"Woods, Stuart - White Cargo" - читать интересную книгу автора (Woods Stuart)

her intelligence, beauty, and good sense that helped to make up for his
disappointment in his son.

By midnight Katie was asleep and Jinx was nodding.

"You'd better hit the sack, kid," he said, reaching across the table and
placing a hand on her warm cheek.

She crawled over next to him, ducked under his arm, and laid her head on
his shoulder.

"I think I'll sleep right here," she said, snuggling close. "You used to
go to sleep there all the time," he said, stroking her thick, luxuriant
hair.

"I'd put you to bed when my arm got numb."

"I remember," she replied.

"I wasn't always asleep, you know."

"I didn't know."

"I just liked it when you carried me to my bedroom and tucked me in."

"I liked it, too,"

"I'm glad I didn't go to college yet," she murmured.

"I'm glad I came with you and Mother on Catbird. I didn't want to leave
you, not yet."

Cat wanted to reply, but his throat had tightened. Her head rolled a
bit, and she was asleep. He gathered her in his arms and took her to the
forecabin, tucking a sheet around her.

"Mmm," she said as he brushed her hair away from her face. Cat kissed
her on both eyes, the way he had done when she was a little girl, then
he walked aft and started to shut the door to her cabin.

"G'night, Cat," she said.

He laughed, then got into a safety harness, poured himself a cup of
coffee to fortify himself against the wine, then climbed into the
cockpit to relieve Denny at the helm. The wind was holding nicely, and
the boat seemed to race through the waves. The sensation of speed was
greatly increased at night. Cat reflected, especially on a dark night
like this one.

"No thanks, Mr. Catledge," Denny said in the darkness.