A couple of days later, Autumn was washing dishes when John came into the kitchen. He had a white bag in his hand. He cleared his throat. She whirled around, startled. She almost dropped the plate she was holding. Her hand flew to her throat.
"Sorry if I scared you, miss," he said.
"That's all right," she said. She felt very uncomfortable being alone in a room with John. She wondered where Daniel was.
"I was hoping you would not mind if you washed my dirty clothes," John said. "The captain has us running around all day and I do not have the time to wash my own clothes."
She took the bag from him, careful to avoid hand to hand contact with him. "Sure," she said. "I have time after I wash the silverware. I can wash your clothes then."
He smiled. "Thank you, miss," he said. "You are an angel sent to help us. Thank you."
To her relief, he left. Daniel came in. He frowned at the bag in her hand.
"Are you going to wash John's clothing?" he asked. "I saw him come from here."
"I have time after this before dinner," she said. "He asked for a favor."
"Angel-" he started.
She came up to him and put her finger to his mouth. "Shh," she whispered. "It's all right, Daniel. I really don't mind washing his clothing."
"But I don't want the men to take advantage of you," he said.
"They won't," she said. "If they do, you'll just beat them up."
He paled at the thought of fighting with the crewmen. He thought he was weaker than them. She kissed the skin that was revealed by the opening of his tunic. His heart leaped. He wrapped his arms around her. He covered her mouth with his. He was hungry for a taste of the sweetness inside her mouth.
"Oh, Daniel," she said, sighing longingly against his mouth.
He longed to lay her on the kitchen table and have his way with her. But he knew that she didn't feel the same way. He knew she only thought of him as a friend. Not as a lover. The thought pierced his heart. He pulled away.
She looked at him in confusion. Usually his kisses lasted longer. She put her hand on his arm. "Daniel?" she asked.
He looked at her. She saw an emotion she couldn't identify in his eyes. He stepped back.
"You should get back to your chores," he said.
He left before she could say a word. She felt tears sting her eyes. She blinked them away. Oh, Daniel, she thought longingly. I wish I knew what I did wrong.
After dinner, she went out on deck to watch the sunset. She wished Daniel was with her. As if summoned by her thoughts, Daniel came up from behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She leaned back against his chest. She rested her head under his chin. She sighed blissfully.
"It's so beautiful, Daniel," she said. "When I was little, I would sit on the roof of my house and watch the sun set."
"So did I," he said. "I stopped watching when my family died. I couldn't bear to think of them never watching a sunset anymore. It hurt to look."
"I wish I had been there for you," she said.
"It's too late," he said.
"You need to move on," she said.
"I have," he said. "When you came along."
She snuggled closer. Soon she fell asleep. He swept her off her feet. He carried her to her cabin. He laid her on the bed. He looked down at her. He bent over and kissed her forehead.
"I love you, angel," he whispered. He left, closing the door behind him.
