Exclusive to Newsletter Subscribers! Petals in The Wind is a standalone beach-read novella. It’s also a Christian Romance. Here’s an excerpt if you’re curious.
📔📔📔📔
Chapter One:
Chapter 1:
Nicole just wanted to scream under the beating rays of the Florida summer heat. Patience and disappointment were familiar bedmates.
“Has everyone been notified about my impromptu vacation?” she blared into her phone. Once, her secretary finally decided to take her off hold.
As he turned to glare at her, the frown lines on her father’s forehead could form their own peaks and valleys. He mouthed for her to get off the phone before picking up his bag and inching ahead in line.
“An email went out this morning, and I delivered the message in person to the former boss. But as you know, there’s a new sheriff in town.”
It was the worse news possible and a horrible start to June. She leaned on the guardrail, enjoying the view of the massive boat and bits of the ocean. “This is a bad second impression, and it’s going to look like a power move.”
“Yeah, you did say you weren’t going to take any vacation time.”
Nicole skipped the part about her being worried about losing her job like everyone else. Instead, her mind jumped to damage control. Her former, now current, boss of Zoom Accounting, was a no-nonsense kind of guy. She knew what to expect from him. Whatever she didn’t know, she learned secondhand from Mark. He was nothing like the easy-going, Cliff. Who sent everyone to Hawaii for a stress relief retreat.
“Can you patch me into his office? It’s probably best if I address the issue right away.”
“Sure. The new boss has already promised to keep the name, New Vision Accounting. The positive reputation that we’ve built up here is unique. That’s got to mean something. Once this is over, we may realize that it wasn’t that big of a deal.”
“We’re still going to be a family,” she mumbled into the phone. “It’s just going to look different.”
“Well, if Cliff was the soul of this company. Then you’re the heart. You got this girl.”
Before she could confirm or deny the woman’s vote of confidence, a jazz song played signaling that she had been put on hold. She pushed her blue duffle bag further up the gangway with her jeweled headed foot.
It was the first vacation that she’s been on that wasn’t a work-related function in almost six years since she lost Mark, forever ago. One of those trivialities of life that she didn’t want to engage in anymore. Her opinion still hadn’t changed, except now, her parents physically forced her into going.
She pulled her sunglasses down over her eyes. There wasn’t much to expect from GoldenSands Cruises. The smell of Bengay and suntan lotion filled the air. Hawaiian shirts and moccasins lined the gangway as far as the eye could see. And if she saw any more, she just might pluck them out. Still, in a long check-in line, her parents were smiling so hard that they could star in a Crest toothpaste commercial. Considering that they forced her on this trip, the only thing she concerned herself with was work.
Just yesterday, she was putting out fires started by the announcement of a merger. One, she thought she was winning by canceling her vacation plans in front of the new boss. Now thanks to her parent’s actions, her potential replacement would have a head start.
This head start could leave her homeless and without a job. Speaking of the homeless, where was Savannah, her secretary, this has been the longest call ever.
The woman waiting behind her, trapped her on the arm and pointed ahead that the line was moving. If she didn’t stop tapping her, then she just might lose her religion. Looking like Rose from the Golden Girls, back in St. Olaf, they didn’t have cruises they rode pigs. She thought, mimicking the character’s famous lines.
From the looks of it, there were only two gatekeepers, checking boarding passes and IDs. They had been in line for at least an hour now, which was so much the better because she was able to get some work done. So there was no need for the woman behind her to act like a million dollars was waiting on the other side.
She moved up. Her parents were now the tenth people in line. Smooth music played on her phone as she nodded her head along. Remembering the time she picked it out.
Just in case no one knew, including her parents, she was a woman who was not retired and loved her career. Unlike hundreds of others on this dock. A woman who still needed to prove herself to her new boss before she was fired. The unemployment line will not pay for her condo.
“Wait a minute; we’re all waiting in line here. Where do you think you two are going?” A man with Santa’s belly uttered. Standing at the end of the line, blocking the path of two men who looked as out of place as she did.
“Guys, let them through.” A gatekeeper in a blue vest yelled.
Nicole kept the half-smile she had been sporting for the past half hour pasted on her glowing, sienna-colored face. She wondered what threat from their parents got them to this point. Turning away from the display as she heard the line click on the other end and her new boss’s voice came on.
“Sorry about that, to say that I was busy would be an understatement. What’s that noise in the background?” Mr. Stone asked, worry in his voice.
She stuck her finger in her ear and looked down. She tuned out the rallying cries of dissent before answering.
“Miss Benson, are you all right?” Mr. Stone called to her.
“Yes. I’m perfect. Just a noisy environment. Ignore it.”
“Well, what can I do you for?”
“I’m calling about my vacation—” Nicole began. The woman behind her tapped her on her shoulder about the line moving. She pushed her bag again with her foot, and it jutted out halfway into the entryway, right into the path of the oncoming men.
“Yes, what about it?”
Nicole’s mouth dropped open as the first guy tripped over the bag, landing on top of it. His bookbag was covered in travel patches from different ports.
A wide grin spread across his face as his friend helped him up. Bowing to the gentleman who clapped his hands, before turning to her. “Sorry about that, ma’am.”
She shook her head, speechless.
He was gorgeous, but if he were even 25, she’d be surprised.
His body was made for sand, oceans, and the cover of a surfer’s magazine. A horrible yellow and brown Hawaiian shirt sat awkwardly across his broad shoulders. It was clashing with his blond silky looking hair, horribly, and looked soft enough to touch. Yet, his flip-flops were beach ready and well worn. She knew this was the type of guy who had no responsibilities, no cares, and a wasted life. He didn’t look like he could afford this trip either.
But it was the sound of her boss’s voice that brought her back to the issues at hand.
“Did you get my email? Was there something in there that you had a question about? I can’t talk long.”
“I haven’t had a chance to check everything.” She unconsciously smoothed down the front of her floral sheath dress. Hoping she looked okay.
“Oh. With your absence today, I thought you had. But that’s of no matter. You haven’t used up any of your vacation time in years, and legally we can’t allow you to continue to work. So take those planned days and come back refreshed.”
“That’s good to know, but the company is at a crossroads. I want you to know that I will remain available to Savannah and Mrs. Hunt as needed via email. She looked up to find herself fifth in line and the men from earlier gone. Her father was now draping her duffel bag over his shoulder.
“I will pass the message on. I’m sure that they both will appreciate it.”
His voice was pleasant, but it wasn’t hard to miss the smirk. She was playing the long game just the way he liked it. There was only going to be one HR Director after this, and Mr. Stone loved a competition. They traded pleasantries, before hanging up, just in time for the gatekeepers in blue vests to scan her ticket and wave her in.
She met up with her parents in what looked to be the atrium. A vast gold crystal structure plunged from the ceiling, almost five floors, like a lake stream to merely whisper at the coffee table below. “This is beautiful.”
“Here’s your bag.” His voice was casual as if he’d seen it a thousand times. “Let’s meet for wine tasting after the emergency broadcast. Let’s say at 3 pm.”
She slowly scanned the lobby jammed with guests. It was almost hard to move as people figured out where they were supposed to be. The black and white pillars framed the lobby—a crisp, elegant feel to the black wrought iron stairs.
“Forget about it, Steve. I’m sure all she wants to know is how to add internet and phone privileges,” her mom said, smiling pleasantly. “And you can add media packages to your room at the reception desk over there.”
She looked over her head in the direction her mother was pointing. She did need to set that up as soon as possible. Her parents ignored her gawking and made their way over to the elevators. Looking after them, she didn’t know whether to be grateful or angry that she inherited her father’s straight figure and not her mother’s oval shape.
There was already a line forming by the reception desk. Here as well, only two people were working. But across from the counter was an ATM and a D.I.Y Kiosk. That already had a party of three surrounding it. She hoisted her bag up and placed it behind the last person in line.
And she still wasn’t sure what all was in it. Her mother had packed most of it for her. Surely, she only grabbed what she thought looked best in her high motherly esteem. She did change into a pink and white sheath dress at the airport, and she didn’t completely hate her mother’s pick.
The line whizzed by with precision. Despite the many times, a few of the older seniors needed something explained to them.
“Next customer.”
“Hi, you guys certainly have a long day ahead of you, what with all of the tech-challenged old people,” she laughed, looking over at the woman at the help desk conspiratorially.
The woman getting help next to her cleared her throat. She looked to be in her 80s. “Excuse me.”
Her eyes widened, a bit embarrassed to be overheard. “My apologies.” She turned back to the receptionist. Shooting her a, did that just happen look. “I just need to add a phone and internet package to my account.”
Taking the key card that for the next few days held her entire life. She thanked the receptionist and made her way to her room. The lobby was considerably less packed than when she first arrived. A gold-plated elevator etched with a floral design pattern shinned like new money. Finally, it opened to reveal the guy from earlier. This time he was wearing a GoldenSands uniform that made him look older. Not that it factored into anything. He was just handsome.
His eyes flicked over hers in recognition as he walked past her, but he didn’t say anything. With all of the glance of a woman with Epilepsy, she tried to glance over her shoulder at him. A little surprised to find him doing the same. His hands shoved into his pockets as he gave her a flirtatious smile.
“Ma’am, are you coming?”
“Yeah, sorry,” she replied, barely seeing the man holding the elevator. Stepping on, she wondered if she was old enough to be a ma’am now. It was like only the second time she’s heard it since she stepped onto this boat. Gawd, this place, ages everyone. She pressed the button for the 4th floor.
It didn’t take a detective to find her cabin, and it had the most beautiful view of the water. Blue ocean as far as the eye could see. She was just relieved to see some brochures and a map of the ship’s amenities on a small wooden desk opposite the couch. Flipping through the catalogs briefly, it showcased the dancing, classes, lectures, and Broadway shows that were available onboard. The Jacuzzi caught her eye before she put them down, vowing to go through it extensively later.
She placed her bag down on the queen-sized bed that was opposite the television and wondered if there was even anything suitable in it to wear to a wine tasting. A closet to the left of the entryway had some empty hangers hanging up, while the somewhat cramped bathroom was to the right. But before she could collect her thoughts and figure out what to do next. A voice came over the intercom.
“Ladies and Gentleman, it is time for the Emergency Broadcast. You will find information on it in your pockets. Please start heading to your emergency designations. It is mandatory, and all guests must attend.”
She decided to leave her bag and return for the great dress debate after. Instead, she read the pamphlet as to what to expect during the emergency broadcast. Half listening as the man on the intercom droned on. She knew that her parents were on the same floor, but the long hallway was practically a maze. She melded in with everyone else, feeling a bit awkward surrounded by couples.
Which quickly led to another fear of the boat sinking. One of the other guests in front of her leaned over and whispered to his wife. “This will be a lot easier during a real emergency. It will be easier to get here through the widespread panic.”
She tapped playfully on the shoulder and told him, “shush.”
Her only thoughts were that she would be one of those people panicking. In dangerous situations, her mind goes blank. Her left would be right, and her right would be left. But she followed the team leaders’ instructions—the whole exercise lasted 30 minutes. What was crazy was she couldn’t remember what side of the boat they were even on—just relieved when the alarm sounded alerting everyone to the end of the exercise.
Still unfamiliar with the layout of the ship, she opted to skip the stairs and wait with a few brave souls for the elevator. She squeezed onto the elevator with ten other people and went up to four.
She mumbled a few awkward hellos to people on her floor before getting to her room. In another 20 minutes, it would be three. She didn’t have that much time to shower and throw on another outfit. Her mother wasn’t the worse fashion designer, after all. There were some nice options for day and evening wear. She took a quick shower, before opting for a pale pink lace top with brown plaid pants and heels. Stuffing the map and her phone into her maroon clutch, she made her way to the first and last event she would be attending with her parents. To make time to work instead.
From the looks of the map, the Wine Room was on the second floor, overlooking the beautiful lobby below. She managed to get there before her parents. The room itself was no bigger than a neighborhood store, with 4 or 5 small tables. She claimed one for her family and took in the sights.
A beautiful wine barrel wall was situated behind the bartender. Matching wine barrel chandeliers cut the ceiling down the middle. The last one appeared to be flickering on and off behind her. But it did nothing to disturb the museum-like atmosphere. Beautiful limestone rested between wine racks, full of wine bottles available for purchase.
“Are you here for the wine tasting class?” A woman standing by the bar asked. Her name tag read, Christina.
“Uh, yes, but I’m expecting more people.”
“Will get started promptly at 3:15 then. I’ll be your instructor, Christina. Maybe you would like to try our Roussanne while you wait.
She returned her smile. “I think I will.” Holding out her glass as the woman came over with the bottle, pouring her a half glass. She took a sip, nearly choking on the wine as the guy from earlier sauntered in. It was a small world, despite the rather large boat, but it was still unnerving.
“Christina, where is the problem?” he asked, looking between her and the bartender, adjusting the small box that he held underneath his arm.
They both pointed to the chandelier behind her. His gaze turned in her direction, and for the first time, she was relieved that she was too dark to blush. Slightly embarrassed as all eyes turned to her for the second time since she arrived.
“I’ll be quick.” He disappeared and returned with a small step stool, setting it up a couple of feet behind her.
It would have been more than a little awkward to watch him as she would have had to do a complete 180-degree turn. Instead, she smiled pleasantly at the other couples. He must’ve only had to swap out a light bulb because he was finished in what only felt like seconds.
But just as she took another sip of her wine, he stepped down, accidentally bumping into her and spilling said wine all over her lace top. She shrieked in surprise, jumping off the stool out of pure reflex, as the wine soaked through her top. If clumsy accidents were his thing, then she just didn’t have time for it. Being pretty couldn’t make up for being stupid.
“Look what you did!”
“I am so sorry ma’am, it was an accident,” he said, grabbing the towel and dabbing at her wet lap.
That only served to make her feel even more self-conscious. Sure, that she looked ridiculous in front of him. Not that she should care if she looked ridiculous because it was his fault.
“Just stop it.” Grabbing the towel from him. “I’m starting to think that you shouldn’t even work here with how clumsy you are. Heck, you shouldn’t work anywhere.”
“It wont happen again,” he snapped, his eyes flashing with anger as he observed her.
Nicole laughed harshly. “You promise.” Dumping the soaked napkins on the table in defeat. He spilled the wine on her, and now he wants to get angry.
“There are laundry services on board available to all guests. And if you spot treat beforehand with cold water. It will come right out. The laundry is self-service, but it’s available to all guests.”
“Yes, that’s correct.” The instructor chimed in, who had come over to mediate the situation.
“Considering it was an accident. I’m sure will be waving the self-service in lieu of—-,” Nicole waved her hand at him, and the instructor filled in the rest.
“Vance.”
“Yes, Vance’s service,” she replied, only addressing the instructor.
“That’s not in my job description. But like I said before, I do apologize,” Vance shot back.
“You’re full of useless apologies. But who will be fixing my lace top? For a company who makes their money off customer service, they made a wrong turn hiring Vance.” Still not looking at him, but Christina, who was growing increasingly uncomfortable. But she waited for either of them to answer her question.
Christina cleared her throat. “It is highly unusual, but since this is our fault. Perhaps, Vance can have it cleaned for you.”
“What’s going on?” Her mother asked, entering to see a small crowd around her daughter’s table.
“Vance here was just agreeing to clean the lace top that he accidentally spilled wine on.” Turning to face him for the first time since the mistake happened.
“Oh how nice.”
He gave everyone a strained smile. “It’s only right.”
“I’ll even give your family a personal lesson after this class is done.” Christina smiled.
“Thank you. Yes, that would be lovely. We were rushing down here. Now we know that we have a little more time,” Nicole’s father replied.
If she had any more run-ins with Vance, he would completely ruin her vacation. Thanks to him, it was already off to a rocky start. Neither of her parents seemed aware of the tension between her and a reluctant Vance.
“You can come get the lace top in room 400,” she said before storming out with her parents behind her.
It suddenly occurred to her that she would have to see all 6’1 feet of his tight frame again. Maybe he wasn’t a surfer. Maybe he played basketball. The cute ones were always athletic losers. She shook him from her thoughts, as she tried not to make eye contact with anyone on the elevator. She hadn’t been this riled up about a man since Mark. It only made sense that it was because she was angry.
📔📔📔📔
Want to check out more from TRS ? It’s easy – you just have to click NEXT.
Want more freebies from this author? Try, Mint and Regret Here.
