“Pleased to make your meet,” Hink said, offering a hand but not budging from his chair. “Supply run?”
“Just so. I’m afraid I miscalculated the storm. And you?”
“Repairs mostly. Headed southwest to sit out the winter.”
“And your crew?” Captain Beaumont asked.
“Boots off. Except my second there, rustling pots. You’re welcome to join in the victuals if you want.”
“No, thank you. It’s been a long day in the sky and I must see to my passengers being settled properly.”
Beaumont’s crew spread out across the room, rucksacks over their shoulders as they headed toward the room where Rose and Mae had gone.
Guffin appeared at the door, picking at his fingernails with a knife. Wil paced out to stand beside him.
“Occupied,” he said. “Take the next door.”
At the sight of the wolf, the crewmen took a couple cautious steps back, then tromped off to another door down a ways.
The two women and the bowler-hatted man exchanged a startled look, glancing between the wolf and Cedar.
The tall woman finally spoke. “Captain Beaumont,” she said in a surprisingly rich French accent, “if it would be no bother, I would very much care for a hot meal.”
“Not at all, Miss Dupuis,” the captain said smoothly. “Please, make yourself comfortable.” He held his hand out toward an empty table as far across the room from Cedar and Captain Hink as possible. “Unfortunately, I cannot join you. I’d best speak with the proprietor before we turn in to settle our bill.”
“Of course, Captain,” she said. “Good evening.”
The captain gave her a slight bow. Cedar supposed he would have too. She was the kind of woman that made a man feel like he should kiss her hand.
“Well, then,” the blond woman said, “I’ll help with the food.” No French accent from her. If anything, she seemed to have a healthy dose of the South in her words.
“Thank you, Joonie,” Miss Dupuis said.
Joonie marched off and tried to strike up a conversation with Seldom as she checked the larder. Seldom responded with barely discernible shrugs and an occasional pointing of the knife.
The man with the carpetbag, who had been staring at Cedar this whole time, seemed to gather his wits, and he strode over to pull a chair out for the lady. He moved smoothly and efficiently, like he was used to being in front of people.
A statesman? Lawyer?
“Could I get you some water, Miss Dupuis?” he asked quietly, but not so quietly that Cedar’s keen ears couldn’t pick it up. He fingered his vest pocket, withdrawing a pair of spectacles and placing them on his nose.
“No, thank you, Mr. Theobald,” she murmured. “Please, be seated.”
From how quickly the man obeyed, it was clear who among the passengers made the decisions.
And from the lowered lashes and slight smile she gave him, it was just as clear that he was more than her traveling companion. Much more.
Interesting, but ultimately nothing that concerned him. He was just about to get up and see if Rose and Mae were settled, when Mae walked back into the room. The passengers, all of them, including the blonde flipping flapjacks, looked over at Mae.
Cedar watched the strangers. Joonie noticed his gaze right away and went back to minding her pans. Mr. Theobald was slowly slipping the lenses of his spectacles down over one eye, holding a book open in the palm of his hand, but not reading it. The last person Cedar had seen wear a contraption like that was Bryn Madder, when he was trying to make sense of Cedar and his curse.
But it was Miss Dupuis who stared straight at him, watching to see if he had any reaction to Mae walking into the room.
Cedar shifted in his chair to see Mae, who was walking their way.
His heart clutched in his chest, and heat tightened his skin. Every time he saw that woman, the need for her struck him near dumb. More than that. The wolf in him twisted and pressed. Wanting out. Wanting to protect. Wanting her.
Cedar swallowed hard, pressing the beast down deeper and holding tight to the thoughts of a man.
Mr. Theobald took in a sharp, quick breath, and his fingers stopped snicking lenses into place over his spectacles.
Cedar knew he was looking at him. He could smell his fear.
It was all he could do not to turn and stare at the man until he backed down.
“Hello, gentlemen,” Mae said once she was at their table. “We have company?” From the tone of her voice, she really wasn’t sure if she had missed seeing them there before, or perhaps she was unsure if they were really in the room.
“Ship’s crew came in,” Cedar said quietly. “Supplies. The captain is off talking to Jack.”
“Oh,” Mae said. “I see.” She paused and smoothed her hands over her skirt, then rested them on her hips. “I believe you and I need to speak to Mr. Jack also, Captain.” Then she noticed the flask in Hink’s hand, and her eyebrows went up.