"I'm much more concerned about you working too hard," I said, wrapping an arm around her as I walked her onto the ship. "I don't want our sweet girl to go blind from your tiny work in the lamplight, or wearing those pretty fingers to the bone."
She grinned up at me. “It's sweet that you’re concerned, but I promise that I'm fine." She took her packages from Larry and scampered off to stow them away.
Turning to Larry, I asked, "It sounds like those shopkeepers really adore her trinkets?"
"Aye, they do," he said, his huge grin creasing his scar up higher. "This time the fabric store lady had what seemed to be her husband in the shop as well. I think he wanted to meet Flora. I was over by the front door, so I didn't hear much of their conversation, but they all seemed delighted with her."
Clapping him on the shoulder, I said, "I truly appreciate you looking out for her."
"Of course, sir." He looked slightly uncomfortable for a second before he added, "We can't very well have your face walking around this town in case those posters are still up."
"It was a long time ago. Beyond that, it makes me feel secure that you are the one looking out for her. I know you would do anything to keep her safe."
The huge man nodded as he looked slightly down at me, flashing his endearing grin. "Miss Flora has become like a sister to me," he said softly. “I'm not ashamed to say she has brought a bit of home comfort to the ship, sir."
"I agree. But she does work those wee hands too hard, so how about you and I go scrub the potatoes?"
When Flora joined us to cook supper, she laughed merrily as Larry and I pretended she was the Captain of Dinner. We obeyed her every command, which also amused the boys as they gathered around the table.
It was a wonderful supper, with everyone telling their own little tales of what happened in the village today. Teeth and McGee had been delivering packages of spices to a restaurant, and were given buttery sugar cookies by the chef. While Davey and O'Doule were delivering a shipment of grain to a nearby stable, they saw the tallest white horse they'd ever seen.
"'Twas like a mythical creature," Davy exclaimed, wide-eyed. "If it had suddenly taken off and flown away, I would not have been surprised."
O'Doule grinned. “Normally I'd say the lad was pulling your leg, Captain, but this was a magnificent beast indeed. It must have been at least seventeen hands tall. I would have paid good money to see it run full speed."
I was just about to inquire what such a sight would be worth to him, when we heard hollering up on deck.
"What sort of savage interrupts the supper hour?" I grumbled. I nodded to Larry, and he followed me up to see seven uniformed policemen about to board my ship.
"Hold up, gentlemen," I said with a wide smile. I raised my hands slightly, allowing my coat to flare out so they could see I was unarmed. When a man is outnumbered, it's best to begin by being social and putting them at ease.
“How may I help you officers this evening?" I asked, in a calm tone that suggested I expected their request to be reasonable.
"Are you the Captain of The Toothy Scallywag?"
I scrunched up my face to appear as confused as possible, then gestured to the side of the ship. "'Tis The Fortune's Favor, as you can see right here on the hull."
The officers looked between each other, less certain. "We have a warrant for the arrest of the Captain of The Toothy Scallywag, and believe you match the picture on the wanted posters."
"Well, you can plainly see I am the Captain of a different ship.” I gestured to my face. "Perhaps this mug is simply preferred by your poster artist."
I flush them a broad grin, making three of the officers in the back almost choke from trying to stifle their chuckles.
"The Mayor of Parrinport can confirm your identity,” the head officer said.
"Fine. Where is he? And does he prefer rum or ale?" I asked brightly.
The head cop scowled. "He happens to be out of town on business, but he'll be back tomorrow afternoon."
"Well, that's lovely. My navigator says the weather will be mighty fine tomorrow. We could have a picnic together."
This time one of the officers in the back chuckled out loud, causing their leader to glare daggers at him.
"I didn't realize I was an important enough fellow to garner a meeting with your Mayor," I said. "But I will certainly clear my schedule for it."
The head officer gave me a flat look. "We won't be trusting you not to sail off. We’ll throw you in the jail until the Mayor arrives."
I cocked my head, considering. "Now, I mean absolutely no disrespect, but I'm just guessing that our cook is better than your cook. So if you wouldn't mind me finishing my supper first…"