The Hawk and the Jewel (Kensington Chronicles 1) by Lori Wick Page A

alone.
    "You will not pout over this," he told her softly and watched as her expression turned from anger to pride.
    In a way that was all too familiar, her chin came into the air. He turned away to hide his smile, for he knew she hated any reference to her youth.
    Sunny was more disappointed than she believed she had let on, and turned away from Brandon's back to go up on deck. Once at the railing, the wind tugging at her hair and clothing, she made a promise to herself about the next day.
    / may not be allowed off this ship, but I will be here, on the deck., seeing all I can of this Sierra Leone.
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    sunny awoke to an odd sound and lay for a moment, trying to place what was wrong. It took some seconds for her to remember they were docking. She realized then that it was the ship's lack of motion that had awakened her. She flew out of the bed, but just as Brandon had predicted, he was gone. Sunny tore out of her nightgown and dressed as swiftly as she was able. Ignoring the brush because she was headed out into the wind, she reached for the door of her little room and ran across Brandon's cabin. With a smile on her face, she placed her hand on the latch and pulled.
    Sunny found it locked. She stood in stunned silence for a moment and tried the door again. It didn't budge. With a determined yank, she made yet another attempt. Frustration rose within her, and she pulled until her hands hurt, but the door remained firmly shut.
    "How could you?" Sunny's voice sounded in the empty room. Hurt feelings quickly gave way to anger. By the time Brandon arrived nearly an hour later, she was in a fury.
    Brandon came aboard ship with a feeling of contentment. He had accomplished all he had set out to do, and found a close friend of his at home. He had said nothing to Sunny for fear of raising her hopes and then having to dash them, but now that he knew John was home, he planned to take Sunny onshore. They were expected
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    for lunch. It wouldn't be a long visit; the Flying Surprise would sail with tonight's tide, but it would break up the tedium of the ship and give Sunny contact with a few other believers.
    "Any sounds from my cabin?" Brandon asked Flynn.
    "I've checked a few times-all is quiet."
    "Good. We'll be going ashore hi a few hours, and she'll be well rested. We're going to John and Cheryl's, and I have some jobs for Angus and Billy. Tell them to accompany us."
    "You'd like a carriage?"
    "If Angus can arrange it, yes. I'll be in my cabin."
    Flynn nodded, and Brandon moved toward the companionway. Once at his cabin door, he lifted the lock and used his key. He had regretted such an action, but it had given him peace of mind while off the ship. On opening the door, however, any and all peace of mind was shattered, along with a heavy ceramic mug that hit the wall near his head.
    *Hm? could you?" The words were spat in fury, and a hairbrush came through the air.
    "I trusted you!"
    Brandon ducked his way into the door as a book came crashing somewhere above his head.
    "That's enough, Sunny," Brandon spoke firmly, but not loudly enough, since another book was picked up and hurled. Her aim was far off, and Brandon was headed in Sunny's direction when she grabbed something off his desk and raised it high.
    aStop!v Brandon's voice thundered in the small room, and Sunny, so shocked over hearing his raised voice, slowly lowered her hand. "Put mat on the desk." Brandon's voice was softer now, but no less angry.
    Sunny complied, and then backed away when Brandon started toward her. She stopped when she saw that he was headed to the desk. Sunny watched in fascination as he picked up the item she had been ready to throw, and gave it a good going over. His voice was now gentle as he turned to her and explained.
    "This is a sextant; I can't navigate this ship without it. Since we're not out to sea, it wouldn't have been a complete disaster. If you had broken it, I would have been left searching for a replacement, but none that would match the