Read Online Never Say Never by Lena Nelson Dooley - Free Book Online Page A

same time as the tender that took the snorkelers to Stingray City. The passengers on that boat were stepping up on the dock when the taxi stopped at the end of the paved lane that led to the ship. Charlotte glanced toward the dock in time to see Chelle. Although she had one of the large towels provided by the cruise line stuffed into her beach bag, she should have been using it to cover the tiny bikini Charlotte had forbidden her to wear.
    Charlotte stiffened. Gareth noticed, because he turned questioning eyes her direction. She didn’t want to pull him into the discussion, so she tried to relax. It took all the effort she could muster. Gareth looked past her toward the entrance to the ship. Charlotte hoped he didn’t see her daughter flaunting herself in front of those young men on her excursion. Just wait until she got to the cabin.
    Once again, they had to go through security. By the time the snorkelers were out of the way, the other people from the Butterfly and Nautilus trip were in line ahead of Charlotte.
    â€œThat was fun.” She tried to sound bright and carefree.
    From the expression on Gareth’s face, it didn’t work, but he didn’t question her. At least it didn’t take long to get everything scanned, since they hadn’t been shopping. When Charlotte picked up her tote bag and turned around, the other passengers were gone. Gareth walked her to the elevator.
    â€œCharlotte, I look forward to the next time we are together.”
    She nodded. The warmth in his eyes couldn’t thaw the cold knot that had settled in her chest. How she longed to be able to relax and enjoy her short time with this man, but when she got to the cabin, she would have to confront Chelle.
    After sliding her key card into the slot, Charlotte pushed the door open. Chelle was taking a shower. Usually, she left the clothes she removed all over the floor when she did that, but even though Charlotte looked all around, she couldn’t see the offending bathing suit. She slipped her tote bag onto the table and sat on the end of the couch.
    What am I going to do about Chelle? I can’t let her think that what she’s doing is okay. I hope I can keep from losing my temper.
    The water shut off, and Charlotte leaned her head back. Tension gripped her neck and shoulders. She took a deep breath and tried to relax. Even manually trying to relax each muscle group didn’t work. When she moved to the next, the last one tightened again.
    Charlotte got up and paced to the window. The steward had pulled the heavy drapes to the sides when he cleaned the room, but Charlotte took hold of the sheer curtain, which didn’t part in the middle, and pushed it to one side. She stared at the end of the island visible from their stateroom. Life out there didn’t touch what was happening in here. People went about their business, completely disconnected from the passengers on the cruise ship. The tourists were only a way to make a living for most of the natives.
    The bathroom door opened. “Mom, you’re back.”
    Charlotte didn’t turn around. She kept looking at the tropical paradise in front of her. “Where is it, Chelle?”
    â€œWhere’s what?” She sounded as if she didn’t know what her mom was talking about. She probably didn’t know that Charlotte had seen her.
    Finally, Charlotte turned. “The bikini. Where is it?”
    For a moment, Chelle paled then her face flushed. “I’m going to take it back to Merry.”
    â€œGive it to me, Chelle.” At Charlotte’s steely tone, her daughter took a step backward.
    The teenager went to her large drawer and pawed through the clothes in it. “It should be right here, but I can’t find it.”
    â€œIs it still wet?” Charlotte walked closer to her daughter.
    â€œWet?” Chelle licked her lips and took a deep breath. “I don’t think it’s wet.”
    Charlotte glanced down at the