Belle and the Pirate by Vivienne Savage

Author:Vivienne Savage
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Payne & Taylor

Chapter

THE CREW OF the Jolly Roger enjoyed two days of relaxation before they set to the task of unloading the ship. The canons were the toughest challenge, having to be unloaded and ferried to the shore one at a time on the island barges, until Tink offered to make them lighter with her fairy dust. It filled her with a profound sense of belonging and satisfaction to aid them.

Despite Tink’s desire to return to Cairn Ocland, relief flooded her when she overheard James’s decision to careen the ship on the shores of Neverland for no less than a week during repairs. Working together, the crew and the islanders hauled the enormous pirate vessel onto the beach. Once the low tide swept out, the ship remained stranded on the damp sand, her hull infested with barnacles and all variety of sea life.

“You’ll help, won’t you?” Patrick asked.

“Of course!”

With her aid, the projected week for scraping away barnacles and replacing damaged wood became four days. Fearing James would whisk them away earlier, she slowed her work to a crawl until the amused captain caught on and assured her they would remain beyond their task’s completion.

He’d promised the crew two weeks, after all, and wasn’t so cruel to order them away ahead of schedule.

During the nights, they enjoyed the hospitality of Tiger Lily’s home. She strung an additional hammock for James and created a fairy-sized bed within a shell lined with soft feathers and a small square of silk. She wasn’t so bad after all, Tink decided. Of course, it was easier to be nice to the woman now that she knew James wasn’t interested.

A small inkling of guilt slipped into Tink’s conscience. Who was she to deny James a chance at happiness with another woman? As much as she cared for him, loved him, she understood in her heart that she could never be with him. And that fact made her heart break, because, more than anything, she wanted to be that woman.

“Will you come join us for the celebration tonight?” Tiger Lily asked, jarring Tink from her musings.

“What celebration?”

While Tiger Lily couldn’t understand her speech, the woman still had a knack for guessing what she said.

“Once they get the Jolly Roger back in the water, and at least two of the canons on board, they always enjoy a bonfire and dancing on the beach,” the town leader said. “Then they finish loading it over the remaining days. We’ve had pigs roasting in their pits since dawn.”

Tink licked her lips, and her belly growled in hungry anticipation, causing Tiger Lily to giggle.

“I’ll take that as a yes. Perhaps you’d be willing to help me string flowers with the children?”

They spent the afternoon stringing garlands in the meeting house. The fragrant blossoms perfumed the large space with heady scents, and the children laughed and threw petals at one another. Thrilled to see Tootles among the little ones, Tink settled in place at his side. By the time the sun began to set, they’d made hundreds of necklaces.

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