Truly Yours Historical Collection December 2014

by Susan Page Davis, Paige Winship Dooly, Connie Stevens

  “Welcome aboard the Lucky Lady.”

  “Funny choice of name for a boat since your entire crew begs to differ.”

  “Speaking of crew, it sounds like you might have an idea about what made them scatter.”

  The masculine voice sounded strangely familiar.

  She ignored the offered hand and remained on her knees. She slowly raised her gaze. “David?”

  “Indeed. Are you happy to see me?”

  “I’m not sure.” Would Jacob’s brother show her favor? Had he changed his ways? Would he see to her safety, or would he continue his mutiny? She answered her own questions. He’d sent for her. And he certainly hadn’t done so in order to congratulate her on her recent nuptials.

  His laughter chilled her to the bone.

  “Paxton!”

  Paxton rounded a corner but kept his distance.

  “Gather the rest of the men.”

  David didn’t offer her further assistance. Hollan was content to remain on her knees—the more distance she could have between him and the rail, the better.

  A few moments later her kidnappers reappeared.

  David glanced at them and then looked again. “What happened to you?”

  “She happened to us.” Paxton pointed.

  David stalked along the deck. “You’re telling me this wisp of a woman gave one of you a black eye and the other a broken nose?”

  “She did. And she kilt Nate.” Jonathon sent her an apologetic look. “But I don’t think she meant to do it.”

  “She killed—” David’s eyes widened as he hurried to the side and peered down at the smaller craft where Nate still lay sprawled on the bottom of the boat. “But how?”

  Hollan sighed. “I didn’t kill him. He’s merely unconscious.” Her brows furrowed. “Or at least I think that’s all it is.”

  “Well, don’t just leave him down there. Someone bring him up.”

  “How we gonna do that, Cap’n?”

  “Think of something.”

  Jonathon’s studious expression made him look as if he was in pain. “We can wrap a rope around his neck and haul him up that way.”

  Hollan’s eyes widened in horror.

  Paxton rolled his own eyes. “That’d be called a noose, Jonathon. Wanna finish Nate off completely?”

  “We’ll tie it under his arms, then.”

  “That should work.” Paxton glanced at Matt. “You climb down to the boat and tie the rope around him. Jonathon and I will pull him up.”

  David shook his head. “Or you could just raise the rowboat into place and then lift him over the side.”

  “Good idea, Cap’n. Makes more sense.” Jonathon grimaced. “We can do that easy. We’ll get right on it.”

  “See that you do.” David stalked away toward the main deck, shaking his head. “And one of you take Hollan down below. Secure her in the hold.”

  “You go with her, Jonathon.” Matt motioned her way. “Paxton and I will take care of Nate.”

  “Afraid to be alone with me, are you?” Hollan knew better than to goad Matt, but she couldn’t resist. If the level of fear in his eyes when he looked at Hollan was any indication, the man still felt she had the ability to cause them all harm with nothing more than her presence.

  “I’m not afraid of you, miss.” Jonathon led the way. Hollan’s moment of levity passed when she realized they were going below deck. The chances of escape were few, but if she remained below deck they’d be nonexistent.

  “God is sufficient for all our needs, Hollan.”

  Hollan remembered Jacob’s words from just before the hurricane. He’d been right then, and she felt sure God would bring her through this, too. A momentary sense of peace swept through her. Though this was a different kind of storm, the words couldn’t be any truer.

  Jonathon led the way, and Hollan stayed close at his heels. The ship’s gloomy interior depressed her. It took a few minutes for her eyes to adjust. She could see the dim shapes of several other prisoners. Jonathon led her to a nearby pole and waited expectantly. Hollan stared back, not sure what it was he wanted her to do.

  “You need to wrap your arms around the pole.” Jonathon waved a piece of rope he’d snagged from a nearby hook. “I have to tie you up.”

  “Tie me—?” Hollan sputtered. Suddenly she realized the gravity of her situation. If she was tied up below deck and they set sail, Jacob would never find her. A sob forced its way through her terror. “But Jonathon—”

  “I’m sorry, miss. I have to follow orders. I’ll be back to check on you soon.”

  “Don’t leave me in the dark. I’ve had nothing but darkness for so long. You don’t understand.”

  “I really am sorry.” He tied her hands around the pole and left to go above deck.

  “Oh, God, what am I to do?” Hollan whispered the words aloud. None of the emaciated men around her moved. She couldn’t tell if they were dead or alive. Surely she hadn’t been left alone in a room full of dead people. She shuddered. Based on the odors sifting around her, she wouldn’t be surprised. Where was that sense of peace? It was as if she’d left it above deck before she descended. She felt as if she’d entered her own personal version of hell.

  I will never forsake you. A gentle breeze caressed her hot skin. She looked around but saw nothing amiss. God is here with me! Hollan knew the fact as well as she knew her own name. She wasn’t alone.

  God had a plan for her. She didn’t know what it was, but she rested in the knowledge that He’d led her here for a purpose.

  “Hollan.”

  Had God spoken her name aloud?

  She glanced around and saw movement to her right.

  “Hollan.” The raspy voice came again, stronger this time.

  It couldn’t be. Her mind must be playing tricks on her. But she hadn’t imagined that voice.

  “Papa?” Her voice broke. Please, God, let it be so!

  “It’s me, daughter.”

  Hollan pulled at her ties, but they only tightened.

  “Papa!”

  “Don’t fight the ropes, Hollan. You’ll only cause yourself pain.”

  “But, Papa, what are you doing here?”

  “Same thing as you, apparently.” His soft laugh flowed through her like a salve. “I’ve missed you so much. I know you had to worry.”

  “I knew you were alive.” Hollan smiled into the darkness. God had indeed had a plan. He’d sent her to rescue her father.

  Ten

  Jacob couldn’t believe the mess his wife had gotten herself into this time. How could she not have seen the crew’s arrival? He cringed as he thought through the words. Maybe her vision hadn’t returned after all. And here he’d been thinking she was keeping something from him. He felt awful. He’d just found her again, and he wouldn’t lose her now. He had to get her back.

  The ship was too far out for him to swim to her, and though the tide was going out, he knew they’d never make it back to shore, even if he had their missing boat. The boat wouldn’t have helped anyway. They kept it on the inland side of the island. He couldn’t go after her. He’d never make it through the currents. He paced back and forth on the shore, trying to come up with a plan. Without his own boat, he had no choice but to watch as she floated away with the crew. He hadn’t felt this helpless since the night his father and brothers had ransacked the town.

  Samson remained at the water’s edge, staring out over the ocean. Every once in a while he’d look at Jacob like, Why aren’t you doing something?

  Jacob returned to the dog’s side and watched until the rowboat was too far away to see very well. Even if Hollan looked around, she wouldn’t see him now.

  He turned back and headed at a fast pace toward the lighthouse. Samson trotted alongside him. “We’ll get her back, boy, don’t worry.”

  Jacob sounded a lot more confident than he felt. He took the steps of the lighthouse two at a time. Maybe he couldn’t go after her, but what he could do was keep watch, take notice of anything he could about the
ship, and track their progress. When Fletcher came their way with the supply boat, Jacob would summon help.

  The crew of the ship didn’t appear to be in any hurry. They lingered offshore even as the sun set. The full moon tracked their progress as they curved around the end of the island and sailed toward the mouth of the river.

  Jacob’s heart skipped a beat. If the captain continued his present course, they’d soon be near the far side of the island. The channel narrowed on that side in a way that if Jacob left now, he might be able to get on board the ship.

  ❧

  The thud of heavy feet lumbering down the stairs pulled Hollan from a restless sleep. She found herself curled up on the filthy floor.

  “Jacob.” Her voice was hoarse as she whispered his name. Perhaps he’d found a way to come for her. She peered through the darkness but knew immediately that Jacob would never arrive in such a noisy fashion. Her heart sank. He’d come in quietly, not wanting to rouse suspicion, and would sneak her—and her father—away without anyone the wiser. Whoever descended the stairs now had no concerns about drawing attention. Quite the contrary, from the noise the person made on the stairs, he wanted to alert everyone to his presence.

  Her legs were numb from hours spent in an awkward position. Earlier, during the night when she couldn’t bear the thought of sitting or lying on the slimy wood floor, she’d placed her forehead against the pole and settled into a squat. She hadn’t slept well at all. The tormented moans of the other prisoners had her on edge. Throughout the night the sound of tiny claws skittering across the floor made her shudder. She could well imagine what type of creature the scurrying feet belonged to. And the cloying heat and putrid odors permeated every breath she took.

  Each time she’d doze off, she’d fall forward, and the motion would jerk her back awake. Exhaustion had her on edge. She didn’t even want to imagine what David had planned for her. And she hoped she’d never find out. He wouldn’t have anything in store for her if she could help it. She only had to figure out an escape plan before the madman sent for her.

  “Cap’n wants to see you on deck.”

  The escape plan would have to wait.

  Paxton stood beside her. When she couldn’t rise on her own, he grabbed her arm and pulled her roughly to her feet. Her legs tingled.

  “You seem to take great pleasure in yanking me around by my arm.” His bad eye made him look demented in the dimness.

  “A lot of things bring me great pleasure. Dealing with you does not.”

  “Leave her alone!”

  Papa.

  Her father’s voice brought her a measure of peace, even though he couldn’t do anything to help her at the moment. She had to focus on a plan that would get them both away from here. In the meantime, it wouldn’t hurt to pray.

  Lord, I’m not sure what is in store for me while You have me on this ship, but I pray that You’ll protect us. Please help Jacob to know where we are, and keep my father safe.

  She turned her attention to Paxton. “What does David want with me?”

  Paxton shrugged as he untied the knots in the rope that held her hands prisoner. Once he released her, she almost fell on her face.

  “You’ll get your sea legs in due time.”

  “I don’t intend to be around long enough for that to happen.”

  Paxton laughed. “I don’t see that you have a choice.”

  “I’ll find a way out of here.”

  “You will, huh? We’ll see about that.”

  He half-dragged her to the stairs. They exited the stairwell onto the main deck, and the bright early morning light shot a dagger of pain through Hollan’s head. She closed her eyes briefly, let them adjust, and then squinted through them. Her vision remained clear. She eased her eyes open after a moment and located David at the ship’s helm.

  She left Paxton’s grasp and plowed forward. “David.”

  “Ah, good morning, Hollan. I trust you slept well?”

  She ignored his ridiculous question and instead asked one of her own, echoing her earlier one to Paxton. “What do you want with me?”

  “It seems I need to go up the inland channel. In order to do so, I’ll happen to need a guide.”

  Hollan couldn’t hold back her smirk. He needed a guide, and he’d chosen the least able person to comply. “You do realize I lost my eyesight three years ago?”

  He glanced at her, his forehead wrinkled. “You can’t see at all? If that were true, you wouldn’t have found your way so easily to me just now.”

  “Whether I can or can’t see right now doesn’t matter. What does matter is that I haven’t seen this pass or much of anything else since. You’ve chosen and kidnapped the wrong person to help you.”

  “You can stop looking so amused.” David’s scowl deepened. “I’m sure the pass hasn’t changed all that much over the past three years.”

  “Do you seriously believe that?” Hollan’s jaw dropped. “Do you not remember the storms we get around here? Nothing ever remains the same.”

  Not in the least. The storms damaged everything. Her experiences attested to that.

  “Then you’d better pray the storms haven’t changed the pass.”

  Hollan started to refuse. She wouldn’t guide him anywhere.

  “If you don’t abide by my terms, your father will pay the price for your rebellion.”

  That quieted her. She wouldn’t do anything to bring more pain to her father.

  An idea began to formulate in her mind. When they rounded the end of the island to enter the pass, Jacob would be at the closest point to help them. At least he would be if he knew she was aboard the ship and he’d been tracking their progress.

  She couldn’t stand the thought of the alternative. If he hadn’t figured out where she’d disappeared to, why would he care about one more ship offshore? She hadn’t a clue where her father had gone when he’d disappeared. Why would Jacob have any idea about where she’d gone? Even if he went to look for her, she’d have disappeared just as completely as her father.

  She decided that just in case Jacob hadn’t figured out her whereabouts, her plan had to be something she could fulfill on her own. The pass was treacherous in the best of times. Maybe she could use that to her advantage.

  “The currents are very strong at the mouth of the river.”

  “Thank you. We’ll prepare for rougher waters. In the meantime, you’ll remain below deck. I’ll send for you when I’m ready.”

  Hollan thought hard. If she stayed above deck, she might have a chance to catch Jacob’s attention. But if she went below, perhaps her father could help with suggestions to guide them through the channel. She didn’t want to return to the stench of the dark, dank hold, but if she needed to, she’d make use of the option.

  In the meantime, she’d try to stay above deck. “I’d prefer to remain up here if you don’t mind.”

  “I don’t recall giving you a choice.”

  “I’ll stay out of the way.” Hollan started for the rear of the ship. Maybe she’d spot Jacob and would at least be encouraged that he was looking for her. “I’ll just settle in up there where I can observe the channel and the conditions.”

  A rough hand grabbed her arm. David leaned close. “You’ll do as I say and go below.”

  His menacing blue eyes peered into hers. Hollan fought back a chill. The man’s eyes were empty. He had no trace of heart or soul. The hold suddenly sounded inviting in light of this realization.

  “Fine.” She pulled her arm loose.

  He pushed her forward toward Paxton. “Stow her below until we’re ready.”

  The dirty hem of her dress tripped her as Paxton led the way downstairs.

  Her father waited anxiously where she’d left him.

  “Hollan. Are you well?”

  “I’m fine, Papa.”

  He didn’t speak again until Paxton had tied her wrists around the pole. As the man shuffled upstairs, her father leaned forward. “What did he want with you?”

  “H
e wants me to guide him through the channel.”

  A soft chuckle carried over to her. “Did you explain?”

  “I did. But, Papa—” She leaned nearer, wishing she could see him better in the darkness. “I can see clearly again. During the past couple of months, my vision would come and go, but now it stays.”

  “That’s wonderful!”

  “It is, but I’m not sure it’ll help me guide the ship through the pass.” She heard him change position. “Are you well, Father?”

  “I’m fine.” He shifted again. “Nothing the light of day won’t fix, along with getting back to our island. I sorely miss your cooking.”

  Hollan laughed. “That says a lot, Papa. My cooking hasn’t ever been all that great.”

  “I miss it all the same.”

  “Papa, what’s going on? Why are you here?”

  “David thought he could take me from my position as lightkeeper and use it to his advantage if he’s captured. He wanted me to lead him through the inland waterway, but I refused.” He let out a breath. “I refused to help the scoundrel. I had no idea he’d go after you next.”

  Her eyes had adjusted to the dim interior, but it was still pretty dark. “What are we going to do?”

  “You’re going to do exactly what they tell you. I don’t want them angry with you. I don’t want David to get violent. If he hurts you, you could lose your vision again—or worse. I won’t have you risk that. Just do as he says, and let me figure something out.”

  Another figure stole quietly down the stairs. His furtive movements drew Hollan’s attention. “Who is that, Papa?”

  “I’m not sure. Keep quiet. Don’t draw attention. I don’t trust any of the crew around you.”

  Hollan settled low and huddled near the pole. The bulky figure carried a mop and moved through the men, stopping now and then to peer closely at each person as he passed. Hollan’s heart beat quicker and sweat rolled down her face as the figure turned their way.

  “Stay low, Hollan. Duck your head.”

  She did as her father instructed. The shadowy form loomed over her. He leaned close. Hollan kept her head down, praying she’d be left alone. The figure squatted down and leaned in close to her ear.