“I’m here to take the helm,” she told Nick.
“The wind is moving us right along. Are you sure you’restrong enough to handle things?” She gave him a look with a raised brow that caused Nick’s eyes to widen. “All right, then. I see that you are.”
She laughed. “I’ve been doing this a long time. If there’s trouble, I know my father is just ten feet away.”
“I’ll be there too.”
“Yes, but I can count on my father.” She hadn’t really thought through her words before replying and hoped Nick wouldn’t take insult.
“I hope you know you can count on me too.” His voice was soft and his expression almost tender.
She met his gaze even as the men started filing past to head into the galley. “I think I do know that.” She smiled and took hold of the wheel.
“Keep her headed due west,” Nick said, grinning.
Elise glanced at the binnacle, which held the ship’s compass. “Aye, aye.”
He chuckled and made his way into the galley. Elise couldn’t help but like him. He was charming and gentle, not at all condemning of her participation on the ship.
“Well, we meet again, pretty lady,” Duran said, pausing at the door of the deckhouse. “How about you have a drink with me tonight after my watch is through? We can get to know each other better.”
She looked the big, burly man over. “There’s no drinking allowed on theMary Elise, Mr. Duran.”
“Ah, I know the rules, but rules were made to be broken.” His lips twitched behind his reddish-brown beard. “And I can think of quite a few I’d like to break with you.”
The deckhouse door opened, and Elise’s father appeared.His gaze fell on Duran. “You’re holding things up, Duran. Next time you won’t eat.”
Duran’s eyes narrowed. Elise didn’t like the way he looked at her father. She took a step back, putting the wheel between herself and the men. If Duran decided to take a swing, she didn’t want to encumber her father in any way.
“Sorry, Cap’n.” There was no sincerity in Duran’s voice. He brushed past her father and down the deckhouse steps.
Elise’s father looked her way. “Are you all right?”
“I’m just fine, Papa. Go have your lunch and meeting.”
“Well then, hold the course.” He hesitated only a moment, then followed Duran.
Elise shuddered. She liked Duran a little less every time she encountered him. Mama would say just to take it in stride—that some men had known a worse existence than others. She’d admitted that their behavior could be quite foul, but that answering hatred with kindness was important in order to change hearts.
“I suppose I’m not doing a very good job at this, Lord. Help me be more like my mother. She always seemed to understand the right thing to say and do. I feel like a poor substitute.”
She looked off to the side of the ship. It was nearly impossible to see what was coming with the deckhouse blocking her view. She would steer the open waters based mostly on the compass, but at times she moved to the side to get a look across the expanse, just in case another ship should cross her path. In this case it wasn’t likely, but Elise never took her job for granted. The very lives of the men on board were in her hands. She wasn’t about to risk them, nor let her father down.
Poor Papa. He was so weary and sad these days that she didn’t want to do anything to add to his misery.
“Help me, Lord.” She heaved a deep sigh.
“Losin’ Joe was a hard blow,” the captain began as they ate their lunch. “However, I’ve no doubt Nick will do us a fine job.”
“If he doesn’t sink theMary Eliselike he did thePolaris,” Duran muttered.
“I believe I have the floor for now, Mr. Duran. If you wish to speak to the men later, that can be arranged.”
Duran glared at Nick. “Everyone already knows the truth.”
Nick had no doubt they did. If not from the stories passed around in port, then for certain Duran had made it known.
“And no one cares,” the captain said, making his position clear. “I’ve damaged and even lost a ship myself, just as many other captains have. You can’t always predict what will happen, and sometimes our choices aren’t the best. From our mistakes ... we learn. If any man here at the table can say he’s made none, I’ll put him off at the next stop because he’ll be a liar. Mistakes I can tolerate when a man learns and makes amends. Liars get no tolerance from me whatsoever. Now, is there anything more you wish to address, Mr. Duran?”
