Page 127 of Stilettos & Secrets on the 7 Seas

Ace leaned against the railing and waved vigorously at Black Bard. “I’m going to miss that pirate.”

“You mean, smuggler.” I winked at him. “Don’t forget, Marvin is waiting for you at home.”

“Maybe I’m not ready for wedding bells just yet.” Ace pulled a rope, unfurling a sail to catch the wind, and sighed.

“A man of the town.” I held tight to my rope as instructed by Rowan.

“Past and present.” Ace gave me a cheeky grin and secured his knot.

Max made another quick jump just north of Florida to Charles Town. The sun lifted her rays and stretched coppery hues along the horizon.

We focused on the tip of land that jutted out from the mainland. The house perched on it was like one of the paintings in the hold.

We dropped anchor, Rowan smiling so large I couldn’t help but smile, too. I looked in the direction of his gaze. A woman stood at the edge of the water. Her dark hair blew in the wind as she waved, the baby bump visible under her dress.

“How long have you been gone?” Sasha asked Rowan.

“Four moons,” Rowan said, not taking his eyes off the woman.

“Looks like yer bairn’s already cooking.” Caiyan shifted to help the men lower the anchor.

Rowan wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “’Tis true. I’m to be a da.”

“And a good one, too.” Max beamed.

We helped Rowan unload his portion of the treasure. He refused to take it all, explaining that he’d have a hard time selling paintings that obviously came off the Spanish ships.

“Any last words, witch?” He squeezed me in a playful hug.

“Don’t be too hard on your son when he screws up.” And, I thought, maybe he won’t turn out to be such a dick to his own son.

“So ’tis a boy I’m havin’, yeah?” Rowan grinned wide. I didn’t have the heart or the authorization to tell him his only son squanders the family fortune and becomes the dad of one of our founding fathers.

Who knows, maybe his fate would change. I only had to jump home to find out.

We gave Rowan and Max time alone on the beach, then rowed back to theSea Storm. I looked away when Max swiped tears from his face and wiped away a few of my own.

Once we were back on the ship, we sailed away from the island to make the jump. We had organized the cargo hold into treasure, furniture, art, and urns. I found Sasha studying a painting in the art section. She startled at my approach, slid the canvas into the middle of the ones leaning against the wall and stepped back to admire the one in front.

I peered over her shoulder at a rather dashing knight in full armor. “It’s amazing these weren’t damaged. They’re magnificent and probably worth a fortune.”

“The leather wrapping kept them pristine,” Marco said, joining us. He looked at the knight, then at Sasha. “I hope you’re not planning to look him up.”

Sasha squealed as Marco yanked her into his arms and kissed her. A touch of jealousy burned in my gut, but when my journey as a time traveler began, I’d given my heart to Caiyan, and there was no getting it back. Of course, there would always be that littlewhat-ifprick where Marco was concerned.

Ace shouted down to us. “Jump time, bitches.”

Marco released Sasha and she gave the hold a glance, stopping again on the paintings, then looked up at Marco. “Well, lover, it’s time for me to say good-bye.”

“Say what?” Marco’s mouth dropped open. Sasha grabbed him by the shirt and pressed a kiss to his lips. Marco turned the kiss into one I’m unsure I could’ve walked away from.

Sasha broke free, flush-faced, smiling wide. “As much as I’d like to stay and steer you back to your secret lair with all this pirate booty, I’ve got places to be.”

She scrambled up the ladder. We scurried after her, catching up just as she dove headfirst off the bowsprit like an Olympic diver going for gold. We rushed over to see her backstroke toward a metal whale.

Marco leaned over the side and called out, “I see you.”

“There you are!” Sasha shouted, climbing on top of her minisub.

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