Page 39 of In the Heir (Westerly Billionaire 1)
Nadine turned back toward the railing. “This trip is not only to celebrate our ten-year wedding anniversary, but it’s also my five-year anniversary of being cancer-free. Josh and I were dating when I was first diagnosed. He married me knowing that and stayed by my side through all of my treatments. I beat it five years ago. They say the longer it’s gone, the less likely it is to come back. I was told I might not be able to have children, though Ethan had other plans. After all the medicine I had taken, we worried he wouldn’t be healthy, but he’s my little miracle baby. I am grateful every single day. Grateful to have Josh, my family, and now a son. Our vow renewals are more about saying thank you than needing to promise forever to each other again.” She covered her eyes with one hand. “It should be enough that my family is here to celebrate this with us, but we had planned our renewal for tomorrow in Grand Turk. The captain announced bad weather might mean that we skip that port. The wedding coordinator doesn’t know if she can get our deposits back from the venue before we arrive in Nassau. We put all of our money into helping our family afford this trip. We can’t swing paying for another place.”
“I’m so sorry,” Alisha said, fighting back tears of her own. Nadine’s story was beautiful and touching at the same time.
Nadine shrugged one shoulder. “It’s not about the venue. It’s just that every other renewal went without a hitch. We never had one fall apart like this one is. It scares me. I know it doesn’t mean anything, but I can’t help but worry that it’s a sign. Maybe I’ve reached the end of my luck.” Her shoulders shook as she wiped away fresh tears.
“It’s not. Things like this happen. They mean nothing. I’m sure the coordinator will figure something out before we reach Nassau. It’s a glitch, that’s all.”
Finding her composure again, the woman smiled sadly. “My head knows that, but I have so much to live for now. I get scared. I’m so sorry to burden you with this. I just don’t want to say this to Josh. He’s been so good to me. There is no reason for me to make a big deal out of not having a venue for the renewal. If I can’t afford another venue, we’ll do something on the ship. Like you said, it means nothing. Right?”
“Right.”
Nadine turned and gently squeezed Alisha’s hand before dropping it. “It’s too bad it didn’t work out. I was going to invite you to it if I saw you. I pointed you out to my cousin Henry, and he thought you were beautiful. He’s single again. Or almost single. I could find out more about his situation if you’re interested.”
“Oh, thank you, but not necessary.”
“He’s a good guy, who would be on his best behavior because his parents are on the trip.”
“Wow, I appreciate the offer, but I met someone.”
Her eyes perked up, and she smiled. “You did? That’s fantastic. And you’re sure he’s not married?”
“I am.”
“Do you know anyone who knows him? Sorry. I worry. I can’t help myself. You said you just broke off an engagement. I don’t want to see anyone take advantage of your fragile state.”
Her concern was genuine, which made it impossible not to like Nadine. “It’s all good. I know him.”
“Oh my God. Imagine the coincidence of that. You come on a cruise by yourself and you meet a single man you know. It was meant to be.”
Feeling a little uncomfortable with where the conversation was going, Alisha said, “I should get going. He’s waiting for me.”
Nadine scanned the area. “Is that him? Oh my, he’s a hottie. Don’t waste another moment with me. I wouldn’t if he were waiting for me.”
Alisha chuckled as her eyes met Brett’s across the open pool area. “He is pretty amazing.”
“Well, get back to him, then.”
Alisha studied Nadine’s expression. “It’s not a sign.”
Nadine smiled, even though her eyes still looked glassy from emotion. “I know. Thank you for stopping to talk to me. I feel better already.”
Giving in to an impulse, Alisha leaned forward and hugged her.
Nadine returned the hug with force, then let go. “If I find a place, do you want an invite?”
Day one, Alisha would have said no, but a vow renewal focused on simply being grateful sounded like a celebration she didn’t want to miss. She told Nadine her room number and said she would love to go.
As soon as Brett saw her walking toward him, he stood and met her halfway. “That looked like an emotional conversation.”
Alisha linked arms with him. “It was. Funny how impressions of people can change when you learn more about them. I thought she was one of those brides who couldn’t let go of their wedding day. Now, more than anything else, I wish there were a way to help her have her vow renewal.”
They fell into step, continuing their walk around the ship. “Tell me about her.”
Alisha told him how she’d met Ethan first. Then Nadine, her husband Josh, Brandi, and a group of their family. She laughed as she recounted her fear that they’d changed her dinner seat to be with them. Then she told Brett what Nadine had said. She was dabbing the tears from her eyes when she finished. “I understand her fear. She can’t control the cancer, and it has the power to take her away from everything she loves.”
Brett stopped and pulled Alisha into his arms. He tucked her beneath his chin and held her. Against her hair, he murmured, “Have I mentioned that I’m filthy rich?”
She raised her head and arched an eyebrow at him.
“Money can be its own burden, but there are perks to having a lot of it. Would you like to get that venue for her? Anonymously, of course.”
“You would do that?”
“No. We would.”
It was right then that Alisha knew that despite what she’d told herself and him, Brett already owned her heart. He was a very complex man, and she loved every new layer she uncovered. Loving him didn’t mean he’d stay with her. Love couldn’t stop whatever was meant to happen. Nadine might face cancer again, although Alisha prayed that if she did, it was only when her son was much, much older. She wasn’t ready yet to articulate her feelings, and she didn’t think he was ready to hear them, so she simply hugged him tighter. “Yes, Brett. Yes, please.”
“Then let’s go find that wedding coordinator.”
Later that night, Brett told Alisha he needed to make a few phone calls before dinner. She went to her room to shower and change, and he took a moment to reflect on the day. He was both pleased with how quickly the coordinator had been able to find a perfect beach location for Nadine, and surprised at how right it felt. Alisha had the potential of being a true partner. He could imagine her talking him into and out of all sorts of escapades. He wouldn’t be able to say no to her because her heart was in the right place. Her caring wasn’t confined to what would also benefit her. Like him, the people she loved would always come first. Even virtual strangers roused her unreserved thoughtf
ulness.
He didn’t want to be slotted into a friendship role when the cruise ended, because he didn’t want their romance to end. Not when they got back. Not ever.
He was a man who trusted his instincts, and they were telling him that Alisha was the one, even though he’d ardently refused the notion that there would be a one. No other woman had stolen his heart the way she had. It was no longer a matter of figuring out how he felt, but what the hell to do now that he knew.
He called the person he knew would be most affected by it. Spencer answered in the impatient tone Brett had expected.
“What do you want, Brett?”
“How are you holding up?”
Spencer angrily expelled a breath. “You didn’t call to see how I’m doing. You want to tell me something. What is it? Is Mom not my biological mother? If so, I have to say I’m not sure I give a shit. And before you tell me not to be angry, put yourself in my fucking shoes. I don’t know who I can trust anymore. Did you know about Mark?”
“I didn’t. I would have told you if I did. You had a right to know.” Spencer’s confusion was understandable. He’d been lied to for a long time. That was another reason Brett knew he needed to hear about Alisha from him. “We need to talk about Alisha.”
“You like her. I know. You told me.”
Brett gripped the phone tighter and plowed forward. “I love her, and I’m reasonably certain she loves me. She’s afraid you’ll be hurt by this. Rachelle is, too. I know you won’t be, not if you remove this from everything else that’s going on. Your engagement was fake. She agreed to it because she wanted to help you. Don’t stand in the way of her having a chance at something real.”
Spencer snorted. “Wouldn’t you like that? Then you can sleep with her guilt-free.”
“I’m serious about her.”
The line was quiet while Spencer processed that. “What does that mean?”
“I don’t know, but I want her by my side while I figure it out.”
“And you want my blessing? You’re not going to get it. I can’t imagine a worse person for her. She’s all about family and you’re—”
