Chapter 3

Soon after the engines roared to life, and the ship pulled away, a knock sounded on Rai’s door. She set her braille display aside and scooted off the bed, smoothing any wrinkles from her dress.

The scent of bay rum greeted her as she swung the door open.

Z opened his mouth to speak, but his words came out like a choke.

Rai lifted a brow as if to say, “Excuse me?” Z cleared his throat. “Are you ready?”

Rai reached for the white cane she had set by the door. “Yes, I am.” She slipped the card key into her dress pocket earlier so she wouldn’t forget it. As a blind person, she had learned to think ahead and plan for quick and thoughtless departures. It was far too easy to forget where she had placed something when she was in a hurry to leave.

Z presented his arm to her as if he had years of practice leading the blind. The way he described the hall and important landmarks were expert and precise. “The elevators to your left will take you to the various floors. The ones on your right are for employees only.” He showed her where to find the call buttons. “You are on the fifth floor. The restaurants are on the seventh floor.” As he rambled on about the many attractions, spas, theaters, and gambling rooms, Rai felt horribly overwhelmed.

“I don’t suppose there is a braille version of this tour?” She asked, trying to pay attention to the many turns and halls they traveled. Finding her way back would be a challenge, but she wasn’t about to say anything.

“I can send you an electronic version that summarizes where things are, if that helps?”

“Yes, that would be perfect. Thank you.”

In between pointing out landmarks and corridors, he asked, “So why did your friend not show?”

Rai shrugged. “I suppose he wanted more than I could give.”

She felt him study her, his body shifting slightly as he turned his head toward her. “More than you could give?”

“He wanted a relationship. I wanted more of a … friendship.”

“I see.”

Rai doubted it. Her life was complicated, and she was not about to explain the horrid details to him or anyone else. It was time to change the subject. “You have experience with blind people,” she blurted out.

He stiffened, so she added, “You’re good at this.”

“My mum was blind.”

“Was?”

“She died several years ago.”

He took her up two floors before turning right and leading her down a wide hall to an open foyer. “Okay, the buffet is on your right, and the formal galley is on your left. They serve breakfast in the formal galley, family style, so you will sit with other guests at a round table.”

Now it was her turn to stiffen. She was not a wallflower by any measure, but her years of caution had embedded the need to stay discreet and unnoticed. It was a hard lesson that resulted in repeated pain and suffering if not practiced with graceful efficiency. She had been living in the shadows for so long, she had forgotten who she was. It offered an insight into how an actress must feel after playing the part of a character for years. Her persona, Rainair Bishop died seven years ago after escaping New York. Cliff had done all he could to stop the divorce, and those who championed her simply disappeared. He was mean, dangerous, and possessive.

Z stopped and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Hey, are you okay?”

“Fine, why?”

He scoffed. “Because you look as if the reaper, himself, crossed your path.”

“No, I’m fine, really.”

He didn’t believe her; she could feel it in his silence. “Where would you like me to take you?” His voice sounded clipped, almost angry.

“On deck,” she said. “I want to feel the wind and sun on my face.”

“Come on, then.” He presented his crooked arm and led her outside. “The wind is calmer stern side, and there is a wet bar where you can get a drink.”

“Perfect,” she said.

He got her a glass of iced tea and sat her down in the sun. “All set?”

Rai pulled the iPhone from her pocket and a pair of earbuds. “Yes, you have been very helpful, thank you. I’m just going to relax and read my book for a bit.”

“What are you reading?”

“A Louise Penny murder mystery.”

“I pegged you for more of a romance enthusiast,” he joked.

She laughed. “Not in this life.”

After an uncomfortable span of silence, he said, “Very well, then. I’ll leave you to your leisure. Enjoy the cruise, Rai.”

“Thank you, Z.” She handed him another twenty spot. When he didn’t take it, she waved it as if to gain his attention. “Take it, please.”

“No,” he said. “Your last tip was more than generous.” With that, he turned and walked away.

Rai shrugged and slipped the bill back into her pocket.