Title Wave by Lorna Barrett Page B

hold some appeal, but you had to have a carefree lifestyle to pull it off. The Authors at Sea cruise had been her first vacation in years, and if it weren’t a Chamber-sponsored tour that her friends and adopted family were taking, she doubted she would have been tempted to leave her cat and her store for a week—even during the slowest time of year.
    â€œCan’t you report Arnold to the publishers?”
    â€œIt’s been done—a number of times. Somehow he always knows when the publicists leave and manages to sweet-talk the new ones into adding him again. He’s been doing it for years. He had us all sign those books in his basket—just our names. You can bet they’ll be offered for sale before the sun sets after we dock.”
    Tricia shook her head. She didn’t want to think about that sorry little man. “How’s your family?”
    Fiona’s eyes lit up. There wasn’t any better question to ask a mom who was proud of her kids, and Fiona launched into a joyful tale that had Tricia laughing until she had to wipe her eyes. It was no wonder the woman was a
New York Times
bestselling author. She could tell a damn fine story.
    â€œI’m sorry to have monopolized the conversation. Tell me, what’s been going on with you?” Fiona asked.
    â€œThere’s not much to tell,” Tricia said. “I have a new assistant since you last visited, and she’s a big fan of your work.”
    â€œOh, that’s nice.”
    Tricia could have mentioned the fire that nearly destroyed her store, and the death of her ex-husband, but decided to keep the conversation light. “I’m going to reconfigure my storeroom into living space this spring. It’ll be messy and time consuming, and no doubt cost double my contractor’s estimate, but I can’t wait to start.”
    â€œThat sounds lovely,” Fiona said.
    Their coffee was long gone when Tricia checked her watch. “Good grief—the fruit sculpting must nearly be over with by now. Angelica will wonder where I’ve disappeared to.”
    â€œI’m sorry. I didn’t mean to keep you.”
    â€œDon’t worry, Angelica is a big girl. She can navigate on her own—much better than either of us, I’m sure.”
    â€œTell her I said hi.”
    â€œI will.”
    They stood. “See you later,” Fiona said, and headed aft.
    Tricia retraced her steps to the Garden Lounge. She had a few stories to share with Angelica and again wondered about the disagreeable Mr. Arnold Smith. He’d already antagonized EM. Was he likely to do the same to others?

SEVEN
    By the time Tricia and Angelica made it to the Kells Grill, they found the rest of their party already seated, and another bottle of bubbly had been ordered. Dori Douglas gave Tricia a smile and a wave as they joined Ginny, Antonio, Grace, and Mr. Everett. EM Barstow had not yet made an appearance, and Tricia dreaded an exhibition like the one they’d witnessed the night before.
    â€œDid you have a nice day?” Dori called to Tricia.
    â€œVery nice, thank you. And you?”
    â€œWonderful.”
    Tricia nodded and reached for her napkin.
    â€œEmmie isn’t joining me for dinner tonight, so you should have a much more peaceful meal.”
    â€œOh,” Tricia said, and stole a glance at Angelica. Was Dori fishing for an invitation to join them?
    â€œShe’s working tonight. She’s eager to finish at least another chapterof her work in progress before she’s called upon to do any more appearances during the voyage.”
    â€œHow nice,” Angelica said, and turned her attention to the champagne bottle that Antonio held to fill her glass.
    â€œShould I invite her to join us?” Tricia muttered.
    â€œI wish you wouldn’t,” Angelica said without moving her lips. Was ventriloquism another of her talents?
    The waiter arrived with a plate and set it before Dori, who gave