Turnaround at Sea: 1, #2

By Karen Robertson

Grace and Philip Partain plan a cruise to revive their 20-year-old marriage, after Grace's rescue from would-be kidnappers. She is pregnant at forty and wants to invite her new friend (young, pregnant Sadie McClarron), who helped her escape from drug dealers, to live with her and Phil. It all seems doable until Phil disappears, and Grace finds herself alone on the cruise ship. She is terrified and the suspense begins.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BKR PUBLISHING
• Release date: Apr 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201193140

Book preview

PROLOGUE

ALASKAN CRUISE PASSENGER LOST AT SEA

July 28, 1999 - A passenger has been reported missing from a ship headed for Alaska. The cruise ship Grand Iris left port from Seattle July 26. A thorough onboard search proved unsuccessful and has been expanded to the sea. Captain Manrova has given the order to turn the ship around and retrace their course in an effort to find the missing passenger. The Canadian Coast Guard is providing assistance according to the latest report.

CHAPTER 1

Grace struggled to speak through tears that threatened to overflow at any moment. Honestly, Phil. You have no idea what Sadie did for me. She saved me from being beaten, took me to the hospital for stitches, and hid me in her apartment. I owe her my life.

The Partains seldom argued about anything during their twenty years of marriage. The last ten years, they hardly spoke. Phil spent his time seeking his fortune in the real estate business, while Grace taught school and played bridge with her friends. They were like two strangers living in the same house. A childless house.

From the outside, they looked like the perfect couple. Grace always had her blonde hair professionally coifed and wore beautiful St. John knit suits with stylish heels. She thought too many teachers came to school looking like they just rolled out of bed, and she wasn’t about to be one of them. Grace kept gold tennis shoes under her desk at school and changed into them when she took the students out for physical education. Even then she looked prim, proper, and perfect. The children idolized her, whereas many of the teachers were either jealous or thought her ostentatious.

Phil dressed in expensive Armani suits with coordinated ties and looked like a Wall Street attorney. The Partains were the Barbie and Ken to the public in Highland, California, but at home, more like two ships passing in the night . . . until the Turnaround escapade.

Why do you want Sadie to move in with us? Phil sat down on the leather footstool with his knees against Grace’s.  He took her hands in his, obviously prepared to listen.

She could smell the mixture of his cologne and the leather sofa where she sat. His office, with a manly décor, had a dark wood desk, a floor-to-ceiling bookcase, and shelves full of his high school football trophies.

Can’t we just thank her and send her on her way? he asked. Maybe give her some money?

Grace couldn’t restrain her tears a moment longer. She’s pregnant! And because of me, she doesn’t have a job or anyplace to go. Grace knew how loneliness felt. Just a week earlier, she took a turnaround bus to Las Vegas in an effort to escape a dormant marriage and clear her head. When the bus crashed and Grace was assumed missing, her adventure went from a lark to a disaster. She found herself telling one lie after another until she met Sadie McClarron.

Sadie, although much younger, befriended Grace, and together they narrowly escaped being shot for a crime they didn’t commit. When Grace discovered her own pregnancy, they became a sisterhood of two.

Phil’s words pulled her back to the present. Can’t she go home to her parents? I like my nice, quiet, undisturbed household.

Ha! Have you forgotten, we’re going to have a new baby to add to the mix? Our nice, quiet, undisturbed household will never be the same.

Phil seemingly ignored her comment as if he hadn’t heard. I repeat. Couldn’t Sadie go back to her parents?

Grace squelched her desire to scold him for negating her plea and forced herself to stay focused on the bigger issue at hand. Honey, Sadie grew up in Utah in a huge family. Her Mom didn’t have time for her. As a result, Sadie hung out with the wrong crowd, did drugs, and ended up pregnant. Her parents threw her out, and she has nowhere to go.

So why did she take a job serving cocktails in a sleazy casino in Las Vegas? Phil let her hands go and shifted on the footstool, eyebrows furrowed.

Grace inhaled slowly then pushed ahead. She thumbed a ride to Las Vegas, and the casino offered her a job without a lengthy application process. She jumped at the chance to make some money in order to rent an apartment and get out of the hostel. Maybe you should ask me how I ended up there. Her words shifted the blame back to herself, and Grace hung her head in shame and sat back.

Grace, when you took off on that bus trip to Las Vegas, I didn’t give it a second thought. Closing a big real estate deal had my full and undivided attention, and nothing else mattered. But when you went missing, it shook me to the core. I was terrified I might have lost you, and I actually cried. I hadn’t cried since my grandmother died.

Grace put her arms around him. "I wondered if you’d come after me or just let me go. When Madeline hit me across the head with the broom handle, I prayed for you to come. Then I feared you would come, and you’d find out what a mess I was in. When I look back on it, I can’t even believe I did what I did. Conservative, perfectionist me, getting involved with criminals.  My hormones had gone nuts, I guess. I thought menopause had overtaken me, but it was pregnancy that played havoc with my system. I was so confused and anxious."

Phil nodded, his eyes softening as tears formed at their edges. When I found you alive behind that casino, bruised and battered, my heart nearly beat out of my chest. I felt happiness beyond what I could ever imagine. He cleared his throat. Nothing else mattered; I just wanted to bring you home to safety. I never want to let you out of my sight again. Tears fell on his shirt and tie. He took a deep breath.

Grace sat quietly before choking out the words. When you showed up to save me, I felt like Superman had arrived, or the posse or the cavalry. I’m surprised I didn’t hear trumpets announcing your arrival. I couldn’t wait to tell you I was pregnant and that I loved you. The rest of the story is too embarrassing to tell. She reached over and wiped his tears away. You said Sadie could come home with us then. Remember? You actually said it before we even got to the car.

Phil paused before responding. Yes, but I wasn’t thinking clearly, and I didn’t know it would be for any length of time. If you hadn’t come into her life, what was she planning to do about her baby?  Phil folded his arms across his chest in what she knew was an attempt to look relaxed.

A nice guy named Scott came into the casino to tell people about Jesus, she explained. Of course, he got kicked out, but he left some reading material with his contact information. Sadie called him for help, and they became friends. She went to church with him, and their relationship grew. He came to love her so much, he said he’d gladly accept the responsibility of her baby, and they planned to marry.

Well, that’s a nice story, but where is he now, huh? Phil shot her an accusing look and raised one eyebrow.

One night Scott drove some kids home from youth group, and after he delivered them all, a carload of hoodlums chased him down and rammed his van. Grace choked on her sobs as she spoke. When he got out to confront them, they shot and killed him.

Phil took her in his arms. I’m so sorry I fought you on this.  I can see now why you want to help her. Let me think about it.

Grateful, Grace nodded. She helped me realize how my life had gotten off-track. She’s a redheaded angel with fake eyelashes. Her mood lightened, she cocked her head and gave a big smile. Who would have thunk it? She chuckled and gave Phil a peck on the cheek. Let me fix you a scrumptious lunch. She knew she’d won, and it was settled.

Phil took a deep breath. Okay, then. She can move in for a while. If it makes you happy, we can give it a try.

How long is a while? Grace winked then headed for the kitchen to make Phil a delicious lunch to show her gratitude.

We’ll see, he called as she disappeared through the door. But if there are any problems, she’s out.

Grace knew they each had more to say on the subject, but it was settled for now, and the heaviness that had weighed on her heart was gone.

You won’t be sorry, she called back. It’ll be so much fun to have her here. You’ll see. Two pregnant women will really change your life. She giggled as she made her way from the refrigerator to the counter. I hope we can keep the hormones under control. Sadie will definitely add to the laughs. You’ll see.

As Phil joined her in the kitchen, Grace was already thinking about how she couldn’t wait to tell Sadie she’d be living with them . . . indefinitely. She pulled condiments from the refrigerator, put them on the counter, and intercepted Phil as he entered the room. Euphoric, she kissed him and squeezed him tightly.

Trust me on this. With her arms still embracing him, she attempted to dance him around the kitchen, but he resisted stiffly.

AFTER LUNCH, PHIL SAT in bewilderment and pondered the drastic change this new housemate and two babies would bring. He never considered being a parent, because he didn’t have a father figure in his life. His own parents were killed in a car accident when he was just a baby, and his grandmother raised him.  She was loving and kind and supported Phil in every way. 

Through high school, football dominated Phil’s focus, and his grandmother never missed a game. He could hear her voice over the crowd, yelling at the top of her lungs, cheering him on. Two days after graduation, he found her dead in her bed. She must have slipped away during her afternoon nap. The peaceful look on her face made him believe she didn’t suffer and was in a better place. She had wholeheartedly filled in as the only parent he ever knew, and he shed tears at her bedside before he called 911. When the tears were wiped away, he became an adult – alone.

When Grace disappeared in June, Phil desperately searched for several days. He enlisted the help of a private eye, law enforcement, a pastor, and his partner Sheldon Hargrave. When he found Grace alive and discovered her pregnancy, it super-charged his parental spirit, and he could hardly wait for the birth of their first child. He wanted to shower Grace with the joy and intimacy she had always deserved.

But two pregnant women in one house? Phil couldn’t even imagine what to expect from the expectants. He wondered if it would be an adventure or a frightening journey for which he had no preparation or roadmap.

CHAPTER 2

Summer in Southern California could be brutal, and the high temperatures forced the women to work on projects inside the air-conditioned house. Sadie and Grace busied themselves creating a beautiful nursery that would be perfect for two babies.

I’m sure glad you thought of going yellow and green. It looks so fresh and bright. Sadie danced around as she dangled a colorful mobile over her head.

Since we don’t know the gender of these two babies, it makes sense. What if we had two boys and we’d painted the whole room pink? They giggled.

"Like the Johnny Cash song, we might have A Boy Named Sue." Sadie laughed as she flopped down on the floor with the mobile pieces draped over her face like a fluttering hat. She was agile and childlike. At five foot two, she couldn’t reach the light fixture to attach the mobile, but she got up from the floor and held the stepladder for Grace.

As Grace had promised, Sadie surrounded them with fun and brought a new energy to the Partain home. Her pregnancy blossomed, and in the evenings Grace and Phil sat on either side of her as they watched TV, with their hands on her belly so they could oooh and aaah every time they felt the slightest movement. The three of them were in this together now, and it warmed Grace’s heart to see how Phil had joined them in their mutual adventure.

It won’t be long before we’ll have one hand on Sadie’s tummy and one hand on Grace’s, Phil commented with a grin.

Maybe we can put our bellies together and they can communicate. Sadie pulled herself up straighter. Hey, in the Bible, Mary was pregnant and went to see her cousin Elizabeth who was also pregnant. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, her baby leaped inside her. Wow!  I wonder if our babies are trying to communicate from inside. She knocked softly on the top of her belly and said, Hey, in there, is there something you want to tell us? All three of them laughed out loud. 

Sadie, you’re such a clown. Grace enjoyed every bit of Sadie’s silliness. She laughed at everything she said and did.  Phil often shook his head and left the room with a look of despair. Grace figured he didn’t get it or was afraid he might lose his sophisticated composure. She imagined he went in the other room and laughed in secret.

Sadie thanked the Partains over and over for the offer to move in with them. I want to be helpful and not a burden to anyone. I’ve always wanted to be part of a normal family.

I don’t know how normal we are with just Phil and me, but with you and two babies, we’ll sure get a jump on it.

Please let me do the laundry and housekeeping, Sadie begged and fluttered her fake eyelashes. If I’m going to be part of the family, I want to do my share. I need to earn my keep. Please don’t treat me like I’m a guest.

Grace smiled reassuringly. We didn’t invite you to stay with us to be our slave. But when school starts and I go back to work, I’ll accept your offer to help out. Meanwhile we’ll do household chores together. I’m kind of a perfectionist, so you can see how I like chores done. How’s that?

Sadie nodded. That’ll be great because I have a lot to learn. My mom didn’t teach me anything. With eleven kids, we were lucky to get fed and off to school on time. I fell right in the middle, number five. I’m surprised they didn’t name me that. ‘Hey, Number Five, you’ll be sharing a room with Number Three, Four and Six.’ They both laughed.

I can’t imagine eleven kids in one house on a regular basis. Grace chuckled. "Right now I’m just trying to wrap my head around our one plus your one."

It’s not that unusual in Utah . . . I’m just saying.

Grace struggled not to comment. A thought kept coming up, but she thought it best not to mention it . . . yet. She didn’t want to hurt Sadie’s feelings, but when she couldn’t hold it back any longer, she took a deep breath and blurted it out. As for the housework, it’s up to you, but you probably don’t need the fake eyelashes anymore. They may be a little overkill for washing pots and pans and scrubbing floors.

The two women burst into laughter again, and Sadie puckered up her lips pretending she might cry. Her blue eyes sparkled, and her curly red ponytail bounced rhythmically. 

SOON SCHOOL WOULD START, and Grace would return to her fourth graders. She always thought of them as her children, but now she would finally have a child of her own. She was uncertain of the due date, but as close as she could figure, it would be around Christmas.

When Sadie moved in, she brought her collection of ceramic and glass angels, fairly extensive for someone who owned little else but a rocking chair. Finding a place for them was a challenge, which Phil undertook.

What if I build a couple of shelves? Phil hadn’t built anything in years, but Grace was sure he could figure it out.  One could be for the angels with little waists, wispy wings, halos, and fly-away hair. The other shelf for the white clay cherubs or cupid-types with potbellies and wings that are not aerodynamically sound, Phil teased.

Sadie grinned. That sounds great. You may not appreciate them, but you did a pretty good job of sorting them into two categories.

Grace studied the project then turned to Sadie. Tell me more about your angel collection. 

When I first became a Christian and heard about angels who watch over me, I bought some of those cupid-looking ones. The little ceramic ones were pretty cheap. Then Scott gave me one of those pretty glass ones, and I’ve added others when I could afford them.

Grace hesitated. Do you really believe in angels?

Yes, of course. They’re all over in the Bible. But I’ve learned that when they actually appeared, they were men . . . big strong warriors. She wrinkled her nose. Isn’t that funny?  We’ve made them into beautiful women with hourglass figures or little babies with fat bellies and pinchable rear ends! Sadie shrugged, rolled her eyes, and laughed. Her laughter was contagious but Grace felt uncertain about laughing at angels and limited herself to a smile.  Sadie had a tiny little-girl-like frame. Her curly red hair was usually pulled into a ponytail, and her lightly freckled skin appeared almost pink. Grace thought her clothes were colorful but terribly mismatched. Sadie’s observation regarding angels puzzled Grace, and no doubt Phil too, as neither had much Bible knowledge.

You’re so funny, Sadie, Grace observed. Even when you’re being silly, I learn from you.

What do you mean? Sadie wrinkled her forehead in question.

Grace shrugged. Well, I’ve never really thought much about angels, but obviously the Archangel Michael wouldn’t be a woman or a baby with a . . . pinchable rear end. This time they both laughed.

GRACE LEFT TO BUY GROCERIES, and Phil had his first chance to talk to Sadie alone. He was getting used to having her around. I hope you don’t mind if Grace and I leave you here alone for a week in July, he said.

Sadie raised her eyebrows. No problem. What’s up?

He smiled. I want to take Grace on a trip before your due date and before she doesn’t want to be seen in a swimsuit. It’s actually our twentieth anniversary, and we never had a honeymoon. We were young, and I worked non-stop to make a buck, so it just didn’t work out to have one.

A delighted smile spread across Sadie’s face. I think that’s awesome. I can hold down the fort and take care of things. I’ll water the plants, but I’m not sure I can sell any real estate.

We’re taking Sheldon and Marilyn Hargrave on the trip, Phil explained, surprised Sadie would even imagine she should be responsible for selling real estate in their absence. Sheldon is my business partner and best friend. So the real estate business will just have to go on hold until we return.

I was joking! Sadie said emphatically with a grin.

Phil felt his cheeks redden slightly. Why hadn’t he realized the girl was kidding? He often wondered if he and Grace had been too serious about work for too many years. Sadie brought an element of levity they hadn’t experienced for a long time, and it was refreshing.

Okay, I get it. You were kidding. Phil smiled and shook his head. He knew there were other agents in the office who would handle listings and sales while they were away, but he didn’t feel the need to tell Sadie. He was still trying to recover from her joke about selling real estate.

Sadie took on a more serious topic. Is Grace friends with your partner’s wife?

Phil thought carefully. With Grace teaching school and Marilyn’s work as a hairdresser, they didn’t get together much unless we went to a Real Estate event where spouses were welcomed.

So they don’t have much in common.

They both like to shop, but not for the same styles. Grace usually wears suits, and Marilyn likes jeans and T-shirts. Grace likes to play bridge with her girlfriends, and Marilyn is the catcher on a women’s softball team called the Highland Whippers. I coaxed Grace into going to one of her games, but she spent the whole time grading papers until she almost got hit by a foul ball and came home.

Phil thought about the two women and how opposite they were in most ways. Grace, tall, blonde, and slim, worked out in her gym at home, while Marilyn, olive skinned, dark haired, stocky, and muscular went to ball practice every night.

But you and Sheldon? Best buds, huh?

Phil was surprised at Sadie’s curiosity. We played football all four years in high school. I was the quarterback and Sheldon the receiver. His parents didn’t want him to play football and never came to the games, so he was glad to have my grandma cheering for him. We were like brothers, even though he and Marilyn were high school sweethearts and married the week after graduation.

How did he end up in real estate with you?

He worked in construction, and Marilyn went to cosmetology school. They had two kids in the first two years and were struggling to make ends meet when I asked Sheldon to come into the real estate business. We’ve always been a great team until recently.

Sadie persisted. Recently? What happened?

Sheldon’s been edgy and out of sorts lately. He and Marilyn were having problems last summer, and she kicked him out for a short time. Sheldon and I had to draw out a large sum of money from the business when we thought Grace had been kidnapped, so that didn’t help things. Sheldon and Marilyn’s relationship suffered, and then the big real estate deal we’d worked on for months went sour, and things haven’t been the same since.

Even as he explained the situation to Sadie, Phil wondered if this trip with the Hargraves was a good idea. He hoped getting away together was all they needed to reset their brotherly relationship.

PHIL PUT HIS CONCERNS aside, and when he and Grace were alone in the bedroom, he let her know what he was up to. 

Grace, I hope you’re up for it because I want to take you on a beautiful cruise and lavish you with attention. Phil felt like a new person with new direction. His drive to make millions of dollars paled to his desire to show Grace how much he loved her. Soon there would be a baby to add to their circle of love, and he could hardly wait.

Grace threw her arms around Phil’s neck. Oh, thank you, sweetheart! The hot flashes and dizzy spells have passed, and I’m feeling great. A cruise sounds wonderful!

You aren’t worried about getting seasick or anything, are you?  Phil tipped his head to the side.

She