Free The Voyage of Lucy P. Simmons by Barbara Mariconda Page A

not at all defensively. “And to allay any concerns about my judgment, you deserve to know that I did alert the authorities in regard to that miserable character who attempted to abduct you. As a father myself . . .” He paused, as though he had misspoken. “Well . . . suffice it to say I am always concerned for the welfare of children.”
    â€œYou have children?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.
    A shadow crossed the cap’n’s face. “I did.”
    Marni gently touched my arm, a cue for me not to press. The subtle gesture didn’t escape the cap’n’s eye. “It’s all right, Miss Marni.” He turned to me. “I had a daughter, Imogene. A feisty little sprig of a girl.” His eyes filled with a flash of delight at the mention of her. And then they changed. “Influenza,” he said, quietly, “took her from me, and her mother as well.”
    My heart wrenched, understanding what it meant to lose those you care about the most. At least for me there was Aunt Pru. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Cap’n!”
    â€œYes, of course you are. Thank you, Miss Lucy. Now, what do you say we get back to the business of sailing this ship?”
    I met his eyes, and, in light of all of this, wondered if Marni had shared our concerns about Quaide. As if my worry had conjured him up, the hulking figure appeared. He moved toward Georgie, who sat on his platform, arms crossed, chin resting on his knees, his envy toward me at the helm evidenced by his curled, petulant lower lip and creased brow. Quaide squatted beside him, nudged Georgie with his elbow, and gestured toward the foremast.
    â€œCap’n,” Quaide called. “Might we out the stun’s’l? Show the kid what kinda speed she got?”
    Cap’n nodded good-naturedly. “Out studding sails!” he shouted. Quaide poked Georgie with a thick finger. “Wanna be a sailor, don’tcha? Come on. Stick with me. Ya can help me run out the booms.” Georgie scrambled up and followed him. If he’d had a tail, like Pugsley, he’d be wagging it.
    â€œGood for the little one to learn,” said the cap’n. “Nice to see Quaide take him under wing.”
    â€œWe’ll see,” Marni said quietly. She and I exchanged a glance that told me she hadn’t yet brought Quaide and his questionable motives to the captain’s attention. With a nod to the cap’n, and a hand on my shoulder, she led me away. “No better time than now for a family meeting,” she said. “Go round up Walter and Addie. In the stateroom.” She went her way and I mine, a sense of urgency suddenly propelling us both.
    Once gathered, Marni waved Rasjohnny in, a tray of coffee and sweet biscuits in his hands. “Der ya go, missus,” he said, and was gone, closing the door snugly behind him. The four of us sat around the parlor table, stirring and sipping. It felt very grown-up to be part of this. Until I thought about what had to be said. How they would all hear about the attempted kidnapping. KID-napping, I thought miserably. I glanced over my cup at Walter, who was dunking his biscuit. He lifted the java-saturated treat, tipped his head, and opened his mouth just as the biscuit-turned-to-mush plopped in his lap. I laughed and, for a moment, felt better.
    Just then Addie reached out and patted my hand. “I’ve been missin’ ya, Lucy, I ’ave,” she said. “Used to be we spent more time t’gether. Now, all of a sudden, you’re off on yer own, doin’ what needs doin,’ as though you been doin’ it all yer life! The cap’n’d be proud.” She blushed. “I meant yer father, of course, Cap’n Simmons!”
    I bit my lip. She’d feel differently when she heard what had almost happened. Marni jumped in. “We don’t have much time, what with all our respective responsibilities, so let me get right