Isaac cleared his throat as a hint of heat crept across his cheeks. “No. Of course not. I’m searching for my first officer. He went to a sugar mill and hasn’t returned yet.”
“Oh.” Her voice came out flat, tinged with something close to disappointment. “Mr. Duval at the mill is notoriously slow. It might take him half a day to fill an order. You’ll want to take the other path.” She pointed toward the valley.
He nodded. “Thank you.”
A brief moment of silence stretched between them, neither moving.
He pressed his lips together and lifted his gaze to the steep rocks above her. “Where are you going?”
She flashed him a bright smile. “To my favorite place in the whole world.”
He arched a brow. “The whole world? I thought you said you hadn’t traveled much?”
Her grin didn’t falter. “Have you ever explored a Caribbean island before, Lieutenant?”
He shook his head. “Not willingly. I prefer to keep my feet on the deck of my ship.”
“A pity. You’re missing out.”
He chuckled and wiped sweat from his brow. “I’m skeptical, especially in this heat. Not much can top the rush of wind out on the open seas.”
She shrugged. “I guess you’ll never know. Unless…” Her eyes sparkled. “Would you care to join me?”
A thread of amusement crept into his voice. “I still don’t know where you’re headed.”
Her smile deepened, warm and enigmatic. “If I tell you, it would ruin the surprise.”
“How do I know you’re not leading me to a pirate’s den?”
She laughed, the sound clear and vibrant among the trees. “Oh yes, the pirates. I forgot to mention them.”
A heartbeat passed as he weighed her invitation. He turned toward the valley. “I should really go find my men. Perhaps I can convince Mr. Duval to speed things up.”
The playful edge in her expression slipped away, and she gave a single nod. “Of course. I must warn you from complaining to him. He will go even slower if you aggravate him.” She glanced at her basket. “I wish I had a loaf of bread to give you; it’s his favorite and might have swayed him. I’m afraid you’ll have to wait it out.”
Wonderful.
At this point, it would be better to cancel the order and leave empty-handed.
He inclined his head. “Thank you for the advice.”
“Good luck, Lieutenant.” Her gaze lingered on him a moment longer, hesitant and reluctant, before she turned and started climbing.
He frowned as she pulled herself up to the next rock. No woman should be traveling such a precarious route. “Is that safe?”
She twisted her head. “Safer than—” Her words cut off with a sharp yelp as the ledge beneath her hand gave way and she pitched backwards, her basket tumbling to the ground.
He lunged forward, boots skidding on loose rocks as he scrambled up the slope. One hand shot forward to brace against the small of her back, steadying her as she grabbed for a handhold. They stood frozen, her pulse racing beneath his palm.
He swallowed, ignoring the sudden rush of heat through him. “Are you alright?”
She caught her breath, fingers digging into the stone. “Yes. You distracted me, that’s all.”
“You could have been hurt.” He didn’t move until her weight was fully balanced again. Then he knelt to retrieve the fallen basket, plucking wilted flowers from the dusty ground.
When he stood, she held her hand out for it. He hesitated, looking back toward the sugar mill. “You shouldn’t be alone out here.”
Her brows drew together. “And you sound like my father.”
