Chapter 10
Ten
Her Caribbean blue eyes had filled with concern when Rhys informed her that he intended to leave.
He was concerned as well. Precaution was always needed when going into Fort-de-France because he had no idea what might have changed since he had last visited. But he needed to gather supplies and not just food for them to eat.
“Why are you waiting?” Tempest asked as she joined him by the water.
“You cannot be out here,” he reminded her. They were in the open and French soldiers could once again come looking for turtles.
She glanced around. “Yes, of course,” Tempest acknowledged as she quickly retreated to the tree line.
“Why are you waiting to go into Fort-de-France? What if you arrive after the markets close?”
“I will arrive just in time,” he answered. “At the same time as I have in the past.” It was another reason why he hadn’t wanted to go earlier—to keep with his routine.
“I usually visit Fort-de-France once every sennight or ten days. I shop for food. I then go to the tavern where I spend the night drinking.”
“This is not a time to get deep in your cups!”
Rhys shook his head. “You have so little faith in me.”
“It is a reasonable warning.”
“I do not drink as much as people think but I do sit and listen.”
“To what?”
“Officers who share more and more information in their conversation the drunker they become.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh.”
“Yes, ‘Oh.’ I do not go there to get drunk.”
“I apologize for thinking you were irresponsible.”
“Apology accepted.” He grinned. “When it is late enough, I will leave. In the past, I have scouted around the docks and then Fort Desaix. However, tonight, after I have gathered food and information, I plan on stealing what I need to fix the boat.”
“You cannot bring all that back with you.”
“I have little choice.”
“I could go with you.”
“No!”
“I would remain hidden.”
He dropped the fishing pole and marched to where she was standing. “I will not risk your life or safety. It is too dangerous. You will stay here.”
She stilled and looked up at him, fear in her eyes. He had expected defiance since Tempest did not like to be told what to do. Instead, he read capitulation.
“I will remain here,” she offered quietly. “But I will still worry.”
He relaxed at her statement. “You should not need to. I have done this dozens of times since I arrived. If I keep to the same routine, there will be no concerns.”
She reached out for his hand. “Still, please be careful.”
In that moment he wanted nothing more than to kiss her, but now was not the time. “I will.”
“I shall leave you.” She then slipped away and Rhys continued fishing until he had enough to feed everyone and planned how he would gather everything he needed and how to bring it all back.
* * *
Tempest did not only pace in the hut, and on the terrasse, but all around the house as well. She had tried to sleep but each time she lay down, her mind filled with images of Rhys being captured or shot, and she finally gave up.
As dawn began to break, she finally made coffee, knowing that he would want some when he returned…if he returned.
He must because she wasn’t certain what they would do. She could not go into the town for eggs and bread, though she could learn to fish…but those were minor concerns. They needed Rhys to help protect them.
At that thought, she stopped and sank down on the steps of the terrasse.
She did need him. They all needed him, but it wasn’t just for safety, she rather liked him as well.
He had almost kissed her.
Why hadn’t he?
Oh, that was easy enough to answer. She’d been an unpleasant shrew since he arrived and found them here.
She’d kicked him out of his house and took away his rum, all in the protection of her sisters when he really had done nothing that could harm them.
He had actually saved them, twice, and he helped set up a place for them to hide if necessary and she had not even thanked him.
She would do that, just as soon as he returned.
Without him, they would have likely starved by now too.
Tempest stood again, too agitated to sleep.
“Oh, where is he?” she asked out to the ocean, not expecting an answer.
“Right behind you.”
Tempest whipped around, so happy to see Rhys back and uninjured that she did not pause to think about her actions and rushed forward and wrapped her arms about him. “I am so relieved that you are back.”
Rhys chuckled and pulled her close. “If I knew that this would be the reception that I would receive, I would have left days ago.”
She pulled back and looked at him. “That is not funny. I was worried and imagined the most horrible things happening to you.”
“They did not and all is well,” he assured her, his green eyes warm, and his smile calming. “And I brought eggs and bread and…
Food that they had needed and wanted. Tempest let go of him and went in search of the food.
“I rather liked what we were just doing.”
Her face heated. She’d never been impulsive with her affection. In fact, she usually did not show affection at all. It was not proper.
“Yes, well, I was overcome,” she offered as an excuse as she picked up the crate of food.
“I really have no objection,” he said.
Tempest said nothing because she was rather embarrassed, but she had liked having her arms around him, especially when he drew her close. It had been instant and automatic.
Thank goodness he had not pushed her away because that would have been beyond humiliating.
He followed her into the hut. “I hope we can have eggs for breakfast. I too am sick of coconuts, berries and passion fruit.”
She smiled. “Of course, and I have already brewed coffee.”
His green eyes warmed. “Thank you. That was considerate.”
“No, thank you,” she said. “I apologize for being difficult when we were the ones who had invaded your home. Thank you for trying to keep us safe when it has not been easy.”
“It really has not been so difficult,” Rhys admitted. “I rather like having you around.”
Her faced heated and she hoped it was her and not that he had lived so long without company that anyone would do.
Uncomfortable with the confession, she busied herself with unpacking the crate. “Did you have any difficulties?”
He then went on to tell her how everything had gone as he had planned from his purchases, a meal at the tavern and listening for information, which was no different than before.
The blockade was difficult for everyone on the island and the French were waiting for the British to attack or go away.
And, it had been fairly easy to sneak around the port for the wood and tar. ”
“What of a hammer and nails?”
“I already have those. Purchased them when I had to make a few repairs here.”
She frowned and turned to him. “How did you manage to bring everything back? You could not have carried everything.”
“I may have also taken a discarded, at least I hope it was, wheelbarrow and filled it with everything and pushed it through the forest.”
“Well, I hope you were not seen,” she scolded.
“I was not. Those who were supposed to be on duty were not very good at keeping watch.”
“Will you start on the boat today?”
“After I have eaten and slept,” he answered. “I was awake all night, remember?”
Her face heated again because she should have been more considerate of his time and exhaustion.
“A good meal and then we will not disturb you.” Tempest then looked around the hut, feeling guilty for the first time for taking his home. “We can be outside if you would like to sleep in the bed.”
Rhys pulled back. “You were that worried about me?”
Tempest looked away and put some eggs in a bowl. “Maybe.”