Love Inspired Historical July 2015 Box Set: The Marriage Agreement\Cowgirl for Keeps\The Lawman's Redemption\Captive on the High Seas (77 page)

What of Ada?
he wanted to ask, but knew better. His concern should be for everyone under his protection, not just one woman, even if she did make him feel like living again. “Do you have enough men to lift it without causing them further discomfort?”

“Not sure, Captain. Let me get a better look.”

“My thanks, brother.” Nicolaus started to push himself up and then called back down. “Brison, let me know if the water rises any higher.”

Nicolaus glanced around the deck for something that might offer them help, something to wedge beneath the mast and lift it from the trapped women. The problem was he couldn't see the portion of the mast below the deck. Using another piece of wood to lever against the mast may only cause more damage to his boat and further injury to those below.

“Captain, it's tight against a support beam. I don't see how we can move it from below. It would take most of the men down here to lift it, and there just isn't enough room.”

Nicolaus shoved his fingers through his damp hair. It would have been easier if the mast would have been completely severed in two and not still attached to the lower half. He'd have to cut through the wood but the pressure might cause discomfort to the women pinned. He glanced over his shoulder at Argos as he held a thick rope in his hands. When Haemon made his way back on board would they have strength enough left in their arms after their struggle to lift the broken portion while he sawed through the break?

“Nicolaus.” He looked down at his brother and saw the fear in his brother's eyes. “The water is rising.”

Chapter Seven

A
da dropped her gaze to the water lapping above her ankles. She knew she should have listened to Nicolaus and moved away. If she had, she wouldn't have overheard Brison tell his brother about the rising water, but she wanted to be close by in case she was needed. Besides, she couldn't move if she wanted. The need to see what was going on, the need to keep busy, even if it only meant holding the old lady's hand whenever she cried out or keeping a cloth pressed to her head, was too strong. She'd spent enough time hiding in the shadows when her sisters were in their awful moods, enough time hiding when scared. She wouldn't cower in a corner now.

However, if she'd listened to Nicolaus, she wouldn't know... She swallowed hard. They were all going to die, unless they removed the mast and stopped the water from filling the boat. If it had not been for the quiver in Brison's tone she would not have given in to the worry gnawing at her stomach and taken notice of just how dire their situation was. Grasping hold of the old woman's hand, Ada guided it to her brow. “Keep this pressed against your head.”

Ada's knees shook as she stood, whether from the chilly water or fear she didn't know. The babe let out a little cry. She pulled the fabric and peered at the babe's innocent face. She'd never been more frightened in her life, not even when she stood on the auction block wondering if her sisters' cruelty would really see her spend the rest of her life in captivity or worse—prostitution. There was more than just her to fear for, there were the children, and these women who'd already suffered much in the past few days, if their sunken cheeks were any indication.

She stepped over a crate and laid her hand on Brison's shoulder. When he first turned toward her his eyes had been wide with fear, and then he blinked, replacing his concern with bravery. “You've nothing to worry over, Ada. My brother will see us safe.”

A knot formed in her throat at the obvious pride in Brison's tone. She recalled their good-natured companionship. The affection between the two of them was strong. It was obvious Nicolaus loved his brother. What must it be like to have a sibling who not only liked you but cared? Of course, Asher had always done what he could to protect all of his sisters, but he was distant and somewhat cold, as if it were a burdensome task. There was no friendship between her and Asher, not like she'd witnessed between the captain and Brison. Poor Nicolaus, if they were lost at sea, he'd lose his brother, too.
Oh, Lord, please spare us from certain death. I beseech You to make a way.

“Ada, is that you? I thought I told you to find a place of safety.”

Ada tipped her head back. Nicolaus's eyebrows creased together and his lips pressed into a line. “Is he always glowering?”

Brison coughed, drawing Ada's attention. He smiled, and then covered his mouth with his fist before clearing his throat. “Only when he's disobeyed, which you seem to do a lot.”

“Ay, that she does.”

Ada glanced back at Nicolaus. The harsh lines of disapproval had relaxed. The man seemed to be smiling. How could he make merry when they were about to die? “I only wished to help.”

The corners of Nicolaus's eyes crinkled as he narrowed them, his merriment gone. Growling, he yanked on his beard. He pushed away from the opening and disappeared. Boisterous words about her always wanting to help and disobeying his commands filtered through the hole in the deck, burning the tips of her ears. Brison's cheeks reddened at his brother's fury. Nicolaus crouched down, pressing his face near the hole, blocking what little light had shone through. “What help is it you, a mere maid, think you can be?”

She propped a fist on her hip. “I've eyes to see.”

He shook his head as he raked his fingers through his curling hair. Droplets of water rained down upon them. “And what is it you see, Ada?”

Shocked, she blinked up at him. How many times had her father asked her opinion? None that she could recall. How many times had she disobeyed her father? None. She didn't dare. So why did she dare chance Nicolaus's wrath and disobey him? And why did he allow it?

“If you lift your end straight upward and Brison and the others raise the broken piece lying across the women's legs, I can move them.”

His eyebrows knitted closer together. If that was even possible. “That does not solve the problem of freeing you from the hold.”

She heard his doubt and his hesitation as if her idea wouldn't work. Did all men think so little of women? “No, but if we are able to move their legs, there will be more room for your men down here to maneuver the broken pieces from the stairs.”

Brison tilted his head to the side and then crouched down, roaming his hand around the splintered mast. He rose to his full height and looked up at his brother. “She may have the right of it, Nicolaus.”

Light bathed her face as Nicolaus shifted, and she thought she heard more grumbling coming from him. His emotions seemed to shift as often as the wind. Did the captain scowl often or did he only do so now because his mind was perplexed by their situation? She guessed the former given it seemed as if his merry moods were unexpected by those around him, even himself.

“There is a problem with her plan.” Although she could not see him she quite imagined him with his arms crossed as Nicolaus spoke in his native language to his brother. Blood rushed through her veins, thumping against the base of her neck and in her chest. Brison glanced at her before hanging his head. Ada offered him what little comfort she could by squeezing his hand, and then looked up at Nicolaus.

“What problem would that be?” she returned in his foreign tongue.

“Euclid cannot leave his position, and Argos is fishing Haemon out of the sea. I am only one man, Ada. I have not the strength of three or five to lift the mast.”

She felt her eyes grow wide at the sound of defeat in his voice. “No, we cannot accept failure, Nicolaus. As captain you must save us.” She stomped her foot in the cold water. “I do not wish to die in this watery grave, and I am certain your crew does not, either.”

His face appeared through the opening. His cheeks bore the sting of rain and wind, his eyes cold with anger or perhaps determination. Whatever the cause, she prayed to God Almighty that Nicolaus would fight for their lives, much as he had when he'd rescued her from drowning. And soon. Given the water now lapped near her shins, they did not have much time. If only there was a way for some of the rowers to make their way on deck. “Who builds a ship with only one entrance?”

A rumble of laughter vibrated through the planks, filling the hold. The boat was sinking, and Nicolaus found humor in their situation. She glanced at Nicolaus's brother to see if he, too, thought his brother had gone mad. A smile lifted the corners of Brison's mouth, making him look even more a boy than she first thought. These Greeks, no doubt, had addled minds. That could be the only explanation for their good nature in the face of certain death.

“Brison, move the merchandise and make haste. I'll open the hatch.” The pounding of Nicolaus's footsteps across the planks gave her hope that not all was lost.

“Move the stores from the back of the boat as well, to give us double access,” Brison said to two rowers. The authority of his command made her wonder what sort of captain he would grow up to be, one much like his brother, capable and compassionate. From all that she'd seen, compassion wasn't common among men, especially toward their slaves.

Brison led two men toward the front of the boat and removed a panel. Ada watched as they began unloading crates and earthenware jars stacked higher than their heads. Breathing in a sigh of relief, she knelt beside the conscious woman trapped beneath the mast and patted her hand. She took in the scared faces of the women and children. Besides the time when they tried to keep Ada from picking up the infant, the group had been quiet without complaint. She understood their fear, the not knowing of what would happen to them.

“All will be well.” She spoke in Nicolaus's language hoping to reassure them, but she was met with blank stares and animosity. What more could she do to gain their trust? Giving up the babe was out of the question, but she'd continue to show them the same kindness she did for the helpless infant.

* * *

How could he have forgotten about the entrances to the storerooms and the access into the center hold? He'd had compartments built at either end of the vessel in order to keep the merchandise secured. Of course, he had not figured on purchasing more than the compartments could contain, which left crates floating atop the water in the hold. It was fortunate the lattice kept the amphora jars in their places else they'd most assuredly break filling the water with all sorts of pleasant aromas. He didn't need sea creatures lured into the ship by their scents.

How long could his vessel keep afloat? He scrubbed his hand over his face. If Brison was correct, the water was rising too fast. If his men didn't find the hole and patch it, he wouldn't have to worry about winning his father's game. Right now all that mattered was saving as many people as possible. “Euclid, prepare the planks so Xandros can come aboard once they are close enough.”

Nicolaus waited until his helmsman did as he commanded and then he bowed his head. If the water continued to rise, would they need the use of the dilapidated fishing boat? However, there was no possibility of moving his entire crew and Ada to the other boat. It wouldn't hold them. It barely held the villagers as it was. As much as it soured his stomach, his men would have to cast lots if repairs could not be made before it sunk. He could see no other way.

There was some solace knowing Ada would find safety in the decrepit boat. Even if the safety was not certain, some was better than none. He had confidence that Xandros would see that the broken vessel would make port at Joppa, but it was a double-edged sword knowing his brother must cast lots along with the crew. He would not dishonor Brison no matter how much he wanted to command him to the other boat.

There was no time to consider all the possible situations. His energies were better focused on survival, and that meant opening the hatch. He stalked toward the room beneath the helmsman's perch where he'd kept tools supplied in a built-in chest and then ran back toward the front of the boat. Since they had not planned on opening the hatches until they reached home at Andros, they had sealed them to keep water from entering that portion of the hold.

Nicolaus yanked on the handle, hoping the hatch would simply release, but the seal had been done properly and held tight. He lined the chisel along the edge of the hatch and hammered to break the seal. The black tar dipped but did not break as he'd hoped. Digging his fingers into the seal he pulled at the sticky thickness. At this rate the vessel would rest at the sea bottom before he popped the hatch open.

He tried again with the chisel, gouging, digging, pulling, until all the little chunks broke away, but the hatch still would not open. Why did it seem whenever he sailed he faced difficult decisions? Perhaps he was not meant to be a sailing merchant as his father had been. Perhaps sailing should be left only to his brothers, Jasen and Brison. If they survived, he'd see his father's legacy passed to his brothers.

The temptation to bury his face into his hands and weep overwhelmed him, but he could not give up. He wanted to please his father, and he wanted to sail. The sea seemed to thrum in his blood. He'd never felt freer, more alive, than when standing on the commander's post with the ocean spray bathing his cheeks. At least he hadn't until he'd lost his sister to thieves.

Perhaps he should give up, walk away from his livelihood. Yet, his father depended on him, not for a simple game, but to bring Brison back alive. To bring him back a seasoned sailor. And Ada depended on him, whether she wanted to or not. Just as he depended on this great God his uncle spoke of, the one Ada trusted in and prayed to. Sucking in a sharp breath of air, Nicolaus looked toward the sky, the place his uncle believed this great God resided. If there was such a god, one who'd created the heavens and the earth, one who all other gods bowed to, then Nicolaus owed him his fidelity, but first they had to survive the sea. “Ay, if You are an all-knowing God, I seek Your forgiveness for my obstinate nature, but I pray You do not blame me for my lack of trust as of yet.”

The gray clouds began to part. A single ray of light bathed the deck around him, warming his wind-cooled skin. If he were owned by superstitions as his parents and most of his sailors were, he'd think it was a sign. But he wasn't superstitious, and he'd just take it for the blessing that it was. The storm was breaking, and calmer seas were on the horizon. It still didn't fix the problems below his deck, but he sensed renewed hope within his mind. He could do this. He could save them all.

“Have you forgotten what you are about, Nicolaus?”

Nicolaus glanced over his shoulder. Relief cut through his bones much like the wave had broken the mast. It was good to see Xandros had been able to come to his aid. “The hatch won't open, even though I've loosened the seal.”

White teeth gleamed in the midst of Xandros's dark beard. “Have you forgotten we latched the hatch from the inside?”

Nicolaus shook his head. “We've no time for jokes, Xandros. There are people trapped below. Brison, Ada...”

“It is not a joke. You ordered the ship to be built with the latches on the inside as a precaution against thieves finding your wares so easily.”

He nodded. “Ay, I remember although I wish it was not so. What if Brison cannot remove the stores quickly enough?”

Xandros dropped a hand to his shoulder and squeezed. “Have confidence in your brother, Nicolaus. This is not his first time sailing, and I'm quite certain that maid of yours will not allow him to rest. Now let us see what can be done about moving the mast now that we've able-bodied men to help.”