Taken By Storm Part 52

not to give them or her a second thought.

He had hugged and kissed her and kept walking, his steps anxious as all the others to reach port and have this done.

The last leg of the journey was the most difficult. Everyone was exhausted and could barely take another step, but they prevailed. It was the promise of freedom and a new life that kept them determined, and with the cover of darkness s.h.i.+elding them little by little, they boarded the s.h.i.+p.

"We'll be setting sail in a few minutes," Burke said.Storm nodded. "We'll be ready. How is Cullen?"Burke looked to the railing where his brother stood staring out at the sea. "He wishes to speak with me."Storm placed a gentle hand on his arm. "Go, he needs you."Burke leaned down and kissed her softly. "I am so relieved you are here beside me."She pressed her cheek to his. "So am I."Storm watched him walk over to his brother and place a comforting hand on his shoulder. Only time would heal his wounds, but having someone there would help him.

Burke wasn't certain what to say to his brother. He knew he would be inconsolable if he had lost Storm.He wasn't even sure if he should mention Alaina. He was at a loss as to how to help his brother."You will like America," Burke said, hoping it would help to speak to him of his new home.

"I am not going with you."

Burke's hand slipped off his brother's back. "Of course you are. You can't stay here. The earl's men will find you."

"They will think I sailed with you."

Burke spoke bluntly. "Alaina is gone. There is nothing here for you."

Cullen's knuckles turned white from how hard he grasped hold of the railing. "My son is here."

Burke was struck speechless for a moment. "Your son?"

Cullen nodded slowly and looked at his brother. "Before Alaina died she told me of him."

"But she planned on leaving with you for America."

Cullen shook his head. "No. She thought my new wealth would help us to locate our son. She planned to

tell me when we reached the s.h.i.+p. She figured you would agree to help us and supply us with what we

needed. Once we found our son we could then join you and Storm in America."

"Why didn't she just bring the child with her?"

"She doesn't know where he is."

Burke shook his head. "How can that be?'

Cullen's hands fisted at his sides. "Her father took the lad from her at birth."

"The b.a.s.t.a.r.d," Burke spit out.

"You know I'm going to kill him, don't you?"

"I can stay and help," Burke offered.

"No," Cullen said. "While I appreciate your offer, this is something I must do. Besides, if you stayed Storm would insist on staying with you, and she needs to be taken away from here if she is to be kept safe."

"You understand my apprehension in leaving you behind?"

"I know, but I also know that you above anyone understands why I must do this."

"I do," Burke said. "It is an awful thing for a father to know he has a son out there somewhere but is

unable to find him. I will give you all the money you need and any help you want."

"The money will be the greatest help to me. It will buy me information."

"You shall have whatever you need," Burke said adamantly.

Cullen hesitated, then spoke. "I wish there had been time for us to talk more."

"We will," Burke a.s.sured him. "There will be time when you return home with your son."

"Home." Cullen shook his head. "I have never truly had a home."

"You do now. It waits for you along with your family."

The brothers hugged and Burke let go of Cullen reluctantly, fearful that he might never see him again.

"Give me your word you will come home," Burke said, holding out his hand to him.

Cullen grasped his hand firmly. "I and my son will come home, this I promise you."

The two men turned at the sound of harried voices.

Burke saw Storm speaking with the white-haired man she had freed from the prison. The older man

looked agitated."I best see what's going on," Burke said, and Cullen followed him."I must leave," the older man said."What's the problem?" Burke asked walking up to them."I cannot sail to America. I must stay here," the older man said."I thought you had agreed to go with us?" Burke asked."I've changed my mind," the man said. "I want to get off the s.h.i.+p now.""I'll help him off," Cullen offered and looked to Burke.Burke understood. Cullen didn't want Storm to know that he wouldn't be sailing with them. She would certainly disagree and then insist on staying to help him, and Cullen was right. Storm needed to get far away from Scotland if she was ever to be safe.

"Let me get some coins for you," Burke offered the man.

"How generous. Thank you," the man said.

"Cullen, come with me," Burke said, and the brothers walked off together.

When they entered the cabin, Burke said, "I want to make certain you have sufficient funds to find your son."

Cullen stared wide-eyed at the coins he handed him.

"Enough?" Burke asked, ready to reach for more.

"I believe this will suffice," Cullen said and tucked the purse in his kilt.

"I also want you to have this," Burke said, slipping their father's ring off his finger and holding it out to

Cullen. "It belonged to our father and he had hoped to give it to you."

Cullen looked at it but didn't take it from Burke. "Keep it for now. Give it to me when I join you inAmerica."Burke realized what his brother was saying without saying it. If by chance he didn't make it to America, Burke would still have their father's ring."I'll keep it safe for you," Burke said."I'll be looking forward to getting it from you."The brothers stared for a moment at each other and then left the cabin."Hurry, Cullen, we leave soon," Storm said.

"I won't be gone long," Cullen said with a smile, and helped the older man down the gangplank.

"I need help with something," Burke said to Storm, drawing her attention away from Cullen and keepingher busy until the s.h.i.+p had set sail away from the dock.Burke stood on the deck watching Scotland fade from view when Storm joined him."I can't find Cullen," she said, sneaking beneath his arm to snuggle against him.Burke held her tight, knowing her reaction once he told her about his brother. "He's not coming with us.""What?" she shouted and tried to slip out of his arms.He wouldn't have it. He held her firm."I can't believe you let him stay behind. Why?""He has good reason," Burke said and explained.A tear trickled down Storm's cheek. "Cullen was right. I would have insisted on remaining behind to help.""Cullen will come home," Burke said, hugging her close."He'd better or we'll be returning to Scotland.""You'll not be returning to Scotland," Burke insisted.Storm slipped out of his arms and stood with her hands on her hips. "Is that so?"Burke glanced around him, and with a glint in his dark eyes said, "From what I can see, this is my s.h.i.+p, therefore my command."

"Then it's the s.h.i.+p's commander who orders me, not the man who loves me?"

Burke grinned and reached out to slip his arm around her waist and tug her toward him, though she

proved hesitant. "The man who loves you speaks out of love for you."

"Then the man who loves me will not order me about?" she asked.

"Let me think about that." He laughed and yanked her into his arms, and she braced her hands against his

chest. "Just as I thought, the woman I love could never be ordered about. Besides, I admire and respect her courage. She is my equal in all things and I love her with all my heart."

Storm melted against him. "Don't think I'll always be taken by your sweet words."

"Maybe not, but you will be taken by this." He claimed her lips in a searing kiss.

She smiled softly once their lips parted. "Perhaps, Burke, but never forget that you were taken by Storm from the very beginning."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR.

Part of the fun in writing, DONNA FLETCHER admits, is doing the research. Getting lost in 1514 proved exciting, and learning about pirates and the high seas thrilled and surprised her. But it is with her characters she has the most fun. She loves giving life to fresh characters and feels their excitement as they face the pleasures and pitfalls of falling in love.

Donna's own adventures have taken her to England, Ireland, and Scotland. She has walked the fields where battles were battles were fought centuries ago, toured haunted castles, stood where beheadings were commonplace, explored the mystic mounds of long ago, and collected a plethora of memories and research that will live long in her heart and mind. She also loves exploring and photographing old abandoned homes, and she often takes long walks in the woods with camera in hand. She feels her life is rich and full, having three terrific sons, two fantastic daughters-in-law, an endless supply of friends, a loving dog, and a crazy, black, one-eyed cat named Bear.

Donna loves hearing from her readers. Please visit her at www.donnafletcher.com.

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