Carried Home (17 page)

****

Something tugged at Ivy's heart. The poor woman appeared quite hostile towards her deceased husband. She prayed he had not been abusive towards her. Ivy had seen the effects of an abusive man on her dear friend Eden, and she did not want anyone else to have to deal with that turmoil.

Ivy cast a sideways glance at Gage. His jaw and fists were tight and his eyes narrow. “We'll talk about Mr. Poole at a later time, shall we? Now, I want to hear how you are and what you have been doing.” Gage offered her his arm. “May I take you on a stroll to my ship?”

“You have a ship, brother? Or do you mean Caspian's ship?”

“Ah, but I never told you! I am a captain now. I have my own ship, the
Siren's Call
.”

A crease formed between her eyebrows. “Is Caspian all right? Did you two get in a disagreement?”

Gage chuckled. “Nay! We captured this ship and he decided to give me the authority he thought I deserved.”

“Oh, how kind of him!”

“I think so, too. Caspian is married again now, as well.”

Addie's bronze eyebrows shot up, nearly meeting her hairline. “I thought the man would never remarry after Isabelle…passed away.”

Gage lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “He met a special woman—Ivy's close friend, in fact.” He nodded at Ivy and offered her a wink. “They are quite happily wed.” Gage's gaze drifted off, and his eyes seemed to glaze over as he thought of something.

“And how is Reed? Oh, how I miss that dear child!” Addie clapped her hands together as she spoke, her face a canvas painted with excitement.

“Reed is well. I miss him also.”

Addie giggled. She wrapped her arms around Gage once more. “Oh, how good it is to see you again!”

A throat cleared behind them. Ivy spun around and noticed the same middle-aged man who had let them in and called Addie down to meet them. “I'm sorry folks, but we can't use this space as some reunion location. Can you do your visiting elsewhere?”

Gage stood up to his full height. “Yes, sir. And Addie will be staying with us tonight—maybe even for the rest of her life.”

“What are you saying, sir?”

Gage glanced at his sister, who nodded, before he spoke. “I think Addie will no longer need employment here. I truly appreciate the help you have given her, but I think it is time for her to move on.”

The man frowned.

Addie stepped forward, bowing her head shyly. “I can work until you find someone to replace me, sir.”

He burst into laughter. “I'm sorry, miss, but I have actually been looking to employ another young woman. I meant no offense to you, but I felt another individual could do the job in a more efficient manner.”

Relief etched across the woman's face. “Oh, thank you, sir!”

Gage lifted his eyebrows. Ivy could tell they were siblings. They moved their faces in a similar fashion. “Shall we leave, then?”

“Yes. Oh, I suppose I should pack up my things. Can you wait here just for a moment please?”

Gage nodded his acquiescence and she bounded up the stairs. Ivy nudged him with her elbow. He looked at her and grinned. “I praise God that she is safe, my dear.”

A smile tugged on Ivy's lips. “Indeed, Captain.”

He leaned back, away from her. “Back to calling me ‘Captain' again, milady?”

Ivy put her hands on her hips. “Nay, Gage. The title just seems to fit you.”

To her surprise, Gage did not reply with some amusing quip. He maintained a serious expression, and muttered, “I'm pleased to hear
you
at least think so.”

Ivy wound her hand around his and tugged him towards herself until he met her eyes. “Gage, you are a great captain, and I do not understand why you fail to realize that. You got your crew safely through that hurricane and then through a battle with those horrible pirates.”

“You are mistaken, my sweet. I did not make it through that battle in one piece. I was knocked out cold before it was even finished.” His chocolate brown eyes held a hint of sadness.

Ivy reached up on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his cheek. An afternoon's growth of stubble tickled her nose, and she giggled.

“What?” he inquired.

“Your face is itchy.”

He laughed and shook his head. Addie bounded down the stairs, two steps at a time. She held a grin on her face and a small bag on her shoulder.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes!” Addie turned and said her farewells to the owner of the shop and they were on their way.

 

As Adam bounded up the companionway, young Emma nestled in his arms, he heard a clamor on the main deck. Although most of the men had left for town to spend their shares of the treasure from the one ship they had gone against, a few remained. And they were shouting.

Emma whimpered and Adam bounced her in his arms. She stretched her little arm up to his face, and he tweaked her nose with his fingers. The babe giggled. This tyke's innocence was refreshing. Not once had she ever seemed to notice or care about his scarred face. That was unlike any other person he had met since the accident had scarred him. Even if those seeing him tried to mask their shock, or disgust, or even pity, he could tell. But to Emma, he was just the same as everyone else.

He had once been what most considered handsome. Yes, he missed those days, the days when a look at him did not send ladies running, but he could manage. It was not worth anything to be friends with people who only cared about how nice his face looked anyway. No, and that was just what the society he had been raised in was like. And he never wanted to return to that. This accident was one of the best things that had happened to him.

Adam made his way onto the main deck and chuckled, pushing aside his dark thoughts. Of course Captain Thompson and Lady Shaw had returned. With this crew, only one thing could cause them to make so much noise: a woman. But had they not grown to respect the woman more? Well, they were pirates. And a woman was a woman to them no matter how well she was at helping control a ship full of unruly men, he supposed.

As Adam approached the two, he realized it was not Lady Shaw the men were making catcalls at. No, it was a young woman who braced her hands on pleasantly round hips. Her golden tan skin was flushed red, and her brilliant sea-green eyes narrowed in anger. Dark, curly hair fell loose from a bun high atop her head and billowed in the sea breeze. Adam felt certain he had never seen anything so pretty. And her attitude. Her spunk. She seemed just about ready to slap the face of every man on this deck. Quite viciously, in fact.

And if Adam didn't stop ogling her himself, he might very well be the first to be introduced to the palm of her hand. He averted his gaze to his captain, who stood with his fists and jaw clenched. Mayhap Gage would hit the men after she slapped him down, as well. This was his sister? Hmm. They shared many characteristics.

Adam shook his head, blinked, and continued toward the trio, focusing his gaze on Lady Shaw. She wouldn't hurt him. She was too sweet…Most of the time. He remembered her expression when she had scolded the crew, but then her face lit up when she saw Emma. The little girl reached her arms out and practically jumped into the woman's arms.

Gage cleared his throat. “Adam, would you please show
Miss Thompson
to her cabin? She will be joining Ivy.”

Spend some more time with this ever-interesting creature? “Aye, sir.”

Adam offered her his arm.

Miss Thompson looked at it, up at him, back at his arm, and stood up straight. “No, thank you, sir. I can manage.” With her nose in the air, she started across the deck.

Adam sped to catch up with her. He snagged her elbow. She jerked away.

“Excuse me, Miss Thompson, but I am guessing you do not know the way to your cabin.”

“I've been on my share of ships before, sir, so I do not think it will be too difficult to find. I used to sail on Gage and Caspian's ship many times. You need not be concerned.” Her sea-foam green eyes flashed as she stared at him.

Why was he so entranced by this woman? His captain's sister? Why, he had only known her for a grand total of five minutes at the most. Maybe it was because she looked him straight in the eye, not off to the side, or straight at his scars. She made him feel like a normal person again. That must be it.

“Miss Thompson, if you would just allow me the honor of escorting you to your cabin. Your brother asked me to.” Adam nodded at his captain, who leaned against the forecastle railing, chatting with Ivy. A grin stretched across his face as he spoke to the woman.

A sudden longing filled Adam. Wouldn't it be wonderful to care for a woman as much as Gage did for Ivy, and to feel that emotion returned?

A sigh escaped his lips.

“As you wish,” Miss Thompson muttered. She followed him down the companionway, past the door to the captain's cabin, down a ways further, to the cabin Ivy had been staying in. He opened the door and motioned for her to enter.

She did, and set her small bag on the cot.

“Is that all you have with you, Miss Thompson?” He nodded to the bag.

A frown creased her forehead. “Aye. 'Tis all I have.”

“You will need to discuss the…sleeping arrangements of this room with Lady Shaw. There is only one cot, but you will need to share the room with her.”

“If you could have someone set up a hammock for me, I would be happy to sleep there.”

Adam raised his eyebrows. “Are you certain?” He knew many men who had fallen out of their hammocks their first nights at sea.

The woman crossed her arms across her chest. “Like I said, sir, I have enjoyed my share of voyages with Gage.” She moved about the room and glanced out the tiny porthole at the far end. After a moment, she came back towards him. “Who are you, anyway? I do not recognize you from Caspian's ship.”

“Ah, yes. Gage allowed me to join starting this voyage.” Adam bowed at the waist. “First mate, Adam Douglas at your service, miss.”

She nodded.

“And may I ask you your full name, miss? I don't believe Gage told me.”

Fire flashed in her eyes. She was getting annoyed with him. Rather quickly. “Addie Thompson Poole, but please call me Miss Thompson.”

Adam raised his eyebrows. Why would she not want to be called by her married name? In fact, she did not appear to be very mournful to have lost her husband only a few weeks ago. No, the only thing she appeared to be was quite annoyed.

“Please, sir, I do not want you to think I am angry with you. I am just not in a mood to talk to a man. I mean you no offense, but the only man in my life who has not lied to me or treated me rudely is my brother. So I have no interest in further associating myself with any others.”

Before Adam knew it, the little spitfire had tossed him out of the cabin.

****

Addie squeezed her eyes shut as she leaned against the door she had just slammed in the man's face. What was wrong with her? She had obviously hurt his feelings, and he had seemed nice enough. But she was in no mood to deal with men and their lies.

First, her father. He had left before she was even born. Then, her adopted father. The man sold her off to the highest bidder, just to get her out of the house. And the highest bidder had whisked her away to another town and left her in debt. And then there was Mr. Faulke. When had he planned on telling her he was seeking out someone to replace her?

What is wrong with everyone?

Addie grimaced at the memory of the sadness in Mr. Douglas's eyes when she had shooed him out of the cabin. He truly had not done anything to her. A terrible feeling sank to the pit of her stomach. How cruel of her.

And he had…seemed different than most of the other men. Sure, he had stared at her. But he seemed to notice
her,
and not just how she looked.

Addie, on the other hand,
had
noticed his features. The whole left side of his face was scarred like melted wax. It was a pity, for the right side was quite handsome. Poor man. But someone must love him, for he had been cradling a baby in his arms when she had first arrived. Where was the man's wife?

****

Gage laughed as Emma babbled a story in baby gibberish to him and Ivy. Ivy grinned at him from over the child's head. He planted a kiss on Ivy's cheek and tousled the tiny ringlets of fuzz on Emma's head. “You're a sweetheart, you know that?”

Ivy leaned close to him. “She likes you. A lot. You know that, right?” Her eyes twinkled as she spoke. Gage could not resist a smile. Aye, he knew the babe liked him. It was the woman's favor he was trying to win.

He glanced at her from the side of his eye. Her gaze was focused only on the child. Only a handful of her copper locks had remained restrained in the coiffure she had stuffed them in earlier in the day. Their trek through the town had loosened them, and Gage had to admit, he much preferred her hair this way. Her cheeks were flushed, highlighting her tiny freckles. Her lips…her lips were pink and perfect. And he longed to kiss them again.

Gage glanced about the deck. No. His men were watching. And if his men were watching, they would lose whatever trace of respect they had developed for her when she had been their captain.

Ivy pulled away from Gage, and twisted to face the other direction. Frowning, Gage followed her gaze. Oh, Adam. Why was his face tightened in displeasure? “Is all well, my man?” He asked as Adam approached.

“Yes…yes, Captain.”

Gage raised his eyebrows.

“Your sister has requested for a hammock to be strung in her cabin. She said you may continue to sleep on the cot if you wish.” He nodded to Ivy.

“Very well. If you please, get one of the men to hang a hammock in the ladies' cabin.” Gage rested a hand on Ivy's arm as he addressed Adam.

Adam nodded and left.

“Why did he look so flustered, Gage?”

Gage rotated to Ivy. Her forehead was furrowed with concern. “Oh, 'twas nothing, I am sure. He must simply be wondering how Addie could sleep in a hammock when many men on their first voyages fall out of those contraptions. Addie has been on a few voyages on Caspian's ship, and she had to sleep in a hammock. She has grown accustomed to it now.”

“Well, your sister seems to be a nice lady.” Ivy played with a lock of Emma's fuzzy hair.

“Aye, that she is, milady. I am pleased to have found her. I have missed her so. For a long time, she was all the family I had, so she means a lot to me.”

Ivy's eyes brightened. “When are you going to give her the lavender lawn we purchased in Port Royal?”

“Lavender lawn…ah, the fabric! Yes, I will give that to her tonight. I want her to join us for dinner in my cabin. Tomorrow, I promise we will go out and stroll through the town. I know you enjoyed the chance to be back on dry land, and since my men will still be carousing about the wharves, we should have time to do so.”

“Oh, thank you, sir! I appreciate that. I really do.”

Gage chuckled. “It's entirely worth it to see you happy, my sweet.”

Emma let out a happy squeal and stretched her arms out toward Gage. “Papa!”

Ivy cringed.

Gage felt it like a knife through his heart. It seemed as if he was winning her over, yet she cringed at the thought of Emma being their daughter together. Mayhap she would never come to love him or actually accept his suit.

****

Why did the babe continue to call Gage “Papa” and Ivy “Mama”? And yet…the sound grew more and more pleasing to Ivy's ears every time she heard it. In fact, it made her smile inwardly. Ivy would give almost anything to be Gage's wife and Emma's mama. But would she give up her place in society, her reputation?

Giving everything up was worth the struggle. Heaven knows, it was worth it. Why had she not realized so before?

Since the day Ivy had vowed to stay away from Gage, he had seemed to push himself closer to her than ever. And she had loved it. Instead of growing to dislike him, it had only served to strengthen her love of the man. What was wrong with her? There was no way she could ever leave him without her heart breaking. It was an unavoidable fact.

So what was there to do? Nothing. Because, this man, this captain, was hers. And she was not going to lose him.

“Mama!” Emma seemed to voice Ivy's thoughts. She was made for this family. This man and this toddler were hers. And she could never leave them.

“Gage, are we staying on your ship tonight?”

Ivy blinked. Oh. When had Addie come to stand in front of them? She hadn't even noticed the girl come up on the deck.

“Yes, we are, Addie. I feel safer with you and Ivy—Lady Shaw here with me, other than in some place in the city.”

Addie's stomach grumbled and she pressed a hand against it, her tan face growing red.

Gage chuckled. “Are you hungry, my pet?”

She laughed, flashing a set of perfect white teeth. The girl was like her brother in many ways. “Yes, I am. I've been avoiding eating in the town's taverns at all costs. I would thoroughly enjoy a nice full meal.”

“Why were you avoiding taverns?”

“Oh, 'twas nothing to concern you. Shall we eat something now?”

Gage frowned. “Aye. A meal should be arriving at my cabin in a few minutes. We can wait there.” He offered his arms to both ladies, who accepted his offer and allowed him to escort them to his cabin.

Ivy balanced Emma on her hip as she walked. Once they arrived at Gage's cabin, she settled the child on the bed.

Addie stepped forward as Ivy nestled Emma in a cocoon of blankets. “Why doesn't Mr. Douglas take care of his own child?”

“Excuse me?” Ivy tucked the blankets around Emma as Gage rearranged the furniture of his cabin to accommodate the three of them dining.

“Why doesn't Mr. Douglas take care of his child? And where is her mother?” Addie gestured to Emma. “Except for when I first came aboard, I have only seen you and Gage caring for her. That's incredibly selfish of the man.”

Ivy laughed. “Oh, no, Emma isn't Adam's baby! She's mine. And Gage's.”

Silence stretched across the cabin.

Gage stopped fumbling with his desk immediately.

Addie choked.

Ivy gasped.

“I-I didn't realize…”

“No! I did not mean it like that!” Ivy clapped a hand over her mouth.

“Emma is not our actual daughter, Addie. We found her on the streets of Port Royal, being abandoned by her own mother. So we took her in, and she is ours now.” Gage shared a secret smile with Ivy. The action alone sent warm butterflies speeding from her belly to every direction of her body.
A connection seemed to pass to her from his body, although they did not even touch. Aye, this man was special.

“That was kind of both of you.” Addie raised her eyebrows.

Gage shrugged. “It seemed to be the only decent thing to do.” He moved over to a trunk on the far side of the cabin. “Ah, how could I have nearly forgotten? I have something I wanted to give you today.”

“Really?” Addie followed Gage.

He opened the trunk and pulled out the bolt of lavender lawn. Her face brightened, and she emitted a high-pitched noise. “Oh, Gage, it is simply gorgeous! Whatever is this for?” She wrapped her arms around her brother's neck in a hug.

He chuckled as she loosened her grip. “Whatever you want, sister. When I caught word your husband had died and you could use my help, I decided to give you a gift when I came to retrieve you. Then I remembered the times when we were young and on the streets and you would want fabric for a new dress so terribly, but the shop owners would always toss us out of their establishments when they noticed we were parentless.”

Addie's gaze dropped. “Aye, I remember that. I did not enjoy being treated in that fashion.”

“And now, I wanted to give you a new bolt of fabric. I could never buy you one before, and now I can. I wanted to see you happy again.”

Addie smiled up at Gage and Ivy suddenly felt like an interloper, intruding on these sibling's private affairs. She wished she knew this woman better.

“I am happy, brother. Not only because of this gift, but because I am back with you.” Addie chuckled.

“What's funny, Addie?”

“Well…I adore the fabric. I really do. It's just…I never want to see another needle and thread again, so I fear this gorgeous material will not be made into a gown anytime soon.”

“Oh, forgive me, Addie! When I chose the material, I had not realized you had taken a position aiding a milliner.”

“No, do not worry; I am very pleased you even remembered those days. I will cherish this, and I'm sure I can get someone to help me sew it into a gown.” Addie winked at her brother.

“I would be pleased to sew the gown for you, Addie.”
Bittersweet tears stung Ivy's eyes. She was truly happy for Gage and Addie, and yet she missed her brother dearly. However, she knew now that she could fully trust God to do whatever was best for the boy. Surely she would see him soon enough. After a moment, Ivy sat on the bed next to Emma. Emma's face brightened and she crawled over the mattress to sit on Ivy's lap. Ivy smiled and bounced the child up and down before cuddling her in her embrace.