Her Pirate to Love: A Sam Steele Romance (30 page)

“No, I haven’t forgotten.”

“And you still intend to go?”

Cale chuckled at Aidan’s confusion. “I do.”

“And the ship?”

“Thomas and Richard have agreed to stay behind. Didn’t take much convincing, considering last time one of Blake’s sons threw up in Richard’s lap and one of Nate’s twins wiped his runny nose on Thomas’ shirt.”

“I remember. Richard almost threw up right alongside Christopher.”

“I told them I’d send someone down with food and rum and they were content to stay.”

“It’s usually you—” Aidan shook his head. “Now I understand. It’s Grace. She’s the reason you shaved. She’s why you are suddenly so willing to join the celebration.”

Cale couldn’t help but laugh at the boy. “I think your bloody parrot figured it out before you did. You’ll have to do better than that if you intend to sail as Steele.”

Aidan’s jaw fell. “You’re giving up Steele? And the
Revenge
?”

Despite the boy’s shock, Cale saw the excitement and wonder come over Aidan’s face as he gazed hungrily about the ship. He slapped a hand on his first mate’s shoulder. “Soon, but say nothing. I have things that need finishing. Now close your mouth and swallow before you drool all over the deck.”

Chuckling, Cale headed for the ladder. He’d swung a leg over the gunwale when Aidan regained his senses enough to call out, “I told you so.”

Cale looked over his shoulder. “Told me what?”

Aidan strolled closer, a cocky grin on his face. “That the captains of the
Revenge
all seem to fall in love before they make port.”

“Then you’d better be careful, boy, as you’re next.”

*

Roche didn’t believe
in luck. He believed a man created his own destiny. And so he hadn’t considered himself fortunate as he’d sat in the trees, last night, watching the stately house. That he could sit there, unnoticed, was due to his own brilliance. Because he’d been wise enough to seek who’d made the fire on the beach, he’d gained a valuable asset in Isaac. From then on, he’d sailed in and out of Steele’s line of sight, enough to ensure the man was going where Isaac claimed, but not enough to be a threat.

Once darkness had set in, Roche had his ship’s lights doused. After that, it was a simple matter of coasting silently toward shore.

Granted, Steele didn’t suffer fools either and he’d extinguished most of his own lamps, but his crew had carried lanterns ashore and it had been easy to keep them within view. Roche had steered his ship a safe distance away and weighed anchor. Then, with Isaac and a handful of his most trusted men, they’d taken the longboat ashore. Without the use of lanterns, and needing to move slowly in order to keep their presence a secret, their progress had been slow.

Unfortunately, it also meant by the time he’d reached shore, Steele’s men were mostly done unloading his treasure. Fortunately, he knew where it was. Though he hadn’t seen Grace, he knew she was nearby as he’d caught sight of Steele often enough.

He’d counted twenty men, including the man Isaac pointed out as Steele. He assumed there was a few more with the ship they’d tucked into the estuary. A clever hiding spot, one he’d have to remember in the future. At any rate, even assuming Steele had thirty men, it was nothing compared to Roche’s fifty. Besides, he’d thought as he’d slunk back to his ship, he’d not only have them outnumbered, he’d have the element of surprise on his side.

Now sitting in the main harbor, the heat of the day shimmering on the gentle sea, Roche sat back, rested his booted feet on the table in his cabin. He loved hiding in plain sight. Since they weren’t going ashore and nobody could tie this newly-acquired vessel to him, he would take the day to perfect his strategy. Then, with the cover of darkness, he’d sail back to the little estuary.

He smiled, raised the bottle to his lips and drank to his upcoming victory. Tonight, he’d have his revenge on Steele. He wouldn’t make the mistake Steele had made when he’d taken his ship.
He
wouldn’t leave any survivors behind. He’d do whatever was necessary and by God he’d have what was his.

The treasure as well as Grace.

G
race stepped into
the yard and was immediately swept into the festive mood and excitement. It was as though the air was charged with energy and, by breathing it in, she felt lighter and happier. Claire held out her hand and smiled as Grace walked toward her. They weren’t family, but Grace nevertheless felt welcome. It helped that the others looked at her with open curiosity rather than annoyance at having a stranger join the celebration.

The moment Grace reached the group Claire made the introductions. “Grace, this is Blake and Alicia. This little darling,” she said, running her fingers across the plump cheek of the baby, “is Violet.” Then she gestured to the older two. “This is Daniel and Helen, and the younger ones are Elizabeth and Christopher.”

“Can we go now?”

“Please? We’ll be careful.”

It was Blake and Alicia’s two eldest begging, but Grace didn’t miss the pleading look the others gave their parents. She smiled wistfully as she remembered her and Colin using near the exact same words when they’d wanted to go swimming in the river when they were younger. Grace had let Colin do most of the talking, knowing her strongest weapon was the imploring look Colin had taught her to use. Especially when she used it on her da.

Apparently, Blake and Alicia’s daughter had been taught a similar ruse as Elizabeth was using her brown eyes on her father as she peered up at him from under her brows.

“Elizabeth…” Blake warned though Grace could already see he was relenting.

“We’ll mind the little ones,” his oldest boy said.

Finally, after a conferring glance to his wife and Claire, he nodded. “We’re trusting you, Daniel, to look after them.”

The lad’s shoulders straightened with pride. “I’ll take good care of them.”

Blake ruffled Daniel’s hair. “I know you will. Now don’t be too long.”

“We won’t,” he said, already scooping Will in his arms. Then, along with the other children, he raced toward the trees.

“Nate and Blake constructed a small fort. They like to play pirates.” Claire explained.

“Pirates,” Grace chuckled. “Of course.”

“Oh, I forgot to mention,” Claire said to Blake and Alicia, “it was
Cale
who brought Grace here.”

Alicia looked to Claire, mouthed the word ‘Cale?’ but it was Blake who asked, “You came with Steele?”

Grace found Blake’s stunned expression humorous. Still, if they knew the same Cale she’d known upon being rescued from Roche, it was no wonder they were surprised he’d taken her in. And it was apparent they weren’t used to addressing him by his real name either.

“I did. And ’tis sure I am I wouldn’t be alive today if ’twasn’t for him.”

“Which makes us all thankful,” Claire added. They may have only met yesterday, but it was clear by Claire’s actions and words she considered Grace a friend.

“Are Sam and Luke here yet?” Alicia asked, looking over Grace’s shoulder to the house behind her.

“Not yet.”

“Oh.” Alicia’s shoulder slumped.

Blake set his hand on his wife’s shoulders. “They’ll be here soon. You know Samantha is as anxious to see you as you are to see her.”

“Samantha is her sister.” Claire reminded Grace though she hadn’t forgotten.

“And we don’t get to see each other near often enough,” Alicia added, turning her attention from the house to the road.

“They’ll get here when they get here, Sunshine.”

“I know.” Alicia conceded but her gaze kept darting to the curving road.

“Why don’t we wait inside?” Claire suggested. “It’s cooler in the house and Mrs. Wingate made some sweet tea. We can visit and I can get my hands on that baby.”

“I think I’ll see what Nate is up to. Where is he?” Blake asked.

His brown eyes swept the yard. A slow grin spread across his face when Nate came around the back of the house. Blake strode away, meeting his friend halfway. They embraced with a series of smacking back slaps and both were smiling when they returned to the women.

“Alicia, if I wasn’t happily married, I’d beg you to run away with me.” Nate embraced her as well, mindful of Violet asleep in her mother’s arms.

“If I wasn’t, I’d agree.” She teased in return.

“Which is why you’re my favorite blacksmith,” he said, his grin turning impish.

Alicia rolled her eyes. “What did you break?”

Grace remembered Aidan telling her Alicia was a blacksmith but looking at the petite blonde woman, it was hard to imagine she was capable of the hard work. The tip of Alicia’s head barely reached Blake’s shoulder. The only sign she was indeed a blacksmith was her hands, which were scarred and stained black around the fingernails.

“Blake and I own a blacksmith shop.” Alicia clarified for Grace, likely unaware she already knew.

“And she does the best work.” Nate praised.

“Thanks a lot,” Blake said.

“Nate.” Alicia chuckled. “I’ll fix whatever it is you broke. You needn’t flatter me.”

“It’s never stopped him before,” Blake muttered, though there was no menace in his words.

“She’ll look at it tomorrow. For now, let’s go inside. I’m sure Mrs. Wingate made enough cookies to spare us a few. Besides,” Claire added as hollering was heard from the trees, “the children won’t let us have peace for very long.”

Before they could take more than a few steps, the sound of pounding hooves stopped them. As one, they turned and a carriage, smaller than the one Blake and Alicia had arrived in, rolled around the corner.

“It’s Sam!” Alicia cheered.

Her sudden excitement and small leap startled Violet. The baby’s face turned red and she started to wail. While she rocked and cooed, Alicia’s attention was all for the approaching carriage.

As Blake reached for his daughter, Grace asked, “May I?”

There was only a moment’s hesitation but then Alicia passed Violet over. Grace settled the babe into the crook of her arm and instinctively rocked her side to side. Violet’s wails turned to a whimper and before the carriage had come to a complete stop the child was peering up at Grace with intent brown eyes. Everything in Grace went soft.

Dimly, she was aware of the carriage door opening, of people coming out and Alicia’s squeal of delight. There were embraces and hearty handshakes and before long someone stepped in front of her, casting her and Violet in shadow.

Grace knew she was looking at Samantha. Her hair was a shade darker than Alicia’s and her eyes were gold rather than blue, but their size was similar. As was the look Samantha had on her face as she gazed down at Violet.

“Oh, Alicia, she’s perfect,” Samantha cooed. After several minutes, she dragged her eyes to Grace. “Hello, I’m Samantha. The handsome man next to Blake is my husband, Luke.”

Nate grinned, slapped Blake’s back. “Sorry, mate.”

“Don’t be, I didn’t hear her call you handsome either.”

“She doesn’t have to,” he added with a wink toward Samantha, “it’s already a well known fact.”

“Not bloody likely,” Luke argued.

Luke wore an eye patch over his left eye. His blond hair fell over his brow. Around his neck, glinted a handful of gold chains and she saw two pistols poking from his sash. If Grace hadn’t heard the story of how Samantha had been Sam Steele, she’d have assumed it had been Luke. If anyone looked like a pirate, it was he. Yet there was no threat in his gaze when he nodded a greeting to Grace.

“You’re arrival’s been highly anticipated,” Grace said after the remainder of the introductions were made.

Sam’s brows arched. “You’re Irish!”

“I am, yes.”

“Oh, it’s a lovely accent. I wish my voice was as pretty as yours.”

Pleased, Grace looked about. Before last night, she’d never met a single one of them. Yet here she was, standing among this group who, from all accounts, was a family, holding one of their children. She should have felt out of place. Yet she didn’t. She was completely at ease. She may have only met them, but already she felt their acceptance, their friendship. For the first time in her life, she could see herself making a life somewhere other than Ireland.

“May I take her?” Samantha asked. “I haven’t had a chance to meet Violet yet.”

“Oh, of course.” Then, with regret, Grace passed the babe to her aunt.

“Where’s Aidan?” Luke asked.

Samantha’s head snapped up. “I didn’t even think to ask. I was distracted by Violet and I—”

Luke stepped from his place beside the men and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “We haven’t been here more than a few minutes, luv.”

“I know, but—”

He silenced her with a kiss that had color flooding Grace’s cheeks. It was the kind of kiss Cale had given her, but he’d done so in private. Aidan was right, she thought as she watched Samantha melt into Luke, they clearly had a love worthy of envy. But then, she’d noticed Nate and Claire and Blake and Alicia also had relationships worth coveting.

And finally, with the eyes of a woman, Grace accepted her parents had had a similar kind of love. Lord, but she’d been wrong about so many things. Her parents’ love, her da’s decision to leave Ireland, and thinking it was better to be alone than married to someone she loved.