Here’s another short excerpt from Hard to Starboard.
North glared at the sight of her lounging in his chair, feet up in much the same position she’d been that first morning.
“You are supposed to be in bed, resting.”
Thorn flipped another page of the ship’s log. “I’m comparing our entries. Mine are more interesting, as such things go. Ya might be reading one now to see how a captain’s recording daily details without putting the reader to sleep.”
North cocked one hip, half sitting on the desk next to her feet, and plucked the log from her hand. “I have read your entries. They are quite entertaining,” he admitted, snapping the book closed and placing it on the desktop. “However, I believe we shall agree the difference lies not in your literary skills, but in the subject matter. My men spend their days swabbing the deck, repairing sails, and hauling lines. Never have they participated in the slowest rigging race ever known to man, retched on their crewmates from above, toted parasols on deck, dropped a grenade, decorated the ship with ribbons, or argued over the existence of bananas.”
Thorn grinned. “Then we shall be agreeing the problem with yer entries lies in yer dismal choice of crew.” She patted his knee. “When ya’re finding a new ship, ya’ll have an excellent opportunity to be remedying the situation.”
A smile crept along North’s lips. “I have a ship.”
Thorn shook her head. “No. I have a ship.”
