Keeping Cadence
Page 7
She still didn’t know what he thought of her, but then she hadn't asked him, had she? Really, did she want to know? "Papa would have had an invitation as a returning exhibitor."
"Returning? He was there before? He exhibited his work?"
"Well, yes." Memories darkened her mood further, smothering her anxiety with an old sorrow. "Momma and I were with him. We were so proud of his inventions. They were going to change the world."
"What happened?" Did she hear concern in Jonathan's voice? Certainly the excitement was gone. "Talk to me, Cadence."
The knot in her chest eased with his gentle urging. She hadn't spoken of it for a long time. Even her captain didn’t know how she'd come to be what she was. "Military men came to see Papa's inventions. They were interested in the application of them for war. Papa hadn't made his machines for that, but he told Momma that the sponsorship could help mass produce his machines and the technology would trickle out into the public faster. There were benefits, he said, for the greater good."
"Every clankerton has to consider the possibility that his work will be used in the defense of his country."
She nodded. "But one or two of the military men were tinkering while the officers spoke to Papa outside. They did things they shouldn't have. Momma and I were still in the exhibit tent when one of Papa's machines exploded. Momma died instantly."
"The last exposition was twelve years ago."
"Papa made me the boots and designed new ones as I grew. At first they were just to let me walk, until he refined the designs, improved them. Now I can do so much more." Resolve hardened her. Even if Jonathan didn't want her, Papa had worked hard to give her a wonderful life. "Papa saved me and he never built his other machines again. The military had to go elsewhere for their mechs. He kept me a secret."
"He's a good man." Jonathan touched her then, a light caress at the top of her thigh. She could feel it through the blanket on her skin just above her boot.
"He must like you." Hope flared up despite every attempt to control it. "If he gave you his invitation, he must think you have talent."
Jonathan ducked his head, maybe embarrassed. "He called me a fellow clankerton before we left his home. You won't have heard him. You were still unconscious when Captain Sharp came to retrieve us. Captain asked if that meant I was qualified to see to you once we got back to the ship. Your father said yes."
Papa may have said more than yes. Cadence could only imagine what gruff response Papa would have grunted out. Of course, that'd be enough for her captain.
"The clockworks." She struggled. But hell, she was never one to hide from a fight, and this was one on a different kind of battlefield. It was time to ask what she wanted to know. "You don't think of me as a freak?"
"Cadence!"
She looked up in surprise at the anger in his voice. She'd never thought him capable of such.
He reached for her then, slowly, so she had time to allow his approach or not. He cupped her face in both his hands, his touch gentle. His gaze locked with hers. "You. Are. Beautiful. I've never, ever encountered a soul more lovely or a person so very interesting as you."
"I…the boots."
"If you decided to never wear the boots again, I'd still want to be near you." He leaned closer. "We'd have to spend a little time learning how to please each other that way, but I promise I'd be a diligent study."
Heat rushed across her face and her heart kicked up. "What if I want to keep my boots?"
"I'd better start a physical training regimen for myself, then." Jonathan's lips hovered over hers, brushing them as he spoke. "I want to be a match for you in every way I can. And I think my skill sets are a complement to yours. Don't you?"
Thoughts were running every which way in her head and she couldn't snag a single one to form a clear sentence. She could only nod in agreement.
"In that case, what are the chances Captain Sharp will sign me on as crew?"
He kissed her, a soft press of lips.
"Oh." This, at least this she had an answer for. She nipped the corner of his mouth. "I think she could be persuaded."
Jonathan slid one hand to the nape of her neck, urging her to tip back her head. "Do you think you could put in a good word for me?"
He nipped her back, a tiny hurt along her lower lip, and then he kissed it away.
She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Papa told you how long before I could walk again, but he didn't say how long before I could do anything else, did he?"
Not likely.
Jonathan paused, and then chuckled and kissed her temple. "No. But I think we can feel our way through your recovery."
She smiled then and took a kiss of her own from him.
"But." He pulled back enough to shake a finger at her. "You have to be honest with me about how much pain you're in at all times. I don't want to slow down your healing or do you any further damage. Promise me you'll let me know."
She bit the tip of his finger, gently. And then, holding his gaze with her own, she sucked.
His intake of breath, the tightening of his jaw and the heat in his eyes reassured her of what words wouldn't.
"I promise, Jonathan."
"I should come right out and ask, shouldn't I?"
She laughed. "I've already said I'd talk to the captain about signing you on as crew. I think it's pretty obvious I'd like you to bunk with me."
"May I court you?"
Her breath left her in a whoosh.
"I don't want to sign on for a single voyage or a year's term. And it's impossible to properly court you, I know. I still want to go through the steps though." Jonathan leaned forward until his forehead rested against hers. "I want your captain to understand that as long as you are aboard this ship, I'll be sailing with you."
Thump. Th-thump. Oh, her heart had decided to begin beating again. Good. Maybe. What?
He wanted to marry her. Not right away, of course. After a courtship. A courtship!
"It's all right if you want to think on it." He began to draw away, and despite his reassurance she could hear the hurt in his voice.
"No! I mean, yes!"
He froze. "I'm going to need a bit of clarification."
She shook her head, tried to jiggle the words into the right order in her head.
"No, don't leave." She reached for his hand, bit her lip as he gave it to her with hesitation. "And yes, I'd like a courtship."
A grin spread across his face and then he lunged lightning quick, so that he was crouched over her on the bunk. He leaned his forehead against hers again.
"Cadence, you changed my world in less than a day."
"You changed mine in the space of four words."
He kissed her then, long and thorough, and if she could feel her legs at all, she'd have been weak in the knees.
Shifting to lay next to her on the bunk, Jonathan tucked a stray lock of her hair behind her ear. "We can start thinking the rest out tomorrow, then, shall we? Tonight, let's just figure out each other."
Afterword
Thank you for reading KEEPING CADENCE!
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About the Author
Piper J. Drake is a bestselling author of romantic suspense and edgy contemporary romance, a frequent flyer, and day job road warrior. Wherever she goes, she enjoys tasting the world and embarking on foodie adventures. Dogs—and horses—have been known to spontaneously join her for a stroll and she enjoys pausing for a nice chat with cats of all sizes, from domestic to tiger size and beyond.
Piper aspires to give her readers stories with a taste of the hard challenges in life, a breath of laughter, a broad range of strengths and weaknesses, the sweet taste of kisses, and the heat of excitement across multiple genres including science fiction and fantasy.
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Piper J. Drake, Keeping Cadence