Page 47 of Scourge of the Shores
“Why do ye care?” Her weight shifted in her boots, but they remained firmly planted on the deck.
“I could always use another hand,” he said, watching the indirect insult ignite a flame in her eye.
“I’d never be a hand on yer ship,” she said and shoved him in the chest, but he didn’t move.
“You say that now,” he crooned with a gleam in his eye.
“Threat?” she challenged.
Robert smirked. “Maybe you just don’t like the truth.”
She growled. “I ain’t be the one lyin’ through me teeth.”
“Who said I was?” He felt the wind shift and knew he had to tend to the mainsail, but it could wait a few moments more.
Her growl fell flat. She studied him for a moment. “Ye did.”
“When did I say I was lyin’?” he asked, but before she could answer, he said, “If I remember correctly, ye’re the one that said, ‘Pirates lie.’”
Her eyes narrowed. “What game ye playin’, Jaymes?”
He flashed her a winning grin.
“An important one, Danna,” he said, patting her hand and whistling the same shanty he had the night before, low and slow. He took a few steps back before hopping down to the deck to adjust the mainsail.
Night’s shadow chased the waves until the pale crescent moon hovered over the face of the sea. Robert opened the hatch to the Captain’s quarters.
“What are ye doin’?” she barked from the tiller.
“It’s time for you to sleep, Captain,” he said, gesturing down the hatch.
“Not with ye; ye’re in the hold,” she said as Ethan took the tiller. Ethan said nothing, but he gave such a deadly glare, Robert felt its wound.
“Just endearin’ meself to the Capt’n.” Robert beamed. “As a thanks for lettin’ me and me mates board yer ship.”
Ethan jutted with his chin. “Captain, it’s been a long day for ye. I’ll make sure they behave. Scotty just woke too. I’ll stomp the deck if we need ye.”
Danna gave Ethan a curt nod before she hopped down from the helm. Her eyes narrowed at Robert, who held the hatch door open for her. They stood opposite the opening.
“I got it, mate,” she said, grasping the wooden door.
“The waves are a bit choppy. Would hate to see this hit your pretty head or break any finger bones.”
She tilted her head. “Is that what ye plan to do? Drop it on me.”
Robert shook his head and ran a finger over his lip. “I swear on my father’s name, I won’t let any harm come to you,” he murmured.
She searched his face, testing and measuring his honesty. Then, without a word, she climbed over the short wall and descended the hatch ladder.
When she stood at the bottom, Robert peered down. His fingers crept along the edge of the wood. Just long enough to make her wonder—just long enough to leave something unspoken in the space between them.
"Sweet dreams, Captain Chadwick," he murmured, then leaned in, his voice a breath against the wood. “Don’t miss me too much.” He shut the hatch with a heavy thunk.
With a satisfied grin at her muffled curse, he waved to Ethan. “Try not to wreck her, aye?”
Ethan ignored him and looked out at the waves and the stars.
Robert descended into the hold. The skylight let in the moon’s illuminance. He passed Otto, who was still a bit groggy from his sleep.
