Carried Home (19 page)

 

After determining some details for when they would depart with his quartermaster and how to promptly remove Rogers—a deep annoyance—from his crew, Gage sprang down the companionway steps, eager to see his sister and Ivy. He rapped on the door with his knuckles and Ivy almost immediately opened it. Her orange hair was mussed, and the collar of her dress was not lying correctly. Gage immediately realized the source of her dishevelment when he noted Emma propped against her hip, tugging yet another lock of hair out of the woman's coiffure.

Gage chuckled as Ivy blew a curl out of her face and grinned at the tot. “I like her hair better down too, Emma. Smart thinking.” He winked.

Ivy's face immediately reddened. “Really, Gage, you mustn't say such things.” But he could tell she was pleased by his compliment.

“What do you say to a nice stroll about the town, ladies?” Gage stepped inside so he could see his sister, who was lounging on the cot.

“Oh, that sounds lovely! But I fear it is time for this little one's nap.” Ivy pressed a kiss to the top of Emma's head.

Oh, how could Gage have forgotten?

Addie rose and stepped over to him. “I'll stay with Emma. You two go ahead and enjoy your stroll. I would appreciate to get better acquainted with my ‘niece.'” She reached to take Emma from Ivy's arms.

Ivy bounced Emma, who leaned against her shoulder and yawned. “Are you sure, sweetheart? It might do you good to get some fresh air.”

“I am certain. I don't feel a burning need to ever see that town again, anyway.”

Gage frowned. “I will miss you, Addie.”

“I will be all right, brother.”

He sighed. “I suppose. You aren't a little girl anymore. We will not take long, either, so we can come back to see you.”

Ivy handed Emma over to Addie and then met Gage. He offered her his arm. “Shall we?”

Gage gloried in the feel of Ivy's hand on his arm, and he relished the split-second moments when her curves brushed against his side as they walked through the town. He truly could get used to this. When they strolled side by side, arm in arm, through the center of the town, it made him really feel like they were together. And the bystanders on the street who probably assumed they were married? Gage didn't mind them one bit. In fact, he cherished the idea. He needed to find out where her thoughts were on the idea. Because, heaven help him, he could not wait to have some sort of promise from the delightful woman.

Gage had stopped in with the local silversmith early in the morning, who had promised to find a beautiful ring for the lady by evening. If it didn't fit her properly, then the silversmith had agreed to adjust it free of charge. Unfortunately, Gage did not have one in his own possession already. His father had never given his mother a ring, and she had been forced to sell her grandmother's long ago to provide for herself. So Gage had to purchase a new one. And if he were to propose to Ivy, he would not do so without a ring. She deserved one. She was a special lady and she deserved the best.

Ivy's steps slowed as they moved outside the edge of town, near a beautiful beach. They were the sole visitors.

“Do you want to walk on the sand, my dear?”

Pink flushed her cheeks. “Oh, yes I would.”

He smiled and took her hand. “Why don't you take your shoes and stockings off? I personally know it is irksome to get sand in your shoes.”

She hesitated and glanced around, but found they were completely alone. Surely it would be fine to just take her shoes off. Her skirt would cover them mostly anyway. She bent down to untie her boots. Gage crouched at her feet and stayed her hands. “I'll help.” The woman had tiny feet. Tiny, adorable feet. The second his hand touched the laces, heat radiated through him. He was so close to her. She smelled good. Like citrus. Gage made quick work of loosening the laces and sliding the shoe off. Ivy wiggled her toes in her stockings.

Gage glanced up at her. Her face was red, but she gave no indication she was uncomfortable with his hands on her. He was tempted to also remove her stockings, but he felt that would be too personal. So, he moved on and removed her other boot.

“Thank you for helping me,” she breathed.

He rose and met her gaze with his. Intensity passed between them. “It was my pleasure.”

Her gray-blue eyes widened. Her lips parted. He needed to kiss her. It had been far too long since he had done so.

Gage slowly lowered his mouth to hers, giving her plenty of a chance to turn away, to reject his advance. But she didn't.

****

Ivy felt her toes curl up in their stockings as Gage kissed her. Her eyes drifted shut. He cupped her face in his hand, and he drew her close with his other. A moan escaped her throat as his lips moved to her cheek, to the pulse at her neck. His mouth moved back to her cheek, and then to her lips. Oh, it was heaven to kiss this man. Pure heaven.

His hand at her waist roamed across her back, gently caressing. She reached up and entangled her fingers in his chocolate brown hair. It felt soft, and smelled of pleasant spices. After a moment, his hand moved from her cheek down around her waist.

Ivy wanted to get closer to him. Needed to. She wound her arms around his neck and pulled his body against hers more tightly. Her hands moved to his shoulders and worked their way to his chest. He pulled away. Confusion swept some of the heat away from her. She opened her eyes. Gage stood with his hands on her waist, his chest working double time to catch his breath. She stood on her tiptoes, intending to kiss him again, but he moved his hands to her shoulders with a chuckle and kept her down. “Believe me, milady, I would love to continue kissing you, but it is not proper.” He nodded to a gathering of townspeople standing a few yards away, gawking at them. He shook his head at them and they scrambled away.

“Oh.” Her face heated. “Let's get to the beach.” She tugged her stockings off, placed them on a rock next to her boots, and surged forward, her feet meeting the rocky sand.

He sped to catch up to her and kept a hand at her elbow, steadying her as she marched across the sand to the ocean. Finally, she stopped to enjoy the view. Behind them, tufts of tall grass grew abundantly, only parting to offer a small path from the town to the beach. To their left, a set of rocks jutted out from the ocean. Waves rushed around it, their white froth slapping the base of the forms. Mud swirled around in little eddies. Soon, they were covered completely but for their skinny tips. Gage slipped an arm around Ivy's waist. “The tide must have just come in. Too bad. I was hoping to catch it before it came in to show you the tide pools.”

“Tide pools?” She leaned her head against his shoulder.

“Yes. When the tide goes out, some water rests in holes in the ground. Little sea creatures live in them, and I was going to see if I could find some to show you.”

“Oh, that sounds delightful.”

“We will have to come back another time, when the tide is out.”

“Yes.” She squinted against the bright, mid-morning sun. Although she enjoyed resting on solid ground once again, she hoped they would not spend an unreasonable amount of time in Charles Town. She missed her brother terribly.

“Would you like to sit down?” He gestured to the rocky beach. “I think it would be nice to just watch the waves. Or…or would that soil your dress? That wasn't very thoughtful of me—”

He was babbling. It was quite endearing. “I will sit.”

Gage flashed a relieved grin. He shrugged out of his waistcoat and set it on the ground as a sort of blanket to protect her gown from the sand. How sweet. After he ensured she had settled comfortably, he sank down beside her, propping himself by stretching an arm out next to her. He cradled her hand in his as they stared out at the ocean.

“We need to talk, Ivy darling.”

She sat up a little straighter. He pressed a kiss to the palm of her hand. The act sent tingles up her arm and down her spine. “Mmm-hmm?”

“Ivy…what are we going to do?”

She remained silent, for she had no idea how to answer the beloved man.

****

“What do you plan on doing about Emma, Ivy?”

She hesitated. “I…I want to keep her. I couldn't bear to give her to someone else. Why, she might as well be my own child.”

That's what Gage had thought. Hoped for. Prayed for. “The child needs a father as well as a mother, Ivy.”

Ivy's chest rose sharply as she inhaled. She did not respond.

“Don't you think? I believe every child deserves both a male and a female parent. Emma doesn't deserve to be raised alone.”

“Yes. I think so.”

“If you want to keep her, then who should be her father?” He leaned closer as she pulled her face slightly away. She sucked in another breath, and he put his finger underneath her chin until her eyes had no choice but to meet his.

“I…I suppose—”

“Gage? Gage, is that you?”

Reluctantly, he released her and pulled back. “We will talk about this later, darling.”

He stood and faced the direction the voice had come from. “Caspian!” Gage lurched forward and met his friend halfway across the beach in an embrace. Eden stood at his side, holding Reed's hand. Gage hadn't realized how much he had missed all three!

“Eden!”

“Ivy! What on earth are you doing here?” The women sprang toward each other and hugged. Tears sprang from Eden's eyes. “Why are you with Gage?”

“He offered to take me home. We thought we would reach England before Captain Emery, but now I am not sure. But…it's all right. I know William is safe. He is in God's care.” Ivy brushed some tears from her own eyes.

Gage smiled inwardly. Ivy had really grown to trust in God during the past few weeks. In fact, he was proud of her. He slid closer to her and slipped an arm around her waist in a supportive gesture. Bad idea. Eden's eyes widened in shock. She glanced back and forth between him and Ivy.

“Papa! May I go by the ocean?” Reed's exuberant voice brought a laugh to everyone.

“Reed, don't you want to say hello to your Uncle Gage?” Caspian leaned down and ruffled his son's hair.

“Hello, Gage. You seemed busy talking to the adults, so I was gonna go look at the ocean and then come back and say hello to you.”

Gage grinned and launched the boy up in his arms. “I missed you, little man.” He pressed a kiss to the child's forehead. Reed giggled. “Now, go ahead and look at the ocean. I'm sure we'll be able to talk soon enough.”

Reed ran off across the beach, squealing in delight.

“What brings you to Charles Town, Caspian? Why did I find you out here on the beach?” He clapped his friend on the shoulder.

“Well, I am glad we found you, because you are what we were here for. I asked the men at the docks where to find you, and they directed me to your quartermaster, who directed me to you. He said you had some plans to spend the day on the shore side.” Caspian tucked Eden against him, his hand resting on her hip. She tilted her head towards her husband.

A pang of jealousy smacked Gage straight across the jaw. What he wouldn't give to have Ivy look at him in such adoration…

He shook the feeling. Caspian was a talented captain. He deserved to have a devoted wife. Gage, on the other hand, wasn't such a great example.

“After inquiring at many ports, we heard you had signed on a fair amount of men to balance out your crew when you reached Port Royal.”

“Yes.” Gage wasn't sure what this had to do with anything. Maybe Caspian had doubted in his abilities as a captain and had decided to check up on him. But would he really spend so much time traveling across the sea to find him just for that? Oh well. No matter what they discussed, he was just glad to see Caspian again. The man had been his best friend since childhood and the best captain a man could ask for.

“Did you come across a man by the name of Adam Trenton?”

Trenton… “That's Eden's last name.”

“Of course it is Archer now, but yes. This man is her brother. Do you know him?”

“Adam…an Adam Douglas is my first mate.”

Eden's eyes brightened. “May we see this man? Please, Mr. Thompson?”

****

Adam sat on the forecastle deck and rested his forehead on his hands. They were coming back. The horrible memories he had tried to suppress. They had all come rushing back the second he had seen Miss Thompson's burn. He had not meant to hurt her. But she
had
hurt him. Now, he supposed, they were even.

He rubbed his temples and squeezed his eyes shut.

First, the trembling. It had seemed as if the entire world was crashing down around him. If he recalled correctly, he had believed it was the end of the world. But it wasn't. No, it was an earthquake, and an awful one at that. The force had knocked him right on his back. Port Royal had experienced small earthquakes before, he had been told, but nothing of this caliber. And Adam supposed he could consider himself a lucky man because he had been on the outskirts of the town, away from the ocean.
Away from the mass destruction.

But when he had gone back toward the center of the town to see if he could help anyone, everything had changed. He could still hear the people's cries, see the dead bodies. And that was when the building he stood next to seemed to explode. It must have been on fire before Adam had reached it, he reasoned, but he had not noticed.

At first, he didn't feel anything. He didn't even notice the flames climbing up his shoulder, or the smoke circling him. He didn't notice any of it. After a moment though, the pain hit him. Like a boulder. His skin was melting. The earthquake must have truly been the end of the world as he had suspected, and he had been sent straight to hell. Hell looked a lot like Port Royal, he thought. The flames licked at his face, jumping higher, singing his hair. It hurt. It hurt like the dickens.

He remembered doubling over.

The smoke bit his throat.

His mouth was too dry to allow him to cry out, and even if he had any saliva, he suspected no one would help him in hell. The fire crawled around him. He batted it away, desperate to keep it from scorching his skin. His bones ached. Everything ached. Sweat evaporated as soon as it left his body. Tears wetted his eyes, and the smoke coaxed them out.

Help me. Help me.

And then a young man stepped out of the smoke to his rescue, dragging him away from the doomed town and helping him heal. James. The very man Adam later failed to save during the terrible storm. Adam buried his face in his hands and let a sob escape. There was nothing he could do to save him. Nothing he could do to bring him back. Nothing he could do to help James' now fatherless and husbandless child and wife.

It was all Adam's fault. He knew the feeling well. When would he ever be able to escape from the past?

He rubbed his hands against his face and felt the uneven skin on the left half, the area with the severe burns. Never. He would never be able to get away from the past, because he bore a piece of it every day. He could never get rid of these burns. He would never forget, and he would never forgive himself. And he would never find happiness.

“Mr. Douglas? Someone wants to speak to you for a moment.”

Adam groaned inwardly. Why had his captain chosen this moment to speak to him? He wiped the tears from his face, stood, and spun around.

Adam resisted the urge to rub his eyes in an attempt to rid them of the mirage before him. Next to Gage and Ivy stood another man and a child, but Adam didn't pay them any attention. For there, at the man's side, was a young woman.

There was no mistaking her. She was years older, and she had grown into a beautiful lady, but of course Adam had never expected anything else of her. She had always been pretty. But he had never expected to see her again. When their father had told him that if he left on a sailing trip one more time, he would never be welcome home again, Adam had never believed the man would stick to his word. But he did, and Adam soon realized he would never see his sister again. She never replied to his letters, and Adam had assumed either she was angry with him, or their father had intercepted the correspondences. So Adam left for good and never glanced back. Changed his surname to that of James to honor the man who had given him a second chance at life, and gave up all hope of seeing the beloved girl.

Her brow crinkled. “Adam…what happened to you?”

He let out a rueful laugh and swung her into an embrace. “It doesn't matter, Ed honey.” He swooped down and kissed her forehead. “My, have you grown up.”

The man next to her stood up taller. “Aye, she's a married woman, now, as well.”

Adam leaned back and studied her husband. He was a sailing captain, there was no doubt of that. Most likely a pirate or a privateer. What on earth was his Eden doing married to a man like this? Why, before Adam had even left, their father had been exploring the young lords who lived around them and might be a good suit for his daughter.

Eden smiled sweetly at the man. “This is my husband, Captain Caspian Archer. And this is our son, Reed.”

Reed offered a darling smile. Adam felt his eyes widen. The boy must be six years old. How long had Eden been married? Adam raked his mind…Eden would be nineteen or twenty years old now.

Caspian offered his hand to Adam. He shook it. “Nice to meet you, sir. I have heard all kind stories about you. In fact, I can probably thank you for leading Eden to meet me.”

“What do you mean?”

Eden laid a hand on Adam's arm. “I left England to…to go to the Caribbean, because you loved it so much. I thought it must be better than London. Anything would be better than London.” A shadow crossed her face before her voice grew cheerful once more. “So, I stowed away on Caspian's ship and we ended up…married.” Her cheeks flushed.

Captain Archer drew Eden close.

“Why were you leaving London, Ed? Is Father all right?”