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.I didn’t start out with the intention to make a seagull, but as soon as the needle and thread were in my hand, it was no different than working on Lady Elizabeth’s coverlet.Soon a small crowd of people stood behind us, all admiring my adeptness.I received several pats on the back and a couple of shoulder jabs.“That’s incredible,” a familiar voice said above the others.Daniel had gotten to the front of the group.He examined the patch closely, his left hand hooked on the pocket of his breeches.“My uncle will be pleased.You’ve probably earned your passage to the Americas with this one repair.”So much for staying invisible.“Where did you learn to do this?” George asked.“My grandmother.She’s a gifted needle worker.I studied her techniques figuring they would apply to sails as well.”“Looks as if you were right,” Daniel said.“It’s finely crafted.”“Thank you.” It pleased me that he approved.He examined me for a long moment, and sweat drizzled down my temple from under Benjamin’s cap.“What’s going on over here? Why is everyone standing around?” Captain Finley approached, and Daniel made room for his uncle to step up and view my repair work.The captain stared at the embossed seagull for what seemed like endless moments.“Who did this?” Though his facial expression was soft, his voice still sounded rough and full of authority.“I did, sir,” I said.“A useful asset indeed.” Captain Finley rubbed his bearded chin.“Glad I took you on Charlie Hamden.” He cuffed me on the neck and walked away.“Not an idiot, indeed,” Daniel said before turning to follow his uncle.An idiot? No.A liar? Maybe.****After several less impressive sail repairs, my second task was to venture into town with Daniel and gather supplies.I wasn’t eager to mix back in with local folk, but figured if I kept my cap low and my eyes down, I’d manage to go undetected.I also didn’t want to say no to the captain’s orders.That’d be a good way to get kicked off the crew and watch my opportunity literally sail away.Daniel stashed the coins his uncle gave him in the pocket of his breeches and motioned for me to follow him.We traversed across the beach and hopped up onto the docks.I had never seen Southampton’s port so crowded.Sailors were everywhere.I had trouble looking at everything at once.Keeping an eye on where Daniel was headed was almost impossible.Was it his intention to lose me in the sea of bodies?“Wait!” I called after weaving between a thick throng of men and boys.Daniel stopped and turned around to face me, along with several other local sailors.I caught up to him, trying to evade the glances of men my brothers and father knew.Men that knew me as Charlotte.“If you’re tryin—” I started, pointing an accusing finger at Daniel.“Sorry.” He swatted my finger away.“I’m used to going on these errands alone.”I narrowed my eyes at him.“You’re not trying to lose me on purpose?”He laughed and my anger abated.This was a developing pattern.“No.” He jingled the coins in his pocket and threw a glance out over the busy dock.“Look, I haven’t had much practice at having… friends.” He hesitated over the word.“I was young when my parents died.Since then I’ve been around sailors much older than me.They’re more like fathers to me than friends, you know? You get the difference?”“Trust me, I know.I only have one friend.Why do you think I’m willing to shove off and explore the world?”“Right.No ties to the land.It’s the sailor’s way.” He started to walk again, this time staying only a few feet in front of me.He threw a quick glance over his shoulder every now and then, making an effort not to lose me in the crowd.He led me to Watkins’s Post.“This place is the best stocked,” I said, pulling open the door.As soon as I stepped inside, Benjamin glanced up from the counter.Odd to come into the store as a customer.A male customer, no less.Benjamin’s face brightened and I angled my head toward Daniel, indicating I was not alone.The smile faded from Benjamin’s lips as he looked Daniel over.His green gaze slid back to me and worry skittered across his face.“Hey, Charlie,” he said, his eyes unnaturally wide.Benjamin was a terrible liar.“Benjamin.This is Daniel Connor,” I said.Benjamin nodded toward Daniel.“You two know each other?” Daniel said.“Since forever,” Benjamin and I answered at the same time.The smirk was back on Benjamin’s lips and I sported a matching one.Cripes, I was going to miss him.“This would be the one friend I mentioned earlier,” I said.“What can I get you fellows?” Benjamin’s voice cracked on the word fellows.“We’ve got a list.” Daniel dug it out from his pocket.“Give it here.” Benjamin held out his hand.He read the list over, nodding every few seconds.“You’re in luck.We’ve got all of these things.” He gave Daniel another glance, his gaze sweeping over Daniel’s empty right sleeve.“Charlie, you want to help me get some of it… in the back?”“Sure.” I hopped around the counter then turned toward Daniel.“Be right back.”“All right.” He wandered away from the counter to get some of the other things on the list.Alone with Benjamin in the storeroom, I suddenly felt awkward dressed as a boy.Foolish.I had spent an entire childhood acting like a boy with him.Why should this be strange?“There’s so many sailors here today,” I said, trying to fill the silence.“Charlotte.” Benjamin grabbed onto my arms.“Five ships came into port early this morning.Two from the Americas and three back from merchant runs ’round Africa to India.One of them is—”“My father’s,” I finished.A knot formed in my stomach as I peered out the storeroom window.I adjusted my cap lower to hide my face more.Sure enough, at the mouth of the bay, the Emily bobbed in the waves.Scanning the docks now, I located the dory my father used to ferry between his ship and the mainland.I recognized several crewmembers from the Emily.“I didn’t expect him to come home now.What am I going to do?” I turned back to Benjamin.The storeroom seemed ridiculously small.Nowhere to hide
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