George chose to ignore her and began changing into her swimsuit.
“I may just go to bed,” Bess said. “I’m pretty tired.” She let out a big yawn.
“You’re not going to bed. You and I are going to get dressed for dinner!” Nancy said. “After that we’re going to the show. Tonight members of the crew are performing songs from some of the top Broadway musicals.”
“Maybe,” Bess said.
“No maybe,” Nancy said. “You’re going.”
After George left, Nancy called Craig. He answered right away. Nancy filled him in on what she saw of the two men. “Brad Snider is a pro football player. He and George are swimming laps in the pool right now. I think we can forget about him,” she said. “Do you know anything about this other guy?”
“Rudy Vincent. He’s from Minneapolis,” Craig said. “He deals rare books.”
“You’re kidding me,” Nancy said.
“No, I’m not,” Craig said. “And that doesn’t mean he couldn’t deal stolen diamonds, too.”
“I suppose,” Nancy said. “I’ll keep an eye on him.”
Nancy and Bess spent the next hour getting ready. They each tried on all of their evening gowns before choosing one for that night.
George called down to the room just as Nancy and Bess were headed out the door. She told them that she and Brad were going to eat in the Palm Garden Café but that they might see them later at the show.
Nancy repeated the conversation to Bess. When Nancy was finished, Bess said, “Sounds like a boyfriend to me!”
“Oh, Bess! You’re so old-fashioned!” Nancy groaned. “Women and men can just be friends nowadays.”
“Not if the man is as cute as Brad Snider, they can’t!” Bess countered.
Nancy raised an eyebrow. “I think you’re jealous,” she said.
Bess glared at her for a moment, then burst out laughing. “Of course I’m jealous! I’m green with envy!”
When Nancy and Bess arrived at the restaurant, Nancy’s cell phone rang. It was Craig again.
“Amber is feeling much better, but she’s not letting me out of her sight. If I have a free moment, she expects me to be with her,” he said. “She’s also changed tables. Her excuse was that she met some really interesting people, but I think she’s still jealous of us.”
“Well, we’ll deal with it, Craig,” Nancy said. “Have fun. I’ll check in with you later.”
When they entered the restaurant, Nancy scanned the room. Her gaze fell on Rudy Vincent. He was seated at a table with several wholesome-looking couples, and he seemed to be completely enjoying himself. Nancy didn’t think that the group was talking about stolen diamonds—and she was glad. She wanted to relax during dinner.
Both Nancy and Bess were happy to see that the Lowes were already at their table—and now so was Laura Houston.
Bess immediately brightened. “Oh, this is good!” she said. “But I wonder what Laura said to the people at her other table.”
“I don’t know, but I’m glad she’s sitting with us now,” Nancy said, “because it’s certainly done wonders for your mood.”
Bess smiled. “I’m sorry, Nancy. I was feeling kind of left out, I guess,” she said. “But, yes—I really like Laura Houston. She seems like a great source of fashion information. I don’t think I’d ever tire of talking to her about clothes.”
“Well, hello!” Mrs. Lowe called to them. “Where’s George?”
Mr. Lowe had stood up and was pulling out the girls’ chairs for them.
“She’s on the sundeck, swimming,” Nancy said. “Her training is very important to her.”
“One of the new passengers is Brad Snider, the professional football player,” Bess said. “George and he have developed an instant friendship.” Nancy noticed that Bess’s hands made little quote signals when she said the last word.
After they were seated and had ordered iced tea, Bess turned to the newcomer at the table. “Mrs. Houston, I’m so—”
“Please, Bess, call me Laura,” Laura Houston said.
“Okay. Laura!” Bess said. “I’m so glad you’re at this table.”
“Why, thank you,” Laura said. “The people at my other table wanted to change too, so no one’s feelings were hurt. I know I’ll enjoy this table more.”
“I have a lot of fashion ideas I want to talk to you about,” Bess said. “I’ve been thinking about designing my own line of clothes.”
Nancy looked at her. “Bess! That’s a fabulous idea!” she said. “You never mentioned it before!”
“I guess I’ve thought about it over the years, although never seriously,” Bess said. “But when I saw Laura just now, lots of ideas came to mind, and I thought, ‘I can really do that!’ You’re a total inspiration, Laura.”
“Of course you can design, my dear! That’s exciting,” Laura said. “I’d love to hear about your ideas.”
The meal and the conversation almost made Nancy forget that she was involved in a huge case.
Time passed quickly, and before everyone knew it, dinner was over.
“Bess, I have decided that from now on I shall only buy my clothes from you,” Laura said brightly. “I’m going to forget those New York and Paris designers!”
