Page 55 of Hired by Pirates

Although helping and healing people was the most important part of my life, it also felt so good to be recognized for the work I did.

Everyone in town knew who I was. Dr. Evans, or sometimes the women called me Dr. Astor. I was one of the most important people in town, and because they respected me, they also respected the crew. Our extended family was a bit unusual, but instead of being the hushed talk of the town, people openly asked about the latest adventures of the Five Winds .

“Are there any more appointments today, Jocko?”

“Mr. Henderson was going to drop by for more of that salve for his itchy hands. But I can take care of that.”

Jocko was a wonderful help. I hadn’t told him yet, but he was far enough along in his training to run the office while the Captain and I finally took a little holiday. We just didn’t know quite where we were going to go yet.

I set out the jar of ointment. “Tell him to take it easy this time. He only needs the tiniest bit.”

Jocko shrugged. “I tell him every time. But he pays full price, and that one is harmless to use extra.”

“That’s true.”

“The ship’s just docking now,” Jocko grinned. “Go ahead, Doctor. I know you’re itching to.”

Glancing out the back window, Joan and Harry had stopped chasing Morty, and were now sitting on the grass learning sea shanties, apparently.

I flew out the front door, realizing how much I’d missed Nick over the past two days. Hitching my skirts up in my fists, I ran like I had when I was a little girl, the wind in my face.

The townspeople only smiled and wished me a good afternoon as I flashed by. Now that they respected me, they tolerated a tiny bit of slightly eccentric behavior.

My footsteps pounding along the street became hollow as my feet hit the boards of the dock. The dock master stepped aside, laughing merrily.

Nick’s boots had barely stepped off the gangplank when I was yanked into his arms. “I missed you, my beauty,” he rasped, nuzzling my throat, not caring that the rest of the crew was rolling their eyes directly behind him.

“How did the job go?” I asked.

Although he pulled a stern face, his eyes were sparkling. “Remember when I told you this job was perfectly safe, and that we would return without a scratch on us?”

“Yes.”

“He lied,” Tobias piped up, rolling up his sleeve to show a little nick near his elbow. “Don’t worry, I already washed it out with soap.”

“Oh my goodness, you poor baby,” I cooed. “Did you want a pink or a blue ribbon over your bandage when I tie it up?”

“The only crew member who never gets punished for her attitude,” the bosun laughed, taking my hand to pretend he was about to smack it, but kissing it instead.

“Have Jocko dab a swipe of the Morgensen ointment on it anyway, just to make me happy,” I said, hearing my voice shift from wife and mother to a tone that was nearly a command.

“Yes, thank you, Doctor.”

The men busied themselves with moving barrels and packages, as the Captain swung me into the shade beside the stern of the ship. He kissed me shamelessly in broad daylight, his lips telling me even better than words how much he truly missed me.

“My beauty, it’s harder and harder to leave you for even two days,” he growled, nibbling my neck just under my ear until I shivered.

“Which is why we’re going to take a second honeymoon soon, isn’t that right?”

“I found a place,” he said excitedly.

“Really? Where?”

“It’s an island just south of here, owned by Captain Samuels, his wife Flora, and his crew. Next month they are leaving for some sort of…job,” he said wi

th a wink, “and you and I can guard their house while they’re away.”

He rocked me gently in his arms, murmuring, “Sandy beaches. Splashing around in the waves every day. Nobody around to hear your little squeals, when we…”

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