The storm had long passed when I awakened with sun streaming in through the aft windows above the captain’s bed. Susannah slept, still, though Pearl and the children had gone. I wondered how she had managed it quietly enough not to wake us. I had stayed beside my wife overnight, leaving Penny and Francesca to sleep with Pearl on the floor.
I watched Susannah, now. The pink glow on her cheeks, her lashes dusky despite her moonbeam hair. How could I keep from touching her? Christ. Could she be with child again? My gut clenched, knowing how much she abhorred the thought of it. And why should she be ready to go through it all again so soon? In truth, I was not ready, either. I knew its dangers viscerally. Her eyes fluttered open and, seeing me looking at her, she smiled. I moved in to kiss he
