Danielle Steel: Rogue

“Is Arabella coming with you?” “Uh …” He hesitated, which Maxine thought was strange. “Actually, no.”

“That's too bad. I was hoping to meet her. Will she be doing a portrait?”

“I don't know. And to be honest, I don't give a rat's ass. I found her in my bed with a very good-looking Indian guy the night I came home. He had moved in too. I threw her out that night, and I haven't seen her since.”

“Shit, I'm sorry, Blake.” He made light of it, but she knew it must have hurt. She had lasted longer than any of the others. A lot longer. But he seemed to be taking it pretty well.

“Yeah, me too. It was a good run anyway. So I'm free as the breeze again, except for a hundred orphans in Morocco.” He laughed.

“Daphne will be pleased, about Arabella, I mean.”

“I'm sure she will. How is she doing with Charles?” he inquired.

“About the same. I hope the boat trip will help. It will give them time to get to know each other. He's a nice man, he's just very adult.”

“Zellie's baby ought to break him in.” They both laughed at that. “Anyway, have a good time on the boat, Max. The Big Day is coming. Are you scared? No cold feet?” He was curious about it, and wished her well.

“No cold feet. I know I'm doing the right thing. I think he's right for me. I just wish the period of adjustment were a little easier, for everyone.” Trying to join the two factions was stressful for her. Blake didn't envy her.

“I don't think I could do it again,” Blake said honestly. “I think Arabella may have cured me.”

“I hope not. You'll find the right one.” He had changed a lot in the last couple of months. She wondered if he was ready for a grown-up, instead of a toy. You never knew. It could happen. She hoped so for him. It would be nice to see him settle down, and have more time for their children.

“I'll call you on the boat,” he promised, and then hung up.

That night, she and Charles had dinner with her parents. Charles had bought every kind of seasick medicine he could lay his hands on, and was still gritting his teeth about taking a vacation on Blake's boat. He was doing it for Maxine, and admitted to her parents that night that he was not looking forward to it.

“I think you'll enjoy it,” her father said breezily as the two men talked about medical issues, and golf. “It's quite a boat. And you know, he's really a nice guy. Have you met him yet?” Arthur Connors asked his future son-in-law about the last one.

“No, I haven't,” Charles said with a tense look. He was sick of hearing about Blake, from the children, Maxine, and now her father. “I'm not sure I want to. But I don't have much choice in the matter. He's coming to our wedding, and giving the rehearsal dinner.”

“That's just like him,” Arthur laughed. “He's kind of a big kid in a man's body. He was all wrong for Maxine, and a lousy father, but he's a decent guy. Just irresponsible and made way too much money too young. It ruined him. He hasn't done a day's work since, just runs around with fast women and buys houses. I used to call him ‘the rogue.' ”

“That's not the kind of man you want your daughter married to,” Charles said sternly, feeling insecure again. Why did everyone like Blake so goddamn much? It wasn't right, given how irresponsible he was. It wasn't good enough just to have fun and be amusing.

“No, he isn't,” Arthur agreed readily. “I thought that when she married him. He was kind of a wild guy even then, with all kinds of crazy ideas. But he's a lot of fun.” He looked at Charles then and smiled. “It's nice to have her married to a physician finally. I'd say you two are the perfect match.” Charles beamed at that. “How are you doing with the kids?”

“It takes a little time to adjust, never having had any myself.”

“It must be nice for you now,” Arthur beamed, thinking of his grandchildren, whom he was crazy about. “They're great kids.” Charles agreed with him politely, and a few minutes later, they went in to dinner. It was a very pleasant evening, and Charles looked relaxed and happy when they left. He liked her parents, which made Maxine happy too. At least that was one area that was easy for them. He hadn't quite mastered the children yet, and he was jealous of Blake. But he loved Maxine, as he reminded her often. And he even liked her parents. They both knew that the rest would fall into place in time, particularly once Zellie's baby stopped screaming. Hopefully, by the time they got back from the boat.

Chapter 21

Charles, Maxine, and her three children flew directly from New York to Nice. And as they left the house, Jimmy was still screaming.

It was an easy flight. Three of Blake's crew members and the captain were waiting at the Nice airport for them, and took them to the boat in two cars. Charles had no idea what to expect, but was a little surprised by the crisp uniforms, and the professionalism of the crew. This was obviously no ordinary boat. And Blake Williams was no ordinary man. She was called Sweet Dreams, and Maxine didn't tell Charles, but Blake had built the boat for her. And she was a very, very sweet dream. She was a two-hundred-forty-six-foot sailboat, the likes of which Charles had never seen. There was a crew of eighteen on board, and staterooms more beautiful than most houses, or any hotel. There was a fortune in art on the burnished wood walls. The children always had a ball when they were on board. They scampered around her like she was their second home, which in some ways she was.

They were delighted to see the crew, who were equally happy to see them. The crew were trained to meet every imaginable need, and spoil them in every possible way. No request was too menial or too small or ever ignored. It was the only time of the year when Maxine was totally pampered, and could completely relax. The crew entertained the children, and took out the toys at every stop. There were Jet Skis, and tiny sailboats, speedboats, and rafts to pull behind them, and a helipad for when Blake came on board. And there was a fullsize theater to entertain them at night, a fully equipped gym for them to exercise in, and a masseur to give them all massages.

Charles sat on deck looking startled and uncomfortable, as the enormous sailboat left the dock. A stewardess offered him a drink, and another one offered him a massage. He declined both, as he watched Monaco shrink behind them, and they set sail toward Italy. Maxine and the kids were below unpacking and making themselves comfortable. Fortunately, none of them ever got seasick, and on a boat this size, Charles suspected he wouldn't either. He was watching the coast with binoculars when Maxine came upstairs to find him. She was wearing a pink T-shirt and shorts. Charles had already been politely told not to wear shoes on the teak deck. He was sipping a Bloody Mary and smiled at Maxine, as she cuddled up next to him and kissed his neck.

“Are you doing okay?” She looked happy and relaxed, and prettier than he'd ever seen her.

He nodded, with a sheepish smile. “I'm sorry I made such a fuss about coming on the boat. I can see why you love it. Who wouldn't? I just felt odd because it's Blake's. It's a little like stepping into his shoes. He really is a tough act to follow. How am I ever going to impress you after you've had all this?” It was honest of him to say so, and humble, and it touched her. It was nice being on vacation with him, even if it was on Blake's boat. She was with Charles, not with Blake, which was exactly where she wanted to be, and with whom.

“You don't have to impress me that way. You impress me with you. Don't forget, I walked away from all this.”

“People must have thought you were crazy. I do.”

“I wasn't. We weren't right for each other. He was never around. He was a lousy husband. It's not about all this, Charles. And I love him, but he's a flake. He wasn't the right man for me, not in the end anyway.”