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STARGAZER

By

Jewel Adams

Prologue

“Damn it all Cassie, you don’t have to do this!”

Unruffled by his outburst the exasperating woman stuffed another file into her already crammed briefcase. “You’ll have a coronary if you don’t calm down and Mable will blame me.”

“I don’t give a good Gawd d…!” John silently finished his heated thought. For all her I’m an equal attitude, Cassie Malone blushed like a trooper. God, she was a constant headache for him. With a rueful smile, he knew she was also the one thing in this dilapidated newsroom that kept him young and sane.

Watching her unorganized search for what must be another vital bit of data, hidden somewhere in the mess Cassie called a desk, his temper began to cool down. Cassie usually got her way. Grumbling to himself, somewhere young lady there’s a man that you won’t be able to wrap around that pretty pinky of yours. Though, as often as he wished it to happen, John Cummings didn’t think there was a man around that could accomplish the feat.

At twenty-five, Cassandra Malone was the epitome of the independent woman.

Ah, James, if only you’d not left her to her own devices. To this day, he wondered if his friend could have changed his daughter. Probably not, even if he’d lived after that plane crash five years ago, she’d still have gone her own way. As her Godfather, John gave up trying to control her and settled on lending advice and guidance.

Proud as he was over her abilities he couldn’t help but worry. Cassie possessed a powerful need to prove herself. Sadly, John knew it stemmed from her dad’s death. Always a driven man, James Malone liked to push too far in order to get an inside story. He feared his friend’s daughter was bent on doing the same thing. Once she flew out of Chicago he would lose all control to prevent any disastrous course she might decide upon. “Look Cassie, Tim is already over there…”

“And he’s scared of his own shadow. Gees, he’s spent more time in the shelters than on the wire. We haven’t had a story in two days from Riyadh. You’ve heard the reports, nothing has really happened, so what’s holding him back?”

Arguing when she was so right wasn’t possible!

“Where is it?” Cassie tossed another file onto the desktop.

John watched as she impatiently pushed back the long spiraling hair. The girl only concentrated on what she perceived as important and her looks weren’t part of the goals. In fact, she’d probable say it was an annoying nuisance. A striking combination of dark and light, an artist couldn’t have captured a more perfect balance. Black as a moonless night, the long thick curls fell in a satin curtain about her slim shoulders, nearly reaching her waist. He’d seen her efforts in the past to capture the full-bodied waves into some kind of order, but as usual they always broke free with a will of their own.

“I found it!”

“I don’t know how…” Cassie’s desk became the office joke.

Tossing the hand-held tape recorder into her shoulder bag, along with a notebook and tickets, she snapped the purse and case shut. “There I’m ready.”

“Well I’m not.” John stepped forward, “You think this is some snap assignment. It’s dangerous over there, maybe Tim has the right idea. Chemicals and bombs are nothing to laugh at, little lady.”

The darkening in her sharp gaze came from the hurt inflicted by his unfair words. She wasn’t a fool. “Who’s laughing John? Hey, I’ll be careful, I promise.”

The girl gave him a reassuring kiss on his reddened cheek. “I’ll be sure to stay low, no chances, alright?”

“Make sure you remember that.”

* * * *

…A deafening noise blocked out everything; all Cassie heard was the rapid fire of the gun and then a monstrous ripping sound like nothing she ever experienced. A sudden flash…burning…Oh God, it was so hot! A fire seemed to be racing through her body. Another roll of the plane sent her falling back into something hard that connected with her head…

…Dark dreams filled with strange, heart stopping screams and explosions came, one after another, surrounding her, yet she felt above it all…so unreal. She could have been floating on a cloud, watching as everything started to pull away in a thousand different directions. Spinning out of control, she felt jettisoned away from the horrible scenes taking place…then it stopped.

The silence brought a soothing peacefulness over her, leaving her in a cool weightless world. Nothing seemed to matter as she floated, adrift in a peaceful existence. Closing her eyes, it became too hard to keep them open as the dream took over, “I must be dead…heaven must be a pool.” The cool lapping took away the burning sensation until it stole the last of her touch with reality.

“Looks to be a beautiful morning, Mr. Brunson.”

“Aye, that it does Captain.”

Grabbing the rail with both hands, Blaine leaned into the brisk wind. The sea was the only one of nature’s powers that a man could pit his strength against and still see the beauty beneath the beast. Crystal blue, the rolling expanse vibrated over the hidden life within its secret depths. The sea held his fascination as nothing else could; he’d not like leaving its majestic boundaries. Even now his nostrils flared over the scent of approaching land. Two, maybe three days were all that remained of his life at sea.

Knuckles whitened beneath the strength of his conviction. His green eyes drove out to capture what would soon be denied to him. The year went by swiftly and what a fine voyage. Honesty made his eyes brighten in eager anticipation. Already he longed to set sight on his new home and life.

White Haven… a gamble, like none he attempted before and one that issued a fine share of challenges over the last two years. Buying more than ten thousand acres, sight unseen, in an unopened territory, had been considered, not only foolish, but also lethal, by most of his associates. Insuring he retained his rights to claim it, before the ink dried on the Paris Treaty, took even his mettle to the limits. A landowner he wanted to be and handing over six ships to the right individuals brought a tremendous amount of insurance.

Blaine’s only regret came in leaving the sea, but then White Haven proved to be the most beautiful ground he’d ever laid eyes on. Situated in a lush, emerald valley between two mountain ranges, the virgin soil took to any seed that landed in its moist depth. Every cent he’d accumulated from his shipping business went into developing the land and building his home. Finding the right man to manage it turned into a stroke of luck. Mr. Long, a dreamer in his own right, proved to be a rare find. To insure the man’s enthusiasm continued in his absence, Blaine set five hundred acres aside, which Long would secure ownership to at the end of the third profitable year from White Haven.

A self made, wealthy man, Blaine knew what to expect before White Haven could stand on its own. The location alone stood as a major problem, but always a man to look ahead, he knew that very shortly the newly opened lands would be thriving with new settlers. Because Blaine needed all the capital he could acquire, before dissolving Sterling Shipping Line, these last years were devoted to accomplishing his goal.

The last voyage of Sterling Shipping did better than he hoped. With the major outlay already taken from his past holdings, the take from the final run gave him the capital he would need until White Haven was established.

“Might be a storm brewing to the south, Captain Sterling. The wind’s picking up a might fast for the trades this time of year.”

Judging the mainsails, Blaine’s senses stiffened. “It’s a good possibility. Keep a close watch. It could come up fast.”

“Aye, sir.”

His powerful strides moved with comfortable ease over the rolling deck. The Stargazer rode deep in the water under a full cargo. He faced a gut full of risk this last year; the remaining days at sea would be captained in safety. Blaine called down his orders for the men to secure the cargo, both above and below deck.

Only hearing of his father’s death during his absence dampened Blaine’s pleasure over his success. His sister’s letter also carried the unsettling news that their mother remarried shortly after father’s passing. Blaine’s homecoming wouldn’t be as welcomed, as he would have liked. Alisa didn’t actually write about a problem, but her hints were clear enough.

John Gallagher wasted little time in taking over his father’s shipping line and warehouses. The man was a sorry lot, making it hard to understand his mother’s choice. But then, the uncaring haste of her marriage should be expected, from such a selfish woman. His eyes darkened over what he would soon face in Williamsburg. Blaine could make their lives miserable should he take the legal recourse available to him. All his father’s property was by rights his. It would serve them right if he did go to the courts, but he couldn’t afford to be away from White Haven.

“Captain! Off the port bow.”

“What is it Mr. Brunson?”

“An object sir, can’t quite make it out.”

Running to the bow, Blaine took up the glass and scanned the rolling waves. “There, I’ve a fix on it. What the…” Bringing the glass down, he stared at the small object bobbing up and over the waves. He could only shake his head over what he felt positive he saw.

“Lower the longboat! Mr. Brunson, cut the mainsail and bring her around.” Never releasing his sight on the object, Blaine swore violently as a large swell washed over the silvery piece of flotsam.

Pulling off his boots and shirt with the urgency taking hold of his stomach, he went up, balanced upon the rail. He took a final sighting before pushing off, his clear dive slipped into the water.

“Captain’s gone over, Mr. Brunson!”

“Toss out the floats, Mr. Whitney!”

“Aye sir!”

A deep dive, his strong legs propelled him through the cool waters. Breaking the surface with a rush, Blaine saw it. He also saw the clinging object slowly sink beneath the surface.

“Hold on, damn it!” Powerful, long reaching strokes drove him forward, but when he looked again the silver piece was clean. Diving deep he refused to give up. Searching the sightless water, he was finally forced to surface. Filling his lungs, he went down again. Come on where are you?

The depth he went to drove the pressure hard against his ears. Blaine shook his head to clear it…there! He couldn’t go back for air. No, he needed to reach her now! As shocking as it may be, the floating dark wisp of hair could only belong to a woman. Barely reaching her, he wrapped his fingers into the vanishing black lace. Kicking upward he pulled them both to the surface.

Gasping as he broke the surface his arms never stopped pulling her up. Like a babe bursting from the womb that didn’t want to release its precious treasure, he flung her out of the sucking depths. Holding her upon his chest to keep her out of the water, he pulled the dark wet blanket of hair away from her face. The pale beauty made him suck in the air he forgot to take.

“Breathe! Damn you, I’ll not lose what I’ve just found. Breathe!” Kicking with every ounce of strength he possessed Blaine struggled to reach the ship. Bumping into the hull, he gripped the ropes. “Come on men, get her up!”

No one said a word. The frantic tone of his voice was enough to tell them what he feared. Over and over, Blaine willed her to breathe. The battle he waged against death’s hold, could now be witnessed in her graying pallor.

Following her up, he landed on the deck just as they laid her out. Death by drowning wasn’t a new experience, but he refused to accept this one. “No! You will breathe, even if I have to force you!”

Stunned by the vehemence that drove their captain, the crew watched as he carried out his threat against the poor limp form. More than one man crossed himself against the deed. Blowing into her mouth, Blaine covered her cold, purple lips with his warm ones. Taking a deep breath, he repeated the process, refusing to give up. As he cradled her head against him, he could feel her body’s heat against his own. The evidence drove him on until first, only a small gag, and then a wrenching revulsion of water poured from her mouth. Holding her so she could expel the ocean, “Breathe! Now take in some air, my lady! Damn it, I said breathe!”

A great, vibrating gasp came as if she heard his command and was unable to refuse his order.

“Again, that’s the way.” She sucked in the air and Blaine’s joy drove the laughter from him.

Coughing…Ugh, the pain! It hurt so…Stop! It hurts. I don’t want to listen anymore. But she couldn’t refuse the demanding voice in her head.

“That’s it, slow now, take it slow.”

One of the men placed a blanket over the woman. “Is she…?”

“She’s fine.”

“You brought her back. You did Captain.” The man’s breathless exclamation made Blaine cringe.

“She’d barely gone under when I reached her. She was just afraid to breathe, fearing she’d find only water to suck in. She’s a strong willed lady.” Seamen were a superstitious lot and after what happened he couldn’t blame their fear filled looks. But neither could he allow it to take hold. The elation over the life in his arms became too important. Aware of the seizing shivers taking hold of the woman, Blaine lifted her up in his arms.

“Ugh!” Her sharp moan drew his brows together. There, where the blanket slipped down, a crimson blotch began to spread.

“Mr. Blackwell, bring the medical chest! Mr. Brunson you have the bridge!”

“Aye, Captain!”

Entering his cabin he gently lowered her into the bed. The woman was caught in the throes of a chill, there was only one thing to be done.

“The medical kit Captain.” A big man, Blackwell didn’t need any help to see the problem.

“Thank you, please leave us, Mr. Blackwell.”

“Aye, Captain, I should get some hot water, it might help to warm her.”

“Yes, thank you.”

His man shut the door. Blaine heard him dismiss the few curious men away. Blackwell wasn’t a man to argue with.

Taking a steadying breath, Blaine started to rid the girl of the wet clothes. As much as he wanted her conscious, he said a silent plea she would not wake until he’d finished.

Discarding the heavy boots and soaked skirt, he was surprised she held on as long as she did under their weight. The balance of her lower garments were too few, in ways that made him blush for the first time in his life. “A strange mermaid the sea has given to this mortal man.” But there was nothing at all wrong with what laid beneath those garments.

Carefully easing the jacket and blouse away from her shoulders, his eyes burned in fierce awareness over the injury. There was only one instrument that made that kind of a mark.

“A bullet?” Whistling out in disbelief, Blaine quickly finished with the remaining clothes. The burst of questions were stored away in light of her injury. “Ach, lady, I can hardly wait to hear your story.”

Rubbing her briskly with a drying cloth, he slipped one of his shirts over her. Blackwell would have to extract the bullet, still lodged inside. “You better have nine lives, madam.”

That willpower he’d spoken of to his crew, better be there as well. Taking a bullet from a man wasn’t a pleasant experience. The pain she’d suffer made his own body shake. Doing all he could for her, he called Blackwell back in.

Blaine stood over him as he inspected her wound.

“That’s a bullet hole!”

“I know.”

“Who would shoot a woman? It will have to come out.” Their gazes met in troubled understanding. “Waiting won’t help her any. God sir, I hope she doesn’t come around, you’d best hold her just in case.”

Silently, Blaine begged the lady’s forgiveness. Madam, believe me when I say—this is painful for both of us.

There was only one way Blaine could insure the woman didn’t move. Easing himself over her, he pinned her lower body down with his powerful thighs. Holding the uninjured arm above her head he braced his other across her chest. The searing awareness of the soft curves beneath him proved an uncomfortable position in which to find himself. Telling himself she was gravely ill and it must be done, didn’t blind his traitorous male senses, to the full swells and dips of every feminine curve and mound within his possession. More than a little angry with himself, he issued his harsh command. “Get on with it!”

“Don’t let her move, if she jumps she might make me drive it deeper.”

“Alright, I’ve got her.”

“I hope so sir. She’s waking up.” Beneath the man’s gruff curse, “This isn’t going to be easy.”

Holding his breath, he watched the black fringed lids begin to flutter. Butterfly wings, yes, they looked as fragile. He was so close that her soft warm breath brushed his lips. The temptation nearly drove him mad. Captured by the exquisite stirring beneath him, Blaine seemed frozen, anxiously awaiting the moment he would see her eyes.

Like the ocean meeting the evening sky, they held each other’s gaze. Something happened between them then, a silent passing, but it came with a power he felt to his very soul. He saw she felt it too—the deepening awareness in her gaze couldn’t be anything else as they questioned him in wonder.

Blackwell’s movement broke the spell, causing them both to blink at the intrusion.

“Wait Blackwell.” He hoped she could understand, for he saw the fear and confusion taking hold of her.

“My lady?” He carefully tightened his hold in order not to frighten her more. “You’re safe now, but I’m afraid the bullet must come out. I am going to hold you, so you won’t cause more injury to yourself. Do you understand?”

Clear and bright her eyes grew large over his words…she understood.

“It is going to be painful.” Nodding to the man beside them, he never released her gaze. Every powerful muscle came into play to act against her if necessary. “I am sorry.”

He thought she nodded just before her teeth clenched in readiness. Her eyes never left his as if she needed his strength to face what was coming. She didn’t fight him, but he felt her try to brace herself against him. “That’s it, draw on all your strength, you can do it. Now Blackwell!”

The pain tore through her flesh! Baring down against the brutality, Cassie struggled to escape the fire. He held her fast, refusing the release she sought. She wanted to strike out at the man and inflict the same intense agony that moved in wild, shocking velocity through her crippled form. So large! He’s so heavy…she couldn’t breathe! “Oh God…get off of me!”

“Blackwell!”

“I found it! Hold her! Damn, she’s strong.”

Blackwell didn’t know the half of it. Driven by the pain contorting her features she’d found a strength that proved a fair match to his own. He didn’t want to hurt her. “Lady, look at me! Show me those gorgeous eyes.” Blaine didn’t know if he was shocked or pleased when she just growled at him. “Do you defy my order?”

“Let me go! Ohhh…!”

“My lady has a temper!” Struggling to prevent the break she came near to accomplishing, he called on her anger.

“Temper! Let me loose and I’ll show you a temper!” Through the stabbing pain, she ground out her threat. “Can’t he hurry?” She didn’t want to cry, but God it hurt. “Hold me. Please. It hurts.”

All the struggles ended in unnerving defeat as he felt the strength fall away from her. Still holding her good arm, he slowly raised his hold off her chest. Smoothing back the damp curls from her forehead his fingers caressed the tight lines of pain. “It’s almost over. Just a little more, then you can sleep.”

A soft whimper followed as she leaned into his large palm. Laying his cheek against her flushed face, he spoke softly into her ear. “You are a strong lady, madam. I have never seen a woman take what you have and few men would equal your willpower. I am proud of you.”

“It was you.”

Rising up to look at her, she met his gaze past the pain being inflicted.

“You told me to breathe. It was you.”

Blaine felt the violent stab of pain shoot through her as Blackwell pulled the bullet out. Her sharp gasp floated away as her eyes closed, oblivious to any more pain.

Blaine smoothed back the dark strands that fell across her brow, “Rest now, it’s over.” Easing himself off her, he forced himself not to linger when every instinct repulsed at the idea of leaving her side.

“Never seen the likes before.”

“No…neither have I.” The man’s gruff cough made Blaine pull his thoughts away from her.

“The bullet Captain, haven’t ever seen one of its kind before.”

Dropping it into his hand, Blaine saw what the man meant. Larger than any musket ball, it wouldn’t have fit into a pistol. There was a distinct, sharply pointed mold to the slug, even in its present state. The weight and size made him look at her. If it had hit anywhere, but at her shoulder bone, it would have killed her. Frowning, he wondered why it hadn’t shattered her shoulder. Pocketing it, Blaine’s questions were accumulating for the lady.

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