I worked quickly, vacuuming up pecan shells and polishing the wood free of fingermarks. It was tempting to leave it until morning—tell myself that August would have loads of time at the beginning of her shift before guests got up, but that kind of thinking didn’t bring the big tips. These rich guys often got up at anti-social hours to make a business call or catch the headlines. We needed to be two steps ahead at all times.
I kept glancing toward the galley, wondering why Landon was so intent on helping me. There must be a reason. I couldn’t imagine it was because he wanted to get into my panties. He’d done that already, and he’d seemed more than happy with my suggestion that we pretend it never happened, despite his charming reply. There had to be more to it. He was super handsome, good in bed, and seemed to have befriended everyone on deck. And now he was giving up precious sleep to help me. I had to figure out what his deal was.
“Okay, that’s the saloon done,” I said as I reentered the galley to find Landon holding a wine glass up to the light.
“I’ve just got a couple of these left to do. The laundry’s folded and put away.”
I liked that he’d taken his time over the glasses and not rushed it just to get the job done. “Okay, well, I’ll set up for breakfast.” I began to pull out everything August would need to set the breakfast table.
“Given you’re chief stew, isn’t it tempting to give these late shifts to your stewardesses?” Landon asked.
“Is that what Peter does to you guys?”
He shrugged. “I think so. Not that I’m complaining. That’s how it goes. I’m bottom of the rank.”
“Well, I don’t operate like that.” I’d never noticed Peter pull rank particularly. I couldn’t imagine doing that to my stewardesses.
“I noticed,” Landon said.
Was he watching me or was it just him being naturally observant? I’d done my best to avoid Landon, but there were certain things I’d noticed about the way he worked too. He seemed to listen very intently to anyone who spoke to him. And he noticed everything around him. I wasn’t sure if it was some army thing or if he was just nosy, but it was almost like we were all being watched or something.
“How are you finding yachting? Is it like the army?” I asked, determined to figure him out a little more. To know him like he seemed to know me.
He laughed. “Not at all. But I’m enjoying it.” His eyes glanced down my body and then he grinned when he realized I’d caught him. I could hardly chastise him. I couldn’t look away from his hard abs that were revealed every time he reached to put a glass away.
“You think it will be a career for you?”
“I doubt it,” he said as if his mind was completely made up.
“How come, if you’re enjoying it?” Just as I thought—he was a drifter—couldn’t commit to women or a job.
He pulled in a breath. “I just don’t think it’s t
he life for me.”
I wanted to ask him what other options he had. But I held back, hoping he’d tell me without me asking him.
“You’re very good at it,” he said. “The people, the demands. Keeping cool under it all.”
I tried to dampen down the sense of pride I felt at his compliment. “I’ve been doing it a while now.”
“Do you find it hard to keep your smile up all the time?”
Was he accusing me of being a faker? “Not at all. The guests are demanding, true. The living conditions are cramped, and it’s hard work. But this is not a bad life. I’m very grateful for what it’s given me.” Yachting saved me. It had given me a future. I’d had no qualifications, no references, no future, but this life took me and gave me a roof over my head, food in my stomach, and most of all, it gave me hope. Hope for a better life than the one I’d left behind. It also meant I had more savings than I could have ever dreamed of. “I have no reason not to smile.”
I looked up when Landon didn’t say anything and found him nodding.
“Speaking of grateful,” I said. “Thanks for your help tonight. You’ve saved me from going to bed after the sun came up.” I closed the cupboard door and scanned the galley for anything out of place, but everything looked good.
“No problem at all.” Landon was still looking at me.
I glanced away and wiped my hands down my skirt. “Well, I owe you,” I replied.
“I didn’t do it to bank a favor,” he said. I hadn’t noticed the amber specks in his eyes before.
“Why did you do it?” I asked, still confused.
“I like you. I respect your work ethic and the way you serve the clients. And I want to support you.”