CRUISE TO ROMANCE by Toby Poznanski Read Free Book Online Page B

some invisible force, as if she
wasn’t present.
    “How dare the Captain expect me
to entertain some young dilettante in my galley?” he asked without expecting
her to answer.  “Ah—the arrogance of the English!  Why must I suffer this woman
while she cooks a Caribbean dinner for the Captain’s table?  After all, I am
only Commendatore Mario Ruscelli, the Corporate Executive Chef.”
    “Chef Ruscelli, I assure you, I
will not cause you any problems.  The Captain asked me to plan and prepare the
meal.  Surely, you don’t mind.”  Jennifer tried to calm the chef, hoping that
he would see reason.
    “ Signora .  Lady. You do
not understand.  Elegant Italian cooking is the hallmark for dining aboard this
ship.  I supervise and take great pride in the fabulous Italian meals prepared
and served in all the dining rooms.  The last thing I need is to waste my
precious creative time and energy with a mere amateur.”
    “Chef Ruscelli, I am no amateur.  Not
only am I an excellent chef, I am also a columnist.  I write a cooking column
for a newspaper in Ft. Lauderdale.  I also am writing two cookbooks.  That’s
why I’m on this cruise.  One of the books is on Caribbean cooking.”
    “Caribbean cooking?  How utterly
shocking to the palate—all that salt and pepper and vinegar.  Not even balsamic
vinegar at that!  What could the Captain be thinking?  If I don’t object, this
little episode could turn into a regular occurrence on every cruise.  Dio!  
Not if I can help it.”
    Jennifer waited patiently, trying
not to lose her temper.  For the life of her, she couldn’t figure out just what
he was so upset about.  Was it that she was a female chef, or was it the Caribbean
cooking?
    “Perhaps I will agree to let you
use my kitchen.  Perhaps if this meal is a disaster, I will be able to breathe
easy and the Captain will not dream up any more foolishness!  However, I must
think on this.”
    Jennifer bristled.  “Chef
Ruscelli, the meal will not be a disaster.”
    Chef Ruscelli again ignored her. 
“In the meantime, I have no choice but to issue an invitation to you to use my
galley, and, of course, be charming.  Not that charming a woman is a problem. 
Charm is synonymous with being an Italian male—of that I am extremely
positive.”
    “Oh, pul-leeze.”  Jennifer shook
her head in total disbelief.  “I only want to prepare a nice Caribbean meal for
the Captain and my friends.  Surely you can’t object to that.”
    Chef Commendatore Mario
Ruscelli, frowned and walked away muttering.  “I can only hope she is no good. 
After all, rumors will fly if the amateur’s dinner is successful.  Caribbean
cooking.  Oh, no.  No, no, no.  Mama Mia , my reputation will be ruined
faster than I can say ‘ Buon appetito! ’”
     
    *    
*     *
     
    Helga Swensen was teed off but good. 
Jennifer knew—even though Helga was trying not to criticize the Captain. 
According to Helga, the Captain had made it abundantly clear that she must
incorporate the marketing of the new gym equipment into her spa treatments and
routine.  It wasn’t that Helga had anything against exercise, but her spa was
known for its relaxation and peace.
    Lying on the massage table,
Jennifer listened while Helga massaged her tense back.  After her encounter
with the arrogant chef, she needed to relax.  Listening to Helga reminded her
that she wasn’t the only one finding situations aboard ship stressful.
    “Oh, Jenny, I shudder to think of
my future consultations when I have to include, ugh, the suggestion to exercise
on high-tech exercise equipment.  Exercise is so, well, sweaty, for one thing. 
Smelly, for another.”
    “That is so true,” Jennifer
agreed.
    “Then too, just as there is a
separation between church and state, so should there be a separation between
the spa and exercise equipment.  Exercise is good for toning muscles and
building physical strength.  The spa is good for relaxing and