Page 3 of Captain's Orders
Lindsay's eyebrows shot up. "So we're giving up our privacy for the nanny they forgot to mention?"
"Wait—I hadn't finished," Jordan continued. "Gerald Whitfield will be charged nine thousand dollars for the extra guest. That's the standard fee. Take off a thousand for food andbeverage and that extra fee gets split between the two of you. That's four thousand dollars each on top of your tip."
Dani and Lindsay exchanged a glance and Lindsay's whole demeanor changed. She straightened, eyes widening. "Four thousand? Each?"
"Each."
"Okay. I'll share with the nanny," Lindsay said without hesitation. "Done. Absolutely."
Dani bit back a smile. She'd never seen Lindsay pivot so quickly in her life. "I guess that means I'm with you, then," she said, turning to Jordan.
Jordan studied her. "You're sure? It's five nights. I know it's not ideal."
"It's fine. Really." Dani shrugged, aiming for casual.
"Okay." Jordan nodded. "As long as you're comfortable with the arrangement."
"I am if you are."
Something flickered across Jordan's face, too quick for Dani to read. "Good. Then it's settled. I'll speak to Gerald about the fee. Lindsay, back to the galley—we're behind schedule. Dani, get everyone settled."
2
JORDAN
The pull-out bed was stiff from disuse. In fact, it had never been used as far as Jordan could remember. She tugged at the mechanism, feeling the resistance of the hinges. She'd never had a reason to use it. The cabin was hers, and hers alone, and that was how she preferred it.
The bed finally released with a groan of metal, swinging down and locking into place. It wasn't large—a single, the kind of berth designed for occasional use—but it would do. Jordan tested the mattress with her palm. Firm. Clean. Dani would make her own bed.
Her cabin sat just aft of the bridge on the upper deck, a privilege of rank. It was small by land standards—everything on a yacht was small by land standards—but spacious compared to the cramped quarters the rest of the crew shared below. Her double berth was built into the starboard side, storage beneath. A compact desk was bolted to the port bulkhead, and there was a narrow wardrobe and a chest of drawers.
She also had an en-suite with a shower, a basin with a decent-sized mirror, and a small cabinet for toiletries.
Jordan scanned the cabin, checking if everything was in order for Dani's arrival. Of course it was in order. It was always in order. And besides, Dani had been in this cabin hundreds of times. She was the one who changed the sheets, restocked the towels, wiped down the surfaces. But Dani had never slept here.
Jordan opened the wardrobe to make some space, and pushed that thought aside along with her uniforms. She cleared a shelf for Dani's things. Then, after a moment's hesitation, cleared another. She didn't know how much Dani would bring. She didn't know anything about how Dani lived, really—what she wore to sleep, whether she was tidy or messy in her personal life. Four years of working together, and Jordan realized she knew almost nothing about Dani Ellis beyond the professional.
Her eyes fell on the small shelf above the desk, where two framed photographs sat propped against the bulkhead. Dani had seen them before, of course. Must have dusted them a hundred times.
But now Dani would be sleeping three feet away. Waking up here. And she might ask questions. Should she hide them? Jordan decided to leave the photographs where they were. Moving them now would only draw attention.
A knock at the door.
"Come in."
Dani stepped through the doorway, a duffel bag over one shoulder and a smaller toiletry case in her hand. "Hey. Am I interrupting?"
"No, of course not. This is your cabin too, now." Jordan gestured toward the wardrobe. "I asked Zoe to take over at the helm so I could clear out some space for you. Half the hanging area and two shelves. I wasn't sure how much you'd need."
"That's—thank you. That's more than enough." Dani hovered near the door, duffel bag still on her shoulder. "I don't have much."
"Right."
They stood there for a moment, neither quite sure what to do next.
Dani glanced at the pull-out bed, then back at Jordan. "Must be strange for you. Having someone in your space."
"It's been a while," Jordan said. "Not since the Navy." She gestured toward the bed. "I've pulled it out for you, but I wasn't sure where to find sheets?—"
