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“He’d enjoy it so much more if you came, too. We might never get a chance again. Once you get married, we won’t be able to do those types of things.”
“Married? Do you know something I don’t, Mom?”
Her mom patted her hand. “You will someday. You just haven’t met the right man yet. He’s out there. I know it.”
Kiera kept her face forward so she wouldn’t give herself away. Once her mom learned she was dating someone, she’d pester her for more details. Then, she’d have to spill the beans. Something she wasn’t ready to do yet.
“Have you considered that dating service Jane’s daughter Stacey used? That’s where she met David. Did you know they’re expecting a baby in April?”
Once her mom got going on Kiera’s love life, she wouldn’t stop unless distracted by something else.
“Back to Dad’s birthday present, Mom. I think a romantic trip for just the two of you is a great idea. I’ll help pay and then it can be from both of us.”
Her mom looked over at her. “If you’re worried about being seasick, they sell medicine for that. Come on, it’ll be fun. I spoke with Jane last night. She promised to pull together some information for us to look at today.”
If her mom had called her friend Jane Steward, a travel agent, she’d made up her mind before she’d picked Kiera up that afternoon.
“Right now, I’m thinking a cruise to Alaska in July. How does that sound? Your dad mentioned wanting to do that. And then we don’t have to worry about hurricanes.”
Torturous. “Mom, I don’t want to take a cruise anywhere. But you and Dad go. This is his sixtieth birthday. It should be something memorable, and you guys never go anywhere special.”
Her mom drove into the parking lot for Steward Travel. “You really won’t come?”
“I can’t take that much time off from work.”
She’d only worked at Mon Soleil for a year, so she got one week of vacation. A week she’d rather spend with Gray, assuming he stayed in one place long enough.
Her mom stopped the car. “I think you’ll be missing a lot of fun.”
Jane greeted them and wasted no time presenting the various vacation packages she’d put together. Each one sounded better than the one before it, and if not for the fact that a huge ship was involved, Kiera would’ve been tempted to book a trip for herself. Since her mom had decided on an Alaska cruise, she barely looked at the other brochures Jane handed them.
“We’ll go on the ten-night Alaska Wildlife Cruise in July.”
“Am I booking one cabin or two today?” Jane turned toward her computer.
Her mom looked at her. “Are you sure you won’t come? You could do your own thing while on board. We wouldn’t expect you to spend all your time with us.”
“Positive, Mom. You and Dad go and have fun.”
“It’ll just be the two of us. Can you get us a cabin with a balcony?”
Kiera heard the disappointment and excitement in her mom’s voice. “Dad’s going to love this. The two of you are going to have so much fun.”
While Jane and her mom discussed the details of the trip, Kiera checked her phone. She’d heard it ding several times since they’d sat down, which meant she had messages. With her mom busy, she could check them now.
All three messages were jokes from Joanna. Since none of them required responses, she put the phone away and listened as Jane explained the various cabins available and the prices of each.
After the travel agency, they stopped for a late lunch. Through the entire meal and the drive back to her apartment, her mom talked about the upcoming trip. Kiera couldn’t recall the last time her mom had been so excited.
“The itinerary lists two formal dinners. I’ll need another dress; I only have the one I wore to Trent’s wedding. Maybe next month you can come shopping with me.”
“Get two new ones. The one you wore to the wedding is dark blue, which is more of a winter color. You are going in July. You should have something bright and summery.”
“It’ll be fine. I will buy a new bathing suit. The ship has three pools. Did I mention it has a full service spa, too?”
Kiera opened her apartment door and walked inside. “You did, and I think you should book yourself a day there. Get the full treatment” Her mom never let herself get pampered.
“Maybe. I’ll have to think about it. Can you help me decide on some port excursions? I brought the information up with me. I already know I want to take the train ride when we stop in Skagway.”
