Chapter 14

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Kate

Kate woke to the sound of men yelling.

She tried to sit up, but a heavy weight held her in place. The sun was just beginning to light the sky. Turning to see what held her, she saw Jack's sleeping face.

For the briefest moment, she smiled, to think of last night and the way they were still tangled together in the small bed.

But then another cry sounded, and Jack's eyes popped open. "What was that?"

"Trouble," she whispered. "No doubt about it."

He sat up, cocking his head to the side as his hand came to her belly.

Kate listened too, closing her eyes.

"Two ships, one starboard, one aft."

"Two?" she asked, feeling a small tremble move through her body. "Can we fight two?"

As if to answer her question, the sails snapped, turning in the wind and sending the boat arcing to the right.

"Fulton's making his way for shore."

Shore meant they'd be trapped by the land, but it also gave them a means of escape if the boat sank.

She started to scoot off the bed, knowing she'd need to dress and head for the deck. If she could help, she would.

But Jack stopped her, pulling her close and giving her a full, passionate kiss.

She sank into him, losing herself in the embrace until he slowly and reluctantly pulled away. "I needed to give you one of those before the day takes us away."

She understood. There was no telling what might happen today. She'd always known that this was a dangerous situation.

Kate felt fortunate to have met Jack. To know she'd won his heart no matter what else happened. "I love you."

"I love you too."

And then he pulled her from the bed, helping her dress as his hands dragged over several parts of her body.

Once she was dressed, he tugged on his own clothes.

"I meant what I said last night. When the boat reaches the harbor, we leave." He slipped his hand in hers. "Fulton will understand."

She gave a quick nod.

But as they reached the deck, the energy of the crew made Kate's stomach clench. They were worried. Tense faces and quiet whispers as men hustled about, made the boat eerie and quiet. "Is this normal?"

But Jack didn't answer as Fulton strode over. "They're locking us in on two sides. I could cut out and try to outrun them, but I thought you'd want a chance to take the women off the boat."

Jack nodded but Kate straightened, realizing the implication. "But will you be trapped?"

Fulton looked at her, a smile tugging at his lips. He was the single most perfectly handsome man she'd ever seen, and it was even more apparent when he smiled. "We'll make do. You and your sister are going to leave this ship."

Jack pulled her closer. "Kate is a bit upset about what those men put her through, she's tempted to stay and seek her revenge."

Fulton gave her an appreciative wink. "Good for you. But honestly, we've got a near double crew. What we lack in number of ships, we make up for in experienced gunners. I've half a mind to overtake the king's ship and battle them out in hand-to-hand combat with the number of crewmen we've got."

Jack cocked his head. "If we could hide…"

Fulton bobbed his head back and forth as he debated. "I don't know this harbor well enough to say if there is a curve capable of shielding us. But we'll keep an eye out."

The sails snapped as they caught more breeze, land coming into sight.

Kate walked to the bow, bracing herself on the rail as she watched the shoreline come closer.

Jack came to stand next to her. "Are you scanning the shore?"

"I will as soon as we're close enough."

"I'm going to help ready the weaponry."

She gave a quick nod. "From here, it looks like the land is a flat line. How will I know if there is a place to hide the ship?"

"Look for a place where the land doesn't quite line up to your eye. Like there is a break."

She jerked her chin in acknowledgment. "Go help. I'll call you if I see anything."

She watched the land move closer, catching the other ships in her periphery before they'd disappear again.

She drew in a deep breath as she watched and waited.

"What are you looking for?" Kate jerked her head around to see her sister approaching. James had already joined the other men. He gave several of his crew pats on the back as they all loaded pistols and got cannons prepared to fire.

"A place to hide the ship."

"That would have to be a very large place," Anna said cocking her head to the side.

She wrapped her arm about her sister. "You don't seem as frightened today."

"Two days of real sleep has made me much steadier," Anna drew in a deep breath. "And finding James has helped me accept that whatever happens…"

"I understand. I feel that way too. We did it, Anna. We found good men, got out from under our father's grasp."

"That's right." Anna wrapped her arms about Kate. "Thank you for all your strength."

"Thank you for all your heart." She hugged her sister back.

She was ready for whatever else came their way.

And then she saw it…a break in the shore. "There!" She cried. "Jack! Look!"