Sail With Me (A Discovery Series Book)

by Christy Major

  “How would you know it isn’t a place for a woman if you’ve never allowed a woman to work for you?” Daniel said.

  As I retrieved my mug, I glared at Daniel, my eyes begging him to drop the topic. To just let it go.

  Captain Finley shook his head. “Females are bad luck on a ship, and everywhere else as well. Common knowledge. I’ve taught you that much, Daniel.”

  Several crewmen mumbled in agreement with the captain. Daniel opened his mouth to say more, but his eyes connected with mine for a moment, and I silently pleaded with him to stop. He turned around and faced the fire again.

  “I think you should take a chance, Uncle.” Daniel bent over to stoke the fire then sat back down.

  I breathed a sigh of relief when Captain Finley raised his hands in the air but didn’t continue this line of conversation. I was surer than ever that telling the captain about me was not going to be easy. It’d be messy in fact. I didn’t want Daniel to get hurt in the process either. He meant too much to me.

  He meant everything to me.

  ****

  The men ate, joked, and sang long into the evening. I ate little myself, my stomach a pile of nerves after listening to Captain Finley speak about women aboard his ship. What was I doing? I couldn’t come between Daniel and his only family member. His love for—and debt to—his uncle was deep. I was but a foolish girl turning Daniel’s head for a little while. I was not his family. I was nothing.

  I allowed this line of thinking to expand and exaggerate within the confines of my mind then made a decision. I had to let Daniel go. It was the only way to guarantee his relationship with his uncle remained intact. I couldn’t ask him to go against the years of teaching and care Captain Finley had given him. I’d be selfish to even consider it.

  I stood and with a glance at Daniel talking to Walter, I headed for the ladder to our bunks. I had to get away from the celebration before my tears ruined it. My heart had been broken when my mother died, when my father refused to let me sail, when my brothers left to explore the world, but the ache in my chest right now hurt worse than all that.

  “Where are you going?”

  I wiped the corners of my eyes and turned around. Daniel stood a few paces away with Ghost perched on his left shoulder. My eyes stung as I fought to keep from crying. How could I give Daniel up? How could I?

  He crossed the distance between us and whispered, “Don’t let my uncle’s speech worry you, Charlie. His wife, my Aunt Isabelle, ran off on him when my cousin, Ronald, was three years of age.” The compassion Daniel had for his uncle deepened the blue of his eyes, and I was entranced by the color.

  “He raised Ronald on his own then?” I asked.

  “Yes. He stopped sailing for about ten years and worked building boats in Portsmouth so he could stay in one place. Be a good father to Ronald… and to me.”

  Again, another tidbit about Captain Finley that made me respect him even if his beliefs about women on ships resembled my father’s.

  I dropped my head into my hands and let out a long, strained breath.

  “Don’t get me wrong,” Daniel began. “My uncle isn’t a saint.”

  “Sure seems like one.”

  He offered me a comforting smile. “Let me worry about my uncle, all right?”

  “I don’t want to cause any trouble. I think we shouldn’t—”

  “Don’t.” He shook his head, and Ghost rubbed his cheek against Daniel’s. Watching the cat made me want to do the same.

  Daniel leaned in closer. “Don’t say something you don’t mean. My life is better with you in it, Charlie, so don’t get any silly notions in that head of yours.”

  It was a silly notion. Of course I wanted to be with him. If he was willing to risk his uncle getting angry, then cripes, so was I.

  ****

  From the crow’s nest, I examined the coast with the captain’s spyglass, and the colors that came back to me were a welcome sight. We had been on the Atlantic for nearly four months with limited colors to view. Blue waters and skies. White and gray clouds. Black nights. Only the sunrise and sunset offered a change from those four hues.

  The colors that met my eyes now were amazing. Vibrant and varied greens dotted with deep shades of red. Across the bluest sky, birds streaked by with every color of the rainbow soaked into their feathers.

  “Oh,” I gasped as I squinted through the spyglass. I had not seen such beauty since weeding in Lady Elizabeth’s gardens on summer days. Suddenly my desire to get to land came swelling back, filling me.

  I pulled the spyglass from my eye and scanned the waters below the Rose. A sandy color peeked up at me through the crystal clear water now that the bottom was not buried so deeply. Captain Finley’s ship was shallow on the draft so we could get closer to shore than most vessels, but I had to keep a sharp eye and not let us run aground.

  I had to be sure if we needed to make a hasty retreat, we could.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “Rocks ahead, sir.” I stood before the captain and quartermaster.

  “That’ll do it for the Rose, men,” Captain Finley announced. “Furl the sails. Lower the anchors and prep the dory.”

  My throat was exceptionally dry as nearby crewmen jumped to carry out the captain’s orders. I was moments away from my one goal being achieved.

  “Where’s Daniel?” the captain asked.

  “Below, I think.” I was still overwhelmed by the thought that land was so near. “Either in the galley or in the hold with Russ.”

  “Well, fetch him, Charlie,” Captain Finley said with a robust smile. “You boys are coming with me. You ready to take your first steps in the Americas?”

  “Yes, sir. I’ve been ready since before we left England. Since forever.”

  The captain let out a hearty laugh and cuffed me on the shoulder. “That’s why you’re part of the scouting group, Charlie.”

  I ran to the ladder and fled down the steps. Daniel was not in the galley so I hurried to the hold.

  “Daniel?”

  “He’s over there.” Russ pointed to the starboard bow. “What’s got you so fired up?”

  “We’re anchoring now. It’s time to row out to shore.”

  “This be your first time on foreign soil, eh?”

  “Yes, sir.” I toned down my excitement. I must have seemed like an inexperienced child to these men that had been on countless expeditions.

  “No need to be frowning, boy. Setting foot in a new land for the first time ever is something to get riled up about.”

  Daniel had heard my voice apparently for when I turned to go to the starboard bow I rammed right into him. “Umph… easy there, Charlie,” he said, but his hand gave my upper arm a little squeeze.

  I swallowed my enthusiasm—or at least a fraction of it—and tugged on his arm. “Captain Finley said we’re to go on the scouting party.”

  “Let’s go then.” Daniel passed me and headed for the ladder.

  I followed him and had to bite back a yelp when, in the darkness of the passage leading from the hold to the next level of the Rose, Daniel turned around abruptly. He slid his arm around my waist and drew me close.

  “A kiss?” he asked. “For luck as we make landfall.”

  “You don’t have to give me a reason, Daniel. I’d kiss you just for the heck of it.” I whispered before his lips teased mine with the softest of kisses.

  “Wonderful.” He took my hand in his. “Stay close to me, all right?”

  “Are you afraid of natives?”

  “Cautious, not afraid,” he clarified. “We don’t want anyone getting hurt by mistake or anything. Promise me you’ll stay close.” The intensity in his eyes penetrated my skin. He considered me valuable. It had been so long since someone had considered me valuable.

  I reached my hand up and stroked his cheek. “I’ll stay close.” That wouldn’t be a hard promise to keep.

  ****

  Twelve of us piled into the oversized dory that was lowered over the side of the Rose.
Amazing how the same ocean that lapped at the shores of Southampton could look so different here in the Americas, so crystal clear. At home in England, I could wade out into the rocky-bottomed sea and after a few steps my feet were lost in the cloudy water. Here, I could see every grain of sand that lined the ocean floor.

  “Raise the signal if you are in distress,” Walter said as he leaned over the starboard side of the ship. Should anything happen to our party, Walter, as quartermaster, had been instructed to captain the Rose.

  “Aye, Walter,” Captain Finley replied. With that, we were released from the lines that tethered us to the ship.

  “Bye, Charlie!” Timmy hollered from the starboard rail. He held Ghost against his chest as the cat squirmed to get free. I had put Ghost in Timmy’s charge before I left, delighting the boy and disappointing the cat.

  We began rowing toward the thin strip of land before us. I sat next to Daniel, who rowed along with the rest of us. To be so close and not be able to touch him was difficult. He shot me a sideways glance as if to confirm he felt the same way. I smiled back then focused on the approaching shore.

  The colors I had seen through the captain’s spyglass sharpened as we drew nearer. Deep shades of green cloaked the wide, strange-looking leaves that flopped open at the tops of thin, curved tree trunks. Bunches of round, hairy-looking spheres gathered at the bases of some of the leaves.

  Daniel was focused on the shore, this being his first time to the New World. How did it compare to what he had seen in his travels with his uncle? To me, it all looked amazing. More magical than I had imagined on all those nights I’d stolen precious moments aboard the ships docked in Southampton.

  “Head for that inlet there,” Captain Finley said.

  With some effort, the dory cut through the calm Atlantic. The butterflies in my stomach swirled around at full speed now. With muscles straining as I rowed, I cast a glance over my shoulder at the Rose bobbing lazily over the low, rippling waves. Though I was eager to relieve myself of the confines of that vessel, it did offer a sense of security. Heading toward unknown terrain—with only small daggers for defense—seemed reckless, but I suppose it was what separated the true explorers from ordinary folk.

  Taking in a deep breath, I decided I was a true explorer.

  I pushed my arms to their limit as my biceps burned. I had grown fitter over the course of the journey, but this rowing was a constant repetitive motion that tired my muscles. Beads of perspiration dotted Daniel’s brow. How did he fare so well with one less limb than the rest of us? He didn’t complain, however, nor did he show signs of slowing down. He, too, was a true explorer.

  “Easy now, men,” Captain Finley said. “Let’s scope it all out for a moment.”

  We hauled the oars out of the water and rested them along the rim of the dory while the captain pulled out his spyglass and scanned the coast.

  “Do you see anyone, Uncle Samuel?” Daniel asked.

  “Yes.” Captain Finley said the word with little emotion. “There is a small party to the left of the inlet.”

  “Do they have weapons, Cap’n?” one of the crewmen asked.

  “Spears, it looks like.”

  My heart jumped in my chest, but Daniel nudged me with his shoulder.

  “It’s going to be all right.” He offered me an encouraging smile. Hard to stay leery looking into his soft, blue eyes. I let his face calm me, but cast a tentative eye back to the shore. We were close enough now that I could see the natives myself.

  “What should we do, Cap’n?” another crewman asked.

  I studied the captain’s face as he considered our options. Daniel had gotten his regal features from his uncle. Even after a four-month journey, Captain Finley did not appear worn out. His handsome features and bright eyes faced the shore as the sea breeze ruffled through his mane of brown hair.

  “We’ve come a long way, men,” Captain Finley began, rubbing at his beard. “I’m not turning back. If anyone wishes to return to the Rose, speak up now.”

  Silence.

  No one was going to back out of this adventure.

  “A fine crew. A fine crew indeed.” Captain Finley rested one hand on my shoulder and the other on Daniel’s. “All right then. Put the oars down and make way for that inlet.”

  With several splashes, we lowered the oars and strained to navigate the dory toward the inlet. A fleeting thought of my family entered my mind as we pushed forward. My mother watched over me and would be proud of my gumption in carrying out this plan of mine. Eric and Riley would probably get a good laugh out of me in their clothing, posing as a boy, to come to the Americas.

  But my father? Try as I may, I couldn’t imagine a reaction from him. I no longer knew him well enough to predict his thoughts. That empty feeling Daniel had filled so nicely during the voyage echoed inside of me for a long moment.

  A shudder worked its way along my spine causing Daniel to tap me with his shoulder again. I shook my head and focused on my rowing.

  The Americas were but a boat length away. My dream was about to come true.

  ****

  As the tip of the dory slid onto the sandy shore, we all hopped out and pulled the rowboat out of the water. After securing the boat, Captain Finley motioned for us to circle around him before stepping any closer to the waiting natives.

  “We move slowly. Let them see our hands at all times. Keep daggers sheathed. No sudden movements.” He looked us each in the eye to make sure we all understood his order then turned around to lead our party forward.

  Daniel and I were in the middle of the group, the older crewmen around the perimeter forming a protective barrier. I stepped closer to Daniel, probably too close, but my fears were getting difficult to tame.

  “Easy, Charlie,” he whispered.

  I shuffled forward with the rest of the crew. My boots sunk into New World sand for the first time and, though my heart raced at the sight of the native group waiting for us, I was proud of myself. I had devised a plan and carried it through to achieve my goal. It hadn’t gone exactly as I had planned—I never would have guessed I’d meet someone like Daniel—but it had the same end result.

  I was in the Americas. Finally.

  As we trudged up a small hill to where the native group stood, I detected some small movements as they widened their formation and tightened their grips on their spears. They had skin much darker than anyone’s in our party, and straight, jet-black hair flowed down from atop their heads. Several of the foremost natives wore feather-covered coats and helmets of wood fashioned to look like the heads of animals. They looked like warriors and along with their spears, they carried shields of woven reeds encircled by brightly colored feathers. All of the natives were jeweled with shining collars, bracelets, and earrings. Basic sandals adorned their feet.

  The nearer we got, the more defensive the warriors’ stances in the front line became.

  “We should have brought bigger weapons, Cap’n,” one of the crewmen said in a hushed tone. “And more of them.”

  Captain Finley shot the sailor a sharp look and continued leading us forward. When we were a stone’s throw away, the front warriors kneeled down in one fluid movement and pointed their spears toward us. Behind them a second row of warriors, bows drawn back, arrows perched, stood ready. The natives outnumbered us, and they were packed together in a dense bunch forming an impenetrable wall.

  More shifting among the natives occurred as one of them maneuvered through the bodies standing shoulder to shoulder. I held my breath as my pulse ran wild.

  The native who paused behind the second contingent of warriors caught my attention. He stood a full head over the others, his golden, tiger-like eyes swimming over our party. When those unusual eyes connected with mine, their uninhibited stare froze me. Courtesy would dictate that I lower my own gaze, but I could not.

  I had never seen anyone like him. He slipped like a shadow between the arrow-bearing warriors and stood next to one of the spear-wielding natives in the front row. Hi
s skin was dark like the others, the same black hair spilled across his forehead and down behind his ears to his shoulders. The eyes, however, made him stand out. Their honey color was so striking compared to the dark black-brown of all the others.

  Forcing my gaze away from his, I noticed a band of tan cloth around his waist, trimmed with red feathers that hung to his muscled thighs. Resting between his sandaled feet was the end of a huge spear that he carried, its point glinting above his head in the sun. Light also reflected off a shiny hoop earring stuck in his left upper ear and a wide silver band around his left bicep. At his right bicep was a jagged slash—a light beige scar that marred his otherwise smooth, brown skin.

  I returned my gaze to his and found him still staring at me. Some of the men in our party in front of Daniel and me had dispersed a bit, clearing more of my line of view.

  And the native’s.

  He left the barrier of spear warriors and approached our group. He moved like a sleek cat, effortlessly and well balanced, his eyes never leaving mine.

  Captain Finley broke away from the group to greet him, but the native shook his head and walked toward me. My breath got caught in my throat as he motioned for the few men in front of me to clear a path. When they did, I was completely exposed to him. His tiger eyes canvassed over me, and my cheeks caught fire. His earthy, natural fragrance filled the air.

  He made a move to take a step closer, but Daniel maneuvered himself between us.

  The native shifted his gaze to Daniel for only a moment, and while I peered around Daniel’s shoulder, the tiger eyes connected with mine again. The corner of the native’s lips tugged upward, and I swear my heart stopped beating in my chest.

  The native pulled his gaze away from me and looked back at Captain Finley.

  “You travel with a female?” he said in English laced with an accent.

  “No,” Captain Finley said, looking over the crew. “We’re all men here.”

  I could barely swallow for my throat was so tight and dry. This wasn’t the way it was supposed to happen. I had gone four months with only Daniel discovering what I was, and now this native had it figured out in mere seconds without talking to me or touching me.