Separate Cabins Read Free

husband, believe me, that was heaven!”
    “I’m sure it’s very nice.” Rachel didn’t question that.
    “And the food aboard—it’s an epicurean delight,” Fan declared. “Of course, it isn’t so delightful when you have to lose the five pounds you gained during the cruise.”
    “All your arguments are very sound,” Rachel said, because the pair seemed to be ganging up on her. “But I just have some misgivings about thistrip. That doesn’t mean I’m not going. I’m here and I have my ticket.”
    “Then stop saying things that make it sound like you’re trying to back out at the last minute,” Fan reproved her. “Especially after all I went through last week to make certain you had your ticket. Speaking of that”—a frown flickered across her expression as Fan was distracted by the run of her own thoughts—“I wonder what happened to the ticket they supposedly mailed to you. It’s strange you never received it.”
    “It isn’t so strange,” John disagreed. “Considering how undependable the mail service is these days, it was probably lost.”
    “It was sent to the wrong address,” Rachel said.
    “How do you know that?” Fan looked at her with a frowning interest.
    “I meant to tell you about it before, but with all the last-minute packing and preparations, I simply forgot to mention it.” She began her answer with an explanation of why she hadn’t cleared up the mystery before. “When the cruise line reissued the ticket, it was made out to Mrs. Gardner MacKinley all right, but the address they listed wasn’t mine. Obviously the original one was mailed to that address, which is why I never received it.”
    “That explains it.” John shrugged diffidently. “Sooner or later the missing ticket will be returned to the ship line.”
    “Do you suppose I should contact the Princess Cruises and tell them they have the wrong address listed for Rachel?” Fan asked, ever one to have things neatly in order.
    “It’s hardly necessary since I have my ticket and my pass to get on board.” Rachel didn’t see the need for it.
    There was a lull in the conversation and Rachel sipped at her drink. A car pulled up to the curb to unload its occupants. Three young couples piled out, dragging with them a cooler and a large tray mounded with assorted sandwiches and cheeses—refreshments for their own private bon voyage party. As the luggage was unloaded from the trunk and given to a waiting baggage handler with a cart, it became apparent that only one couple in the group was going on the cruise. The other four had come along to see them off and tour the ship.
    When the car had been emptied, the driver slipped behind the wheel to park it in the lot adjacent to the port terminal while the remaining five waited in front of the terminal entrance. A sleek black limousine swung quietly into the curbside spot the car had vacated and came to a halt. There was an immediate stirring of interest all around.
    Fan leaned closer, murmuring to Rachel, “Who do you suppose is arriving?”
    An answer wasn’t expected for her question, but Rachel’s curiosity was naturally aroused, like everyone else’s. The limousine’s smoked glass was designed to protect the privacy of the passenger, but it also heightened the interest of those wondering who might be inside.
    The trunk latch was remotely released by a panel button. A second later a uniformed chauffeur was stepping out of the limousine and walking aroundthe hood to open the rear passenger door. All eyes focused on the opening, including Rachel’s.
    A man emerged, unfolding his long length with loose-limbed ease. Tall, easily over six feet when he finally straightened to his full height, he was well built, wide shouldered, and slim hipped. A breeze immediately rumpled his hair as if it couldn’t wait to run its fingers through the virile thickness and feel its vital texture. The slanting rays of an afternoon sun caught the desert-tan highlights that streaked his