Caution to the Wind by Mary Jean Adams Page A

someone.”
    “Yes, I suppose that’s true,” Will said.
    “As for your other feelings , I wouldn’t worry about those either.”
    Will pulled away from the wall. “But you misunderstand me, Doctor—”
    Doctor Miller raised his hand. “It’s quite possible you’re simply responding to the boy’s natural inclinations.”
    “If those are the boy’s natural inclinations,” Will ground the words out, “don’t you think he’s in danger on a ship full of men? There’s always the possibility that someone will try to take advantage of him.”
    He was in no mood to defend himself. He had no need to defend himself. His concern was for the rest of his ship and for Adam.
    “Would you prefer it if Adam were a woman?”
    “Naturally I would prefer it if Adam were a woman. If Adam were a woman, he wouldn’t be on my ship in the first place. And if, somehow, he managed to get onto my ship, I would toss him, or rather her, off at the next port.”
    The doctor looked almost horrified at the thought, and Will drew breath to calm his outrage at the very idea of a woman on his ship. “It is a moot point, Doctor. Adam is what he is, and whether you or I would prefer him to be different is of no matter.”
    “No, I suppose not.” The doctor gave him an enigmatic smile. “At any rate, my professional recommendation is to keep a watchful eye on the boy and be sure he comes to no harm. I am certain, in time, the situation will work itself out.”
    A knot tightened in Will’s gut. Time was perhaps the best cure, but it might also be the most painful.

Chapter Six
    Amanda discovered Neil at the bulwark, a book propped open before him, peering at the coastline in the pre-dawn light. The ship lay at anchor, having picked up supplies the day before. Bull and Buck had gone ashore to recruit more men to replace the seasoned sailors assigned to sail their latest capture to the prize court in Boston.
    Sounds of snoring rumbled up through the minute crevices where the oakum had worn away between the planking. A sudden, powerful snort tickled the bottom of Amanda’s feet through the soft leather shoes she wore.
    With only the night watch on duty, the deck stood nearly empty. Amanda waved “good morning” to Nathan, the young sailor standing watch on the platform some forty feet above her head. He returned her greeting. Even in the dim light, she could see the young man’s cheerful smile.
    The ever-present lapping of waves against the hull of the ship and the soft creaking of her timbers lulled Amanda into a peaceful stupor. She leaned against the bulwark, twenty feet or so from where her brother stood, to savor a precious moment of solitude.
    “Hey, Mandy!” Neil called out, his voice reverberating off the morning air, thick with dew.
    Amanda shot a glance about her to see if anyone else might have caught the nickname only Neil used.
    “Oh for heaven’s sake, we’re fine.” Neil rolled his eyes and turned his gaze back to the shoreline. Dawn had lit the haze lingering amidst the craggy beaches and rocky promontories with a soft glow. “Nate and I are the only ones on duty right now, and he can’t hear us from up there.”
    Amanda pushed her anxiety to the side. She hadn’t spoken to Neil in what felt like forever, and she missed her brother. She joined him at the rail. Crossing her arms atop the rough wooden surface of the bulwark that ran the perimeter of the ship, she leaned forward and rested her chin against them. For several moments, she gazed down at the mist skimming the surface of the water. Spiraling tendrils of vapor danced and then disappeared like fairies of the deep.
    She breathed remnants of cool misty morning air, letting it fill her nose and escape through open lips.
    “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Neil asked, sparing her a quick glance before turning back to his book. He flipped a few pages. “Smells much better than the farm, anyway.” He traced an outline on a page with his finger.
    “Mmmm.”