Free The Cursed Doubloon by B.T. Love

Chaser , living among a cursed father and his drunken crew.”
    “ The Fog Chaser ,” I scoffed. “Did I ever tell you the reason he gave it that name?”
    “No, I don’t believe you did.”
    “Because it’s always surrounded by fog, supposedly. There have been plenty of times when the ship has sailed or docked without fog surrounding it. But my crazy father still imagines it as another sign of the curse, blocking his view from the dangers of the sea so his ship will capsize and he will never find his hidden treasure.”
    “Oh, that’s just a harmless fantasy, isn’t it?”
    I stopped measuring and crossed my arms. “Are you taking his side on the matter?”
    “No,” he chuckled, “I just think it’s an inoffensive part of his imagination working hard at trying to cope with his misfortune in life. I’m sure he is struggling in his mind with the death of your mother and his curse just as much as you are.”
    “I know,” I sighed while casting my eyes down at the floor; I could feel the tears start to well up. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to come off as not caring about him or anyone else on this ship for that matter. I’ve just struggled so much with my mother’s death and my father’s decline—”
    “Hey,” he hushed while hooking his arm around my back and pulling me against his chest. “Don’t be sad, Grace. What you are going through is a lot to handle.”
    The tears rolled down my cheeks and ran onto his skin. He was warm and his touch was protective and comforting, making me relax in his hold. Ladarius was the only man who had ever made me feel completely at ease in his embrace. I treasured him for it.
    I gathered my emotions and looked up at his charming face. “Well, I guess it’s time I continue on with my measurements.” Stepping back, I looked down at the area that was covered by the blanket. “I need to measure your waist.”
    He lowered the blanket to below his navel.
    “Is that low enough for you?”
    “Uh,” was the first word I could push out of my mouth. “Yes, yes . . . that should be fine.” I wrapped the tape around his waist and brought it back to the front, pulling the end to meet with a number.
    He laughed out a puff of air. “You’re blushing.”
    I smiled down at my hands, unable to meet his gaze. “I’ll be blushing a lot more in a moment; I need to measure your leg.”
    He pulled one of the corners of the blanket away and held it out to his side, revealing his muscular thigh. “How’s that?”
    I bent down and began the measurement from his foot. “You’re not very modest with your new body, are you?” I smiled up at him.
    “As I said before, I’ve never had a body like this. I don’t mind exposing it.”
    “So you’re just going to go around showing all the women your nakedness?”
    “No,” he laughed, “of course not. Only you.”
    I shook my head, unable to hide the grin that was pushing up my blushing cheeks. “Well, I’m at a loss for words,” I said, standing back up face to face with him.
    He closed his blanket shut. “I’m glad to leave you speechless.”
    I smiled and looked out of the window. “The day has officially broken. I will go right out and buy you something to wear.”
    “Changing the subject so quickly, are we?”
    “Oh stop it, you!” I jokingly pushed him arm, which made him sway a little.
    “Hey watch it now! I haven’t mastered these legs yet.”
    “You will, I’m sure. You master everything you put your mind to.”
    “Well, mastering the use of my legs isn’t the first thing on my agenda.”
    “No?”
    “No.”
    “Then what is?”
    “Grace!” My father’s yell startled us as usual.
    “Oh, god. What does that man want now?” I hurried over to my cabin door and pushed it open. “What is it, Father?”
    “Get that merman some clothes! I don’t be wantin’ him to be wastin’ any more of me time!”
    “He’s not a merman!”
    “I don’t be carin’ what he be, he be makin’ me late fer gettin’