Never Say Never by Lena Nelson Dooley

Author:Lena Nelson Dooley [Dooley, Lena Nelson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781597890564
Google: HLCeW2AQlcYC
Goodreads: 1716455
Publisher: Barbour Publishing
Published: 2005-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Eight

Gareth quickly closed the door to the cabin and caught up with Charlotte before she reached the lobby that contained the closest bank of elevators. He took her by the shoulders. “You need to calm down. You don’t want to get Chelle, or anyone else, upset.” He crushed her against his chest and rubbed her back. “It’s going to be okay. She’s probably trying to assert her independence. Isn’t that what teenagers do?”

Charlotte sobbed once then pulled back. “You’re right. I just can’t lose her, too.”

He leaned down until his face was even with hers. “You are not going to lose her tonight.” Charlotte was so upset, he decided it would better to get crewmembers to search for Chelle.

After he guided her to the elevator, he punched the button for deck five. They exited the car, and he hurried Charlotte around the Centrum to the Purser’s office. Two staff members manned the front desk, but he didn’t stop to talk to them. He pulled Charlotte around the tall counter and through the doorway behind it. When he reached Doug’s office, he stuck his head in. One of the assistant pursers was on duty.

“Do you know where Doug is?”

The young woman didn’t bat an eye, even though he couldn’t ever remember being in this area of the ship when she was on duty. “He said he planned to watch a movie tonight.”

When they reached the purser’s quarters, Gareth knocked on the door. “Doug, are you decent? I have someone with me.”

“Be there in a minute.” Gareth could barely hear the answer through the well-insulated wall.

Doug finally opened the door while still tucking in his T-shirt. He scanned Gareth’s face, then looked beyond him to Charlotte and pulled the door open wider. “Come in. I had to pick up a little of the clutter before I opened the door.”

Gareth was sure he had. His friend wasn’t a slob, but he also wasn’t Mister Neatnik. “We have a little problem. Can we sit down and talk about it?” Hoping the relaxed atmosphere would calm some of Charlotte’s fears, he guided her to the sofa.

“Can I offer you something to drink?” Doug asked while he clicked off the TV.

“No.” Charlotte’s word was a whisper. She cleared her throat. “No, thank you.”

Doug took a seat on his bed and glanced from one of them to the other. “What’s the problem?”

Gareth answered before Charlotte could. He hoped he could keep everything calmer that way. “Charlotte’s daughter should be in her room, but she isn’t. Can you get two or three of your best people, who can search for her without causing a stir, and send them out?”

“Sure.” Doug went to his desk and pulled a notebook toward him. He picked up his phone and punched three buttons. “Tell Manuel, Aretha, and Reuben that I want to see them. . . .” He turned toward Gareth and covered the mouthpiece. “In your quarters?” When Gareth nodded, he told the person on the other end of the line.

Gareth took Charlotte’s hand in his.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.