Fearless. Fern Michaels

laugh. Mandy told her she’d probably gain five pounds on this cruise. So far, she had only eaten the eggs and avocados and a couple of bites of fruit. He didn’t need to know that. “I’m afraid I spent my time on the balcony, relaxing and drinking coffee from that super fancy espresso machine in my cabin.”

      “You’re staying in one of those rooms?”

      Anna was sure she heard a note of criticism in his voice. “Lucky me,” she replied again.

      “I guess so,” he replied. “I’m on a lower deck.” He stopped as if considering his next words. “I was told there wasn’t anything available on the upper deck, though I admit this was a last-minute trip. A birthday gift from my coworkers.”

      “Nice gift, and happy birthday,” she said, then took a sip of her ginger ale. “My cabin is more like an apartment. Really more space than one person needs, but it’s there, and I’ll just rotate the bedrooms at night.” She chuckled. “Keep my cabin stewards on their toes with all the bed changes.”

      “Maybe you’ll show it to me sometime,” he said.

      Anna felt her cheeks flush, her heart quickening. Unsure what to say, again, she took her mother’s advice again and said nothing.

      He stared at her, his royal blue eyes darkening as he held her gaze. “I’ve done it again,” he said, breaking the uncomfortable silence. “It’s been a very long while since I’ve done . . . this.” He placed a hand on his chest, then held it out in her direction. “I’ll leave you alone, now.”

      When he pushed out his chair, preparing to leave, Anna spoke, “No, don’t. I understand what you’re trying to say. I’m in the same boat.” She shook her head. “Not sure if that pun was intended, but don’t leave. Stay. Have dinner with me,” she added, hoping she didn’t sound desperate. She didn’t want to be alone then. She suddenly didn’t feel well but kept quiet.

      “If I put my foot in my mouth again, please give me a good kick under the table. As I said, it’s been a while.”

      Part of her liked the fact he hadn’t been on the dating scene, had been busy caring for his children instead. Without knowing the circumstances in which he became a single parent, from her own experience, it wasn’t easy being both mother and father. This was why they had singles cruises—it wasn’t easy to put oneself out there, especially when you’re a certain age. “It’s fine,” she said.

      Once again, Donal returned to the table. The dining room had started to fill up, the din of voices serving as a reminder that there were others Donal had to serve.

      “Are you all ready to order?” he asked.

      “I’m going with the poached salmon and the spinach-mango salad,” Anna said slowly. That was light and healthy. She wasn’t sure how much more food her stomach would handle as she’d only had a few bites of the eggs, avocados, and fruit earlier.

      Donal smiled. “Excellent choice.”

      “I’ll have what she’s having,” Ryan told Donal.

      “Very well,” Donal said.

      “Wasn’t that a line in a movie?” Anna asked as soon as Donal stepped away from the table. She felt dizzy; there was a definite buzz in her head.

      Ryan laughed. “I think so, but the title escapes me.”

      “So, tell me about your children,” Anna said, forcing herself to pay attention.

      He took a sip of his drink and said, “Where to start? Patrick is eighteen going on three, and Renée is a good kid, other than this new boy-crazy phase she’s going through.”

      She didn’t want to pry, but wondered why he compared his son to a three-year-old? Unless he had mental disabilities. But surely a parent wouldn’t be so crass as to make such a comparison? “Kids certainly keep us on our toes, don’t they?” Generic enough, thinking kids were supposed to keep them on their toes. If they didn’t, then something was wrong.

      “I wouldn’t have them any other way,” he agreed, then went on, “though Patrick has been a challenge. But he has a big heart. Sometimes too big.”

      Not wanting to ask what he meant by that statement, she knew that if she didn’t, it would be too obvious, so she asked in a singsong tone, grinning, “Can anyone ever have too big a heart?” She took another sip of her ginger ale. She was so thirsty. And tired. But she had promised Mandy she’d mingle.

      “No, you’re right. Patrick is testing the waters and, at times, does things without thinking of the consequences.”

      Anna found herself nodding. “As do most teenagers, according to what I hear. I’m sure my days are coming, but I’ve always told my daughter she can come to me with anything, even if she believes it’s something I’ll disapprove of.”

      He nodded. “Same here. Renée is very open with me. Patrick, as I said, he’s shy and keeps to himself, so it’s tough to get him to say or do much of anything. I’m hoping when he goes to college in the fall, he’ll open up and make new friends. Find himself, I guess.”

      “That is an entirely different world. I’m sure once he gets used to being on his own, he’ll adapt. College life is completely different from high school,” she said, struggling to keep her composure.

      “Don’t I know it. I’m a math professor at Texas Tech,” he said, shaking his head from side to side. “Though I have a different opinion. I spend most of my days with college kids. Some adjust quite well, some don’t. It’s a tough adjustment period for any kid. I’m just hoping Patrick can handle it.”

      “Some young adults need time before starting college. I think it’s called a gap year. Going from high school to college is a big change, especially if they’re attending college in another state.” She took another sip of her ginger ale. “Will he be staying in Texas?”

      Ryan followed her moves, taking a sip from his glass. “Yes, he’s going to Texas Tech, though I’m not sure it’s the right fit for him. It’ll be great for me, financially, but I have reservations.”

      Would he think she was prying if she asked exactly what those reservations were?

      He must’ve read her mind. “Patrick has never been very outgoing; he’s spent most of his teenage years holed up in his room. I’ve sent him to several therapists, yet none have been able to correctly diagnose him with a specific mental or physical disorder. He goes to school, comes home, then we usually don’t see him until breakfast the next day. It’s gotten so bad, I actually put a mini fridge in his room and stocked it with snacks. He’s so thin, it worries me.” Ryan’s blue eyes darkened. “I’m betting this is not what you wanted to hear.”

      “No, it’s fine,” she said. “I don’t mean your situation, just that it’s okay to tell me.”

      Donal returned with their salads, putting a stop to their conversation. “Thank you,” Anna said, then dug into her salad as soon as he stepped away.

      Ryan seemed to mimic her movements. After several bites, he said, “It’s not an easy topic for a first date.”

      Did he think of this as a first date?

      She decided to let that comment slide. Maybe he simply needed someone to discuss his son’s problems with. Being in the public eye, Anna found that it was not uncommon that strangers felt like they knew her and would often reveal personal issues because they felt at ease. She had also had moments when she needed a shoulder to lean on, someone to take over the parenting when Christina’s behavior pushed her to the brink of a nervous breakdown. Fortunately, it didn’t happen all that often, as she was a pretty easygoing kid. Thankful for Mandy’s friendship during those times, she briefly wondered where she’d be without her, as Anna thought of her as family and couldn’t imagine a life that didn’t include her. Then there was Mona and Jeb, housekeeper, gardener, and as close to a mother and father as she had. She’d met them at the diner they owned when she was