Cruising Toward Love by Christi Barth

Author:Christi Barth [Barth, Christi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-11-14T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Beneath the arching canopy of fichus trees, Peter stroked his mustache with a look of patient concentration. A short, bald man with a belt fastened on top of his considerable beer belly brandished a finger level with Peter’s thick mustache.

“You can’t let a crew member participate on a team. They’ve got an obvious advantage. If you won’t disqualify them, I’ll take it up with the captain. Roberta and I deserve a fair shot!”

Reed didn’t mind falling on the proverbial sword if it would put a stop to the yelling. Hard to believe the guy was so worked up over a couple of unknown prizes.

“Look, I was really no help at all. Ask anyone. Plus, I’ve only been on the ship three weeks. I can’t say I know any more than any of you about these ports.”

“Mr. Johnson, as I’ve explained, the captain himself put Mr. Hunter on Miss Caldwell’s team, at her request. I assure you his knowledge of the ship will in no way give him an advantage in the remaining hunts.” With the speed of a magician, a thin card appeared between Peter’s fingers. “We would like to compensate you for any unpleasant feelings with this voucher for use at all of the Amphitrite’s lounges.”

Roberta Johnson, a bulldozer of a woman with the face and build of an East German wrestler, snatched the card and buried it in the fanny pack riding high on her stomach. “Roger and I’ll let it slide this time. But that team better not win again today, or mark my words, there’ll be hell to pay.” The Johnsons mounted their Segways and rolled to the opposite side of the plaza. As if they believed putting physical distance between themselves and Callie’s team would make a difference.

“Well, that’s all the motivation I need,” quipped Callie, tongue firmly planted in her cheek. “Who’s up for kicking her grumpy butt?”

Reed’s arm twitched, started to rise before his brain kicked into gear and glued it to his side. Instead, the responsible Trident Cruise Lines employee in him rose to the occasion.

“No butt kicking. This is a friendly game. It doesn’t matter who wins or loses as long as we enjoy ourselves along the way.”

Callie winked. “Sure hope they pay you a bundle to spew such crap. Because I’ve never met a man who doesn’t prefer winning to losing.” She spun her Segway in a tight circle, showing off her mastery of the oversized electric scooter.

Reed, on the other hand, could barely stay upright on his. Leaning on his toes to go forward went against every instinct. His machine lurched forward in fits and starts, which pitched him forward against the handles and exacerbated the problem. Odd how out of the twenty passengers in a variety of ages, he and Zoe were the only two who couldn’t get the hang of it.

Unable to steer or slow down, he’d almost crashed into the fountain’s moat four times during their training session. The standard issue helmets weren’t nearly enough.

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