“Sure we will. Inform the crew of our plans. A little food in their bellies and being in on the idea will rejuvenate them.”
“Aye, Cap’n,” he said with a wink.
Elsa left him to oversee the portion of the crew who had already eaten. “All right, listen ho!” she called. “We need all men pulling extra sails out of the poop deck storage room.”
“But Cap’n,” one dared, after eyeing his silent but uneasy mates. “The Majestic canno’ handle any more sail! Why not say we’re done beat for today and just ready supper for the other crew?”
“Agreed on one count, sailor. But we’re going to beat the Fair Alaska this eve, if we’re crafty enough. We need the extra sails to throw them off. We’ll hang them as decoys on one side of the ship, so they cannot see us tacking. They’re so bent on beating us, that the mate and I are wagering that they’re not consulting their charts, nor anticipating the change twenty miles distant now. By the time the sailor in the crow’s nest scouts the wind on the sea, and the crew gets the ship turned, we’ll be past ’em!” she said with glee, slapping one hand past the other.
“Three cheers for the cap’n!” one called.
“Hey-oh! Hey-oh! Hey-oh!” they called as one. Then they immediately set upon their task. They might question her a bit more than a male captain, Elsa mused, but when she explained herself, they went along with her decision. And in a crisis, they never faltered when she ordered them about. All in all, all was well aboard her ship.
“What are they doing?” Karl muttered, still staring through the telescope back at the Majestic. For two hours now, their sails had been fluttering in the wind as if not tied down. Were they not even making use of the sail that was unfurled? And even at this distance, it seemed to him that they were tacking already, but in doing so, already falling behind. It made no sense. It was as if they were preparing…
“Luke, did you look at the wind charts last night?”
His first mate shifted uneasily. “I’m sorry. I merely took down notes of speed and distance covered. I was going for the charts when the crew of the Majestic arrived and you called me out.” He swallowed audibly. “I’m sorry, Cap’n. I confess I didn’t get back to them.”
“Come with me,” Karl said urgently. Elsa had something up her sleeve; he was almost sure of it. And didn’t the wind change direction at about this latitude?
A sailor’s call from the crow’s nest cut their walk short. “Cap’n!” he shouted. “Wind change ahead! Wind change ahead!”
Karl took off his hat and threw it to the ground. On the very day he was going to beat the Majestic! Luke gave him a knowing look. He knew it would end the race. He ran back toward the bridge. “All hands! All hands! Tacking for a northwester! Prepare to come about! Prepare to come about!”
But Karl was already looking through his telescope as the wind waned and his sails flapped like dying fish. As they wafted back and forth above him, and the crew began untying ropes and hauling them around capstans, only the boilers kept them from being left dead in the water. He grimaced. The desire to win and lack of preparation had been their downfall. How often had that duo hurt him in the past?
As he watched, sails on the Majestic were dropped to the ground, undisguised now as her remaining sails caught the new wind, and the Majestic jolted forward, running dangerously between wind and water, yet holding her course. Within minutes, they were alongside the Fair Alaska, and after half an hour more, well ahead of them as their own sails were finally in place.
Karl groaned and then shook his head ruefully.
There was no doubt in his mind how bad the evening would be; Elsa’s crew would crow like roosters and make them eat crow all night.
“Good evening, Captain,” Elsa said sweetly, as she took his hand and climbed aboard ship.
“Uncle Karl! Uncle Karl!” the kids cried as they climbed in beside her. “Wasn’t that great?” Kristian cried. “You thought you had us beat when whoosh, we passed you!”
“Great wasn’t the first word that came to my mind,” Karl said, ruffling his hair.
Elsa couldn’t help but grin. “You thought you had us in the bag. Proves that all is not always as it seems.”
“Yes, but have you seen our open spit? I doubt you can afford the deck space for such extravagance.”
Elsa raised her eyebrows and took his proffered arm. “No, I cannot. But I can smell something divine. Did your cook put it on about three?” she asked, referring to when they passed the Majestic.
Karl looked rueful. “I’m afraid so. We’ll have to wait on supper for a few hours yet. Until then, the men want to do some singing on deck. While we wait for the singing and dancing, how about accompanying me to the game room?” Karl invited. The children readily agreed. Under a portion of covered deck, there were several shuffle-boards, as well as checkers and backgammon. As the children took up their mallets and began playing, Karl helped Elsa to a deck chair.
“Well, our ship is not all this, but I’d say she’s faster,” Elsa taunted her friend. He was handsome tonight; he remained in what she assumed were his day clothes, with a soft white cotton shirt open at the neck, allowing soft tufts of chest hair to peek out. His shoulder-length, sandy hair was coming loose from the ponytail, and again she could imagine what it would look like down, softly waving. And he wore a gold earring through one lobe, something she had seen only once or twice before.
He caught her staring, and she quickly looked toward the children, feeling the heat climb up her neck. “Going a bit more casual this evening?” she said, unable to come up with something better to fill the silence.
“I thought it best for a pig roast.”
“You do not fear a fire with an open pit aboard ship?”
“No. Kristoffer had it lined with iron and suspended. There’s nothing to burn.”
They sat in companionable silence for a while, watching Eve and Kristian, laughing with them.
“You’re proud of yourself today, aren’t you?” he asked. “And you’re ashamed. I can feel it.”
“Foolish of me, not checking the wind charts myself. I even knew they were coming. I was just so taken with actually winning the day that I didn’t research the best tactic of all.” He waited until she looked at him. She could feel the heat of his stare. “You’re a fine captain, Elsa.”
“As are you, Karl.”
“Thank you. My wounded pride will accept any frivolous compliment you care to toss my way.”
“No, truly. You made a mistake today, as we all do from time to time. But your crew obviously loves you, respects you.”
“Not as much as yours.”
She accepted his words in silence. “They are remarkable, my men. God has blessed me to find them all. As a female, my life could be very difficult as a captain. Instead it is a dream with the men I’ve chosen.”
He paused, as if wanting to comment, and Elsa thought back on her words. Was he thinking about the men she’d chosen? About choosing one man? She let it go, uncomfortable at the thought of trying to get him to express what he was thinking. There was an electricity between them, something beyond anything she had ever experienced before. The side of her arm that was nearest to him felt warm, and she longed for the brush of his skin against hers.
“What about Mara Kenney?” she blurted out, instantly regretting her words.
He looked confused. “What brought her to mind?”
“Nothing. I was just thinking. What does she think of you shipping off for distant lands? Are you considering marriage? Will she move to Alaska?”
Karl laughed under his breath at her barrage of questions and cocked his head. “Why so curious?”
“Oh, no reason. But as your oldest friend near you, I felt as if someone should ask.”
“Someone. Hmm.”
“You know, in looking out for you.”
“For me.”
“Stop repeating what I’m saying, Karl Martensen! You’re twisting my words!”
“Am I?”
She stared at him and blinked rapidly. Oh, he was infuriating! Did he love Mara or not? She couldn’t seem to get it out of him. One minute he was saying they were just friends, the next he was commenting on how dear his friendship was. And what better foundation for a marriage than friendship was there?
The thought stopped her, and she stared dead ahead. Not only was Karl her equal, someone she could easily respect, he was also one of her oldest and dearest friends.
Lucas interrupted her thoughts. “Captain, we’re ready to start. Care to join us?” His question was for all of them, but his eyes were on Elsa. He was handsome, she thought again, as she had in Panama, but then she looked at her old friend as he helped her to her feet.
Luke was no Karl.
Karl held her hand, held her close for a moment longer than necessary. Elsa quickly stepped away. The children bounded away with Luke, racing ahead of him, already knowing the ship as well as their own. The door swung shut behind them, and for a second Elsa and he were alone. He pulled her to a stop and turned her back toward him.
She looked up at him in confusion, her blue eyes huge in that perfect, sculpted face.
“Venus,” he whispered, caressing her cheek.
“What?” she asked, her eyebrows furrowing.
“Elsa, I’ve tried to tell you so many times. And so I’ll just do it now. Mara and I are only friends. Only friends. Her family is dear to me, but when I was in San Francisco last, I told her that there wasn’t anything in my heart more than friendship.” He forced his hands to his sides, not wanting to touch her if she did not want to be touched. Never again would he force himself on her as he had that night he kissed her.
“You’re not…to be engaged?”
“No.”
“There is someone else?” “There is.”
She studied him intently. “Me?” she whispered, her eyebrows rising. He could barely nod, feeling as if his feet were frozen to the spot.
She let out a sudden breath of air, like a laugh of relief? But he had no time to further consider it as she ran her hands up his arms and cupped his cheeks as if she were cherishing the moment. Was he dreaming? Was this real? She reached up behind him, her body coming closer as she reached for his ponytail strap and released the leather.
Her body was so warm, and fit so well against him! He fought the urge to put his arms around her until invited.
As if reading his thoughts, she whispered lowly, “Hold me, Karl.” He could feel his hair fall to his ears as he looked down at her, slowly, reverently pulling her close.
“I don’t want to push you,” he said through gritted teeth, closing his eyes, fighting for control. “I never want to push you again. You mean too much to me, Elsa. As my friend.”
“You’re not,” she said, running her small hands around him, pulling him even closer. She raised her chin and stared at him with lowered lids. “Kiss me. Kiss me, please.”
He needed no further invitation. He kissed her with all the passion of love lost, and love found again. And he pulled her to him with all the desire he had found rekindled since seeing her again in San Francisco in the ball gown he had purchased for her a continent away.
Finally, their lips parted, and Elsa gazed up at him in wonder. “I thought I would never find love again, Karl. I thought I would never again know passion. I’d forgotten. I’d forgotten what this feels like.”
“I won’t let you forget it again,” he promised, caressing her brow and hair, wishing they were married, wishing he could hold her into the night and forever. “Never again, Elsa.”
And it was she who kissed him then.
The sound of singing brought them up for air, and they took a step away from each other. “We have much to discuss,” Karl said.
“Yes,” she agreed, smoothing her hair. “Let’s take some time, and we’ll have dinner tomorrow night.”
“And the next.”
“And the next,” she said with a smile. She took his hands in hers and grinned up at him. “This makes me so happy, Karl. Truly.”
“And me, Elsa. More than I can say. You must know that I never planned to pursue you unless you came to me first.”
“Because of…what happened.”
“Yes.”
“I understand that. I understand your heart,” she said, placing a hand on his chest. “I was married to your best friend. Is it so odd that we would find love too? After all, there is much you and Peder had in common.”
Her words concerned him. “I am not Peder.”
“I know that,” she said with a small laugh. “I do not expect you to be Peder, except for the ways that you are. You’re loyal and smart and dear, just as he was.” She laughed again. “But hopefully not as pigheaded.”
“Not nearly as pigheaded,” he said with a firm nod and smile.
She shook her head with a slight smile. “Oh, Karl. Oh, Karl!”
“Come, love,” he said, taking her hand. “We’ve tarried long enough to get both crews talking. No doubt they’re having a laugh on us.”
She leaned her head on his shoulder as they walked. “Let them laugh. I feel like laughing and never stopping myself.”
eighteen
Late October 1888
Anyone home? Hello!”
Tora frowned. It was early yet for any customers, just three, she saw, glancing at the kitchen clock. And that voice sounded familiar… No, it was too much to hope for. But it sure sounded like Elsa. Tora was just wiping her hands on her apron, telling Kaatje and the girls that she would see to the woman, when Elsa burst through the kitchen door.
“Surprise!” she shouted, opening her arms wide. Her face was pink with merriment, and she was as beautiful as ever, Tora mused, rushing toward her for a hug.
“Elsa! Oh, I’m so glad you’re here!” she exclaimed.
“As am I!” She turned toward Kaatje and then the girls, giving them each a hug as well.
“When did you arrive?” Tora asked, weaving her arm through her sister’s.
“Never mind that!” Elsa said. “Have I missed it?”
“Missed what?”
“The wedding!”
“No, it isn’t for two weeks yet.”
Elsa sighed and smiled. “I’m so relieved. I was afraid you’d given up on my return and gone ahead with it.”
“Much to Trent’s chagrin; he wanted to elope long ago. But Tora was bound and determined to have her sister here,” Kaatje said, placing her hands on Elsa’s and Tora’s shoulders. “Trent would not have put up with yet another postponement. You came just in time.” She paused for a second. “And we’ve had other things going on around here.”
“Oh?”
“We’ll talk about all that later. Where are your children?” Tora asked, evading the issue.
“Out in the restaurant. We ran into Trent, and they’re with him and Karl.”
“Karl? Karl Martensen?” Kaatje asked as she winked at Tora. “Yes,” Elsa said.
“You’re falling in love,” Tora said, crossing her arms and circling Elsa in examination.
“What?”
“Why yes, that’s it,” Kaatje added, looking at her from the other side. “That high color, her demeanor…”
“I don’t know of what you speak,” Elsa said, lifting her chin, even as she smiled.
“Oh yes, you do,” Kaatje returned.
“You and Karl finally put two and two together,” Tora said. “It took you long enough.”
“Tora, we just were reunited,” Elsa said as if cross. “And I’ve been in mourning.”
“Yes, but you would never have given him a chance before.”
Elsa looked down at Jessica and Christina, who were glued to the women’s conversation. “Shouldn’t you two go and see my children? They’ve been asking after you for weeks!”
The girls left the kitchen, giggling and exchanging knowing looks.
Elsa took a step away, wiping her finger through the flour on the baking table absentmindedly. “It’s true. It’s only rece
ntly that I felt…ready. I’m still not sure of what I’m doing. I am still not sure it’s love,” Elsa confessed.
“Of course you’re not sure of yourself; you are in love,” Kaatje said. Was that a wistful expression on her face? Tora examined her friend for a moment. Kaatje deserved to find that kind of love, the kind she and Trent had, the kind she could see blossoming in Elsa’s eyes. But was she thinking of her lout of a husband or of James Walker? Soren had certainly been persistent in pursuing her in the weeks he’d been back—but there was still something wrong, something underhanded about the man that she couldn’t quite pin down. On the other hand, Tora could sense a tension between Kaatje and James whenever they were together, as if something had happened between them those months on the trail. Poor Kaatje! Tora didn’t envy her position.
Tired suddenly, Tora pulled Kaatje in and hugged both Elsa and her friend at the same time. “Now I am ready to get married,” she said. “You are both here!”
“I am glad,” Elsa responded. “Because Mother sent a special present home with me.”
“Not a wedding costume,” Tora blurted out. Oh, how she had wished for one!
“Yes. The one that Grandmother, Mother, Carina, and I all wore. There is a lot of love represented in that costume. It will be perfect for you and Trent.”
“If only Trent would wear a bunad too!” Tora said, chuckling.
“Oh, he will. You marry a Norsk, you become a Norsk by marriage. It is only fitting that he wear a costume to match yours.”
Tora shook her head. “No. There is no way. Even you cannot convince my future husband to wear a bunad.”
“Tora Anders!” Elsa exclaimed, her slim eyebrows lowering in consternation. “We have been apart far too long! Have you forgotten? I am a captain on the high seas! I brought one home, just for him. Just give me some time—”
Kaatje laughed and nodded. “Yes, she’s used to ordering men around!”
A knock at the back door brought them all to silence. Kaatje walked toward it, her step light. Elsa’s arrival had lightened her burdens; Tora could see it in her face. But when she opened the door, her shoulders slumped. It was Soren.
If only they had had a chance to warn Elsa! She shot her sister a look, hoping to convey a bit of information in silence, but Soren was already coming through the door. Tora couldn’t bear to look at him, so great was her disdain. Instead she focused on Elsa and saw in her sister all that she felt.
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