All At Sea (Toronto Series #9)

By Heather Wardell

Melissa and Owen met on New Years' Eve and he proposed on Valentine's Day. Now it's March, and they're about to set sail on a two-week Caribbean cruise - and get married on the last day at sea. Though their relationship's moving fast, Melissa's wanted to be married for years and she knows the smart stable Owen is a great catch so she's sure they'll be fine.

At least, she's sure until she meets his brothers on the cruise and discovers she's dated both of them: Austin, the fun-loving flirt whose kisses still haunt her dreams, and Nicholas, the sweet horror movie fan whose lack of ambition upset her in ways she still doesn't understand.

Melissa expected to spend tons of time onboard with her fiancé, but he instead spends nearly his every waking moment in the casino displaying a previously unseen love of gambling. This surprise, and the time she spends with Nicholas and with Austin, makes her question everything she thought she wanted.

Her relationship with Owen was just fine before, but suddenly 'just fine' doesn't seem good enough to keep a marriage alive for a lifetime. Melissa has two weeks to decide: stay with Owen or jump ship.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Heather Wardell
• Release date: Sep 5, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476262635

Heather Wardell

Want a free monthly story and updates about Heather's books? Copy bit.ly/HW-NL into your browser's address bar to sign up.Heather is a natural 1200 wpm speed reader and the author of twenty-two novels. She came to writing after careers as a software developer and elementary school computer teacher and can’t imagine ever leaving it. In her spare time, she reads, swims, walks, lifts weights, crochets, changes her hair colour, and plays drums and clarinet.Generally not all at once.

Book preview

Book Description

Melissa and Owen met on New Years' Eve and he proposed on Valentine's Day. Now it's March, and they're about to set sail on a two-week Caribbean cruise - and get married on the last day at sea. Though their relationship's moving fast, Melissa's wanted to be married for years and she knows the smart stable Owen is a great catch so she's sure they'll be fine.

At least, she's sure until she meets his brothers on the cruise and discovers she's dated both of them: Austin, the fun-loving flirt whose kisses still haunt her dreams, and Nicholas, the sweet horror movie fan whose lack of ambition upset her in ways she still doesn't understand.

Melissa expected to spend tons of time onboard with her fiancé, but he instead spends nearly his every waking moment in the casino displaying a previously unseen love of gambling. This surprise, and the time she spends with Nicholas and with Austin, makes her question everything she thought she wanted.

Her relationship with Owen was just fine before, but suddenly 'just fine' doesn't seem good enough to keep a marriage alive for a lifetime. Melissa has two weeks to decide: stay with Owen or jump ship.

Author's Note

All At Sea is the ninth novel in my Toronto Collection. While the books can be read out of order, this one does include characters from A Life That Fits, so if you haven't read that one yet you might want to pick it up first!

If you'd like to read all of the Toronto books, starting with my free novel Life, Love, and a Polar Bear Tattoo, the Also By Heather Wardell link in the Table of Contents will give you the information you need.

Whether you've read all my books or are just finding me now, thank you so much!

Heather

All At Sea

Chapter One

Hurry up, Mel! Owen shouted over his shoulder.

Stressed beyond endurance by knowing I'd made us so late, I nearly snapped something I'd wanted to say for months. Melissa! Three syllables! But I needed my breath for chasing after him and I knew he thought Mel was a cute nickname, so I kept quiet and ran for the cruise ship terminal.

A uniformed woman standing near the door called to us, We're pulling the gangway in seven minutes. Hurry!

The idea of literally missing the boat gave me an added burst of energy, and despite the weight of my suitcase and backpack and awkward-to-carry dress bag I reached the door right behind Owen. The employees in the empty terminal rushed us through the check-in process, and had us on board with a good thirty seconds to spare.

We stood watching and panting as the gangway began to move away from the ship, and I turned my best puppy-dog eyes on Owen and said, You wouldn't have left me behind, would you?

He grinned at me. Hard to get married without you.

You could find some rich divorcée on the ship.

He laughed. Unless she spent all her time in the casino, I wouldn't. And then she probably wouldn't be rich. Plus I kind of like you.

I gave him a mock pout. Only kind of?

I don't like being late.

My amusement faded. I knew. Oh, how I knew. I told you I was sorry in the taxi. I didn't realize the drive to the port would take so long or I wouldn't have--

He squeezed my hand in his 'stop talking' way. It's okay, we made it. And of course I like you. I love you. I just hope that book is worth what it nearly caused.

I love you too. I patted my backpack where I'd stuffed the book I'd bought. It will be, I think. I've never seen a slower checkout line, though.

That cashier just would not stop talking. He rolled his eyes. "If she'd asked to read every page of the book to you right there in line to make sure it would help you with your writing, or had offered to read your book if you ever get it done, I wouldn't have been surprised. Well, at least we made it. Want to go check out our stateroom?"

For sure.

We headed off, and he pointed out the ship's landmarks since this was his twentieth time on board this particular ship and he knew every corner of it, and I listened and began to relax. Yeah, he called me Mel and he didn't think much of my writing. So what? Mel was part of my name, and since I hadn't done more than toy with my partially finished novel for two years he had no reason to think much of it. The important thing was that in less than two weeks we'd be married. I'd have a smart successful husband, like I'd always wanted.

Mrs. Melissa Reel, I said.

He wrapped an arm around my shoulders. Not yet, but soon. Not soon enough for me, though.

Touched, I snuggled into him even though we were in the hallway and he wasn't much for public displays of affection. Me either. I chuckled. Not that we've exactly been dragging things out.

He drew away and looked at me. So? Why wait when you know it's the right thing to do?

I didn't say we should wait, I said, sighing inside. Somehow he never seemed to understand what I was trying to say. It's just, we met on New Year's Eve and we'll be married March sixteenth. It's fast, that's all.

But we knew it was right.

I know, it's just... I shook my head. Never mind. It doesn't matter.

"It was fast, he said, brushing his fingertips over my cheek. But it's right."

Recognizing and accepting his concession to my statement, something he didn't give me very often, I smiled up at him. No doubt, Mr. Reel. Now, where's this stateroom?

He made a grand waving hand gesture. Right this way, Mrs. Reel-to-be.

We walked on and I wondered how he could possibly think our relationship hadn't been moving faster than the airplane we'd taken from Toronto to Fort Lauderdale.

After we'd met at that New Year's party, where we'd been kissing well before midnight, we'd seen each other nearly every day and then he'd proposed on Valentine's Day with a diamond ring hidden in a box of chocolates.

I'd been shocked when I saw the ring, since I'd never have thought we'd be at that level so soon, but I'd also known there were precious few single men like Owen and so I'd pulled myself together and told him I'd absolutely marry him. Then he'd told me about the cruise his family took every year in March and had suggested we marry in a month so we could have our wedding at sea. Swept up in the romance of it, I hadn't asked any questions about logistics. A mistake.

He stopped before a door and opened it for me. Here we are. Our home for the next two weeks.

Small but perfect. We'd have a gorgeous view of the ocean from our own private balcony, and though there wasn't much unused space in the room it looked cozy and romantic.

Since we'd been rushing around getting ready for the trip we hadn't made love for nearly a week, and once I'd hung up my wedding dress bag I reached for him and murmured, Want to test out the bed?

He pulled me close and kissed me, but as my body began to stir he set me away from him. I'd love to, but we can't. We need to go meet my family in the main lounge.

I tried to smile but it was tough since my stomach was suddenly full of what felt like ice-cold butterflies. His three-times-divorced mother, rich enough to bring her three sons on a yearly luxury cruise and generous enough to add four more people to the trip without batting an eye, sounded awfully intimidating. If she didn't like me, I didn't know what Owen would do.

He wasn't remotely close with his brothers, and hadn't told me anything more than their names and that I'd be meeting them on the ship and he didn't want to influence my opinion of them before I did, but I felt sure he wanted them to approve of me and that didn't help calm my nerves either. At least I had my mom, and my good friend and bridesmaid Wendy, and her boyfriend Mark, on board with me. Otherwise I wouldn't know anyone but Owen.

He didn't seem to notice the effort behind my smile. Let's go.

I reached for my suitcase. Okay. I'll just change. I'd gone with more comfortable clothes for the flight and my outfit seemed too casual compared to his button-down shirt and dress slacks. I'd almost never seen him in jeans, and even when I had they'd been dark blue and pressed to perfection by the dry cleaners.

Don't bother, you look fine, he said. And we need to get going. Mom gets grumpy if she's kept waiting.

I still wanted to change, but I didn't want to bias his mom against me right away. Like mother like son.

He shrugged. We just like to keep moving. No point in wasting time.

I'd never seen him wasting any. He was either working at full capacity or asleep. True.

I'll show you the casino on the way. If you're ever looking for me, I'll be there.

I laughed. Good to know.

On the plane from Toronto he'd mentioned the onboard casino and had asked if I liked gambling. I'd said sure, because I wasn't morally opposed to it or anything, but once we reached the smoke-filled room and I heard the incessant jangling of the slot machines I knew I wouldn't be spending much time there. A little, for his sake, but then we'd have to find other places to hang out.

And here's the lounge. He held the door open for me and I walked into the elegant room feeling like a little kid in my jeans and white cotton sweater.

You should have let me dress up, I muttered to him.

Why? You look fine.

For meeting his family, fine wasn't good enough.

Melissa!

I turned to accept Wendy's hug, relieved both at the interruption and at the sight of her casual capri pants and short-sleeved top which meant I wasn't too under-dressed. Hey. How are you?

Great. She let me go and gave Owen a hug too. Excited?

Of course, he said, then extended his hand to Mark. Nice to see you.

Likewise.

I saw Mom looking out the windows, where to my surprise Fort Lauderdale's coastline was moving smoothly away from us though I hadn't noticed we'd departed, and waved her over. She'd met Owen a few weeks ago at her birthday party, so he didn't have to face meeting anyone new, and she'd adored him because he was solid and stable and reliable, calling him the 'perfect catch' so many times it started to annoy me. No wonder he didn't understand why meeting his relatives made me so nervous.

Determined to get it over with, I said to him, So where's your family?

He scanned the room. Mom's here somewhere, she's never-- oh, there she is.

He led us all to the bar, where a tall thin woman with long startlingly red hair stood chatting with three men. She turned when Owen called her, and her sharply angled glamorous face lit up. Owen, my darling. You made it!

Only just, he said. Mel was shopping.

She laughed and said to the men, I'll see you later, all right? They smiled and left, although they bore similar looks of disappointment at being dismissed, and she looked at Wendy. Lovely to meet you, darling.

Owen cleared his throat and pushed me forward. Actually, Mom...

She recovered quickly. I had a fifty-fifty chance and I guessed wrong. Sorry, Mel. She gave me a hug. How do you like the cruise so far?

It's lovely, Mrs. Reel, I said, trying to seem calm and confident. Thank you so much.

She waved a hand. None of that, please. Just enjoy it, that's all I ask. And I'm not Mrs. Reel any more, thank God. I'm just me. Call me Linda.

Owen introduced my mom and Wendy and Mark, then said, Here's Martin now.

I turned in the direction of his gaze, and stared at the approaching blond man whose gorgeous green eyes still haunted my dreams even now.

He burst out laughing. You have got to be kidding.

Owen looked back and forth between us. You know each other?

I couldn't find any words, but the guy I'd known as Austin stepped in. Oh, yeah. He brushed a careless finger over my cheek, sending shivers through me. We know each other. Well. Very well.

I felt rather than saw Owen shoot me a sharp glance before he said, How?

Isn't it obvious? Austin said. We... spent quality time together, let's say. At least until she decided to make me jealous by... well, never mind that.

He gave me a brilliant smile, which I wasn't able to return. I also wasn't able to look at my fiancé. I couldn't imagine how unhappy he must be at this revelation. He'd made it clear he didn't want to know anything about my past relationships, and now he'd grown up with one of them.

Linda rolled her eyes. Austin, honestly. Is there a girl on the planet you haven't messed with?

God, I hope not, he said. He moved closer to me and added, At least, I hope I haven't missed many as pretty as this one.

It hit me, horribly, that he didn't remember my name.

Name. I turned to Owen, trying not to flinch at the shock and anger in his eyes. I hadn't done anything wrong, to him anyhow. Why do you call him Martin? I managed.

Oh, it's just Owen being silly, Mel, Linda said. When Austin was born Owen was hugely into cars and when he heard the baby's name he thought I was buying an Aston Martin car. He was so disappointed when he found out it was a little brother instead, and since then he's called him Martin. She chuckled. He probably forgot Martin's not his real name.

Of course not. But I figured Mel could call him Martin too. Owen sounded like his voice was clenching its fists. I thought it could be our thing.

That might have been cute. If he'd told me beforehand so I didn't look like an idiot. If it hadn't been Austin.

I'm my own thing. Austin gave me a lewd wink. Then he looked past us, toward the other door. Here's Nicky. Let's hope you didn't date him too, Mel.

I turned to see the new arrival, and as our eyes locked his filled with the same stunned horror I felt. This was even worse than seeing Austin. I couldn't speak, could barely register the glossy blonde girl at his side, couldn't look away from him.

Nicholas. Nobody had never called him anything but Nicholas around me. And yes, I dated him. And I broke his heart.

Chapter Two

I didn't realize at the time that I'd broken his heart, but I'd figured it out not long after we split up. Even if I hadn't it was clear now, because his brown eyes, usually sweet and gentle, were filled with understandable confusion and shock but also darkened by a deep awful pain.

"Look at him. Totally freaked out. You have. Austin burst out laughing. Good God, woman, who haven't you messed around with?"

Nicholas's eyes flicked to Austin, then to Owen on my other side, then back to me.

I saw him understand, realize I was the one marrying his brother at the end of the cruise, and the way his eyes darkened even more made part of me want to scream, No, I won't do it. Don't look like that. But of course I didn't.

Mel, what's going on. Owen's words didn't come out like a question. His voice dropped at the end, like he wasn't sure he wanted the answer.

He probably didn't.

I made myself face him, and saw the reaction I'd expected: suspicion and a rising anger. I... I raised my chin and took a deep breath. I've apparently dated both your brothers.

Austin laughed again but Owen clearly didn't see the humor. Neither did I, for that matter.

Mel, I think we need to speak privately. In our room.

Come on, man, don't make a big deal out of it. Austin gave Owen a punch on the shoulder. It's hilarious. Like some stupid soap opera.

Since Owen had told me just yesterday that he was so glad, after years of girlfriend-related drama, that we had a calm and stable relationship, I didn't think this would help. Sure enough, Owen ignored him. Mel, let's go.

I nodded. We'd have to do this eventually so it might as well be now. Somehow, I found the strength to turn to Linda, but once I got there I had no idea what to say.

Thanks for bringing me on the relationship equivalent of the Titanic?

Sorry for ruining your family vacation?

Please tell me you have no more sons?

Her eyes were sparkling with amusement but she seemed to take pity on me. Mel, you poor girl. Well, off you go, and get this straightened out so you can enjoy the cruise. She looked past me. And Owen, darling, don't be stupid. It's ancient history. Have your little talk then we'll see you at dinner. Where we'll be one big happy family. She narrowed her eyes at him. Emphasis on happy.

Ecstatic, Austin said, through renewed laughter. Orgasmic.

Linda bopped her son smartly on the head. Behave, Austin. Really.

I exchanged a look of pure horror with Wendy, mumbled a goodbye to my mom, and followed Owen out of the lounge and back to our stateroom in silence. He walked faster than I could manage, so I was a few steps behind the whole way, and his stiff back left me in no doubt he was angry.

Once we were in our stateroom with the door closed, what had seemed cozy before now felt stifling and cramped. Owen's fury took up a lot of space.

You lied to me.

I dropped into the desk chair because I doubted he wanted me sitting on the bed next to him. I didn't.

I asked you if you ever cheated on a boyfriend and you said no.

I sighed. I didn't think it counted. He was right there the whole time. It was a Halloween party, everyone drunk and goofy, and he was flirting with every girl there, cuddling and kissing them. I got annoyed and draped myself over one of his friends in front of him to make him jealous. We kissed a couple of times, then Austin came over and...

My cheeks warmed. I could not tell Owen that watching me fool around had driven Austin so wild that we'd had the hottest sex I'd ever experienced, sex I still dreamed about occasionally, on the slide at a playground on the way to my apartment because we couldn't wait another second. Well, he wasn't angry, let's just say. But I didn't like who I'd have to be to keep his interest, so the next day I told him I didn't want to see him acting like that again. He said he'd never change, so we broke up.

When was this?

I did some mental calendar-flipping. Three years ago.

And how long did you date?

About a month.

And you haven't seen him since.

Not until today.

And Nicky?

What about him? I saw his poor sad face in my mind's eye and blinked hard to push the image away. I didn't cheat on him.

Owen rubbed his forehead. You told me you'd only been with five guys. Six, with me.

Which is true.

He shook his head. You want me to believe that me and my brothers make up half your total? I have my doubts.

I stared at him. You think I lied about my number?

No. He squeezed his eyes shut. Yes. I don't know. God, Mel, I hate this.

Not a huge fan myself. If you actually called your brothers by their names I might have clued in.

He glared at me. So now it's my fault?

I sighed. Owen, it's not mine either. I had no way of knowing that the Austin and Nicholas I dated were your Martin and Nicky. You've all got different last names since your mom had three husbands, and you look nothing alike. How could I have known?

I guess you couldn't. He rubbed his forehead again. Oh, hell. I can't get my head around knowing my brothers know you like that. I wanted everything to be calm and orderly. Not like this.

Since he'd told me about his mother's constant choosing and discarding of men, husbands and otherwise, complete with crazy drama queen antics from both sides, and how all that had led him to waiting until he was thirty-five to even think about getting married, I understood. I... I couldn't quite say I was sorry, though. I wanted to, but the words wouldn't come out. Owen, could I have a hug?

He looked at me, and for one awful moment I thought my fiancé was going to refuse. Then he stood and held out his arms. I went into them, relieved, and hugged him hard. Then I could say it. I'm sorry, Owen. I really am.

He kissed the top of my head. Me too. Another kiss. Me too. Look, I need a little time by myself, Mel. I just feel messed up. He released me and checked his watch. It's about three hours until dinner time. I think I'll hit the casino for a bit and meet you there. Okay?

It wasn't, really. I had no idea what to do on my own. But I wasn't surprised he wanted to be alone. He referred to the office in his apartment, where we'd be living after the wedding, as his 'man cave', and though we hadn't been together long he'd retreated in there many times when upset or confused. No access to his cave here, and I didn't want this stupid coincidence to ruin our cruise and our wedding, so I said, Sure. I'll wander around and check the place out.

He tipped my face up and gave me a quick peck on the lips. Good girl. See you later, Mel.

He left, and I picked up the package of information that had been left on our desk. Once I'd read through everything, I hooked my phone and laptop and ereader up to the wireless Internet that Linda had graciously paid for and sent an email to Wendy to see whether she was available to help me cope with this mess.

While I waited for an answer, I sat on the balcony staring vacantly out at the water flowing past the window and toying with the idea of abandoning ship. Realizing that with my luck I'd probably end up splattered across the deck instead of safely in the ocean, I instead fired up my word processor and began scrolling through my novel.

I'd written over seventy thousand words two Novembers ago, only a few weeks after breaking up with Nicholas, and hadn't added a word since. I hadn't asked Owen to read it since it was a pure horror novel and he wasn't into that sort of thing. Wendy, who I'd met three years ago at the horror movie fan club where I'd also met Nicholas, would no doubt have read it for me but I hadn't found the nerve to share it with her.

Besides, it wasn't done. I had my male and female leads, Larry and Lizzie, standing in a wide-open field at midnight, with ominous rustlings in the trees around them that suggested the black smoky monster that had been sucking people's souls from them was all too close, and I had no idea how the book should end.

A few weeks ago I'd been struck by the notion that it would be neat to finish my novel before I got married, and so I'd reread it for the first time. I really liked it, but I still couldn't see its perfect ending.

The book I'd bought, the one that had nearly made us miss the cruise, was about how to end a novel, and I flipped through it now looking for inspiration. I couldn't find any, and the only ending I could imagine at this point was for the smoky monster to turn out to have two sexy brothers and for Lizzie to drop dead of embarrassment, so since Wendy hadn't responded I shut down the computer and decided to go check out the ship alone.

If nothing else, maybe I could find a better place to leap into the sea.

*****

My own level of the ship seemed to be nothing but staterooms so I went up the fancy stairs to the deck above to see what I could find. The pool full of over-excited children was far too loud to be a good place for me to hang out, and the buffet restaurant at the other end of the deck was so empty I felt weird intruding on its quietness.

Feeling like Goldilocks in search of something 'just right', I went up another flight of stairs and found a pool with a more adult but still loudly cheerful crowd, several lounges and restaurants, and eventually the chapel where I'd be married.

Though I wouldn't hang out in there, I wanted to see it, but the arched oak door's ornate handle wouldn't turn so I peered in through the windows at the burgundy velvet seats and rich wood paneling and tried to imagine myself inside. I couldn't quite get my head around it. I'd stand at the front with Owen and be married by the ship's captain, who'd known my fiancé for twenty years and was apparently thrilled to be conducting our ceremony, and then I'd be part of the family.

A shiver ran through me. Part of the family of Nicholas and Austin. I'd heard the phrase 'kissing cousins' before, but I didn't think 'kissing in-laws' had quite the same ring to it. And I hadn't just kissed Owen's brothers. Not by a long shot.

Considering claiming sanctuary?

I jumped and turned to see Austin watching me with a small smile on his lips and a devious glint in his eyes. No. What?

He jerked his head toward the chapel door. Back in the Middle Ages if you hid in a church you couldn't be arrested.

First, nobody's going to arrest me. Second, this isn't the Middle Ages. Third... I couldn't think of anything else. Third, I have to go.

Off to the casino to see Owen?

I took a breath to answer, then stopped. I could see he knew I wasn't. He needs some alone time.

He ran his fingers through his hair. Guy's an idiot. How come he can't see this is funny?

Because it isn't?

Not you too. He moved closer, those intense green eyes locked to mine. It was ages ago. Ancient history, like Mom says. It's just a crazy coincidence. You should be buying lottery tickets if you're not already. And making sure you're not anywhere you can get struck by lightning.

Lightning. That might be