by Becca Andre
“True,” Kali agreed, falling in beside her. “But that was a little crazy stepping between me and Darby’s gun.”
“Not so crazy,” Briar said quickly. “I’m bulletproof when Lock does the armor thing for me.”
“And that took me completely by surprise,” Kali said. “How did you know he could do that?”
Briar spent the rest of the walk back to the boat sharing what had happened in the warehouse with Lucrezia. She figured Kali would have some criticism, but she seemed more impressed than anything, even complimenting Lock on his part. The little dragon preened under the attention, wanting to fly to Kali’s shoulder to express his happiness with a cheek rub, but Briar wasn’t quite that comfortable with the woman. Yet.
Nice job. The warm sensation of Grayson’s approval washed over Briar. I knew you could get through to her.
Briar nodded at what Kali was saying, but answered Grayson. All it took was a common interest.
Sabotaging a boat and a round of fisticuffs? Why am I not surprised?
Briar smiled, but kept her comments to herself.
The crew was waiting for them when they left the trees. Briar wasted no time explaining where she and Kali had been.
“You took away his ferromantic propeller and put a hole in his boat?” Jimmy asked.
“Kali dissolved the propeller and Lock did the heavy lifting with regard to the hole,” she answered.
Eli frowned. “You went after Darby on your own?”
“I wasn’t alone. I had Kali and Lock. However, it wasn’t our intent to go after anyone. Kali glimpsed a boat through the trees and I realized it would be a good location for Darby to lie low. When we discovered it was Darby, we took advantage of the opportunity. End of discussion.”
Everyone took a moment to absorb that.
“So, I guess we won’t need to check each lock before entering it,” Jimmy said. “That should speed things up.”
“It should,” Briar agreed.
Jimmy glanced at Eli, who nodded.
“Reckon we ought to get moving,” Eli said. “We don’t have time to waste.”
Everyone agreed and hurried off to their duties.
Briar noticed the frown Kali gave them. Did she feel guilty about causing this conflict between Briar and her crew?
No, that wasn’t fair. Kali hadn’t caused the conflict. It had been Briar’s fault for hiding the truth in the first place. She needed to place the blame where it belonged.
They stopped for supper just past Webbsport, a good two hours down the canal from where they’d left Darby. The sight of Darby’s partially sunk boat as they passed the basin had put the crew of the Briar Rose in high spirits, but those had faded as they journeyed on. One problem might have been removed, but the larger one still waited for them in Portsmouth.
The conversation around the dinner table had been minimal, focused mainly on praising Molly for the meal. Briar had agreed, though the few bites of food she’d eaten had probably made it seem otherwise.
“I assume we’ll be pressing on after dinner,” Jimmy asked as Molly served the raspberry cobbler.
“Yes,” Briar answered. “I want to get a few more hours in before we tie up.”
“You don’t plan to run through the night?”
“We have the Licking Narrows coming up.” They would lock through into the Licking River for a two-mile stretch that traversed a narrow gorge. “Being that none of us is terribly familiar with this part of the canal, I’d prefer not to travel that location after dark.”
Jimmy frowned, looking ready to argue.
“If we get tight on time, Mr. Martel and I will take a train on to Portsmouth. We are the only ones who need to be there in a week. Not the boat or crew.”
“So the boat isn’t part of this?” Zach spoke up. “I thought with Andrew taking down the posters—”
“I think Solon threw in the boat as a reward as a way to piss Andrew off.”
“Andrew is his soulless,” Eli said. “Why does Solon care if he’s happy or not?”
“Solon doesn’t like Andrew, either.” She shrugged. Normally, the crew would have laughed and shared words of agreement, but no one was laughing. They weren’t eating, either.
Briar laid down her fork. “Look, I know you’re angry that I didn’t tell you all about Solon’s threat, but I brought this down on us, and I’ll fix it.”
“You didn’t bring this down on us,” Eli said. “Andrew was already meeting with Solon before they even knew you’d kidnapped Mr. Martel. The scheme to host this ferromancer gathering in Portsmouth was already in the works.”
“And who is to blame isn’t a factor,” Zach joined in. “We all want to be part of the solution, and no offense, Captain, but we don’t appreciate being excluded.”
“I was afraid you’d all rush off and do something rash,” she admitted.
Kali snorted. “There’s the pot calling the kettle black.”
“The mouthy Scourge girl has a point,” Eli said.
Kali shot him a frown, but didn’t comment.
“Which means I understand the mindset.” Briar held up a hand to forestall any further discussion. “I can’t undo what’s been done. We need to move forward from here. That means finishing dinner and getting back underway. Does everyone agree?”
The crew responded with a collective, “Aye, Captain.”
“And we forgive you,” Eli spoke up. “Now stop beating yourself up and eat your dessert. Wasting Miss Molly’s cobbler would be an unforgivable offense.”
Molly smiled at the praise and the rest of the crew laughed, voicing their agreement.
She glanced over at Grayson, who winked. Told you they’d forgive you.
Smiling, Briar turned her attention to her cobbler.
They arrived in Frazeysburg shortly before sunset. Briar had planned to pass through the village without stopping, but the congestion of boats along the towpath made that impossible.
Briar was about to ask Eli if he had any idea what had caused the backup when Jimmy shouted from the bow.
“Captain, look!”
She followed the gesture and was shocked to see a massive shape rising above the trees in the distance. “Is that a balloon?”
“Aye,” Eli agreed with a grin. “Looks like we’ve stumbled upon a town festival. Balloon rides have become something of a craze.”
She had heard of such, but had yet to see one.
Jimmy hurried across the catwalk to join them. “What do you think, Captain. Shall we tie up here? You didn’t plan to journey much farther, right?” He spoke quickly, his enthusiasm clear.
“We’re not going anywhere with this congestion,” she said. “I think we have time to check out this balloon while we wait. Then we could get in a few more miles after the crowd breaks up.” It would cut into their sleep and make for a long day tomorrow, but with the canal clogged with boats and the towpath essentially blocked, they couldn’t continue on at the moment. Besides, with Darby’s defeat and her recent reconciliation with her crew, Briar wouldn’t mind a bit of frivolity. In the days to come, she doubted she’d get another chance.
Jimmy flashed her a grin. “I’ll tell the others.” He ran off to do just that.
She glanced at Eli who looked as amused as she felt. “He’s like a kid at the candy counter,” she said.
“Aye, though something tells me you’re just as excited to check out this balloon.”
“Maybe.” She winked. “Let’s secure the boat as quickly as possible. It’s getting dark, and they might stop giving rides.”
Eli laughed. “Aye, Captain.”
The boat was secured in record time, and as one, they set off for the other side of the village where the balloon continued to ascend and descend with its basket full of enthusiastic passengers.
The line was long and the price
exorbitant—fifty cents a person—but none of them balked at the inconvenience.
Briar gripped the arm Grayson had given her as she watched the balloon lift off once more. “Have you ever ridden a balloon?”
“I can’t say as I have.”
She glanced over in surprise. “But you’ve done everything.”
He laughed at that. “Not everything, but I’m always open to new experiences.”
“Me, too,” she agreed, watching the balloon descend once more.
“I figured as much,” he replied.
The basket only carried two people and the operator, which accounted for the wait. After close to half an hour, it was Briar and Grayson’s turn at last. He handed the attendant a dollar, then offered her a hand as she climbed into the basket.
Once they were aboard, the balloon lifted off, leaving Briar’s stomach on the ground as the fascinating contraption rose rapidly in the air. She gripped the edge of the basket and Grayson’s arm, both exhilarated and a little frightened.
I won’t let you fall, he reassured her, sharing an image of his silver wings and his experience in flight.
She looked up. The balloon was such a novel form of flight, so different from Grayson’s talent, that she had forgotten that he had flown before. Just not in a balloon.
Is this what it’s like? She gazed out over the darkening landscape, a bit disappointed not to see this in daylight.
I’ve never been this high.
“Are you all right, ma’am?” the operator asked.
“Oh yes,” Briar reassured him. “I’m speechless.”
The man chuckled, then pointed out a few of the sights, though it was truly too dark to see. They remained aloft for only a few moments; then they were descending once more.
Briar hid her disappointment and thanked the man when they were once more on the ground. “That was amazing,” she told Grayson as they walked away. “Was it very different from what you experience?” she asked in a whisper.
“If I tried to describe it, I doubt I could convey the wonder of the experience since I feel nothing.”
“Oh. Right.” She had forgotten. When he flew, he was fully the ferromancer. “What a shame you don’t get to enjoy it.”
“Well, I got to enjoy it that time. Though I must admit that watching you was as invigorating as the experience itself.”
“Mr. Martel,” she laughed. “The things you say.”
He chuckled, then offered his arm. “Shall we visit one of the food stalls on the way back to the boat?”
Several members of her crew were still in line, and she doubted the canal had cleared enough to make traveling further easy right now.
“All right.” she agreed, taking his arm. “I believe I saw a sign that mentioned fudge.”
Grayson chuckled, and they set off to explore the culinary offerings in the various booths and stalls set up along the street. After a few cubes of fudge and a slice of plum pie, they followed the sound of a band to a nearby barn lot. An empty hay wagon served as a stage for a small group of musicians while the packed yard in front of the barn was the dance floor. The fiddle player was sawing his way through “Turkey in the Straw” and doing a fair job of it.
“Not bad,” Grayson muttered, close to her ear. “But not as good as you.”
She looked over, and he offered his hand. “Dance with me, Miss Rose.”
“This doesn’t seem your sort of dance.” She eyed the country dancers kicking up dust in front of the wagon.
Grayson shrugged. “I’m a quick study.”
“Well, all right.” She took his hand and pulled him out among the dancers.
Grayson laughed and followed her lead. He hadn’t been lying when he said he was a quick study, or perhaps he knew similar dances. Whatever the case, he fell in step, moving with an easy grace.
Her crew gradually made their way over, though the guys were more interested in the tavern keeper’s wagon that had been parked nearby. Everyone, that is, except Molly, who took Eli by the hand and pulled him out among the dancers.
Grayson laughed when he noticed. “I wonder what excuse she’ll give me for this display.”
Briar watched them a moment. She already knew Eli to be an excellent dancer. After a few mugs of ale at the Guard Lock Tavern, he was known to dance a jig or two while she played. But the funny thing was that Molly didn’t seem to know the dances and was relying on Eli to show her.
“She’s really been trying to fit in,” Briar said. “Learning these dances is part of that, I’m sure.”
“Oh yes, I’m sure,” Grayson agreed. “It also serves as a great way to keep Eli distracted. Shall we go for a walk?”
“I suspect you’re up to no good, Mr. Martel, but I have had enough dancing.” She tugged at the open collar of her shirt. It was another warm evening.
“You seem to always think the worst of me.” He offered his arm.
“I know you.” She gripped his biceps. “Let’s find a rain barrel.”
“Thirsty?” he asked as he led her away.
“I’m thinking of going for a swim in it.”
He laughed. “I think I’ll join you.”
They found a rain barrel on the far side of the barn, although there was no ladle handy. Grayson stepped around the back of the barn and returned a moment later with a horseshoe. He rubbed his hands along the iron shoe, and it gradually took a new shape. A few moments later, he held a small metal cup and offered it to her.
“You do have your uses,” she told him.
“I’m so glad you find me handy.”
Smiling, she scooped up a cup of water and brought it to her lips. Unfortunately, it was lukewarm instead of the cool she’d hoped for, but at least it was wet. She drank her fill, then handed the cup to Grayson.
After scooping out a cupful, he tipped back his head and drank it down so quickly that rivets of water ran from the corners of his mouth and down his neck to dampen his shirt collar.
“I was only teasing about swimming in it,” she said with a laugh.
“I wasn’t.”
“Obviously.”
He took her hand, then pulled her around behind the barn.
“Where are we going?” she whispered.
“I found this lovely hay rake I wanted to show you.”
“Why would I be interested in a hay rake?”
“Humor me.” He glanced over his shoulder, then pulled her through the partly open door at the back of the barn.
A small gap had been left between planks that made up the walls. It was most likely for ventilation, but now served to let in enough light to see by. But Grayson only went a few feet into the darkness before pulling her off to one side of the door.
“So where’s this hay rake?” she whispered.
“Later.” He leaned down and covered her lips with his.
She’d known what he was up to, but the abruptness took her by surprise, as did the intensity—not that she minded one bit. He pressed her back against the wall beside the door, never breaking the kiss.
Looping her arms around his neck, she pulled him closer, her heart pounding so hard it left her lightheaded. Was there anything better than kissing him like this?
“I’ll leave that for you to think on,” he whispered.
Her face heated as she realized he’d picked up on that thought. She seemed the most vulnerable to sharing at moments like this. Perhaps it was the lowering of barriers to let him into her space.
He kissed the corner of her mouth, and then her jaw before working his way down her neck. His warm fingers caught the open collar of her shirt and pulled it away to expose the skin along the hollow of her throat to his lips.
She closed her eyes and tipped back her head. Her hand slid up the back of his neck and into his hair. He groaned, and the sound sent a thrill through her. All
right, there were things even better than kissing him.
He lifted his head and looked her in the eyes. He didn’t say a word, but she had no doubt he’d picked up on that thought as well. A part of her was embarrassed, but a more brazen part of her wasn’t. She remembered well the exchange they’d shared after the experiment in her cabin. Though the events of the day had overshadowed that moment, Briar hadn’t forgotten. He’d asked if she had even considered doing more than just kiss him.
The answer was yes.
One corner of his mouth curled upward, and that kick of excitement hit her again. Oh damn. She couldn’t help but wonder if—
“Miss Briar?” Eli called from directly behind her.
Chapter 16
Briar gasped, twisting to look over her shoulder. Through the gap between the boards, she could see Eli. He didn’t see her, he couldn’t see her, but he was looking around—until his gaze stopped on the open barn door, and he frowned.
She glanced up at Grayson. He was frowning as well.
“Is there another way out?” she whispered.
“The musician’s wagon is blocking the front door.” Grayson’s tone held a coolness that made her uneasy. If Eli found them, this wouldn’t end well.
Eli walked toward the open door.
“Maybe we could hide,” Briar whispered.
Grayson turned his frown on her. “I did not force you to join me. You are here because you want to be.”
“That won’t matter. He’ll blame you.”
A muscle flexed in his jaw, but he remained silent.
“Mr. Waller?”
Briar froze at the sound of Molly’s voice.
“Miss Molly?” Eli had turned around. “Is something wrong?”
“You left rather abruptly and I wondered where you’d gone.”
“I was looking for the captain. I thought she’d come this way with that ferromancer.”
Molly sighed. “I appreciate that you’re looking out for her, but she’s a grown woman, and Mr. Martel is a fine man.”