Chapter 31

Suddenly Single—What a Trip!

Dear Readers,

As our journey together comes to an end, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the unforgettable memories we've shared. There have been a lot of highs and lows on this swashbuckling adventure. Each experience has embedded itself into the mosaic of our voyage, leaving us with stories to cherish for a lifetime. Some bonds have grown stronger, some have taken a step in an unexpected direction, and yet happy endings were had—and justice has been served.

Here's to the good times that will continue to echo in our hearts long after we've disembarked and to the friendships that will forever anchor us together.

Until next time—happy travels!

XOXO Trixie

A little aftermidnight there's a knock on my cabin door.

I just got back to my room no less than an hour ago. Ransom and Wes went back to their offices to deal with the paperwork that follows an arrest like this. Bess and Nettie were exhausted from all the dueling—and the excitement that followed, so we decided to turn in early.

But I haven't been able to sleep. In fact, I've sat on my balcony watching the stars, watching the moon shine silver over the Caribbean waters while still dressed in my pirate finery. In all honesty, I might have to call Elodie to help free me from this bustier.

The knocking persists.

"I'm coming," I say as I make my way over. "Elodie, that had better be you."

I swing the door open, and oddly enough, it is Elodie, along with Bess and Nettie, and they're all still dressed to pirate nines as well.

"What's going on?" I ask. "Don't tell me the three of you need a hand in getting out of your getups, too."

Elodie looks like a pirate's queen in her gunmetal-colored dress. It's tattered and torn in all the right, and might I add suggestive, places, but she's not smiling at me with that impish grin of hers. In fact, it looks as if she's tearing up.

"You need to come with us," she says, pulling me out of my cabin as she leads the way, and soon the four of us are on the elevator, taking it all the way to the top.

"Don't tell me they have a secret buffet up here that we're just now learning about," I say. "No wonder you're all so solemn. I'm pretty steamed about it, too. But then, you know what they say, better late than never. I hope they're serving lava cake."

The elevator doors woosh open and we step out onto the nineteenth deck to see an entire universe of lavender twinkle lights crisscrossing overhead. And to my surprise, the floor is awash in what looks to be pink and red rose petals.

"What the heck," I say as we step out into the night. "Is this some kind of private party? It looks like we've just stepped into a fairytale."

Elodie shrugs my way. "For some of us, it just might be." She nods up ahead and in the dim light I spot the silhouette of a man in a suit standing near the railing, facing out toward the water."

My heart thumps wildly as I step in that direction because I happen to recognize that sturdy frame.

"Ransom?" I call out and notice the fact that Elodie, Bess, and Nettie have stepped to the side. I do a double take in their direction and spot Wes stepping out of the shadows. "Wes, what's going on?"

He nods toward the dark figure before us and my feet carry me in that direction.

"Ransom?" I say softly and he turns around and takes my breath away.

That suit, his slicked-back hair, the scent of fresh cologne. Ransom is a god among mere mortals.

"Something tells me you haven't been doing paperwork," I say, deadpan, and evoke a laugh from the peanut gallery behind us.

Ransom's lips curve as his eyes latch onto mine.

"You're right. I haven't," he says. "That's because I can't think of anything or anyone right now but you."

My heart sinks for a moment.

Oh no, this is it.

He's breaking up with me.

I've pushed his sanity to the limit and he's not interested in a freak like me.

I can't blame him.

Six days out of seven, I'm not so interested in me either.

He shakes his head as if affirming my theory.

"I don't want to think of anything but you," he says as he picks up my hands. "Trixie, you've been a beacon of light in my world from the second you boarded this ship. You've woken me up to see a life that I thought I would never have. You gave me sunshine for rain and light for darkness. You've given me hope, and a renewed spirit, and let me know that I didn't need hundreds of women to make me happy—I only needed one. You. And because of that, I know without a doubt that I want to spend the rest of my life by your side."

He drops to one knee and I freeze solid.

My breathing ceases. It's all I can do not to pass out cold.

"Trixie Troublefield"—he says slowly as he holds my gaze before producing a ring in between his fingers from seemingly out of nowhere and that rock nestled in it looks as if it's outshining all of the stars—"will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Marry me, Trixie."

I gasp as he says those words, and suddenly it feels as if I'm having an out-of-body experience.

"Well?" Nettie says. "What's it gonna be?"

"You can always throw him back," Elodie says. "You're still young, Trixie. You haven't even begun to fight your way through the hard bodies this world has to offer."

"Don't listen to them," Bess shouts. "Ransom is a dreamboat. I say hitch a ride for life."

"Don't worry, Trixie," Wes says. "No matter what you decide, I'll be here for you."

Ransom doesn't break his gaze with mine, he just waits patiently for me.

Expectantly.

I pull him to his feet and wrap my arms around him tight.

"My answer is yes."

*Thank you for reading.