I’m making sure I actually get to this post this week. I’ve been playing around with my schedule this week to try to make sure I not only get to the two projects I’m focusing on, but also my marketing tasks. And maybe even some beta reading. As well as all the other stuff I have on my list. I think I’ve settled on something that works, we’ll just see if I can stick with it for long.
Writing
This month I’ve been focusing on finishing edits for Fixing the Books to get it ready to send out to beta readers. And I finally got there! I started the search for beta readers on Thursday. So, that’s off my plate for the moment.
I was also focusing on finishing rewrites for Cat in the Bakery. And I got there this morning. I’m going to set it aside for now, but when I come back, I’ll start listening through it to do edits.
And I finished writing the Whole Latte Love Shots story. So a lot of progress this week.
Reading
I read a few books I enjoyed this week, but nothing that I really loved. Maybe next week.
Crafting
I finished another of the “and proud” cross stitch pieces. Now, I’ve switched over to working on more of the Pride Whales.
Story
I’ve got another episode of Mermaid’s Jewel for you this week. This one does continue the episode from the last one, but from another character’s POV.
"Rand," Arden yelled, sticking his head out from the galley, "I need that supply list. I'm leaving in five minutes. Whatever's not on it, we won't be getting."
He waited for the young cabin mate to come to him, but after several minutes that still hadn't happened. Well, that wasn't like her at all. Rand was always right on top of what needed done. And Rand's prime responsibility was making sure everything was in order for a supply run. She never let them down on that.
So just what was going on?
Arden headed out of the galley and to the main deck, looking around for the cabin mate. The deck was still empty, though. Concern started to seep through his irritation. Rand had been with the crew for nearly a year and had never had an issue, especially when the ship was anchored in port. But, you never knew when something might happen.
Then, he heard voices coming from near the gang plank. One was high-pitched, the other lower. Not exactly deep, but one that was often pitched in that low tone. Rand may not have asked any of them to call her anything else, but sometimes Arden thought she wanted to. But, until Rand asked for that, it wouldn't happen.
It was one of the captain's few rules for the crew. They took everyone at their word for who they were. And it didn't change anything about their role on the ship.
Arden headed toward the gang plank. This would make things easier anyway. He'd just grab the list from Rand then head off the ship. There wouldn't be anything between those two actions that could possibly distract him. That could always come when he was at the market, but there was less chance of it if he actually got off the ship.
Especially if Caddis did not come out of his cabin in the meantime.
Arden did not remember what had caused their last row. He had thought things were going so well, too, and then something had set Caddis off again. Something always did.
And Arden had found himself shut out of the doctor's life once again.
Not for long. He was sure of that. Something always made Caddis open up once again. For now, Arden would just have to wait him out.
And in the meantime, see exactly what had held up Rand from doing her duty.
He certainly hadn't expected to see her holding onto the arm of an even scrawnier brat than Rand had ever been. "What, pray tell, is going on out here?"
Rand looked at him, the most frustrated Arden could ever remembering seeing her, even when she'd first been learning the ropes on the ship. "Will you please tell Selby that we mean them no harm? The captain left them in my care, but I cannot do as asked, if they will not even allow me to make sure we have clothing for them, or if I should need to add it to the supply list, which I very nearly have ready for you. If only our newest acquisition would cooperate."
Arden's lips twitched at that last. "Maybe referring to them as an acquisition might not be the best course for achieving your aims, Rand. It is nice to have a new member of the family, though."
Said new member curled back a lip in a snarl. "I'm not your family. And I won't be anything else to you, either. I don't care what anyone says. I didn't leave one gang that only wanted to use me to join another. I don't care what you do to me. I'd rather drown then give everything to you."
Arden glanced at Rand again. "See what it is I've been dealing with since the captain left them with me? I have tried explaining, but they refuse to believe me."
Rand moved slightly, not in an aggressive move, Arden was sure of that, but Selby may have taken it that way, as they twisted away from her. And they couldn't hide the wince of pain that crossed that face. Rand saw it as well, apparently, as she shook her head. "I've not touched them."
Arden nodded but didn't take his gaze from Selby. "Go finish that list, Rand. I'll take things from here."
"You're not going to touch me, old man," Selby said. "Ive gotten away from quicker men than you."
"I won't," Arden said. "Rand, before you finish that list, get Caddis. I believe he's in his cabin."
"I'm not afraid of there being two of you." Except the shake of their voice belied that. "I'll still get away."
"You don't have to go anywhere. Caddis is the ship's doctor. And I can tell you he won't have any desire to touch you. Not more than it takes to heal what's ailing you."
"There's nothing. I'm fine." Except they took another step back, right into the railing, and let out a sharp cry of pain.
"Right. Who hurt you, Selby?" They kept their mouth shut. "That gang you belonged to? What happened? They sent you out to steal and you didn't bring back what they wanted?" Still, their lips stayed sealed shut. No matter. He could see the truth in their eyes.
"Nothing like that will happen to you here. Everything we do is done together, as a crew. And it is distributed much the same. As long as you pull your weight, you'll have a place here. The captain will make sure of it."
"Except she's not here right now, is she? She just left me with you lot then waltzed away. How do I know any of that's true?"
"You don't," Caddis said, coming up behind Arden and putting a hand low at his back. "You'll have to take it on faith. Like we all did. Unless you have someplace better to return to."
Selby glanced back toward shore, then just seemed to deflate. "Well, then," Caddis said, "Rand said you seemed to be in some pain. Let's just take a look."