“She does earn her keep.”Adam gave his wife a loving glance, then moved over to his old friend and grasped his hand to shake it.“Where the bloody hell have you been?I thought you were just going on a short sail with Jean and then coming back.”
“Look!”Jewel pointed.“Your arm.You can move it.”
“By God, she’s correct,” Adam said as he looked down at the hand he’d grasped.The handshake was firm.“I had forgotten about your injury.”
“Lafitte was correct about the sea curing me.And thanks to his crew, I had to quickly learn to use my arm again.They have no time for anyone who cannot do his share of the work.”
Jewel couldn’t quit staring at Jonathan.He’d changed a great deal.Where he had been boyishly good-looking before, he was dangerously good-looking now.His shoulders seemed broader and definitely more muscular.His skin was bronzed, and there was a recklessness about him that hadn’t been there before.He had aged, and there was a hard glint in his eye much like the one she remembered in Adam’s before she had tamed and softened him.
“Please, be seated.”Adam pointed to a chair.“Tell us what you have been doing.”
Jonathan chuckled before sitting in the chair opposite Jewel.“I’ve learned to be a pirate, of course.You would be proud of the way I’ve mastered the high seas.I’m now ready to enter the shipping business you’ve always nagged me about.”
“So that’s why you’ve returned?”Jewel asked.
“Not really.”Jonathan stretched his legs out in front of him.“Jean and Pierre have decided to move their operations to Galveston.They have gone there now.However, I’ve received word that my father is very ill, so I must return home.”
“I’m so sorry,” Adam said.“Is his condition serious?”
“Sounds like it,” Jonathan admitted.He pressed both hands over his eyes and rubbed before he continued.“He has been bedridden for the last month.Word was slow to find me, so I’m not sure how he is at the moment.”
Jewel realized Jonathan’s usually lively eyes were dulled with weariness.“You’re going home?”
“That’s right.I’m leaving tomorrow.”He broke into a leisurely smile.“But I couldn’t depart without seeing my friends first.”
Jewel glanced at her husband in silent communication.When she saw a slow smile touch Adam’s lips, she knew they were thinking the same thing.“If you’ll excuse me,” Jewel said, rising, wanting to give them some privacy to talk.“I have some things I need to take care of.I’ll see you before you leave,” she said to Jonathan.
After his wife left, Adam went to the liquor cabinet and selected a decanter of dark liquid.“Would you care for some brandy?”Adam offered, but didn’t wait for an answer.He picked up the crystal decanter, removed the cork, and poured two drinks.
“Brandy?It’s been a while since I’ve had fine brandy.What’s up?”
“I beg your pardon.”Adam turned to Jonathan and tried to look innocent.This was going to be a tough subject.
Jonathan stood up and rubbed his chin and warily watched Adam.“I’ve known you for a long time.I believe I can tell when you’re up to something, and you have always saved that bloody brandy for serious discussions.”
Adam couldn’t contain his smile as he handed his friend a leaded crystal glass.“Ah, you know me too well.”
Jonathan nodded.“That’s what I thought.”
Adam waved his hand.“Shall we sit again?”
Adam sat in the chair beside his friend, slowly sipping his brandy and savoring the burning liquid as he decided where to begin.He wondered just how Jonathan was going to handle his request.Could he refuse a friend in need?
Jonathan knew Adam was stalling.He’d seen the keen, probing eyes and inscrutable expression before.“Well?Are you going to tell me?”
“I need your help.”
“You know you can always count on me,” Jonathan quickly said, “What’s the problem?”
“Adam set his glass down.Jewel and I were discussing a very important issue when you came in.As you can see, she is expecting next month.”
“Yes, I could very well see that,” Jonathan admitted as he leaned back in the chair.“Congratulations—I do believe I forgot to say that earlier.”
Adam leaned forward and propped his arms on his knees.“That’s why I need your help.”
Jonathan chuckled.“With Jewel?”
“No,” Adam snapped, “of course not.It’s Elizabeth.”
