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Bo sighed heavily and nodded, taking his book and leaving her there at the railing, somewhat alone again.
“Thank you,” the captain said after a few minutes of silence.
“For what?”
“For being kind to him,” the confounding man uttered quietly. “He’s a good kid that had a bad run and is struggling with how to handle it all. I really appreciate you being nice to him.”
“I didn’t know you were brothers.”
“Not in the literal sense,” he began and hesitated, piquing her curiosity as she looked at him. “He was assigned to my squad in Iraq when we were all injured.”
… And with that?
The captain walked off, leaving her alone with that little bombshell. Bo’s leg, Shepherd’s hand, Jared’s eye, plus the surfer and doctor’s reactions to a scar he’d seen on the captain. They’d been soldiers together in Iraq – andsomehow ended up here, on a ship, in the middle of the ocean.
They addressed him as captain – because hewastheir captain.
Literally.
It explained so much… and created so many more questions in her.
5AVAST, ME HEARTIES
WILLIAM
Will dartedinto his bunkroom to look at the crew manifests that were submitted online and knew he was crossing a line. Marie would have his hide if she could read his mind right now. This was supposed to be basic information that might be vital. Allergies, phobias, health problems since they would be away from shore, etc., but he was specifically looking for one folder.
Hers.
Orange… Calista.
The woman that the biologist had emailed him about – never imagining that he would be so interested, and it was all there.
Thirty-five years old, no allergies, self-employed, no medical issues, fear of drowning and spiders… and widowed.
He closed his eyes and shut the folder, his mind reeling with thoughts he shouldn’t be having… and knowing he didn’t have a chance whatsoever. A scarred, bitter man that already had too much on his shoulders as it was. She was breathtakingly beautiful – and he certainly was not.
Putting the folder back, he left his room and made his way towards the opening in the distance to take his post on the quarterdeck… only to hear her door open right as he passed.
“Is there a problem, Orange?” he said tightly, refusing to look at her. She was too close, and he didn’t want to see the disgust on her face at the scar tissue on his own.
“Could I talk with the pirate lady, Marie? I think that was her name,” she began, her voice exceedingly uncomfortable.
“No,” he blurted out, knowing that Marie was alerting the navigation station of their plans – as well as the Coast Guard, avoiding any shipping lanes. They were very particular and methodical in planning their route, just to make sure they didn’t run into problems. “The wench is occupied. What do you need? Do you have a complaint or issue?”
“Yup,” she said candidly, not backing down from his harsh responses that had come out badly. He didn’t mean to be rude, but right now was not a good time… and he could see that she was in the process of dressing, desperately trying not to notice her cleavage.
“See? I got kidnapped to be on this ship and I’m trying to fit in, but the douche-bag captain won’t let the only female on the ship that might be able to help me get into this corset that was provided by costuming… so yes. I have a few complaints to make.”
Did she just call me… a douche-bag?
Oh, this mysterious widow was stunning, but also didn’t take any flack apparently. He’d never been put in his place like this – not recently and not when he was in the Army.
He almost laughed in disbelief and thought better of it. If she was already riled up, that would probably just anger her further… especially if she was trying to participate and running into problems.
Giving her a slight smile, Will glanced sideways at her frowning face – recognizing the soft spot was apparently a gaping hole in his armor.Greaaaat,he thought.By the end of this voyage, I’ll be feeding her grapes or something equally stupid.
“I’ll send Marie to you, miss,” Will agreed in a hushed voice, hoping no one else heard him being soft to the lovely brunette.
