by Diann Hunt
Someone called out, “Morning, Josiah.”
Josiah turned to see Harrison Neal and his wife, Rebecca. “Harrison, good to see you, old man.”
Harrison reached out to grab Josiah by the hand. The two men shook hands heartily.
Josiah took off his hat and turned to Rebecca. “Ma’am.”
“Morning, Josiah.”
“How long you here?” Harrison asked.
“Till the end of November.”
“Well, it’s good to have you for as long as we can.” Harrison slapped Josiah good-naturedly on the back.
Josiah smiled. No matter what he thought of church and the “Christians,” he always thought Harrison a good man.
“Hey, a few of the families are meeting for a picnic after church. Why don’t you join us? We’ve plenty of food. Bring a guest if you’d like.” With his elbow, Harrison ribbed Josiah in the side.
“Harrison!” Rebecca scolded.
“Aw, Becca, Josiah knows I like to tease.”
Rebecca smiled and held up her head with an air of reprimand. “Just the same …”
“Thanks for the offer, Harrison, but I—” Josiah spotted Adelaide. Their eyes met for an instant. Josiah turned to Harrison and saw him glance at Adelaide.
“Like I said, if you want to join us and bring a guest, you’re more than welcome.” Harrison laughed and pulled on Rebecca’s arm. “Come on, love, it’s time we get to church.” He threw a wink over his shoulder at Josiah.
Though Josiah wanted to keep his distance, he didn’t want to appear rude. He made his way over to Adelaide. “Good day, Miss Sanborn.” His voice cracked. On his ship he spoke with authority. His mind was sharp and decisive. In front of this woman, before he could form a single word, his mind clogged with confusion and his voice crackled like a broken foghorn. Being on a ship had made him forget how to behave in front of womenfolk.
She turned to him. “Hello, Captain Buchanan.”
“Beautiful day for a picnic,” Josiah said as he opened the church doors for her. He couldn’t imagine what made him mention the picnic. Though not interested in settling down with any woman, he had to admit the idea of a friend comforted him. Life as a sea captain could get lonely. Still, he wanted to keep his distance.
She smiled. “Yes it is. One of the few left before winter, I’m afraid.” She looked at him. “Were you about to say something?”
The words crowded just inside his mouth. Her smile shook them loose. “I don’t suppose you—”
“Why, Captain Buchanan, how nice to see you,” Mrs. Sanborn said with a warm smile.
“Ma’am.”
“Will you be with us long, or will the sea take you away soon?”
“I’ll only be around till the end of November, I’m afraid.”
“Ah, I see.” Mrs. Sanborn’s glance went from Adelaide to Josiah and back to Adelaide. “Are you ready to sit down, Adelaide?” Before her daughter could respond, Mrs. Sanborn turned back to Josiah. “Good day, Captain.” Adelaide’s expression held an apology before she turned and walked away with her mother.
Josiah sat down on the bench. He appreciated Mrs. Sanborn’s kindness. Still, he clearly got the feeling she didn’t want him around her daughter. He wondered what people said about him. Did they blame him for Catherine’s death?
Pastor Malachi Daugherty’s voice boomed through the air: “Husbands, love your wives. The Bible tells us in Ephesians five, verses twenty-eight through thirty, ‘So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.’”
Josiah shifted uncomfortably on the bench as painful memories shadowed his thoughts. Didn’t I love her enough? I tried to provide for her. That’s why I had to go to sea, to provide for us, for our future. The sea was the only life I knew. She didn’t care; she never loved me. She wanted wealth. Emotion crept up his throat. Someone next to him stirred, pulling Josiah to the present in time to hear the pastor’s final prayer.
People slowly ambled out the church doors, talking in a friendly manner along the way.
Josiah wanted to get out of there before he ran into Adelaide again. He didn’t want to give her the wrong impression.
Making his way through the tiny gathering, he offered greetings here and there until an elderly woman stopped him. She held him in conversation for a few minutes. When he turned around, he bumped into Adelaide.
“Oh, excuse me,” Josiah said, turning his cap nervously in his hands.
Adelaide tossed him an understanding smile.
“Good sermon.” Why did he say that? He’d hardly heard a word of it.
“Yes it was,” Adelaide agreed.
They stood in a moment of awkward silence. Josiah cleared his throat.
“So is she coming?” Josiah and Adelaide looked over and saw Harrison Neal grinning widely.
Josiah cringed. He didn’t want to get himself into an uncomfortable situation before he set sail. He shot a warning glance at Harrison.
“Oh, sorry.” Harrison backed away slowly and melted into the tiny crowd.
Adelaide chuckled. “What was that all about?” Her eyes teased as she waited for an answer.
Josiah sighed and stared at his cap.
“Well, are you going to tell me?”
Josiah looked up to see Adelaide smiling. Oh, what did it hurt to have a friend? He would be leaving soon, anyway. “They’re having a picnic—a few of the families today. We’re invited.”
“We?”
“Well, Harrison asked me to come and said I could bring a guest, and, um, well …”
“I’d love to.”
Josiah felt like he’d swallowed a fish bone. He coughed. “You would?”
“Do they have enough food?”
Could she hear his heart thumping like a hammer nailing a loose plank? “Yes, they said they have plenty.”
Her eyes twinkled with amusement. “I’ll let Ma know.” Adelaide turned away from him, and Josiah shrugged. It wouldn’t hurt to have some friendly company.
“I don’t think it’s proper that you should prance around the beach with Captain Buchanan, Adelaide.” Ma aired her cross feelings as quietly as she could so the church people wouldn’t hear.
“Ma, you know other families will be there. There’s truly nothing improper about it. We will be in the open for all to see.”
“That’s what I’m concerned about.” Ma bit her lip.
Adelaide put an arm around her ma. “I’ll be fine. I will behave as a lady the entire time.” Adelaide kissed Ma lightly on the forehead and felt her ma’s resolve melt away.
“It’s just that, well, you know how people like to talk, and I want you to be careful with your heart.”
“I understand.” A laugh escaped her. “It’s not as though I’m getting married today, Ma.”
At this, Ma couldn’t help but chuckle herself. She paused for a moment. “Well, you certainly can’t go without contributing something. You’ll need to come home. You baked two apple pies yesterday. Take one of those.”
Adelaide squeezed her mother tight. “Thank you!”
“Adelaide, watch yourself. Don’t let him see you carry on so. We must keep the menfolk guessing.”
“Yes Ma.”
Ma laughed behind her handkerchief.
The sun sailed high in the sky, spreading its rays across the waters with flecks of gold. Josiah helped Adelaide from the carriage, grabbed the apple pie, and together they walked across the sandy beach to join the others.
The sun slipped toward the distant horizon while they passed the afternoon visiting with friends. Josiah shared stories of his whaling expeditions, and Adelaide found herself in an emotional whirlwind, caught between laughter and tears with every story. Josiah made the sea come alive to her the way her pa had done.
By the end of the picnic, Adelaide wanted to escape to the sea more than
ever before. A melancholy mood shadowed her heart. She sat quietly, lost in thought.
“Have I bored you with my fish tales?”
“Oh my, no!”
His expression relaxed. “I’m glad.” They sat in silence, staring out to sea.
“Adelaide, I must say your ma’s apple pie is the best I have ever eaten. You tell her I said so.”
“Well, I’ll be happy to tell her; however, she didn’t make it.”
His eyebrows lifted.
“I did.” She pretended a slight curtsy.
His eyes smiled in surprise. “Not only pleasing to the eye but a good cook as well!”
Not used to such compliments from gentlemen friends, Adelaide felt her face flush.
Josiah studied her for a long moment, looking as though an idea had just struck him. Before Adelaide could question him, he blurted out, “Allow me to take you to dinner tomorrow night.”
Adelaide looked at him wide-eyed and hesitated.
“I’m sorry, Adelaide, I’m forgetting myself.” He slapped his cap on the side of his pants like a little boy who had just been chastised.
Adelaide willed her heart to stop pounding in her ears. “Tomorrow?” She could already hear her ma’s disapproval, but the idea of having more time to convince him to help her … “I—I—”
His eyes looked hopeful, yet something in his expression told her there was more to his request. After a moment’s pause, a smile stretched across his face.
Did she dare hope? A quick flutter made her lose her breath. “Tomorrow would be just fine.”
His face brightened. He pulled his cap snug on his head and gave it a jerk. “All right, then, tomorrow night at seven o’clock?”
“Why don’t you come to my house? I’ll cook dinner; then Ma and my sister, Esther, could get to know you better.”
“If it means I get to eat more of your apple pie, I’ll be there.”
She smiled. “Seven o’clock, then?”
Josiah nodded. They looked around and noticed the others gathering their things and loading them onto wagons. Everyone said good-bye and headed for home. Josiah aided Adelaide into his carriage as dusk settled upon the small village. Josiah drove the carriage along the seashore; Adelaide lifted her gaze to the heavens and reveled in the stars that hung bright in the dusky sky.
With the thought of her dreams becoming a reality, Adelaide felt she would burst. “Josiah, I had a wonderful afternoon.”
He coughed. “I, uh, did, too.”
Could he guess her true motives? Would he mind? She suspected he had been pressured into taking her to the picnic by Harrison, but what about the dinner invitation? No doubt he spent time with her because of their common bond with her pa. She mentally shrugged. Whatever the reason, it gave her time to prove to him her love for the sea.
Once they arrived at her house, Josiah helped her from the carriage. He walked her to the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He tipped his head then turned and walked back to the carriage.
“Tomorrow,” Adelaide whispered, her mind already wondering how she could prove herself seaworthy to this mighty captain.
Chapter 3
Adelaide Sanborn, you need to hear me out,” Ma said in exasperation. She stuffed the log into the fireplace, sending the scent of pine throughout their cottage. Tiny sparks shot about then quickly melted into the flames.
“Ma, I respect you, and I love you. But I know what I’m doing. Josiah is a gentleman. There’s no harm in seeing him.”
“He is a fine man, Adelaide, but you have been with him every evening this entire week. Have you lost your good sense? What will people think?”
“Ma, please, I don’t care what people think! I have never fit into their mold. You know that.” Adelaide felt the sting of another reminder of how different she was from other women her age. “I’m merely enjoying a friendship.”
Adelaide shot a glance at Esther, who pretended not to listen as she swept the kitchen floor. “Ma, you told me I should have a gentleman caller—”
“But Captain Buchanan? He lives on a whaling ship!”
“So that’s what this is about?”
“I’ve lived that life, Adelaide. I don’t want my daughters to go through it as well!”
“He’s only a friend.” Adelaide hesitated a moment. She felt a lump in her throat. “Was it so terrible, Ma? Pa provided for our needs. He left us with happy memories.”
The lines on Ma’s face softened. “Your pa was a good man,” she said quietly. Her voice grew more intense. “But that doesn’t take away from the fact that I lived a very lonely life without him and practically had to raise you girls by myself. It’s a hard life, Adelaide.”
Silence, like a brick wall, separated them.
“Are you forbidding me to see him?”
Ma waited a moment. “No, I’m not. You are twenty-four years old, Adelaide. I had two children by the time I was your age. I’m only asking that you consider your steps wisely before taking them.”
Adelaide went over to her ma and embraced her. “I will, Ma. I will.”
Sunlight peered through the windows of the church, washing the rough benches with the light of a new day.
A family with children sat beside Adelaide. The children wiggled and scooted in their seats. Their constant movement distracted her. It took great effort for her to concentrate on the sermon.
“As you know, many of our men will be leaving within the next few weeks as the whaling ships set sail,” Pastor Daugherty explained. “We hope you will join us for a farewell social this Friday, weather permitting. We’ve been real fortunate that the cold hasn’t overtaken us just yet. Isaiah and Ethel Clemmons have graciously offered to hold the social in their barn.”
After the announcement, Pastor Daugherty dismissed the congregation. People talked excitedly about the social as they left the church. Adelaide wondered if Josiah would ask her.
For all her talk of the sea, she didn’t feel Josiah understood in the least what she wanted. Frustration filled her. Meeting Josiah had stirred hope to life within her. No one else she knew had the connections with ship captains that Josiah had. But he would be leaving soon, and her dreams would sail with him. Because she was a single woman, she would never experience life on the sea.
Determined to enjoy the day, she pushed aside her moodiness.
Stepping into a blaze of sunshine, Adelaide drank deeply of the damp, salty air. Nearly the end of November, it seemed a magical autumn day as the season’s warmth, still refusing to give way to winter’s icy breezes, surrounded them.
“Good morning, Adelaide.”
Josiah’s voice startled her. She felt her breath catch in her throat. “Good morning, Josiah.”
People mingled all about them. The children happily ran to and fro, enjoying the moments at play while their parents talked with one another.
“If you’re not tired of my company yet, I was hoping you would accompany me to the social on Friday.”
Adelaide felt almost giddy with excitement. One more chance. “I would be happy to accompany you, Josiah.”
Josiah nudged her elbow away from the crowd of people. “You know I’ll be leaving in twelve days?”
Adelaide nodded and tried to swallow but couldn’t.
He cleared his throat and kicked the ground with his boot.
“What is it, Josiah?”
He looked up at her and shook his head. “Well—”
“Adelaide, are you ready?” her ma called from behind them.
“Yes, I’ll be right there,” Adelaide responded over her shoulder. She looked at Josiah once more, waiting for his response.
He brushed the matter aside with a wave of his hand. “I’ll talk to you about it on Friday.”
Seeing he was not going to talk further, she nodded. “Friday.” Secretly she was hoping she would see him before then. Every moment counted now.
“I wish it could be sooner, but I have to make preparations for sailing. Gathering my crew, loading the
ship, that type of thing.”
“I understand.”
“Six-thirty, Friday?”
She nodded and waved good-bye. As Adelaide made her way to their buckboard, her thoughts were filled with making preparations for the social and wondering what Josiah would tell her come Friday.
Josiah walked through the Courage, making note of inventory and wrestling with his decision. Was he taking advantage of Adelaide? Wouldn’t this help them both? Over and over, he argued within himself. He stopped in front of the goose pen and checked to see what vegetables were needed. Jotting a quick note, he moved on.
Hadn’t people called him “the Wise Sea Captain”? Of course, he didn’t let the name go to his head. Still, he figured he had some sense of business. With heavy, dark clouds looming overhead, the skylight allowed little visibility for descending to the lower deck. Josiah stepped carefully down the steps to check on the livestock.
It seemed to him no matter how he worked the matter through, this decision seemed the best option for everyone involved. For Adelaide, for him, and for the ship. She’d certainly made it clear to him she wanted to sail. What was the harm in asking? She could always say no.
After throwing scraps to the pigs and sheep and chicken feed to the hens, Josiah trudged his way back to the upper deck. Adelaide’s comments had made it obvious to him she had no idea of the harshness of sea life. That’s what bothered him. He pushed aside the nagging thought that he was taking advantage of her love for the sea to meet his needs. Instead, he convinced himself he was helping her live out her dream. If that helped him in the process as well, what did it hurt?
Adelaide let out a contented sigh as she rode with Josiah along the seaside toward the Clemmonses’ house. Although the night was a bit chilly, Adelaide thought it a perfect evening. She looked toward the glow of pink that covered the horizon with the setting of the sun. Shredded clouds floated aimlessly about. She closed her eyes and listened as the echo of the sea whispered through the evening air like a steady breeze.
“You happy?” Josiah’s words broke through her contentment.
“Very.” She was, too. Her hopes told her the night held endless possibilities.
