Through the Maelstrom (8 page)

"You're asking me to accept time travel as fact." She shook her head. It would be amazing if such things could be real, but they weren't. They just couldn't be. "It's science fiction."

Mrs. Baker held up a hand to interject. "Have a leap of faith, child. Situations like this are very rare. If you pass up the opportunity to at least hear him out—"

"But time travel? Seriously?" Serena couldn't believe what she was hearing. Of all the crazy explanations they could have given her to justify his actions, this was not the way to convince her of anything. She glanced at the exits again. Would they follow her if she bolted?

"I didn't believe it either, and it happened to me." Christophe said, his voice soft. "One minute, I was fleeing a shipwreck. The next, being dragged beneath the ocean. Then I'm surrounded, phrases shouted at me I don't understand and lights flashing in my eyes." He met her stare. "And then...there you were. Nothing else mattered but you."

Her lips parted. When he looked at her like that, her blood heated and it made it difficult to think.

"I was confused, unsure of where I was. I reacted poorly, and I apologize more than you can ever know for insulting you. I know how mad it sounds." Pausing, he leaned forward. "Let me court you. If you wished me here, if we
are
soulmates like legends tell of this circumstance, will you allow skepticism to prevent our coming together?" Oh sure, pull legends and fate into it and attempt to guilt her into something crazy. Who bought this stuff?

But oh, that it could be true. That she could throw caution into the wind and accept him on his word. If he could prove his story, would she accept his offer?

All she'd be doing was setting herself up for disaster. Truth had a funny method of making itself known. His intentions would come to light one way or the other.

"That has to be," Serena said moments later, "the absolute worst line I have ever heard." She stood, throwing her napkin on her untouched salad. She hoped he had some way to pay for it since he was "from the past" and had absconded with her without her bag containing her wallet—which hopefully hadn't been stolen off the beach.

How could anyone fall for it? Why would they think her dense enough to believe it? Tears stung her eyes, and she blinked them away before they could make their presence known. She would love for nothing more than some grand adventurous romance like in the movies. That wasn't how reality worked. If it sounded too good to be true, it was probably a scam.

Mrs. Baker sputtered from her front row seat to their drama. How had he duped that kind lady into playing along with him? Or was she his accomplice, helping him with his con, sharing in the profit? The woman opened her mouth, but Serena cut her off a second time.

"No. You can talk him up all you want, but I am not sitting here and buying it." She scowled at Christophe. "Good luck using that trick on the next dumb woman you single out on a cruise. Just because I'm alone and vulnerable doesn't mean I'm a moron. I don't even have much money to steal. This trip was a birthday gift!"

She spun on her heels and stormed out of the restaurant, her traitorous stomach growling and making her wish she'd had the mind to at least ask for a to-go plate. She was
not
returning to do so. She didn't expect to see Christophe or Mrs. Baker again for the remainder of the trip. Now that she was on to them, she'd report them to the cruise line and ensure they didn't prey upon the next woman to fall for that romance novel hogwash.

As she neared the beach, the crew member who had removed Christophe from the hall in front of her door approached, looking grim. She'd tell him and have it done with once and for all. Then she would collect her items, find food, and retreat to the ship to avoid people. As far as she was concerned, her trip was over. She wanted to go home where no men bothered her or affected her strongly enough to make her
want
to buy into a load of crap because it sounded like a fairytale. Too bad there was no such thing.

"T
hat went well," Christophe muttered dryly. He should have gone after her, but something told him she needed to be alone for the moment. He could respect that and knew firsthand how impossible it all sounded. If he'd been the one in her place, he'd not believe him either. It was easier as the one who crossed time to accept such things.

Mrs. Baker gave him a sad smile. "She'll come around, but you have to admit—it's a lot to take in, and the girl is right to have reservations. Come to think of it, maybe we were a bit hasty. If she accepted your story outright, do you know how easy it would be to take advantage of her?"

He wasn't sure how dangerous this new century was for a woman without a man to protect her, but if females were given more independence as Mrs. Baker explained the night before, then maybe Serena would be all right so long as she stayed ever-cautious. People took advantage of those who appeared meek and helpless, men especially. Serena was a strong-willed, skittish female, but he would win her heart, one way or another. It wouldn't be easy though.

How strange life could be. A day ago he was escaping pirates, leaving that life behind. Now he was in a new time, trying to court a woman who may be his soulmate. A vast improvement, but in a way he had more to lose than before. If she was his soulmate, and he couldn't win her, would any other woman ever measure up? He doubted it. Even before he'd been told she was fated, he'd felt the draw to her. Knew there was something there, that she was unique to him.

Josiah Baker entered the dining establishment, and he didn't seem to be pleased to see them. He was once again in uniform, but he'd not worn the black noise box again. "You'll never guess what happened as I was on my way here," he commented as he sat in Serena's discarded chair.

Oh, Christophe could guess. She'd likely marched right up to the first person she saw who worked on the ship and told them she was being targeted by thieves. He liked that his woman had sense, and it made him want her more. Perhaps it was the chase itself, he wasn't sure.

"The lady you're trying to win over thinks I should have you taken into custody for stalking, fraud, not paying for a ticket, sexual harassment, and manhandling. She also says I should arrest my mother for aiding and abetting. You're lucky I don't have to wear a nametag or she'd have added my name to the mix."

Josiah pulled an envelope from his back pocket and slid it toward him. "Unlike the two of you, I
am
actually committing a crime here by forging this documentation to get you on the ship. You think people can just climb aboard from Bermuda without needing clearance to go back to the U.S.? Ha!" He glared. "I wish you'd stayed on the ship instead of risking my neck. I'm only helping to keep my mother out of trouble."

Christophe understood his concerns. He also approved of Serena's taking charge of her safety. Thankfully she went to the person helping him, albeit reluctantly. He recalled some of the history Mrs. Baker had explained to him the night before as he ate. "Correct me if I am wrong, but...you're saying your country gained independence from the Crown upon a land that was previously inhabited and decided not to let anyone else into it?"

"I'm not here to discuss the politics on immigration. You think I don't know it's flawed?" Josiah rolled his eyes. "Let me make myself clear, Mr. Jones. If my mother is arrested, I will testify against you and ensure you never get out of prison. They don't hang pirates anymore. You will be trapped like an animal with a bunch of criminals who are in desperate need of a woman. Feel me?"

Mrs. Baker laughed. "If he tells them he's a pirate from the past they will put him in a looney bin, not prison. Not much better a choice, but still."

Josiah shot her a look. "Stay out of this, Ma."

"No." She slapped her hand on the table, rattling the dishes. Other patrons glanced over at the sound, but turned back to their meals. "You will help this man woo his soulmate so he has a place in this time since it's uncertain if he will stay or not. If he stays, he will need to fit in fast. A relationship will give him a starting point."

Christophe didn't know what to say. Mrs. Baker's unwavering support was touching, but he hated not having modern currency to repay her for the kindness. Josiah didn't like being forced to help him, and the contempt in the scowls he shot his way told him so. Nevertheless, the man respected his mother, and his shoulders sagged in defeat when she wouldn't back down from the staring match they'd fallen into across the table from each other.

"She doesn't like him." Josiah shook his head. "I could lose my job. Do jail time."

"Stop being so negative. You would be doing a good deed, and God will reward you for it."

A bead of sweat rolled slowly down the man's forehead, and he wiped it away. "I cannot believe you are asking me do this."

"I'll find a way to repay you, sir," Christophe cut in. He opened the envelope and took out a form listing his name and some address he did not recognize. The tension between mother and son was becoming uncomfortable. "I can sell what coin I have to a museum as Mrs. Baker suggested last night." She'd informed him it would be worth more much more than it had been back in his time, but he couldn't do anything with it until they reached the mainland.

"Getting rid of you is payment enough." He sighed. "Sorry, that came out way harsher than intended." He pointed to the documentation and added in a hushed tone, "That should get you on and off the ship. I've had the captain sign over that you lost your passport in Nassau. I had to retroactively add your name into the list of guests, to the room number you gave me of the woman. I did not provide you a keycard, however, and you will not enter her room uninvited."

Fair enough. He wouldn’t have done so anyway. Mrs. Baker had set up a small cot in her room for him until he could convince Serena to take a chance on him, much to Josiah's irritation. "I shall seek employment when we dock in the...States." Christophe smiled, remembering the right word this time. "I'm ever indebted to you." If he didn't return to the past again, anyway. He couldn't live his life expecting to return at any moment, and he wouldn't.

"Your employment starts now." Josiah pushed Serena's untouched salad away and clasped his hands in front of him on the table. "I convinced my boss to let you dress up in your pirate garb—without the pistol. The sword is okay as long as it stays sheathed. You're not being paid, but I will be there taking pictures for guests. Keeping an eye on you." He made some silly gesture using his middle and index finger to point to his eyes and then him. "You'll be working for tips by those who want a picture. That's the best I could do. I know it's crappy."

Christophe nodded. It was a start. Some coin in his pocket couldn't be a bad thing, especially after the costs of things were explained to him last night and his eyes had nearly bulged out of his head. "Thank you."

Josiah shook his head. "Thank my mother for buying your story. If one hair is harmed on that woman's head you're chasing, I'll turn myself in and say I was coerced to do your bidding to keep you from hurting my mother. When we return to the States, I'm having you investigated. I'll discover your identity and expose you for the fraud you are because my mother may believe in stories, but I don't." He stood to leave. "Come on, Ma." He reached for her arm, but she yanked it away.

"You are being impossible." She rose to her feet, using her cane.

He laughed. "
I'm
being impossible? Me? I'm not the one claiming to cross time to fall in love with some woman who doesn't want me. The sooner we are back home, the better. I don't like leaving you alone with him. What would Dad think?"

"Hmmmph!" She looked to Christophe, sympathetic. "Don't worry. Things will work out in the end. You'll see. Josiah, pay for the food."

His shoulders tensed. "Are you freaking kidding me?"

"Watch your tone and do it."

Christophe silently prepared to leave. He appreciated Mrs. Baker's help and respected Josiah's concerns. He merely wished they weren't at complete opposite sides from each other because of him. Winning Serena would help in that he could move out of Mrs. Baker's room and put Josiah at ease on that particular issue.

If he hadn't propositioned Serena the night before, perhaps he'd be in her good graces. The insult hadn't won him over to her in the least. He'd always been good at adapting to change, but so much had changed so fast; he feared he'd never fit in. Electricity. Strange clothing that was remarkably less constricting. He would take it one step at a time.

He would need to provide for Serena, to be all she needed and more. He couldn't do any of that until she gave him a chance to prove he was a good man. If only he knew how to do so.

***

S
erena opened the door to her and Becky Ann's room and slammed it shut again.

"What the hell!"

When she'd gone back to the beach for her stuff, she'd not found it or Becky Ann. She'd returned to the ship and received an extra keycard by telling Guest Services her friend had her bag and they'd been separated. Then she'd headed to her room, intent on hiding for the rest of the trip.

She wasn't surprised Becky Ann had moved on from the beach already—taking the frat guy she'd been kissing back to the room to have sex, however, was not the sort of shock Serena anticipated. The image would be burned into her brain for the rest of her life. She'd once heard true friends saw each other's nipples at some point, but she assumed it was from changing clothes in the same room or bathing suit mishaps. Not walking in on them as they reverse-cowgirled some guy they hardly knew.

Now, Serena was trapped on a boat in a tankini with no cover-up and nowhere to go for solitude. Luckily, she was too angry to give into the despair of the situation, so tears weren't a threat she had to worry about any longer. After wandering aimlessly for some time, Serena ended up at the pool. The majority of the guests had gone onto the island for the day, so it was much quieter than usual. She tucked her keycard into her cleavage, mildly thankful for the underwire in the bathing suit top that would keep the keycard from slipping loose.