“And likewise you, Remli.”
She waited until he’d gone to finish her biscuit, while Andrew poured the coffee. She liked the way Andrew’s crew felt like family rather than employees.
“Would you like some cream or sugar for your coffee?” he asked.
“Just cream.” She leaned back in her chair and smiled as Andrew added an ample portion of cream. Here was this rugged ship’s captain playing hostess at an impromptu tea party. Or coffee party, in this case. Faith had to admit she was smitten.
“Now that we’ve resolved your questions about the lecture you’ll be giving, what else should we discuss?” he asked, handing her the cup.
Faith took the coffee and cherished the warmth in her hands. “Why don’t you tell me about the journeys you’ve made since I saw you last?”
“Mostly back and forth from Astoria and Fort Vancouver and then down to Oregon City. Routine shipping—a lot of flour and grain.”
“Any problems?”
“None to speak of.”
“No pirates to attack you and steal away your booty?”
He blinked at her, then burst out laughing. “No pirates. Although there was one cranky customer who thought we had shortchanged him. We sorted out the details, however, and he clearly saw his mistake and went away content.”
She nodded and sipped the coffee. It was strong, but the cream mellowed the bitterness. She felt so at ease with Andrew that it was almost startling. Here was a man she knew very little about, and yet she felt as if they’d been friends for years.
“Are your folks or siblings in the area?” she asked.
He shook his head. “I was the only one of my folks’ five children who lived to see adulthood. My mother died after my siblings, and then my father. He was pretty well up in years.”
“I’m sorry to hear that they’re all gone. That must be lonely at times. I love my family, and I don’t know what I’d do without them.”
“The crew of theMorning Staris my family now.” He seemed rather uncomfortable and stared down at his cup.
Faith decided to change the subject. “How did you become a riverboat captain?”
He shrugged. “A lot of hard work. I started out as a loader and point man. I kept an eye on the river and looked for things that could cause snags and problems. I worked from boat to boat, seeking whatever promotion I could get—learning each and every job until I found someone willing to take me on and teach me how to pilot the boat. I’ve worked stern-wheelers like theMorning Star, side-wheelers, tugs, and just about anything else that floats. I’ve even done my share of ocean voyages. I prefer the river. The ocean is always changing—the river too, but she’s less unpredictable.”
“I’ve always loved the Willamette, and you’re right. There is a predictable nature to her. I remember when I first came to live in Oregon City after growing up on the Rogue River. I could see the outward differences in the nature of the rivers, but there were also differences that couldn’t be seen—beneath the surface, sometimes deep down. It made me think of God and how He doesn’t look at the outward appearance but at the heart of man.”
“I’ve never heard anyone compare things quite that way. I’ll take my chances with the river before doing the same with God.”
Faith frowned. “What do you mean? God is hardly unpredictable. The Bible shows us His character and nature from start to finish. He is constant. The only constant in the entire universe. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. What’s to take a chance on?”
He shrugged. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to rile you. I can see you’re even more passionate about preaching than doctoring.”
Faith flushed. “I wasn’t trying to preach. It’s just that when people make suggestions about God’s character that contradict what I know it to be, I feel the need to defend.”
“Defend God?” Andrew smiled. “Do you really suppose He needs our defense?”
“Perhaps not defense so much as support.”
“So you are making yourself a character witness for God Almighty?” Andrew grinned.
“I remember you saying that you were acting like a Christian by saving Benjamin, but now you sound almost sarcastic about faith and a relationship with God. I thought you believed in Him.”
“Of course I believe in Him.” Andrew reached for a biscuit and tore off a piece. “I just don’t think the Maker of the universe has time to worry Himself over me. I believe His underlying current—since you compared Him to the river—is too powerful for the likes of me.”
“I didn’t compare God to a river. I merely suggested that like the river, man has things that he hides out of sight. At least, I was getting around to that. I only brought God into it because the Bible says He looks not on the outward appearance of man but at the heart.”
“Big storm coming up. Miss Faith better go.”
