“A mango.” It was the first word Willie heard David speak.
“A mango, huh? It is the best thing I’ve eaten in a long time.” He picked up another slice and checker boarded it before eating, this time with some satisfying grunts. Oh, it was delicious! After finishing off the mango, he thought he’d try something else. Perhaps David would explain that too. He reached for an elongated yellow thing. “What is this called?”
“A banana fig.”
“How do I eat it?”
David picked one up and pinched the end, the peel split. He pulled the peel away to reveal a soft yellow fruit. “Like this.” He bit the fruit in half, chewed, swallowed and then ate the other half.
Willie chuckled and tried it. This fruit wasn’t drippy but had a thicker consistency, though very soft. The flavor was delicate too. A great contrast to the mango. “Now I don’t know which one I like more.”
“Dunna worry about it. After a while, ye’ll tire of the taste and long fer what ye miss.” David rose. “Excuse me. I’ll be getting back to my place now.”
Willie watched him walk away. “Where does he stay?”
Johann began cleaning up. “He lives down the lane.”
“What is his story?” Willie wanted to retrieve the words. It was none of his business. But he wondered about the man. Something painful hindered him, and not just his arm.
“I think David will tell you his story when he is ready. He spoke to you today. That is a step for him. Give him a little more time.”
He could do that. A little more time. But if it took longer, he’d have to leave for home without knowing. Nothing would stop him when it came time to leave.
“Why don’t you tell me your story, Willie.”
“I did. We were impressed by pirates and escaped here on St. Thomas.”
Johann shook his head. “Yes, but there is more. Where is home? Who waits for you? You told me a little about your mother, that she prays, and your father who works with metal and wood. But what about you? Who are you, William Crockett?”
That was a good question. He rubbed his eyes and sighed. “A very tired man who longs to go home.”
“But to what?”
Maybe’s face floated in his mind’s eye. “To my wife and our baby, who most likely has entered this world without waiting for me to get there. I hope they have not given up on me.”
“Why would they?”
He rubbed his hands over his eyes and cleared his throat. “The night I was taken, we’d had an argument. It was a bad one. My father came after me, and we talked it out. I was returning to apologize when I was knocked out. I awoke on the ship. I don’t know if my wife believes I’m coming home. I don’t know what to expect. I just need to get there.”
Johann came to him, placing his hand on Willie’s shoulder. “We could pray about it.”
He was in earnest. But the man didn’t understand what he asked. He was grateful others prayed for him, he was sure his mother and father did. But he and God only spoke when things were crucial. When all else failed. He wasn’t worthy of praying when things weren’t about to fall apart. “Thanks, but that’s all right.”
“You don’t want God to help you?”
This was getting too personal. “I would love any help God wants to give, but I don’t think I have the right to ask for it right now.”
“Oh, Willie, when will you understand? Look to God first. When will you not rely on your parents’ faith and find some of your own?”
It was as if he heard his mother. She’d said the same thing. That it was time he found his own faith in God. Perhaps she and Johann were right. “I’ve got a lot that I’m sorry for. I need to deal with that before I go asking for favors.”
“Then let’s pray. I can pray with you, if you want, or leave you to have a private time.”
“Stay. I could use a friend.”
Johann knelt on the floor, and Willie knelt beside him. It was strange at first, talking to God, telling Him what He already knew. But finally, finally he dropped the burden. All the shame and unworthiness rolled away. More than ever, he was himself, who God created him to be. Even if he couldn’t read or write well, he had abilities, God-given abilities, and with God’s help he would get back home and be the husband and father God called him to be.
As they finished, Johann turned to him. “What is your wife’s name? I want to pray for her too.”
“Maybe. Rather, her real name is Elizabeth. Elizabeth Boulay Crockett. I’ve called her Maybe, though, since the first day we met. It was a little joke and then became her name out of necessity.”
Johann’s eyes grew wider, and he cocked his head to the side. “What necessity?”
“Someone wanted to do her harm, so I helped her hide aboard a ship as a boy, another member of the crew. We sailed to Ireland and found her sister and then came back home. That has been another worry, but I know my parents are taking care of her.”
“You found her sister in Ireland?”
Now the questions sounded strange. “Aye. What are you getting at?”
“I need to go for a walk. Please tell Brother David I will be back.” And he left, almost at a run.
Willie shook his head. The past hour had been strange and wonderful and freeing. The time in prayer left him assured, deep inside, he would return to Maybe. And soon. But he must trust God. That he would do.
* * *
March came in like a lion but was moving out like a lamb with gentle, warmer breezes. Spring called Maybe to come take a breath. She longed to be in the fresh air, seeing other faces. Oh, the faces in the house had become quite dear, but a small change of scenery after several weeks of confinement would do her spirits good. She was in the kitchen with Mother when the idea struck. “Mother, I desire a new dress. I want to find something special for when Willie arrives. Do ye think ye could watch the babe while I go to the mercantile? Perhaps Eliza or Beth or Aphra might want to go along?”
Mother brightened. “I think that’s a splendid idea! I’m happy to rock the wee one and play with his toes until you get back.” She was already tickling a foot that had worked its way out of the blanket.
“So, Eliza, Beth, Aphra, would any of you like to come along?”
Neither Beth nor Aphra wanted to go, but Eliza was more than happy. The girls checked their clothing and hats before getting shawls and heading toward the center of town.
Maybe had avoided going out for the longest time, feeling fearful before her little one was born, and then after, when she stopped living in fear, she was prevented by her time of confinement. Now with both excuses gone, she breathed in the air of freedom and began to show her sister parts of the town of Beaufort.
“Here we are. The mercantile. Shall we go in?” Maybe led the way, while a little bell tinkled welcome.
“Good morning, ladies. How can I help you today?” Miss Fuller was all smiles at a possible sale.
“Good morning, Miss Fuller. I wish to make a new dress. What might you show me in the way of blue linen, in a medium hue?”
Miss Fuller fluttered to her linen section and pulled out a bolt in shimmery sea blue. “This arrived only yesterday from the ship. It came from Portugal.”
Maybe rubbed a corner in her hand, imagining the dress she could make and how Willie’s eyes would light. “Aye, this is the one.”
Miss Fuller cut the fabric before wrapping it in a small package.
Maybe and Eliza perused the shop wandering in different directions.
The doorbell tinkled again, noting another customer.
Miss Fuller called from the back. “Be with you momentarily.”
“No hurry. I’m just looking today.” The customer turned her attention to Maybe.
It took a moment, but she remembered where she’d seen the woman. She’d been the next-door neighbor who was always yelling at her stepfather for being a lout and a drunk. It was all true, but why advertise it? The memory still called heat to her cheeks.
The woman stared at Maybe. �
��Excuse me, dearie, aren’t you Miss O’Malley? The daughter of that poor soul, Daniel O’Malley?”
“No, sorry, I am not Daniel O’Malley’s daughter.” She never was, never would claim to be his daughter.
“My, I am sure I’ve seen you before. You could be twins. She disappeared, you know, about the same time her father met his demise.”
“I am Mistress Crockett. My husband is William Crockett. My name was never O’Malley.”
Mistress Attwater’s face bloomed in color. “My apologies my dear. I can’t get over the resemblance. Oh, dear, I am sorry.”
Poor thing, no need to make her feel awkward. “That’s quite all right. Do not think a thing about it.”
“Elizabeth, you should see what I just found!” Eliza popped up at her side just as Miss Fuller returned from the back.
She handed Maybe the package, neatly tied. “Thank you and come again. I hope to see you in the dress.”
Maybe took the package, noting Mistress Attwater’s scrutiny. “Thank you. I will stop by. Good day!” She linked arms with her sister and nearly dragged her away from the place. It most likely meant nothing, but a little danger alert pinged in her brain. She would mention it to Father and then put it out of her mind. Mistress Attwater was the queen of gossip in town, but she was done with being afraid.
* * *
Johann returned with David in tow. “Willie, may we speak with you a moment?”
David muttered something to Johann. The man shook his head, standing firm concerning something on which the two disagreed.
Willie shrugged and followed where Johann led, back into the shack.
“I think I have news for both of you. You are family. I may be wrong, but if you talk about it, you might find you share more interests than you realize.”
Willie gave David more scrutiny, searching his face, his physique, his mannerisms for something familiar. He was short, stocky with salt and pepper hair. But his eyes, eyes that radiated distrust, so he’d only given a passing glance. Now he saw it, those eyes, with a deep color so dark they gleamed violet. His heart pounded. Hard. He could barely breathe. There stood Maybe’s father!
“You are my father-in-law.”
David shook his head. “No. It’s not possible.” He didn’t seem in disbelief, only denying the possibility.
“But I can see it. You are my wife’s father.”
“I can’t be. Don’t you understand? Me wife married another man believing me dead. If I go back, it would be horrendous for her. I can’t do that to her.” He dropped to the edge of the bed. Then he gazed at Willie, his eyes, so like Maybe’s, pleading with him. “Please. You canna tell them that I’m alive. It will ruin their lives.”
“You don’t understand. Your wife—” He glanced over at Brother Johann. This would be so hard. Kneeling in front of the man, he chose his words. “I’m sorry. Your wife died more than a year ago from a bee sting. Maybe, I mean Elizabeth and I went to Ireland and found Eliza. She had been ill and was to follow when she got better, but her stepfather sent word that both your wife and Elizabeth died so she never came. When we found her, we brought her back home to Beaufort with us. They are with my parents, they would love to know you are alive.”
David broke at that point. Brother Johann motioned for Willie to step out.
At the door, he took one last glance at his father-in-law. A broken man held together by one of God’s servants. They would talk later. For now, Willie would pray for his new family member.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Willie returned to work, but the idea of Maybe’s father being alive still left him stupefied. There had to be a story. The man must trust him enough first. What happened? Where had he been all this time? Here? Why not go home? How did he learn his wife remarried? So many questions.
It also brought up other questions. Did Maybe wait for him? Did she believe he would come home to her? Would she want him home? A stitch in his chest at the mere idea made him put down his saw. It was a valid question. What would he do if he got home, and she didn’t want him?
The desire to get back to her was all that kept him going through the Saucy Sally ordeal. Now that he knew he would get back, the question, the fear of what awaited wracked at his brain.
There is no fear in love. Perfect love drives out fear.
He heard his mother’s words as if she were beside him. Fear was not the answer. He gave that burden to God. He would not fear. God would make a way. That is what he would believe. He would not fear.
Johann came out of the shack and motioned to Willie. “He wants to tell you his story. It is difficult. It may take some time.”
Willie hugged the man. “If I can bring Maybe’s father back to her, then all this is worth it.”
“This may be the reason God allowed it to happen. His ways are higher, but His love is perfect.” Johann clapped him on the back and pulled away. “Go in. I’ll help Brother David.”
Inside, Willie spotted David still sitting on the edge of the bed. “You wanted to see me?”
“I need ye to understand what happened. I dinna desert me family.”
Willie sat cross-legged on the floor, ready to listen.
“Me last voyage we were not far off Bantry Bay, perhaps another day or so and I’d have been home. I couldn’t wait. I love me family. They understood sailing was what I did. I’d done it since before I married me wife.” He paused for a breath.
Willie wanted to tell him then that his mother attended their wedding but thought it better not to interrupt.
“Pirates attacked. What I dinna know, none of us did, was one of the crew, a new member, work for the pirates. He had a signaling device, a mirror or something, and they had worked out a code. That meant when we were attacked, we had the most cargo, were the most vulnerable, and least expected it.
“The pirate, Silas Keel, ordered that all be killed. But the traitor on board had heard me speak of me wife and had seen her when he first signed on. When he was to kill me, he put a mini ball into my arm instead. After he fired, he told me that he was going back to Bantry Bay to take the news that all had perished save him. He planned to tell my wife that we were the best of friends, that he was with me when I died, and that my dying wish was for him to care for me family. He told me that while I bled to death, I could imagine him with my wife.”
Willie’s blood turned icy. He knew who the traitor was. Daniel O’Malley.
“I held onto a piece of wreckage for days, not sure how many, but the British Navy rescued me. They were fine to nurse me back to health, as much as possible. Nothing could be done about me arm or they might have impressed me. By the time I returned to Bantry Bay I learnt me wife had remarried, and they had left for the colonies. No one told me Eliza was still there, though I probably wouldn’t have seen her. I couldn’t let anyone call me wife a bigamist, I love—loved—her too much for that. I still can’t fathom she’s gone.” He shook his head, his voice softer. “I have been so filled with anger. Now, I want me daughters. I also want to kill the monster who caused this. Daniel O’Malley.”
“He’s already dead.”
“What?”
Willie nodded. “No one knows for sure if he died because of his drinking or if he was murdered, but they found his body. Your girls are protected with my folks. You only need to come home with me.”
David looked at Willie. “’Tis that easy? Just come home?”
“Aye, come home with me. We have someone to meet there, you and I. Maybe, I mean Elizabeth was to have a baby by the end of February or early March. I’ll be greeting my child. You can meet your grandchild.”
“Grandchild? I have a grandchild?”
“Aye. Another reason I want to get home. It is about time I learn if I’m the father of a boy or girl.”
David’s laugh burst like a ray of sunshine through a cloudy day. “Aye, Willie me boy, let’s get home to our family.”
* * *
Back outside, Willie and David’s smiles told Brother Johann
and Brother David all they needed to know. Andrew wasn’t sure how to take the news, but Willie understood. He knew the boy feared he’d be left off the boat in favor of Willie’s newfound family member. “Andrew, we started this voyage together, we will finish it together.”
“And, because you have brought that up, Brother David has some news.” Johann stepped aside so all could focus on Brother David.
“I was not supposed to stay on like Brother Johann. My job was to help get this work started and go home. We have raised enough money through the things we’ve built to pay for all of you to go with me on the ship next week. All those things we’ve built, Brother Johann took them to the city. The well-to-do enjoy feeling as though they help the poor. It is easier to throw money at it than to get dirty and help. But that is fine with us.”
Guilt gnawed at Willie’s gut. “We can’t take money away from your mission here.”
“Oh, but you can. A worker is due his wages, and as the price I asked as quite high, the money will stretch far. If I’d put a small price on the items, they would have thought them cheap and worthless. I put a high price on them, and they were fighting each other to purchase. There is enough to get you three home along with Brother David.”
Home. He was going home. Next week and he’d board the ship home.
“Willie, how long will the trip take?” Andrew was getting excited too.
“That is a good question. It depends on what stops we make between here and there.”
Brother David smiled. “We stop in Charlestown and then Beaufort, working our way up to Boston before we cross to Oslo and Copenhagen where I disembark. From there I will travel overland to home.” A wistful sigh escaped.
Willie and Andrew weren’t the only ones homesick. But soon, he would be home. Soon.
“Then, Andrew, with fair winds and no storms, we might be home in two weeks.” Even as he said it, Willie rechecked his math. Three weeks until Maybe would be in his arms. He would hold his child. The reality took his breath away.
The Crockett Chronicles- The Complete Collection Page 84
