“Good morning.” Nick glanced around to see if her father was also present. He wasn’t.
“Good morning. You’re up early. Coming off of watch?” Elise asked, mixing some concoction in a bowl.
“No. Couldn’t sleep.”
She smiled and nodded. “It happens to everyone. Why don’t you sit down? The coffee will be ready soon.”
Nick did as she suggested but said nothing. She fascinatedhim, and though he tried not to be overly interested in her, Elise completely held his attention.
“I hear we’re due to dock later this afternoon in Duluth.” She set the big bowl on the counter and added several teaspoons of white powder. She went back to her stirring. “Duluth is definitely an interesting town.”
He nodded and watched her work. “What are you making?”
“Hot cakes. We’ll have these and sausages, and of course plenty of maple syrup. Papa got a large supply of Canadian syrup, and it’s quite tasty.”
“Sounds good.”
“It sticks to the ribs.”
She poured batter into the large cast iron skillet, then checked the coffee. Nick watched as she took up a mug and poured him a cup. She was so poised and perfect. Her black hair was plaited down her back, and her blue eyes seemed to sparkle. There was no sign that she’d had anything less than a perfect night’s sleep.
“Thanks.” He took the cup from her and held it for a moment. He watched as she went back to the stove, minding her steps as the ship’s rocking increased.
“The winds are picking up again,” she said, turning the cakes. “I hope there’s no storm on the horizon.”
“There weren’t any signs of such. I think we’ll be all right.” He sampled the coffee. “This is good. Thank you again.”
“Of course.” She smiled, causing his heart to do a flip.
“So you’ve been on the lakes all of your life, is that right?” he asked.
“Pretty much so. I’ve stayed a few weeks here and there on land, and of course in the winter the lakes freeze over, so we stay in Duluth.”
“Why there? Why not in Oswego with your uncle?”
“For that very reason—my uncle is there. He and my aunt would expect us to stay with them. Papa and even Mama always maintained they didn’t want to spend their winters pretending to be someone they weren’t, and they didn’t want Caroline and me to take on airs. Of course, Caroline did anyway.” Elise frowned and pulled the hot cakes from the pan. She quickly put them aside and poured more batter into the skillet.
“Are you and your sister close?”
“At one time we were.” Elise met his gaze. “We have so little in common now that I don’t feel that closeness. When Mama died, I thought maybe we’d be drawn together again, but Caroline says I’m seeking to fill our mother’s shoes by bossing her around.” She paused, looking thoughtful. “I don’t feel that’s what I was doing, but I could see her taking it that way. I do feel it’s right for me to take my mother’s place on the ship and to take care of Papa. Maybe I included Caroline in that plan.”
“Why do you feel it’s your job to take your mother’s place?” Nick hoped she didn’t mind such a personal question.
She flipped the hot cakes. “We’ve always been very close, my parents and I. When Mama fell ill, I promised her I wouldn’t leave Papa alone, that I’d take care of him and the men on the ship.” She shrugged. “I’ve always known it was what I’d do. I’ve never had any intention of leaving life on the lakes. I figure I’ll always be a cook and seamstress for theMary Elise.”
“The men said you plan to never marry.”
Elise blushed and gave another shrug. “I made a promise to take care of Papa, and my own desires do not outweigh the need to remain faithful to it.”
“So you aren’t averse to marriage.”
“Of course not.” She put her attention on the cakes, and once she had quite a few on a cookie sheet, she opened the warming receptacle and put them inside. “But he’d have to be a seaman, and he’d have to pledge to stay on theMary Eliseuntil my father got too old to sail or died.” She gave a little laugh. “That’s why it’s easier to tell the men I’m married to theMary Elise.”
Nick started to say something to that fact, but Elise changed the subject.
“Do you mind my asking you a question?”
“Not at all.”
