Where had they anchored?Trying to avoid touching skin to the sand, she scanned the tiny cove.Turquoise waters filled a small bay deep enough for a ship to enter and yet hidden from the sea—perfect for careening.And though she’d oft helped her father careen theRedemption, naught was familiar about this inlet.Lud.That meant it was most likely an island and not the Spanish mainland, which meant she was just as trapped as if she remained on the ship.
Omphile finally came ashore in the last boat and headed toward Gabrielle with much-needed grog, some food, and a stretch of canvas on which she could sit.The woman was a godsend.Yet, after handing Gabrielle the supplies, she begged off to help the crew, leaving Gabrielle alone again.
Yet not alone.One of the crew, a plain looking fellow, wearing brown breeches and a checkered shirt and with sun-lightened hair that fell below his shoulders, came and stood nigh four yards from her.Folding arms over his chest, he merely stared out across the sand.Was he there to protect her or keep her in place?What did it matter?She ignored him and instead, kept her gaze on Captain Hayes, trying to assess this enigma of a man.
Gabrielle had participated in many careenings in her short life, but it didn’t take her long to determine that something was not right with this one.For one thing, she noticed that several of the smaller guns offloaded from the ship were dragged with difficulty to the spit of land curling around the narrow entrance of the cove.There they were hidden among the brush.Two of the larger guns were placed on shore, also covered with foliage.Why?Surely, they’d be put to better use as ballast to aid in tipping the ship.Even so, why not position them closer to theResolute, for ’twas not easy to move them about.Also, several crates and barrels were brought from the ship, yet ’twas obvious by the ease with which the crew hefted and carried them, they were empty.These also were placed on the sand close to the incoming waves.
Nothing else was brought ashore—no furniture, no supplies, no casks of gunpowder—all weighty items which would need to be removed from the ship in order to tilt and properly careen it.
Her eyes landed on Captain Hayes again as he shouted further orders which sent Durwin and Moses rowing back to the ship.Raking back his dark hair, he dabbed sweat from his forehead, then reached down and tore his shirt over his head.Sunlight glinted off his bronzed back as muscles bunched and rolled beneath his skin.Such strength.Gabrielle swallowed at the sight.But something else caught her eye.Scars, long, pink, and dimpled, stretched from his neck to his waist.
He’d been whipped.Hard.
Gabrielle cringed.Whowasthis man?
As if reading her mind, his gaze snapped to her and remained far longer than Gabrielle felt comfortable.Still, she did not turn away.She would not grant him the satisfaction.
Finally, Lazy-eyed Smity drew the captain’s attention with a question she couldn’t hear.Whatever his answer was, it came out loud and forceful, eliciting a frown on Smity’s face and a rude gesture behind the captain’s back.Typical Smity, for the man had been more than cruel to her in prison.
A welcome breeze wafted in from the sea, fingering Gabrielle’s hair and cooling the perspiration on her neck.The smells of salt, fish, and earthy loam normally soothed her, but not this day.
A white rabbit hopped across the sand, heading toward the jungle.Was she seeing things?Gabrielle blinked, but it was still there, now being chased by a pirate with long, rope-like red hair and a barrel-shaped body.He gathered the rabbit in his arms and began chastising the creature for his defiance.Only then did Gabrielle remember falling on him in the boat.
What a strange crew.Swinging her gaze back to the captain, she wondered where his pet iguana was.Perhaps he left him on board with everything else.In truth, nothing of significance was brought ashore, raising Gabrielle’s suspicions even further.By late afternoon, the ship’s lines were tied to trees and, using tackles, the mighty craft was tilted ever so slightly on its side—not far enough to scrape the barnacles.This was no careening.It was a trap.
And she was the bait.
An hour later as the sun kissed the horizon and spread a rainbow of colors across the sea, Gabrielle found no enjoyment in the sight.In truth, an ache had formed in her legs, whirled through her belly, and stretched into her arms and neck, stiffening her spine and making it impossible to find comfort in any position.She’d removed her shoes due to feet the size of an elephant’s, and the indignity of having her bare feet exposed only added to her humiliation.Sand fleas and other hopping vermin continually assaulted her, and she’d long since run out of grog.
Still, her guard remained in position beside her.Her every attempt to engage him in conversation only resulted in a silent but kind glance her way.Perhaps the man was a deaf-mute.
A fire was lit, and the smell of food nearly caused Gabrielle to faint.But instead of Omphile bringing her the evening repast, ’twas Durwin who finally strode over with a steaming bowl.
Staring at her curiously, he handed it to her and was about to leave when Gabrielle, desperate for company—obviouslyanycompany—attempted to engage him in conversation.
“You’re the first mate, then?”She drew the bowl to her lips and took a sip.The tangy taste of fish stew filled her mouth.
“Aye.What o’ it?”Removing his hat, he swept an arm over his moist forehead.
“You were kind to me in prison.Thank you.”
Shock flitted across his eyes.He stood nearly as tall as Moses, but where Moses had bulk and brawn, this man was all skin and spindle.Dirty-brown hair matched a shaggy mustache and a doubloon-sized patch of beard sprouting on his chin.His beady eyes skittered about, clearly uncomfortable in her presence.The odd scent of lemons bit her nose.
“How did you come to sail with Captain Hayes?”Her father had always told her that the more you knew your enemy, the more chance you had of defeating him.
At first, the man seemed anxious to leave, but then he kicked the sand and stared at the surf.“I been sickly me whole life, Miss.Stomach pains.Can’t get weight on.Kicked out o’ the royal navy.Cadan, I mean Cap’n Hayes be the only one willin’ t’ take me on.”
Gabrielle frowned.“And you have no family to come to your aid?No physician, apothecary to help you?”
He chuckled and spit to the side.“Me father were a chimney sweep an’ me mother a laundress.”He shook his head.“I barely survived livin’ on the streets in Portsmouth ’til I were pressed into the navy.”
Gabrielle took another sip, trying not to gulp the entire bowl down and make herself sick.She wanted to tell him that her mother knew about herbs and local remedies that might help him.She wanted to tell him that God could heal him like she’d seen Him do countless times.But she could never disclose the identity of her parents, and she no longer believed God rescued everyone.For He had not rescued her.
“Durwin!”The captain’s shout jarred the man out of his thoughts, and he sped away.
Finishing her stew, Gabrielle set down the bowl.At least her stomach wasn’t complaining anymore.The rest of her had plenty of complaints to last a lifetime.
The babe kicked.“You are enjoying the food as well, my wee one.”Smiling, she pressed a hand on her belly.There it was.What felt like the heel of a tiny foot moved across her palm.Ah, the incredible miracle of forming a human within her womb!No matter the horrid conception or the deviant father, this child was meant to be here, and she would love him with every ounce of her being.In truth, she already did.
