Setting down the single candle, she drew a pouch from within her skirts and laid out the contents in the light—bones, feathers and dried herbs.Then in low guttering tones, she chanted words from the old tongue as she smeared a circle of ash on the planks and set a seabird’s skull in the center.
The flame flickered.The sound of wings fluttering echoed in the darkness.Ayida grinned.“A gift from Papa Legba,” she hissed, extinguishing the candle with a pinch of her fingers.Then stuffing her trinkets back into her pocket, she hastened away.But the faint rustle of wings lingered, as though the curse had already taken flight.
♥
Halting outside the captain’s door, Desi blew out a sigh.She’d not seen Caleb in over a day, and she wanted to thank him for his gifts.She also wanted to see how his wound was healing.But she longed to know if their kiss had affected him as much as it had her.
Probably not.A man like him, strong, brave, handsome, and chivalrous, no doubt had a woman in every port, or so the saying went.Problem was, heknewhe was all those things, probably expected she’d allow his kiss, and then relished her reaction.
Best to find out now, rather than later, when her heart would no longer be her own.She needed no distractions, no complications.And if Caleb was just one of the many shallow ladies’ men she’d met, then knowing that would simplify things.
She had to find out why she was here and how to get back home.Back to Daria,Ocean’s Echo, and her friends.Daria.She could not shake her dream of her sister, cured, healthy and strong.If there was a God, was He trying to tell her something?That she had to return to her time in order for that to happen?
She stiffened her spine, along with her resolve.Hero of her dreams or not, her sole focus must be on getting home.
She rapped on the door.
“Enter!”Caleb’s shout echoed through the oak.
The minute she saw his face, she knew…she knew…and her hope that he was a mere vain player crumbled at her feet.He sat at his desk, Bible open before him, morning sun circling him in a halo of light, and Patches lying across one shoulder.But it was his smile that captured her heart, not lustful or demanding, but genuine, admiring.And that look shining from his blue eyes—a look that said the mere sight of her was enough to brighten his day.
“Miss Starr…Desiree, do come in.Sit.”Rising, he set Patches on the desk and gestured toward the chair.He wore his usual cream-colored shirt, open at the collar with his silver cross dangling from his neck.Without his leather vest, she could see the bandage wrapped around his shoulder.
“Just Desi is fine.”
“I prefer Desiree.It suits you better.Or perhaps my little sea nymph?”
She couldn’t help but smile.“How is your wound?”The wound he received while protecting her.
“Better.Seems the Lord had mercy on me and healed me.”
Desi nibbled her bottom lip, not knowing what to say.Had she witnessed a real miracle?From God?She glanced up at the verse carved into the bulkhead.
With God, all things are possible
Caleb had been on the brink of death, and yet here he stood not a day later, healthy and strong.
“Alden told me you tended me through two long nights.”He brought her gaze back to him.
Desi eased onto the chair, swallowing a burst of emotions she could not name.“I came above deck last night, but you had just left.”
Circling his desk, he leaned back against it, gripping the sides.Patches sidled up to him and nudged his arm.“Aye, I needed to clear my mind.”
“I heard about the lanterns breaking.”
He lowered his gaze, his jaw bunching.“Odd, to be sure.”
She glanced at his fingers, but the Ring was not there.“I wanted to thank you for your thoughtful gifts.I was…” How could she tell him what they’d meant to her?Thoughtful and beyond anything anyone had given her.“Surprised and very grateful.”
He smiled.“I am pleased you like them.”He rubbed the stubble on his chin, his eyes never leaving hers.
Why was he looking at her like that?Like they’d known each other forever?Uncomfortable, she stood and averted her gaze.“I had a dream.”She hesitated.“About my sister.Her name is Daria.”
He said nothing, merely stared at her as Patches headed toward her on the desk.
“She’s very sick, Caleb.”She took a step towards him, wanting him to understand.“I’m the only one who takes care of her.”
His brow wrinkled and concern burned in his gaze.“I’m sorry, Desi.”
