Cassandra's Pirate (The Atlantis Series)

by Candace Smith

  “Nope, I just pulled into town this morning. I’m thinking about moving here, though.”

  “Well, no. We have petty stuff like this, occasionally. I usually avoid the park in the evenings, but my husband is working late and I decided a walk by the water might clear my head.”

  Shit. Clear it of what? The next designer outfit you want to buy? Cass might not be able to afford clothes like that, but she sure as hell recognized the designer labels.

  The women followed the path back towards the parking lot. “So, Cass, have you made any plans?”

  “I have an interview for a marketing position at Larson Industries in the morning. Other than some online selling, I don’t have any formal education, but it’s only an entry level position.”

  “Larson, huh? Pretty swank place. They might expect a bit more than you think. Entry level is the foundation of industry.”

  Something your husband told you? The woman had the look of a pampered stay-at-home wife. She was beautiful and sophisticated, something that always intimidated Cass. She still liked her country roots better, but women like this made her uneasy. “I have experience.”

  “Really? What kind of experience?” Addie took in the young woman’s clothing. They were comfortable and inexpensive, and like her, the woman was tall and had the shape to carry them off.

  Cass saw with dismay that her car was still a distance off. “I managed a discount store and watched the stuff people were buying. I found things like it, except cheaper, and opened an online store. It was interesting and I made some money, but I never had enough cash to build it up.” Cass felt foolish talking about discount merchandise. The blouse the woman wore was a Disitri and probably cost more than her whole wardrobe. Even her blonde ponytail looked somehow expensive, like spun gold.

  “That’s rather industrious.”

  Well, thank you, your highness. Cass was beginning to wonder why she had left Henryville, where at least no one looked down on her.

  “How long did you manage the store?”

  Why the fuck do you care? Cass decided this is what rich people called ‘polite conversation’. Polite my ass. The woman was making her feel like shit, and it was beginning to dawn on her that she did not stand a chance at the job. “Three years.”

  “You don’t look that old.” Addie figured the woman to be about the same age that she was. They were almost opposites. Addie had golden hair and brown eyes, while this woman’s midnight black hair… and it did not look colored… hung to her waist. Her emerald eyes were gorgeous, even without makeup. She did have the real tan and crass edge of a country girl, though.

  “I worked there through high school, so I had five years under my belt when they promoted me.”

  Worked your way through high school? Addie smiled. “Forgive me, but I don’t know if I could work in a place like that for so long.”

  Cass forced a smile. “Well, in Henryville it was actually quite an accomplishment.”

  Addie’s eyes narrowed. “Ah, population two hundred?”

  You bitch. At last, they reached the parking lot. “One ninety-nine. I left.”

  A glossy sedan parked near her coupe chirped and the woman walked past her. “Good luck with your interview.”

  “Thanks. Hang onto your purse.” Cass drove back to the motel, questioning whether Meredith was where she needed to be. She tossed and turned, letting thoughts of inadequacy for the interview consume her. Perhaps she should just apply at one of the stores she passed in town.

  In the morning, she wound her hair into a bun, took it down and braided it, and finally settled on a ponytail. Her outfit was from a consignment shop, but had classic lines and emphasized her eyes. She chose black flats in case the man interviewing her was not tall. Some magazine said it made men uncomfortable to look up at women. Cass hoped there were not too many applicants, and she thought over the work qualifications she needed to point out, to make up for her lack of formal education.

  Despite ‘Adelaide’s’ opinion of her, Cass made up her mind to stay in Meredith. There were plenty of stores she could apply to if the interview at Larson fell through. Shit, I really want this job, though.

  Cass pulled into the parking lot, checked herself in the mirror, and grabbed her purse. At the reception desk she was handed a visitor badge. The woman ran a manicured nail down a list, reminding her of Adelaide’s firm handshake. “Cassandra Lewis. Here you are. Take the elevator to the fourth floor. I’ll let Mrs. Chaucer’s receptionist know you’re on your way up.”

  “Thank you.” Cass tucked her unpolished nails into her fists. Shit, a woman. She had not counted on that, and wished she had worn her heels. Cass knew there was no way she could appear confident enough to apply for a position she was not exactly qualified for while not coming across as a threat. Shit.

  On the ride up, her mind began running through the stores she had seen. Cass walked off the elevator into a plush mahogany paneled reception area. The woman behind the desk was dressed even better than the one in the lobby, and had a look of total efficiency. Shit. And she’s just a secretary. “I’m Cassandra Lewis. I’m here to apply for the marketing position.”

  “Miss Lewis. Mrs. Chaucer is expecting you.” The woman rose and led her to one of the four doors off the reception area. She opened it and whispered, “Thank you.” Cass turned questioning eyes to her while she closed the door.

  “Come on in. Have you had coffee yet?”

  Cass’s head swiveled towards the familiar voice. “Adelaide?”

  “I guess I could have saved you the pre-interview jitters, but they hold a measure of excitement that can’t quite be duplicated.”

  Cass slowly sank into the chair the woman pointed to. “I don’t understand.”

  “My father is Carlton Larson, so I never got to get the butterflies. It didn’t seem fair to take away your fun of applying for the job. You said it had been years.” She poured them each a cup of coffee.

  Cass stared at her cup. “I guess I already told you I don’t have the education the advertisement asked for.”

  “And you didn’t get the job.” Addie sipped her coffee.

  Cass winced. Shit. Storefronts and endless hours stocking shelves and working her way up the ladder again, hit her like a brick. She straightened and stared into Adelaide’s brown eyes. She looked amused, and Cass was both confused and a little pissed off. “Okay, fine. I’m a country hick with a high school education. But, I’m a good worker and I learn fast.”

  “Don’t grovel.”

  What the fuck? “I’m not groveling. I’ll take a job in the mailroom. I can learn from the bottom.”

  “You’re groveling again. Why would you want to work around a group of teenagers?”

  Cass’s hand shook while she put the china cup on the table. “I’m not groveling, dammit. Look, I know I can do a damn good job in marketing if you give me the chance. I’ll bust my ass and work weekends until I learn it.”

  “That’s better, and weekends won’t be necessary except during season.” She looked over Cass’s head. “Heard enough, daddy?”

  Shit. Cass stood and turned around.

  A distinguished man in an impeccably tailored suit approached with his hand outstretched. “Adelaide told me what you did for her. Thank you, Cassandra. I’m Carlton.”

  “I’m… I’m pleased to meet you, sir.” Shit, I’ve been swearing like a sailor.

  “I was tempted to put you in Security, but Addie insists you have the grit to help build our On-line Marketing Division. We have a few screwballs that need their asses kicked over there. The techies aren’t bad, which is good, because I don’t understand a damn thing they say. It’s more product presentation and pricing, which you’ll catch onto.”

  Cass turned back to the woman. “But you said I didn’t get the job.”

  “You did not get the entry level position in the Marketing Inventory Division. You’ll be the assistant to the On-line Marketing Director, who happens to be me,” Addie smiled. “I need someone
I can trust to get the division running.”

  Cass dropped back into her chair. Shit.

  Carlton left them, and Addie handed Cass a stack of paperwork. “These are all the employment forms you need to fill out.” She ran her fingertip around the rim of her cup. “Have you found a place to stay?”

  “No. I was going to wait until I knew if I got the job.”

  “I have a guest house set back by the lake, if you’re interested. It’s cozy, but furnished. It might be handy to have you close while we reconstruct the department.”

  * * * * *

  Cass began working at Larson Industries, and three years later she still lived in the guesthouse. Addie became a sort of a friend and invited her up to the big house for dinner. She did not like to eat alone, and her husband was gone an awful lot. She still ordered Cass around and made her feel like a bug, and Cass continued to wear faded jeans and t-shirts to piss her off. Even her work clothes were loose enough to be comfortable.

  “Come up to the house for dinner.”

  Cass sighed. She planned on a quiet night catching up on reports Addie wanted on her desk in the morning. “Walter’s out of town again?”

  “Yes, and I have something we need to discuss.”

  Cass’s mind flew back to Caleb’s last night with her, and she had a real bad feeling. She walked across the back lawn, watching Addie staring at the lake through the French doors. She handed Cass a glass of wine. “Daddy sold the business.”

  “What?”

  “He’s moving down south to retire.”

  They sat down on the patio. Cass’s mind was reeling with the thought of working for new owners.

  “And Walter’s cheating on me.”

  “I figured that,” Cass replied without thinking. She was still trying to process Addie’s news.

  “Well, we’re not telling him daddy sold the company. Screw him. Let him land on his ass with his secretary.” Addie continued to stare at the lake. “I’ve got a pre-nup, so he walks away with what he entered the marriage.”

  “Which was what?”

  “A broken down motorcycle and dirty jeans.” Addie laughed at Cass’s expression. “I was in a bit of a rebellious stage when I met him. It shocked the hell out of me when he covered the tattoos and went for the gold.”

  “Shit, Addie. I can’t even picture him like that. He’s such a nerd.”

  “So, what about you?”

  “I didn’t have a pre-nup,” Cass replied.

  “Always the smart ass. I’m filing for divorce and taking a vacation. I’m going sailing. Want to come along?”

  “You want me to go on vacation with you?” In three years, Addie shared only company functions and occasional working dinners with her. It finally dawned on her. “I take it the new owners are bringing in their own people.”

  “Yes, but I’ve got feelers out. We should have something lined up for you when we get back.”

  “It won’t be in Meredith.”

  “No, it won’t be in Meredith.”

  * * * * *

  They had been sailing for three days, heading for an island with caves Addie used to explore when she was a teenager. The Captain worked for Carlton, and the sailboat was leased from a place in the Caymans.

  Addie’s divorce went through with surprising ease. The prenuptial her father had drawn up when his wayward daughter decided to marry the loser, was ironclad. Cass discovered another side to her. She could actually be nice. Of course, she still flaunted her wealth with disregard and tended to be bossy.

  The young women slept in the sun and found themselves up early, sitting on deck in the darkness. Addie was trying to gain her bearings, and Cass had a slew of worry now that she was unemployed and facing a probable move.

  Cass could not sleep and she saw the familiar shadow on the bow. She was beginning to understand that all Addie had was her work and Walter, and that Addie was as confused about her future as she was. Cass walked up and sat next to her. The stars were sprinkled across the sky and the wind was calm. “This is so beautiful,” Cass whispered.

  “Given the right company, it could be romantic.”

  “Given the right company,” Cass agreed. She had had a few quick relationships, but nothing developed. Men were ready to settle down, and she was still focused on her career.

  “Sometimes, I just wish I could sail on the sea forever,” Addie sighed.

  “It seems all our problems don’t matter. Like everything is on hold out here.” Cass stretched out, and they watched the sun come up.

  After a light breakfast, the Captain pointed towards white sandy beaches with rocky outcroppings breaking the surf in the distance.

  The woman grabbed snorkels and light sticks. “There’s two feet of clearance overhead, even at high tide,” Addie instructed.

  Cass had never seen her so relaxed, yet excited at the same time. It occurred to her that she had never seen Addie with friends, other than work related.

  “I used to find great shells and coral.” Addie turned and waved at the Captain. “We’ll be back for lunch.”

  “This is so cool,” Cass said. She held a starfish as big as her hand and released it. She watched it spiral to the bottom by the fluorescent light of the glow stick.

  The young women had been snorkeling for hours. “My fingers are pruny.” Addie held up the wrinkled digits.

  They each had a mesh bag with seashells and coral they had collected, tied to their belts. “Okay, I guess we should head back,” Cass agreed. She searched the side walls.

  They found a small alcove an hour after they had entered the cave and they followed the underwater passages. The trip back was confusing, and they came to a split and listened. “This way. I hear water. It’s probably the waves hitting the outside of the rocks.”

  Cass followed her towards the sound. The water got deeper, but Cass was encouraged by the slight undertow of the current. “Must be high tide.”

  The water became still deeper, and Addie held Cass’s arm to keep together. Soon, they were getting nervous. The current was strong enough to pull their legs forward and the ceiling to the cavern was brushing the tops of their heads.

  “Maybe we better turn around,” Addie suggested.

  “You’re certain these don’t flood at high tide, right?” Cass turned and they fought to retrace their steps. The water became no shallower and the current kept dragging them back. Not only that, whatever tunnel they entered must have now been underwater, because they could not find it.

  “Cass?”

  “I think our best bet is heading towards the sound of the waves. It’s got to lead outside.” She felt the side walls and listened to Addie’s teeth chatter while she guided them towards the splashing. The sand changed to smooth rock and her feet slipped while she tried to gain purchase in the current. At least the water was not getting any deeper. She took another tentative step forward and there was nothing beneath her. “Oh shit. Hang on, Addie.”

  The current pulled their feet free from the ledge and whisked them deeper into the cavern. Their light-sticks flew from their hands and they watched the fluorescent glow disappear downstream. “Don’t let go of me,” Cass gasped.

  “I can’t see anything.”

  “Just don’t let go.” Cass bruised her fingers trying to grip the side with her hand, and then there was nothing. She had barely enough time to consider the thought when they tumbled through space in the darkness. They landed with a splash and were sucked forward again. Suddenly, sunlight exploded around them.

  Cass dug her feet into the sand and stepped to the side of the current. It was rushing from a small cave at the edge of a sandbar. The women climbed onto the white sands and collapsed. Cass slowly rose and she studied the water. It was calm, and the light turquoise of the Caribbean shallows. There was no sign of any other island or their boat, and she scanned her legs to study the scrapes from their fall. Neither of them had any deep cuts. “Where the hell are we?” Cass searched the horizon and whispered, “Addie, wher
e the hell are we?”

  Addie pulled herself up and followed Cass’s gaze. In the distant sky there were two moons. There was splashing in front of them and the women saw what appeared to be large fish. “Dolphins?” Addie asked.

  A tail thrust one of the forms into the air, and they saw the shape of a woman connected to the fin at the waistline. The wide eyes stared at them, startled. “Oh shit. I don’t think so.” Cass gripped Addie’s arm and they scrambled further onto the sand. They watched a dozen mermaids swim by them. A few more rose out of the water to stare at the women for a moment before disappearing in the surf.