The Wild Belle

by Lora Thomas

  Smitty stopped at the next door and knocked. He smiled as the young servant as she opened the door nervously.

  “Yes, sir?” she asked.

  “Slim said if ya’d like ta see the ocean from up top, ya could do so at the helm.”

  “Thank you,” Ruth Ann said as she giddily smiled. “That would be lovely. Should I go now?”

  “Don’t see why not. Come on.”

  “Let me tell Miss Andi where I’m going—”

  “Ain’t no need ta be doing that. Yer on a ship and the first-mate is king, second only to the captain.”

  “Very well,” Ruth Ann replied and she followed Smitty. She could barely contain her excitement. The first-mate had requested her presence. Surely her dreams would come true . . . love, marriage and freedom. Not that she had ever considered herself a slave, but to society she was. She patted her pocket and the paper inside. A week ago Miss Andi had given her her papers. She was free. Now, she just had to get her man.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  It had been almost three months since Alyssa had been taken. And now Andi was just hours away from seeing her again. She could not contain her excitement. She was excited to see her sister. She was excited because she was going to have a baby. She was excited to finally get to meet Michael’s family.

  Absentmindedly, she rubbed her stomach. She had yet to inform Michael of the baby growing inside her. She wanted to make sure that he still wanted her. He may have accepted her and her outgoing nature, but that did not mean his family would. If his family rejected her, then it was possible that he would, too. Many romances have come to an end because of what parents thought of their child’s partner. Her cousin Edward had it happen to him. Edward was smitten with a young woman named Susan, but his parents convinced him that she was not suited for him because of her family. Her father was an overseer and her mother was illegitimate. It would be beneath his station to wed someone of her lot. He caved in to his parents’ pressure and rejected her. But it turned out they were wrong about Susan. She was kind and caring—unlike her family. She married a successful businessman and now had several children of her own. They convinced Edward to marry another, someone in their circles, and now he was quite miserable. Who’s to say the same thing could not happen to her?

  Andi’s eyes took in the harbor as they approached. She was informed that they would be docking in Nassau and not Governor’s Harbour as they first thought. Mr. Smitty said that the size of Noah’s ship would not allow him to make berth in Governor’s Harbour. Apparently The Diamond Runner was the largest ship in the fleet and the docks at Eleuthera could not handle the size of the enormous ship.

  As The Abyss slowly moved through the shallow waters near the pier, Mr. Smitty approached her. He pointed to a large ship. “That there is The Diamond Runner.”

  Andrea’s eyes grew wide as she spotted the vessel. It was huge! The other ships around it were not small, but The Diamond Runner made them look like children’s toys. It was a large four-mast ship, comparable to the Spanish Galleons. She could see the multitude of cannon ports, each one with a small door covering the openings. She attempted to count the number of ports, but lost count as The Abyss passed by the ship. Her last count was twenty. She had to admit that The Diamond Runner was an impressive vessel.

  “Sixty-six,” Smitty said.

  “Pardon?” Andi asked.

  “She has sixty-six guns that you can see. Don’t know how many ya can’t. She has a crew of about three hundred and all fight like demons.”

  “I take it you have battled them before?”

  “Yeah, once er twice, but no more. We were outgunned ‘n out manned—can’t beat them odds.”

  “I don’t suppose you could,” Andi said, still watching the ship. “How does such a large vessel manage to stay afloat?”

  “It was designed and built by one of yer brother-in-laws. Owen, I think. It wuz his first one. From what I could gather he studied ship buildin’ in Denmark and America. He took what he learned from them two countries and designed his own ship. It’s fast considerin’ the size. Don’t need no men ta row it either. Cain’t figure that one out since most ships that size need extra crew ta row when the winds are missin’.” Changing the subject, Smitty said, “Better get below and be gathering the rest of yer belongin’s.” He then gave a chuckle. “And make sure yer maid ain’t abandonin’ ya fer Slim.”

  Andi’s eyes went to the quarterdeck. Slim was there, but Ruth Ann was nowhere to be found; however, Andi knew she was close by. Ruth Ann rarely left Slim’s side. There had been many mornings that Andi had found her sneaking back to her quarters wearing the same clothing from the previous day. She was glad Ruth Ann had found love. She just hoped Ruth Ann’s love was returned. Her hope was answered by Slim motioning for her to come to him.

  Andi approached the helm with curiosity. “Did you need something, Slim?”

  “Yeah. I am goin’ ta let ya know dat Ruth Ann will not be join’ ya.”

  “Excuse me?” Andi asked, her protective nature kicking in.

  Slim looked down at her. “She is ma womon now.”

  Andi tilted her head to the right and began twisting her mouth. “So does this mean you aim to make right by her?”

  Slim’s eyes narrowed. “I will no—”

  “She is my friend. If you do not have the best intentions or her best interests at heart, then I cannot let her stay. No matter how she feels about you.”

  “Ya cannot tell her wot ta do. Ya made her a free womon.”

  “I did at that. But I cannot allow her to stay and be hurt just because you had an . . . an . . . an itch.”

  “An itch?”

  “Yes. You had an itch that needed to be scratched and she scratched it,” Andi stated, placing her hands on her hips, pleased with her analogy. At Slim’s confused expression, she gave an exasperated sigh. “Great day in the morning, do I have to spell it out for you?”

  Smitty began laughing from behind Andi. “He don’t understand yer Southern accent, Miss Andi.”

  “Oh,” she said and her cheeks turned slightly red.

  “Let me see if’n I can help,” Smitty said. He turned towards Slim. “If ya ain’t aimin’ on marryin’ the girl, then yer in fer a hell of a fight, Slim.”

  Slim gave a curt nod. “Wot’s all da itchin’ ‘bout?”

  “She wants ta know if ya really love the girl or just wanted a good poke. Ain’t that right, Miss Andi?”

  She knew Mr. Smitty used those words in order to try to embarrass her. She turned back to Slim and raised her chin up proudly. “Exactly. Did you just want someone to bed or are your intentions pure?”

  Slim looked straight ahead. At his lack of answer Andi reached up to grab his ear in an attempt to pull him closer, but found his height a disadvantage to her. She jumped several times attempting to reach the appendage, but to no avail.

  “Damn your height! Bend down here so I can grab your ear!”

  “Now why would I do such a foolish ting?”

  “So I can box them!”

  Slim smiled at the feisty blond beside him. “Smitty is right, ya are a hellion. But da not worry yer head. I aim ta do right by her.”

  Andi nodded her head. “Good. But let me warn you, should you break her heart, I’ll cut yours out. Understand that?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Andi gave him a smug look and then proceeded below deck.

  Slim turned towards Smitty. “I dun’t know who’s worse, her er Kris?”

  Smitty scratched his head. “I’d say that’s a tie.”

  “We’re about ta make dock, Mr. Smitty. Dun’t ya have chores ta do?”

  Smitty looked at his longtime friend. “Now don’t go gettin’ all bossy. Just cause yer the first-mate don’t mean ya can order me about.”

  “And remember who appointed me ta dis position.”

  “Yeah. And remember Max offered it ta me first.”

  “Now who would be sa foolish ta follow a one-eyed old man?” Sli
m teased his friend.

  “Same group of fools that would follow a skinny black man,” Smitty said as he left.

  “Then I guess we haf a ship of fools,” Slim yelled after him.

  “Yep, and yer the leader of the fools. Don’t think that’s a title I’d brag about,” Smitty yelled, his laughter carrying over the ship.

  * * * *

  Andi was nervous. They were on their way to the shipping office on Nassau. This office was run by the new brother, Max. And from what she could gather he was the most intimidating man the crew had ever met. She had learned—from the crew’s gossip—that he had a quick temper and would not hesitate to kill anyone. She had heard the rumors of how he had beat a man to death with his fists because the man had insulted his wife. How he almost tossed a boy overboard to find out who had had his wife kidnapped. How he had sank a pirate ship with its crew still onboard because they had kidnapped his wife. She drew her brows together in thought. It seemed that all his murderous acts all involved protection of his wife, Kristina, or Kris as the crew called her.

  Andi followed Michael into the office. Her breathing wavered with nervousness when she viewed the large man standing in the back of the room. He was tall, even taller than Eli. He had the same dark look as Eli with black hair and black eyes. But there was an aura about this man that reeked of danger. He would even make her mother nervous.

  She watched as his eyes narrowed and he raised one of his black brows. “Michael.”

  “Good day, Max.”

  Max turned his gaze to Andi. She had decided to dress the part of a doting wife and donned a pink day gown. She raised her chin up high and walked over to the tall intimidating man.

  “Hello there,” she bravely said.

  Max furrowed his brow. The soul-sucking midnight orbs held her in place as he spoke. “Hello,” he replied with suspicion. “Is there something I can help you with?”

  “Yes. I am looking for my sister and—”

  “Hold it right there. I don’t know what you heard, but I have taken no one’s sis—”

  Michael interrupted Max. “We believe her sister was on Noah’s ship. Do you know where he went?”

  “Your parents’ house.”

  “You mean ‘our,’ don’t you?” Andi said.

  Max turned his gaze back to the blond in front of him. “Just who the hell are you?”

  “I’m his wife.”

  “I don’t give a damn who you are. It was a rhetorical question.”

  Michael intervened. “Don’t raise your voice to my wife, Hart.”

  Max turned his gaze back to Michael. The heated glare he gave would have sent most men cowering, but Michael stood his ground. Being the smallest of seven brothers, he had learned to fight and not back down. Michael crossed the room to him.

  “Watch it, boy,” Max warned.

  “Are you threatening me?”

  Andi could feel the tension rising in the room. “Boys, boys. Let’s not fight. We are all family here and—”

  Andi’s attempt at defusing the situation was interrupted by a woman bursting through the door. She watched as the most beautiful black-haired lady came in, in a whirlwind of red fabric, followed by a small child. The lady had long raven hair that she allowed to flow free. She had full red lips and was carrying a bundle of cloth in her arms. The lady turned her gaze to Andi, and Andi saw the woman’s warm chocolate eyes turn dark with jealousy.

  “Who are you?” the lady asked in a thick Spanish accent.

  “Andi. Who are you?” Andi questioned in the same tone.

  “I am the woman who is going to cut your eyes out if you don’t quit ogling my husband.”

  “You’re Kris?” Andi asked as her eyes grew wide.

  “Si,” the woman answered and began gently bobbing the bundle of cloth up and down. “Shhh, bonita,” she whispered.

  Andi looked at the small girl by Kris’s side and the small bundle in her arms. She turned and looked at Max. “Why in this world would God grant you two daughters?!”

  “Andi!” Michael protested.

  “What?!” Andi innocently asked.

  “What is that supposed to mean?” Max asked angrily.

  “I will tell you what that means—you’re scary as hell and you have been blessed with two daughters who will have to bring home their beaus to meet you. Who in turn will see you and run for their lives, thus leaving your daughters old maids.”

  One side of Max’s lip curled up in a half smile. He then gave a chuckle. His eyes turned to Michael. “Your wife, huh?”

  “Afraid so,” Michael replied.

  “Your wife?” Kris repeated in disbelief, walking over to her husband. At Michael’s nod, she began speaking in rapid Spanish.

  Andi looked strangely at the woman. She leaned over to Michael. “What’s she saying?”

  “If I knew, I probably wouldn’t tell you,” Michael said.

  “And you probably wouldn’t want to know,” Max added as he bent down and picked up the toddler.

  “Sophia, this is your uncle Michael and his wife—”

  “Andrea or Andi, whichever is easier,” Andi replied.

  “Andi,” Max added as he looked at his daughter. Andi could sense the dangerous aura around Max melt away as he gazed at his child. The pride this fearsome man had for his daughter was evident and who could blame him. She was beautiful. She looked like her mother with long raven hair and dark eyes. A sadness came to her chest. Would Michael have the same pride for the child she carried?

  Andi shook the thought from her head. “What’s your other daughter’s name?”

  “Her name is Amelia, after my grandmother,” Kris answered.

  Andi took a step closer and peered at the bundle in Kris’s arms. “She’s just a newborn!” Andi exclaimed with shock.

  “Si. She was born two weeks ago,” Kris said.

  “Shouldn’t you be resting?”

  “Nonsense, I have babies and a husband to raise. I do not have time to rest.” Kris then looked at her husband. “Isn’t that right, lover?”

  “Not in front of the girls, Kris,” Max replied.

  Kris gave Max a seductive smile. “You have to behave for a while anyway.” She turned her gaze to Michael. “What brings you to our office?”

  “My sister,” Andi interjected. “We believe she was a stowaway on Noah’s ship.”

  “Oh, dear,” Kris replied, then a dreamy look crossed her face. “I was a stowaway myself. It turned out for the best. But I had a plan, you see. Did your sister have a plan? I planned on marrying Max when I first saw him. Did you happen to hear how we met?”

  Andi’s eyes grew wide when the woman began talking so fast that she couldn’t keep up. Kris would jump back and forth between topics so fast that Andi could not keep track of the conversation.

  “Kris,” Max warned.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry. I just haven’t gotten to talk to someone different for quite some time. Madison is not allowed to travel since she found out she is expecting so Alex will not let her leave.”

  “Madison is expecting?” Michael asked.

  “Si. She is about four months along now.”

  “Alex?” Andi asked.

  “Did I say Alex? I meant Nicholas,” Kris stated nervously.

  “I heard the story, Kris. I know what has transpired and who everyone really is,” Michael said as he gritted his teeth.

  “No hard feelings, pup. Just business,” Max said as Sophia wrapped her tiny arms around his neck.

  “Keep that in mind should we ever quarrel. I owe you.”

  “Alyssa!” Andi shouted in frustration, flaring her fingers outward.

  “Who?” both Max and Kris asked.

  “My sister. You two can make up on your missed out brotherly spats some other time. I need to find my sister.”

  “Where is she from, Michael?” Kris asked.

  “South Carolina,” he replied.

  “And you say my accent is difficult to understand,” Kris mumbled. “B
ut what’s the hurry? Please stay for dinner.”

  “Your invitation is appreciated, but we must decline,” Andi said. “We are not for certain that Alyssa was on Noah’s ship. The sooner we find him, the sooner we will know.” At Kris’s confused look, Andrea gave her a brief encounter of the kidnapping and of how they ended up at Nassau.

  “There was a woman with him,” Max stated.

  “Really?” Andi asked hopefully.

  “Yes. She was dressed in boy togs, but they didn’t hide her curves.” At his statement Kris proceeded to punch her husband in the side. “Ow,” he stated with pretend pain. He gave his wife a playful wink. “I didn’t get a good look at her, but her hair had a reddish-blond color.”

  “That’s Alyssa!”

  “Now, Andi, don’t get your hopes up,” Michael warned.

  “Quit being such a doubting Thomas. Now hurry up. Maybe Slim hasn’t carted Ruth Ann off to get married yet.”

  “What?!” Max yelled in disbelief.

  Andi gave him a ‘so’ look. “Yeah. He’s marryin’ my slave, or maid, or friend . . . whatever you want to call her,” she informed as she flicked her hand. She drew her brow together. “Well, she’s not a slave anymore, I gave her, her papers. So I guess you could say my friend. Anyway, hurry up, Michael.”

  “No,” Max replied and walked to the door. “I need you to elaborate first.”

  Andi rolled her eyes. “Can’t I elaborate on the way to the ship?”

  “Max, you still have Sophia,” Kris protested.

  “She’ll be fine. After you, Mrs. St. John,” Max said, holding the door open for Andi. Andi walked past Max. As Michael approached, Max let the door go. “You can hold your own door open.”

  Michael turned to Kris. “You wanted to marry this man?”

  “Si. Why would I not?”

  Michael shook his head as he left the office, still trying to figure out how Andi managed to get Max involved in this entire mess.