to tie at the dock, she left her black zodiac tied up a few feet away. They’d take it to the ship.
“No way. It’s a pirate ship.” Emma’s eyes went wide with excitement.
Everyone held the same stunned expression and started talking at once, telling her what a great ship, they couldn’t wait to go aboard. She looked down at Emma.
“Ready to be a pirate?”
“Yep.”
“Great. Pirates who don’t know how to swim and are five years old wear life vests at all times. Even on the ship, you have to keep it on. If you don’t wear it, we can’t go. Pirate ship rules.”
Marti waited for the little girl to decide. It only took a second. Cameron put the vest on her, silently mouthed thank you to Marti, and they all boarded the zodiac and Marti took them to the ship.
“Okay, Cameron, Sam, Jack, we’ll head toward the Farallon Islands. Let’s see if we can catch some salmon.”
She brought out the fishing poles and got a lot of oohs and aahs over the equipment. The ship was fully stocked, the equipment top of the line.
Shelly had taken note of everything on the ship, from the leather sectional and antique furnishings to the lavishly decorated cabins below. She didn’t have much to say about the stainless steel appliances in the galley, but she did take note of the elaborately stocked bar.
Impressed with the crew onboard, she had a good time ordering them to get her a drink, or move a chair on deck for her.
Pissed off, Marti put up with it for Emma’s sake. She’d probably have to give the crew a bonus for putting up with the snob.
She set Emma up with a fishing rod and made her stand next to Cameron. She was safe enough, but accidents happened and Marti didn’t want to take any chances with her.
They had a successful morning fishing. All the men pulled in a fair number of salmon. The fish were on ice and Marti had just put out lunch for everyone on the front deck. She made Emma a turkey sandwich, some fruit salad, and chips. Shelly insisted on taking her meal at the table below deck, so Cameron went down to eat with her.
It was a wonderful lunch with everyone talking and having a good time. She liked Jack and Sam. They were warm and kind. Even Captain Finn enjoyed the men’s company, and most especially Emma. He relished telling her a number of very tall pirate tales. They all listened and laughed. Emma was having a grand time.
“Sugar Bug, you stay with your uncles and Captain Finn. I’m going to see if your dad and Shelly would like some more lunch.”
“I’ll come with you, Marti. I need a word.”
Marti noted the concern in Captain Finn’s voice. “All right.”
They went below deck. Shelly and Cameron were not in the main living space. One of the cabin doors was closed and she frowned.
“What did you need?”
Sound carried on the ship, and he didn’t want anyone overhearing what he had to say. He’d watched her and the people she’d brought onboard. One thing was clear. She had a thing for Cameron, and although he’d brought the wench with him, he clearly wanted Marti.
He watched Marti when she wasn’t looking, and she did the same to Cameron. He’d overheard the wench say she was having Cameron’s baby and they were getting married. It bothered him, because he’d watched her to make sure she didn’t make any more rude comments or snide remarks to Marti. Every word out of her mouth pissed him off more.
He put his hands on Marti’s shoulders, pulled her to him, and whispered in her ear. She immediately put her hands on his arms to keep herself steady on the moving ship.
“That wench who came onboard with Cameron has been drinking. She’s half-crocked between the vodka-cranberry juice and too much sun.”
Marti studied Captain Finn and saw the serious look in his eyes. “You’re sure?”
“Oh, yes. I’m sure.”
“She swore to Cameron she’s pregnant.”
“I doubt it. If she is, she should be drowned. I’ve caught her three times sneaking down here to add vodka to her juice.”
He was still holding her and whispering in her ear when the door creaked open behind them.
Marti turned her head, eyes connecting with Cameron’s. Shirtless, guilt written all over his face, he slipped out of the cabin.
Shelly called, “Come back, darling,” in a sultry tone that made her heart shatter.