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

and not leave it to another. Who was she? Where had she come from to form into such an enigma?
    “So, I’m to stay here?” Her shoulders sunk.
    “It’s safest for you. No doubt the crew and I would be much more at ease if we knew you were secured in here with no possibility of slipping over the side of the ship.”
    “Then that is what I’ll do.” Her eyes rose softly to his. “You’ll take care, won’t you?” she whispered.
    His heart thumped hard. Did she care for him? “I’ll take every precaution.”
    She searched his eyes as if telling him things she couldn’t say. And he couldn’t stand aside a moment longer. She may be engaged to another, but that man wasn’t here now, and they might not ever make it home.
    Whoever she was, wherever she’d come from, none of that mattered. Right now they were just a man and woman, two people. And even with their short acquaintance, he cared for her more than he had any other woman.
    He stepped forward, taking her hand in his. “Kitty—”
    She shook her head, pressing her lips together, but Warren knew what she felt. Those same feelings rushed through him. Simmering attraction and a confusing friendship that left him breathless.
    No matter how much he might like to change it, she was still another man’s fiancée. She’d made promises. If there was one thing he’d never done, it was go back on his word. And he would never ask her to do such a thing either.
    He couldn’t describe what she meant to him, but he knew he desired her, knew he wanted her. He regretted the lack of possibility to explore those feelings further.
    “We’ll talk later,” she promised.
    He’d have to accept that. If they made it through the storm, if they were both alive when it passed, there’d be time to figure it out.
    He nodded, squeezing her hand before turning away. He had a purpose now. Things might seem impossible now, but only time would show what destiny had in store for them.
    Any future held more hope than sinking to the bottom of the ocean.

Chapter Five
    K itty flailed as the ship creaked, its timbers groaning against the ocean’s onslaught. Bracing herself against the wall, the ship tilted, and she had no idea how they were still floating.
    She wasn’t ready to die. Not here. Not like this.
    She hadn’t escaped her brother’s clutches, traveled across the entire country, and boarded a ship to a foreign land only to die on the last leg of the journey.
    Men screamed from the deck above her.
    How many were lost? Thrown into a watery grave? Is that how they’d all end up? The ship couldn’t hold together much longer. She didn’t have to be a sailor to know that.
    If she stayed here, tucked in her room and the ship capsized or broke apart, she’d be dead for sure. The only way she might have a chance was on deck.
    But Warren’s words held her back. She didn’t want to get in the way. She didn’t want to distract the men and cost anyone their lives.
    How much longer would the storm rage? It’d been hours already. Warren should have come down and given her an update by now.
    Unless he wasn’t able. Her stomach clenched.
    Unless he was dead.
    No!
    Her heart rebelled against that idea. Warren couldn’t be dead!
    She pushed from her haven, clutching furniture as she weaved toward the door. Unlatching the lock, the door pushed in, allowing ankle-deep water to trail into her cabin.
    Dread settled within her as she pulled herself up the stairs.
    She was completely unprepared for the scene in front of her. Men scattered on the deck like flies, running from one place to the next as they fought to keep the boat afloat.
    A few had been lost from what she could tell, but the majority had ropes tied around their waists. If a wave hit, they’d at least be tied to the ship if they went overboard.
    She scanned the sailors, grateful that most still lived, but didn’t feel any relief. One man was still missing.
    “Miss! Miss, what are you doing up here?” one of the men yelled.