He pauses for a moment and wonders how much to tell her. “I was a sailor, Summer. The ships are rough and often hand to hand combat was our only defense after boarding another ship or defending ours.”
Summer pulls and ties the final stitch. “Six stitches. The rest are small scrapes and bruises. Just hold still while I clean those up.” She fills the basin with clean water then begins to cleanse his back. Her hands move gently across his muscular back, and she wonders at the strength in him. Victor's head drops forward enjoying her tender care. He groans when her hands move down his arms, and she jumps realizing what she is doing.
“Thank you,” he says and takes a drink of water. His eyes follow her movements closely as she cleans up the bloody rags and washes her hands. When she looks at her reflection, she is shocked to see the blood on her shirt.
“I need to change too…” she turns to look at him, and he is staring at her. “What?”
“Summer, you are amazing. I’m sorry I haven’t protected you better. I shouldn’t have chosen this ship…” she silences him with a soft kiss.
“Never say that again, Victor. I should have been more aware of our situation. I was just about to pull out the pistol when Jonah found me.”
“I’m glad that we understand each other. If something happens to me, your job is to keep him safe. I will give you some privacy to change and then we will watch the boat cast off.”
Summer watches him step into the small bathroom and close the door. She turns and grabs a dress from her travel bag. She changes quickly and stashes all the bloody rags and clothes in a trash bin. Knocking on the bathroom door she steps inside it to clean up as Victor changes into a clean shirt and jacket.
When she returns to the room, Victor is at the door talking to someone. He closes it with his foot and turns with a tray of food and drinks.
“They offer room service here?”
“Not quite. That was the Captain. He heard about the incident and wanted to check on us. He suggested that we stay in our room tonight and is posting a guard outside our door.” He sets the tray down on the little table and moves around to look at her.
Summer takes in the details around her for the first time. A large double bed with two glass oil lanterns flanking it and two velvet chairs, a washroom and a small closet size room for Jonah with a single bunk.
The aroma of warm broth fills the room and wakes Jonah from his nap. “Come eat, son.” Victor sits beside Jonah and Summer, and they enjoy a warm meal of broth and biscuits. When the ship begins to move, she grows pale and her stomach rolls.
“Are you alright?” Victor asks.
“Yes, I need some air.” She pushes through the doors and steps onto a deck where the scent of burning wood fills her lungs and ash dances on the air. Immediately the noise of the ship and people surround them. Victor steps up behind her and turns her toward him. Summer slides her arms within his jacket and around his waist, seeking comfort in his arms. Victor presses a kiss to her head and leans against the railing as the ship surges and the vibrations of the wheel’s rotation increase. Jonah runs outside too excited to miss casting off.
“Here we go!” He yells.
Victor laughs, “New York here we come.”
The next few hours pass in a blur of excitement. The ship moves fast, it is only a four-hour ride to the city, but the frequent stops with, loading, and unloading of passengers doubles that time. They will not travel after dark due to poor visibility, but with any luck, they will dock half way and be arriving tomorrow around lunchtime.
Chapter 32
“Sit down, you’re pacing like a bloody caged animal! It’s driving me to drink,” Seth grumbles and sips his whiskey.
“Everything drives you to drink, Seth,” Alex growls back.
“True enough, but you're takin' all the fun out of it. A man should be able to enjoy his after-dinner drink and not watch you wear a hole in the carpet.” Seth slams the now empty glass on the bar and grins at his best friend. “I’ve got just the thing for what ails you. Follow me.” He strolls out and Alex groans.
“Not again, Seth. I'm not interested in chasing more skirts with you. How do you keep up with so many girls?” Alex follows him on the outer deck of the ship. It has been a week already, the weather has been favorable for crossing and in five more days they will arrive in New York. Alex can't sleep for worrying about his sister. Being on the ship has given him a glimpse of what it could have been like, and his nightmares won't let him rest.
“I’m blessed with a sharp wit and keen mind, not to mention my good looks and charm. The ladies love it,” he boasts grinning at a group of girls walking the deck. He tips his hat watching them giggle and wave. At twenty-four, Seth is a few inches shorter than Alex's six-foot two frame, but he makes up for it in muscle mass.
“That, however, is not what the evening entertainment holds for you. I know what you need.” He stops before a door leading to the engineering decks of the ship. The sound of cheers and the roar of a crowd over the engine noise cause curiosity to flare in his eyes. Seth throws open the door, and they step into a ladder well leading to the engine room. Seth leads the way down into the
