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Encounter

Taking a deep breath, Meg proceeded, knowing she had no choice but to retrieve Ruth, though she was ashamed to admit thoughts of slowly backing away crossed her mind. The crew would determine who her parents were eventually, wouldn’t they? Charlie would keep her safe until Kelly and Daniel could come and get her, no doubt. Pushing those thoughts aside, and praying that he did not recognize her or ask any questions, she marched onward, trying to focus on the child and avoid those green eyes at all cost.

“Ruth!” she admonished, “there you are! Aunt Meg has been looking everywhere for you, sweetheart.”

Ruth hung her head only slightly before meeting Meg’s eyes and saying, in her angelic baby voice, “The scarf blew away!”

“Oh, my,” Meg said, shaking her head. “Next time, wait for Aunty Meg, darling.” She opened her arms and Ruth came to her, still clutching the scarf in her balled up fist.

“I’m sorry, Aunty Meg,” she replied with a slobbery kiss on the cheek.

“It’s okay, baby,” Meg assured her. “You’re safe. We should get you back to your mummy. Let’s thank the nice man first, all right?”

As Ruth turned to face Charlie, her arms opened again, and she shot back to him, much to his surprise. “Thank you, Uncle Charlie!” she gushed, wrapping her arms around his neck.”

Laughing at her spontaneity, Charlie replied, “You’re welcome, Ruth. I’m glad your aunt found you. Now, here you go, back to Aunt Meg, and then off to see Mummy.”

Without looking directly at him, Meg took Ruth back and said, “Thank you. She just disappeared.”

“Not a problem,” Charlie offered, patting Ruth gently on the back. “We were just looking for some dolphins, and then we were going to go see if one of the stewards could help us find her parents.”

“She’s been looking for dolphins most of the morning,” Meg explained, looking at Ruth instead of the man she was speaking to. It occurred to her that, if Charlie had recognized her, he likely would have said something by now. Since he hadn’t, chances were he had no idea that he was talking to the woman he had been engaged to for three years. Though she was relieved that her ruse had not been discovered, she dare not tarry and continue to push her luck. “Well, thank you again, sir,” she said, not sure whether she should offer her hand, curtsy, or simply nod. She was not yet used to being a Third Class citizen.

If he picked up on her awkwardness, it didn’t show. “Oh, please, call me Charlie,” he said, though he didn’t offer his hand. “And this is my friend Jonathan,” he continued.

Meg hadn’t even noticed the other man until that second when he stepped to Charlie’s side and said, “How do you do, Miss…?”

She froze. She met this stranger’s dark brown eyes and noticed the inquisitive stare immediately. The expression on his face reminded her that he had asked a question—one for which she had no answer. She stammered, pondering how to reply.

“She’s Aunty Meg,” Ruth reminded them, bringing a laugh from everyone, even Meg who was still panicking.

“That’s right. I’m Aunty Meg,” she confirmed. “And I’m afraid we must be going. Thanks again for your assistance,” she repeated, and then, just as she was about to walk away, so close to an escape, she glanced up, as if her eyes were no longer under her control, and she looked straight into those penetrating green eyes. She gasped, turned, and pulled a struggling Ruth away. What she saw there was not recognition and disdain as she had feared, but kindness and intrigue. She began to realize she didn’t really know Charlie Ashton at all—and perhaps she wanted to.

Charlie watched as Meg and a waving Ruth disappeared into the crowd, a small smile creeping up at the corners of his mouth. He knew that Jonathan was staring at him in anticipation of an explanation, but he let him wait a bit longer before he finally said, “That was her.”

Jonathan’s arms were open, his hands palm up in a questioning gesture. “Her who?” he asked, clearly lost.

Charlie rested his elbows on the boat railing behind him. “Her,” he replied. “The girl. From yesterday.” Jonathan was still clueless, and Charlie was a bit amused at watching his friend attempt to connect the pieces. “Don’t you remember yesterday when the boat launched, and you were trying to get my attention? I was staring at her.”

Recognition finally washed over Jonathan’s face. “Oh, I see,” he replied, stepping forward to rest his forearms on the railing. “I guess I didn’t realize you were staring at someone in particular. Now I know why…” he muttered.

“Yes, she’s pretty amazing,” Charlie agreed.

Jonathan looked at him, eyebrows raised in bewilderment. “Since when does Charles Ashton actually admit when he finds a woman attractive?” he inquired.

Charlie shrugged. “That was… before. Now… it doesn’t matter so much.”

“You never know,” Jonathan reminded him, “Miss Westmoreland might show up. She might deposit herself right back into your life. No one called anything off.”

“I know,” Charlie assured him, turning to face him. “She’s not… whatever is going on with Mary Margaret, she made her intentions clear—three times. Even my father can understand that. I appreciate how he values keeping promises, but there’s something to be said for family pride as well, you understand?”

“Of course I do,” Jonathan agreed. “And I have no doubt Mr. Ashton will be appalled at her behavior once you give him the full story. But in the meantime, I’m just saying, don’t start thinking of yourself as being an officially eligible bachelor.”

Charlie nodded, but he disagreed with what Jonathan was saying. If his father couldn’t see through her actions that Mary Margaret Westmoreland certainly wanted nothing to do with him, then Charlie would explain it in no uncertain terms. Under no circumstances would he ever give Mary Margaret another chance to become his wife, not after what she had just put him through.

“However,” Jonathan continued, glancing in the direction where Meg had just disappeared, “that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun.”

“Jonathan…” Charlie began.

“Hear me out,” Jonathan interrupted. “She’s a Third Class passenger. You couldn’t possibly consider a relationship with her anyway. She’s probably a mail order bride…”

“Really?”

“But, you deserve to live a little, too, you know? How many years has it been since you gave another woman a chance? For as long as I can remember you’ve been telling every beautiful woman that comes your way that you’re engaged, and you can’t even offer them a dance. Why not take a chance? She’s beautiful—and if she’s not married, why not?” Jonathan pressed.

“You know that’s not how I operate anymore,” Charlie reminded him, though the thought of pursuing Meg was very tempting. She was definitely one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen, if not the most beautiful. And despite momentarily misplacing her niece, she was also very good with children. She seemed warm and caring, and he could also see intelligence in her eyes.

“Let’s just see if we run into sweet Meg again and play it by ear. What do you say?” Jonathan offered.

After a brief moment of pretended thoughtfulness, Charlie agreed. “All right,” he said. “But really, what are the chances that I’ll run into her again?”

“Right,” Jonathan agreed, placing his hand on Charlie’s shoulder as they began to head back to their own portion of the ship, “unless we continue to frequent the Third Class promenade.”

“And the Squash Courts are also located below First Class accommodations,” Charlie reminded him.

“And I hear they serve a mean cup of coffee in the Steerage Dining Hall,” Jonathan laughed.

“Somehow I doubt that. Let’s not push our luck,” Charlie said. “If it’s meant to be, it will work its way out.”

“That’s true,” Jonathan agreed. “There’s no way to escape one’s destiny.”

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