That evening, when I returned to my quarters, Rosemary handed me a bag of pennies, her expression one of reluctance as she placed it into my hands.

"Liana, I'm really counting on you," she said.

I smiled as I pocketed her entire fortune, my mind already made up to give her a different kind of surprise this time.

The next day, the Commander invited several colleagues and their families aboard the ship for a meal. Rosemary begged me to give her a chance ...