Like Ships Passing: A New Love

By Cynthia Hickey

A promise.

A shipboard romance.

One transposed number threatens to sink love before it gets started.

With the age of twenty-eight looming ahead and Tatum Jackson still unmarried, she made a vow to enjoy her birthday on a cruise ship bound for Hawaii. She runs into, literally, a handsome man and enjoys a romance movies were made of.

When the cruise ends, she agrees to continue the relationship with Eric Carlson via letters. Then one simple mistake leads Tatum to think it all a lie.

Will fate intervene once again and save these two hearts?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cynthia Hickey
• Release date: Jul 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201246105

Cynthia Hickey

Multi-published and best-selling author, Cynthia Hickey, has taught writing at many conferences and small writing retreats. She and her husband run the publishing press, Winged Publications, which includes some of the CBA's best well-known authors. They live in Arizona and Arkansas, becoming snowbirds with two dogs and one cat. They have ten grandchildren who them busy and tell everyone they know that "Nana is a writer."   

Book preview

Cruise Ship: Its anatomy, facilities and amenities Basic Parts of a Cruise Ship

Bow– front

Stern– extreme rear of the ship

Aft– rear

Port– left side

Starboard– right side

Midship– towards the middle of the ship

Deck– is the equivalent of a story/floor in a building

Embarkation– boarding the ship

Debarkation or Disembarkation– exiting the ship

Bridge– where the vessel is controlled

Galley or Kitchen– where food is prepared

Mechanical Areas – Engine Room

Guests– passengers

Concierge level – an entire deck made up of suites

Stateroom or Cabin– guest’s room

Lido Deck – café

Roominess– the hallways and stairs will be less crowded and there will be more space between tables in the dining room

Purser’s Office– front desk, hotel desk, reception desk or information desk •

berth– bed

Berth– docking space of a ship

Stateroom category– is the price that a certain kind or level of stateroom represents

Pax– industry abbreviation for passenger

CHAPTER 1

This was it. The fulfillment of an old promise to herself. If Tatum Jackson hadn’t found a man to marry before she turned twenty-eight, she’d turn twenty-eight on a cruise ship to Hawaii. Alone. Planning lesson plans for the next school year. That wasn’t part of the old promise, just something that needed doing.

Clutching her quilted bag of books and papers, she rushed up the gangplank as the warning whistle blew. She’d made it. Grinning like a Cheshire cat, she hurried to the deck where the passengers were supposed to gather to hear rules and safety measures. She barreled into a man, her nose smashing into his chest before she stumbled back. She lost her grip on her bag, scattering papers to the high seas before the door could be closed.

Oh, no. She scrambled to her feet and reached for the door handle.

Let me. A strong arm reached around her and pushed open the door. The stranger chased papers one way while Tatum raced in the opposite direction.

Between the two of them, they managed to collect most of the lesson sheets. A few floated on the ocean’s surface for the fishies to read.

Here you go.

Tatum turned and stared up at a man with eyes the shade of dark coffee and hair the color of the wheat back home in Kansas. I’m sorry for running into you like that. I was running late—

He grinned, showing dimples at the corners of his lips. Speaking of late. I hate to cut you off, but we’d best hurry. He handed her the papers and, with his hand on the small of her back, guided her at a more sedate pace into the ship.

Mercy. Good-looking and a gentleman. He was bound to be married. She glanced down to catch a glimpse of a ringless left hand. Didn’t mean a thing. He could have lost it or— Did the man in uniform say something about lifeboats? What did he say about luggage?

The boat started to rock under her feet. She shoved her things back into the bag.

Would you like to stand on deck with me and wave to those not lucky enough to be joining us? Mr. Handsome’s eyes twinkled. I’m Eric Carlson.

Tatum Jackson. I’d love to go out with you. Outside. To wave. Heat rose up her neck. Her face had to be the color of a Gala apple.

He chuckled and crooked his arm. Just until you get your sea legs.

Is it that obvious?

You are stumbling a bit. By the time we come back in, our bags will be in our rooms.

That’s what she’d missed. Thank goodness other people listened during an instructional speech. If Tatum couldn’t concentrate on such things, what must go through her third-grade students’ minds when she was speaking?

They stood at the railing and waved, tossing confetti to those below. Tatum couldn’t believe she’d gone through with taking a cruise alone. Not cowardly Tatum. But when her best friend had practically dared her to go, she’d impulsively bought her ticket. Now, here she was, on her way to Hawaii, with the world’s most handsome man standing next to her.

Once the ship had pulled away from the dock, Eric turned to her. I’d best go unpack. See you at the evening’s meal.

And just like that, he was gone. Tatum sighed and headed for her inside stateroom. The cabin was tiny, with a bed, small two-drawer stand, and a closet-sized bathroom. Still, she was here and headed for paradise. She dropped her bag, shoved the waiting suitcase aside, and plopped onto the narrow bed. Hawaii here she comes.

She popped up and glanced at her watch. She’d fallen asleep. Seriously. Who wanted to take a nap during the day on such a trip? She tossed her suitcase onto the bed and pulled out article of clothing after article of clothing until she found the sunny yellow sleeveless sheath dress she’d purchased for the first night’s dinner.

After a quick shower, a dusting of makeup, and putting her hair up into a French twist, she grabbed the matching yellow clutch and stepped into the hall, pulling her cabin door closed behind her. Finding the dining room was easy. She just followed the other passengers.

An opulent dining room with crystal chandeliers, round tables, and padded chairs gave the illusion of luxury. Tatum squared her shoulders and glanced around for a place to sit. There was an empty seat at Eric’s table. Should she? Just as she decided not to impose, he glanced up, noticed her, and waved her over.

***

Eric glanced up and was almost blinded by sunshine. Tatum looked pretty. Real pretty. He’d hoped he would see her again. He waved her over, ignoring the curious stares of Mr. and Mrs. Westfield, a middle-aged couple from Oklahoma.

Well, she’s a looker, Mr. Westfield said. Your lady?

Just a passenger I met when we boarded. Eric stood and pulled out a chair