Page 12 of Terminal Voyage

"She's being modest," Vanessa said.

"No. It's just not something I want in my life."

"Why is that?" Declan asked with a knitted brow.

"Let's just say some doors shouldn't be opened.”

"Sounds spooky," he mocked, fluttering his hands. "Don't tell me you believe in ghosts and things like that?"

I gave him a flat look. "No. But I do believe there's more to this world than meets the eye.”

"I can't say that I disagree with that." Then he muttered aside again, "But if you get a really good stock tip, you let me know."

"By the looks of things, you’re doing just fine."

Declan grinned. "Let's just say I've been blessed."

"Declan's being modest," Vanessa said, grabbing a magazine from a nearby table. It was one of those business mags.

Declan was on the cover. The teaser read:At 32 billion and counting, Declan Valmont says he’s only getting started.

“He's worked very hard for everything he's accomplished," Vanessa said.

He slung his arm around her. "Well, thank you, babe.”

"It's true. I don't know anybody who works harder than you do."

"Don't listen to her. I'm not all work. I like my fair share of fun. And I promise you, we're going to have a blast. So just relax. Don't worry about a thing. Vanessa told me you've recently been through a traumatic experience. We’re going to do everything we can to make this fun for you.”

I gave her a look.

"Oh, was that supposed to be a secret?” he asked.

I forced a smile. "No. I just need a little time to unwind and get back to myself."

"Well, this is the perfect place to do it. By the time you get back to Coconut Key, you'll feel like a million bucks. You already look like it."

Vanessa smacked his arm playfully. "Hey now!"

"Don't worry, babe. I only have eyes for you.”

She grabbed his cheeks and made a kissy face and baby-talked him. "That's why I love you."

"You guys are disgusting," I said.

"I know, we’re so cute, aren't we?" Vanessa replied.

“I'll have Julie show you to your cabin. Then you can meet us on the sky deck for a cocktail as we set sail."

He waved Julie over and made introductions.

She was a perky blonde with a pixie cut, tawny eyes, and an adorable face with dimples when she smiled. Light on her feet, she moved effortlessly across the deck. She was in just the right place at just the right time. She had learned to anticipate Declan's every desire.

"Julie is our Director of Fun," Declan said. “That's an official title, by the way.”

"Welcome aboard," Julie said. "I'll show you to your cabin and get you situated. If there's anything you need, just let me know. I’ll give you my cell number. Call me anytime, day or night. With the satellite, we've got good connectivity most of the time. Every now and then, comms go down. If youcan't get in touch with me, I’m usually putting out fires on deck somewhere. Not literally, of course.” She laughed.

I said my goodbyes to Declan and Vanessa and followed Julie into the salon.