Rogue

“I hope not. You'll find the right one.” He had changed a lot in the last couple of months. She wondered if he was ready for a grown-up, instead of a toy. You never knew. It could happen. She hoped so for him. It would be nice to see him settle down, and have more time for their children.

“I'll call you on the boat,” he promised, and then hung up.

That night, she and Charles had dinner with her parents. Charles had bought every kind of seasick medicine he could lay his hands on, and was still gritting his teeth about taking a vacation on Blake's boat. He was doing it for Maxine, and admitted to her parents that night that he was not looking forward to it.

“I think you'll enjoy it,” her father said breezily as the two men talked about medical issues, and golf. “It's quite a boat. And you know, he's really a nice guy. Have you met him yet?” Arthur Connors asked his future son-in-law about the last one.

“No, I haven't,” Charles said with a tense look. He was sick of hearing about Blake, from the children, Maxine, and now her father. “I'm not sure I want to. But I don't have much choice in the matter. He's coming to our wedding, and giving the rehearsal dinner.”

“That's just like him,” Arthur laughed. “He's kind of a big kid in a man's body. He was all wrong for Maxine, and a lousy father, but he's a decent guy. Just irresponsible and made way too much money too young. It ruined him. He hasn't done a day's work since, just runs around with fast women and buys houses. I used to call him ‘the rogue.' ”

“That's not the kind of man you want your daughter married to,” Charles said sternly, feeling insecure again. Why did everyone like Blake so goddamn much? It wasn't right, given how irresponsible he was. It wasn't good enough just to have fun and be amusing.

“No, he isn't,” Arthur agreed readily. “I thought that when she married him. He was kind of a wild guy even then, with all kinds of crazy ideas. But he's a lot of fun.” He looked at Charles then and smiled. “It's nice to have her married to a physician finally. I'd say you two are the perfect match.” Charles beamed at that. “How are you doing with the kids?”

“It takes a little time to adjust, never having had any myself.”

“It must be nice for you now,” Arthur beamed, thinking of his grandchildren, whom he was crazy about. “They're great kids.” Charles agreed with him politely, and a few minutes later, they went in to dinner. It was a very pleasant evening, and Charles looked relaxed and happy when they left. He liked her parents, which made Maxine happy too. At least that was one area that was easy for them. He hadn't quite mastered the children yet, and he was jealous of Blake. But he loved Maxine, as he reminded her often. And he even liked her parents. They both knew that the rest would fall into place in time, particularly once Zellie's baby stopped screaming. Hopefully, by the time they got back from the boat.

Chapter 21

Charles, Maxine, and her three children flew directly from New York to Nice. And as they left the house, Jimmy was still screaming.

It was an easy flight. Three of Blake's crew members and the captain were waiting at the Nice airport for them, and took them to the boat in two cars. Charles had no idea what to expect, but was a little surprised by the crisp uniforms, and the professionalism of the crew. This was obviously no ordinary boat. And Blake Williams was no ordinary man. She was called Sweet Dreams, and Maxine didn't tell Charles, but Blake had built the boat for her. And she was a very, very sweet dream. She was a two-hundred-forty-six-foot sailboat, the likes of which Charles had never seen. There was a crew of eighteen on board, and staterooms more beautiful than most houses, or any hotel. There was a fortune in art on the burnished wood walls. The children always had a ball when they were on board. They scampered around her like she was their second home, which in some ways she was.

They were delighted to see the crew, who were equally happy to see them. The crew were trained to meet every imaginable need, and spoil them in every possible way. No request was too menial or too small or ever ignored. It was the only time of the year when Maxine was totally pampered, and could completely relax. The crew entertained the children, and took out the toys at every stop. There were Jet Skis, and tiny sailboats, speedboats, and rafts to pull behind them, and a helipad for when Blake came on board. And there was a fullsize theater to entertain them at night, a fully equipped gym for them to exercise in, and a masseur to give them all massages.