Nelson closed his eyes and hoped he'd be able to get at least a quick nap in before it was time to prepare the ship. He was tired. He tossed and turned for a few moments before sleep finally found him and Nelson drifted off into a world of hope and big dreams.
24
It was only a matter of days before a storm was brewing again. Julianne could feel it. Maybe she was getting her sea legs or maybe she was just learning to pay more attention to the skies. She wasn't sure. She just knew that something was coming and she hoped they would make it through before the worst came.
She wandered aimlessly around the ship, watching the seamen scurry around like rats, preparing the ship for the unsavory weather. She worried that she should do more to assist them, so she went to the kitchen and hel
ped Buck prepare meals for the day. She wasn't very strong, but she could cut and boil and serve, so that's what she did.
When Wade came to find her, she and Buck were almost completely done cooking.
"I need to speak with you," he told her. She laid down her knife and followed him to his cabin. Wade closed the door, then walked up to her. She didn't move as he gripped her face with both hands and kissed her. She was used to his kissing by now: used to it and loved it. Although they had been sleeping together for weeks, every kiss still made her melt beneath his mouth.
Every touch made her shiver with excitement.
But before she could get too excited, Wade stopped and pulled away. He took her hand and led her to the bed so she could sit. Julianne did, and Wade sat beside her. She leaned her head on his shoulder and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight.
She wasn't sure what he was going to say, but she wasn't scared.
Wade always looked after her.
It was strange, when Julianne thought about it, how comfortable she really was with Wade. She had adapted quite easily to living with him in his room, fucking him and kissing him, talking with him into the late hours of the night. She had gotten used to being around him, to having him.
She looked forward to him.
She craved him.
"We're only a few days from the Isle of Changers," Wade said. His voice was solemn. He sounded worried. Julianne closed her eyes, focusing on his words, trying to stay calm.
Wade sounded afraid.
"It'll be okay," Julianne told him. She wasn't sure if it was the truth or not.
"Listen," Wade hesitated. "There's a risk, Julianne. If you want to stay behind, we can stop at Ell. We can stop and leave you there until our return."
Julianne cocked an eyebrow.
Was he serious?
"You want me to stay behind while you go search for treasure?" She asked him.
Wade nodded.
"Are you out of your mind?" She asked, standing up. Julianne frowned and put her hands on her hips. Wade thought he was going to leave her behind? For her own safety? "I don't want to be left behind."
"I know," Wade nodded. He still looked tense. "I know you don't, but things are a lot more dangerous than you understand."
"It's not that bad," Julianne waved him off, pacing. "There are plenty of dangerous things in the world, Docherty. Plenty."
"Not like this."
"Oh, poppycock."
Now it was Wade's turn to raise an eyebrow.
“Poppycock?”
She just glared at him.