“I’ll meet you right here in one hour,” she whispered. “I promise. IknowI can convince my mother to stop this stupid arranged marriage.”
Cam nodded and watched until she was out of sight.
Sighing, feeling at a loss, he looked around the lounge and spotted Axel. He shoved his hands in his pockets and headed in his brother’s direction. He might as well sit in while Director Patmore gave his report. It was either that or run crazed through the ship’s corridors, screaming Ria’s name.
Axel looked relieved to see him, then his face fell. When Cam got close enough, he asked, “Where is…you know?”
He glanced at Director Patmore, who had almost reached them.
“She went to have a talk with her mother.”
“Hello, gentlemen. Good to see you both.” Director Patmore seemed downright jovial.
“How was your trip? Any problems with the volcanic ash along the route?” Axel queried.
Director Patmore glanced at his electronic clipboard briefly and then said, “Excellent. No problems at all, I’m happy to report.”
“Good.”
The ship’s director read the highlights of the ten-day trip from his electronic clipboard while Cam and Axel tried to look interested.
“Sounds like a great trip.” Cam thought Axel did a good job of pretending to sound enthused. The best Cam could manage was not looking hostile, and he was certain his feelings came through anyway. Today was no different. Thankfully, Axel kept working his professional magic with the client. “We’ll get you fueled and ready for your departure. In the meantime, we hope your crew and passengers can enjoy the way station.”
Axel started to move away, but stopped when Patmore made a face.
“Problem?” Axel narrowed his eyes as if daring Patmore to speak.
Patmore looked at his clipboard. “Oh, I’m sorry. Apparently you weren’t notified.”
“Notified?” Axel asked.
“Yes. Our travel plans changed en route.”
“En route?” Axel echoed, shooting Cam a surprised look.
“TheRoyal Caldera Fortewill be departing at midnight tonight, not tomorrow. And if we can leave sooner, that would be best. The passengers have been told to return to the ship no later than eight o’clock.”
“Why the change?” Cam asked.
The director glanced back at the ship as if to assure himself no one important was listening in. “One of our very important guests has made an emergency request to return as soon as possible to Alpha-Prime.”
“Who?” Cam suspected Ria’s mother had raised a fuss. She’d somehow found out about him and Ria and wanted to get home as fast as possible before her golden goose escaped.
Patmore looked aghast. “I’m sorry, but I’m not at liberty to sharethatinformation, gentlemen. Suffice it to say that the request came from a very important guest. As always, the Royal Caldera Cruise Line wants to accommodate our special guests. We shall be leaving in just under twelve hours or sooner, if you can arrange it. Thank you, gentlemen.”
Cam tried not to let his anger at losing precious time with Ria boil over, but knew he’d failed when his brother stared at his clenched fists.
Axel said hurriedly, “We’ll do what we can, Director Patmore, but we may not be able to refuel you until tomorrow morning. We are awaiting a fuel shipment later tonight.” Axel looked down as if bummed about this complication. “If only you had notified us earlier, we might have been able to accommodate you.”
Patmore looked at Axel and then at Cam. “I see.” He examined his clipboard, as if it would give him the proper response. “Well, please do what you can. Perhaps you can expedite the fuel order.”
Axel nodded. “It was already expedited to be on hand to refuel the cruise liner for departure tomorrow night, but I’ll see what we can do. How’d that be?”
Patmore gave a curt nod. “I’d be grateful.” He eyed Cam narrowly, as though this might be his fault, then turned on his heel and marched back toward the ship, possibly to tell his “very important guest” that the ship wouldn’t be able to leave early.
Cam leaned toward Axel once Patmore was out of earshot. “Are you really waiting on a fuel shipment?”
“What do you think?”
