Hidden Michael by Victoria Pinder

Author:Victoria Pinder
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Love in a Book

Chapter 13

Sophie checked her hair in the small bathroom mirror. Isabelle moaned with fear and Sophie darted out of the downstairs bunk to rush up the flight of stairs.

She threw open the door and saw Abigail hugged Isi while Emily stared out the window at another ship in the far distance.

Sophie passed the little ones, though she squeezed Isabelle’s shoulder gently.

Emily turned. Her face was white when she asked, “Sophie, what’s that other ship?”

Oh goodness. Emily must be afraid that it was the men who had almost kidnapped her. Sophie’s skin felt alive and alert too as she looked. She swallowed and said, “Well… I don’t know but Michael went to find out. We’re to stay indoors.”

“I’m scared,” Emily said.

Sophie hugged her sister and held her tight.

Behind them Isi’s soft moan meant she felt the same as Emily. Sophie backed them up and pulled the two little ones in the hug as she said, “No more late night movies about pirates for any of you.”

Isabelle broke their group hug first. “Pirates and not the men from yesterday?”

Sophie shrugged as Emily fixed her face without looking behind her at the other ship.

Bernadette walked in the door and nodded at the four of them.

Sophie realized if they didn’t do something, her sisters’ anxiety and her own would ratchet higher. So she went to the sideboard where there was a pile of games. She pulled out one box and said, “Honestly, I don’t know what’s happening outside. Let’s play a board game. Michael will come and tell us if there is anything to worry about.”

Isabelle shook her head at Sophie’s suggestion and picked up a deck of cards instead. “Bernadette, do you want to play?”

Bernadette joined them at the nearest table. “Sure. I’m good at cards.”

Isabelle returned the box to Sophie and helped her sister Abby steady herself in her seat.

Sophie realized she’d been outvoted so she joined them at the table at the same time Emily did.

Bernadette shuffled with one finger holding the entire deck in her hands, like this was a magic trick instead of a deal. Isabelle’s eyes widened. “How did you deal like that?”

Bernadette lowered her hand but shuffled more like a dealer in Vegas. “I was a professional. It’s how I supported myself for years.”

Clearly, she’d had an interesting life. Still did, working for Michael.

Abigail asked, “Can you teach us a few tricks?”

“Sure.” Bernadette winked at her and then quietly said like she was sharing a secret when she dealt cards. “Hold the cards like this, so no one can see your hand, sweetie.”

Something dropped off their ship and splashed in the water beside them. Sophie’s head jerked as she tried to make it out. “What was that?”

A second after she’d finished her question, whatever was in the water made a huge splash, pushing water up in the air like a spout.

Bernadette continued to shuffle and hand out cards. “Sounds like defensive maneuvers. Don’t worry, the captain is highly trained and one of the few private captains who’s been in marine battles.

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