A Silken Thread - Brenda Jackson [93]
“I feel bad that you’re stuck here with me. I can tell you’re not enjoying yourself.”
Erica glanced over the top of the book to her mother again. They were relaxing on deck, stretched out in loungers. The ocean was beautiful and the weather perfect. But her mother was right. She was not enjoying herself. This was supposed to have been the week before her wedding.
“I’m fine, Mom.”
“No, you’re not. It was selfish of me to suggest that you come along. If anything, I could have suggested you bring one of your friends. Verne Gamble probably would have loved to join us.”
Erica all but rolled her eyes. Verne was not her friend anymore. As kids they might have been buddies, but that changed when they reached high school and Verne ran neck and neck with her mother in the snobbery department. At least Erica would have thought that a few days ago, but she could see the changes in her mother. She hadn’t said anything unkind about anyone so far on this trip and seemed to be relaxed, calm and enjoying herself. In fact, neither her father’s, Rita’s nor Brian’s names had been mentioned. It was as if they had been completely obliterated from her mother’s mind. Maybe for now that was a good thing.
And Erica went out of her way not to bring them up, fearing a relapse.
“I think I’m going to the cabin to lie down for a while,” her mother said. “We have a full day tomorrow when we pull into port in Alexandria. I can’t wait. I would think you’d be excited, too.”
“I am excited, Mom. I just want to finish my book.”
“Well, don’t stay out here too much longer, sweetie.”
“I won’t.” Erica forced another smile as her mother left for her cabin. Erica was grateful to be alone.
“Excuse me, is this lounger taken?”
Erica glanced up and smiled at a woman who appeared to be her age. She’d seen her a number of times on ship over the past week with a handsome man. And since she was wearing a wedding ring, she assumed the man was her husband. “Not anymore. Help yourself.”
“Thanks.”
Erica went back to reading her book and a short while later she couldn’t help overhearing the woman’s conversation on her mobile. She was talking to someone in Oregon. How was she able to phone the States on her mobile phone when Erica could not?
She placed her book down and pulled her mobile phone from her tote bag and dialed Brian’s number, not caring that it was probably the middle of the night in Texas. When she still couldn’t get a signal, she breathed out her frustration in a heavy sigh.
“Are you okay?”
Erica glanced over at the woman. “Yes, and sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you just now.”
“Oh, you didn’t.”
“Have you been having trouble calling the States on your cell phone?”
The woman smiled. “No, thank goodness. I left my little boy with my parents and I usually call them two and three times a day.” She chuckled. “They’re probably tired of me checking in with them so often and wish I would have trouble calling. Why? Are you having problems?”
“Yes. I haven’t been able to place a single call off this ship with my cell phone.”
The woman frowned. “That’s odd. If there’s someone you need to call you can use mine.”
Erica shook her head. “I can’t do that.”
“Sure you can. My husband, Pete, works for an internet provider and all my calls are free. Here, go ahead and use it. And I’m Summer, by the way.”
“And I’m Erica.”
Erica stared at the phone Summer was holding out to her like it was a big juicy steak that she was trying to decide if she should really have. Knowing she probably couldn’t last another day without at least hearing Brian’s voice, she quickly took the phone out of Summer’s hand. A huge smile spread across her lips. “Thanks.”
She then punched in Brian’s number and held her breath hoping that her call would go through.
Brian leaned