Claire Gulliver #04 - Cruisin' for a Bruisin' by Gayle Wigglesworth Page B

relationship until we met. Then it was like a lightning bolt struck the two of us. Everything changed for both of us.”
    Millie filled their tea cups again and they all sipped while they thought about Nate’s story.
    “And after the war, didn’t he go back to Alaska? Didn’t he want to show you where he grew up?” Claire asked.
    “Of course he did. He went back several times and I was going to go with him, but each time other things came up. And we felt no urgency about it. We thought we had forever, you see...” Her face was so sad it was heartbreaking.
    Claire realizing Mrs. Bernbaum was exhausted, surreptitiously glanced at her watch. “Mom, don’t you have a hair appointment? I think you’re going to be late.”
    “Goodness, yes. I hate to leave, Mrs. Bernbaum. You’ve intrigued me so with Nate’s story, but I’m afraid I have to run. We’ll see you at the Captain’s Reception tonight, won’t we?”
    Mrs. Bernbaum nodded her head and Claire began to gather the tea things to put on the tray on the table. “I’m afraid we’ve tired you out, Mrs. Bernbaum. Perhaps you need to take a nap before getting ready.”
    “Thank you dear. Yes I’ll probably have a short lay down. Just leave those, Anita or Jorges will get them later. It was so nice of you to come. I enjoyed the company. I hope I didn’t bore you with my stories, but it does me good to remember.”
    “Not at all, it was so interesting. It certainly gives me a whole new perspective on life in Alaska. I’ll probably have to search out some books about the Princess Sophia.” She paused at the door. “See you later, Mrs. Bernbaum. And thanks again for the tea and the story.”

 

CHAPTER SIX
     
     
     
    “You look very nice, dear. Is that dress new?”
    “No, I got it for the gala I attended in Washington last fall. It’s nice, isn’t it? I found it at Loehman’s, if you’d believe?” Her dress was a rich blue jersey material. The long A-line skirt clung nicely to her hips, the bottom of the full skirt revealing only glimpses of red toenails in her strappy sandals. The bodice had armholes slanted toward her neck, leaving her shoulders bare. The plain neckline was set off by the heavy gold and lapis lazuli Egyptian style necklace she bought to go with it. The matching earrings dangled almost to her shoulders, swaying every time she moved her head and making her feel sexy.
    “It suits you. I feel a little dowdy beside you.”
    “I don’t know why, your dress is stunning. I didn’t know you had it.”
    “It’s from one of the Richman Brothers’ Christmas bashes. I have a closet full. I never get rid of them and every year in spite of my resolve not to, I end up buying something new to wear.” She laughed at her foolishness. “At least it gave me several to choose from for this trip.”
    “Well, seeing as we both look so spiffy what do you think about having our picture taken together? If it’s good we can buy copies, and if we don’t like it we’ll just leave it.”
    “Oh, what a good idea. Let’s do it.”
    Claire and Millie went to stand in the short line for the photographer while Ruth and Lucy milled about with the other passengers, sipping champagne and talking to people they had met during the cruise. Even though this reception was for only half of the passengers, the ones who had the late dinner seating, there was still a crush of bodies in the lounge. Waiters moved through the crowd with trays of canapés and glasses of champagne and never got very far before having to return to the kitchen to replenish their trays.
    Finished with the photographer, Millie determinedly pushed her way through the crowd in search of Ruth and Lucy. Claire was right behind her carrying a champagne glass. “There you are. Did you meet the Captain?”
    “Yes, he’s charming. And he looks just how you would imagine the captain to look, tall, handsome, competent and in control. If you want to meet him you’d better hurry because it’s