Two days before the wedding, an informal dinner was held for Adam and Carrie’s friends and guests in the hotel dining room. Spirits were high as friends and family came together to wish the bride and groom lots of luck and love in the future. Friends from the cruise talked about the last couple of weeks as they shared their stories with those who were not familiar with the treasure hunt.

Rosie sat back and watched everyone; a smile played on her lips as she felt the love and friendship around her. Here she felt safe and well liked. For once, she never got the prickly sensations at the back of her neck when she sensed that someone might be watching her. She didn’t have to look over her shoulders waiting for the shot that would end her life. She sipped her drink and laughed with her friends, looking only towards the future.

With so many people around, she never had a chance to meet everyone that kept coming up to the table or to wish the engaged couple the best. Sitting beside her was the comedian, Vinnie Cabarelli, whom she met a couple of years ago at the Sahara, one of the few casinos she worked in when she lived in Las Vegas. As they talked about his past shows, a figure in white came into her peripheral line of sight. Out of curiosity she turned her head slightly and noticed a tall gentleman in a naval uniform. Not giving him a second glance, she continued her conversation with Cabarelli.

Brock walked into the dining room and scanned the room looking for Carrie and Adam. He finally spotted them surrounded by family and friends. He watched Carrie for a moment and felt the pride within him swell as he saw the beautiful, young woman his sister had become. She carried herself with grace and poise. Finally realizing he must look like a fool for just gaping at his sister, he made his way to the table and placed his arm on her shoulders and gave her a peck on the cheek.

“Sorry, I’m late. Did I miss anything?” He grinned at her.

Carrie poked him in the ribs and laughed. “Miss anything? Only half the meal, which I remember correctly you never liked to miss. Come on, I’ll introduce you to my friends.” She took her brother by the arm and walked him around the table as she called out names.

Rosie heard Carrie behind her as she started to introduce someone. She turned around and her breath caught in her throat.

“Everyone, this is my brother, Captain Brock Rockford. He has finally graced us with his presence tonight.” She looked up at her brother with admiration.

Brock chuckled and blushed at his sister’s comments. “Don’t listen to her, she always did exaggerate.” He squeezed Carrie’s shoulders once more. In a perfect southern drawl he turned to Rosie first. “G’d evening, Captain Brock Rockford, United States Navy.” He offered his hand to her.

Before Rosie could look like a total fool, she recovered herself and took the captain’s hand. “Hello, Captain.” she said softly. “Rose Smith.” Brock took her hand and bent slightly over it before giving it a kiss.

“Ms. Smith, the pleasure is all mine and please call me Brock.” Her hand lingered in his before he finally let go.

She smiled and nodded slightly. “Brock, it is, if you will do the same and call me Rosie.”

“I would be happy to oblige the lady.” He turned to the others and the rest of the introductions were made. Once done, he looked around the table for an empty seat. The only one available was beside Rosie. “May I?”

Rosie nodded her head. “Of course, please do.” She grabbed her glass of water and took a drink. Her palms began to sweat and she stared straight ahead not wanting to be rude and stare at the handsome man who just sat next to her.

Brock turned to Rosie and admired her profile. “So, Rosie, how do you know my sister?” A waiter arrived and took his dinner and drink order.

A small smile came over her features as she was quickly transported back to the cruise.

“It must be a wonderful memory to have you smiling like that,” said a voice beside Rosie.

She turned to Brock and smiled. “Yes, it was. I met Carrie and Adam, for that matter, on the cruise we were just recently on.” She continued with her story from being a stowaway to being found out and the nights when Carrie and herself would sing duets just for fun when they got bored with the mundane routine of nightly entertainment. She blushed when she realized how much she had gone on.

“I’m sorry to have talked your ear off like that.”

Brock smiled and shook his head. “Not at all. It’s nice to hear a story about any involvement with my sister. We haven’t kept in close touch over the years and now with her own wedding coming up, I’m afraid that we may not get that chance this time around.” During Rosie’s story, his dinner had come and at Rosie’s insistence, he enjoyed his meal. Now finishing off the last bite, he sat back and studied her.

“So now you are here on another vacation?” A playful smile teased the corners of his mouth.

Rosie laughed. “Yes, I guess you could say that. But actually Carrie has asked that I help her and the bridal party with hair and make-up.” Her insides felt calmer as she continued to talk to him. There was something about him that she couldn’t quite put her finger on. She mentally shook herself and tried to concentrate on the conversation at hand.

“Beauty design? I truly am impressed, although I doubt I shall have much call for your services on this trip. A shame, really: I'm sure you work wonders." He flashed her a smile.

She mockingly looked over his face and studied it with great interest, looking at one side and then the other. This also gave her a great opportunity to get a better look at him. “Well, hmm, your face really isn’t that bad. I could perform a wonder or two, if you’d let me,” she said with an innocence and seriousness before her face broke out into a playful smile.

Brock shouted out with laughter, which brought a few to look in their direction. Rosie started to laugh with him. Carrie, who was on the other side of the room, heard her brother laugh and a delightful smile came over her as she watched the interaction between Rosie and Brock.

When his laughter finally subsided, he said, “Ma’am, if you can perform wonders on this ugly mug of mine, I will be forever in your debt.” He took his wineglass and raised it in appreciation towards Rosie.

For the short time that she had been in his presence, she loved to hear him talk and listen to his distinct southern accent.

“Can I just say that I love your accent? Where in the south are you from, if I may ask?” The waiter arrived to refill the wineglasses. Rosie accepted and took a sip as she waited for Brock to answer.

“Well since you asked so nicely, I was born and raised in N’Orleans, right by the Mississippi.”

“Really? Well, now I’m confused, if you and Carrie are related why doesn’t she have the same accent?”

His smile was soft and sad. “Carrie was adopted by my family. She was actually the last one to enter the family just before I left to join the Navy.” A small frown passed quickly over his face as memories of his leaving home and Carrie crossed his mind.

Rosie watched the play of emotions on his features and looked away so that he would have a moment to compose himself. Seconds had passed before she replied, “I see. It’s wonderful to know that a family can open their hearts and home to children who don’t have much. Carrie is a wonderful person, very loving and friendly, open and honest. You and your family must have had lots of love for her and the other children that you adopted over the years.”

Brock nodded and smiled when he heard the wonderful things about Carrie. “Yes, she was a bit shy when we first brought her into our home but after all the other kids started to include her in their own activities, she just opened up and blossomed into the beautiful person she is today.” As he spoke, he sought out his sister amongst her guests and watched her with pride and joy.

As he looked away, Rosie studied his rugged profile. He’s seen too much. But of what? It would be nice if he…No, don’t be silly, Rosie. Look at him. Can you honestly say that there isn’t another girl waiting for him at home? She mentally shook her head and sighed. She glanced at her watch and was surprised at the time.

“I didn’t realize it was so late. If you will all excuse me, I think I will retire for the night. It was nice to meet all of you.” As she stood, Brock stood with her. “Oh, please don’t get up,” she protested.

“Where I come from, it is highly rude for a man to not stand when a lovely woman leaves the table.” Rosie giggled when the other men at the table heard what Brock had to say and stood awkwardly also.

“Brock, it was nice to meet you and I hope to see you again.”

“The pleasure was all mine. I think I will retire also. May I escort you back to your room?”

“Of course,” Rosie said, surprised and nervous once again.

Brock smiled and turned to the others at the table. “Ladies and gentlemen, it was nice to meet all of you. Have a g'd evening.”

He offered his arm to Rosie as he escorted back to her room. They parted saying goodnight once more as Brock placed a kiss on Rosie’s hand.

She slept peacefully dreaming of a certain southern gentleman.

He slept with no peace dreaming of fires in the night.