Free Rapture's Tempest by Bobbi Smith Page B

now?”
    “No,” came his curt answer.
    Delight had a great desire to stick her tongue out at him, but she fought back the thought. As she busied herself picking up his cabin the way Ollie had instructed her to the day before, Delight studied him covertly. Even early in the morning he was impressive. And, though his mood could hardly be called jovial, his presence was, as always, commanding.
    Though Delight knew very little about him as a man, she felt an instinctive wariness that she credited to female intuition. There was no doubt in her mind that Jim Westlake was in charge of every part of his life and that he would brook no foolishness from those around him.
    “Murphy.”
    He startled her and she almost jumped as she was straightening his bunk.
    “Yes, sir?” she gulped.
    “That can wait. Go on down to the galley and get your breakfast.”
    “I don’t mind, Captain,” she protested dutifully. “I’d just as soon get this done now.”
    “Murphy—” his tone was threatening as he turned to look at her. “The cook only serves breakfast until five thirty. Now get the hell down there unless you intend to go without eating until noon.”
    She didn’t even bother to answer but bolted from the room.
    Jim watched her go and half-smiled to himself. Murphy had possibilities—he was eager to please and, according to Ollie, a fast learner. If he made it through the week, Jim was certain he would have a future with the ship. He made a mental note to get to know the boy better during these next days on the river and then turned his attention to his meal.
    Delight entered the galley a bit timidly, but Ollie was already there waiting for her.
    “How did your night go with the captain?” he inquired.
    “Fine. I was asleep when he finally came in last night. What time did we leave St. Louis? I was so tired I slept through the whole thing.”
    “It must have been two thirty or so before we actually shoved off. The captain was up all night again.”
    Delight nodded in understanding. “Then that explains it.”
    “Explains what?”
    “He woke me at four to get his breakfast for him. But you told me yesterday that he usually eats at five thirty.”
    “That’s on a normal day. When we’re leaving port it’s hard to tell when we’ll get time to eat. So always remember to grab what ever food you can, whenever you can, ’cause you just might have to miss a meal here and there.”
    Delight nodded as she ate the hearty breakfast set before her.
    “It’ll be hard to keep up with the captain for a while, but you’ll learn. And once you get the hang of it, you’ll know what he wants before he asks for it.”
    “I’m looking forward to that day,” she grinned, forcing herself to eat like a half-starved, still-growing young boy.
    “Just relax and try to stay out of his way.”
    “I’ll do my best,” she promised.
    They finished their meal in quiet and then returned to their respective duties.
    It was still dark as Delight made her way back up to the texas deck. There was no moon, only a morning star shining palely in the distant heavens. A chill of fear swept through her as the realization came over her that she really had severed ties with her home and that she was truly all alone. She felt lonely and bereft and wished that there was someone she could talk to…someone who cared. Rose did, but she would be defenseless against Martin’s brutality. Delight knew then that there was no one left she could turn to. She had to rely only upon herself.
    Her thoughts turned to her mother, and she said a quick prayer that her health was improving. Then, after adding a plea for guidance and protection, she squared her shoulders and prepared to return to Jim’s cabin.
    Delight was hoping against hope that the captain would be gone when she got back. His presence made her jittery and unsure of herself, and she found it difficult to concentrate when he was nearby. She was not to be given a reprieve, though, for when she