Derek Thompson took the phone off speaker and picked up the receiver. With a motion, he silently excused the three gentlemen in front of him.

“Where are you going?” He pushed a finger between his collar and his neck and took a long drink of ice water as he waited for a reply.

“On a cruise, dear. I left you several messages about it.” His grandmother’s voice held an edge to it.

“Work has been busy.” He assumed her urgent call that couldn’t wait meant she’d been seriously injured and was in a hospital. Not a vacation announcement. He unhinged his jaw. It was only ten in the morning. It was going to be a long day.

She sighed. “Your work is always busy. But anyhow, no matter. I made my own travel arrangements with Amanda. Just finalizing the last few things on the packing list she sent over. She is so helpful.”

Derek wedged the phone between his ear and shoulder, straightened the papers on his glass-top desk, and shoved them back into the folder marked urgent. Rescheduling the strategy meeting Grams interrupted was going to take work. He was booked solid for the next month. Maybe he could squeeze in another hour somewhere. His secretary was creative. She’d magically reschedule a meeting with three others, even when their schedules were as busy as his.

He rubbed his forehead. “Who’s Amanda again? A friend from the foundation?” A long pause followed, and Derek wasn’t sure if she was still on the line. He pulled out a file from his cabinet. “Grams, are you there?”

“The question is, are you?”

“I’m here. Just canceled a meeting, since you said it was absolutely urgent.”

“I’ve left you messages for the last three weeks about my travel plans, and you haven’t listened to a single one. I wanted to make sure you weren’t coming up here next weekend, since I’ve already made other plans. I’ll be in the middle of the Panama Canal.”

“You hate traveling alone.”

“I won’t be alone, dear. Don’t worry. Besides I’m old enough to take care of myself.”

“And your friend from the foundation is going with you?” Derek opened the file and began scanning its contents.

“Actually, I haven’t met Amanda before. She’s a traveling companion,” she said.

He closed the file, struggling to accept what he’d heard. “A what?”

Grams sniffed. “I knew you hadn’t listened to my messages.”

Derek felt the knot in his stomach harden and twist. He hadn’t been avoiding her on purpose. But it was the busy season, and she liked to talk a lot. He was working eighteen hour days and most weekends. He didn’t think it would make a difference, not really. “Sorry, Grams. Tell me what a traveling companion is.”

He swiveled his leather executive chair away from his desk, and faced the view out of his tinted corner windows. The view from the fifty-seventh floor was breathtaking, a full panorama of New York’s Financial District. He rarely looked out anymore to see it, but he knew if he kept his back to the view, he’d be tempted to work through his phone call, and she would see through that.

“I hired her. She’s a traveling companion for those who don’t want to go alone. I’d never heard of it before, but she makes all of the arrangements just like a travel agent, plans the days and the activities, and I can enjoy traveling.”

“You’re paying her to take a vacation?”

“I’m paying her to be my companion. I don’t want to travel to places I’ve never been by myself.”

Derek closed his eyes and inhaled slowly. He clenched the arm of the chair. “You don’t have to pay someone to travel with you. I said we’d take a trip this summer.” Of course, it was already June.

“You’ve said that every year since Stanley died. It’s been six years. I want to travel and go to new places.” Her voice broke on the last word.

He glanced down at his watch, confirming the year. How could it have been six years since he took over his grandfather’s company? It was a short time when compared with his goals, but when he spoke to Grams it always seemed so much longer. He focused on the watch hands. This conversation was going on eleven minutes. He needed to get back to work. “Are you sure she’s not trying to swindle you out of your money?”

“I wasn’t born yesterday. I can handle myself.” Grams laughed. “Maybe she is swindling me, but it sounds like the perfect opportunity to see the world with someone else, without being a burden on my grandson.”

He pushed through, ignoring the last jab. “How much are you paying her?”

She gave the amount, then added, “And of course, I’m covering her airfare and all of the cruise fees and taxes.”

He loosened his tie and unbuttoned his top collar button. “Wait. You’re paying her on top of paying for her trip?” His grandmother was being taken advantage of.

“Yes, dear. But not to worry. I’ll only be gone two weeks, and it’s very unlikely that I’ll be eaten by sharks or anything terrible before I return.”

“Two weeks? When do you leave?” He pinched the bridge of his nose as he swiveled toward his computer monitors and pulled up his calendar. He’d have a headache before lunch today. He didn’t have time for this, but Grams’ lack of judgment in hiring someone to go on a vacation with her—and paying the person’s way—wasn’t something he could stand by on. He didn’t want her being taken by a con artist.

“The day after tomorrow.”

He closed his eyes, rubbing his hand across his face. His partner wouldn’t be happy to hear he’d be unreachable for two weeks. Especially on such short notice. “I’m coming with you.”

* * *

Mandy scrawled two more sketches in her notebook as she sunned herself on the top deck of the International Journey cruise ship. If she pushed herself, she could finish her final sketches to fill the day’s quota before her companion joined her.

A light breeze caught her hair, sending the blonde bob into her eyes. She pushed her aviator sunglasses to her head, holding the stray pieces at bay as she finished another sketch—a quick rendering of the deck with palm trees in the background, and a sun setting.

She didn’t mind doing her freelance graphic design work in Colorado when she was surrounded by her roommates, but her creative juices flowed continually when she was at sea. She took in the view. The ocean beckoned the ship to embark on its journey, but as a priority boarder on the ship, she had another six hours to wait before the horn blasted farewell to the dock.

A shadow crossed her newly pedicured toes. “Amanda Jones?”

She looked up to see a handsome man in a suit standing in her sun. Ah, he must be one of the help desk employees. She had told the desk to look for her mid-ship.

Mandy smiled up at him, extending her hand toward him. “I was expecting Spencer, but no matter. I am trying to figure out my room situation. There seems to be a glitch in the system. We specifically booked outside staterooms with a veranda.”

The man stared down at her with steel-gray eyes. Of the stormy variety.

She didn’t want to pull clout, not on the first day. This wasn’t a hard fix. She closed her sketchbook, fastened the elastic strap around it, and attached her pencil in the holder. “I have my original booking information if you need it.” She shielded her eyes as she met his gaze.

The man’s jaw flexed forward once before he spoke. “No need for your original information. I already have it.” She wished Spencer had come to solve her problem and not this stuffed shirt.

She blew out a breath. “Oh, good. It’s all a misunderstanding. I’m sure you’re aware of my relationship with your cruise line. How soon can you reverse the situation?”

“And why would I want to do that?” His smile gleamed like a shark before its prey. “I’m the one who changed the reservation.”

She blanched up at him. Who was this man, first stealing her sun, then changing her reservation? She glanced to his suit jacket pocket for a name tag, but found none. She returned his hard stare. “And who are you, sir?”

Before he could answer Spencer came behind the man, breathless. “Mandy. There you are. Sorry I was detained. You know how Trina gets the day we leave port. She’s on one today.” He took in the scene with Mandy and the other man, then coughed slightly. “I didn’t realize you were traveling with a younger companion this time.”

Mandy felt the color drain from her inflamed cheeks. She only traveled with female senior citizens. “What? Oh, no, Spencer. I have no idea who this man is.” She waved her fingers in the air dismissively. “I thought he was your assistant for a minute, but now that you’re here, you’ll fix everything. This man claims he has changed my reservation.” There was no need for her to turn on the pouting with Spencer. He’d fix it. He always fixed everything.

Spencer glanced down at some paperwork in his hand. “Derek Thompson, I presume?”

The man to Mandy’s left dipped his chin slightly in acknowledgment.

Mandy didn’t like Spencer’s furrowed brow. Something was off.

Spencer looked at Derek but addressed Mandy. “The good news, my dear, is I can fix this mess, and it won’t cost you. Unfortunately, the original booking is filled now, but I will upgrade your room from the original booking with no additional charge. Your room will be ready at 2:00 p.m.”

2:00? Two hours later than normal. Force yourself to smile, you have extra square footage, and you have a bag of everything you need until then. She cleared her throat. “Spencer, you’re my knight in shining armor. Have I ever told you that before?”

Spencer smiled. “Not on this voyage. Come to my desk at 2:00, and I’ll have your new room cards ready.”

“And my companion?”

“Bring her as well. You’ll be next door to her as originally requested.”

“You’re a knight, Spencer.” She smiled wide, extending her hand toward him.

“I only expect to hear that eighteen more times over the next fourteen days.” Spencer looked away as he heard two short bells ringing. “I need to head back to my post. Let me know if you need anything else.” He hustled toward the staircase, without waiting for Mandy to respond.

“You’re a charmer, I’ll give you that.” The tight lines on Derek’s face said it wasn’t a compliment.

“Spencer is good at fixing things.” She readjusted her position on the lounge chair, but he was still in her sun.

“And you seem to have everyone at your beck and call, but I have you figured out.” His glare left her shivering in the warm June morning.

Ugh. He was really testing her nice patience. She refused to give into the bait. He didn’t know her, and she didn’t feel the need to change that.

“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get back to work.” She angled her body away from him and reopened her sketchbook.

“Planning more schemes to take money from unsuspecting victims?”

“I think you have me confused with someone else.”

“Amanda?” An elderly woman with silvered curly hair approached her.

Mandy smiled. Finally. She ignored Derek and jumped out of her lounge chair, taking the woman’s hands. “Alice. It’s so nice to meet you. Call me Mandy. I have been looking forward to this trip for weeks.” She said the same thing twice a month during the summer to complete strangers, but she meant it sincerely each time. Alice pulled her into a warm hug, just like Mandy knew she would. Mandy felt the air around her thicken with the smell of roses and peppermint.

“Aren’t you just a dear,” Alice said, squeezing Mandy’s arm after the hug.

Mandy loved the warm attention. Much better than being drilled by this Derek person. Now that Alice was here they could find a quiet place to talk, and good riddance to this man. With a ship as large as the International Journey, she was confident this was the last time they’d see each other.

Mandy picked up her sketchbook and pencil and shouldered her bag in one smooth motion. “Perhaps we can find a quiet spot in the shade to go over our plans.” She turned Alice away from Derek, hoping she wasn’t being obvious. The last thing she needed was for Alice to think she was on a cruise to hook up with a guy.

Alice turned back. “Come along Derek, don’t dawdle.”

Mandy spun around, her cheeks heated. “You know each other?”

Alice smiled. “Of course, dear. Derek is my grandson.”

Mandy couldn’t believe her ears. Her grandson. “I had no idea.” She hoped she kept her voice neutral.

Alice huffed. “You said you were coming up here to introduce yourself, Derek. Don’t leave out the key details.”

Derek looked properly chagrined, his face slightly ruddy, but Mandy felt no need to help him.

Suddenly his words to her didn’t feel so random.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alice’s grandson. I’m Mandy Jones.” She extended her hand toward him, noting he flinched when he took her hand.

“Derek Thompson.” His baritone voice seemed more contrite in the presence of Alice.

“Once Derek heard my plans to set sail with a complete stranger as a companion he insisted on coming along.” Alice’s eyes sparkled.

That explains the accusations. Overprotective but aloof and uninterested grandson felt it his obligation to come along to make sure she wasn’t being scammed. The pieces to his small puzzle snapped together. He would get in the way of the job Mandy had to perform this cruise if she wasn’t the picture of civility.

She arched an eyebrow Derek’s way, and he coughed. “Well, that’s not exactly how it happened.”

Alice laughed. “That’s exactly how it happened. He’s worried I’m going to be taken advantage of and is here as my bodyguard.”

Mandy smiled at Alice, relieved the woman was so light-hearted about the accusation. “We haven’t signed the final paperwork. If Derek is accompanying you on this trip, there’s not a reason for me to be your companion.” It was sad to lose a deal on the ship, but she’d survive. Besides, her cruise would still be paid for, regardless of Alice’s companionship.

Alice laughed and squeezed Mandy’s hand. “Oh, you’re not being replaced. Not by a long shot. I am paying you to be my companion for the next two weeks, and I am not changing my mind.”

Mandy knew she’d like Alice. From the moment Mandy read Alice’s profile three months ago, Mandy knew Alice would remind her of her grandma. The smell of roses and peppermint only heightened that reality—Alice even smelled like her grandma. Mandy’s chest constricted around the hole in her heart, still empty, though it had been a decade since her grandma passed away.

“All right, let’s go over the final details.”

* * *

Mandy knew it was a bad idea to ask, “Do you have any questions or concerns?” with Derek present, but it was part of her scripted protocol. She always asked the question before committing her client to sign on the dotted line, even though she had answered most of the questions in their video chats leading up to the vacation.

As it turned out Derek had fifteen minutes of questions ready to fire off at the first opportunity. Inwardly she groaned. This was not what she signed up for. But Alice was an influential client, so perhaps appeasing her grandson was part of the process.

Alice seemed content as they discussed the final details over their lunch buffet. It was a standard contract. Mandy negotiated her two hours a day during waking hours for herself, to be taken at various times based on the schedules. On the clock hours started at 8:00 a.m., and ended at 10:00 p.m. She was paid a daily rate regardless of whether Alice used her services.

Mandy folded the signed document and placed it in an envelope. She’d put it in her room safe once they were allowed to settle in.

Derek’s phone buzzed loudly.

Mandy held her dessert inches from her mouth but stopped short. Was he really going to answer the phone in the middle of their lunch? He picked up, and she allowed the hovering fork into her mouth. At least he won’t have service after today. Who takes calls on a cruise?

“Thompson, here. Yes sir, my secretary will be sending those right over.” Derek stood, removing his napkin from his lap and covering his plate. He muted the phone and spoke to Alice. “I have to take this, but I’ll meet you outside the restaurant when you’re done.”

Alice nodded then eyed Mandy and smiled. “Work is very important to Derek.”

“Apparently. How nice he can take off at a moment’s notice to accompany you on a trip,” Mandy said.

Alice snorted and took a drink of her iced tea before she responded, “This is the first time he has ever taken off at a moment’s notice, or at any notice.”

Mandy chewed slowly, hesitating to speak too quickly as she took in that nugget of information. If Derek never took off work to spend time with Alice, and he was here now, maybe she didn’t need a companion after all. “Alice. I know we just signed the contract, but truly, I don’t want to be in the way of you spending time with your grandson.”

Alice put her hand over the one Mandy rested next to her drink. “Nonsense. I signed up for this, and you aren’t getting out of it. I want you to show me how to enjoy cruising and to be my adventure guide, as I turn over this new leaf in my life. I can’t imagine Derek will be around much anyway.”

Mandy nodded. Here’s hoping Derek decides to do his own thing for the entire cruise.