“I’m sure of it,” Will said, fighting back the urge to curse. It was his own fault this boy was sick. Had Scotty not tended to him when he was so blasted ill—
“This is my doing,” Will said. Jack held the hatchway open for Will. “I will take him to the sick bay. Call all others on watch and those who bunk by him and tell them to wash and clean their bedding and clothes.”
Jack moved toward the other sailors on duty.
Will started down the hatchway, looking at Scotty in his arms. “You are going to pull through this,” he told him. With one hand he descended the ladder into the darkness of the ship, the gloom of the shadowy corridors echoing his greatest fears for the poor boy’s life.
If Scotty didn’t recover, Will would never forgive himself.
A light knock drummed on the doorway to the sick bay. Ann turned from her stool to see a tall, familiar, and much-too-handsome figure taking up the space there. She pushed away the simultaneous excitement and trepidation she felt and focused on the limp form he held in his arms. The body he held was young and in a sailor’s uniform. Her mind thought back on Will’s sickness, and the sailor that attended him.
The doctor had retired for a few hours of respite, so it was only she and Judith to receive new patients, but Judith dozed in the other corner near a few of the fitfully resting sick, so Ann moved toward him.
Without preamble, Will confirmed her fears. “Scotty has it.”
“No,” she said quietly. “No, no, no.” Why did he have to get sick too? The deaths of little Rhuben and Levi had nearly done her in. It was bad enough when someone she wasn’t acquainted with came to the sick bay, but Scotty—
Ann ushered Will into the room and gestured to an open cot. Once he laid Scotty down, she brushed the hair out of the boy’s face. “I’ve grown to like this boy since that day he stole from me.” The immediate remembrance of Will’s rescue also came to her mind. Tears welled up in her eyes, and when she raised her gaze to meet Will’s, his eyes were red too.
She watched as Will drew a deep breath and tried to master his emotions. “There’s always a cabin boy or two that reminds me of myself at that age. Scotty is one of those boys. Trying his best; searching to find his way. I just pray he’ll live long enough to—”
Emotion threatened to take over, and his hand went to his eyes. Ann wished she could comfort him, but she dared not touch him, not after the trouble they’d incurred because of their kiss. She’d wanted to speak with him about that kiss and their future, but the needs of the sick had consumed her last few days.
“Let’s get him a blessing from some of the men in your company,” said Will anxiously.
Ann stared at him, eager to learn his thoughts on everything religious. Apparently he at least recognized it was the blessing that healed him. Hope entered her soul. Perhaps Will just needed a little more time to become converted.
“I will have Job come down as soon as it’s morning, Mr. Boyd.”
He inspected the room with his gaze, checked the door, and glanced back to her. “You can still call me Will when we are alone.”
Ann looked down, too many feelings inside to weather the tumult of his gaze.
“There’s a war going on between your eyebrows,” he said.
She’d forgot how perceptive he was. Her diverted eyes hadn’t worked.
He cleared his throat, and she hazarded a glance.
“I thought my note would be enough, but I find I am not easy away from you, Ann.”
The words warmed her, but until she knew all he believed, she was still in unsure waters.
“And although I fear I won’t be able to renew my sentiments in the way I would like to, I want you to know I still care just as much.”
Her breath caught and words evaded her. She had so much to say, so many questions, so much uncertainty—but she didn’t know where to start.Instead, she remained silent, her restless fingers pressing a music scale against her skirt.
He drove a hand through his long hair and dropped his voice to a whisper. “I apologize if the kiss wasn’t to your—”
“It was not found lacking, Will.” The words spilled out before she could pull them back. “I’ve ... thought about it a few times since, even.” She wasn’t sure why she was admitting to that.
“Oh, that is a relief,” he said, rubbing his hand over his brow. The low light made it hard to be sure, but she thought she saw the gleam of perspiration there. Itwasrather hot below deck now that they were so far south. “That is what I wish I could repeat but should not,” he added.
Her lips pulled up into a grin of their own accord.
He paused, as though he noticed her change, and then his voice grew more serious. “I plan on talking with the captain as soon as I can, telling him that I should be allowed to at least speak freely with you. I so desperately want to continue getting to know everything about you.”
“Will—” His name felt good on her lips, although with it, that constant, melancholy realization descended again on her. “I agree; I so dearly cherish all that has grown between us.” She swallowed. “But what will happen once this ship lands?”
