Thomas returned with the ash pail full of kindling dangling from his arm and a stack of wood that seemed far heavier than he should manage. Still, he was strong and able-bodied and managed the entire thing without complaint or a request for help.
“I saw two rats comin’ up the gangplank onto the Mary Elise. That’s a good sign,” he said as he carefully stacked the wood in the bin.
Elise was familiar with the adage that rats boarding a ship meant the crew would have good luck, while rats deserting the ship was a sure sign the ship would sink before journey’s end.
“You know we’re blessed because we’re in God’s hands.” She ruffled his hair. “Thank you for the wood. Now, get on with your chores so I can bake cookies.”
“Sure thing, Elise.”
Knowing that the men were going to want a late evening snack after being without it for two weeks, Elise pulled out her mixing bowl and went to work mixing up a batch of cookies. She perused her recipe box and found a recipe that her great-grandmother had passed down to Mama. The men were crazy for these molasses cookies, and they were easy and quick to bake.
Elise added more wood to the fire and then went to work on the cookies. She mixed eggs and butter, then poured in the right amount of molasses. With that accomplished, she blended her dry ingredients with a variety of spices—in heavy amounts. The men loved plenty of flavor. She put everything together, stirred it thoroughly, and set it aside. The oven still wasn’t quite hot enough, so she busied herself by rolling the dough into balls before adding more wood. Finally the first batch of cookies were in the oven, and Elise could move on to the next thing on her list.
After a couple of hours, her father showed up.
“Smells good in here.” He grabbed a couple of cookies from the platter on the table. “I missed this while you were gone.”
Elise went to him and stretched up on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. The act still required that he bend down to meet her. She hugged him close. “It’s so good to be back on board.”
“Your mama used to say the same thing.”
“Other than winters, there’s only been a handful of times I’ve been gone for more than a night or two. I don’t want to be stranded on land again.” She pulled away and went to the oven. “Time for the last batch to come out. Then the roast goes into the oven, more wood into the firebox, and I go to bed.”
Her father sat down at the wooden table and began to eat his cookies. “It’s been a long day. Funny how the days spent at your uncle’s house seem more exhausting than ones on the lake.”
“That’s because although Uncle James is family, his world is not ours.”
“No, that’s for certain.” He frowned as she came to the table. “I heard what happened in the garden.”
Elise sat down beside him. “I’m fine. I suppose Nick told you?”
“No, actually Louis apologized for his friend, and when I asked what he was talking about, he told me everything.”
“I’ve lived all of my life at sea in the company of men other than family, and not one of them has ever acted in such an accosting manner. This young man was raised in ‘proper’ society and acted far more uncivilized. He thought I was a maid and therefore his behavior was acceptable. He said something like, ‘Maids are supposed to serve.’ I showed Etta how to do that flip you taught me. She told me the men who visit the house often try to take liberties with the female maids.”
“That is appalling. If he was my son, I would have whipped him good for such behavior.” Her father shook his head and started on his second cookie.
“You would have had to beat Mama to it.” Elise chuckled. “She never tolerated anything but the highest respect. I remember she once had you fire a man for his lewd behavior onshore.”
“I told her what the men did on shore leave was their business, but she told me it would only be a matter of time until he was trying such things on board. I couldn’t have that happening.”
“You’ve always looked after us, Papa. You’ve kept us safe. Now that Mama’s gone, I promise I will take good care of you.”
“But you should have a family of your own. A husband and children.” Although he spoke the words, Elise heard no conviction in his voice. She knew he was happy to have her by his side.
“It’s in God’s hands, and I believe He’s called me to take care of you.” She did her best to stifle a yawn. “I need to be going to bed.”
“So do I. Some of the men haven’t returned from town, but Nick has the watch, so I’m going to catch some sleep.” He got up and kissed the top of her head.
Elise waited until her father was in his cabin before gathering a handful of warm cookies. She left the galley and went outside, where she found Nick walking the deck. He looked deep in thought.
“I thought you might like some cookies. I just baked them.”
“Sounds wonderful,” Nick replied. He took the four cookies she offered. “Smells delicious.”
Elise couldn’t help but smile. Nick made her feel safe. It used to be she only felt that way with her father. Maybe it was because Nick had helped rescue her the day of the carriage accident. No matter what the reason, she was certain he was a good and honorable man.
“Tastes good too,” Nick said after his first bite. “We sure didn’t have treats like this when you were gone.”
“No, as much as the boys love cookies, they won’t bake for themselves. I’ve even tried to teach a couple of them.”
Nick chuckled. “I can only imagine how that went.”
She laughed. “It was a real mess.”
They fell silent for a moment while Nick popped a whole cookie in his mouth.
“They’re a good bunch of guys. I’m sure you’ve already figured that out.” Elise leaned against the rail and looked out at the dock. “They’re like an extended family to me. And most have been with us awhile. Tom is like a little brother. He once told me he never felt truly loved until coming to the Mary Elise. Isn’t that an awful thing?”
“Indeed it is. It’s a terrible thing not to know love.”
“He’s been on his own since around the age of six. Orphaned and living in the streets.” She shook her head. “It breaks my heart to think of a little child roaming the streets to find food, trying to find somewhere safe to sleep and keep warm.” Tears threatened to pour, so she changed the subject. “Of course, losing Joe is hard on Papa because they’ve been together for so many years. Joe was like an uncle to me. Each one of the men is like an uncle or a brother.”
“I doubt you’ll feel that way about the new man, Booker Duran. His nature is so selfish and self-assured. He doesn’t even try to be nice. He feels it’s completely acceptable to hurt other people. He insulted young Tom, and when the other men told him to stop, Duran said the boy was too soft and needed to learn how to be tough.”
“He had many years to learn that lesson as an orphan on the streets,” Elise said, already feeling some disdain for this Mr. Duran. “I hope the men set him straight.”
“I think they tried, but Duran isn’t the type to care.”
The sound of men coming aboard ended their conversation. Elise even stepped away, as if they’d gotten caught doing something wrong. She might have laughed out loud, but she didn’t want to draw attention to them.
She didn’t need to. The seamen noticed the couple right away.
“Don’t try to woo her, Nick,” one of the men declared. “She’s taken a vow never to wed.”
The other man shook his index finger at Nick. “She’s married to the Mary Elise.”
Elise crossed her arms. “And to think I spent the evening baking you cookies.”
“Cookies!” The men gave her a bow. “We’d best check those out.”
“They’re better than any I’ve ever had,” Nick admitted.
“What kind?”
“Molasses,” Elise answered before Nick could. “They’re on the table.”
The two men quickly headed off for the galley.
Elise su
ppressed a yawn. “I suppose I should get to bed. Dawn will be here before I know it.”
“Thanks for the cookies. I appreciate the thoughtfulness of bringing them to me on watch.”
Elise nodded, hating to leave his company. She wanted to explain what the men had said about her taking a vow never to wed. She wanted to know more about him. What he liked and disliked. What his life’s goal might be.
“Well, ain’t she the beauty,” a strange voice called out.
Elise hadn’t realized just how much Nick had consumed her thoughts. She looked across the deck and found a big man sauntering toward them. He was more than a little tipsy. “How about giving me some attention now? No doubt the first mate has had enough.”
“There are cookies in the galley. That’s all the attention you’ll get from me. Who are you, anyway?”
“Booker Duran, at your service.” He gave an exaggerated bow and nearly fell over.
“He’s the new man,” Nick added.
“Then he ought to know my father doesn’t allow for drunkenness on the ship.” She glared at Duran, remembering what had been said earlier.
“A man can’t help having a few when he’s back in port. No ship’s captain can tell a man what to do while he’s ashore.”
“But you aren’t ashore now.” Elise kept her tone stern. “He might discharge you if he hears about this.”
“Then maybe he shouldn’t hear about it.” Duran raised his brows and gave her a look that suggested she keep quiet.
Duran stepped closer, and Nick cupped Elise’s elbow. “You should probably go,” he whispered against her ear.
She nodded. She didn’t usually let anyone boss her around except for her father, but something about this situation told her it was the better part of wisdom.
“No, she should stay. I want to convince her to keep my secret,” Duran slurred.
Nick pushed her toward the deckhouse and put himself between Duran and Elise. “Get to your bunk and sleep this off. Otherwise, I’ll have Elise go get her father right now to dismiss you.”
Duran started to take a step toward him, then seemed to think better of it. “I didn’t want any cookies anyway.” He stumbled around and moved off toward the bow of the ship.
Elise headed to her cabin but gave Nick one last glance over her shoulder. He was still watching Duran. There was an air of danger in that man, and Elise was glad someone was keeping track of him.
Booker Duran had been told the captain had a fetching daughter, but they had lied. She wasn’t just fetching, she was a great beauty. The kind of woman a man might fight to the death to keep by his side. Of course, Booker had no desire to keep her by his side—but he wouldn’t mind having a little sport with her now and then.
“You were right,” he said, stumbling to his berth in the forecastle.
The four men already in bed gave him an odd look. “What are you talking about?” Sam asked.
“Miss Wright. She’s a beauty. Ain’t never seen a woman like that in all my years. I’d like to get to know her better—if you know what I mean.” He laughed.
Sam rose up out of bed in one fluid motion. “You leave her alone, Duran. She ain’t for the likes of you.”
“I’d say that’s up to her. She just needs a little coaxing.”
“You bother her, and you’ll answer not only to her father but to every man on this ship.”
“Including that first mate? She seems rather familiar with him.”
“I don’t even want to hear you talk about her,” Sam said. “Not to mention you’re drunk. That isn’t tolerated here. You had time off and could have drunk your fill early on so that you’d be sobered up by now. It’s going to be reported, and you’ll have to answer to the captain.”
Duran surprised them all by grabbing hold of the old man. “You’ll be keepin’ your mouth shut if you know what’s good for you. That’s all I’ve got to say about it.”
The last of the crew came to ready themselves for bed. The only exception was Ollie Johnson. He was putting a bag of horehound drops away in his locker in preparation for leaving. “I’ve got the watch, so sleep well, children.”
“’Night, Ollie,” a couple of men muttered.
The other men fell back in their beds, but Duran had yet to doff his boots and outer clothes. He ought to teach them all a lesson, but he was much too tired, and his watch would come in four hours.
He sat on his bunk and pulled off his boots while the men settled in for the night. He despised each and every one of them and would happily have killed them in their sleep, but with the law already on his heels, it was best to leave well enough alone.
Booker eased back in his bunk without undressing. He was too tired. Besides, it wouldn’t be the first time he’d slept in his clothes. Most of the men kept some or all of their clothes on when out on the lakes, but in port, the men usually got a bath and clean clothes and slept as unencumbered as possible. Not Duran. He never knew when he’d have to be on the run again. He wasn’t going to drop his guard and get caught. He’d done all he could to see to that—changing his name and getting away from his hometown, where he’d killed a man in front of a dozen witnesses. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t killed before, but this time he let his emotions get the best of him, and instead of planning it out for a dark alley or a midnight visit to his victim’s house, Duran had pulled a knife at a gaming table and ripped away at the cheating player to his left. He could still see the look of surprise on the man’s face when the knife sank deep into his heart.
It made Duran smile as he faded off to sleep.
Chapter 7
After breakfast, the tug deposited the Mary Elise in Lake Ontario, and they put Oswego behind them. Elise was grateful to get back to her routine. There was a certain comfort in keeping to the same schedule she’d followed for twenty-five years. Of course, there had been changes from when she was a child and worked part of the day at schoolwork. She now filled those hours with laundry, sewing, and occasionally a little reading.
“Elise, I want you to take the wheel while I speak to all the men at lunch,” her father declared. He grabbed a cup of coffee and tossed it back, not even bothering to see how hot it might be.
“All right. I’ll be glad to.” Her father often had her take the wheel when he wanted to speak to the entire crew. It was pretty much standard procedure while in open water.
“By the way, did you see Mr. Duran drunk and disorderly last night?” he asked.
She hadn’t intended to say anything. She figured if it needed to be told, Nick would report it, as any first mate should. Still, she wasn’t going to lie. “I did.”
Her father nodded. “And was he out of line with you?”
“Well, not exactly. He called me a beauty and said he’d like me to give him some attention. Nick put him in his place before he could say or do much more.”
Papa poured himself another cup of coffee. This time he only took a sip. His expression said he was pondering a problem. Elise had seen him like this many times.
She put her hand on his arm. She would never tell him what he should or shouldn’t do about one of his men. She didn’t like Duran, but she didn’t wish to be the cause of him being given the boot. “It’s probably hard for a new man to find his place. I don’t much care for Mr. Duran, but I wasn’t harmed by him.”
Her father looked down at her. “Thank you for your honesty. There’s something about him that makes me want to give him a chance. I was like him before I met your mother and Jesus. Hard and unyielding. Foul and unfit. I was unwilling to surrender myself to any authority. I thought my own authority was all I needed. Your mama changed all that in me.” His eyes grew damp. “I sometimes fear I’ll go back to being what I was without her.”
“No, because you still have Jesus. He’s the one who made the real change.”
“I know that’s true,” he admitted, “but sometimes it seems that it was her who brought it about. She had a way of calming me and helping me take another look at a situa
tion. She taught me patience and kindness . . . concern for others.”
“She may have taught it, Papa, but Jesus was its originator, and Mama herself would have told you that.”
He rubbed his graying beard. “Yes, she did exactly that. You’re so much like her.” He drew a long drink from the mug and set it on the table. “All right. I will reprimand without condemning. Take the wheel from Nick once you get lunch on the table and Tom rings the bell.”
Elise smiled. “Will do.”
The huge pork roast was tender when Elise sliced into it. She’d long ago learned to slice up meat before putting it on the ship’s table. Men left to their own hand would take huge chunks and leave their fellow seamen to fill up on vegetables and bread. Sometimes even now they were tempted to take more than one portion, but Papa would usually remind them of allowing everyone to have a share and then worry about having more after that.
Once the meat was ready, Elise checked the stovetop with its railed ridge to keep pots from sliding off. The potatoes and green beans were ready, as were the cabbage and ham hocks. Elise salted everything one last time. She didn’t bother to put the food in pretty bowls as they had done in Uncle James’s house. Her mother usually served everything in the big pots due to the way some of the men handled things. It saved much wear and tear on her dishes. She placed the pots in the center of the table. What they didn’t eat for lunch they’d get for supper, with the exception of the meat. She knew there wouldn’t be a bit of that left and had already started roasting four chickens for the supper meal.
With everything prepared for lunch, Elise pulled off her apron and headed to the wheel just as eight bells rang to announce it was noon. Outside, the wind was strong and pulled at her carefully pinned hair. She stepped back just inside the door, reached into the pocket of her skirt, and pulled out a scarf. She deftly secured it on her head before trying again to reach the wheel.
“I’m here to take the helm,” she told Nick.
Waiting on Love Page 7
