiven, haven’t you?”
Gabrielle appreciated her mother not saying Jordan’s name when she didn’t have to. “I think I have. But then I have these awful flashbacks and sometimes they’re haunting. But they could be warnings of some kind. I don’t know why I recall all the ugliness in my life.”
“Maybe it’s because you haven’t forgiven yourself. You may blame your
self for something you think you should’ve had control over. And you had your misgivings from the beginning. You should always listen to that little voice inside your head, because it knows what it’s talking about.”
“I think you may be right. I’ve taken too much of the blame for what happened instead of squarely placing it where it belongs. Thanks, Mom. I’ll take this little talk with me when I go.”
Emma knew she’d said the right thing, and she was sure her daughter would take heed. “By the way, where are Dr. Quinn, Tristan and Marjorie?”
Gabrielle sighed deeply. “The guys are outside playing basketball with Dad and the boys. Marjorie is watching. Cameron is athletic, so I’m sure he’ll do well against the Grinage clan.”
“When are they going to learn that no man is measured solely on his athletic abilities?” Emma shook her head. “You’d better go tell everyone to come to the dining room.”
* * *
Gabrielle looked around the table and smiled. She was so pleased that all of her brothers had made it home. She was also happy that they hadn’t grilled Cameron about anything personal yet. They didn’t know that she had a major attraction to him—and she wanted to keep it that way. Marjorie and Tristan seemed to be enjoying themselves, too.
She waved her fork in the air. “You guys should join the medical team on the Parisian Paradise. You’d love it.”
“That good, huh?” Maxwell asked. “Glad you’re enjoying your job.”
Gabrielle looked at her mother. “Mom, thanks for all this great food. You prepared all of our favorites for brunch.”
Maxwell looked over at his sister. “I know you’re not surprised by it. She cooks like this every time we get together.”
He then looked hard at Cameron, assessing him through slitted eyes. “Dr. Quinn, I get the feeling I know you, but I can’t figure it out.”
“We’re on the same page. Weren’t you in the U.S. Navy?”
Maxwell snapped his fingers. “That’s it. We sailed together on the USS Solstice. Man, it’s been a long time. I’m glad we’re meeting up again. It’s hard to believe that you and Gabrielle are working side by side, the way we did years ago.”
Gabrielle looked on in utter amazement. If her brother knew Cameron, and liked him, that was half the battle. Maxwell was her fiercest protector. Seeing the men getting along so well finally allowed her to sit back and relax.
Yeah, she thought, sometimes being the only female sibling in her family wasn’t always easy.
Chapter 8
Good times had passed by much too quickly, Gabrielle thought, leaning on the balcony railing outside her cabin. Watching the Parisian Paradise set sail from its home port was exciting, yet kind of sad. Leaving behind her family wasn’t easy, but she was comforted in knowing she’d more than likely see them next Sunday when they returned to the Port of Galveston. The first port of call on the new itinerary was Montego Bay, Jamaica.
As soon as the ship was a fair distance from the port, Gabrielle went back inside. The phone rang, and she rushed across the room to pick up the receiver.
“Hey, it’s Cameron. I want to know if you’re okay. I saw how hard it was on you to leave your home and say goodbye to the family. How’re you doing?”
“Teary but I’m good. I won’t stop missing my family, but I need to curb the sadness.”
“It’s perfectly normal. I miss my family, too, more than I tend to let on.” He paused for a moment. “Up to having some company?”
Gabrielle’s heart fluttered. “I was thinking of also asking Marjorie and Tristan to come by. Would you mind?” She knew she was using the couple as a safeguard, but she didn’t know any other way to handle the sudden change in her relationship with Cameron.
“Wouldn’t mind at all.”
“Great. Can you give me a half hour or so?”
“I certainly can. See you then.”
What seemed like the perfect solution to her slight distress was simply a bad idea. She and Cameron had yet to figure out their relationship, but bad idea or not, she wanted to see him. Becoming romantically involved was one thing, but they also had to think about how to handle it publicly.
Gabrielle hadn’t expected Cameron to be overtly attentive to her at her parents’ place because it would’ve caused too much curiosity. But she had seen the meaningful looks he had given her. Knowing her brothers as well as she did, she knew they would’ve tried their best to satisfy their nosiness. The last thing she would’ve guessed was that Cameron and Maxwell had been shipmates years ago. The more they’d talked about the experience, the more they bonded. Yes, the entire time at home had gone smoothly.
Emma had taken to Cameron instantly and had found him to be very sincere and charming. She had told her daughter to give herself permission to love Dr. Quinn.
“Mom is so wise. She’s right about listening to what our little voice inside says.” There was a knock on the door, and Gabrielle hustled to greet her guests.
She opened the door to Marjorie. “Where’s Tristan?” she queried.
“He’ll be along soon. He had to handle a couple of things.”
“Have a seat in the living room. Cameron won’t be long in getting here.”
Gabrielle took a deep breath. “Girl, you have no idea how much that sexy doctor turns me on. Hiding my feelings for him can’t get any harder than it is. We haven’t defined our relationship, but I want him in so many ways. Yet I’m extremely afraid of getting hurt.”
Marjorie looked closely at Gabrielle. “You’re in love with him, aren’t you? Your eyes are a dead giveaway. I’d know that look anywhere.”
The two women sat down on the sofa.
“I don’t know about that,” Gabrielle fibbed. “The potential to love him is great. He’s a good man. If love claims us, you’ll be the first to know.”
Yet she knew that she’d love to shout out her love for Cameron from the top deck of the ship.
Is a confession of love imminent?
It was so hard for Gabrielle to sit still, especially when she felt jittery. Just thinking of Cameron made her feel hyper. Any second now, he would show up. Whatever look she had in her eyes would only deepen in his presence. She’d already admitted to herself that she loved Cameron—but she was both ecstatic and fearful about it. “Would you like something to drink?”
“7-Up will be fine if you have it.”
Gabrielle’s eyes lit up when she heard a knock at the door. He was here, but she couldn’t put her arms around him and savor the taste of his full lips. It had been too long since their first kiss. She couldn’t help wondering if it would happen again before he left.
Pull it together, she told herself. Marjorie already suspects your feelings for Cameron.
Then Gabrielle thought it could be Tristan at the door. In the next instant, she dismissed the idea. Her heart wouldn’t be beating double-time if Cameron wasn’t outside her door.
She made eye contact with Marjorie. “I’ll get the door, then I can take care of your drink.”
Gabrielle ran to the cabin door and swung it back. Cameron looked like he had walked out of an advertisement in a magazine. The man was so sexy and GQ. How could one man have so many different wonderful attributes? Her heart had hit the nail right on the head. Cameron Quinn stood toe-to-toe with her, and her desire to devour him increased tenfold.
Standing on tiptoes, she kissed his cheek. “Glad you’re here. It’s nice to see you.”
His lips briefly grazed hers. “The feeling is mutual. Has anyone else arrived?”
“Marjorie is here. I was getting her something to drink. Come on in and make yourself comfortable. Do you want anything to sip?” She noticed the deep disappointment in his eyes. Had he also hoped they’d share a few passionate kisses alone?
Cameron moved into the foyer, smiling devilishly. “I’ll take a Sprite. If you’d been one of the choices in hot drinks,” he whispered, “I would’ve definitely chosen you.”
Blushing heavily and thrilled by his flirtatio
us remark, Gabrielle led Cameron into the living room. “You two get caught up on the latest shipboard gossip. When I get back, I’d love to hear it all, too.”
Cameron and Marjorie laughed. Then the doorbell summoned Gabrielle once again.
Cameron leaped to his feet just as Gabrielle moved toward the door. “I’ll get it for you. It’s probably Tristan. We are expecting him.”
Gabrielle saw that Marjorie was fidgeting and anxious to see Tristan.
“I’m definitely expecting him,” Marjorie whispered. “He’s all I’ve thought about in his absence. Gabrielle, I’m glad you invited him and me. Thank you.”
Gabrielle smiled knowingly. “You’re welcome.”
Tristan’s personality was as bubbly as ever as he greeted his friends. He then headed straight for the seat next to Marjorie, leaning in to kiss her cheek. “We’re becoming the fab four. Gabrielle, I had a great time at your parents’ home. The food was excellent.”
“It was,” Marjorie seconded. “Mr. and Mrs. Grinage are superb hosts. And your good-looking brothers must have women chasing them day and night.”
That comment got Marjorie a jealous look from Tristan.
“Thanks for the kind words. My parents love to host events. As for my brothers, they’re not playboys at all. They’re still too busy with their professional obligations to get involved in exclusive relationships. They date occasionally, but I’m not sure if they’ll ever marry.”
“Aren’t your parents pushing for someone to get married and give them grandkids?” Marjorie asked.
“Actually, no. Our parents are content to let us lead our own lives in the same way they did,” Gabrielle explained. “If we need them, they lend an ear. Otherwise, they butt out. Is there anything you guys want to do for fun?”
“What about a game of Monopoly or Taboo?” Tristan suggested.
Everybody shouted out for Taboo.
Gabrielle excused herself to get the game out of the closet. Seconds later, Cameron came up behind her. As he turned her around, he pulled her into the bathroom and into his arms, his strong physique taking her over completely. Then his mouth crushed down over hers in the most thrilling kiss of all. Despite knowing they shouldn’t be doing this with company right around the corner, she couldn’t bear to tear herself away. His kiss and his arms being wrapped tightly around her was exactly what she had been longing for.
Waves of Passion (Kimani Romance) Page 12
