I'll be posting several chapters tonight. I'm still building up to the main parts.
Chapter 3
Just before getting to the ship, Saint John remembered one last detail. "Caitlin, I almost forgot," he said. "If you're married to me, you'll need a ring."
"Oh, wow, I forgot about that too," she said. "It will look odd if I don't have one."
Saint John pulled out a black box that was familiar to String.
"Where did you get that?" String asked, knowing the answer.
"Our safety deposit box," replied Saint John. "Caitlin, this was our grandmother's ring."
Saint John opened the box and String watched as he slipped the ring onto Caitlin's finger. He tried hard to hide the disappointment he felt at that moment. Just a few months earlier he had planned to give Caitlin that ring himself. But, Saint John's mission and return had ruined it. Now, once again his brother messed things up for him. He felt like he would never be able to give her that ring now.
Caitlin's face lit up. "Wow, this is the most beautiful ring I've ever seen," she said. "It fits perfect. I appreciate that you trust me enough to borrow it."
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Once aboard, they headed to their cabins to settle in as the ship set sail. Caitlin and Saint John's cabin was two doors down from String's.
"Wow," said Caitlin. "I've been on a cruise before but I've never had a room like this one before. It's beautiful. So this is how the other half lives."
Saint John smiled. "I was on one once but I was posing as a crew member so I never got to enjoy it," he said. "This should be fun although I'm supposed to pretend to have to work a lot. I hope I get to spend some time in the sun."
Caitlin looked at the king size bed in the center of the room. "Well, I guess it's big enough that we can each stay on our respective sides," she said. "I'm sure String won't be thrilled though."
"I don't get that about my brother," replied Saint John. "I never thought of him as the jealous type. He should know he can trust us. Besides, he's the one you're ending up with on this assignment, not me."
"I don't know," said Caitlin. "All I can say is that I love him with all my heart but sometimes I don't think he believes it. Let's just use this time to get to know each other better and enjoy the perks of being on this ship while we can."
The two got dressed and ready for dinner. Michael had managed to pull a few strings and get them assigned to the Captain's table the first night. He knew it was important for them to get noticed by him. They were also advised to try and build a friendship with an elderly couple who took the cruise twice a month and seemed to be a common denominator with the couples who had been blackmailed. They met up with String in the hallway before heading to dinner.
"Wow, Caitlin," he said. "You look beautiful."
Caitlin smiled. "I love all my new clothes. I hope Michael lets me keep them when we get back. It would take several years salary to afford this wardrobe on what Dom pays me."
String laughed. "That's true. I'll see if I can twist Michaels arm on that one. It's the least he can do for what we are about to do for him."
"Let's go," said Saint John as he put his arm around Caitlin's waist. They headed to the dining room with String following closely behind. It killed him to see Saint John so touchy with Caitlin but he kept telling himself that his turn would come and that he was the one she wanted to be with, in reality and for this mission.
Dinner seemed to go as planned. Saint John dismissed himself several times leaving Caitlin alone with String and the other guests including the older couple, the Cameron's.
"Your husband stays rather busy," said Mrs. Cameron. "My husband use to be like that until he retired."
Caitlin sighed. "Yes, I wish he would give it a rest," she said. "He promised me that he would try and spend more time with me on this vacation. But, it seems like he's doing the same as always."
"I'm so sorry to hear that dear," said Mrs. Cameron. "I'll be sunning on the main deck in the morning if would like someone to chat with and keep you company."
Caitlin smiled. "I'd love that," she said. Then she thought to herself, "Looks like I've gotten her attention. Now let's see where it gets us."
