Free Sail With Me (A Discovery Series Book) by Christy Major Page A

noticed the shadows of McShane’s ships coming down
on him. The larger boats forced his smaller one onto a hidden reef where the
hull was ripped to shreds. Aidan’s ship sunk within moments, he along with it.
He was never heard from again.”
    “What happened to Janie?” I had to know.
    “Now that’s the question, Charlie, isn’t it?” He shrugged. “It’s said
that she never married anyone though there was no shortage of askers. Janie
wandered the shores, seeking some sign of Aidan coming back to her.
    “Her father could not stand what he had done and when Lord McShane came
to take Janie as his bride, her father could not give her away. Angered at not
getting what he wanted, McShane prepared to kidnap Janie and take her away from
Ireland. Just as he was about to grab her off the docks, a wild seagull dove
down from the skies and made such a commotion that McShane fell and crashed his
skull on the docks before falling to his death into the sea.
    “I’m told Janie’s ghost still scours the shores of Ireland at night,
calling for Aidan, her love. Sometimes…”
    Captain Finley’s voice went to a barely audible whisper.
    “… if you listen real close…”
    He put his fingers to his lips and looked directly at me.
    I leaned in closer.
    “… you can still hear her calling…”
    “AIDAN!” All at once, every crewmember, men and boys alike aside from me,
screamed Aidan’s name.
    I shrieked at their yell and Daniel’s simultaneous poke to my ribs. My
heart shot up into my throat and beat like a wild drum. Fortunately, my shout
was drowned by the boisterous laughter of all the crew. Daniel laughed so hard
he had tears streaming down his face.
    My first instinct was to be angry at their trick, but that emotion
fizzled as I looked around at their smiling faces.
    “Welcome, Charlie,” Captain Finley managed around gasps of his own
laughter.
    “We tells that story to all the new fishies,” Timmy screeched as he held
his sides and doubled over for another fit of giggling. “Remember when you got
me, Jonah?”
    “Charlie, you screamed louder than any of us ever did.” Daniel wiped at
his eyes with his shirt. “It’s how you become one of us.”
    “I’m sure there’s an easier way than giving a chap an awful fright.” My
heartbeat returned to its regular rhythm. 
    Daniel slung his arm around my shoulders. “I’m sure there is, but it
wouldn’t be nearly as fun.”

Chapter
Nine
     
    As I lay in my corner of the tent, I listened to the breathing of the
others all asleep and dreaming by now. I rolled to my side to get more
comfortable, but a foul and pungent odor invaded my nostrils. This afternoon’s
work sanding the hull boards plus the scorching sun and my soaked tunic created
a scent I’d never smelled on myself. I had to do something. There would be no
sleeping with this vulgar aroma wafting about me. I wasn’t accustomed to stinking.
    I would have to visit the shore. Right now. Under the cover of night. Rolling
up an extra tunic and breeches from my sack, I rose to my feet. I brushed aside
the tent’s door flap and slithered into the darkness of a moonlit night.
    I scurried along the sand until my feet hit the cool water of the ocean.
After glancing around and finding no one, I backed up out of the ankle deep
water and slipped off my soiled breeches and tunic. Dropping them into a small
pile on the sand separate from my fresh garments, I pulled the pillow off as
well and tossed that with Eric’s clothing. The main source of my unpleasant
odor emanated from the pillow, and I was glad to be rid of it.
    With another glance back to camp, I dove into the ocean. The refreshing
water caressed my warm skin as it licked away the grime, sawdust, and stench of
the day’s work. I swam for several seconds under the surface and let the water
surround me. I enjoyed being female if only for a few moments as I cut lithely
through the water. This adventure would be unfolding differently if I were
allowed to