Rapture's Tempest by Bobbi Smith Read Free Book Online

what’s troubling you,” Jim prodded. “Is there a problem with the next shipment?”
    “No—not yet,” Jim replied. “We’re all set to go. Be ready to leave some time after midnight tonight.”
    “Why so late at night?”
    “Things are growing more dangerous by the hour.”
    “This sounds ominous.” Jim tried to keep his tone light, but he recognized Mark’s very real concern.
    “It could very well be. We’ll be doubling the guard from now on.”
    “All right.”
    “And, I want to know if you hire any new men. We both know it’ll take an inside job to get the bullion.”
    “I know. But don’t worry about the boat. Murphy there is the only new crew member and I doubt he’s capable of stirring up any trouble.” Jim eyed the skinny youth with little interest.
    “Well, take it for what it’s worth. Just keep your eyes open and let me know if you see or hear anything suspicious.”
    “I will,” Jim assured Mark.
    “We’ve been lucky so far. If the weather holds up North, the river may remain ice-free for another few weeks.”
    “You’ll never hear me complain about that,” Jim grinned, grateful that his steamer hadn’t been threatened yet by the hull-crushing floes of ice that plagued the Mississippi every year about this time.
    “I’ve got to get going. If I hear any news about the shipment I’ll get in touch; otherwise, I’ll just see you late tonight.”
    “We’ll be ready.”
    When the two men stood and left the bar, Delight finally let herself relax, and Ollie noticed her obvious relief.
    “Murphy? Anything wrong?”
    Delight jumped nervously at his inquiry. “Oh, no, Ollie. There isn’t anything wrong.”
    No, she thought, not anything—everything is wrong. Oh Lord, why of all the steamboat captains on the Mississippi did Jim Westlake have to be the one to rescue her? And then, to find out that he had dealings—both business and personal—with Mark Clayton! Delight could only gird herself and try to stay out of their way. For, though she hadn’t met Jim before, she most certainly was acquainted with Mark. They had been introduced after her return to St. Louis and had danced and flirted casually at numerous parties since then.
    “Well, let’s get back to work. Later, we’ll have to go up to the captain’s cabin and get your sleeping quarters ready.”
    “I’m going to sleep with the captain?” Her tone was incredulous.
    Ollie was puzzled for a moment, but then shrugged Murphy’s reaction off, attributing it to youthful nervousnessaround the captain. Ollie wasn’t overly concerned, for there were many on board who held Jim in awe.
    “There’s a small room with a connecting door to his cabin. You’ll have a cot in there. So you’ll be close by if he needs you.”
    “Oh.” She trailed after him as they left the Grand Salon and looked worriedly about, hoping they wouldn’t run into the captain and Mark again. When she was sure the coast was clear she was relieved, and she hurried to keep up with Ollie on his way up the companionway to the texas deck.

Chapter Six
    Cold, wet, and totally thwarted, Martin approached his home. He had never considered the possibility that he wouldn’t find Delight, and now he was faced with the awesome prospect of explaining her absence to both Clara and Sue. How could he make it seem plausible that she would pick up and leave home in the middle of the night? As he trudged up the unshoveled walkway, idea after idea occurred to him, but, just as quickly as they came, he discarded them. What ever story he used would have to be totally believable, and something that couldn’t be readily disproven.
    Pausing on the porch to knock the snow from his boots, Martin unlocked the front door and let himself in. At another time the warmth of the house would have seemed inviting, but this morning it felt stifling…almost as if he had just walked into a trap from which there was no escape.
    Using the boot jack, he pulled off his sodden boots and