Christmas On The High Seas

By Diane Yates

Halley is going on a cruise with Candace, but when she boards the ship and opens her door, all hopes of a merry cruise evaporate. Candace has sold her ticket to Devon, the mean-spirited bully who took pleasure in tormenting Halley in high school. Now she must share the same room, attend the same excursion

• Language: English
• Publisher: IHeart Publishing
• Release date: Aug 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9781961867116

Diane Yates

Yates writes award-winning inspirational romantic fiction and nonfiction with endearing characters who find courage to overcome obstacles and emerge victorious. Her Fate Series, published by IHeart Publishing, begins with Melissa's Fate and continues with Impossible Fate. This is the third and final book in the series. Diane is the author of two biography/memoirs, Pathways of the Heart and All That Matters. She served two terms as President of Ozarks Writers League and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She teaches writing workshops and has spoken at various organizations. She and her husband Rick have served years in youth and adult ministries. She has three children and eight grandchildren. Follow her at www.dianeyates.com

Book preview

1

Chapter One

Halley sat on her suitcase and pulled hard on the zipper, guiding it around to the front, under her legs, and to the other side. She blew out the breath she’d been holding and set the luggage on its wheels. She picked up Nana’s photo off the dresser and kissed it.

Here goes nothing. She donned her coat, hung her handbag over her shoulder, and exited her apartment building into the blowing snow; another brutal New York winter. Standing on the sidewalk, she placed her thumb and finger in her mouth and whistled, summoning the taxi a short distance away.

As she rode in the cab, it passed shops on Fifth Street with their Christmas windows displaying frosted trees and scenes of fake snow with sleighs. Halley had always spent Christmas where it was cold with her sister, Kaleigh, and Nana, but ever since Nana died five years ago, Christmases hadn’t been the same.

When the taxi arrived at the airport, Halley paid the driver and walked into the terminal pulling her suitcase. Mele Kalikimaka played as she passed the decorated Christmas tree and rode the escalator down. Above her, a picture of a Caribbean beach with palm trees caught her attention. She smiled and admitted she was excited.

On the way to gate 39, her cell phone rang. While she tried to retrieve it from her bag, a male traveler in a long black overcoat bumped into her as he passed her up. He dislodged the strap of her handbag and it fell to the floor, spilling its contents. She sighed, stopped, and stared at his back through squinted eyes. He didn’t turn around or slow his pace at all. The phone kept chiming. She answered in a huff, Hi, Kaleigh.

Oh, Halley. Her sister cried. Won’t you please reconsider? Ross and I want you to go to Vermont with us for Christmas. His parents said they’d love for you to come.

Halley rolled her eyes and couldn’t believe she was having this conversation again. Absolutely not! I refuse to tag along with my newlywed sister and her husband to his parents’ home, whom I barely know. She stuffed the remaining brush and lipstick in her purse, straightened, and resumed walking.

Kaleigh continued. But this will be my first Christmas without you. Please.

Halley swallowed hard and blinked several times. Her sister was right. They’d always been together at Christmas. She found her voice. You’re married now, honey. It’s right that things should change. Besides, she teased. you have to think about Candace. If I backout on this cruise, that would leave poor Candace by herself.

I’m sorry, Halley.

For what? When you and I booked these tickets a year ago, how could you have known you and Ross were going to get married? Now, you go and enjoy the holiday with your new family. I’ll be fine.

But I’ll worry about you.

Are you kidding? While you’re warming your hands by the fire, I’ll be dipping my toes in the sand and saltwater, collecting seashells on the shore. You can go snowmobiling; I’ll be jet-skiing and scuba diving. I’m going to have the time of my life!

Halley managed to convince her sister more than herself, but for now, Kaleigh hung up sounding more at ease.

Flight 409 to Miami now boarding first-class passengers at gate 39.

Halley arrived at the gate not a moment too soon. She wheeled her bag behind those standing in front of the main cabin sign. In the first-class line, which was moving, she noticed him; the tall dark stranger in the long, black overcoat. For once, she was glad she could only afford to travel in coach.

Three hours later, she stood on the pavement under the warm Miami sun, staring up at an unbelievably gigantic cruise ship, her coat slung over her arm. Even though she felt alone, the blue sky and water thrilled her with new excitement.

As she walked into the ship’s massive lobby, the elegant wooden staircase was trimmed in gold and decked with a garland of palm prongs, miniature pineapples, coconuts, and umbrellas of red and green. After the landing, the staircase split and ascended on both sides. With eyes wide, she turned completely around in slow motion, staring at the immense, crystal chandelier above the tallest, most ornate Christmas Tree that she had ever seen, laden with island motif ornaments.

May I help you, Miss? a porter dressed in a white shirt, black pants, and vest asked in a Jamaican accent, offering a slight bow.

Yes, I’m looking for my room. Halley glanced at her ticket and he looked on over her shoulder.

He pointed toward the elevator. Take it to the eighth floor.

Thank you. This was it. She was actually doing it—the vacation she and Kaleigh had planned for almost two years—to gaze at the water from their balcony, while sailing to exotic islands—Christmas in paradise, albeit alone. Well, with Candace, her sister’s friend from high school; two years younger, but Halley liked her well enough.

When she exited, she followed the hallway to the left. She and Kaleigh had dreamed of meeting their soulmates like on the Love Boat or something. How silly they were. Since then, Kaleigh married and planned for Halley to share this experience with Candace instead.

Halley stopped outside room 8178 and took a deep breath. Using her key, she swung the door open. Her eyes rested on the balcony and the water; the sliding glass door standing open and the curtains ruffling in the breeze. A suitcase rested on the bed to the right. Only then, she noticed not Candace, but a tall male figure standing by the dresser.

She gasped. Oh, I’m sorry. Turning, she exited as quickly as she had entered. Once she closed the door, she stared at the number, 8178. She double-checked her ticket before knocking. When he answered the door, this time she set her jaw and looked at him.

Yes? he quizzed.

He had brown eyes and dark hair, and something was familiar, but what? I’m sorry, she said. I believe you’re in the wrong room.

Me? That’s impossible. He went to find his ticket and picked up the long black overcoat. Halley’s eyes widened and she seethed as he searched its pockets. She had only seen this rude man who had caused her purse to spill earlier from the back; but that face—there was definitely something familiar about his face.

She practically stuttered. Yes. I mean, no, this is most definitely my room, she insisted.

He held his ticket in front of her. See, it says right here 8178.

Halley read the numbers herself. A blonde bellman passed by in the