Death on the Bella Constance (A Jesse Watson Mystery Series Book 6) by Ann Mullen Page A

after watching Nell on the computer, and
listening to her and her husband bicker about money and his position in the
company, and Ruby and Jeff going through their packages after an apparent
shopping excursion, we were bored and ready for some fun. The other sister and
her husband weren’t in their room.
    “They’ll be back soon, I’m sure,” I said. “The day is growing
short, and they’ll have to get ready for dinner some time soon.”
    “Forget about them,” Billy said. “Let’s go for a swim.”
    “I’ll get in the pool, but you know I can’t swim.”
    “Yes, I do, `ge ya, and I think it’s about time you learned.
I will teach you. Now, go put on that skimpy little bikini you brought with
you.”
    Both of us changed out of clothes and put on our beachwear,
or maybe in this case—pool wear—and were ready for a frolicking time in the
water. Clad in proper attire, with sunscreen and all the necessities for
lounging by the pool, Billy and I headed for deck seven.
    The stroll was enjoyable. The cool breeze kept the late
afternoon sun from being so hot, and the salt air was refreshing. It was
exactly what I expected. The mountains have the best air, but when I’m on the
water, I want it to smell like the beach… and I wouldn’t mind getting a little
tan without burning to a crisp.
    The pool area was filled with lounge chairs, tables with
umbrellas and chairs, people sipping drinks, and kids jumping in the water,
splashing around with their parents. Fortunately, there was also a life guard on
duty.
    “Hmm,” I whispered. “I was hoping for a little privacy.”
    “You’re on a cruise ship with several hundred other people,”
Billy said. “The only real privacy we’re going to get is in our room.” Billy,
being the optimist that he is, can find the good in any situation, so he took
my hand and said, “Follow me.”
    He led me to a nice, secluded area off to the left of the
pool in the corner where it seemed to be less crowded. We had full sun and
solitude. It was a perfect place to relax.
    I picked up one of the towels provided, spread it on the
chaise, and sat down with my back to Billy. I put my pool bag on the floor
beside me, reached in, and took out the sunscreen.
    “Would you mind?” I asked, turning my head in his direction.
    “I’d be delighted to.”
    Billy sat down in his chaise facing my back, and gently
rubbed on the lotion, his hands making circular strokes. His touch was
stimulating.
    I stretched out on the chaise on my front side, so he could
rub down my back and legs, while I lay there basking in the warm glow of the
sun. When I turned over, I looked around and noticed several people staring. “I
think that’s enough,” I said, softly. “We have an audience. Maybe I should
handle the front side.”
    Billy glanced around and smiled that charming smile of his.
    Smiles flashed back at him.
    When I looked up again, I saw that all those smiles were
coming from women—women of all shapes, sizes, and in an age bracket beyond
ours… and none of them were with a man.
    “I didn’t realize this was also a ship for senior singles,
too.”
    “You will see all kinds of people, `ge ya.”
    “They look as if they’re on the prowl.”
    Billy laughed and replied, “If they are, it’s because they’re
lonely. I bet their husbands are on the ship somewhere else, doing their thing.
Those women just want to meet people and socialize.”
    I scanned the pool area again and saw a group of older men
congregating on the other size.
    “If you look across the pool you’ll see a bunch of men about
the same age as those ladies. Perhaps they are their husbands.”
    Our chitchat ended when Billy said, “Okay, It’s time for your
swimming lesson.”
    “Do we have to? All these people will see us. Besides, I just
put on sunscreen.”
    “They’ll be jealous because you’re so beautiful, and you look
hot in that bikini. Black becomes you.”
    “Enough,” I said. “You win. Teach me how to