I could sensethe hackles standing on the back of Henry’s neck and his bodystiffened. “I’d advise you get back on your own ship before I turnyou into chum, sir,” he warned through gritted teeth.
Amos threw hishead back and cackled. “We don’t want any trouble,” he told us.“Just give us any gold you may have, and we’ll be on our way.”
“You’re notserious?” I retorted. “You want our money and expect notrouble?”
Amos’s cheekygrin turned into a scowl as he stepped toward me. My men crossedtheir swords in front of me. “Oh, I expect trouble, milady,” hereplied sarcastically. “I just don’t want it.”
My eyesflickered to the ship broadside of us. Far smaller than The Queen,but still an impressive vessel for a man who had nothing just daysago. “Where did you get the ship?” I inquired, mostly stalling.
“Oh, that?”Amos quipped, looking over his shoulder. “The Franklin. I acquiredit from an old sea dog, too sickly to sail it, he was. Kind enoughto bestow it upon me.”
I didn’tbelieve a word he said, and Lottie’s answering gasp was enough toverify my hunch. “That’s Walter Franklin’s merchant boat,” shewhispered. “I highly doubt the old man willingly gave it to a bunchof pirates. He has three sons.”
My mind racedfor a solution, a way out of the situation where no one got hurt. Ididn’t have much time, the men were growing anxious, thirsty forblood on both sides. But I wanted to be a merciful captain,respected, but also not weak. Then it dawned on me.
“I’m not goingto give you anything,” I told the intruders. They drew theirswords, Amos a pistol, but I held my hand up and shook my head.“But I will offer you the opportunity to work with us.”
His facetwisted in confusion. “Work with you?”
“Dianna, whatare you doing?” Henry spoke next to me.
I leaned andwhispered in reply, “Just trust me.” I motioned for my crew tolower their swords and I stepped forward, showing an act of trust.“We’re sailing to Shellbed Isle in search of treasure. Join us,help us, and I’ll give you a third of the prize.”
My crew triedto stifle their moans of disapproval. The three intruders laughed,and Amos looked to me. “Is this some sort of joke? A ploy to getrid of us?”
“No, I swearon my honor as a captain,” I swallowed hard, hoping that was anactual thing, “I’m leading my crew to find Peter Easton’s losttreasure.”
“You’ve justtold me where it is, what’s stopping me from getting itmyself?”
I grinned.“Sure, you could try. If you managed to get through the Devil’sDancing Pools alive and in one piece, you could take the chance onwhich of the caves the treasure might be in.” I paused,letting it register in his mind. “Or you could join me, the oneperson who knows exactly which cave to choose.”
“Dianna,”Lottie whispered next to me, knowing that wasn’t true. I looked ather, my eyes begging her to trust me.
“So, what’llit be, boys?” I strained to keep a confident face, but I was anervous wreck on the inside. My stomach toiled with anxiety andfear for my crew’s lives. I had no doubt my boys could take thethree stringy pirates, but they had a pistol. And we did not.
Amos mulled itover, his beady eyes distant and contemplating as he rubbed hisgreasy black beard.
“I’d advise yeto take the offer,” Finn added. “If ye know what’s good fer ye.”
Amos’sdemeanor quickly turned to exaggerated joy and he returned thepistol to the hilt inside his jacket. I swallowed nervously as hetook a step closer. “Let’s go on a treasure hunt, shall we?”
“Excellent.”My hand outstretched. An offer ofa truce. “We’ll work together toget the treasure. No funny business. No violence,” I said.“Deal?”
He slipped hisgreasy hand into mine and squeezed tightly. “Deal.”
They returnedto their ship and readied to follow us on the short journey toShellbed Isle. I knew my crew was skeptical, unsure of my choice,but they never questioned it. I silently thanked them for theirblind loyalty as I stood above the stern, the cool ocean mistblowing in my hair. Henry climbed the stairs and sidled up next tome.
“Come to tellme I’m crazy?” I asked him.
His handshifted to cover mine on the railing, it’s warmth comforting.Reassuring. “No, I’d never question your leadership. This is yourvessel, after all.”
I gave him alook. “Henry, just be honest with me. Is this something you wouldhave done?”
His expressionturned serious. “No, it’s not. But you’re not me. You’re fair andshow mercy. You lead with your heart and your mind. That tells meyou’ll make a fine captain.”
“Really?” Iturned and buried my face in his chest.
Henry’s longarms wrapped around my body and I felt him place a kiss on my head. “Yes, in time. When you learn totrust your own judgment. But youhave a loyal, loving crew on your side.” His hands held my head andtipped my face up to his before pressing our lips together. “Andme.”
“Ahem,” avoice spoke from the top of the stairs. I broke away from Henry tofind Lottie standing with her hands behind her back, the faintshape of something held within them. “I’d hate to interrupt youtwo, but could I speak to Dianna?”
“Of course,”Henry replied and kissed me once more before heading back down tothe deck and joining the crew.
I lookedat Lottie. “Is everythingokay?”
She nodded. “Ijust wanted to give you something.”
“What?” Ishook my head. “No, Lottie, you’ve given me enough–”
“I insist,”she said and pulled out the object from behind her back. I staredin awe. It was a hat. A gorgeous, red leather pirate’s hat. “It wasmy grandfather’s, then my father’s during their time aboard TheQueen. I want you to have it.”
My heartsqueezed in my chest. “Lottie, this belongs to you.”
“No, I neverwanted to captain this ship,” she told me. “I’m quite happy where Iam.” My friend held the garment out to me.
Hesitantly, Iaccepted it. The worn leather felt good in my hands as I admiredthe gorgeous craftsmanship. Thick brown stitching laced the edges.This hat had been worn. Loved. I raised it and placed it on my headwhere it settled, fitting like a glove. As if it were meant for me.In that instant, as I glanced down at my adopted red
