He disappeared behind the desk and soon returned with hot water in a white teapot decorated with the Ortiz Line insignia and a wooden box filled with a wide variety of teas. He poured hot water into a pretty china cup, set it on the table beside her and waited for her to select a tea. “Ah yes, the orange spice is particularly good.”
“Thank you. I’m not used to being waited on so attentively. Please don’t let me distract you from whatever you usually do.”
He closed the box. “I keep the library neat, order new books, and offer suggestions to anyone requesting them. I have plenty of time to read, so in my view, this is the best job on the ship.”
He left her to read, and from the first page she was hooked. She didn’t look up until Maria returned and suggested she might enjoy going to the tearoom for tea. “Is it afternoon already?” She glanced at her watch and discovered it was already past three. She’d brought her cell phone with her but hadn’t heard from Alejandro. She supposed there was nothing to say, or he would have called long before now. Her world had changed so quickly, and if he lost his father, his would too. She’d continue being a loving wife, although that didn’t seem like it would be nearly enough. “All right, tea sounds lovely. I’ll see you tomorrow, Mr. Mendoza.”
“Take your book. You’ll want to read more tonight,” he suggested.
“Do you need my cabin number?”
He walked ahead of them to open the door. “I know who you are, Miss Santillan.”
She thanked him but felt very foolish. Many people recognized her, while a great many didn’t, but his smile had been friendly rather than condescending.
The tearoom was beautifully decorated to look as though it had been plucked from a small town in the English countryside. The furnishings were delicate, all in white and blue, and the air was scented with cinnamon and cloves. Maria rolled her to a small round marble-topped table and said she’d wait for her outside. Ana had just picked up the menu when Linda Suarez appeared.
“Are you all alone?” the psychologist asked. “Where’s that gorgeous husband of yours?”
“He was called away.” He hadn’t warned her not to mention his father’s health crisis to avoid a stock market catastrophe, but she knew better than to provide any such intimate news. Linda would have no idea who Alejandro’s father was, but she still wouldn’t confide in her. “Would you like to join me?”
“Yes, thank you.” Linda’s navy blue slacks and seductively loose navy blue sweater complemented her curvy figure. She sat and rested her arms on the table. “Do you mean ‘called away’ like off the ship?”
“Yes. I’m ordering the little sandwiches. Do you want to order something sweet, and we can share?”
Linda glanced at the narrow menu card. “I’d like the fruit tarts.”
Their waitress’s dark curls were topped with a ruffled cap. “Let me bring you a pot of the lemon zest tea. It will brighten your afternoon.”
“Thank you. I ran around the deck this morning and worked out in the gym, so a few fruit tarts won’t hurt me. How do you manage to stay so slim?”
After questions about her hair, fans always wanted to know how she maintained her weight. “I’m nearly six feet tall, so I burn more calories than most women, and I prefer vegetarian fare.”
“I’ve heard vegetables are the key, but can’t give up bacon. Is your husband going to rejoin you soon?”
“He may.” Ana sat back as the waitress appeared with their order and poured their tea. Linda was too inquisitive for her tastes, and she was sorry she’d have to see her later at dinner. The tea had a definite zing, which she surely needed. She took a bite of a tiny watercress sandwich. “These are good.”
“Everything on board the ship is good,” Linda replied. “I expected the captain to be somewhat older. Not that I’m complaining.”
A woman and her little girl approached their table. “My daughter insists you’re Ana Santillan, but I wasn’t sure.”
Ana smiled at them. “Yes, I am.” She pulled the small notebook from her purse and tore out a page. “I’ll write you an autograph. What’s your name?”
“Julie.” Her eyes grew wide as she watched Ana write. “You’re so pretty. You ought to have dolls like Barbie.”
“Thank you so much. You’re very pretty too.” She waited for the pair to return to their table before taking another bite.
“Does that happen often?” Linda asked.
“Yes, but I don’t mind.”
Linda edged one of her fruit tarts onto Ana’s plate. “Was it difficult to get used to?”
“I’ve modeled most of my life, so it’s what I know.” She took a couple of bites of the fruit tart, and it was so good she finished it. “I didn’t realize how tired I was when I came in. Will you excuse me, Linda? I need to go back to my room.” She rolled her chair to the foyer where Maria met her. Even without looking back, she could feel Linda watching her. When she reached their cabin, she checked her cell phone, but Alejandro hadn’t called. Maybe his father was clinging to life after all.
Gabriel Reyes came to her cabin to escort her to dinner. She’d put on the long black sheath and shawl she’d almost worn for a Goth girl dinner with Alejandro. Tonight, the somber outfit suited her mood perfectly.
“Thank you, but you needn’t come for me yourself, Captain.”