The Captain of Her Heart

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  Once Kyrah was certain that she had evaded Ritcherd, she walked slowly home. Knowing he had come for her filled her with unspeakable joy. But at the same time, it made what she had done seem all the more deplorable. She intended to divorce herself from Peter Westman, and her deepest hope was that she could still have a future with Ritcherd. But that would take time—and a great deal of understanding and forgiveness from both of them.

  While Kyrah had been hoping the baby would wait to come until she was aboard the ship, now she wished that it might come before they sailed. She felt so unattractive in this condition, and would far prefer to see him again when she was back to normal. She had often fantasized about showing the baby to Ritcherd, and she speculated over what his reaction might be to realize he was a father. She imagined him taking her in his arms and pledging his love and commitment to her forever. But then the reality of her marriage would come crashing into her fantasies, reminding her that the facts had to be faced. She was married to another man, and she could only hope and pray that Ritcherd’s love for her was strong enough to carry them beyond whatever might lie ahead.

  Kyrah was grateful to know that Daisy was working a double shift to fill in for a woman who was ill. She had no desire to repeat what had happened and have Daisy scold her for running. Perhaps it had been cowardly. She knew it wasn’t fair to Ritcherd. But the situation was just too complicated to face at a moment’s notice. On that count, too, she hoped that Ritcherd would forgive her.