Page 58 of Touch My Shelves

“My great-grandfather built it for Buccaneer Days almost a hundred years ago. We have to repair and replace through the years, but she’s a beauty. I’m trying to get my dad to add excursions on her during tourist season.”

“That’s a great idea. I’d pay to ride.”

“But then again, my mom would probably make us wear these silly costumes, and honestly the frilly neck thing is getting old. I don’t so much mind the sword,” he says as he pulls the shiny silver sabre from the leather scabbard at his waist.

I pat the plastic sword at my side and grin. Yeah, there’s a reason mine isn’t real.

I agree. The costumes, while aesthetically say pirate, actually say uncomfortable and scratchy. The costume Naudi made me is much more wearable, but according to the mayor’s wife, didn’t “scream period.”

But I don’t care. My eyes narrow back in on our destination. The deep-water dock is growing closer, but not close enough for me. Poppy is on that dock and I need to get to her.

“You nervous?” Bode asks.

I tug at the lace tied into a noose at my throat. “Yeah, man. Weren’t you?”

His eyes go glassy and he nods as he confesses, “Terrified.”

A bell rings, an actual iron bell attached to the rigging of the ship. The mayor steps up onto a barrel and clears his throat. “Okay, everyone, places! Remember the order in which we disembark, then scour those docks for just the right wench to spirit away! Might I remind you of the thirty-minute time limit. Be back on board before we cast off with our bounty of maidens.”

Bode snorts at themaidencomment and I grin. Yeah, that boat has probably sailed as far as the female population of Faire Island is concerned.

We’re closer now and I can make out some of the folks waiting. I search for Poppy, but I can’t spot her purple hair anywhere.

Naudi and the guys are supposed to have her on the dock. I wipe sweat from my forehead and reseat the tricorn hat on my head. There are so many things that could go wrong.

Mayor Young continues, “This year, due to past years of lackluster and slow casting off, Blake Murphy will be towing us out of the marina with his fishing boat.”

A cheer goes up. I imagine that’s been a problem. Slowly, we sail into the marina and directions are given to lower sails and raise another sail, and ever so gently we slide against the dock. I’m searching the crowd and still can’t find anyone I should be seeing, but there’s so many people below us.

Just as we were directed, we wait for the signal. Which I’m told I can’t miss…

Boom!

A deafening noise and a plume of black smoke makes everyone aboard jump. I can just imagine what it’s doing to the folks waiting on and near the docks. Screams fill the air just as Mayor Young yells, “Bring me back a prime bounty, mates! All hands ashore!”

Then it’s mass chaos, but as soon as it’s my turn and my feet touch the dock, all the screams and running feet stop on cue. The crowd parts and there she is. She’s smiling and looking around curiously at everyone moving away. When she looks up and sees me, her smile widens.

Naudi has outdone herself with Poppy’s costume. I thought the first one she made was great, but Naudi informed me Poppy would need aproperladies’ costume, a dress that Lady Outlander would wear. I’d say she hit the mark. It’s a dark emerald green with a lace-up corset and a black underskirt with complimentary trims. There’s a white chemise under the corset that ends in flouncy sleeves and a dangerously low neckline.

With a swagger in my step, I head towards my intended target and I’m bending to hoist her over my shoulder when a little mini-pirate, plastic sword drawn, steps in front of Poppy. Freeya plays her part flawlessly.

In a deep, scratchy, British accent, she declares, “There’s nothing for you here, you vile, marauding pirate. Be gone with you!”

I draw my sword and growl. “I’ll take my bounty, you mangy mongrel, and I want her.”

“The Lady Poppy is under my protection. The only way you will get to her is through me.”

Here Freeya stops and breaks character. She looks up at Poppy and says, “Because I love her.”

Poppy’s hands whip to her mouth as her eyes fill with tears. “I love you too, Freeya,” she says softly.

Poppy looks at me and I feel her love surround me. Love not only for me, but also for my daughter.

I know I have lines I’m supposed to say, and I know that Freeya and I are supposed to duel it out. Sorry to disappoint, but the emotions of the moment catch me off-guard and I walk slowly up to her and drop to a knee.

“Brax, what are you doing?” she asks nervously.

“I’m asking the Lady Poppy for her hand in marriage,” I say gruffly while pulling a ring box from my boot. I snap it open and the brilliant diamonds shine in the sunlight.

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