Kitty: Bride of Hawaii (American Mail-Order Bride 50) Read Online Free PDF Page A

outrun it?”
    “Not a chance.” The captain scratched the red whiskers on his chin. “We’ll make it through.”
    It didn’t matter if he truly thought that or not. If the sailors thought they were doomed, they’d have no reason to fight. And they would need every last muscle working to keep them alive. “Where do you want me?”
    “In your cabin for now. Let my men ready things. Get rest while you can. You won’t have another opportunity for some time.”
    Warren nodded his agreement before the captain left, but didn’t think he’d get much rest. If these were the last few hours of his life, he didn’t plan on wasting them.
    He spun away from the rail, his boots clunking on the thick planks below his feet. He descended the steps two at a time, acknowledging a sailor he passed in the hall who only grimly nodded back.
    They would survive this. They had to.
    His knock was brisk, and it only took a second before he was given entrance.
    “Mr. Castle?” Kitty leaned up from her bed. Fiery curls cascaded over her shoulders, pooling on the pallet. “Whatever is the matter?”
    He cleared his throat, realizing that he stared. “I bring some bad news.”
    She stilled, arming herself for what he would reveal. “Then tell me.”
    Seeing her on the bed, her eyes tired but now alert, disheveled, he felt an odd desire to protect her from what would happen. But there was no way to do that. He couldn’t whisk her from the ship. He couldn’t get her to safety in time. She would ride the storm with the rest of them.
    And by heavens, she would survive too.
    “A storm is approaching.”
    Her face paled as she bunched the blanket in her hand. “How bad?”
    “It’s impossible to be sure, but we think it’s strong.”
    She rose from the bed. “What can I do?”
    Her skirt was as rumpled as her hair, but he barely noticed. The determination, the fire in her eyes, is what held his interest. Who was this woman that she’d volunteer to help? He wasn’t naive enough to think that all women were like the silly girls he’d met in society, managing to turn a hangnail into a mortal wound, but regardless, he could honestly say that no woman he’d met would react in such a manner. It astounded him. Awed him. “The sailors are preparing now.”
    She nodded. “I should go talk to the captain. I’m sure he’ll be able to give me some duty.”
    Warren blocked the door.
    “What are you doing?”
    “Listen, Miss Jones. I admire your courage, but in situations such as these, your presence would only hamper the men.” Her arms crossed tightly across her chest, and he realized his error. He held up his hands in peace. “No doubt you are more than capable of many tasks. I do not suggest otherwise. I only mean to point out that they are a crew and have been trained in what to do. Unless you have sailed with them every day, you would only get in the way.”
    She threw her hands in the air. “Then what should I do? Sit around, worrying over our fate?”
    “I’d recommend latching your door and securing yourself between the wall and your bed. With the furniture nailed in place, it’ll be the safest spot for you.”
    “And is that what you’ll be doing? Securing yourself?” She arched a brow.
    “If the captain orders me to do so, I will. Until then, I’ll put myself at their disposal. This isn’t the first time I’ve sailed with this ship, and it’s certainly not my first storm.” He didn’t want to frighten her with the details, but he’d seen firsthand the type of damage a storm could inflict. Or the lives it could take. “I know what needs to be done if I’m asked.”
    She shifted feet, but finally nodded.
    She intrigued him, but he couldn’t put his finger on why exactly. She was different from the women he knew, yet some things were strikingly similar. Her manners, her refinement, her quality was evident in every move she made, every word she spoke. Yet where she differed was her bravery. Her willingness to work