“I know, Iknow,” I told her. “I just–”
“And I knowwe’ve only known each other for a few days, but you can trust me. Iwouldn’t hand over my life and my ship to you if you couldn’t. If I didn’t trust you.”
I hadn’tthought of it that way and I hung my head. Silence filled the spacebetween us, the only sound that of the sheets flapping in the windand the seagulls down by the docks. I picked up a sheet and threwit over the line.
“I’msorry.”
“It’s fine,”she replied. “But you need to start trusting me if this is going towork.”
“I know. Iwill. I do,” I rambled and then sucked in a deep breath. “I reallydo.”
Lottie didn’tfalter from her task, but she cast a grinning look over the line.“When are you due?”
“I’m prettyearly,” I told her, surprisingly happy to talk about my littlemiracle with someone. “But we should expect the little one in abouteight months.”
“Are youscared?”
I swallowedhard. “Yes.”
“If it helps ease your mind, I’ve aided in thedelivery of four healthy children,” she told me. “for women intown.”
I brightened.“Actually, that does put some of my worries to rest.” I pinched thelast clothespin on the line. “I’m going to go check on Charlie,” Iadded. “Did you need me to help out with the lunch crowd?”
“No, it’sfine. My cousin is coming to help.”
“Okay,” Ireplied, “I’ll talk to you later, then.”
I walked backinside with a sense of guilt. Lottie was a hard person to crack,but she obviously considered us friends and I’d hurt her feelings.An idea came to life in my mind and I headed upstairs to her room.I pulled my diamond studs from my satchel, the ones I caught heradmiring when I’d first arrived, and placed them in a tiny dish onher dresser with a note that said, for my friend.
I then made myway over to the room where Charlie was and gently opened the door,peeking my head inside. I saw the slightest hint of movement on thepillow of the bed and fully entered the room to find the boyconscious.
“Charlie!You’re awake!”
I took a widestride to his side and sat down.
He lookedtired, pale, and in desperate need of a bath. But still, heappeared to be miles better than he did just barely two days ago.His mouth gaped but no words came out, only a strained and muffledsound.
“Shh,” I toldhim and scooped his hand into mine. “Don’t. You’re still healing.It’s best if you refrain from speaking for a while.”
He nodded andthen seemed to relax back into his pillow, a smile spread wide onhis face, eyes sparkling as they locked onto mine.
“What?” Iasked. “Are you happy to see me?”
He noddedagain.
“I’m so sorry.I’m sorry for what Maria did to you, for leaving when I did, for…everything.” Thin tears rained down my face, but I let them.
I could tellCharlie wanted to speak so badly, his hands moved in the air as ifthey could talk for him, working with his eyes to convey what hethought. I reached into my satchel and pulled out a notepad andpencil, then offered it to the boy.
He quicklyscribbled some words at the top and turned the pad back to me toreveal the words, where did you go?
“I went backto where I came from,” I told him as honestly as I could. “But Ididn’t mean to. I didn’t want to leave you guys.”
He scratchedsomething else down. Henry?
The tearswarmed and flowed heavily then, but I kept a smile on my face.“He’s… gone. The Cobhams took him.”
He underlinedthe word where and widened his eyes, almost in anger.
I shrugged.“We don’t know for certain, but there’s a good chance he’s onKelly’s Island. We’re sailing there tomorrow.”
Morescribbling. What can I do to help?
I laughed whenI read it and remembered something Henry once told me, that Charliewas unstoppable, eager to help, and loved the sea.
“Don’t worry,we’re not going anywhere without you,” I assured him. “But you needto rest until we leave. Even then, you’ll be resting on the ship,too.”
He didn’t seemtoo happy with that but must have been too tired to argue otherwisebecause he set the items down on the bed and closed his eyes,inhaling deeply.
“I’m going togo get you some soup, okay?” I stood to leave, my sense of hopegreater than it was earlier.
I’dtraveled back through time, foundmy friends, acquired my own ship, and saved Charlie’s life. I feltunstoppable. There was only one thing left to do and nothing wouldstand my way. Something warmed in my belly at the thought. Thistime tomorrow, I’d be well on my way to saving the man I loved.
ChapterTwelve
I stood at the bowsprit of The Queen, my ship.My ship. At first, I had found myself wandering its decksrepeating the words to myself. My kitchen, my quarters, my ship.But we’d been at sea for a fewhours and everyone was settling into the new roles aboard thevessel.
Gus hadmanaged to scoop up three young deckhands, not much older thanCharlie. But if there were anything like him, we would be justfine. The cool sea breeze misted across my face and the warm sunbeamed down. I tilted my head and closed my eyes, dreaming of atime not so long ago when I did the same aboard The Devil’sHeart.
“Ye missedit,” Finn spoke from behind me.
I turned tohim. “Yeah, I did. I do.” I inhaled deeply. “I love the sea.”
“Aye, noteveryone’s built fer it.” Hestepped closer and placed his hands on the railing. “I’d live anddie on the sea, nothin’ would make me happier. She’s my lady.”
I grinned. “Ithought you didn’t fancy the curvy body of a woman?” I mocked him,repeating some of the first words he ever spoke to me.
Finn coughedout a raspy laugh and adjusted his big leather belt. “Aye, that’scause there’s only one woman forme. Her rollin’ waves are all the curves I need.”
I laughed butthen turned to business. “So, when do we make landfall to ourdestination?”
The Scot’seyes widened with his raised brows and he leaned back from me.“Well, well,” he quipped, “Aren’t we the little captain?”
I rolled myeyes. “Please don’t make this any
