Her ship in the bay, looking sound and ready to sail.  How did Da accomplish that miracle?  Rosy couldn’t wait to be back on deck, feeling the sturdiness beneath her feet and hear the familiar sounds of the ship settling around them.  So much to ask, but first the audience with Da and Capt. John.  Da’s closest men provided a warm welcome before he swept her up for the ritual hug.  She was upset with herself to have let him down.  But there would always be another opportunity to capture another ship so long as there were countries greedy for more wealth.  When he eventually put her down Her vessel, sleek and whole in the harbor.  How did Da perform that miracle?  Nonetheless, it would be good to be and focused on Capt. John, Rosy was curious how the encounter would go.<br/><br/>The Morgan was displeased, who did the upstart think he was, asking if Rosy’s ship was ready to sail.  “Aye, she’s ready to sail.”  He growled, wondering what the lad had in mind.  Rosy reminded him they were still guests.  “Shouldn’t we discuss this over a meal and maybe something strong to wash it down?”  Grudgingly, he led the young captain into his home.  Large but no ostentatious, it’s purpose to provide a welcoming place to receive guests and provide a home for Rosy.  Her bedroom was upstairs with windows facing the sea.  “Food won’t be done for a while.  I’ll have Jim show him the guestroom for a bath and fresh change of clothes.”  Capt. John understood leaving to go to his own house would be interpreted as The Morgan’s hospitality wasn’t good enough.  He thanked his host after Rosy interjected, “I’ll take him, since I’m going that way anyway.”  She led him upstairs and down the hall opposite her room.  “I’ll have a bath brought up to you soon.”  Showing him into a room furnished with a bed, small writing desk and chair, armoire, banked fireplace.  “Make yourself comfortable and someone will come to get to get you when dinner is ready.”<br/><br/>Alone in her room, a bath already awaited, steam rising temptingly.  Sighing in exhaustion, she was only too happy to shed everything in a pile to be collected later for the launderer.  Tossing boot aside, she sank in and leaned back to let the heat soak into her bones.  These past few days forced her reassess herself as a captain.  Everything she’d learned was from the men around her, especially from Da and observing his voyages.  What she knew was being his acknowledged child and a woman, everything she did was scrutinized and judged.  Life would have been easier if she’d been born a man.  When the water began to cool, Rosy finished bathing, addressing her long hair last.  Additional buckets of water, now tepid stood nearby for final rinsing.  Toweling dry, she selected a more relaxed outfit of men’s clothing to wear over her underthings and an old pair of serviceable shoes.  If dinner was only with Da and the crew, she’d leave her hair down to dry but with company, putting it up in a simple bun was more appropriate.  Time to face the situation, she approached Capt. John’s room and knocked politely.  Hearing no response, slowly opened the door.<br/><br/>He’d also taken a bath and seemed to be napping on the bed.  If she’d had her way, his used clothes would be burned.  Why did most pirates think allowing themselves to stink to high heaven was acceptable?  It was not natural to smell someone’s approach before hearing them.  Her uncles just laughed at her sensitive nose, saying it was one of the reasons they became pirates, to dodge the annoying ritual.  The mischievous side of her wanted to wake him by dashing water on his face, but the water was dirty, and it’d make him stink again.  Instead, she called his name and gently prodded a shoulder.  Free to examine him, he was very handsome, thick lashes and interesting lips.  Still not waking, Rosy moved nearer.  If he was sleeping, could she steal a kiss?  Da being who he was, no one dared kiss her.  So quiet as a cat, she slowly leaned down and brushed her lips against his.  They were softer than she’d imagined.  Not wanting to tempt bad luck she resisted the urge to do it again. Instead, stepped away and slipped out of the room to return downstairs.  If he was that tired, better to allow him to sleep.