Sandra Orchard - Perilous Waters

His own balcony door slid open and Sam jerked away from the rail as Jake poked out his head. “We’re meeting Mom and Dad in the game room. Okay?”

“Uh, yeah.” Sam’s gaze strayed to the partition between the adjoining balconies. “I—”

Jake flicked his hand in the same direction. “Just knock on their door, why don’t you? And invite them to join us.”

“It’s not what you think. I was just wondering how—”

Jake chuckled and retreated into the room. “Yeah, yeah, save your breath. We’ll see you there.”

Sam took his time securing their balcony door. This case was getting too messed up. He shouldn’t be letting his family think his concern for Jennifer Robbins was personal. Not when the attacks were likely connected to the gallery’s illegal activities.

Or she could be innocent.

Sam yanked open the door to the hall. They weren’t innocent. He’d heard Cass on the wiretap confirm the appointment her uncle had arranged with the gallery owner in Skagway. He shut out the voice that reasoned that that didn’t mean the women were guilty. He was not going to let a beautiful woman derail another case. He’d stick to Jennifer Robbins like a barnacle to a ship’s hull, be a friend but strictly to do the job. Period.

As he lifted his hand to tap on their door, it opened.

“Oh,” Cass exclaimed. “Good morning.”

“Hey, I thought I’d check in on our patient.”

“Thank you.” Cass grabbed his arm and tugged him inside. “I’m going stir-crazy in this tiny room.” She glanced over her shoulder to where Jennifer stood at the balcony door watching the water and lowered her voice. “I couldn’t even get her to go out for breakfast. But when I ordered room service, she was too afraid to eat it. Said someone could’ve poisoned it. I have to get out.” She wore black tights and a tank top and had her hair pulled into a high ponytail.

“You going for a jog around the deck?”

“Zumba class.” She held up the ship’s activity schedule. “It starts in five minutes. Could you please talk Jen into getting out of the room and enjoying the cruise?”

“Sure, you go on. I’ll keep her company.”

As Cass disappeared out the door, Jen turned from the balcony, startling at the sight of him. “How did you get in here?”

His heart kicked at the wobble in her voice. “Your sister let me in. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you.” Even in a bright floral top she looked alarmingly pale. “My family’s in the game room, and I wondered if you’d like to join us.”

“Oh.” Her breath left her in a whoosh. But whatever relief she’d felt at learning his intentions were honorable—at least honorable as far as she knew—was short-lived. “I...I better not.” She stood by the open balcony door, cradling her middle.

He moved toward her but then thought better of it. “Does your stomach hurt? Would you like me to take you to see the doctor?”

She dropped her hands to her sides and shook her head, and then as if she didn’t know what to do, she scraped her thumbnail on the edge of the chair next to her. “I feel fine. Just...a little headache.”

“Are you sure? Cass said you didn’t eat.”

Jen’s gaze dropped to her thumb scraping back and forth. “Cass talks too much.”

“You missed supper, too. You must be hungry,” he said gently. “Eating might help with the headache.”

She scooped an apple from the fruit bowl the steward had left on the desk. She rolled it between her fingers, scrutinizing the surface, then seemingly satisfied, she took a bite. “This is fine. I’m not a big breakfast eater.” She was clearly trying to put on a brave front, but the deep shadows under her eyes and the defeated slump of her shoulders betrayed her. His heart went out to her—went out more than he wanted it to. More than was smart.

He stuffed his hands in his pockets to keep from reaching for hers. “C’mon and hang out with my family today. It’ll take your mind off...last night.”

“I can’t even remember last night.” She blinked rapidly as if staving off tears. “That’s what scares me more than anything. Imagine what could have happened and I wouldn’t have even known.”

Yeah, that’s all he’d been doing all night. “Hey.” Despite his good intentions, he grazed his knuckles along her jawline. “We’ve got your back. Don’t let this creep spoil your holiday, okay?”

Her eyes met his, appreciation brimming in their sparkling ocean depths. “You’re right. Thank you. I’d love to meet the rest of your family.”

Perfect. Maybe this assignment would be a cakewalk after all. If she was willing to hang out with them for the whole cruise and Jake sweet-talked her sister into joining them, he might not have to tail her on their Skagway excursion. She might invite them along.

He led the way to the game room, which was on the same deck as their rooms. Mom, Dad, Jake and Tommy sat near the windows at a large round oak table covered with dominoes.

Mom and Dad rose together and Mom clasped Jen’s hands. “How are you feeling? We’ve been praying for you ever since we learned what happened.”

“Thank you.” Jen blinked again, her bottom lip quivering.

Sam wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “She’s fine, Mom.” The instant the words left his mouth, he wished he’d stayed the instinct to rescue Jen from his mother’s inquisition.

Mom’s gaze skittered from his arm on Jen’s shoulder to his face, and a not-good pleasure lit her eyes.

He resisted the instinct to jerk his arm back to his side.

Dad extended his hand. “Pleased to meet you, Jen. I’m Sam’s dad, Will Steele.” He smiled at Mom as she loosened her hold on Jen. “My wife, Anne.”

Jen’s forehead furrowed. “Steele? I thought...” She turned to Sam. “Didn’t you say your last name was Tate?”

Dad’s mouth flattened into a grim line. His parents knew better than to blow his cover, but the disappointment in Mom’s eyes made him feel lower than dirt. This was supposed to be a special vacation. Not a job. The thought was written all over Mom’s face.

Jake laughed. “He’s always doing that. Doesn’t think a woman will believe him if he tells her he’s Sam Steele.” Jake’s foot pushed a chair into Sam’s gut, letting him know he wasn’t happy about what he’d just done for him.

Oh, yeah, he’d owe his brother big-time for his quick thinking.

Mom and Dad regained their seats, looking relieved by Jake’s save.

Jen laughed. “Are you serious? People tease you about being a hard-boiled detective?”

“That was Sam Spade.” Sam held out a chair for her. “But yeah, it’s happened.” To his parents he said, “Jen and her sister own the Robbins Art Gallery,” hoping they’d assume he’d called himself Tate out of habit. He might do most of his undercover work on the East Coast, but the art world was too small to take chances.

“O-o-h.” Mom patted Jen’s hand. “I’m so sorry about your parents. I remember reading about their accident in the papers. You were much too young to lose them.”

“Yes,” Jen’s voice cracked.

Sam steeled himself against a rush of sympathy he couldn’t afford.

Tommy pressed a picture into her hands of a family waving from a boat with a bright yellow sun shining in the sky. “I drew this for you. To feel better.”

Jennifer looked at the crayon drawing as if it were the most valuable piece of art she’d ever seen. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.” She pulled Tommy into a warm hug.

His nephew beamed under her attention.

Sam bumped his shoulder. “Good job, Bud.”

Tommy slapped the table, sending the dominoes jumping. “Play it again, Sam?”

Jen smothered a giggle with her hand, her eyes twinkling, which got Mom started over Tommy’s unintended Humphrey Bogart impersonation.