Griff nodded. “Fair enough. I’ll only ask you one thing.”
Christian met the pirate’s steely eyes and raised a brow.
“We’d all hate to see her hurt, Lieutenant. Don’t break her heart.”
Too late.
With a scowl, he left the man and his spyglass to go help with firewood.
An hour later, sweat blossomed on his face, dripped down his back. The sun had risen high enough for the sticky heat to beat into them. At this point, they’d stoked the fire as high as they could, and white and grey smoke billowed into the air.
The men lined the beach and an uneasy silence settled over them as Griff watched the ship. Minutes dragged by and a few broke out into prayer. Red stood next to Griff, soot streaked across her face.
The distant ship had continued her course so far. Soon, she’d be past the island and any chances of their signal being seen would fade. Christian’s pulse raced. Such a slim chance. But one they desperately needed. Once that ship passed, it could be days or weeks before another one did.
Griff lowered his spyglass and faced the men. “She turns our way.”
A cheer rose from the group and Red pressed her eyes closed for a measure of seconds, her shoulders rising and falling in one long breath. Upon reopening them, she glanced toward Christian. When she noticed him watching her, she spun away.
While the ship approached, the men took turns in the water to wash and cool off. Even Red dipped in, scrubbing her face and tying her hair back. On the beach, they waited in the shade of the palm trees. By the time the ship was close enough to anchor, the sun hung high in the sky.
Christian twisted his hands together. While the rest of the group showed obvious relief, he knew better. This far off normal trade routes, the chances of the ship being friendly were slim. They could be slavers, or more pirates.
He forced himself to take a deep breath. Anything would be better than being stranded. The men gathered around him were capable. He’d seen them in action. If they needed to, he was sure they could take over this ship.
A longboat was lowered into the water and Christian strode out to where Griff still stood. He didn’t have to ask for the spyglass and raised it to his eye when the old man handed it over.
“I think you can stop worrying, Lieutenant.”
He squinted at the man in the longboat.
No.
He let out a shout and tossed the spyglass back to Griff before running out into the waves.
Minutes later, Isaac jumped out of the boat and clasped him in a hug. “Good God, am I glad to see you.”
Christian leaned back. “How on Earth did you catch up so fast?”
Isaac laughed and they walked up to the beach. “You trained me well, Lieutenant. We went straight to the governor’s and he found us a ship. You owe him. Quite a bit. Anyway, we left only hours behind Thorne.” He looked at the ragtag group onshore. “What happened?”
“He caught up to us.”
They strode from the water and Griff pulled his hat off. “Never thought I’d say it, but you’re a sight for sore eyes, Officer.”
Isaac surveyed the beach. “Is anyone injured?”
The old pirate shook his head. “Safe and accounted for.”
“Our crew will more than double yours. Is there room?” Red approached, her eyes on the schooner.
Isaac lifted a brow. “Good to see you as well, my lady pirate. The ship has an empty cargo hold. It may be a tight squeeze the next two days, but I’m confident she can handle us all.”
She nodded and turned to the men on the beach. “You heard him. Pack up and get ready to sail.”
Christian set a hand on her shoulder and she stiffened. “Remember who’s in charge here. From here on out, you and your crew sail under me.”
He raised his voice so everyone on the beach could hear. “I run a tight ship. You’ll follow my orders and defer to my men. If anyonedisobeys this, you’ll find yourself in chains until we reach Savannah, and the local magistrate can decide what to do with you.”
