Ship of Dreams by Hiatt Brenda

Author:Hiatt, Brenda [Hiatt, Brenda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Brenda Hiatt Barber
Published: 2010-12-14T16:00:00+00:00

* * *

Another beautiful day dawned, and at nine o'clock the Central America steamed out of the Havana harbor to resume its journey to New York. Della watched the colorful city recede with some regret, wondering if she'd ever again be as happy as she'd been last night.

In less than a week they would reach New York—perhaps in as few as five days, if the weather continued as fine as it had been. Once there, everything would change—and not, she feared, for the better.

"Penny for your thoughts," said Kent, coming up just then to stand by her side at the rail.

"Oh, I was just thinking over the past week and realizing what a lucky woman I am." She turned to give him a smile and a kiss. "If you had been any other sort of man, I might have spent the past two weeks and more in irons, and now be on my way back to San Francisco to stand trial."

Kent glanced around in alarm, but relaxed when he saw no one was within earshot. "I doubt they even have irons on these luxury ships," he said with a grin. "But if you want to cast me as heroic rescuer, I won't quibble."

"Good. Because I do." The light breeze ruffled their hair, and Della thought Kent looked handsomer than ever. For an instant, however, she had another foreboding that their days together were numbered. On impulse, she kissed him again, even though they stood in full view on the deck.

Though he looked a bit startled, he was quick to respond. "After the big breakfast we just had, I'm in the mood for a nap," he said then, his golden eyes twinkling. "How about you?"

"Absolutely," she agreed, and they returned to their cabin for some more precious time alone.

In spite of the lovely weather, they spent most of the day closeted away from the others. Della had no illusions about why their lovemaking had taken on such urgency. Though he didn't say so, clearly Kent felt as uncertain of their future as she did. For now, however, that only heightened their passion and made for a pleasurable, if tiring, day.

They agreed to a turn on the deck before dinner, which they were to take at the captain's table, along with the Eastons and a few other passengers. The moment they stepped out of the stairway, Della noticed the breeze.

"Oh, that feels lovely! I can't say I regret how we've spent the day—" she gave Kent's arm a squeeze—"but it certainly is cool and comfortable out here."

"Almost makes me wish we could open a window in our room to freshen the air," he agreed.

She laughed. "Almost. But we'd want to close it in a hurry if saltwater accompanied the breeze, I think."

Most of the other passengers were also on deck, enjoying the unaccustomed breeze after so many days in the tropical heat. The sunset was spectacular, turning both sky and sea crimson. Della vaguely recalled that this was supposed to be a weather omen of some sort, and asked Kent about it.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.