Every Storm Read Online Free

he said, working gently to draw her back. "What have you been eating and drinking on the island?"
    "Mostly leaves and water. Some berries." Lorri made a little face. "They don't taste very good."
    "One of the men will bring you some crackers. I think we'll start there."
    "I love crackers."
    Lionel smiled at her, feeling the same pity that Rigg had known. He was a married man with two little daughters. If his Alma or one of his girls was ever alone and starving, he would want someone to treat them with all the care and respect he could muster.
    "Do you suppose you're in my dream?" Lorri suddenly asked.
    "Not unless I'm having the same dream."
    Lorri couldn't process that comment. She looked off into the distance and tried to work it out.
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    Not sure what to say to her next, Lionel stood to his feet to watch for Cliff, willing the man to hurry with that food.
    "You find a way to make it more than clear, Hugh," Rigg said sternly to the other officer. "She might not be what they've been dreaming about for weeks, but she's still a woman. If anyone lays a hand on her, I'll have them in the nearest brig before they can state their full rank."
    "I'll see to it," Hugh assured him, looking up at the man he admired like no other. "It's not going to be fun once we're back at sea."
    "I know that better than anyone. I just want to be sure that the men know there's no fun to be had here."
    Hugh smiled a little.
    "She's certainly a surprise."
    "She is that." Rigg shook his head in wonder. "First those songs and then that dazed expression that tell me she can barely think straight."
    "What songs?"
    Rigg told him how they found her, and Hugh almost laughed. It was nothing short of amazing.
    "Oh, and make sure Lionel keeps her comfortable here on the island tonight. There's no point in having her on board until we have to."
    "Aye, Lieutenant."
    The men parted company, Rigg to check on the boat's repairs and Hugh to organize a meeting and make a few announcements.
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    "We'll have a guest aboard ship for some days, men. I can't say how many," Hugh stated plainly at the end of his speech. "She's off limits in every way, shape, and form. I don't even want you to speak to her unless you have business with her, and you only have business with her when I or Lieutenant Riggs say you do. Do I make myself clear?"
    "Yes, sir!"
    Hugh looked along the line of men at attention on the beach and wondered if this was going to work. It was true that their guest was not in the best of shape, but the lieutenant was right: She was female, and for some of the men that was all that mattered.
    "Dismissed," he finally told the men, hoping he'd been clear enough. He knew Rigg meant what he said about arresting anyone who stepped out of line, but in the end, the rest was in the hands of the men.
    Harlan Ellis, cook on the Every Storm, did not allow Cliff to return alone with the crackers. He was fit to be tied to learn that a woman would be on his boat, and only grudgingly did he prepare something for her to eat. When the food was ready, he followed the other sailor off the boat and onto the beach, trailing him through the trees until he reached Lionel's side.
    His heart softened a bit when he saw Lorri. He didn't know what he was expecting, but it wasn't to see a woman truly in need of sustenance. He had taken fresh crackers and knew the broth was tasty, but something inside of him wished he'd done more.
    He returned to the Every Storm, already working out what he could make her for supper that night.
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    V
    "Here you go" Lionel said, handing a cracker to Lorri. She smiled and thanked him, but she didn't put it in her mouth.
    "Go ahead and eat," he urged her and watched her put it in her mouth.
    "That's good," she said around the crumbs, needing no further urging. Lionel handed her four more crackers and stepped back to give her some space.
    It was a funny thing in Lord's mind. She'd thought about how much she would enjoy food if she got it again, but when he'd