Love's Battle (True Blue Trilogy) (23 page)

“You were gone two months Kalei, not two years. Our mother’s cooking still fills my belly.”

“Perfect.” Grabbing Veda’s ties, he held them out to his brother. “Enjoy.”

Malik raised a brow, Veda‘s protests dying her throat as he reached with one hand to twirl a piece of flame colored hair around his finger. With the other he reached out to take her ties.

Nodding Malik picked Veda up in his arms, carrying her home. Over his shoulder Veda sent me a saucy wink and I knew that for now there would be no objection on her part. Before my eyes a blue aura began to appear, growing brighter with every second that past. It was the same blue Malik carried.

“What about me?” I asked.

“I have someone in mind.” Kalei announced, handing my ties off to a younger deckhand. “Take her to Aslan.”

“Aslan. Who’s Aslan?” I demanded, not out of fear, but curiosity.

“My uncle.”

Following the deck hand I tried to navigate the thin piece of wood, but my current caretaker was in a hurry.

“Slow down.” I protested, first in Italian and then in French.

“Keep up woman.” He barked.

I didn’t care for his tone and probably should have thought twice about my next course of action. “I said, slow down.” I repeated, trying to stand my ground and make him stop.

In response the deckhand yanked my bonds hard enough to send me into a stumble that nearly caused me to lose my balance.

“Woman.” The hand cursed, tired of dealing with me. In an attempt to hurry along his captain’s bidding he attempted to pick me up and toss me over his shoulder.

Problem was, I didn’t want to be picked up and his stench was ripe enough to have my stomach heaving. “Stop,” I yelled, swatting at his back. “Put me down.”

I struggled so much that once the hand got me onto his shoulders, I didn’t stay there for long. “Release me.” I demanded for the last time as we toppled off the plank into the water below as I‘d hoped. Landing with a splash I came up spitting and sputtering, my feet tangling in my skirts as I began to tread water.

“Idiot.” I yelled in mock fury. “Foolish boy.”

Laughter boomed around us as the deckhand, unrestricted by skirts or bonds swam to the pier, hauled himself out of the water, and with a smart grin started back up the plank. At least he smelled better.

“Why you good for nothing…” I began to curse, only to have my words cut short as I was hauled out of the water by my scruff.

“Aye fellas. Looks like I’ve caught a mermaid.” Aslan boasted as he cut my ropes.

“More like a cursed siren with that unnatural hair. Throw her back.” Came the consensus.

Standing there like a drowned rat I should have been humiliated beyond belief as the men laughed at me. Pushing my heavy hair from my eyes I got an up close view of the dark bearded man. His chest was barrel round, thick with muscle, his dark eyes filled with lust as he held me, sopping wet in his arms.

My gown hung unseemly to my curves, but I didn’t care, not with the way Aslan was looking at me. I knew he could feel what we were and could be to each other.

Tremors of desire coursed through my body when he pulled me close to his chest, his warmth quieting the shivers that racked my body. Quietly he whispered in my ear, “Siren of the sea, my heart sings for you.”

Our love was instantaneous, a carbon copy of what we felt for each other. With Aslan I was more than willing to be love’s captive. Now I can’t help but think, once again, that this blooming love between Danton and myself was more like a battle. But it was a battle I was determined to win.

Danton nodded, “And the replica ship was his?”

“The Xebec,” I laughed. “Yes. Once I harnessed control on my sea legs I took to life of a privateer extremely well. I was given charge over any female prisoners we came across and in return for a handsome fee; I sold them to their husbands.”

Danton looked aghast. “You did what?”

“Don’t worry.” I soothed. “They were true matches, everyone. They were all quite happy with the end result. There was so much love to be found in our new home. With my proceeds and Kalei’s help I bought the Siren for Aslan as a gift for our fifth wedding anniversary.” Walking back to my office, I finished my tale.

“To my immense disappointment Jessenia never really took to wearing dresses after so many years in breeches. Despite her lack of feminine ways I am proud to say that she did go on to marry one of Barbarossa’s sons.

“Jabari of course became a seaman, as did our first born Danil and our second son Stesha. Our third and forth sons, Ilori and Oringo preferred their land legs and become well respected businessmen as tavern owners. The rowdy bunch.

“I lived to the age of seventy-seven along with my sisters, for we were never far apart. We became revered among the community for our matchmaking skills. You see Danton, the sea in her own right is very much a woman, a temptress, who seduces men from their beds.

The women they left behind needed the comfort of knowing that the men who left them loved them as much as they did the sea.”

“You’ve lead interesting lives.” Danton observed as we stopped at my desk.

“That one was particularly fun,” I agreed. “Arabella and Cerys are special. It was between them that we lived in Ipswich.

In the silence I could see Danton’s mind working to remember my earlier declarations of the goings on in Ipswich.

“Would you like a list of reputable researchers to contact and help you?”

“I think I can handle it.”

I pointed to his list. “Be sure to add Darla Prokop and Minna Turpin.”

“Thanks. Ah, I’ll try not to keep you waiting too long for an answer.”

“Take all the time you need Danton. Research can be time consuming. I’ll be here.”

****

When Danton left I tried to go back to work but the task of organizing the new displays no longer held my interest. Closing the folder I set it aside to read later tonight when I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep. It was an activity I hadn’t been doing much of since the night of the ill-fated ballgame.

Turning to my computer I connected to the internet. Relying on instinct I typed in two words. It might be wishful thinking, but a girl needed to be prepared for anything. Sitting back I read over the unlimited resources at my fingertips; browsing a few dozen sites before I hit pay dirt. Then there it was. Twenty minutes after Danton left and a thousand photos later I found what I was looking for… my wedding dress!

Picking up the phone I dialed Faith’s number.

“Hello.”

“Hey it’s me. When can I get my necklace?”

“Two weeks. You sound happy, did Danton come by?”

“Yep.”

“And?”

“Progress is being made.”

“Have you found your dress yet?” My sister asked, knowing me so well.

“Just did.”

“Did you find mine? It’s my turn to be the maid of honor.” Faith reminded me.

She and Hope alternated that particular duty every other life.

“I’m looking now.”

“What date did you have in mind?”

I flipped through my desk top day planner. I hadn’t really decided on a day yet. “Do you think the middle October would be rushing it?”

“Nope.”

“Third Saturday in October if he comes around by then, the nineteenth.” I confirmed.

“And if he doesn’t?”

“If he doesn’t. I’ll have a nice new party gown. I‘ll dye it pink and wear it to the Cherry Festival ball.”

“I hear ya. Don’t forget to tell Hope.”

“She’s my next call. I was thinking she might like to play wedding planner. It could add a new leg to her business. Matchmaker slash combination wedding planner. One stop shopping. She could do package deals or something.”

“Don’t be disappointed if she turns you down.” Faith warned. “I think she’s still sore from that indoor rock climbing you made her do and. That or she thinks your threats weren‘t really threats.”

I laughed. “What a sissy! Serves her right. You know I just said that to get her moving, don‘t you?”

“I wasn’t so sure, but my relief is immense. Want to do it again?” Faith asked, her lack of sanity evident in the question.

“You bet.” I had a reserved place on the funny farm right beside her. “Just let me know when you want to go.”

“This weekend if nothing comes up. Oh, let me call you back, I found something promising.” Faith didn’t even wait for my good bye before she hung up the phone. I rolled my eyes and dialed Hope’s phone.

“True Blue.”

“Hello Hope!” I drawled.

“What do you want?” Her tone was icy just like before. I let it melt into water and roll right off my back. I knew how to play her game. Hope just needed a little enticement.

“Nothing, just wanted to ask you something.”

“Whatever it is, I’m not interested.”

“Good. That’s fine, I can handle it myself.” I paused like I was getting ready to hang up. I was really counting to see how fast she’d change her mind. One, two…

“Handle what?”

“It’s okay. You’re not interested. I can find someone else.”

“No really, tell me. I’ll see what I can do.” She gave in.

Bingo. “I had a visit from Danton today and he’s going to give me an answer soon and my intuition being what it is, I was thinking you might like to plan the wedding?”

“When?”

“October nineteenth, if he’s agreeable.”

“Where?”

“Your call.” She’d love that.

“Colors.”

“I’ve got a pearl and ruby necklace I’m wearing.”

“I’ve seen it, it’s beautiful. Dress?”

I rattled off the web page and the dress number, clicking on the link to email her a picture of it simultaneously.

“My dress?”

“Looking now.”

“Call me when you find it. I’ll be considering your offer.”

“Great. And Hope?”

“Yes?”

“I love you.”

For an instant, all the ambivalence was gone. “Love you too. Now quit bugging me.”

For the second time in a row I heard the dial tone much too soon. Tossing down the receiver I went back to my search. After find my sisters’ dresses I would begin the search for the perfect shoes.

Chapter 46

Desperate Measures

Love

As the last of the forlorn notes faded away I used my hands to still the quivering harp chords. Disgusted I pushed away from my stool to pace about my living room.

Grimacing I rubbed my sore fingers. I’d played so much in recent days they had gone from bleeding to healing calluses. Sleepless night after sleepless night was beginning to wear on me. Tired of seeing the living room I walked outside to breathe in fresh air. In the three days since I’d last laid eyes on Danton I had finished outlining the details of the ‘Pink Tie’ event. I had begged and cashed in every favor owed for donations for the auction. I was only waiting on March to get here.

Between Kate and myself we’d finished the final outline for the new theme display that would consist of Egypt’s Pharaohs, mummies, pyramids, and treasure. It was all about treasure. Treasure lost and treasure found.

We’d start by highlighting the 1849 Gold Rush of California. Move on to the famous ship wreck of the SS Central America which is said to have contributed to the Panic of 1857 when in September of that year the ship was caught in a hurricane. During the storm four hundred plus passengers and crew were lost to the sea murky depths as were thirty-thousand pounds of gold that translated to the rough equivalent of two million USD. The exhibits will then tie in the history of the Aztec’s and their golden harvest from the Earth.

Going with Kate’s idea we’ll cover the heavens with displays on air and space, focusing on the Wright Brother’s accomplishments, the Hindenburg tragedy, the Space

Race, and NASA’s following expeditions among the stars and planets. Not to mention the many trips to Mars and an interactive station that would define the constellations.

Toss in exhibits featuring the many man made buildings that rivaled the pyramids, a compare and contrast of Star Wars vs. Star Trek, and you’ve got several well rounded education and entertaining museum displays.

During the last few days I’d put in and was waiting on several return calls begging to borrow the certain items I would need. Everything from artifacts, newspaper clippings, original drawings, replicas, basically anything I could put my hands on that would make this showing a success. Three months of work done in a matter of days.

I had somewhat finished planning my dream wedding- minus the location, cake, flowers, invitations, and one particularly important person that is. You couldn’t very well have a wedding without a groom could you? Of course not, it went without saying. But the dress, oh I had the dress all right and a kicking pair of shoes to match.

Avoiding the TV and my favorite books like the plague has been a number one priority. If I couldn’t have a happy ending I didn’t want anyone else to either-even if they were only fictional characters. Okay, so I’m pouting, who can blame me? Problem is that while I’ve been drawing up a list of names for our future children- the father in question has been a no show.

I was running out of things to do to keep busy and I was starting to get desperate. If Danton didn’t call or show up soon things were going to get bad.

At loose ends I walked back inside to roam my small space, searching for something to do while I waited for the phone to ring. I picked up a discarded magazine from the freshly steamed rug, thumbed through it where I stood, tossed it onto the couch. Seconds later I picked it up and tossed it in the trash- I wouldn’t read it again.

Grabbing a dust rag and bottle of multipurpose cleaner I rewashed the windows, re-polished my knick knacks, re-straightened the kitchen, purged all unwanted junk mail (what little there was), re-vacuumed, and re-swept away every last inch of dust from my already immaculate personal quarters.

With razor and tweezers in hand I shaved and plucked-discarding every stray hair that didn’t belong from the top of my head to the bottom of my toes. I buffed, polished, painted, and creamed all pertinent surfaces. Going stir crazy I riffled through my newly color coordinated and properly alphabetized closet, deciding to do what I should have done weeks ago. I was going out.