He took a deep breath and then let it out. “I’ve never known you to lie, and I don’t know why you would make up such a strange story, so I have no choice but to believe you.”
Something broke inside me, and I leaned into him. He paused for only a heartbeat and then put his arms around me, drawing me into his embrace.
“Thank you,” I whispered. But I quickly realized I was far too vulnerable to remain in his arms—alone—in his apartment, so I gently pulled away.
He tentatively reached for my hand again, and this time I was conscious of his skin against mine. The moment had become too serious, and I didn’t like it when Lewis was serious.
“Carr—”
“Will you help me?” I asked as I pulled my hand away. I didn’t want him to say something to make either of us uncomfortable. “Will you investigate and find out if there is more than one Annie Barker?”
He clasped his hands together and nodded, defeat in the slope of his shoulders. “Of course.”
“Thank you.” I tried to smile. “And promise me you won’t tell anyone what I’ve said about—about why I need to find Annie. I don’t think anyone will understand or believe me, and I wouldn’t want to bring shame or embarrassment upon my family.”
“I won’t.”
Neither one of us spoke for a moment, but when Lewis tried to reach for my hand again, I quickly stood and said, “Thank you. I’m sorry for showing up unannounced. I suppose I’ll always be the annoying little sister at heart.”
The look he gave me made me regret my choice of words immediately.
Lewis Cager did not see me as an annoying little sister, not anymore—perhaps he never had.
15
JULY 10, 1727
ATLANTIC OCEAN
I slowly blinked my eyes open to the brilliant sunshine streaming through the thick, wavy glass windows on theOcean Curse. We were back at sea, which meant the rhythmic creaking and swaying of the ship would be constant companions again.
“Good morning,” Marcus said from across the cabin.
I turned and found Marcus sitting in one of the chairs near the shelves, a book in hand.
“What are you doing?” I asked as I sat, pulling my blanket up to my chin.
He slowly closed his book and set it on the table beside him. “I wanted to see what happened when you sleep.”
“You were watching me sleep?” I wasn’t sure why that made me feel so vulnerable—we slept in the same room every night—but it did—and I didn’t mind.
“For a wee bit. I haven’t been up for long.”
I put my bare feet on the ground and pulled the covers around my shoulders, clasping them tightly next to my chest. “And?”
A gentle smile tilted his lips. “Nothing remarkable, I’m afraid.”
For the first time in a long time, I wanted to laugh. “What did you think would happen?”
“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “I was hoping you would talk in your sleep, but that didn’t happen.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Did I do anything?”
“Nay.” There was still humor in his voice. “You slept like a wee bairn. Peaceful and content.”
Warmth infused my cheeks, and I smiled, though it soon dimmed. “I didn’t feel peaceful while I was away. I asked a friend to help me find Annie Barker, and—” How did I tell him that I felt uncomfortable with the affection Lewis was starting to show me? I didn’t want to encourage Lewis, yet I needed his help. Could I maintain a friendship with him without leading him on? “’Tis hard to gain someone’s trust and help when you have to tell them you live two lives.”
“Aye.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “You said it was two hundred years in the future. What is it like?”
