Free Through the Maelstrom by Rebekah Lewis

sounded too good to be true, it was probably a scam.
    Mrs. Baker sputtered from her front row seat to their drama. How had he duped that kind lady into playing along with him? Or was she his accomplice, helping him with his con, sharing in the profit? The woman opened her mouth, but Serena cut her off a second time.
    "No. You can talk him up all you want, but I am not sitting here and buying it." She scowled at Christophe. "Good luck using that trick on the next dumb woman you single out on a cruise. Just because I'm alone and vulnerable doesn't mean I'm a moron. I don't even have much money to steal. This trip was a birthday gift!"
    She spun on her heels and stormed out of the restaurant, her traitorous stomach growling and making her wish she'd had the mind to at least ask for a to-go plate. She was not returning to do so. She didn't expect to see Christophe or Mrs. Baker again for the remainder of the trip. Now that she was on to them, she'd report them to the cruise line and ensure they didn't prey upon the next woman to fall for that romance novel hogwash.
    As she neared the beach, the crew member who had removed Christophe from the hall in front of her door approached, looking grim. She'd tell him and have it done with once and for all. Then she would collect her items, find food, and retreat to the ship to avoid people. As far as she was concerned, her trip was over. She wanted to go home where no men bothered her or affected her strongly enough to make her want to buy into a load of crap because it sounded like a fairytale. Too bad there was no such thing.

Chapter Five
    "T hat went well," Christophe muttered dryly. He should have gone after her, but something told him she needed to be alone for the moment. He could respect that and knew firsthand how impossible it all sounded. If he'd been the one in her place, he'd not believe him either. It was easier as the one who crossed time to accept such things.
    Mrs. Baker gave him a sad smile. "She'll come around, but you have to admit—it's a lot to take in, and the girl is right to have reservations. Come to think of it, maybe we were a bit hasty. If she accepted your story outright, do you know how easy it would be to take advantage of her?"
    He wasn't sure how dangerous this new century was for a woman without a man to protect her, but if females were given more independence as Mrs. Baker explained the night before, then maybe Serena would be all right so long as she stayed ever-cautious. People took advantage of those who appeared meek and helpless, men especially. Serena was a strong-willed, skittish female, but he would win her heart, one way or another. It wouldn't be easy though.
    How strange life could be. A day ago he was escaping pirates, leaving that life behind. Now he was in a new time, trying to court a woman who may be his soulmate. A vast improvement, but in a way he had more to lose than before. If she was his soulmate, and he couldn't win her, would any other woman ever measure up? He doubted it. Even before he'd been told she was fated, he'd felt the draw to her. Knew there was something there, that she was unique to him.
    Josiah Baker entered the dining establishment, and he didn't seem to be pleased to see them. He was once again in uniform, but he'd not worn the black noise box again. "You'll never guess what happened as I was on my way here," he commented as he sat in Serena's discarded chair.
    Oh, Christophe could guess. She'd likely marched right up to the first person she saw who worked on the ship and told them she was being targeted by thieves. He liked that his woman had sense, and it made him want her more. Perhaps it was the chase itself, he wasn't sure.
    "The lady you're trying to win over thinks I should have you taken into custody for stalking, fraud, not paying for a ticket, sexual harassment, and manhandling. She also says I should arrest my mother for aiding and abetting. You're lucky I don't have to wear a nametag or she'd have added