Caleb chuckled.“How’s that, my friend?Do you curse me for a rogue?”As if defying his last statement, Patches leapt onto his lap, nudging her head against his muscled belly.
“Merely warning the lady.”Alden slanted his lips.
Desi sighed.So that was it.He was a lady’s man, a Casanova, a flirt, seducer, a man loyal to no woman and lover of all.She knew the type.And, gorgeous physique or not, she wanted nothing to do with him.
Finally, the surgeon finished his work, packed up his things, and gave her a sideways look before he left.A look of warning?She couldn’t tell.
Setting down Patches, the captain stood, threw a shirt over his head, thank the stars, and moved toward her.“Lift your skirts, Miss.Let’s see the rat’s work.”
“I will do no such thing, Captain.”Not that she was the least bit modest, but if she allowed the man the privilege, who knew what he’d ask for next.Yet, despite her raised chin and defiant tone, he clutched her skirts and peered at her feet.
Alden perched on a closed wooden trunk, amusement sparkling in his eyes.
“What are you doing?”Desi tugged the fabric from Caleb’s hands.
“Checking your wounds.”
“Your surgeon already did.”
“Not too much damage.What’s this?”He touched her ankle.“This mark?A rose compass?”
Snatching her skirts from his grasp, she darted back to the chair and sat back down.“None of your business.”
Caleb narrowed his eyes and planted fists at his waist.“Everyone and everything on my ship is my business, Miss.And I’ve never seen a lady marked as such.What does it mean?”
Desi gripped her stomach, the ache of a sorrowful past welling in her belly.“It’s…it’s to remember my father by.He died at sea.”
Memories of her father brought back thoughts of home.Andher sister.How would her sister survive without her?Who would take her to dialysis?What would happen toOcean’s Echo?She needed to get home.Tears burned behind her eyes, but she forced them back.
“I’m sorry,” Caleb said, the sternness from his face softening.And for some reason, she believed him.
He seemed about to say something when the ship listed to starboard, and he balanced his boots over the deck.
Shorty and Liam entered the cabin.
“She won’t stay afloat much longer, Cap’n,” Liam said, alarm tightening his jaw.“The sailcloth isn’t holding, and despite the crew pumping as fast as they can, the sea keeps pouring in.”
“Where should I point ’er?”Shorty cast a glance at Desi before addressing his captain.
“What is our last recorded speed?”Circling his desk, Caleb examined a chart spread across it.
“Levi just took a reckonin’.He says we’re makin’ three, maybe four, knots if she’s kind.”
“Too slow.”Caleb flattened his lips and pointed at the map.“Here’s our present location.”
Alden joined him as both Liam and Shorty took the opportunity to smile her way.
“Perhaps we could make Tortola,” Caleb said.
Alden leaned forward, studying the map.“That’s ten nautical miles from here.”He spun to face Liam.“With the pumps running, can theSentinelstay afloat another three hours at three knots?”
Liam shook his head.“Nay.We’d be sunk to the depths for sure before then.I’d give her an hour, maybe two if Neptune favors us.”
Alden exchanged a knowing look with Caleb.“We have to go there.’Tis the closest land.”
Slamming his eyes shut, Caleb groaned, gripping the edge of his desk.Moments passed as everyone waited for his command, all while theSentinelwailed with each lurch of the waves, mirroring the eerie whine of a wounded animal.
Desi swallowed a lump of dread.She had no idea the ship had been so badly damaged, nor did she understand why this island had Caleb so upset.
