Carried Home

by Heather Manning

  Anger coursed through Gage’s veins. His sister? On the streets? In a brothel?

  That was not good. Gage clenched his fists. “Thank you, sir. I appreciate your help.”

  The man nodded and shut the door. Gage walked away from the house to the sidewalk, and then leaned against the fence lining the sidewalk. Ivy stopped before him. She rested a hand on his forearm. Concern lined her face. “Where can we find your sister now, Gage?”

  “I-I have no idea, Ivy. I was not aware her fool husband left her in debt. I certainly never knew she had been forced to sell her house and everything in it.” Gage glanced at the front lawn of the impressive home. The huge garden in the front of it appeared to have once flourished but now seemed in desperate need of care.

  Addie had adored gardening. She had no doubt been gone a long time, then. Months, perhaps. The dear girl could be anywhere now. Why had she not sent word to him? How had he not heard about this?

  Oh no. Since he had not received any word telling him her current location, she could be lost…living in some gutter….Heaven forbid, living and working in a brothel of some sort. Gage would never forgive himself if the latter was the outcome. Nevertheless, he would search everywhere. Everywhere. No, there was no way he would give up the search for his Addie.

  ****

  Ivy clung to Gage’s hand as they shoved their way into the crowded shop. He asked the shop owner the same question he had asked at the five or so shops they had already visited. “Excuse me, mister; may I take a moment of your time? I am searching for my sister, Addie Thompson Poole. She is about this tall,” he gestured with his hand, “and she has dark, curly hair and green eyes. Please tell me you have seen her.”

  And they got relatively the same reply. How had no one seen this young woman? Ivy was really feeling concerned for her, and she had never met the lady. As they walked out of the crowded shop, Ivy stopped to face Gage. “Is there somewhere else we can search for her? It does not seem like we are getting anywhere inquiring in these shops.”

  Gage sighed. “Aye, but the only other locations I can think of are taverns and other places no lady should ever go. I could never bring myself to take you with me there.”

  Ivy let out a noisy sigh. “How are you going to find her, then?”

  “I don’t know, milady. We simply must continue trying.”

  Ivy’s mind brightened with an idea. “What if we ask at some of the local churches in this area? Maybe, if she was in trouble, she would have gone to them for help. She could even be staying in one.”

  “’Tis possible, milady. Let us attempt that. We have nothing to lose.”

  ****

  Ivy inhaled deeply as they walked into the third church they had tried. So far, no one knew anything about Addie. She was beginning to believe this woman had vanished into thin air. A glance upwards told Ivy it was well past noon already. They had spent most of the day searching for Gage’s sister.

  As they neared one more church, Gage slowed. His face tightened.

  “What is wrong?” Ivy whirled to see him face-to-face and shielded her eyes from the glare of the afternoon sun.

  Gage let out a long breath. It hurt Ivy to see him like this. The man had not smiled all day, and smiles were something he distributed regularly. His eyes were lined with dark circles underneath, and they lacked their usual sparkle. “What if I don’t find her, Ivy? What then?” His voice emerged from his throat, choked and pitiful. “Or worse? What if someone informs me she died? What do I do then?”

  Ivy felt tears pool in her eyes. The poor man was heartbroken. She glanced about the empty street before enclosing him in a hug. He needed every bit of comfort he could get. Gage wrapped his arms around her and leaned his face against the top of her head. Wetness hit her hair, and she realized he was crying. “Gage...it’s all right. Addie is safe. Trust God. Pray. Ask him to help us find her. I know I will.” Realization hit Ivy like a blow to the stomach. Even if Addie, or William—she cringed at the thought—was not safe in an earthly sense, they could trust God to care for them in a heavenly sense.

  Gage pulled away from her after a pause, sniffed, wiped at his eyes, and grinned. “Aye. You are correct, milady. Now, let’s see about this church, shall we? I have a good feeling about this one.”

  ****

  Well, it was not right to describe the feeling he had right now as good, but it was the closest thing to good he had felt all day. He stared up at the immense door, heavy with wooden carvings. A stained glass window perched high atop the building, directly above the door. He blinked. This church covered an immense stretch of ground. St. Paul’s Church, one of the few places of worship in Port Royal, was not nearly this large or ornate.

  A feeling of dread washed over him as he strode halfway up the stairs. What was he doing? It was highly unlikely Addie was here. She was never fond of accepting charity from others. There was no way she would be inside this church.

  Ivy squeezed his hand. The tingling sensation from her warm fingers was almost enough to ease the sick feeling that had plagued him, but not quite. He shook his head at her and began to turn away, when the church door burst open.

  A middle-aged woman offered him a sweet smile. Her graying brown hair was pulled up into a mob cab, and she wore plain clothes but possessed a pleasant disposition. “How may I help ya, sir?” She wiped her hands off on her apron as she noticed Ivy. “Good afternoon, missy.”

  Gage stared at the lady, dumbfounded. Ivy nudged him in the ribs with her elbow. He blinked. “Miss, I apologize for interrupting you. I am searching for a young woman, my little sister. Her name is Addie Thompson Poole and…” Gage recited his description of Addie. This church would be no different than the three others they had visited. Or the eight shops. Next, he would try some taverns. He could take Ivy back to the ship, or find a reputable place for her to stay, and then he would spend the night questioning the town’s many taverns and...brothels.

  “Addie? Addie Thompson? You know her?”

  Gage’s heart leapt into his throat. His Addie?

  “Oh, bless the Lord! I’ve been prayin’ she’d find her brother! The poor, sweet child! Do you realize how happy she will be?”

  She knew Addie? Gage could not believe his ears. Ivy grinned and squeezed his hand. He returned the favor. “Where is Addie, miss? Are you keeping her in here, in the church? Is she safe?”

  “Oh, sir, yes, she is safe. And no, she’s not stayin’ here, she never did, just stopped by for one afternoon and my husband and I did as any Good Samaritans would and helped her get back on her feet.” The woman fussed with her hair, shoving a few wispy strands behind her ear.

  “I thank you for that, my good woman, but do you know where she is right now?”

  The woman giggled. “Oh, forgive me, sir! Addie took up a job at the milliner’s shop down the street in the city square.”

  A milliner’s shop? Addie could never sew. She had tried to pick up the hobby, but she could never concentrate enough or have a hand steady enough. But he did not care. Addie was safe! Gage leaned forward and hugged the woman. She tittered. “Thank you for the help, miss. I truly appreciate it.”

  Before the woman had time to respond, Gage grabbed Ivy by the hand and dashed down the stairs towards the town square. Now to find this milliner’s shop…

  ****

  Addie grimaced and pulled her thumb into her mouth. How many weeks had she been working at this job? It did not matter how many. She still jabbed herself with the needle more times than she could count in one day. A sigh escaped her lips. A hopeless cause, she was. Ah, well. It was time for her day to end anyway.

  Time had managed to pass quickly for once. Addie packed away the pair of trousers she was working on repairing and climbed up the stairs to her small room. She let out an exasperated sigh. Her fingers ached. They were used to different movements than sewing. She loved working in the garden and watching her plants grow. There was no better feeling than sitting out in the sun and tending to plants. Why, Addie c
ould almost taste the sunshine on her lips, see the vivid blue sky. She had never cared if the sun baked her skin to a brown color, despite the glares she often got from other ladies. Green grass surrounded her, and colorful flowers painted the lawn. She could smell the fragrant blooms, the fresh air…

  “Miss Thompson!”

  Why was Mr. Faulke summoning her? He never did that. Oh no. Had she made an error in a customer’s order? Mr. Faulke had warned her what would happen if she made another mistake. No, no, no. I cannot lose this job. It’s all I have.

  “Yes, sir?” Addie leaned her head outside her doorframe to be better heard. Maybe he had just forgotten to tell her something before he closed up the shop for the night. Please let that be it.

  “There is a man…and a uh…a lady here to see you, miss. I suggest you come down here at once.”

  Addie frowned. A man? Why would there be a man here to see her? She did not know any men...or any lady. Nonetheless, Addie walked to the landing and treaded down the narrow, steep staircase in the back of the shop. Maybe it was the reverend and his wife. She made her way to the front of the store and almost screamed.

  Gage. Gage! Addie squealed. She ran to her brother and he collected her in his arms, twirling her in the air. Addie fell against his chest and inhaled her brother’s familiar scent. Oh, how she had missed this man. The one man who had not failed her. The one man who actually cared about her. “Oh, Gage.”

  He chuckled. “It’s good to see you, too, sister.”

  A wink creased his chocolate brown eye for a moment. He looked hardly the worse for the wear. Brown waves of hair fell to his chin, and he had the same dashing smile and dimples. His cheeks were scruffy with a beard, and his clothes a little wrinkled, but he was the same Gage she had always known.

  Mr. Faulke stepped into the back room, claiming to allow them all a moment of privacy.

  A soft cough came from Gage’s left. Addie shifted her gaze and noticed a beautiful young woman standing to his side. Her orange hair was pulled back in a simple bun, and she had a sweet disposition. What was Gage doing with her?

  Her brother’s gaze seemed to follow hers. He grinned. “May I introduce you, Addie Thompson Poole, to my…to Lady Ivy Shaw.”

  Lady Shaw offered a kind smile. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Poole.”

  Addie shook her head. “Please, call me Addie. I never want to go by that man’s name again.”

  ****

  Something tugged at Ivy’s heart. The poor woman appeared quite hostile towards her deceased husband. She prayed he had not been abusive towards her. Ivy had seen the effects of an abusive man on her dear friend Eden, and she did not want anyone else to have to deal with that turmoil.

  Ivy cast a sideways glance at Gage. His jaw and fists were tight and his eyes narrow. “We’ll talk about Mr. Poole at a later time, shall we? Now, I want to hear how you are and what you have been doing.” Gage offered her his arm. “May I take you on a stroll to my ship?”

  “You have a ship, brother? Or do you mean Caspian’s ship?”

  “Ah, but I never told you! I am a captain now. I have my own ship, the Siren’s Call.”

  A crease formed between her eyebrows. “Is Caspian all right? Did you two get in a disagreement?”

  Gage chuckled. “Nay! We captured this ship and he decided to give me the authority he thought I deserved.”

  “Oh, how kind of him!”

  “I think so, too. Caspian is married again now, as well.”

  Addie’s bronze eyebrows shot up, nearly meeting her hairline. “I thought the man would never remarry after Isabelle…passed away.”

  Gage lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “He met a special woman—Ivy’s close friend, in fact.” He nodded at Ivy and offered her a wink. “They are quite happily wed.” Gage’s gaze drifted off, and his eyes seemed to glaze over as he thought of something.

  “And how is Reed? Oh, how I miss that dear child!” Addie clapped her hands together as she spoke, her face a canvas painted with excitement.

  “Reed is well. I miss him also.”

  Addie giggled. She wrapped her arms around Gage once more. “Oh, how good it is to see you again!”

  A throat cleared behind them. Ivy spun around and noticed the same middle-aged man who had let them in and called Addie down to meet them. “I’m sorry folks, but we can’t use this space as some reunion location. Can you do your visiting elsewhere?”

  Gage stood up to his full height. “Yes, sir. And Addie will be staying with us tonight—maybe even for the rest of her life.”

  “What are you saying, sir?”

  Gage glanced at his sister, who nodded, before he spoke. “I think Addie will no longer need employment here. I truly appreciate the help you have given her, but I think it is time for her to move on.”

  The man frowned.

  Addie stepped forward, bowing her head shyly. “I can work until you find someone to replace me, sir.”

  He burst into laughter. “I’m sorry, miss, but I have actually been looking to employ another young woman. I meant no offense to you, but I felt another individual could do the job in a more efficient manner.”

  Relief etched across the woman’s face. “Oh, thank you, sir!”

  Gage lifted his eyebrows. Ivy could tell they were siblings. They moved their faces in a similar fashion. “Shall we leave, then?”

  “Yes. Oh, I suppose I should pack up my things. Can you wait here just for a moment please?”

  Gage nodded his acquiescence and she bounded up the stairs. Ivy nudged him with her elbow. He looked at her and grinned. “I praise God that she is safe, my dear.”

  A smile tugged on Ivy’s lips. “Indeed, Captain.”

  He leaned back, away from her. “Back to calling me ‘Captain’ again, milady?”

  Ivy put her hands on her hips. “Nay, Gage. The title just seems to fit you.”

  To her surprise, Gage did not reply with some amusing quip. He maintained a serious expression, and muttered, “I’m pleased to hear you at least think so.”

  Ivy wound her hand around his and tugged him towards herself until he met her eyes. “Gage, you are a great captain, and I do not understand why you fail to realize that. You got your crew safely through that hurricane and then through a battle with those horrible pirates.”

  “You are mistaken, my sweet. I did not make it through that battle in one piece. I was knocked out cold before it was even finished.” His chocolate brown eyes held a hint of sadness.

  Ivy reached up on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his cheek. An afternoon’s growth of stubble tickled her nose, and she giggled.

  “What?” he inquired.

  “Your face is itchy.”

  He laughed and shook his head. Addie bounded down the stairs, two steps at a time. She held a grin on her face and a small bag on her shoulder.

  “Are you ready?”

  “Yes!” Addie turned and said her farewells to the owner of the shop and they were on their way.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  As Adam bounded up the companionway, young Emma nestled in his arms, he heard a clamor on the main deck. Although most of the men had left for town to spend their shares of the treasure from the one ship they had gone against, a few remained. And they were shouting.

  Emma whimpered and Adam bounced her in his arms. She stretched her little arm up to his face, and he tweaked her nose with his fingers. The babe giggled. This tyke’s innocence was refreshing. Not once had she ever seemed to notice or care about his scarred face. That was unlike any other person he had met since the accident had scarred him. Even if those seeing him tried to mask their shock, or disgust, or even pity, he could tell. But to Emma, he was just the same as everyone else.

  He had once been what most considered handsome. Yes, he missed those days, the days when a look at him did not send ladies running, but he could manage. It was not worth anything to be friends with people who only cared about how nice his face looked anyway. No, and that was just wh
at the society he had been raised in was like. And he never wanted to return to that. This accident was one of the best things that had happened to him.

  Adam made his way onto the main deck and chuckled, pushing aside his dark thoughts. Of course Captain Thompson and Lady Shaw had returned. With this crew, only one thing could cause them to make so much noise: a woman. But had they not grown to respect the woman more? Well, they were pirates. And a woman was a woman to them no matter how well she was at helping control a ship full of unruly men, he supposed.

  As Adam approached the two, he realized it was not Lady Shaw the men were making catcalls at. No, it was a young woman who braced her hands on pleasantly round hips. Her golden tan skin was flushed red, and her brilliant sea-green eyes narrowed in anger. Dark, curly hair fell loose from a bun high atop her head and billowed in the sea breeze. Adam felt certain he had never seen anything so pretty. And her attitude. Her spunk. She seemed just about ready to slap the face of every man on this deck. Quite viciously, in fact.

  And if Adam didn’t stop ogling her himself, he might very well be the first to be introduced to the palm of her hand. He averted his gaze to his captain, who stood with his fists and jaw clenched. Mayhap Gage would hit the men after she slapped him down, as well. This was his sister? Hmm. They shared many characteristics.

  Adam shook his head, blinked, and continued toward the trio, focusing his gaze on Lady Shaw. She wouldn’t hurt him. She was too sweet…Most of the time. He remembered her expression when she had scolded the crew, but then her face lit up when she saw Emma. The little girl reached her arms out and practically jumped into the woman’s arms.

  Gage cleared his throat. “Adam, would you please show Miss Thompson to her cabin? She will be joining Ivy.”

  Spend some more time with this ever-interesting creature? “Aye, sir.”