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  He didn’t argue, but stepped aside and tipped his hat. “Yes, miss, young Captain Hook. If I can be of assistance to you, please don’t hesitate to call upon me.”

  She brushed past him without reply, eager to find the mapmaker and begin her next adventure. Roger gave a polite nod, but stuck close to Jocelyn in order to keep from being ensnarled in the man’s bureaucratic red tape.

  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: That boy was a wee bit smarter than most. It’s not saying much, but it’s something.

  At the end of the dock, Jocelyn turned to her crew. “All right, you dogs,” she growled with a smile, “go show this town what you’re made of. You’ve earned it. We’ll meet back aboard the ship by first light.”

  “Tie the colors to the mast, boys! There’ll be no surrender tonight!” Dirty Bob called, and with many an “Arrrrr!” the men set off to celebrate their victories.

  Mr. Smee stayed behind. He patted Jocelyn on the shoulder. “Do be careful, miss,” he said, then set off toward his own tailor shop, turning just once to give a fretful look back.

  Jocelyn grabbed Roger by the arm, pulling him in the opposite direction. “Come on,” she said with a grin, “let’s get this adventure under way.”

  HEIDI SCHULZ is a writer, reader, and giraffe suspicioner. She lives in Salem, Oregon, with her husband, co-captaining a crew made up of their teen daughter, a terrible little dog, and five irascible chickens. This is her debut novel. Visit her website at HeidiSchulzBooks.com or follow her on Twitter @HeidiSchulz.

  JOHN HENDRIX loves to draw. In fact, he’s drawing right now in St. Louis, Missouri. He lives there with his wife and two children, and teaches at Washington University. His drawings have been featured in numerous publications, and he is the illustrator of many acclaimed children’s books. Visit John online at johnhendrix.com and follow him on Twitter @hendrixart.