Claire Gulliver #04 - Cruisin' for a Bruisin'

by Gayle Wigglesworth

  Claire smiled. Considering Mrs. Bernbaum’s fondness for the ugly brooch she wore, she wondered what the watch was like.

  “My true love showered me with jewels,” she said proudly. Her fingers rested lightly on the brooch. “I was a very fortunate woman.”

  She looked at Claire sharply, asking abruptly as some elderly people did, “Was your watch a gift from your true love?”

  Just as she said it there was a lull in the conversation around the table and her question seemed unnaturally loud. Out of the corner of her eye Claire could almost see her mother’s and Ruth’s ears pick up, waiting for her answer. Ever since their visit to Venice in the spring, where they met her friend, Jack Rallins, they seemed overly interested in her love life. Sometimes they couldn’t keep from actually inquiring as to his health, his whereabouts, or whether or not she had heard from him recently. And the most irritating part was she hadn’t heard from him since then. That worried her and annoyed her.

  She shook her head slightly, smiling. “Sorry, I don’t think so.”

  “My dear, surely you have met your one true love by now.”

  “No, I don’t think so.” Claire shook her head good-naturedly.

  “Don’t think so? My goodness, you know when you meet the right one! There is no doubt, you would know it.”

  “It sounds as if you were very happy with Mr. Bernbaum. How lucky for you,” Claire murmured, trying to divert her attention.

  “Not Mr. Bernbaum. No, not Bernie. Oh, he was a love all right. He coddled me and protected me, but he knew he wasn’t my one true love. He knew he could never repair my broken heart. But he was happy to be with me and he made me as happy as I could be after I lost Nate.” Her eyes roamed around the table looking for understanding.

  Millie nodded, saying in a sympatric tone, “I know how it is. I lost Claire’s father way too early. It was like I lost a part of myself.”

  Pearl reached over and hugged Harold’s beefy arm. “I found my true love and I’ve still got him.”

  He patted her hand tucked in his arm.

  Sean cleared his throat, but the words still came out rough with emotion. “My Maggie was my true love. There can never be a replacement for her.”

  “But that’s not true,” Ruth argued. “When you lose someone so special and live without them, you change. You are no longer the same person. I think that’s why it’s possible to find a second perfect mate. It’s not the same as the first, but then you’re not the same, either.”

  Mrs. Bernbaum looked skeptical, but then shrugged. Obviously for her there was no one to replace her Nate.

  Just then Pedro appeared with their entrees and the group turned their attention to their selections for the night.

  Claire ate her Alaskan Halibut mechanically while she thought about the conversation. Had she met her one true love? Was Jack potentially her perfect mate? How did one know?

  Mrs. Bernbaum seemed convinced she would know, but truly, while Claire had had relationships over the years, none had lasted. No one had seemed to be the one. And while sometimes her feelings for Jack had seemed disturbingly intense, so far they couldn’t seem to get connected for longer than a week or two at a time. That didn’t bode well for developing a lasting relationship.

  And of course his work was a real obstacle. While he didn’t elaborate on it, she knew it was frequently a life and death situation for him. That’s what really worried her when she didn’t hear from him. The world had gone crazy and Jack was certain to be right in the middle of it.

  “Good evening. I’m Antonio Marcelous, Dreamy Seas’ maitre d’. I just wanted to make sure you are pleased with your dinner tonight.” The handsome man smiled as his eyes roamed from person to person at their table.

  Claire wondered if anyone besides her and Lucy saw how his eyes lingered hungrily on her friend before moving on to Pearl.

  “My prime rib was wonderful, just the way I like it,” Pearl gushed. Harold nodded his agreement. Everyone else nodded and smiled, murmuring their thanks for his interest.

  Lucy dabbed her napkin to her lips, but not before Claire saw her smile and the sparkle in her eyes.

  “Pedro and Juan will do their utmost to make sure your every meal is just what you want. And please, I hope you will let me know if I can do anything to make your meals special for you. I am here every night and most late evenings you will find me up in the Starlight Lounge. Feel free to look me up.” Now his eyes and smile were directed boldly at Lucy.

  “Wasn’t that nice,” Millie commented as she watched Antonio move through the tables, stopping occasionally to speak to a waiter on his way out.

  “Yes, he has a big job running this operation. I wonder why he singled us out. I didn’t see him stopping at other tables.” Ruth stared after him with a quizzical look on her face.

  “Oh, I’m sure he does, that’s his job after all. We probably didn’t notice,” Pearl said.

  “Or maybe he just recognizes this table has the special people,” Sean added, smiling around the table. “But I think they do a spectacular job. I’ve eaten in some five star restaurants which couldn’t match this dish.” He pointed with his fork to the remains of his duck simmered in cherries and cognac.

  “I’ve noticed the whole crew is very attentive. They all smile a lot and go out of their way to respond if you ask them a question or request anything. I know in their brochure they said they pampered us, but I guess I wasn’t really expecting it.” Millie looked around with a wide smile. “I find I really like it.”

  Pearl nodded her agreement. “That alone is probably worth the fare.”

  “I don’t think so, Pearl.” Harold shook his head emphatically. “But I admit it does make the price more palatable.”

  Harold tested Pedro’s willingness to do anything by ordering two Cherries Jubilees and one chocolate mouse cake when he came to take their desert selections.

  “I can’t believe you’re going to eat all that, Harold.” Pearl was slightly embarrassed.

  “Hell, Pearl, you heard the man. Anything we want. And they never give you enough in one little serving. I like Cherries Jubilee. I know one wouldn’t be enough.”

  Ian nodded. “I’m with you, Harold. I would have ordered two, but I’m planning to check out the midnight buffet tonight.”

  Ruth groaned. “I can’t think of eating anything more. I’m stuffed.”

  Claire just spooned some of the cherries and cream into her mouth, rolling it over on her tongue before finally swallowing it. It was the perfect end to a wonderful meal. She was glad she selected the halibut instead of one of the heavier entries like the Prime Rib, duck or veal. She remembered all of her customers’ complaints about gaining weight on their cruises. She had made up her mind she would have to make wise selections or spend a good deal of time every day at the gym. And she was pleased to see every meal had low calorie, low fat selections available.

  “What are you planning tonight?” she asked Lucy.

  “I think I’ll go to the show with you all. Then maybe I’ll drop in at the Starlight Lounge for a while.”

  “Why am I not surprised?”

  “Why don’t you come?” Lucy urged her friend, determined to see she got the most fun out of her investment in the cruise. “Ruth and Millie should come too. You never know who will show up. And they have two dance hosts on board who are very good dancers, so you can dance with no strings attached. That’s perfect for Ruth’s pledge of no romance.”

  There was a sudden flurry as people started to get up from the table.

  “Claire, if you walk me back to my cabin, I’ll show you my Cartier watch.” Mrs. Bernbaum’s anxious expression belied her casual request.

  “Auntie, Claire probably has plans. I’ll walk you back and make sure you’re settled. No problem.” Richard Walmer seemed horrified at the thought his Aunt was going to impose on Claire.

  “No problem, Richard. I’d be glad to walk with her. And I’d like to see her watch and compare it to mine.” Claire w
as just glad Dr. Walmer had finally unbent enough at dinner to insist they all call him Richard rather than the formal title or the name his aunt used. “Don’t worry, Mom will save me a seat and I’ll be there in plenty of time to see the show,” she assured him moving to Mrs. Bernbaum’s side and letting her clutch her arm.

  Mrs. Bernbaum smiled with gratitude and as they walked slowly through the tables she whispered, “Thank you, dear. I don’t like to impose on Dickie too much. Escorting an old woman can get rather boring for a young man.”

  “You? Boring? Never, Mrs. Bernbaum! But I really don’t think you need to worry as it’s obvious Richard dotes on you and is pleased to be your escort.”

  Mrs. Bernbaum nodded happily at Claire’s words, clutching her arm even tighter as they maneuvered down the slightly swaying corridor to her room. Claire knocked on the door and nodded cordially to Anita, who answered.

  Anita’s expression was still sour and her face was even a deeper shade of green indicating her discomfort with the sway of the ship had not ceased. She pointedly looked at her watch conveying her disapproval of the late hour.

  “Anita, quit being a pill and get my jewelry case out of the safe, will you?”

  Anita grudgingly left while Mrs. Bernbaum settled on the couch, patting the seat beside her for Claire to sit. The jewelry case was rather large and when Anita opened it, Claire almost gasped at the glimpse of the glitter inside.

  Mrs. Bernbaum quickly retrieved a watch and handed it to Claire.

  It was beautiful. It was platinum, the mesh band and the watch itself was crusted with diamonds in an art nouveau style. Claire laid it across her wrist just above her own watch.

  “Mrs. Bernbaum, it’s beautiful. And there is a resemblance. I hadn’t realized.”

  “My Nate gave me many jewels. Unfortunately I had to sell all of them.” The shadow in her eyes told Claire how painful that must have been. Then realizing she had confused Claire, she continued, “That’s a long story. I’ll tell you sometime as it has to do with this cruise to Alaska. But for now, rest assured that dear Bernie managed to find all the pieces and purchase them back for me. He was such a dear sweet man. I was so lucky to be loved by him. I wish I could have loved him the way he deserved. But I did my best and he knew it. It was enough for him.” She sighed, handing the box back to Anita.

  “You run along now dear, thank you so much for humoring an old lady. Your mother will be holding your seat for you and I believe there will be dancing later.

  “When I was younger I would have been out there dancing until dawn every night.”

  “Instead of eating until midnight,” was Anita’s dour comment.

  “Oh Anita, it’s not midnight. This is a very fashionable hour.” Mrs. Bernbaum shook her head. “I had to be very firm with Dickie and Anita on the first night. They had scheduled us for the early sitting. But I refused. It caused quite a stir, but I got my way.”

  Anita’s expression only darkened. “You keep up this schedule and I’m telling you even those shots won’t keep you going. You know I’m right,” she said ominously.

  Mrs. Bernbaum shrugged. “Everyone has to go someday. I’m on my way to Skagway and you thought it was impossible. If I listened to you I’d be wrapped in a blanket like a mummy, sipping tea in my bedroom instead of dining with interesting people on the high seas.” She shook her head in disgust. “Anita, I’m telling you to lighten up. I’m doing what I want to do. If I get overly tired I’ll take to my bed for a while.”

  She looked at Claire. “You have to excuse Anita. She can’t get used to the sway. Dickie has given her some pills, but she hates the motion and it sours her whole attitude.”

  “People should keep their feet on solid ground where they were meant to be. If God had wanted us to traverse the water he would have given us fins,” Anita grumbled as she took the jewelry case back to the safe set in the cabinet which housed the tiny refrigerator.

  Claire took the opportunity to leave, heading back to the theatre, leaving Mrs. Bernbaum and Anita to continue to spar about Mrs. Bernbaum’s schedule.

  * * *

  He knocked softly after looking both ways in the corridor and being sure no one was there to see him. “Kim, Kim, are you there? Let me in.” His voice was low lest it carry to neighboring cabins.

  When the door opened she pulled him quickly into the narrow hall, closing the door with one hand while the other twined around his neck, pulling his head down for a deep kiss.

  “It’s about time. I’m tired of waiting here in this cramped cabin. I thought you weren’t coming.”

  “I know, you’ve been very patient, but don’t worry you’ll get your reward.” He leaned down for another kiss and then turned and led her into the interior of the cabin. He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her onto his lap. “So how did your day go?”

  She grinned at him. “I made contact. She was up at the buffet, just like you said. I asked if I could share her table. I think it’s going to work.

  “She’s so sick she could hardly eat anything. She had crackers and tea, but I urged her to eat potato chips. I told her my steward gave them to me when I was feeling out of sorts yesterday and it perked me right up.” She laughed wickedly. “We’ll see how that adds to her misery.”

  “Careful, careful you don’t want to alienate her.” He looked at her doubtfully. With her perfect makeup and stunning figure, Kim was the complete opposite of her target.

  “Don’t worry. I didn’t look like this at dinner. I didn’t wear any makeup and I wore that jogging outfit I brought. With my hair in a pony I could have been her sister. And she thinks I’m working, just like she is. I tell you, we bonded.”

  “What did you tell her you did?”

  “I’m an administrative assistant to a businessman who can’t leave his work behind,” she said proudly. Then she sobered. “Look, are you sure we need to go through with this? I mean isn’t there another way?”

  “Hey, don’t get cold feet now.” He nibbled on her neck. “It’s not like I want to do this, but we have to get her out of the way, or it just won’t work. I can’t think of anything else. Can you?”

  He paused a moment looking into Kim’s eyes. “The real question is will you be able to go through with it? Can you do it?”

  Her face took on a hard look, and she nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ll do my part. I just wanted to make sure this was the only viable solution.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Claire gamely followed Lucy through the driving rain, hurrying down the path away from the entry gates of Butchart Gardens. They had left the ship with only one umbrella to share, but found bins of them waiting for visitors to borrow at the gate to the gardens. So now they each had one. That helped keep the rain off, although the little packets containing lightweight rain ponchos they picked up on the ship did a better job of keeping them dry. Claire couldn’t help but wish the Gardens had also offered galoshes to their visitors, because it was obvious they would have very wet feet soon.

  The path led slightly downhill to the Visitor Center, the Gift Shop and the Coffee Shop. Because they were early, and because of the rain, there weren’t many people around yet. Their taxi driver told them they would probably have about an hour before the tour buses arrived carrying passengers from the three cruise ships docked in Victoria today. Lucy was determined to make the most of their time while the gardens were fairly deserted.

  “Come on, Claire,” she urged. “We can check out the shops later and for sure we’ll stop at the Plant Identification Center before we leave.” She headed out of the little square past the statue of Tacca, the Butchart Boar, whose nose had been rubbed copper-penny-shiny by countless visitors who craved a little luck.

  Claire was content to let Lucy lead the way. Lucy had been thrilled when she first heard the ship would dock in Victoria, thus allowing her to visit the famous gardens. She refused to be deterred by the dank dark day when they woke this morning, though truthfully, in their windowless cabin in the lower level
they really didn’t know how dismal the day was until they met Millie and Ruth for breakfast. Still, Lucy would not let the weather interfere with their plans.

  Not so for Millie and Ruth, who had both decided to stay on board ship and enjoy the activities scheduled. They couldn’t be convinced the gardens would be worth braving the cold rain.

  “You two go. We’ll meet you at the Empress at three for tea. That’s enough adventure for me, thank you very much.”

  Ruth nodded, for once in full agreement with Millie’s caution. “We’ve lasted this long without seeing the gardens, we can live another few years, I’m sure. And who knows, maybe we’ll drive up to Victoria some day and see them.”

  Since they wouldn’t change their minds, it left only Claire and Lucy to negotiate with the taxi driver and set out for the gardens. Somehow the rain, instead of dampening their enthusiasm, only heightened it. Claire had had many special adventures in the rain. She smiled to herself remembering the violent storm she survived with Jack at the Korean War Memorial in Washington D.C. last year. Of course it had been frightening, but it had also been romantic and exciting.

  Victoria was a lovely town. Even the rain couldn’t disguise its charm. The majestic parliament buildings were impressive. The streets of Victorian houses, bed and breakfasts and little cottages were picturesque. And when the taxi took to the highway, they found it was lined on each side with roses, blooming in every color. The taxi dropped them at the gardens’ gate very shortly after it opened, and the driver promised to be waiting there for them when they returned, no matter when that was.

  “Oooh,” Claire couldn’t help exclaiming when they reached the bower filled with hanging baskets spilling over with colorful blooms. “This is gorgeous. What are these flowers? I recognize the fuchsias of course, but these yellow, orange and red ones don’t even look real, do they?”