Page 127 of A Hellish Thing
“They won’t?”
“Sailors are superstitious.A load of nonsense in my opinion, and I shall let them know of my feelings on the matter.The fact that there are two and they are companions, might help.The men appreciate folks who are living their lives as they please.”
“Of course.And Smoke, she’s…well, I’ve never met anyone like her.”
“I do like her and Fleur.I imagine the men will come around.”
“Aye.Thank you.For taking the risk.For allowing them access to me.”
He stopped walking and turned, crossing his arms and giving me a serious look.Pearl, who had been trotting along beside him, went a few more steps, then turned back and came to sniff at my boot.
“I will do anything to make your life easier, Rooster.You’ve had a hell of a time.”
I felt tears threaten, but I blinked them back.
“If Smoke and Fleur can give you the mothering you’ve missed and teach you what this mysterious power you wield is all about, then who am I to stop them?”
He checked our surroundings.There were others nearby, so he merely extended his hand as though we were making a deal.
I wrapped his fingers with mine and held his gaze for a moment.
“I would move the stars for you if I could,” he said.“You know that, don’t you?”
“And I, you,” I replied.
He dropped my hand to maintain an appearance of friendship.
“Well, you might actually have that power.Let’s see what Smoke can teach you.”
The idea that I might have such great power was a frightening and awe-inspiring prospect.We started walking again, and my mind, as it generally did, took his words and ran with them.
I cleared my throat.“You wouldn’tactuallyask me to move the stars, would you?”
And he laughed with a satisfaction and joy that comforted me to no end.
“Oh, Rooster.Don’t ever change,” he said, with a wistful look at my freckled face.
He offered his hand again, despite the presence of others, and I took it, letting him enfold me within the warmth of his grasp as we walked to the Penny Whistle to meet with our new acquaintances.
