Chapter Nine

The Little Star sailed south, out of the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, and soon the Hudson River gave way to the Atlantic Ocean.

They left the city—and land—far behind.

"Meet Captain Sam Reagan. This is his wife and Little, Nelly," Ireneo said.

The captain looked suave and handsome in his crisp, white uniform. His dark hair was silvering on the sides. He had a distinguished air about him that matched his professional stature. He seemed friendly and easygoing, too.

Nelly was as cute as could be and looked to be somewhere in her thirties, about ten years younger than her Daddy.

Taylor could barely turn around from her perch at the railing, where she was standing on deck, peering out over the vast blue ocean. She'd never seen anything like it! It was magnificent. But she didn't want to be rude, so she shifted her focus to the captain and said, "Pleased to meet you, sir." She smiled at Nelly. "Hello."

"Hi!" Nelly said, offering a little wave. "I'm so glad you're here! Do you want to play? There's only a few of us on board and we have the whole thing to ourselves! We can—"

"Now, Nelly," Captain Reagan said in an affable tone. "Let's not overwhelm Little Taylor. This is all new to her and she's been through quite a traumatic ordeal. Let's let her settle in."

"Yes, Daddy," Nelly grumbled.

"I can't wait to play!" Taylor said. "I'd like to see more of the ship, too. This thing is huge!"

"Just wait until you see all it has to offer," Captain Reagan said. "And it's your home for the next week or so."

"I cannot tell you how much this means to me, Captain," Ireneo said.

"Don't mention it," the captain said. "You are one of our owners, after all."

The men laughed.

"You own this ship?" Taylor said.

"Not exactly. I'm an investor," Ireneo said. "So is Captain Reagan. There are others. It's a joint venture."

"May I go explore, sir? With Nelly? Or is it too dangerous?" Taylor asked.

"This is a safe environment. Easy to contain. No one else is on here except us, a few others, and my security detail. Not to mention the ships' security force. So, you may go anywhere on the ship that the captain allows," Ireneo said. "Just remember that this is his vessel. Always respect his rules. And mine."

"Yes, sir."

"Failure to do so," Ireneo warned gravely, "will result in a very sore bottom Among other things."

Taylor wondered just what those other things were, but she didn't dare ask. Hopefully she'd never find out.

"Yes, sir," she said.

"I will find you in a while. I want to get you examined by the ship's physician."

"A doctor, sir?" Taylor said in shock. She choked down the lump that had instantly formed in her throat. "I don't need to see one. I feel fine! Honest, sir! I'm not sick or anything."

"When was the last time you've seen a doctor, little one?" the king asked.

She hung her head in defeat. "A few years, sir."

"As I suspected. You're a Little under my care. I want to make sure you are fine. Therefore, you will submit to a thorough examination. Have I made myself clear?"

"Yes, sir," she replied.

"Good girl. Now go explore with Little Nelly. Have fun."

Taylor nodded and walked away with the other Little. She hoped she could indeed have fun. But she wouldn't forget about that looming examination.

Yuck!