Aubrielle's Call Read Free Page A

interested?”
    “Aye,” John replied without hesitation. “I would.”
    Sweeney grinned. “That’s good, mate.” He paused as two sailors entered the bar and moved to a table in the back. “It’s too crowded this early,” Sweeney said in a low voice into his half-empty glass. “Come back at midnight. Tell the bartender you’re to meet with me. He’ll give you directions.” He finished his beer and set the mug down hard on the table. “Don’t be late.” He turned his collar up and slipped out the door.

 
     
     
    CHAPTER 3
     
     
     
     
    John finished his drink and waved off the barmaid who walked his way. He dropped coins on the table to cover his tab and headed into the night. Men hurried along the wharf in groups of two and three, most moving away from the ships for the evening. He passed the quay where The Yankee Dream had moored, and continued north to Gull’s Tavern.
    Fred and Elmer were still in the little bar, both cutting a rug on the dance floor. The waitress eyed him as he sat at their table.
    “Same as before?” she asked over her shoulder as she cleared the table beside his.
    “Yes. Thank you.”
    She nodded and made her way through the crowd carrying an armful of empty mugs.
    The slow, plaintive melody ended. Fred and Elmer escorted their dance partners back to the table.
    “You’re back.” Elmer pointed to the young blonde woman on his arm. “This as Marge.”
    Fred seated his tawny-haired date and pulled over another chair. “Charlotte, this is John. He’s a friend of ours.” Fred scooted his chair up to the table and held up four fingers to the waitress. “John wants to find a ship to Britain.”
    “We asked some sailors about a North Atlantic run after you left. They said there were no ships bound for Britain.” Elmer thanked the waitress and took a gulp of beer.
    John nodded greetings to the ladies. “I may have found a vessel,” he said to Fred and Elmer. “A line on one at least. I meet with the bosun tonight.”
    “Be careful, John.” The silver glistened in Fred’s hair as he shook his head. “I’d hate for something bad to happen. Not all masters are good ones.”
    “I’ll be all right, Fred,” John reassured his friend. “If all goes well, I’ll be leaving The Dream in the morning, so I wanted to buy the table a round of drinks tonight.” He reached over and gave Elmer’s back a pat. “You’ve been good mates, the best a man could ask for.”
    Before long, the ladies urged Fred and Elmer to return to the dance floor.
    John finished his drink and signaled to the waitress. He bought the table another round and handed the young woman a tip for her service.
    “I get off at midnight.” She smiled at him and tucked the bill into her blouse.
    He winked at her and slipped on his coat. “You take care walking home, miss.”
    The clear fall night had grown colder, and he pulled up his collar to the wind as he hurried back down the pier. He still had an hour, but Sweeney’s warning about being late rang in his ears. He passed the rowdy cul-de-sac and turned up the next street.
    Inside the quiet tavern, the bartender leaned against the counter and made soft conversation with a woman at the bar.
    John slipped into the same booth he and Sweeney had shared earlier. He waved when the barkeep glanced his way.
    Instead of greeting him, the man behind the bar returned to his conversation with the woman.
    John didn't mind. He had experience with waiting, even when anxiety clawed a hole in his heart.
    After several minutes, the bartender stopped in front of John’s table. “What’ll it be?” The man’s white bib apron stretched over broad shoulders, the ties knotted tight around his ample waist. Despite his midsection, the barman’s biceps bulged as he wiped his hands on a large bar towel.
    Perhaps he’s the reason this tavern is quiet . “I’m waiting for someone. We were here earlier and planned to meet again at midnight.”
    The bartender finished with the