Christmas Cruise in July by Marlene Bierworth

Author:Marlene Bierworth [Bierworth, Marlene]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-05-24T05:00:00+00:00

Five Gold Rings

They decorated the room with gold rings – some hanging alone and others bound as a twosome or in loops of fives. The serviettes were a rich yellow hue and sprinkles of gold dust littered the linens around the food dishes in the buffet. Merissa filled her crepe with fruit and rolled it closed then covered it with a yummy whipped topping and drizzled juice from the strawberries over the entire mound. Nothing gold on the menu this morning, that would have carried the theme too far. But she noticed most serving plates on the buffet displayed circles. She laughed at the coincidence of rings, rather an interesting parallel to her decision this morning about putting away her engagement ring forever. She was definitely on the right track, and it felt refreshing. She wondered what the five golden rings symbolized and unconsciously scanned the room for Chad. He’d know.

Merissa’s eyes rested on the man sitting by himself at a window seat. He was deep in thought as he sipped his coffee. His appearance was tidy as always, not overly dressed and never understated. Just perfect. His sandy hair was neatly combed, not short and stubby or long and unruly; Perfect again. His style reflected his strength of character and calm assurance. Today the sun reflected in his eyes and as he caught her staring at him from across the room, they flickered. He motioned with his hand to the vacant chair across from him, and when Merissa moved toward him, he stood to his feet to greet her.

He pulled out the chair, and she sat. “Thank you, sir.”

“Good morning, Merissa. Has anyone told you yet today how gorgeous you are?”

“Always the sass,” Merissa said laughing. “I’m glad to see you are not angry with me – for my disappearing act on the deck.”

“Me angry? I have no right to feel that way even if I wanted to. I pushed you too far. If I’d known…”

“That you were chasing a woman on her honeymoon?”

“Honestly, I didn’t know that part of your story. I would have let you take the lead. I value our new friendship far too much to overstep my boundaries.”

“You, Chad Livingston, are a generous man. On vacation and determined to remain stuck with me must feel like you’re sinking with an anchor tied to your neck.”

“At times. But, it is my fate of choice.” Chad’s eyes pierced hers.

Merissa swallowed hard and met his challenge. “I said goodbye to Kyle this morning. On the stern, in the same spot you kissed me. How bizarre is that?”

“Wonderfully bizarre,” said Chad, a smile playing at the corner of his lips. “I also see the ring is missing. Was it a painful goodbye?”

“It was a long time coming, and I felt the sting of Kyle’s chastisement for taking so long. Did you know you possess the same mischievous twinkle that he had? Am I destined to know men who love to tease?”

“I hope so.”

“Thank you for being my friend these past days.

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