Santa Cruise

by Fern Michaels

  Rachael stood and clapped. “Good thing he wasn’t watching us dispensing the mistletoe.”

  “Indeed,” Nina agreed.

  The musicians returned to the soft Latin and bossa nova music for anyone interested in ending the evening with a dance. Richard whispered in Nina’s ear, “I think they’re playing our song.”

  Knowing they didn’t have a song, Nina appreciated Richard’s joke and accepted the invitation to dance.

  Everyone at the table was sufficiently satiated. It was time to wind it down. The next morning they would be arriving in Cozumel, and they had plenty on their itineraries. Frankie was the first to speak. “Captain, thank you for a most wonderful evening.”

  “The pleasure was mine.” He stood to say good night to his guests. “And please, no more monkeyshines.”

  “We promise,” Rachael said sheepishly.

  “I’ll try to keep them under control,” Peter offered.

  They said their good-nights and made their way to the large double doors of the dining room, through the grand foyer, and onto the elevator. Frankie elbowed Rachael and nodded in the direction of the drooping mistletoe. Huge guffaws filled the car.

  When they got to their staterooms, Frankie gave Rachael a huge hug. “I am so proud of you. That was incredible.”

  “Thanks, honey pie. You know, I wasn’t sure about this trip, but what a difference it’s made. If it weren’t for you, I’d be somewhere in the mountains with Jimmy.”

  “I thought Jimmy was Floyd,” Frankie joked.

  Rachael thought for a moment. “Floyd? Was there a Floyd? So many men, so little time.” She chortled and then hugged Frankie.

  “And Amy. You were masterful with that lighter.” Frankie smiled at her friend.

  “Oh, I’m a real pyromaniac for sure.” She smiled back.

  “It was a great night,” Frankie assured her. “I think Nina might agree, but we’ll have to wait until tomorrow to find out, eh?”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Day 4

  Cozumel, Mexico

  The turquoise waters of Cozumel welcomed the passengers as the ship docked around eight in the morning. They would have until six o’clock to enjoy the activities before departing for the next stop at Belize City.

  Frankie had breakfast delivered to her stateroom at seven while she anxiously waited for an appropriate time to grill Nina about the rest of her evening with Richard. She could hardly contain herself. She couldn’t wait. “OK, girlfriend. Spill.”

  A sleepy Nina answered. “Hey.” Then came a yawn.

  “Must have been quite a night.” Frankie pressed for more information.

  “It was lovely. He is so easy to be with.” She paused. “Do you have coffee in your room?”

  “I do. Come over.”

  Less than a minute later, Nina knocked on Frankie’s door. Both were still in their pajamas. “See, I knew it was a good idea to get our staterooms together.” Frankie ushered Nina in.

  She poured two cups, added some cream, and brought them out to the veranda. Nina carried the basket of baked goods.

  “So?” Frankie peered over her cup.

  “So, I really like him.”

  “Like, really, really like?” Frankie was using the old phrase they would use when they really, really liked someone.

  Nina laughed. “It’s been an awfully long time since I’ve been with a man who acts like an adult, is funny, and loves dogs. And not necessarily in that order.”

  “You’re going to see each other again, I hope, right?”

  “Yes. Dinner tonight. I’m going to go with you to the San Gervasio ruins to see the shrine of Ixchel.”

  Frankie chuckled. “You mean the goddess of love and fertility?”

  Nina laughed out loud. “Since it’s only about thirty minutes away, I thought I should go.”

  “What’s that?” Frankie pointed to a large white envelope Nina had brought to the stateroom with her.

  “The treatment for the show.”

  “From Owen?” Frankie was puzzled.

  “Yes. He’s very anxious for me to read it. He needs a decision ASAP. He e-mailed it to me, and I asked the concierge to have it printed out. It’s only a dozen pages, but it gives me a good idea where it’s going.”

  “What do you think?” Frankie was eager to know.

  “I like it.” Nina smiled brightly.

  “You’re going to take the offer?” Frankie asked hopefully.

  “I do believe I am.” Nina leaned back in the chair and sipped her coffee.

  “That’s all you have to say?” Frankie nudged her.

  “Did you tell Richard?”

  “Not yet. I don’t want to rush anything. It’s only been two days.”

  “But it could be more once you move back. Philly to New York is a quick trip by train, and less than two hours by car.”

  “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” Nina reached for a muffin. “I don’t want him to think I’m stalking him.”

  “Amy and I have the stalking thing covered,” Frankie joked. “Does he know you’ll be moving back?”

  “I mentioned it when he finally realized I was the cute and funny one from Family Blessings. I told him the show was canceled and I was considering returning to work as a writer for a sitcom.”

  “Did he seem enthralled? Interested? Excited?”

  “It was an early conversation. We’ll see how it sits with him when I tell him it’s all systems go.”

  “And when might that be?”

  “I’m not sure. I want this to be a little more organic than contrived.”

  “Well, listen to you.” Frankie grinned. “I have a good feeling about this.” She got up and poured more coffee.

  “From your lips to God’s ears.” Nina raised her cup in a toast.

  “What about New Year’s Eve? Can you believe it’s tomorrow night?”

  “We didn’t discuss it.”

  “There are five parties going on at the same time. Each one has a different theme. Fifties Rock and Roll, Disco, Country Music, Latin, Margaritaville.”

  “We don’t have to go in costume, do we?” Nina asked fretfully.

  “No, silly. They’ll be decorated that way. But I suppose if you want to dress like a cowgirl, no one will object.”

  Nina laughed. “I just happen to have a pair of spurs, hat, and whip in my luggage.”

  “I think I’ll check all of them out,” Frankie said. “The parties start at nine. A half hour at each one should be plenty of revelry. And finish off with the fireworks.”

  “Sounds very revelryish.” Nina nodded. “The others have the same plan?”

  “I haven’t discussed it with them yet.”

  “If I have a date, we’ll set a meet-up point and time. We have to drink that champagne you won. And if I don’t have a date, I will be joining you anyway.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  A vehement knocking at the door started. “Must be Rachael or Amy, or both.” Frankie got up to answer. It was both of them, determined to squeeze information out of Nina. Nina first explained that she was taking the gig as a writer. Her news met with giggles and cheers. She told them how much she enjoyed Richard’s company, but she wasn’t going to rush into thinking anything past the current moment.

  “Get to the nitty-gritty,” Rachael kept pressing. “Did he kiss you?”

  Nina blushed. “Yes, and it was sweet, and no, we didn’t do anything else. We took a walk after dinner, and he kissed me good night.”

  Rachael was bouncing on the bed. “When are you going to see him again?”

  “Dinner tonight.”

  Rachael kept bouncing, chanting, “Nina loves Richard,” as if she were in grammar school.

  “OK, enough out of you.” Nina gave her a sideways look.

  “Fine.” Rachael pouted.

  Frankie addressed the group. “What are your plans for the day?”

  Amy was going to the Secret River to do a wading tour through caverns. Rachael was
taking a chocolate tour. They would all be gone for most of the day.

  “What about dinner?” Amy asked. “We know what Nina is doing.”

  “Let’s try the Cuban restaurant.” Rachael tossed her idea around.

  “Sounds good. I’ll make a reservation. Seven?” Frankie offered. “Ship leaves at six. We should be back by four thirty or five. That will give us time to clean up our acts.”

  “Sounds good,” Amy said. “I wonder how my dad and Marilyn are doing.”

  “I haven’t seen either of them,” Frankie said.

  “Me neither,” Nina added.

  “Maybe I should give him a call. Just to see if he’s having a good time,” Amy said thoughtfully.

  “That would be nice. Just in case he’s not, he can hang out with us.”

  “As if,” Amy barked. “May I use your phone?”

  Frankie handed her the receiver, and Amy asked for his stateroom.

  “Hey, Dad. How’s it going? Are you having a good time?”

  “Amy, sweetheart. I am having a delightful time.” He sounded genuinely happy.

  “Glad to hear it. I figured if you were bored, you could have dinner with us.”

  He cleared his throat. “Thank you, dear, but I have dinner plans.”

  “With?” Amy thought she knew the answer.

  “With Marilyn.”

  “Great.” Amy was truly pleased. “Let us know where you’re going, so we won’t be hovering in the distance.”

  “Right. I don’t want to go through that again.” He laughed.

  “We’re going to the Cuban restaurant, El Libre.”

  “Good. We’re going to the Thai restaurant, Kunya Siam.”

  “Fantastic. What are you doing today?”

  “I haven’t quite decided. I think Marilyn is going to the San Gervasio ruins.”

  “She mentioned she wanted to do that,” Amy replied. “Nina and Frankie are going.” She paused. “Hey, Dad, why don’t we do something together today? Just the two of us. I mean, there can be other people, but this will give us a chance to catch up.”

  “What do you have in mind?” William Blanchard cringed, waiting for an answer.

  “I signed up for an excursion on Rio Secreto. It’s a secret river, hence the name. And it flows through connected underground caverns. But if you’d rather do something less adventurous. . .”

  William interrupted her. “Sweetheart, that sounds very interesting. Do you think it’s too late for me to sign up?”

  “Hang on, let me check.” Amy looked over at Frankie. “Can you call and see if there is room for one more on the cave-tubing trip?”

  Frankie dug out her cell phone and hit the speed-dial key for the ship’s main number. She figured it was a good idea to have it handy. Just in case there were any issues when they were onshore. Frankie spoke quickly and gave Amy a thumbs-up.

  “OK, Dad, they have room. Let’s meet in front of the gangway in a half hour.”

  Amy was elated. “I don’t think I’ve spent more than a couple of hours with my father in a while. I can’t believe he’s going to get into a wet suit, a hard hat, and swimming shoes and go into a cave!”

  “I didn’t hear you mention anything about the attire,” Nina joked. “But, seriously, I think it’s a great idea. And you were feeling guilty about not spending time with him during the holidays,” Nina reminded her.

  “Crazy, eh?” Amy said. “Now I’m going to have to see what my mother has been up to. She’s been very closemouthed about what’s going on in her life.” Amy twitched her nose.

  “Didn’t you say she had dinner with Lloyd Luttrell?” Nina asked.

  “Yes, and she said she had a lovely time. She also said he gave her ‘something to think about.’ Twice.”

  “Did she ever mention why she broke it off with Rusty?” Frankie asked.

  “She said they did not have a meeting of the minds.” Amy shrugged. “I can only guess it was about the prenup, but I never brought it up. And she and I never discussed it. I didn’t want her to think it was some kind of conspiracy.”

  The others laughed. “But it kinda was.” Rachael gave her a wry smile.

  “I’m going to give her a call tomorrow to wish her a Happy New Year. Maybe she’ll divulge her plans to ring in the New Year.”

  “Do you think she might be seeing Lloyd? You know, as in a date kind of thing?” Rachael speculated.

  “It certainly wouldn’t be the worse thing that ever happened.” Amy chuckled.

  Frankie checked her phone for the time. “We better get a move on if we plan on leaving by nine thirty.”

  * * *

  The women dispersed to their staterooms to prepare for the day. Some would get a boxed lunch when they exited the ship, while others would purchase local food.

  As they walked to the gangway, it was as if they were moving in slow motion. Four confident women floating on air in brightly colored fabrics. Straw hats and totes completed their vacation attire. As they glided down the gangway, heads turned in their direction. They were a force to be reckoned with. In a good way.

  Nina and Frankie saw the sign for the San Gervasio tour. Marilyn was already in the queue. Amy noticed the Rio Secreto poster, and Rachael headed for Chocolat.

  * * *

  Nine people piled into several jeeps, which drove quite a few miles on a long dirt road. It was no wonder it was called the Secret River. It was well hidden in the jungle. When they arrived at the staging area, an indigenous shaman performed a short ritual, blessing the participants as they entered what is considered by some a sacred place. After the brief benediction, the members were outfitted in wet suits, hard hats equipped with halo lights, swimming shoes, and life-preserver belts. Then several guides took them on a wading tour through incredible and dramatic crystal caves covered in thousands of stalactites and stalagmites. Amy and her father were awestruck by the geological formations that revealed some of the history of the planet.

  When they returned to the staging area, a sampling of local dishes awaited. Beans, soft tortillas, and plantains.

  It was a wholly immersive experience. Amy was enjoying watching her father’s expressions of amazement throughout the day. He seemed genuinely happy. It reminded her of the time he had brought her to the boardwalk at the Jersey Shore. He was the guide that day, choosing rides they could both enjoy. She was over the moon sharing this new adventure with him. She said a secret prayer of thanks. It was the best Christmas present she could have asked for. Amy made up her mind to make more of an effort to spend time with him. And her mother. She added a PS to her prayer that she was chosen for the position at MIT.

  * * *

  Nina and Frankie sat together on the small bus taking them to the ruins. Marilyn sat behind them. Conversation was pleasant, but Marilyn was not providing them with any information they did not already have. In fact, she didn’t even mention the plans to have dinner with William. Nina and Frankie resisted the urge to eyeball each other. Mind reading would have to do for the duration. They both chuckled, knowing that was what the other was thinking. They always had that ability. A little telepathy.

  After the bumpy thirty-minute ride, they arrived at the site of the ruins. The whitewashed stone structures had been built with stucco, honey, crushed shells, and gum. There was an eeriness to the place. An entire culture had ultimately disappeared. There were still questions as to what had caused the collapse of Mayan civilization. Speculation ranged from overpopulation to deforestation to drought.

  Nina and Frankie noticed that there were over a dozen groups of ten to fifteen people watching a reenactment of a two-thousand-year-old ritual to the moon goddess Ixchen. In addition to being the goddess of love and fertility, she was also responsible for providing water for the crops.

  The performers of the ritual included both children and adults. Approximately twenty-five players moved among the ancient rocks, dancing and swaying to the sounds of flutes and handmade native percussion instruments.

  Accord
ing to legend, even with all her beauty, Ixchen could not get the attention of the one she loved, Kinich Ahau, the sun god. Refusing to be ignored, she took charge and weaved a cloth of vibrant colors, something he could not overlook. Indeed, he did take notice, and they married and produced four children. But Ixchen’s grandfather did not approve and had Ixchen struck by lightning. She lay dead for 183 days while hundreds of dragonflies sung to her until she reawakened, returning to her place with the sun god.

  The performance was moving. Frankie rubbed her arms from the goose bumps. Nina stood silently, staring at the ruined temple. Marilyn moved closer and put her arms around both of them. She whispered, “Let’s hope Ixchen’s determination and blessings rub off on us.”

  Nina and Frankie returned the hug. “Amen to that.”

  “I also wanted to tell you that as much as your skulking was a bit of a surprise, I see how much you look after each other, and I appreciate your looking after me, too.” Marilyn’s sincerity was clear and heartening.

  They spent the next couple of hours on a walking tour of the rest of San Gervasio, followed by the bumpy thirty-minute ride back to the port.

  * * *

  By five thirty, everyone was on board, back from their excursions and tours. Rachael had boxes of chocolates for each of the women. “It’s authentic cacao. I must have eaten a pound already.”

  “I’m sure you’ll dance it off,” Amy proclaimed, as the women huddled in Frankie’s stateroom, gabbing about their adventure. Amy was animated, talking about her day with her father. Nina and Frankie were in subdued moods. Rachael was bouncing on the bed, the chocolate and sugar high still affecting her.

  Nina was planning to have dinner with Richard. Amy, Frankie, and Rachael opted for the Cuban restaurant, El Libre. They planned to make it an early night after finishing dinner. They agreed they were worn out from the day trip, and another was to follow the next day. At six o’clock, the long blast of the horn sounded, and the ship left the dock, leaving Cozumel behind.

  Chapter Twenty

  Day 5

  New Year’s Eve