Chapter 41

 

For the life of him, Frederick couldn't understand why Reena was here. Had she found the Fountain of Youth already? Come to gloat about her newfound eternal life? Or mayhap she’d come to beg him to join her yet again. None of those made any sense, for she certainly would not sail straight into Kingston Harbor, risking her crew and brig in a battle with the French. Nor would she return to a place where her parents lived, especially a British Naval post where she was wanted for piracy. Yet, as he continued to stare at her from the top of Fort Charles, a wonderful, glorious thought occurred, rising up through his spirit and causing his legs to dart down the ladder, through the fort, past the barricades, and down to the shore, where she would see him as she sailed past.

She did. The anchor was tossed with a mighty splash, and the Reckless slid to a halt just twenty yards offshore—some distance from her father’s brig, which he expected. What he didn’t expect was the pounding of his heart as she climbed into a boat and headed toward him. Confusion and oddly, hope, battled within him. Hope for what? That she had come to her senses, that she had returned to God? Absolutely! Yet there was something more he didn’t wish to admit, for he’d told her in no uncertain terms that they could never be.

And still she came. With every slap of the oars into the water, every heave of the boat through the waves, her expression became more and more clear. Not one of angst, worry, or anger, as was her normal state, but one of…dare he say, joy and peace? With a hint of nervousness…vulnerability. Nay, not Reena. He rubbed his eyes to clear the vision when a splash brought his gaze back up to see Reena swimming toward him. Was she mad? But he already knew the answer to that. Aye, she was incredibly, magnificently, and deliciously mad! Before he came to his senses, he ripped off his boots and dove into the warm waters to meet her.

They splashed toward one another for what seemed an eternity before he took her in his arms and drew her close. They sank beneath the waves, but resurfaced a moment later, both gasping and treading water. Her golden eyes searched his, reaching out to him like a light in the darkness, before tears filled them.

Clapping sounded from the Reckless where Abraham, Brodie, Jo, and the rest of the crew cheered from the railing. Laughing, Reena faced Frederick again.

“Freddy…Forgive me. Please forgive me. I love you!”

And at that moment, he knew. He knew that she had given her life to the Lord, that she had finally seen the light. “Come.” Turning, he swam to shore. She followed and as soon as his feet struck sand, he stood and pulled her up beside him.

She took a step back, unsure, as waves swirled about their feet. Water dripped from her hair hanging to her waist, from her waistcoat, her cheeks and chin. It beaded in her lashes, sparkling in the setting sun. If mermaids existed, she was by far the most beautiful of them all.

“Seems we are destined to reunite in the sea, Kitten.” He eased a strand of wet hair from her cheek. “Reminds me of the night you kidnapped me from HMS Viper.”

She arched a sodden brow. “You mean rescued.”

He held out a hand for her, and as she took it, her smile melted every part of him, every resistance he’d built up against this precious woman. “I love you, Reena Charlisse Hyde. I always have and I always will.”

A tear spilled down her cheek as she fell into his arms and kissed him…long and deep and more full of love than he ever remembered. Finally, he forced himself to withdraw. Yet she remained, lips parted, eyes closed, breath puffing between them as if she were in a dream she didn’t wish to end.

“What of your Fountain?” he asked.

Slowly, she opened her eyes, drew a deep breath, and gazed over the harbor. “What need have I of a Fountain when I already have eternal life with my Father in heaven?” She lowered her chin. “I hope you can forgive me, Freddy. I was wrong. I was so wrong about everything.”

Frederick could hardly contain himself. He’d been right. Praise God! “Of course, I forgive you.” He kissed her forehead and drew her against him.

“So, am I to understand from that kiss that you are not done with me yet?” she teased with a grin.

But before he could answer, a throat clearing drew both their gazes to Frederick’s father standing on shore, arms crossed over his chest, but with a smile on his face. Taking Reena’s hand in his, Frederick sloshed through the surf and onto dry sand.

“Greetings, Reena,” Kent said, studying her. “I see you’ve found your way home.”

“Aye, Sir. Better late than never.” She glanced toward the fort. “Though I had hoped to join the fight.”

“We took care of that Frenchman. Thanks to Frederick here.”

A squeal echoed over the water and Frederick spotted Charlisse heading toward them in a boat from the Redemption, looking as though she might jump into the water just as her daughter had done.

Reena stiffened beside him, and he knew ’twould be difficult for her to face the people she had so wronged over the years.

The boat struck sand, and before the sailors could settle it, Charlisse leapt out and stormed toward her daughter.

 

♥♥♥

 

The look of love on her mother's face after all Reena had done, after all her rebellion, after the years she'd kept her distance, nearly made her crumble to the sand. Despite Reena’s sodden, dripping attire, Charlisse hugged her so tight, she thought she’d squeeze all the sea from her clothes.

“My baby girl. My baby girl!” Her mother nudged her backward and examined her as if she could fix any wounds, any flaws with merely the love in her eyes.

She smelled like beauty and sunshine, her unique scent invoking memories of the way she had loved and cared for Reena when she was little. And Reena could contain her tears no longer. They came streaming down her cheeks and fell to join the sea in her shirt. “Forgive me, Mama.”

“I know. I know, dearest. I forgive you.” She shook her head, her graying blond curls blowing in the wind. “I’m just so happy to see you.” She wiped Reena’s tears with her thumb.

“What’s this? The prodigal has returned?”

Reena knew that voice—deep, resounding, and authoritative. Able to command a fleet of men and scatter a dozen pirates with nary a spark of resistance. Gathering her courage, she turned to face her father, Captain Edmund Merrick.

His jaw tight, his eyes impenetrable, he walked toward her. Lowering her gaze, she braced herself for the berating of a lifetime. Which was what she deserved. And more.

Instead, strong arms gripped her shoulders and drew her close. The unique scent of her father—musk and the sea—rekindled feelings of protection and safety.

“Precious, precious daughter. We have been praying for you.” He forced her back, his expression now one of love and acceptance.

“Oh, Papa.” She blinked back tears. “I’ve been such a fool.”

Charlisse eased an arm around Reena’s waist. “But you are home now. And looking more like a pirate, I might say, than our daughter.” One brow rose.

Freddy laughed and Reena couldn’t help but smile. “I take after you, Mother.”

Grinning, Merrick winked at his wife. “She has a point, love.”

“I have so much to tell you all.” Reena said as a bell rang from the fort. “But wait.” Her eyes shifted to Freddy, sudden fear pinching her. “You are wanted for desertion.”

He snorted. “No thanks to you.”

“Why haven’t they arrested you? You must leave immediately.” She tugged on his arm, but Freddy was looking at Captain Merrick.

“I may be a pirate-preacher,” Merrick began with a smile. “But I am still an Earl of the Realm, and one who has the ear of the Admiralty. As providence determined, a judge from the Court happened to be in Kingston, and once I explained to him the circumstances surrounding Frederick’s kidnapping”—he turned a sardonic eye toward Reena—“he absolved him of all charges. In fact, he has been released from further naval service as well. On one condition, however.”

“And what might that be?” Reena asked, suddenly concerned he may be shipped far away from her in service of the crown.

“That they could count on him and the rest of the family”—Merrick glanced at Kent and Charlisse—“to be privateers during wartime, should the need arise.”

Reena's heart felt like it would explode for the happiness that filled it.

Charlisse looped her arm through Reena’s. “Now, daughter, you must come home at once. We will plan a huge feast in your honor. Gabrielle and Alex are here, and you’ve yet to meet Juliana, Rowan, and Morgan, and of course, little Esther!” She glanced toward the Restitution. “And Isabel and Freddy’s brothers and sisters as well. Oh, ’tis too good to be true. My family is all together at last!”

Reena kissed her mother’s cheek. “I cannot wait.” Yet… she paused and looked up at Freddy. How she longed to hear his answer to her question, to know whether there was a chance for them to be together. True, he had kissed her. Quite passionately in fact. But he’d also done so when he’d been determined to leave her.

Charlisse glanced at Frederick and back at Reena, then nudged her husband away. “We’ll meet you at the house.”

Merrick’s brow furrowed. “But why not take them with us now? We have fresh attire at home.”

“Come now, husband.” Charlisse winked at Reena over her shoulder as she all but dragged Merrick and Kent away.

Drawing a deep breath, Reena faced Freddy. Water still dripped from his hair onto an open collared shirt, whose tie strings flapped in the breeze. Sodden breeches clung to his muscular legs as he shifted his bare feet in the sand.

“You never answered my question,” she said.

“What question was that?”

“Whether you are done with me or not.” She couldn’t look at him, didn’t want to see the answer on his face before he spoke. “And truly I don’t blame you after all I’ve put you through. Also, you must know I didn’t turn back to God because—”

Freddy’s lips covered hers. Not just covered but consumed like a man long deprived of his most valuable treasure.

Minutes passed. Minutes in which the warmth inside her grew to a ball of flaming heat that spread through every ounce of her, making her yearn all the more to be a part of him. Finally, he withdrew. His breath filled the air between them as he lifted her chin with his finger until their eyes were but inches apart—those stark green eyes of his examining every speck of her face. A strand of dark hair dangled over his stubbled jaw. Reena couldn’t breathe.

“Kitten, how can I be done with someone whom I’m asking to be my wife?”

“Wife...wife…” She stuttered, her thoughts spinning. She started to wobble, but Freddy steadied her with a touch. “Are you asking…?” Dare she hope? Dare she dream?

He lowered to one knee, took her hand, and placed a kiss upon it. “I am.”

“Yes! Yes! Forever yes!” She pulled him up and leapt into his arms, and together they whirled around, laughing.

Was it possible to die from happiness? If so, she was in grave danger. But this was the kind of danger she could get used to. And what an adventure it would be—living with this man, loving this man, and serving a God who made all their dreams come true.