by L. A. Fiore
“Maybe you will stay for a bit and see our home, meet Isabella’s other relations.” Camilla offered.
“I would like that.”
Luciana stood and walked to me and pressed the necklace into my hands. “You should have this. There’s someone I think you wish to give it to.”
“Yes, how did you know?”
“It is written on your face, in your eyes. You look on that necklace not with greed, but love. It means something very special to you, I think because of the one you wish to give it to. You’ve waited a long time for love, haven’t you?”
I swallowed the gasp as a lump formed in my throat.
“You spent many years alone and lonely, wishing and dreaming.”
“Yes.”
“I think Alejandro and Isabella were guiding you. Helping you so that the necklace could finally fulfill its purpose. A symbol offered in love, representing that love. I think, Willow Blakeley, you were always meant to find that necklace. I think she is the answer to your wishes.”
Before I returned home, I packaged up the necklace and shipped it to Noah care of Miguel’s in San Juan with a note that read,
I found her; Luciana held her and now I’m sending it to you. Alejandro had it created for his beloved wife as a symbol of his love. I’m sending it to you as a symbol of mine.
-Willow
THREE MONTHS LATER
“I have a date tonight. He’s probably like five foot with three eyes. Or he has a lisp. I bet he has a lisp.”
I looked over at Zoe as we lounged on the beach at the hotel. She looked back and smiled. She was still Zoe...loving, caring and slightly nuts. In fact, life had returned to normal and that included me alone. I had sent Noah the necklace but he never replied. I knew he loved me, but I knew he needed the sea too. He was happy and that was enough for me.
My cell rang, glancing at the screen I saw it was Granddad. He and Mr. Tuttleman had been working a lot, keeping what they were doing on the down low, his words.
“Hey, what’s up?”
“Come check out our latest exhibit.”
“Oh...okay. We’ll be right there.”
Zoe was already standing. “Where are we going?”
“The museum to see their new exhibit.” Granddad and Mr. Tuttleman had made the change. They left the museum in San Francisco to the younger generation and moved to St. Croix. Part of the decision to move was the backlash that started after the right word was said in the right ear and people began stepping forward with claims against my parents. It was like pulling on a thread and watching the whole blanket unravel. Granddad and Mr. Tuttleman didn’t want their reputations sullied by association, so they moved to paradise and opened a small museum.
“It’s probably a display of spiny lobsters,” Zoe said.
“Why would they have an exhibit of spiny lobsters?”
“So they can feed me when I visit.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
She was silent long enough that I glanced over. “Zoe?”
“He didn’t have an excuse, not really. He may have started out with the right intentions, but he was in it for the money just like Harry. It was greed. I think about Noah and his crew and the lives they endured.” She met my gaze. “They’re good, Willow. Sure they do bad things, but deep down they’re good.”
“I know.”
“I don’t know why he hasn’t come for you because the man loves you. I might have to steal my own ship and track his ass down then beat some sense into him.”
I knew he loved me, I didn’t doubt that, but sometimes love wasn’t enough. But it was enough to know there was a pirate out there who owned my heart and whose heart I owned.
We reached the little museum, and though small it was chock full of goodies. We walked down the back hall to Granddad’s office, but I came up short when I saw Granddad and Mr. Tuttleman talking, but it was how they were talking that caught my attention. It was a definite ah-ha moment for me.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Both of their heads jerked in my direction. “Willow.”
“How long have you been together?”
“What?” Granddad tried to deny it.
“Don’t. How long?”
“Twenty-two years.” Mr. Tuttleman offered that little tidbit.
“What? Twenty-two years and you never told me. Why didn’t you ever come to the house? Why didn’t we celebrate the holidays? That’s why you worked so late, spent so much time at the museum. Why there and not at home?”
“Your father didn’t handle the news well. Told me he wouldn’t have his daughter raised in a household of—”
“What? Two loving people? Are you serious? He foisted me on you and then had the nerve to dictate how you could live your life…and you agreed?”
“I got you.”
The tears started. “It’s still wrong. You had to divide your life so you could have both. If he was here right now, I would kick him in the balls.”
I had come to accept my relationship with my parents because I was learning that they weren’t just terrible parents; they weren’t very nice people. It wasn’t a great loss.
“So, I’m guessing you’re okay with us...”
“I would be more okay if I had had you growing up, both of you, but yes we can go from here. No more missing holidays or birthdays. Understood?”
“Yes ma’am.”
Then I threw my arms around both of them.
“Hey, I want some of that.” Zoe protested and threw herself into the mix.
When we untangled limbs, Granddad asked, “Are you ready to see the latest exhibit, it’s breathtaking.”
“Yep.”
He took my hand; Mr. Tuttleman took Zoe’s, and led us to a room off the main exhibit hall. My vision went blurry because the exhibit was entitled Isabella’s Secret and greeting visitors to the exhibit was an airtight container and inside was an old letter written on parchment. A love letter from Alejandro to his wife on the day the Isabella sank.
Tears rolled down my cheeks. “Where did you find this?”
“That sealed bottle you found. This letter was inside it.” Granddad’s voice cracked a little as he too felt the emotions I was feeling.
“A love letter, his last love letter to her.” I touched the case. “It’s perfect.” I looked up at Granddad, “What a perfect way to introduce the exhibit.”
“Come see the rest.”
The walls had been papered with blown up copies of the underwater pictures, so it was like you were underwater and glass cases were arranged around the perimeter, filled with the artifacts we had pulled up. I remembered each and every one of those artifacts and where they had been found on the ship. Right in the middle of the room was another glass case and when I stepped up to it, my heart stopped. It contained only one item. The necklace. I stared at that necklace for a long time.
“He didn’t sell it.” I had thought he would sell it. I mean, sure it was a symbol but they were pirates. They had intended to steal it anyway.
I looked up at Granddad as Noah’s gesture fully sank in. “He chose me.”
“Yes, my love, he chose you.”
I was pretty sure I floated home from the museum. Zoe and I were going out to celebrate. I entered my cottage and tossed the keys on the counter then froze. Slowly, I turned to see my painting. It was back on the wall in the living room.
“Noah?”
I felt like I might just splinter apart from the excitement. “Noah!” I called as I moved through my house looking for him. I expected to see him in my bedroom, but he wasn’t there. Or the shower. I hurried back into the living room thinking maybe I had imagined the painting, but no, it was staring back at me. I headed outside. He wasn’t on my porch. I moved to the picket fence to check the beach, but a sight in the distance stopped me. Anchored off the shore was the yacht, that magnificent sailing yacht.
And then I felt him, his gaze like a caress moving down my body. Slowly, I turned to find him leaning agains
t the porch post.
“You sent me the necklace,” he said in greeting.
“You sent it back.”
“It belongs here.”
“And your crew?”
“It was a unanimous decision.”
That felt good, but I had to know. “Where do you belong?”
“From the moment you looked up at me outside that bookstore, I belong wherever you are.”
I ran to him, he stepped off the porch to catch me as I threw myself into his arms. My hands went around his neck, my legs around his waist and my mouth crushed down on his.
He palmed the back of my head, tilted my head and kissed me deeper—his tongue sweeping my mouth as we both remembered. He squeezed my ass as he started for the cottage. We reached the porch and he dropped me to my feet. I wondered what he was up to, but he made a point of reaching for my hand.
“Noah?”
“A wise man told me once if I ever found someone who made my stomach twist and my palms sweat, someone who made everything else just fade from existence…that I should take her hand because I wouldn’t be sorry I did.” His hand tightened on mine. “I learned what love was from him, but I learned how it felt from you.”
He pulled me inside to my room.
“I have to call Zoe.”
“After. Clothes off. I’m going to smack your ass red for that stunt you pulled on The Mooring then I’m going to show you what love feels like.
And he did. All night and well into the morning.
NOAH
That’s it. Pull the mainsheet and lean back.”
“This is amazing.”
Willow was sailing our small sailboat, the one from Mr. Travers. Years ago I had it put in storage. Now it was anchored off our beach. After learning the story, Willow had the hull painted the color of a buttercup, named it that too.
Her fiery red hair burned like flames as she leaned back as the sailboat heeled.
It had been six months since I returned. It didn’t seem that long but when you were happy, time moved differently. The crew took the yacht, were even now off causing trouble. And even being happy, I was getting itchy to get back out there. I needed the ocean, the air, the mayhem. Now I had to convince Willow to join me.
She brought us to shore, skillfully riding the small boat up on the sand. “That was awesome.” She climbed off. “We should probably have it dry docked while we’re gone.”
“Gone?”
She turned to me, those green eyes hiding nothing. “You’re a pirate, babe. You need the sea.”
Yeah, I was.
She was taking down the sail. “Willow?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m hungry.”
“We can stop at the bakery. I need to tell Zoe what we’re doing. I’m in the mood for a fritter anyway.”
“Willow.”
“Yeah, babe.”
“That’s not what I’m in the mood for.”
“What?” Her head snapped to me, her eyes widened a bit before a slow smile spread over her face. “Oh.”
“I’ll give you a head start.”
She looked up toward the house then those green eyes settled back on me. “That would imply I wanted to get away from you.” She walked with a sexy kind of grace, the way her hips swayed. She wrapped her arms around my neck. “We both know that isn’t the case.”
Yeah I did. How I got lucky enough to claim her as mine I didn’t know and I didn’t care. She was mine. I kissed her hard on the mouth. “You’re going to make me work for it.”
“Yes, I am.”
I tossed her over my shoulder and smacked her ass. Her giggle was a sound I would never grow tired of hearing. She gripped the waistband of my jeans and wiggled her ass. “Hurry up, because I’m hungry now too.”
Fucking adorable.
WILLOW
“I’m coming with you and don’t give me that look mister.” Zoe leaned forward a bit and dropped her voice. “I love working here, but I have gained ten pounds, ten pounds. I need to work it off.”
Zoe worked at the bakery and not just behind the counter; she was learning how to bake. She also really liked tasting her creations.
Noah settled back in his chair. “Your boss will give you the time off?”
“I’m thinking about going into business for myself.”
“So how does raiding and looting work into this plan?”
“It doesn’t really. I just miss the sea. And I haven’t actually raided or looted, but I do like sailing and sunbathing and watching the crew work, though I would like to make the request that it be mandatory they work shirtless. It’s a crime all that eye candy is covered.”
Noah glanced over at me and I swear it looked like he was about to roll his eyes. I teased him. “What? I agree with the shirtless policy.”
He growled low in his throat.
“And I love Chas’ cooking,” Zoe added.
“That would defeat the point of working off those extra ten pounds.” There was a ghost of a smile on his face. He loved sparring with Zoe, but he would never admit it.
She replied by sticking her tongue out then added, “I could even help in the kitchen. Maybe take over the baking and really practice my art.”
Noah looked pained, but I knew it was all for show. “It’s fine with me.”
“Yes!”
She was in the middle of giving me a high five when Noah added, “The crew has to agree.”
“They’ll agree. They love me...” She looked from Noah to me, “They do love me, right?”
The crew arrived. Noah and I were sitting on the porch when we saw the white sails in the distance. I glanced over at him and took in the look on his face. He had missed it. He stood and reached for my hand as we walked off the porch to greet them.
They anchored offshore. The sails were lowered before the little lifeboat made its way to shore. Tiggs and Tex were the first two off, offering a hello to Noah before they grabbed me into a hug. “You’re coming with us, right?”
My gaze met Noah’s. “You couldn’t keep me away.”
Snake did the man hug thing with Noah then his focus turned on me. “Willow.”
“Hi, Snake.”
“Nice place,” Zeke said as he slapped Noah on the back. He surprised me when he kissed my cheek in greeting. “How are you doing?”
“I’m good.”
“Ready to get back out there?”
“I really am.”
Chas handed Noah a Tupperware. “Pulled pork.”
“Fucking yeah. Thanks, man.”
Flynn dropped the anchor into the sand then shook Noah’s hand. “Hey, Willow.”
“Flynn.”
Paddy was the last on land and I was surprised when he stopped right in front of me. We hadn’t connected at all during our time together. The man just didn’t like me, but instead of his usual glower he looked sheepish.
“I’ve been researching some shipwrecks, maybe we could dive one.”
I wasn’t the only one surprised by his comment.
“I thought you couldn’t be bothered.”
“I don’t like women on the crew, but I’ll make the exception for you.”
Coming from him that was as good as a blood bond.
“Speaking of women, Zoe asked to join us. It’s cool with me but she knows you have to decide. She’s offered to help in the kitchen.”
“Zoe girl, yeah.” Chas said.
“Absolutely.” Tiggs and Tex loved Zoe so that wasn’t a surprise. Snake, Flynn and Zeke were less enthusiastic but still agreed which left Paddy.
“Another fucking woman? When the fuck did pirating go coed.” He actually kicked the sand before he said, “Fine, but no more or I’m finding a new crew.” He started up the beach calling back from over his shoulder. “And I’m still pissing off the side of the boat.”
Granddad was hosting a little party at the museum and the crew had been invited. I was surprised when they agreed to come because the parties my granddad threw were not reall
y their scene.
Zoe was thrilled that she would be joining us for the next six months we would be away. It was a good compromise. Six months on the water and six months on land. Noah had helped me with starting our own salvage company, Sea Pirate Salvage. We were a small company, but he was my partner on land and in the water. I was living my dream.
I slipped on the sleeveless, white lace sheath that Noah had surprised me with. It was so unlike him, but I loved it. The fabric was soft and light. I left my hair down since I knew how much he loved it.
We were running a little late when we finally reached the museum. Noah held the door for me. “It’s awfully quiet. Where is everyone?” I asked.
“I don’t know.”
We reached the Isabella’s Secret exhibit and my feet just stopped so I could take it all in. Granddad and Mr. Tuttleman were dressed to the nines, up front with smiles on their face. The crew and Zoe were looking our way, Zoe was crying. Floral arrangements were artistically arranged around the room and a man, who looked suspiciously like a minister, stood up front.
Deep in the recesses of my mind I knew what was going on, but shock had me asking, “What’s going on?”
Noah started pulling me to the man up front. “We’re getting married.”
Married? My heart leapt then stilled. “But you didn’t ask me.”
He turned into me and curled his spine so that our eyes were almost level. “I’m a pirate. I see something I want and I take it.”
The ceremony started, but I was in a fog so I just stood there through the minister’s opening, stood there as I was handed a ring and mindlessly recited the words before slipping the ring on Noah’s finger. He reached for my hand and the fog lifted. Our eyes connected and in his I saw everything I felt. I saw the depth of what he felt for me. I saw my world linked with his. And then he spoke his vow. It was only three words; three words and I broke down. “I choose you.”
Later in the night, Noah pulled me aside. He ran his finger over his ring that rested on my finger. “I kind of hijacked our wedding.”
I touched the band of platinum on his finger. “I’m married to you, so I’m good. But it might be nice to do that again on the open seas when I’m not in shock for most of the ceremony.”