Read Online Don't Tempt Me by Julie Ortolon - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Julie Ortolon
Tags: Fiction, General, Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Man-Woman Relationships, Love Stories, Uncles, texas author, galveston island, Galveston Island (Tex.), award-winning author, USA award-winning author, Pirate treasure, Corpus Christi Bay (Tex.)
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read the rest." Rory waved a hand at Scott.
He turned his attention back to the letter. " 'As your father raced down the passageway ahead of me, a great blast came from beneath us. The heat and fire knocked me back toward the hatch. When I recovered enough to stand, I saw a sight I shall never forget.
" 'At the end of the passageway, I saw your father trying to open the door to his cabin, yet he could not. His hand passed through the handle, unable to turn it. I heard him roar in frustration just as one of the masts crashed to the deck, and I stumbled to keep upright.
" 'It was then I realized the figure at the end of the passageway couldn't be the captain, only my wild imaginings, for your father lay dead at my feet.
" 'I carried him to a lifeboat, refusing to leave him to a watery grave, yet did that strange apparition of him remain behind, as if even in death, he could not leave the powder horn behind. The memory of it haunts me still, compelling me to write and tell you why Lafitte's treasure meant so much to him. He wanted to pass it on to you as a symbol of all his dreams for your future, all his hopes that he had passed on to you the best of his blood, not the worst.
" 'I sailed with your father for many years, Andrew, and I know what honor meant to him. I pray you now and always to remember that. To remember everything your father ever told you about facing life with true courage. If only he had realized that was the treasure he had to leave you, not a mere object from your family's past.
" 'The powder horn is gone, sunk in the cove of Pearl Island. But your father's dream for you lives on, of that I am certain. Treasure that, and hold this letter close to help you remember. Live honorably as your father lived in his last years. Do not take the easy route to riches, but seek the path that will let you live in peace with yourself. And learn to value those things that have worth beyond monetary measure.
" 'Respectfully Yours, Bernard Kramer.' " Scott frowned, then cleared his throat. "He, um, started to sign it 'First Officer of the Freedom ,' but crossed that out and signed it, 'Your Friend'."
A moment of silence followed. "Well." Adrian released a pent-up breath. "That's some letter."
"Yes." Jackie cleared her throat. "That's why my family kept it."
"And we're glad they did." He smiled at her softly. Then, without warning, he took her hand and brought her to her feet as he stood. She found herself engulfed in a brotherly embrace, too startled to return it. "Thank you," he said, releasing her. Before she could recover, Aurora and Allison were there, hugging her in turn, both of them crying.
"Yes, thank you," Allison said. "We know this isn't easy for you. We understand."
Looking into her eyes, Jackie realized they did understand. All of them. Suddenly, she wasn't outside the circle, but standing right in the middle. The show of acceptance made some unfamiliar emotion expand inside her chest as everyone resumed talking at once. Their voices and excitement swirled around her and the newness of solidarity filled her so completely, she feared she'd start crying, too.
Chapter 7
Jackie stood on the balcony outside her room gazing up at the night sky and listening to the wind rustle through the trees. The fist of anxiety that had gripped her stomach for the past week had finally relaxed; not completely, but enough for her to do something she hadn't done in years: dream about the future.
The St. Claires' excitement had proved infectious. Perhaps tomorrow everything would go well and this would be the start of an exciting and lucrative endeavor.
On the horizon, a falling star streaked across the sky.
She wanted to laugh as she remembered all those childhood wishes made on stars, wishes for a place to belong filled with security and love. How did the old rhyme go? I wish I may, I wish I might ...
Odd, but she couldn't remember the rest. Even so, she squeezed her eyes tight and made a wish with all her heart:
He turned his attention back to the letter. " 'As your father raced down the passageway ahead of me, a great blast came from beneath us. The heat and fire knocked me back toward the hatch. When I recovered enough to stand, I saw a sight I shall never forget.
" 'At the end of the passageway, I saw your father trying to open the door to his cabin, yet he could not. His hand passed through the handle, unable to turn it. I heard him roar in frustration just as one of the masts crashed to the deck, and I stumbled to keep upright.
" 'It was then I realized the figure at the end of the passageway couldn't be the captain, only my wild imaginings, for your father lay dead at my feet.
" 'I carried him to a lifeboat, refusing to leave him to a watery grave, yet did that strange apparition of him remain behind, as if even in death, he could not leave the powder horn behind. The memory of it haunts me still, compelling me to write and tell you why Lafitte's treasure meant so much to him. He wanted to pass it on to you as a symbol of all his dreams for your future, all his hopes that he had passed on to you the best of his blood, not the worst.
" 'I sailed with your father for many years, Andrew, and I know what honor meant to him. I pray you now and always to remember that. To remember everything your father ever told you about facing life with true courage. If only he had realized that was the treasure he had to leave you, not a mere object from your family's past.
" 'The powder horn is gone, sunk in the cove of Pearl Island. But your father's dream for you lives on, of that I am certain. Treasure that, and hold this letter close to help you remember. Live honorably as your father lived in his last years. Do not take the easy route to riches, but seek the path that will let you live in peace with yourself. And learn to value those things that have worth beyond monetary measure.
" 'Respectfully Yours, Bernard Kramer.' " Scott frowned, then cleared his throat. "He, um, started to sign it 'First Officer of the Freedom ,' but crossed that out and signed it, 'Your Friend'."
A moment of silence followed. "Well." Adrian released a pent-up breath. "That's some letter."
"Yes." Jackie cleared her throat. "That's why my family kept it."
"And we're glad they did." He smiled at her softly. Then, without warning, he took her hand and brought her to her feet as he stood. She found herself engulfed in a brotherly embrace, too startled to return it. "Thank you," he said, releasing her. Before she could recover, Aurora and Allison were there, hugging her in turn, both of them crying.
"Yes, thank you," Allison said. "We know this isn't easy for you. We understand."
Looking into her eyes, Jackie realized they did understand. All of them. Suddenly, she wasn't outside the circle, but standing right in the middle. The show of acceptance made some unfamiliar emotion expand inside her chest as everyone resumed talking at once. Their voices and excitement swirled around her and the newness of solidarity filled her so completely, she feared she'd start crying, too.
Chapter 7
Jackie stood on the balcony outside her room gazing up at the night sky and listening to the wind rustle through the trees. The fist of anxiety that had gripped her stomach for the past week had finally relaxed; not completely, but enough for her to do something she hadn't done in years: dream about the future.
The St. Claires' excitement had proved infectious. Perhaps tomorrow everything would go well and this would be the start of an exciting and lucrative endeavor.
On the horizon, a falling star streaked across the sky.
She wanted to laugh as she remembered all those childhood wishes made on stars, wishes for a place to belong filled with security and love. How did the old rhyme go? I wish I may, I wish I might ...
Odd, but she couldn't remember the rest. Even so, she squeezed her eyes tight and made a wish with all her heart:
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