Chapter 15

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Jack

Jack's head snapped up to look where Kate pointed.

With long strides he crossed the deck, shielding his eyes. He could see what she spoke of and after a wave at Fulton, he pulled out his spy glass.

"I don't see much rock."

Fulton joined him at the rail, taking the glass. "If it's shallow, at this speed, we'll run to ground before we've realized."

"What do you think?"

"It's better than the alternative." He gave a nod. "And if the boat grounds, we'll blast them with cannon anyway. If I'm sinking, they're sinking with us."

Kate's eyes grew wide, and Jack placed an arm around her waist. Fulton's words likely scared her.

But after years of being plagued, Fulton was making the tough decisions that might keep his entire family safe from future attacks.

Gris came to the rail as well. "I'll warn the crew to brace for impact."

"Is this really dangerous?" Kate whispered, leaning into his side as she held Anna on her other.

"Fulton's choosing to try and hide because it's the best option."

"What happens if the boat runs aground?"

"We get off. Scatter on the land while a certain number of men stay and try and sink the other two boats." He squeezed her tighter. "What those villains have done to you, they've done tenfold to Fulton's family. This is his chance, Kate, and he's not going to stop until he's won or lost."

Kate shivered next to him. "And he still makes decisions that put Anna and my safety first?"

"He's a man of honor."

Kate nodded into his shoulder and Jack pulled her closer. He would be the same. Kate deserved nothing less.

Her safety would come before any plot of revenge. That, as much as anything else, separated a good man from a bad one. Acting with honor, no matter the circumstances.

"I want you and Anna to go below deck. Find a way to anchor yourselves. If we hit bottom or a rock, the boat will give a terrible pitch. Your first job is to make certain you're not hurt when it does."

"How do I anchor us?"

"In my bunk, did you notice the bar near the ceiling? Climb in and hang on for dear life."

She nodded. Part of her wanted to stay out here, watch as they came into shore, but Jack wouldn't tell her to go below if it wasn't for her safety. And she trusted him.

Taking Anna's hand, she pulled her sister toward the hatch. The boat moved with amazing speed, toward the inlet, and she stopped for a moment as she watched the boat approach the shore.

The sun came out sparkling on the water and her breath released in a long slow exhale as her body relaxed.

Was this a premonition it was all going to be all right or the calm before the storm? She couldn't say.

"Come on," Anna whispered. "We don't have much time."

"You're right," she answered moving quickly down the hatch and then waited for Anna to do the same.

Once Anna's feet hit the floor, they rushed down the hall, bolted the door and climbed into the bed.

They sat facing each other, both their hands wrapped around the bar.

"Should I close my eyes?" Anna whispered.

"I'm not sure," Kate said, trying to crane her neck to see out the small porthole. "But I think we should tuck our heads between our arms to keep them from hitting the wall."

Anna did as Kate said but Kate stared a moment longer as land came into view. This was it.

"Drop the sails!" someone bellowed from above.

"Anchor!" another called, the frenzy of boots finally making Kate squeeze her eyes shut and tuck her head.

This was it…