Uncharted Love (Places to See Book 4) Read online

  “Mrs. Livingston has agreed to share her story with you,” Jax said.

  “I’m so sorry, Ellie. I never wanted to cause you pain, but I had no choice,” Mildred said.

  “What do you mean?” Ellie asked.

  “Three years ago my husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He needed surgery. We were financially strapped. Had it happened two years earlier, we would have mortgaged the business, but at that point the business was no longer ours. We’d signed it over to our son and his wife. We couldn’t ask them, they had two young children. We tried to sell the house, but had no offers. My husband was running out of time. We went to our banker to see what they could do for us. He told us there was little he could do, but he had a friend in the lending business.”

  “Oh, Mildred,” Ellie said.

  “I know. We both knew it wasn’t the best idea, but we were out of options. We got the money; Albert had his surgery and started to recover. We made our bi-weekly arranged payments and everything was going along fine. A year later, we had a visit from the man we borrowed the money from. He said there was a change in plans. His company would pay for me to take cruises with the understanding that I must play a part.”

  “Don’t tell me you stole my ring?” Ellie said.

  “No. My job is to keep my eyes open for ‘opportunities,’ as he called it. When I find a suitable opportunity I report it to my handler and that’s it. They do the stealing, but I’m just as guilty.” Mildred’s shoulders slumped and she wrung her hands. “I’m so deeply sorry.”

  “Why didn’t you contact the police?” Ellie asked.

  “The same reason Albert has to stay at home—leverage. They know that as long as he’s at home, I’ll always come back. To make certain that I’d do as I was told, they threatened to kill our son and his family, if either of us told anyone. The man you saw coming out of my room the other day, Mark is my handler. He wanted to know if I’d found anything else.”

  “Is Mark the one who does the deed?” Ellie asked.

  “Yes. I never see what he steals, except for the other day. He heard that all the crew’s quarters were going to be searched. Mark brought the jewelry to me and told me to hide it until he returned. That was the night I met the two of you in the hall. I felt so guilty; I had to get away from you as soon as possible.”

  “Do you have the jewelry now?” Ellie asked.

  “No. I checked where I’d hid the jewelry but it was all gone. Obviously, he took it back when I was away from my stateroom.”

  “Then there’s a possibility that Ellie’s ring is still on the ship.”

  “I...I guess so. I have no idea who Mark makes contact with or when,” Mildred said.

  “What’s the possibility that this is happening on more than one cruise line?” Ellie asked.

  “It seems pretty sophisticated,” Jax said. “What do you think, Mildred?”

  “I’ve been on another cruise line for them for the same purpose. I overheard my handler on the phone the other night. He was standing out on the veranda and he thought he couldn’t be overheard. I heard him say that my ‘take’ and that of the other three is the largest yet. My guess is the other three are different ships.”

  “I need to find the captain and locate Mark. Mildred, you stay put. I’ll come and pick you up right before I’m ready to go to Captain St. James,” Jax said.

  “Will I have to go to prison for the rest of my life?” Mildred asked.

  “Not if I can help it,” Ellie and Jax replied in unison.

  The day dragged on while Ellie waited to hear from Jax and Mildred. A knock sounded and she yanked the door open to find Jax and Mildred, smiling at her.

  “Come in,” she said. “I’ve been driving myself batty wondering what was happening. Tell me!”

  “I finally found Mark…and these.”

  Jax pulled the sapphire ring and pearls from his pocket.

  “So far, that’s all your jewelry I’ve recovered. We’re still questioning Mark, but I couldn’t let the family tradition end with you,” Jax said.

  “Oh Jax, thank you!” Ellie threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. She stepped back and took the ring from him and slipped it back on her finger. “This means the world, really. Tell me what happened.”

  “Mildred and I went to Captain St. James after I found your jewelry and told him the whole story. I explained to him that we never would’ve discovered what was happening on our ship, if not for Mildred. She told the captain all that she knew. He felt Mildred was as much a victim as the passengers and he doesn’t want to press charges. I contacted the other cruise lines; they are starting an extensive investigation. We’ll notify the authorities and turn Mark over to them. At least cracking the case will help our reputation for being vigilant about our passengers’ safety,” Jax said.

  Mildred Livingston sat silently crying.

  “What’s wrong, Mildred? You are free from these terrible people,” Ellie said.

  “You don’t know what you have both done for me and my family,” she said. “You gave Albert and me our lives back. I will never be able to repay you for this gift.” She sniffled.

  “You don’t know what you have done for me,” Jax said. “Because of you, I’ve met the most extraordinary woman in the world.”

  Ellie’s hand flew to her chest and her mouth dropped open as her eyes met Jax’s.

  Chapter Ten

  Jax and Ellie spent every possible minute together for the remainder of the cruise. As the ship pulled into Miami, Ellie felt as though her dream world had crumbled around her. Returning back home to her mundane life without Jax was more than she could bear.

  As he promised, Jax met her at the gangway. He held out his hand. She gave him hers and he laced their fingers together in an unspoken promise. They walked off the ship hand in hand.

  “How long will you be in port?” she asked.

  “A week, and I’m certain it will be crazy between the thefts and getting her ready for the next cruise,” Jax said.

  Ellie braced herself.

  “I promise one day soon we will be together,” Jax said.

  “Don’t make promises you can’t keep. You’re not superman,” Ellie said.

  “No, I’m the man in love with you.”

  She turned away from him, her head bowed low.

  “Please don’t tell me that. You are in love with your career and there isn’t enough room for me. I’m not part of your life plan.” She stared down at her hands, the sapphire ring twinkling up at her.

  “Plans can change, Ellie. Even charted ones.”

  Six months later…

  Ellie felt elated; her new offices were finally ready. She’d signed a lease for the entire upper floor of a new building ten miles outside of Seattle, situated right on the water. She’d fallen in love with it the second she saw it. If only Jax were in her life, it would be perfect. They kept in touch via emails, texts, and rare phone calls, which was something, but she knew in her heart their long-distance connection couldn’t last.

  It was early Saturday morning and she was puttering around her new publishing house alone. She’d gone down to grab another box, when she met Brad in the parking lot. He was one of the owners of the building she leased. Brad helped her carry some boxes up to her offices. She wanted to have all the last minute touches together, before the grand opening on Monday. The bell on the front door tinkled and she looked up to greet the girl who entered.

  “Hi there,” said a delivery girl with a huge arrangement of flowers. “I’m glad you’re here. I didn’t want to have to make up this arrangement again on Monday.”

  She set the flowers down on the closest desk.

  “They’re beautiful,” Ellie said.

  “Have a nice day,” the delivery girl said with a smile and left.

  Ellie walked over to the flowers, leaned in and inhaled the sweet fragrance. She saw a small white envelope tucked inside. She pulled it out and opened it.

  The note read; I’m glad y
ou like our new building. With all my love, your superman. She stared at the card as though it was written in a foreign language.

  Somewhere in the depths of her consciousness, she registered the tinkling of the doorbell.

  “I see you got my flowers,” said a deep baritone voice.

  Ellie spun around.

  “Jax?”

  “I have to admit, I hoped for a little more enthusiasm than that,” Jax said.

  “Jax!”

  Ellie leaped across the waiting room and threw herself into his open arms. She kissed him frantically on the lips, cheeks, and forehead.

  “It’s you. You’re really here.”

  “I told you plans can change.”

  Jax framed her face between his hands and kissed her. She swore she felt a fire within him, one that must have built up over the last six months.

  “I’ve missed you so much my entire body has ached nonstop…until this moment,” he said.

  She smiled and kissed him with growing enthusiasm.

  “Wait, what did you mean by ‘our building’?” she asked, waving the florist card.

  “You’ve met Brad and Dusty. They are the buddies I told you about. The main floor is soon to be the home of our brand new charter business. As my wife, you will be an equal partner.”

  He pulled out a small black box and dropped to one knee. Inside the box, sparkling up at her, was a spectacular princess cut diamond surrounded by square cut sapphires.

  “I want to start our own tradition,” he said. “Ellie Matthews, from the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew I needed you in my life. I love you with all that I am. Will you be my wife, best friend, and soul mate?”

  “On one condition…we have to invite Mildred and Albert Livingston to the wedding.”

  They both laughed as Jax picked her up off her feet and swung her around in a circle.

  “Of course, they are first on my list. I wouldn’t dream of not including them in our special day. It’s because of them that I found my uncharted love.”

  Look for the other stories in the series.

  Story One in The Places to See Series.

  The Empress of Ireland

  Laila Byrne made a final promise to her friend. She will travel more and work less. After sticking a pin in a map of the world, she heads off to Ireland.

  Laila’s trip doesn’t work out as planned, but the mix-up results in a chance encounter with a handsome Irishman, Alasdair.

  Alasdair spends all his waking hours trying to figure out how to keep his family’s century old pub, The Empress of Ireland, open for business. He doesn’t have time for anything. But when the lovely American comes across his path, will he find time?

  Once you come to Ireland, you may never leave.

  Story One in The Places to See Series.

  Story Two in The Places to See Series

  Island Bride

  Wedding planner to the rich and famous, Amy Oliver isn’t the kind of woman to take a break even when on a vacation. No, business first and then comes pleasure-or maybe not-she’d have to check her schedule.

  The only solace Amy ever finds comes from the pages of books and her friends within her book club, but when they lose one of their members they decide to check traveling off of their bucket lists. When Amy selects to take a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to New Zealand, she finds herself using the trip to put her career first. But when life gets in the way of her work, she is forced to decide whether to follow the path of least resistance or forge a new path--a path that may lead to heartache as easily as love. What is a driven woman to do?

  Story Three in The Places to See Series

  Love is in the Air

  Sophie Grant made a promise to her friend. She loves the comfort of her book store and has no desire what-so-ever to go on an adventure—not when she can read about them every day in a book.

  But a promise is a promise.

  After sticking a pin in a map she heads off to the Colorado Rockies.

  High in the Colorado Rockies, world renowned photographer Jonas Hansen is healing from a personal loss. Will Sophie’s kind nature, love of photography, and beautiful smile make Jonas whole again?

  About the Author

  Joanne was born and raised in Sherburne, New York, a quaint village surrounded by dairy farms and rolling hills. From the moment she could read she wanted to explore the world. During her college years she slowly crept across the country, stopping along the way in Oklahoma, California, and finally Washington State, which she now proudly calls home. She lives with her husband and Dobermans, in their home located on the Kitsap Peninsula with a panoramic view of the Olympic Mountains.

  Joanne writes paranormal, romantic suspense. She loves writing about the twists and turns of her character’s lives and the trouble they find themselves involved in, coupled with building an everlasting relationship. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, and an active member of Debbie Macomber’s home chapter, Peninsula Romance Writers, where she currently serves as the President.

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  Table of Contents

  Uncharted LoveJoanne Jaytanie

  Excerpt from Uncharted Love

  Uncharted Love

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Look for the other stories in the series.

  About the Author

  After reading this story please leave a review. The authors really appreciate your input. Thanks!