Call of the Sea (3 page)

Captain Winters sat on the porch steps of a modest wooden house at the top of the cliffs. He lifted his head at Daniel’s approach. Worry had made a home in the lines etching his forehead, despite the smile of welcome curling his lips. “Thanks for coming up, lad. I’d begun to think you might have decided against it.” The captain patted the floorboards to his left. “Have a seat.”

After taking a moment to quell the quivering in his limbs, Daniel nodded and sat down beside the captain. “Is your daughter well, sir?”

“Aye. Thanks to you she’ll be fine.” Captain Winters twisted calloused hands together as if trying to shape his next words. He took a deep breath, released it, and leveled somber blue eyes at Daniel. “So, you’re one of them selkies, eh?”

Daniel bit down on a swell of panic. The captain had seen what he was, knew he was cursed.
How can I deny it?
“Sir?”

Captain Winters smiled. “I’ve been sailing a long time, boy. I’ve met your kind before, as well as merfolk and other sea creatures only thought to be myth.”

“Oh.” Unsure what to say, Daniel studied his toes as they dug into the sand at the base of the steps.
Will the captain refuse to sail with me now that he knows the truth?
Dread wormed a hole in his stomach.

“I have a proposition for you, lad. One I think will benefit us both equally.”

Daniel’s pulse jumped. Hope sparked a fire in his chest. Maybe he wouldn’t be turned away after all. “Anything you need, Captain. I promise I won’t let you down.”

Captain Winters pushed to his feet and took a few steps away from the porch, hands clasped behind him and head bowed. He swung back around, opened his mouth to speak, and closed it again. He searched the sky, shifted his weight from foot to foot. “I’m not sure how to say this, so I’m just going to spit it out.” His stormy eyes locked on Daniel. “I don’t want you to sail with me anymore.”

The flame of hope sputtered out.

“After some careful thought, I’ve decided I have a much more important job for you.” The captain grinned. “One uniquely crafted to your special talents.”

***

Ellie woke, aware of a pain in her chest that returned with each breath and a dry rawness in her throat. She pushed her palms into the mattress and sat up, her muscles tightening in protest.

Memories of the previous night rushed in. A set of expressive brown eyes, like none she’d ever seen, floated through her head. There’d been a boy in the ocean
.
No, on the beach. He’d beaten the water from her. Her brow furrowed. He was naked, too!

Mumbled voices echoed from the other room.

Papa!
He hadn’t left her behind.

Ellie flipped off her blankets and got up from the bed. Her vision swam. She snaked a hand out to grab the bedpost, knees quaking. After taking a moment to steady herself, she padded across the bedroom and pulled open the door.

The rich scent of brewing coffee greeted her first. Mama busied herself at the hearth, dark head bowed over a sizzling skillet. Papa sat at the table across from a boy she didn’t recognize, at least not the back of his head.

Papa looked up, smiled wide. “Here’s the little mermaid now. How are you feeling, little one?”

Ellie stiffened. “I’m not little anymore, Papa. I’m ten.”

The boy’s chair scraped against the floor as he shifted position, drawing Ellie’s gaze. The same deep brown pools from last night peered at her from beneath thick lashes and a mop of chestnut hair.

Her cheeks heated as more snippets of the night’s debacle flashed in her head.
Why is he here?

“Ellie, this is Daniel O’Roarke, my new cabin boy.” Papa said. “Do you have something you want to say to him?”

Ellie’s stomach dropped into her toes.
New cabin boy?
If Papa had a replacement cabin boy, he had no need to take her with him anymore. She’d be left behind again. Ellie felt her throat close as tears threatened. Blinking them back, she manufactured a smile. “Nice to meet you, Daniel.” Her gaze shifted to her father, back to the boy. She rocked onto the balls of her feet and back to her heels, hands clasped, fingers twisting in front of her.
Don’t cry. Don’t cry.
“Thank you for saving me from drowning last night.”

Daniel flashed white teeth. “Nice to meet you, too, Ellie. I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

“Come, have some breakfast, sweetheart,” Mama said, setting a full plate of bacon and eggs in front of the empty chair beside Daniel.

Despite the growling protest of her empty stomach, Ellie shook her head. How could she sit across from the boy who had to save her from the sea like a helpless little baby? Especially one who’d managed to finagle his way into her place aboard Papa’s ship. She’d be lucky if her father ever let her come along after what happened. “I’m not very hungry, Mama. I think I’m gonna go lie down. I don’t feel good.”

Mama tested Ellie’s forehead with the back of her hand, followed by her warm lips. “No fever. All right, sweetie, go lie down and I’ll bring you some broth a little later.”

Ellie flicked her gaze to Papa, the anguish she kept under a tight tether distorting her vision. “Are you setting out again today?”

Papa nodded. “Aye. I’ve already taken more time than I should getting here for your birthday.”

She swallowed, refusing to cry in front of the boy.
It’s not supposed to be this way.
“Say goodbye before you go?”

“Of course, Bean, and don’t worry. I’ll be home again before you know it.”

Keeping her eyes from Daniel, Ellie turned on her heel and rushed from the room. She slammed her bedroom door and flung herself onto the bed. Stomach twisting as if she’d swallowed a pile of wiggling snakes, she pressed her face into the pillow and let her tears of grief seep into the fabric.

***

When Ellie opened her eyes again, she found the late afternoon sun streaming through the bedroom window. The curtains swayed in the soft breeze. She rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling. Where had the day gone?

Papa!

She launched herself from the bed. He said he wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye. She darted across the room, bare feet practically skimming over the floorboards, and yanked open the door. Ellie flew into the parlor.

Her mother turned from the hearth, wiped her hands on her apron, and offered a sympathetic smile. “He left about an hour ago, sweetheart.”

Ellie deflated as if someone punched her in the gullet. “Why didn’t he wake me up?”

“You needed the rest. He didn’t want to disturb your sleep after everything that happened. He said he loves you and he’ll be back before you know it.” Mama turned back to the large kettle hanging by the fire and gave the contents a vigorous stir.

Ellie flopped into her father’s lounging chair, his scent rising from the upholstery like a specter, haunting her.
How could he just leave?

“I’m sorry, honey,” her mother said over her shoulder. “I know you’re disappointed.”

Disappointed?
Ellie rolled her eyes at the understatement. The aching chasm in her chest spoke of devastation, not mere disappointment.

She glanced out the window. An hour wasn’t all that long. Maybe she could still see his ship on the horizon.

After a bit more brooding, Ellie jumped from the chair and rushed for the front door. Her hand found the knob, and with a twist and pull, she was streaking across the dunes. Her mother called her name, but she kept running.

She rounded the corner at a frantic pace and rushed down the path to the sea, startling a pair of lazing gulls into flight. Ellie searched for the sails of her father’s vessel on the bobbing crests of navy and white. When a quick sweep revealed nothing, she lifted a hand to shield her eyes from the descending sun. All she saw were the rolling waves, no sails and no ship.

Ellie growled and plopped down in the sand. She drew her knees up to her chest and watched the crests tease their way along the beach. The breakers crept up the shore to tickle her bare toes before retreating, only to be absorbed by the next surging wave. She wondered if Papa was teaching his new cabin boy the ropes. Jealousy poked at her.

A mewing sound to her left drew Ellie’s attention away from the sea. She didn’t see anything, so she tilted her head and closed her eyes. Concentrating on separating the sound of the surf from the other noises on the beach, she listened.

A grunt.

Her eyes shot open, zeroed in on the large rock formation in the center of the beach. Ellie pushed to her feet and brushed damp sand from her rump. The hair on her arms stood on end as she crept closer to the boulders.

Another grunt sounded, weaker than the first, followed by a high-pitched squeal.

Ellie’s steps halted.

What if it’s some kind of monster, or a giant sea creature with sharp gnashing teeth? She twisted and eyed the path winding up the bluffs, glanced back at the rocks.

What to do?

“Don’t be a coward, Ellie.” She urged her feet to move. One step with her left foot, then the right. Her fingers clasped and released the thin material of her nightgown.

Steady, now. Just a few more steps.

When a loud cry rang out from behind the outcropping, Ellie balled her hands at her sides, bit back her fear, and rushed forward. Reaching the rocks, she closed her eyes and tried to slow her breathing while she waited for her heartbeat to stop pounding in her ears.

Calmer, Ellie scaled the giant boulder hand over hand. At the top, she took a deep breath and peeked over the rock edge to the sand on the other side.

A shiny russet shape met her gaze.

She drew back.
A seal?
Ellie gnawed on her lower lip.
I was afraid of a silly seal?
She stifled a giggle. Chastising herself for being paranoid, she climbed down from her perch and skirted around to the back of the boulders.

Huge brown eyes lifted to meet hers. The seal shifted to its side and let out another pathetic cry.

Ellie tilted her head and moved closer, looking over the seal for any signs of injury. “Are you hurt?” She dropped to her knees beside the animal.

The seal tried to flop away, furry skin bunching and twisting as it pressed its round body against the rocks. It tucked its head beneath a front flipper.

“You don’t have to hide. I won’t hurt you, I promise.” Ellie held her hands up, palms out. “See? No net.”

The seal whimpered and rolled onto its back, revealing a long ragged gash along the bottom of his tail flipper.

“You
are
hurt.” Ellie knelt down and reached for the frightened beast. “Let me help you.”

To her surprise, the seal inched closer.

She held its tail and studied the wound. She tested the edges of the gash as gently as possible. “It’s not as bad as it looks. The cut isn’t all that deep, but you could do with a bandage.”

After a moment to contemplate her options, Ellie yanked at her nightgown, tearing the decorative strip from the hem. She held up the frayed white fabric and grinned wide. “Bandages.”

It took more effort than she’d imagined to secure the strip of material on the seal’s slippery tail. Her tongue poked from between her teeth while she concentrated on her ministrations.

Satisfied the bandage was secure, Ellie sat back on her heels. “There. Good as new.” She shrugged, grinned. “Sort of.”

“Ellie!”

Ellie jumped to her feet and swung her gaze to the bluffs.

Her mother stood at the top of the pathway, hands on hips.

“Coming!” Turning back to the seal, she frowned. “I gotta go, but I’ll come back in the morning to check on you. You make sure to stay here and rest.” She wagged a finger. “No swimming, you hear? You’ll get your bandage all wet.”

The seal only stared back at her.

Ellie smiled. “Good boy.” Giggling, she spun and raced up the beach toward her mother’s waiting form.

***

Daniel watched Ellie until she reached the top of the cliffs. Once she disappeared over the edge of the crag, he turned his attention to the white material strapped to his tail. Her touch had been gentle for a child, and he was confident the superficial wound would heal in no time.

Then what?

He rolled onto his stomach. Despite exhaustive thought, he still didn’t quite understand how the captain expected him to befriend the girl without revealing his identity. At least the first step had been accomplished. Ellie knew he existed and her curiosity had been piqued. Daniel had every confidence she’d keep her word and return the next day.

For the time being, it would have to be enough.

Chapter Four

Daniel lay prone on what had become his usual rock, basking in the sunlight while he waited for Ellie to arrive. He’d managed to milk his self-inflicted wound for a full week, but she intended to take off the bandages when she came back. If he wanted to keep her occupied as the captain requested, he needed a new plan.

Communicating without the benefit of speech had been no easy task. His grunts and barks didn’t translate into anything Ellie could understand, though he had to give her credit for effort. The way she screwed up her face when she tried to decipher his attempts at speech always made his whiskers twitch with mirth.

“Come on down here, lazy bones.”

Daniel twisted his head to find Ellie standing at the base of his perch squinting up at him. He sniffed the air.
Herring?
His gaze fell to the bucket she held in her right hand.
Where did she get herring?
He flopped onto his belly, and with a wiggle of his rotund body, slid down the rocks to land at her feet. Not one to stand on ceremony, or permission, Daniel stuffed his snout into the bucket of fish.

Ellie yanked it away, laughing. “Hey, now. Where are your manners?”

Daniel barked his disapproval. The healed wound could wait. He smacked his lips in anticipation.

“Bandages first,” Ellie said, her mouth set in a grim line.

After a rub of his whiskers, Daniel blew a grunt and rolled to his side. He lifted his tail for her inspection.