“I am aware, but I will need to make certain that my sisters can be inside and I must be prepared for the objections and fears if it comes to us having to retreat there.”
Tempest noted the location of the sun, the time of day, direction they were walking, and memorized the hill ahead of them so that she knew where to lead her siblings if it became necessary. She also hoped that it wasn’t too far. The cave needed to be a close enough distance that the girls could run to without getting lost by having to take turns through the brush.
“I also need to go into Fort-de-France if not today then tomorrow,” Rhys said as they walked through the forest.
“How long does it take to walk there and back?”
“About two hours total.”
She stopped and turned to him. “We are so far away?”
“I cannot exactly live right next to the port. That would defeat the whole purpose of a clandestine mission.”
“Yes, of course. I just had not realized how far away we were.” She turned and kept walking. “I suppose it is for the best. Otherwise, we would likely have more French soldiers near.”
“I am surprised we saw any,” Rhys admitted. “I have lived here for months and those were the first soldiers that have come this far.”
She had thought it was a common occurrence. “Why is that do you suppose?”
“They hoped that the French had managed to drop supplies the first time. The second they were looking for a turtle.” He provided the answers they already knew.
“I suspect that more may venture to the forest to hunt for food if they become more desperate because of the blockade.”
Tempest sucked in a breath. “In that case, I will make certain the girls remain close to the hut. I would hate for them to be playing in the forest and get shot.”
“If soldiers come close to where the girls have been, because I assume they do not go beyond the stream, then they will be close enough to discover the hut.”
Her stomach tightened with worry. “Maybe there is a better place to hide further down the beach instead of running into the forest where there would likely be more soldiers.”
“It would be a reasonable suggestion, but I have walked the shoreline. I did so after I arrived to scout the area, and there is no place suitable.”
“Then I suppose we just hope for the best.”
But she would warn her sisters not to stray far, and not to go beyond the stream and if they did, not to speak and be very quiet. The last thing they needed was to bring attention to themselves.
“I cannot promise that I will be able to bring back much more than before from Fort-de-France—bread, eggs, and dried meats. Those are available locally.”
“We understand and will make do.”
“I will not only be purchasing supplies,” he informed her.
Tempest turned to face him. “What else will you be doing? I hope it is not something that gets you killed.”
Rhys could not help but laugh. “Ah, so you do not mind having me around.”
She turned and continued to march ahead of him because she was beginning to like having him around very much, not that she would ever admit it to him. “I understand that it is beneficial to have your presence as an extra security measure. I have also decided that you are not nearly as disagreeable as you were when we first met.”
“Nor do I find you as difficult.”
She whipped around and planted her fists on her hips. “I have never been difficult a day in my life.”
“Stubborn, then.”
Tempest blinked at him. Oh, she was stubborn and had been since she was a child. Rhys was not the first person to comment on that failing. “Yes, well, I do know what is best for my sisters.”
She gave a quick nod, turned away from him and stopped to look up to determine where they were in hopes that she hadn’t lost the trail from where they had come.
“Straight ahead.” Rhys pointed past her shoulder.
