Raven Quest by Jo Ann Ferguson Page B

“The crew will be glad to find you out there alone in the night.”
    â€œMaybe I’d prefer to be with one of them!” She walked out of the cabin. “At least, maybe one of them won’t be drunk!”
    Nathan cursed as he stood. He swayed. Maybe he was a little drunk, but being here on this ship with her, knowing she was sleeping in his bed, wanting her so much was enough to make any man seek solace in rum. He reached for the latch, then hesitated. He did not want to hurt her. That was why he let her go. As he had too often, he asked himself why he wanted her. All she did was create trouble.
    He tugged on his shirt and followed her onto the deck. He picked out her silhouette near the railing. When he saw a man step from the shadows, a flare of jealousy and fury shocked him. It eased when he saw the man was Ernest.
    Nathan watched as Ernest patted her shoulder gently. He should treat her just like his first mate did, like a younger sister. Rory deserved that because, for once, she had been unquestioningly honest with him. She longed to be with a man she could love. She needed someone who would be with her all her days and all her nights. He was not that man. He had been tied down too long to the responsibilities of the rock-strewn farm he had sold to buy this ship.
    He crossed the deck. When Rory faced him, he saw her sorrow and betrayal. He had treated her as everyone else in her life had, trying to find more and better ways to use her. Pain twisted in his gut.
    â€œRory, go back to bed,” he said, clasping his hands behind his back so he could not give into the temptation to touch her.
    Ernest cleared his throat. “Cap’n, we were talking privately.”
    â€œI’m sure I know about what.” He looked back at her, wishing he could be the wind that coursed through her hair. “You’re right, Rory. I was drunk.”
    â€œ Was? ”
    â€œNothing sobers up a man like being forced to see he’s a fool.” He moved aside. “I won’t disturb your sleep again.”
    She took one cautious step, then another. Edging past him, she said, “Good night.” The blanket fluttered behind her as she rushed into the cabin.
    Ernest growled, “How could you be so stupid?”
    â€œI drank rum to forget how much I wanted her.” He leaned on the rail. “It only persuaded me to forget everything else, including any good sense.”
    â€œIf you’ve frightened her, she may jump ship in Havana. As wily as she is, we’ll never find her amid all those twisting streets.” Ernest slammed his fist into the railing. “Cap’n, we’ve come too far in our search for this gold to make a mistake now.”
    He deserved this dressing down. Ernest had taught him to sail this ship and command its crew, as well as the caution needed each time they stepped ashore in their quest for Spanish gold. Ernest had never spared words when riled, and he did not tonight.
    â€œCap’n, she’s not just any woman. She is our only way to find this gold. If she vanishes, we’ll lose any chance we had. Powell would not have been careless enough to let anyone else know the location of his treasure.” He scowled. “There will be other women in Havana. There will never be another cache of gold like the Raven ’s.”
    â€œAre you certain of that?”
    â€œOf the gold or of Miss Rory?” He sighed. “Cap’n, I think you’ve got to make up your mind which of Powell’s treasures you want more because if you aren’t careful, you may lose both.”
    â€œI want the gold.”
    â€œAre you certain of that?”
    â€œYes.” He looked toward the bow where the sails tried to fly away, pulling the ship with them toward where the Raven ’s gold waited. He was certain of that. He wanted the gold. Nothing must halt him from getting it. Not even his yearning for the woman who held the key to finding