“Is there no other shore we can enjoy?”
Charlie squinted up at her in the sunlight. “Nay. Not wit’ a beach this nice.” Then rolling up the hems of her breeches, she leapt to her feet and headed toward the waves.
Grinning at the woman’s childlike playfulness, Emeline removed her shoes, hiked up her skirts, and joined her.
The warm water tickled her feet as her toes sank into the silty sand. Just offshore, fish in a myriad of gorgeous colors darted here and there without a care in the world. The words of Jesus swelled in her mind.
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
No doubt that applied to fish, as well. Then why wassheworried? God was in control. He knew exactly where she was, even if her parents didn’t.
A spray of salty water splashed her. Shocked, she looked up to see Charlie wearing a devilish grin and about to dip her hand in the surf again.
“Oh no, you don’t!” Emeline teased as she leaned over and flung foamy droplets over her friend.
They continued splashing and giggling as if they were little girls enjoying a day at the beach…instead of the master gunner of a pirate ship and the prisoner of its captain.
Still, it felt good to laugh, good to pretend that all was well with the world. If only for a moment. Finally, with their attire damp and their moods much improved, they both lowered to the sand once again.
“You’re not at all like I first thought, Em.” Charlie laughed. “I thought you were one o’ them shrewish hoity-toity ladies who look down their regal noses at the rest of us.”
Emeline smiled. “Then I thank you for the compliment.”
No sooner did Charlie stretch out her legs, than the jovial mood from only moments before slipped from the woman.
“Is something wrong?” Emeline asked.
Shaking her head, Charlie leaned back on her hands.
Emeline sensed a loss, a longing in the woman. “You are missing someone.”
Charlie snapped a suspicious glance her way.
“A child, perhaps?” Emeline pressed.
“How do you know such things!?” Charlie’s shout startled Emeline, reminding her that this woman was as hard and tough as any man. Anger flared in her eyes before she huffed and looked away.
Emeline proceeded with caution. “I think God shows me things. Gives me knowledge about people.” Her father had called the gift a word of knowledge. She should be excited, happy that she, too, possessed a special talent. But she’d yet to see its value. Other than angering those she told.
The sun peeked over the tall palms of the cove, spreading rays of warmth over Emeline. She closed her eyes, longing for the carefree moments she’d only just shared with this volatile woman, longing for a friend amidst the enemies who surrounded her. The gentle lap of waves and trill of birds caressed her ears but brought no peace to her soul.
“Thereisa child,” Charlie finally said. “Michael.” Such love, such longing rang from the sound of his name on her lips that a lump swelled in Emeline’s throat.
Charlie gave a sad smile and picked up a shell.
“Aye,” Emeline said. “I think I met him. In Basseterre.”
“What? How? Why?” Charlie leapt to her feet, planting fists at her waist.
“I’m so sorry. I followed you.” Looking down, Emeline ran her fingers through the sand. “I was so alone and lost. I thought perhaps you could help me.”
“You saw him?” The master gunner’s voice squeaked with emotion.
“Aye. For a moment, but the woman at the house sent me away.”
Dropping to the sand, Charlie clutched Emeline’s arm. Tight. “You must never tell anyone. No one.”
“You have my word. You can trust me.”
