Constance: Bride of Florida (American Mail-Order Bride 27) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Apalachicola a week early.”
    She flinched at the news. How would she find him?
    “Stubby, show the lady to her cabin. It’s the one next to mine and off limits to everyone.”
    The man who’d befriended her limped toward her. “Aye, Captain. This way, miss.”
    Fears attacked her as she followed the man into the bowels of the ship. New doubts pummeled her. What had happened to Stubby’s leg? Sharks? Mad whales like in Moby Dick? Cannibals?
    All her memories of being aboard a ship had been pleasant and fun. Well, except for Mother being sick, but most of what she remembered was playing and being free. Now? She was already scared of her own voice not to mention worrying about the boat sinking and being eaten by sharks or worse.
    “Here you are, miss.” Stubby pointed to a small room.
    She went inside. Small didn’t describe it. The bed, or more aptly the hammock, was on one side of the wall. Looking to the other, she saw where it must attach and become her bed for the night.
    Stubby stayed at the door. “Captain said no one is to bother you. His cabin is just down the hall.” The old man must have noticed her fear because he smiled a toothless grin. “Don’t worry, Journeys end is as sound as they come. And she’s fitted with a new steam engine in case we need it. We’ll get you safely to Apalachicola. If you need anything, pull that cord and I’ll come see to your needs. Oh, and you can either eat in the galley or I’ll can bring your meals to you.”
    “Thank you.” She marveled that she’d actually managed to speak without sounding like a mouse.
    He shut the door and left her in the small room.
    She went to the porthole by her swinging bed. At least, she would be able to see outside. She half wondered if the small windows on the other side were called starboardholes. Chuckling, she moved past her fears as excitement bubbled from up inside her. She would make this work. She turned from the porthole and went to the small dresser. She unloaded her few clothes and happened to stare into the mirror.
    So pale. Even her hair was a faded red almost blond color. She stepped closer. When was the last time she’d looked at herself? Really looked and not just given herself a passing glance before she strode out the door.
    Her eyes stood out. Green almost the shade that an ocean wave turns when caught in the sunlight. At least, she had pretty eyes. She glanced down at her form. There wasn’t much to her. No wonder she never had any suitors.
    She sent a harried glance to the mirror. What if E. Ferris turned her away?
    A loud knock on the door startled her.
    “Is it true there’s a lady aboard?”
    The harsh, gravelly voice was not that of Stubby or the captain.
    Again, the intruder banged on her door. “Well, are you in there?”
    She shuddered. His voice was neither friendly nor welcome. She backed away and then realized she’d not bolted the door.
    She jumped for it just as it opened.
    A man, older than the sea, stepped inside. He glared at her. White hair covered his head, a scraggly beard his face. “I wanted to see. Can’t believe the captain allowed it. A woman alone? Why ’tis disaster. Ship is liable to sink with a single woman aboard.”
    Constance scooted away from him, backing until she ran into the wall.
    Pointing his bony finger at her, he stepped in closer. “A Jonah is what you are. We best—”
    “I am not!” She took a step toward him. “Get out of my room. The captain said no one was to bother me.” With a hand to her chest, she wondered what had overcome her. She’d never stood up for herself.
    With a sneer, he backed out of her cabin.
    She slammed the door after him and slid the bolt in place. Her heart thumped wildly. Why had that man been so mean to her? Yet, instead of her normal feelings of fear, she felt something else rising up inside her.
    Courage? Perhaps she had found it.
    Minutes later, a loud knock on her door chased away her bravery.
    “Yes?” She cringed. Her mouse