But Alden was so sure.A tall, imposing statue of confidence and peace, making her almost want to believe what he said was true.
Slowly, she shook her head.“I won’t leave him.”
An hour later, Desi was startled awake by the doctor’s gruff voice.She shot up from where she’d fallen asleep leaning on the side of Caleb’s bed.
“Move aside, Miss, if you please.”
Rubbing her eyes, she scooted the stool back and rose, while Brandt shooed Patches away and examined Caleb.
“His fever’s broke.”He finally said, his tone gleeful.“He’s going to be all right.Best allow him to sleep now, Miss.”
Desi could only stare at the man.Over his shoulder, Alden grinned her way.
Confusion, elation, and shock spun through her.He’d been on death’s door an hour ago.No fever left that quickly.Rushing forward, she gripped his hand.Warm but not searing anymore.
Caleb’s mouth moved.His eyes opened slightly.“Desi,” he mouthed out, squeezing her hand before he drifted off again.
This made no sense!
“Now, will you get some rest?”Alden quirked a brow.“’Tis nearly dawn.”
Unable to think, unable to breathe, unable to make sense of anything in this crazy century, Desi clutched her infernal skirts and stormed from the room.
Chapter 18: A Cursed Object Returns a Curse
“We should leave this island.”Alden leaned on the edge of Caleb’s desk, glancing down at the map spread across it.“Posthaste.”
Frowning, Caleb raised his shoulder up and down, stretching his bandaged wound, but said naught.
“I foresee that will not be the only time you are attacked,” Alden added.“Or any of us.There are many here who suffered from that raid.Wounded hearts rarely heal so quickly.”
“I fear you are right, as always, my friend.”Caleb sank into his chair and rested his head against the back.“But we can hardly sail in this condition.”He blinked as if to clear his thoughts.
“You should lie down and rest,” Alden said, studying his captain.“God healed you, but that doesn’t grant you license to abuse your good health.”Amazement filtered through Alden.He would not have attempted such a miracle, save he’d clearly heard God’s Spirit prompting him to rebuke the fever.He’d never stepped out in faith before, had always left that to Caleb and his family, but the woman needed to know there was a God.
And Caleb couldn’t die.
Huffing, Caleb scrubbed the stubble on his jaw.“I do wonder why God didn’t just bring me home.Prevent me from making further blunders.”
Alden slanted his lips.“Perhaps because He still has works of great importance for you to accomplish.”
Caleb gave him a cynical look and changed the subject.“What of the repairs?”
Alden stiffened his jaw.He hated to give bad news, but there was naught to be done for it.“We’ve lost much-needed tools—caulking irons, mallets, shears, chisels, marlinspikes, even a pot of pitch.”
Caleb raised one brow, fury storming across his face.“Lost?”
Alden blew out a sigh, thumbing the scar across his cheek.“Stolen, I suppose, though how the thieves are able to sneak aboard without being seen…”
“Double the watch,” Caleb ordered.“Have the crew take shifts.Half awake at night to work and guard and the other half during the day.”
“Aye.But, as she stands, we can set sail without fear of sinking.The hole in her hull is nearly repaired, good enough for a gentle sea.And we can fix spars and sails as we go.”
“I will not be run off by a band of revengeful ruffians.”
“Then perhaps by a malicious marquis?”
Caleb gave him an inquisitive glance.“If you know something I do not, pray, enlighten me.”
