Chapter 13

 

Frederick’s lips touched Reena’s ever so gently—a mere graze—but that’s all it took to remember how soft they were, how sweet her taste, how heady her scent. So heady, he felt himself hovering in a chasm of indecision between right and wrong, good and evil, love and lust. With the sound of waves lapping against the shore and a soft breeze as sensual accompaniment, he knew she would give herself to him just like she always had. It was her way of luring him into her trap—the most pleasurable trap he’d ever been caught in. A bottomless pit from which a man might never find his way out.

With every ounce of strength within him, he pushed from her and sat up, turning to stare at the sea, an endless blanket of ink, sprinkled with ribbons of pearly waves.

“What's wrong?" she asked.

“We should retire. Tomorrow will be a long day.”

She stood and held out her hand. “Then shall we?”

Against his will, Frederick’s body reacted to the invitation. He averted his gaze from her. “The shelter is for you, Reena. I will sleep out here.”

He was glad he could not see her expression, for he was sure both his words and harsh tone had hurt her yet again. In fact, instead of retiring, she spun on her heels and marched to the water, where she dragged her bare feet in the incoming wavelets. He didn’t follow her. She was safe here where nary a man or animal dared roam.

Drawing a deep breath of the sea air, Frederick glanced across the wide expanse of dark sky. “Lord, what am I to do? Please save us. Please get us off the island. Please help me take care of this precious creature without crossing boundaries I should not.”

Easing back down on the sand, he crossed his arms over his chest and closed his eyes, hoping to fall asleep before she returned. But though he was as tired as he had ever been, sleep eluded him until he heard her return safely and enter the shelter.

Sometime in the middle of night, a dream invaded his peace. Nay, ’twas more a nightmare. One by one, spiders, larger than any ship, slowly emerged from the sea. Their massive legs shook the sand as they crawled onto the beach and formed a circle around him and Reena. Covered with hairy spikes, the snap of their sharp jaws echoed ominously across the island like an orchestra of demonic cymbals. Their hollow eyes stared at Frederick, their large rounded bodies blocked the sun. Yet instead of pouncing on them, they waited, their bodies gyrating with anticipation, waiting…waiting…for Reena or Freddy to make one wrong move. One wrong move that would give the hideous creatures the permission they needed to devour them. But then a light appeared—not from the fire—but from beneath where Frederick sat, from deep within the ground itself. It rose, growing brighter and brighter, turning the sand into gold and raising a shield of transparent light around them.

Reena screamed. But, nay. She was sitting beside him, smiling. She screamed again and then shouted for him, her tone one of terror.

Finally, shaking off his slumber, he jerked himself awake. Another scream had him leaping up and dashing to the makeshift shelter just as she bolted out.

She dove into his arms, nearly knocking him over. “Freddy…Freddy….” She caught her breath. “’Twas the biggest spider I've ever seen. It crawled all over me, even onto my face.” She gripped his shirt and clung to it as if doing so would keep all other spiders away.

Frederick laughed. He laughed so hard, he fell back onto the sand, toppling her with him.

“Are you still afraid of spiders?” he managed to say in between chuckling. “The fearsome lady pirate, Reena Hyde?”

She pushed from him and leapt away. “’Tis no shame in it.” She backed into the darkness, hugging herself. “We all have our fears.”

Frederick reached for her, still trying to control his laughter. “My apologies, Reena. You are truly a baffling woman.”

She was a shadow in the darkness, but he saw that shadow spin to glance around on the sand, heard the terror in her voice. “I suppose there to be a ton of these dreadful creatures on this island. How will I ever sleep?”

Frederick was not about to invite her to join him. A man could only tolerate so much. “You'll survive Reena. You always do. Go back to bed.”

He could tell that she did naught of the kind after she returned to the shelter. She tossed and turned across the sand and uttered groan after groan, no doubt keeping a weather eye out for any creeping creatures. Frederick felt a measure of sympathy for her, for he had trouble sleeping as well. The nightmare kept infesting his thoughts. Odd, that he’d been dreaming of spiders when one had crawled over Reena. What did they represent? And the light? The light that had surrounded him and Reena and kept them safe. It had to be angelic, of course.

He’d not had many dreams since he had left Reena over a year ago. Before that time, they had come more and more frequently. Until that final one that prompted him to return to God. He shivered even now at the thought of it. At the time, he’d told Reena the entire dream, hoping it would affect her as it had him and bring her running back into God’s arms.

But not Reena. She had always been as stubborn and thick as the mighty hull of a navy frigate. It broke his heart to leave her. But he’d had no choice. And then the dreams had all but stopped. He often wondered why. If the visions came from God, shouldn’t they increase when he, the prodigal son, returned? And now, when he was back with Reena, they started up again. He could make no sense of it.

As it was, he greeted the dawn with more questions than answers, but also with a prayer on his lips for their soon rescue. In the meantime, he must catch something to eat, or they would die sooner than expected. He gathered a large stick and sharpened it with his knife—the small knife he always kept hidden in his right boot—and prayed for rain as well. They would need water faster than they would need food. But God had not abandoned them. Frederick still felt His presence.

As he whittled, light snoring rumbled from within the shelter. Which, of course, brought back memories of sleeping beside Reena on so many nights. Shame assailed him yet again. Still, instead of a frown, a smile formed on his lips, only increasing his shame. He should find no pleasure in these memories…so many he shared with this woman. She had brought to mind a few of them last evening, and yet, there were so many more. He’d spent the last year doing his best to forget them all—adventures, sword fights, ship battles, treasure, outwitting the navy, the East India company, and of course, notorious pirates. How many times had they left their enemies on islands such as this? Of course, Reena had always insisted they send help after they left. She had a tender heart, though she tried to hide it. Last night, she had let down her defenses and allowed her insecurities and fear to break through her shield. Something she could never do on board the Reckless. How hard it must be for her to keep up such pretenses, to always be the strong one, the one in command.

Sighing, Frederick gave his hand a rest and glanced over the beach. The arc of a golden sun greeted the day above the gray horizon, sending out ribbons of glittering amber over rippling waves. Above him, stars faded as the light pushed the darkness away. A gust of wind struck him and spun an eddy of sand a few yards off. He and Reena had spent many a night on islands such as this, though with plenty of water and food—romantic interludes, a break from the pressures of captaining a pirate ship. Memories of their lovemaking, of impassioned, yet sincere words of love and promises made in the middle of the night, came crashing down on him.

Movement sounded from within the shelter, shattering the memories. He needed to keep his wits about him—had to remember his commitment to God. And right now, he needed to finish this spear. Frederick had never caught a fish with only a spear, but God said in His Word that He would provide for His children.

Time to step out in faith.

With that, he leapt up and headed toward the ocean.

 

♥♥♥

 

Reena had never seen anything so magnificent. Not even her sleepless night, the bug bites all over her skin, her ravenous stomach, or her raging thirst could take away from the vision of Freddy, bare chested and wearing only his breeches, standing on a rock several yards offshore, spear in hand.

Sunlight spun a golden hue over his rippling muscles and mighty arms as his gaze was locked upon the poor unsuspecting creatures below. His dark hair hung around his face, occasionally tossed by a strong wind that turned waves into foam. Yet, he stood still, a Greek statue of a god from long ago. Her hero, her prince, her rescuer. And soon to be her lover again. She was sure of it. He'd almost kissed her last night. Her body still thrilled at the memory.

She bit her lip. She had made a fool of herself with the spider incident, but that couldn't be helped. Freddy would forgive her. He was not one to judge. He'd never been one to judge. Until he returned to his God, of course.

She lowered to sit on the sand beside the simmering coals of a dying fire. Tossing a log onto them to keep it going, she suddenly realized how horrid she must look. She tried to run her fingers through her hair, but she had no comb, no pins, and no water with which to wash. Ugh. Perhaps this was not so romantic, after all.

Birds warbled in the trees behind her, tweeting a happy melody to greet the day. Why not? They hadn’t a care in the world, for they could fly away to the nearest island and get water and food whenever they wished. She glanced up at them as they pranced proudly over branches in all their glorious colors. Still, their happiness seemed to mock her, for she had not secured her own.

Her eyes latched on Freddy again. How could he stand still for so long? Especially under the hot sun. Waves crashed on the rock on which he stood, gurgling and foaming, and showering him with sea spray that made his muscles glisten as if they were made of steel. She smiled, amazed that she could still blush at the sight of him. Still, he remained, his spear hovering over a small pool of calm water formed behind a barricade of rocks. She wondered how long he'd been out there and was suddenly embarrassed that she’d slept so long. Taking her headscarf, she dabbed the sweat on her brow and neck, longing for a bath, longing to dive into a pool of cool water.

Freddy flung the spear into the water so rapidly she barely saw it go. When he lifted it back up, a fish flapped on its tip, shimmering in the sunlight. He glanced toward shore, saw her sitting there, and smiled. Then leaping on a trail of rocks, he plunged into the surf, and headed her way. If she hadn't loved him before, she would certainly have fallen in love with him now, seeing how capable he was of doing anything he put his mind to.

“You are awake,” he said as he approached, kicking up sand with his bare feet. He knelt to stir the coals to life, then laid the fish on a rock, drew a knife from his pocket, and sliced it open. After gutting it, he stabbed another stick through it and laid it upon the coals. That infernal cross of his dangled in the sunlight, mocking her.

“Breakfast, Milady.” The wink and smile he gave her were her undoing. She could only stare at him as he stooped by the fire, all man and muscle and wildness, the dark stubble on his jaw such a contrast to his deep green eyes.

And for the first time in her recollection, Captain Reena Hyde found she couldn’t utter a word.

“Watch over it, and I will be back with more.”

He walked away, confident and strong, the muscles on his back rolling with each movement. She would have continued to stare at him, save a crackle and spit from the fire drew her gaze to the fish. Freddy returned with one after the other of the little slippery creatures, and when he finally sat down to eat, they had five fish altogether. A feast!

Freddy gave thanks, and they both began eating. Reena attempted to behave like a lady, but in truth, she found it hard not to stuff pieces of the fish in her mouth. Freddy did the same, and they laughed at each other’s boorish manners. She wanted to thank him again, to tell him how wonderful he was, but she dared not compliment him overmuch for fear it would go to his head and he'd seek someone out better than she. “This is so good, Freddy.”

He smiled and plopped another piece into his mouth. “Anything for my lady.”

“Would that that were true,” she replied sarcastically. Taking another bite, she gazed over the turquoise waters, spanning in glittering waves as far as she could see. How could something so beautiful be naught but a prison, surrounding them on all sides? She scanned the horizon for any sign of her precious Reckless, the reminder of its loss causing her stomach to cramp. She set down her fish.

“Mayhap you realize now,” Freddy said, “that there are far more important things than ships and treasure, things which can easily be taken away.”

“I cannot imagine what,” she answered playfully.

“Not even…wait. Your map! They've got your precious map.” Freddy seemed almost gleeful. “I guess you'll have to give up your hunt for eternal youth.” He took another bite of fish and spit out a bone, cocking one brow her way.

Wind tossed her hair into her face. Snapping it away, she reached in the pocket of her waistcoat and pulled out the crinkled piece of paper. “Nay. I still have it.” She gave him a victorious grin.

Freddy’s lips flattened. “Of course.”

“Now, we must find a way off this island so I can recover the rest of the pieces.” Stretching her legs out before her, she leaned back on her hands. “Baines may have my treasure, but I have the real treasure in my hand.”

“Reena, you're already going to live forever. Why would you want to spend that eternity in this fallen world?”

“I don't have your faith, Freddy. I wish I did. But right now, whether there be a heaven or hell, this world is all I know. Besides, heaven doesn't sound very exciting to me. Can't imagine spending eternity singing in some choir or fluttering about playing harps, can you? Why, I bet there aren’t even any ships or seas to sail.”

Oddly, Freddy only smiled at her. “I don't believe heaven is anything like that. I believe ’tis far better than we could ever imagine, far more wonderful and adventurous.”

Frustration bubbled up within her, and she turned to gaze at the sea. “I have no wish to take the chance on what some ancient book says. My life is here and now. And I intend to make the most of it. With eternal youth, I can do that.” She sat up and leaned toward him, reaching for his hand. “And you can do it with me, Freddy. Can you imagine the adventures we could have?”

Freddy studied her, his green eyes shifting between hers. And for one brief moment, she thought she had convinced him. But the longing she saw in his gaze transformed to pity as he breathed a heavy sigh. “You may live forever here if you wish, Reena. But one life in enemy territory is enough for me.”

Bilge water! Her anger rose. “Then you will grow old—old and feeble and gray-haired—and your skin will start to fall off your body and every muscle will shrivel and every joint will creak and ache like an old ship. Is that what you want? Is that how you wish to end your life? Like Dinah?”

The name caused a shadow to creep over Freddy’s face, stealing all joy. “Your nanny. I’m sorry, Reena. I heard she died.”

“Aye. Six months ago.” Reena stared at the sand and forced back tears. “She was a second mother to me. Always there, taking care of me, teaching me, loving me when my parents were off saving the Caribbean.” She picked up a handful of sand, hating the bitterness in her tone. “Even after I grew past childhood, she joined us on the Redemption.”

“I remember. She was a wonderful, godly woman.”

“She was a part of our family.” Reena swiped at a tear that had managed to slip past her lashes. “She died in my arms.”

“I’m sorry, Reena. But she was old. ’Twas time for her to go.”

Reena looked up at him, cursing the tears blurring her vision. “Why?” she snapped. “Why does it have to be like that?”

Freddy opened his mouth to answer, but her anger cut him off. “Do you know her husband left her? Ran off with another woman—a younger woman—before she even came to us?”

“I didn’t.” Freddy tossed another stick into the fire. “Not all men are like her husband, Reena.”

Ignoring him, she continued. “Leaving her alone in her old age. And after living such a good life, a life of kindness toward others, she shriveled up like an old rotted piece of fruit and breathed her last.” Reena released the sand in a stream to the ground. “A good person gone, while so many evil live.”

“Aging and death were caused by our enemy, Reena. God did not plan for that from the beginning. But we all must suffer through it. I do not relish it nor look forward to it, but in a way, I welcome it, because then I’ll depart from this place. I assure you, Dinah would never wish to return here.”

Reena wiped her eyes and swallowed down her pain. “You make no sense, Freddy. I never met any preacher like you. Well, save our parents. Seems our families have been infected with some strange sense of life beyond our own. When all I want to do is live this one. Is that so wrong?”

Freddy gathered the bones from their fish and tossed them in the fire. “Why does aging bother you so, Kitten? ’Tis the natural progression of the carnal life.”

She looked at him dumbfounded. Did he truly not understand? “Because I do not wish to become feeble. What pleasure is there in that? Alack, you will find me disgusting and leave me.”

He laughed. “You believe your only value is in your youth and appearance?”

She shot him a pointed stare. “Nay, I believe ’tis what the world views of women. And I must play within its rules.”

A breeze whipped over them, cooling the perspiration on her face. Gathering her hair, she held it up and allowed the back of her neck to cool.

“Have you forgotten that God has marked you from birth?” He gestured toward her birthmark.

Reena dropped her hair. “’Tis not a cross. It simply looks like one.” She glared at him. “And if so, why do you not have one?” She arched a brow.

“I need no reminder of whom I serve.” He smiled.

She snapped her gaze away.

Freddy cleared his throat. “Reena, true love cares not for appearances. Look at your parents. They are well past their prime and yet still deeply in love. Has your father left your mother because she has wrinkles and gray hair?”

Indeed, Reena knew they were very happy, but she had seen enough couples in which that was not the case. Her parents were an exception in more ways than one. “Regardless, they will continue to age until they can barely walk and feed themselves. And then they will die. Just like Dinah. I don’t want that for them! For any of our family. In truth, for anyone in this world, save mayhap those who are evil.”

“So you wish to play God, is it?” Freddy cocked his head.

Reena frowned. “Nay. I simply wish He would.” Sighing, she stared up at him, searching his eyes, even as her determination rose. “If we are to live forever as you say, why not do it here? Why be forced to face such a horrid ending? Nay, I will find this Fountain of Youth, and I will bring its waters to our families and to all those deserving. If only I could have found it soon enough for Dinah.” Picking up a shell, she rubbed it between two fingers as if she could scrub the memories away. “I will not watch anyone else I love die. I will not!”

Shrugging off the morbid thought, she smiled up at Freddy. “Think of it Freddy, we will always be young and strong. Every day will bring a new adventure, and together we will sail the seas forever. If we ever escape this infernal island.” She tossed the shell toward the water, expecting some retort from Freddy, some criticism of her wayward religion, but he remained silent, his intense gaze enough to incriminate the innocent.

“I'm thirsty,” she said, hoping to change the topic.

Freddy nodded his agreement and squinted at the cerulean sky where only a few white puffy clouds drifted. Then grabbing the cross around his neck, he bowed his head and closed his eyes. He sat like that for so long, Reena was beginning to think he’d fallen asleep.

Just when she was about to nudge him, he lifted his head, his green eyes shimmering, and said, “The Lord provided food, Reena. He will provide water. If we seek Him and His Kingdom with all our heart, He promises to provide for all our needs.” He lifted his head to the sky. “Thank you, Father. I thank you in advance.”

Reena wanted to snort in disbelief. Instead, she drew a deep breath and gazed over the endless sea of white-capped waves. She longed to beg him to give up this ridiculous hope that God actually cared about their mundane needs. She longed to help him see that this present life was here and now and all they should be concerned with. But she supposed this faith, this religion of his, helped him cope with the fact that they were most likely going to die on this island. So, she stilled her tongue.

Minutes passed as they sat in silence, listening to the waves crashing and the leaves fluttering, both lost in their own thoughts. But then a dark shadow on the horizon caught Reena’s gaze. A ship? Nay. Not a ship, a cloud. Too far away to do them any good, she ignored it. It grew bigger. Then another cloud appeared, and that one grew larger as well.

The wind heightened, and she glanced at Freddy. His gaze was locked on the clouds as well, a smile on his face.

By the time she looked back at the horizon, the clouds had grown so large and moved so close, they swallowed up the sun and cast a shadow over their little island. That’s when the rain began. Not a light drizzle. Not a mist. But a pounding rain that seemed to pour from the skies as if angels moved in a line, dumping bucket after bucket on them.

Hardly believing what she was seeing, but suddenly not caring, Reena leapt to her feet and raised her hands into the deluge, allowing the water to wash over her. Freddy appeared beside her, his arms also lifted to the sky, his expression was one of worship.

“I can't believe it!” she said twirling around, lifting her face and opening her mouth to the fresh water, allowing it to trickle down her throat and saturate her hair and clothing. Ripping off her waistcoat, she tossed it to the ground, wishing she could do the same with the rest of her attire. Instead, she laughed and danced and skipped through the rain, urging Freddy to join her.