Page 37 of The Swan Syndicate
“No. The captain wants the crew on watch to wait until after we’ve set sail.”
That made sense. Jamie had told Fitz he didn’t want the ship seen, so theDaphnehad to be ready to sail as soon as the team returned. “What can I do to help?”
“Have you eaten, girl?”
She shook her head.
“Well, grab a bowl and eat something. Then go topside and wait for your man. I won’t need you until after everyone’s eaten.”
“Are you sure?”
He nodded, then he jutted his chin toward a towel-covered plate. “I saved a sweet roll for the captain. If you’d be so kind to take it to him.”
She grinned. “He was hoping you saved him one.”
Cook chuckled. “He says that every time, though he knows I always save him an extra.”
“Will he want coffee with it?”
That got a bark of laughter. “Oh, to have a woman onboard. He would, but since he refuses to keep a cabin boy, there’s no one to cater to his needs.”
“Well, he has someone now. At least for this mission.” She grabbed a bowl of porridge and a mug of coffee and looked around for a seat. She thought she saw an open seat when Michelson waved her over.
“Are you worried about Beckworth?” Michelson asked.
She swallowed her first bite of porridge. “No. At least not with his current task.”
He laughed. “Fair enough. How are you holding up? You know, with your stomach.”
She grimaced. “Does everyone know about my seasickness?”
“Oh, I’d say only about half the crew.”
She shook her head and sipped her coffee. “I’ve been a bit queasy a couple of times, but nothing like I’ve experienced before. The herbs really help.”
They spoke of the fair skies that followed them, and then Michelson shared tales of when AJ and Finn had been onboard.
“I hear AJ spent a lot of time in the crow’s nest.” Stella scraped the last of the porridge from her bowl.
“She seemed to enjoy her time up there.” Michelson got a gleam in his eye. “I don’t suppose you want to give it a try.”
She snorted. “Not a chance in hell. I don’t do heights.”
He chuckled. “Well, Cook can always use an extra hand.”
“And I don’t mind, but for now, he doesn’t need me until after the next shift gets their breakfast. I guess I’m on my own.”
Michelson nodded as he finished his second bowl. He crossed his arms on the table and leaned close. “What do you know about rigging?”
“Not a thing.”
“Would you like to learn?”
She turned on her broker smile. “If it means fresh air, then I’m game.”
When Michelson stood to collect his bowl and mug, Stella grabbed them along with hers. “Give me a minute.”
She collected the sweet roll and a mug of coffee, then whispered to Cook, “Make sure there’s a pot of coffee for me.”
