Separate Cabins by Janet Dailey Page B

low in her stomach. Ahardened glint came into her gray eyes as she swung her gaze to him.
    “Because some ideas are stupid, and I’d rather not turn out to be a fool.” It was too soon for her to know whether she could handle a more intimate relationship with him, and she refused to be rushed into a decision.
    His faintly narrowed gaze measured her, then a slow smile spread across his face. “I guess I can’t argue with that.” Gard straightened and let his hand slide from her waist. “Don’t forget cocktails at seven thirty in my suite.”
    There was an instant when Rachel had an impulse to change her mind and not go, even though she wanted to attend the party. It was something she couldn’t explain.
    “I’ll be there.” She nodded.
    “Good.” He glanced at the watch on his wrist, then back to her. “I’ll see you in a couple of hours then. In the meantime, I’d better go shower and dress—and make sure there’s plenty of mix and snacks on hand.”
    “Okay.” Rachel didn’t suggest that he leave the party preparations until later and stay with her a little longer.
    His gaze lingered on her, as if waiting for her to say there was plenty of time. Then he was leaving her and walking away from the railing.
    Soberly she watched him striding away, her gaze wandering over the broad set of his shoulders beneath the form-fitting knit shirt. Somehow Rachel had the feeling that Gard was skilled at playing the waiting game. She began to wonder whether hewasn’t patiently wearing down her resistance—and an affair was a foregone conclusion.
    Troubled by the thought, her eyes darkened somberly as she swung back to the rail. A wrinkled hand patted the forearm she rested on the smooth wood, drawing Rachel’s startled glance to the elderly woman beside her. There was no sign of her husband, but Rachel recognized the woman instantly as half of the couple she’d helped the day before.
    “Don’t be too hard on your husband, Mrs. MacKinley.” Her look was filled with sympathetic understanding. “I’m certain he truly cares for you. If you try hard enough, I know you will find a way to work out your problems. You make such a lovely couple.”
    “I—” Rachel was dumbfounded and lost for words.
    But the woman didn’t expect her to say anything. “Poppa and I have had our share of arguments over the years. Sometimes he has made me so angry that I didn’t want to see him again, but it passes,” she assured Rachel. “No marriage is wonderful all the time. In fact, often it is only some of the time.” A tiny smile touched her mouth as she confided her experience.
    “I’m sure that’s true.” Rachel’s expression softened. There were always highs and lows, but most of the time marriages were on a level plateau.
    “One thing I do know,” the woman insisted with a scolding shake of her finger. “You will solve nothing by sleeping in one cabin while your husband sleeps in another.”
    At last Rachel understood what this was allabout. The woman had obviously seen the corrected passenger list and noticed that Gard was in a different cabin. She tried very hard not to smile.
    “I’m sure everything will work out for the best. Thank you for caring,” she murmured.
    “Just remember what I said,” the woman reminded her and toddled off.

Chapter Six
    Punctuality had always been important to Rachel. At half past seven on the dot she walked into the passageway running lengthwise of the Bridge Deck and stopped at the first door on her right. It stood open, the sound of voices coming from inside the suite, signaling the arrival of other guests ahead of her.
    Uncertain whether to knock or just walk in, Rachel hesitated, then opted for the latter and walked into the suite unannounced. Four ship’s officers in white uniforms were standing with Gard in the large sitting room, drinks in hand while they munched on the assorted cheeses and hors d’oeuvres arranged on trays on a round dining table.
    When Gard turned and