Page 37 of Captain's Companion

“Thank you,” Gwyn said. “I appreciate it. I know most people are uncomfortable with companions.”

“You’re more than a companion,” Mina said.

Gwyn shrugged, “Most won’t see it that way.”

“Shall we eat in my ready room,” Ulrik asked stepping into the room.

“This time,” Gwyn said giving him a stern look. “Next time, you will let me know so I can make better arrangements.”

“Yes, my Gwyn,” he murmured taking her hand, kissing it.

“He’s not a party person,” Plav said. “The captain runs the ship not the parties.”

“But I like to plan parties,” Gwyn said as she took the seat Ulrik held for her.

“We can have parties,” Ulrik said. “I don’t want you to feel you have to do anything you don’t want to.”

“What do you like to do,” Mina asked taking her seat as Plav held her chair.

“I draw and craft beaded things,” Gwyn said. “I like to plan and organize things.”

“Our closet’s incredible,” Ulrik said handing around a platter of appetizers.

“Because you shoved things everywhere,” Gwyn said. “I write stories.”

“Do you,” Mina said. “I’d love to read your stories. Do you publish?”

“I’m saving up to publish,” Gwyn said. “I’m learning more about it. It’s complex.”

“One of my clients is a writer,” Mina said. “I can put you in touch, if you like.”

“Oh,” Gwyn said a pretty pink flooded her cheeks. “I’d like that.”

“Now, do you know how these two know each other,” Mina asked.

“No,” Gwyn said. “Ulrik has been busy doing other things when he’s with me.”

Mina laughed, “I know that stage. You’ll have to make him tell you. Plav won’t tell me.”

“Is there a secret,” Gwyn asked turning to catch the two men scowling at each other. “You two will stop it right now. Neither of your women want the other man in this room. We’re quite satisfied with the mate we have.”

“Precisely,” Mina said grinning at Plav and Ulrik as they scowled more.

“Now, tell me how you met,” Gwyn used the tone she knew Ulrik rarely resisted.

Plav glanced at Ulrik who shrugged. “We were assigned to the same ship,” Ulrik said. “Plav was the supplies officer and I was a lowly lieutenant.”

“That can’t be all of it,” Mina said.

“I was a puffed up lieutenant,” Ulrik said his mouth twitching.

“That’s a good description,” Plav said chuckling.

“Plav decided to take me down a peg,” Ulrik said. “Unfortunately, it backfired on both of us. I came for my morning inspection except on this morning the captain accompanied me,” Ulrik said. “Plav set up a trip so when I came through the door, a bucket of cooking oil would splash me.”

“The captain came through the door first,” Plav said. “I tried to stop the trip.”

“I saw what was happening so I pushed the captain who stepped forward and out of the way but Plav and I got hit with the cooking oil,” Ulrik said laughing now. “The old man was a by the books captain, no sense of humor at all. When he saw the mess, he assigned us to clean every supply room on the ship before we were allowed to change out of our soiled clothing.”

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