What’s better than waking up next to your spouse on your honeymoon? For me, nothing. The fact Bud and I have a sumptuous stateroom on the luxury cruise ship Stellar Sol makes it even better. Oh yes, cruising the Hawaiian Islands has been a thoroughly enjoyable break from redecorating our new home.
My husband’s just dashed to the gym to work off last night’s five-course dinner. I’ve decided those particular delicacies can linger on my hips until we get back home; I expect clambering up ladders with pots of paint will shift the pounds. Or ounces, at least. Meanwhile, I’ll allow myself to lay here for fifteen minutes and let the headache pills work their magic—maybe one less cocktail tonight?
It’s a challenge to not overindulge: restaurants and bars at almost every turn; service levels meaning I have to lift no more than a finger to get anything delivered to my lounge-chair, table, or room, and the weather? Blissfully warm. I can sit and read while I catch some sun, the ocean breezes keeping me cool-ish.
I’ve enjoyed browsing the ship’s library, but have to admit my love of people-watching often makes me peer beyond the pages of my book. That’s what comes of being a psychologist, I suppose—I always want to know why people do what they do.
It means I build life-stories for folks I stand beside in elevators, or spy across the deck. I can’t help myself. Bud’s indulgently patient about my staring, then telling him about the back-story and current lifestyles I’ve deduced for my targets.
A good example would be our conversation last night about one of the two couples who sit close-by at dinner. We’ve been on the ship for well over a week, and the foursome met at the table the first formal night. Polite conversations have graduated to what appears to be a happy camaraderie. One couple’s young—only in their thirties, which is well below the average age of the guests on the ship, but they are the more experienced cruisers, as evidenced by how relaxed they are in this opulent setting. The other two are in their late sixties, and it’s obvious that they, like us, are enjoying such a vessel for the first time.
I face the older couple, so I’ve grown more familiar with their ways. As our shared mealtimes have passed I’ve built a mental story for them, largely based on the woman’s engagement ring. It’s not an imposing piece, though its small, dark sapphire surrounded by tiny diamonds speaks volumes. It tells me the couple got engaged in the early 1980s, when Lady Diana Spencer’s choice set a trend that encircled the globe.
They have money now, though they’re still getting used to it—their clothing shows me that much, as do their new, expensive watches and jewelry, and the gold card they use almost apologetically when ordering wine at their table. They’re delighted by the dazzling surroundings, but not quite at ease within them; they’ve lived simply until quite recently. Their body language speaks of them being a complete unit, alone in the world, which leads me to suspect parental deaths have filled their coffers, and they probably don’t have children or pets—they haven’t shown off photos on their phones at their table like many others have.
The ring’s inexpensive stones suggest it didn’t require a substantial budget, and the accompanying narrow wedding band probably means they didn’t have much money when they married. Given the likely age of the ring they didn’t wed until they were in their thirties, and I feel a fair assessment is that neither one of them was ever what might be called good-looking, so a late first, and only marriage.
I have no doubt they could now afford to “trade up” as jewelry salesmen like to say, but she treasures that ring for what it represents. Even now, after wearing it for more than thirty years, she touches it gently on occasion, almost as though she’s making sure it’s still there. She often strokes it, then absently reaches for her husband’s hand. Without a word, their eyes meet briefly, a shadow of a private smile passes from one to the other, then they refocus on the conversation.
When I told Bud my theories, he confirmed the history I’d worked out for them—her husband is a gym-mate of my husband, it seems. We shared a grim chuckle as we agreed it made a pleasant change that I haven’t had to use my skills to solve a murder on this trip.
As for today? I won’t let a little hangover spoil our penultimate day at sea, so I’m going to haul myself out of bed and pop to the library before joining Bud, later on. He’s going for a session with the chap who teaches card games; watching people play cards can be very dull, so I’ll pick up a thriller to stop myself nodding off—because who knows what I might miss if I did that.
Cruise photos courtesy of Cathy Ace
The sixth Cait Morgan Mystery, The Corpse With The Diamond Hand, is published on October 13th 2015. In it you can find out how Cait’s day progresses.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by noon eastern on Monday, October 19 for your chance to win a signed copy of The Corpse With The Diamond Hand. The giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only.
About the author
Cathy Ace’s criminal psychologist, foodie sleuth, Cait Morgan, has stumbled upon Corpses with a Silver Tongue, a Golden Nose, an Emerald Thumb, Platinum Hair, Sapphire Eyes and, now, a Diamond Hand during her globetrotting. A bestselling author, Cathy won the 2015 Bony Blithe Award for Best Canadian Light Mystery for Cait Morgan Mystery #4, The Corpse with the Platinum Hair. Like Cait Morgan, Cathy was born and raised in Wales, but now lives in Beautiful British Columbia.
Visit Cathy at www.cathyace.com, at @AceCathy and on Facebook
sounds so good I could breeze thru and review !
So glad you like the sound of it Peggy 🙂
This series has been on my wish list for some time. Thanks for the giveaway!
Here’s hoping your wish comes true, Daniele 🙂
I would love to start this series. Thank you for the giveaway.
Thanks Gina – 🙂
Oh, oh, I sense something is about to happen. Sounds like a good story. Thanks for the chance to win.
You’re right, sallycootie – something IS about to happen! 😉
This series is new to me but I loved the warmth and the flow of the except! I want to check this one out!
So pleased you enjoyed this little piece, Jeanie! 🙂
I would love to read about cruise adventures and murder. Thanks for a chance to enter.
Thanks, Donna – yes, cruising and murder CAN be fun 😉
Another introduction to a new author … thank you!! This sounds like a good read. Thank you for the giveaway.
So pleased Dru Ann gave me the chance to “meet” you, Peggy 🙂
Sounds good to me!
Pleased you like the sound of it Gram 🙂
Eagerly awaiting the latest adventures!
YAY Janice – hope you enjoy cruising with Cait 🙂
Cannot wait to read this one!
Ha Ha! Great – glad you’re looking forward to it Barbara 🙂
A new series for me, and it sounds delightful. I too like creating backstories for people I see, although I have no qualifications like Cait. Thanks Dru and Cathy for the chance to win a copy of this book! Happy release day tomorrow Cathy! 🙂
Thanks for the “birthday” wishes, Barbara 🙂
Looking forward to reading the new book. Loved the previous ones in the series.
So pleased you enjoy spending time with Cait, Patricia 🙂
Woohoo! I want this one!
Thanks for the enthusiasm, Amy 🙂
This looks like a good story and I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the opportunity to win one.
Glad you like the look of it Nancy 🙂
Hi there, Cathy Ace. I love your Cait Morgan books!
Hi there Kay – thanks for the kind words 🙂
Thanks Dru Ann for sharing information on the Cait Morgan mystery series. I have not read any of them yet and so I’ve added them to my list. robeader53@yahoo.com
Hi robeader – here’s hoping you choose to “discover” them 🙂
I’ve been on one cruise and thoroughly enjoyed it but don’t have a burning desire to go again. It is wonderful to be pampered 24 hours a day.
Sounds like a great story
thanks for the chance to win it.
txmlhl@yahoo.com
Great way to cruise again without cruising marylouh! 😉
Aren’t cruises wonderful for meeting people. When we retired, my husband and I took a 90-day cruise to celebrate. You really get to know people in a confined area for that long. Lots of fodder for a mystery. The stories I could the–and probably should write about.
Here’s hoping you enjoy cruising with Cait Grace 🙂
Sounds captivating and unique. Thanks.
Glad you like the sound of it Anne 🙂
I can see that Cait and Bud are in for some twists and turns, like always, on their so far enjoyable honeymoon cruise. Having just returned from the islands I can’t wait to read this next adventure. So throw my name in the hat and hopefully I will get to add it to the five already sitting on my shelf….
Thanks for your wonderful support, KSue. Yes, there’ll be some “memories of Hawai’i” in the book for you 🙂
That’s the nicest looking cruise ship I’ve ever seen. I hope they have a great time. Thanks. crs(at)codedivasites(dot)com
They’re going to have a murderously good time, thanks carlrscott 🙂
Another new-to-me author to try. Thanks for a chance to win a copy. It sounds great. elainehroberson@gmail.com
Good to meet you elainehroberson. here’s hoping you get to meet Cait and Bud “in person” 🙂
A murder on a cruise ship sounds interesting and I’ve already been drawn into this story. Thanks for the giveaway.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Glad you enjoyed the intro, suekey12 🙂
Thank you, Dru for making me aware of this series. I will add it to my TBR pile and hope to win the newest one.
Thanks for adding Cait Morgan to your TBR pile Sharon F 🙂
Havent heard of this series but it sounds like a great read, ty, and Ill have to look up book 1
Good to “meet” you Bettyl – THE CORPSE WITH THE SILVER TONGUE was the first book (set in the south of France) and it came out in 2012….heres hoping you enjoy delving into Cait’s travels! 🙂
Great post and thanks for the chance to win. I can’t wait to read more in this series.
Thanks for your support Doward! 🙂
Intriguing! Sound like a great book! Thanks for the chance!
Glad you like the sound of it, Barbara! 🙂
This sounds interesting just as her other books did. Wishing congratulations on another release.
Thanks so much for your kind words, and wishes, Cynthia 🙂
I would love to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway Dru!
Glad you like the sound of it Cynthia 🙂
Thanks for the intro and the chance to win a copy!
You’re welcome, Mary Jane 🙂
I enjoyed the post, Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
So glad you enjoyed it Darlene! 🙂
I have yet to read this series but they sound like the kinds of books I enjoy
Glad you like the sound of the series, Joye 🙂
I really enjoy this series. Congrats on the new one.
So pleased you like spending time with Cait, Kari – and thanks! 🙂
I like her description of the older couple
Glad you enjoyed it, Libby 🙂
Looking forward to reading the latest adventures for Cait and Bud. Thanks for the chance to win!
Thanks for your support, Grace K 🙂
I haven’t read in this series but I want to. Please enter me.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Glad you like the sound of it – and hope you’ll try the series! 🙂
Interesting plot.
Count me in on this giveaway…..thank you!!!
Thanks, cyn209 – 🙂
Thanks Cathy for commenting and interacting with my readers.
Contest is closed.
Thanks for giving me this super chance to connect with your readers, Dru. They’re a classy lot, and I have really enjoyed reading all the comments. Thanks to everyone who took the time to stop by and to enter the draw. Even if you don’t win, I hope you consider reading the book 🙂 Cathy