“May thirtieth. Nancy insisted that I had to wait until after the baby is born.” Clementine stepped into the room. “Look who’s here,” she said to everyone, then crossed the room to take her seat.
“Captain Gratton. What a pleasant surprise,” Nancy said, looking up from the lace she was tacking onto a bodice. “How are you this evening?”
“Doing well, thank you. I apologize for barging in uninvited. I would have waited, but theMorning Starwill depart quite early in the morning, and I’ll be gone for a while.”
“It’s no problem. We’re always happy to have friends here. We have been working on Clementine’s wedding dress.”
“Yes, she mentioned that.”
“I found the rest of that lace,” Faith said, coming into the room. She noticed Andrew immediately and beamed a smile. “What a pleasant surprise.”
Nancy laughed. “That’s exactly what I said.”
Faith deposited the lace on the small table between Nancy and Clementine. “If you recall, this is Mrs. Weaver.”
He nodded at the older woman who sat close to the fireplace.
“And the dark-haired woman over there reading is Mrs. Bryant. She is the other lady you and Seth went to rescue the day of the storm.”
“We finally meet, Captain Gratton. I appreciate that you came with Seth to look for me,” Mrs. Bryant said, looking up from her book.
“They had taken you to the hospital, as I recall.”
“Yes. I was rendered unconscious by flying debris but only mildly injured. I’m pleased to report I am doing much better.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” Andrew gave her a nod, then looked at Faith, who had taken a seat by Clementine. She was already deep in conversation, pointing to the piece of material in Clementine’s lap.
“As I remember, you met the Clifton sisters. They are still upstairs but will soon join us. Now, might I get you a cup of coffee or tea?” Nancy asked, getting to her feet.
“You needn’t bother.”
“It’s no bother, I assure you.”
Andrew could see that one way or another, she was determined to serve him. “Coffee would be just fine. Black, please.”
She nodded and moved away without another word. Andrew tried to imagine her married to Albert Pritchard, but the image wouldn’t come together. She seemed nothing at all like the kind of woman who would have married the hard-living storekeeper. Maybe she had been attracted to men who emitted danger, because that was how Pritchard had struck him. The man he had known was always up for a thrill or adventure and had told Andrew many a tale of his wild expeditions. Did Nancy know about them too?
“I’ll show you down the hall to the office. That’s where you’ll find Seth,” Faith said, getting back to her feet.
“I don’t want to interrupt the sewing. It looks important.” He smiled.
“It is,” Faith agreed, “but I am only advising at this point. Oh, and running for supplies. I’m very good at sewing sutures but less talented with fabrics and lace.”
Nancy reappeared with his coffee. “I thought you’d prefer a mug rather than fine china.”
“Yes, thank you.” He took the mug and let it warm his hands.
“We eat at six. Would you care to stay for supper?”
“Of course he would,” Faith replied for him.
Andrew laughed. “I guess that’s settled, then.”
“We’re having chicken and dumplings as the main course. There will be vegetables and bread, as well as dessert. We make certain no one goes hungry here,” Nancy said.
“That sounds delicious. I shall look forward to it.”
“I was just about to show him to the office. I know he and Seth will have a lot to discuss.” Faith reached for his arm. “This way.”
