[center][h2]The Winds of Change[/h2][/center]

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[i]“This is your Captain speaking. I’d ‘preciate our passengers stayin’ in their quarters for a spell as the crew convene in the galley. See you there in fifteen.”[/i]

“Convene,” Abby muttered afore checxkin’ ‘er passengers.  Word sounded nice.  She never seen it in one of her books, but Cap/n made the meanin’ clear enough.  She knocked on doors, askin’ after them three as been on tha boat fer days now.  

The Shepherd, called hisself ‘Reverand’ McDermott, was livin’ proof what she heard about “fish an’ visitors.”  He had an eye fer all tha women on board, an’ didn’t miss a chance tah stare ‘em up an’ down.  Couple times he even tried what he called “the laying on of hands.”  Fer that, Abby started wearin’ ‘er pistol.  Edina played it cool, always puttin’ a hot pot or a pointy knife to hand when he come sniffin’ about..  Sister had immunity…Abby s’posed that orange robe called fer a touch ‘o’ professional courtesy.

But it was Imani put a stop to his doin’s.  Mrs. Hewitt seen the whole thing, a beefy hand laid on a slender hip afore it got twisted all about an’ that preacher cried ‘uncle.’   To this day he done took to his room, only comin’ out tah eat or hit the lav.  And that was jest fine with one Abigail Travis.

“Yah good?” She tapped on Mrs. Hewitt’s door.

The woman opened up, hair fresh towelled from ‘er shower.  Like your Captain says, “right as the mail,” she smirked.  “You think Edina’s got some of those butter cookies around?”

“I’ll ask,” the deckhand give a nod afore movin’ on.  “Mr. Eleanor?  Need anythin’?”

“It’s your move,” his voice came from behind the closed door.  “I mean, while we’re young, right?”

“You ain’t young,” she retorted, a smile growin’.  It was funny how much she come tah like tradin’ barbs with this guy.  Turnt out that playin’ jackass was sport fer him, an’ he downright liked gettin’ jest as much [i]a shi[/i] as he dished out.  Didn’t take more’n a couple days afore he took their sparrin’ onto a whole new field, teachin’ her how tah play chess.  “I’ll be ‘round shortly,” Abby promised, “an’ yah can take muh knight.”

“You mean the knight that’s got three different escape options?” he teased as his student made for the stairs.

[i]Three ways out?[/i]  She’d have to think on that.  Meantime, Cap’n had things to say.  Man had been downright quiet since Alana passed, a vibe soaked up by his crew.  China Doll’s deckhand had reacted as she always did, keeping busy, finding work when the regular chores were finished.  The boat was due for a change.  [i]Mayhaps[/i] she pondered as she took her reg’lar chair at tha galley table, [i]this new fella might be packin’ some ‘o’ that aboard.[/i]