Page 12 of Captain's Orders
"Okay," she said. "Good. Let's never mention this again."
8
JORDAN
Jordan was on the bridge, running through the day's route on the chartplotter. Clear weather, easy passage south to Big Major Cay. Nothing that required her full attention, which was a problem, because her brain kept filling the spare capacity with things she'd rather not think about.
This was what she was good at. Numbers. Routes. Variables she could control. Last night was not a variable she could control.
The observation isn't one-directional.What had possessed her to say that? She knew exactly when to keep her mouth shut, but five minutes alone with Dani Ellis and she was handing out confessions like party favors.
A knock on the bridge door pulled her out of it.
"Come in."
"Morning, Captain." Lindsay stepped onto the bridge carrying two takeout cups from the galley. "Do you have a moment?"
"Of course." Jordan gestured to the first mate's chair. "Sit down."
Lindsay handed her one of the cups but she wasn't looking at her, which was unusual. Lindsay always looked at her. She was one of the most direct people Jordan had ever worked with—said what she thought, didn't dress it up, didn't wait for permission.
Something was wrong.
Jordan engaged the autopilot and turned her chair to face Lindsay properly.
Her mind was running scenarios. Lindsay was unhappy. She wanted to leave. She'd had enough of the hours, the cramped quarters, the guests who sent lamb back for tasting like lamb. Jordan couldn't have good crew burning out mid-season. Losing Lindsay would be a serious problem. She was an exceptional chef, and replacing her at this point in the season would be close to impossible.
"Is everything okay?" Jordan asked. "Dani mentioned Sarah's been going completely off-script with the preference sheets, changing the children's meals, altering plans. It must be difficult to manage your prep and get your breaks in on time."
Lindsay waved a hand. "Sarah's a pain, but I've had worse." She paused, then exhaled. "And listen, before I get to the real reason I'm here—I am truly sorry about yesterday. The conversation in the galley. It was unprofessional and I shouldn't have been speculating about you and Dani, especially where anyone could overhear. It won't happen again."
"Thank you. I appreciate that." Jordan cleared her throat, a little uncomfortable at the reminder. "So, what’s on your mind?"
"There's something I need to tell you."
Jordan nodded and waited while Lindsay took a breath.
"You should have received a new charter request by now," she said. "Three nights, next month. For Maddie Raeburn."
The name landed and sat there for a beat while Jordan processed what Lindsay was telling her.
Maddie Raeburn. Their solo guest from a few charters ago—the one who'd booked under her maiden name, the one Jordan had personally signed an extensive NDA for. The world-famous singer widely known as Maddie McDean.
It didn't make sense. How could Lindsay possibly know about that booking? Charter bookings were confidential. High-profile charters were locked down until Jordan briefed the crew, usually the day before departure.
"How do you know about that?" Jordan asked.
Lindsay looked down at her coffee, then up at her. "She told me."
"Who told you?"
"Maddie."
Jordan frowned. "Seriously, Lindsay. Is this some weird joke? Because that's really out of character for you and I'm not in the mood for?—"
"It's not a joke." There was a tension in Lindsay's voice that Jordan didn't hear often. "What I'm about to tell you is in complete confidence. And I know you're going to be upset with me, so I'm asking you now—please don't fire me. I've been putting this off because I didn't know how to say it, but if I wait any longer it's going to be really difficult for us to see each other, and I can't—" She stopped herself. "I just can't let that happen."
"Lindsay." Jordan set her coffee down. "Slow down. I really don't understand what you're telling me. Why would I fire you? And who do you need to see?"
