I arched an eyebrow and shrugged. “Perhaps you’re not pirates after all. But a band of marauding angels, rescuing damsels in distress.”
“And you and Rusty can convince the Powers-That-Be of that very thing if we ever get caught.”
My smile faded. “Jacky, please. Don’t say such things.”
He drained his cup and held it out to me. “Of course. I’m sorry, Red.”
I took it and stuck it in my britches pocket. “Why do you figure religion to be off-putting to Red Legs?” I stepped to the bow of the ship and gripped the railing. “He swore in on a Bible, didn’t he?”
“He did. Everyone did. But Red Legs had a hard past. Probably has a beef with God. With Rusty telling everyone how good and merciful He is all the time—”
“Yes?”
“Well, Red Legs probably wonders where God was when he was getting the daylights whipped out of him for no good reason.”
“Oh.” I took a step back and froze.
“I know it’s hard to hear, Red, but—”
“Oh!”
Jack turned his attention to me. “What is it? Are you all right?”
I held my belly in my hands as a smile spread over my face. “Oh!”
“Red?”
“Feel here.” I grabbed Jack’s hand and placed it where I felt our baby kick.
Nothing.
“What am I feeling for?”
“Talk to her.”
“Who?”
“Your daughter.” I tapped his hand. “She’s shy now. Talk to her. Tell her to kick her father’s hand.”
Jack dropped to his knees and caressed my belly. “Mama thinks you’re a girl. Most fathers would want a boy—but not me. I want a daughter, just as pretty as her mama.”
Thunk.
“See that? Jacky, did you feel it?” My voice rose on its own. “Oh Jacky, she knows your voice!”
When my husband looked up at me, tears shimmered in his eyes, brightening their already green hue to the color of England in the springtime. “Redella, I believe we have a daughter.”
“Jack, what was your grandmother’s name?”
“I’ve never told you? In all the talking about my past we’ve done?”
I shook my head.
“Her name was Loreena. Loreena O’Malley.”
I chewed my lower lip. “Mother’s middle name was my grandmother’s middle name. Jacqueline.”
Jack looked up at me, emotion ripe in his eyes. “I believe we have our name.”
“Loreena. Loreena Jacqueline Rackham.” I stared into my husband’s face and waited for his approval. “If, of course, that’s a fitting name for you.”
He stayed squatted down for what seemed like an eternity. “I never figured to find myself in such a way, Red. A husband, a father.” Jack rose and wrapped me in his arms. “You’ve given me a gift I’m not worthy of, Red.”
I covered Jack’s hands with mine. Loreena kicked again, bringing a smile to Jack’s face. “Loreena Jacqueline,” he whispered into my hair. “I think that’s the most beautiful name on any land, on any sea.”
•
“We’ll be in Madagascar by nightfall.”
“Time passed quicker than I thought, what with my ginger root to gnaw on.” My belly had grown so large over the course of our journey that it felt as though I had a giant Caribbean melon stuck under my canvas skirt constructed from a torn sail. Thankfully, Rusty was a skilled seamstress and was able to make my clothing dilemma as painless and comfortable as possible. I sucked in a breath and a deep cramp across my back furrowed my brow. “Have you seen any sign of Tommy’s—well, your—ship?”
“I caught a glimpse of The Revenge this morning, then she was gone again. I figure we’ll catch her when we dock.”
“I’m quite tired, Jacky. Would you please wake me when we get there? I’d like to see Tommy—and apologize, if it was me who set him off on this silly quest.” I pressed my hands into my lower back and leaned into them. “Even if it wasn’t me, I’d still like to apologize to him.”
It seemed I had only just laid my head down upon the pillow when Jack’s voice echoed through the cabin. “Redella. Redella, we’re here. And it looks like we’re too late.”
I dragged myself out of the bed. The cramp in my back wasn’t helped by my rest. Perhaps once I get up and move around it will feel better.
