The Summer Bride (A Chance Sisters Romance) Read Online Free PDF Page B

as little time on the docks as possible.”
    Daisy could understand that—she hated the river and the docks, but Flynn was a sailor. They were supposed to like the stink of the sea. “Why?” she asked.
    “Thieves.” Flynn sent out another whistle, shorter this time, then turned back to Daisy. “Gangs of thieves raid in the night—in the daytime, too, some of them—barefaced and brazen. And vicious. That’s the reason for those fences and the ditches there.” He gestured. “Not that you can see much in the fog. There’s also private guards patrolling, but when it comes to valuable cargoes, I prefer to use me own men. Last week one of the gangs set fire to a warehouse, so I’m takin’ no chances. The cargo isn’t spending a moment longer here than necessary.”
    Daisy nodded. There were thieves everywhere. On the other hand . . . She eyed the expanse of water mistrustfully. Under the muffling blanket of fog, she could hear the lapping of water against piles. “So how do we get on board? Were you whistlin’ to tell them to land the boat?”
    “Ship—a boat is smaller. No, we’ll go out in—yes, it’s here.” He strode towards the edge of the wharf, leaned over and spoke to someone Daisy couldn’t see.
    Daisy followed him and looked down. There bobbing away in the fog was a small rowboat with a man seated in it. “Go out in that little thing?” she exclaimed. “Not on your life!”
    “It’s perfectly safe,” Flynn assured her.
    “It bloody well isn’t!” Daisy backed away. She’d nearly drowned once. Every time she smelled that stinky dank river smell, she remembered that panic, the sense of the waters closing over her head, of choking on the filthy stuff . . .
    Flynn smiled, as if amused. “Don’t worry, I won’t let you fall in.”
    “You won’t get the chance!”
    “I thought you wanted first pick of the goods. If you don’t . . .” He shrugged.
    Daisy thought of all those gorgeous things hidden away in that big boat.
First pick
 . . . She swallowed. “All right, but I’m warnin’ you, Flynn, if that thing tips over—”
    “It won’t, and even if it did, I wouldn’t let you drown. Unlike most seamen, I can swim like a fish, so you’reperfectly safe with me.” He held out his hand. With a deep breath, and hoping he couldn’t feel how much she was shaking, Daisy took it. It was warm and strong.
    The only way to get into the nasty little boat was by climbing down a wooden ladder built into the wharf.
    “A gentleman would let you go first,” Flynn said.
    “Don’t even think of it,” Daisy told him. Modesty be buggered. “I ain’t goin’ nowhere unless you’re there to break me fall.”
    With a soft chuckle, Flynn disappeared over the side, landing with a small thud in the boat. “Your turn, Miss Daisy.” The little rowboat rocked and bobbed around madly. Flynn stood looking up at her, as calm as if he was on solid ground.
    First pick of the goods . . .
Taking a deep breath, Daisy turned her back on the river, hooked her skirts up a bit, and started down the ladder, one careful step at a time, hanging on for dear life.
    Fog swirled around her, waves slapped nastily against the flimsy little boat and the weed-ridden piles of the wharf. Overhead, river birds shrieked like lost spirits. Daisy took a breath to settle her nerves . . . and the scent of the river closed over her.
    She froze.
    “Daisy?” Flynn’s deep voice came from somewhere far away.
    Daisy didn’t move—couldn’t move.
    A pair of strong hands seized her by the waist. “Let go, I’ve got you.”
    But she couldn’t.
    He wrapped one brawny arm around her and with his other hand unclenched her frozen fingers, and
thud
! They landed in the little boat. It rocked wildly and she clutched at Flynn in fright.
    “You’re fine, lass.” His voice was calm and deep and soothing. “Just sit down and be still now.” He pressed her down onto a plank.
    He said something to the man, then did