She checked the clock and went to get another skillet from the counter. It already held several rows of sausage links. She put it on one of the burners, then went to the woodbin for more fuel. “Why didn’t you want to work in your family business with your father?” She fed the wood into the stove, then moved it around with the poker.
“My father and I were never close. He was so consumed by the textile factory he had very little time for me. I was kept upstairs with a nanny until I was twelve, then allowed to come to the family dinner table unless my parents had company. I was to be silent and refrain from any childish behavior. I was never to offer my opinion unless asked for it, nor to suggest topics for conversation. Frankly, it was more fun in the nursery with my sisters.”
“It sounds horrible, but in fact, I’ve had some experience with that. As children, Caroline and I ate in the nursery when we stayed with Uncle James. It wasn’t much fun, however. The nurse wouldn’t allow us to speak or play. We were to sit up straight, napkins in our laps, and learn how to be little adults.”
He gave her a sad nod. “Yes. That’s it exactly. And it’s not that I don’t understand the importance of order at the table. I guessit just would have been nice to talk to my folks and other family members. As I grew older, I mentioned this to my father. He said as children we had nothing to offer adult conversation. Our presence at the table was merely tolerated.”
“How sad. My folks always asked Caroline and me what we thought, what we had done that day, what we had learned. They knew full well what we had done, since we lived very tight aboard a schooner.” She put more cakes into the warmer, then went back to add more lard in the skillet. “I loved that Papa would tell us what was going on with the ship. Caroline hated learning about it, but I didn’t. I enjoyed setting sails and helping with the ship’s upkeep. As I saw it, it was the duty of each of us to make the ship ready at all times. It was our home, after all.”
“I’ll bet you make a good hand.”
“I am just as able as most men. I get out there and help hoist the anchor alongside the others, and I’m pretty strong.”
He grinned. “I don’t doubt it.”
He heard a door open behind him. Nick turned and found Captain Wright gazing across the room at his daughter. “Morning, Elise. How goes it with you?”
“The waves are rocking the boat pretty good, so I’m fighting for balance, but other than that, I’m doing well, Papa.” She went to kiss him, still holding the spatula in hand. “Hot cakes and sausages in fifteen minutes.” She glanced at the clock. “Make that fourteen.”
“Sounds delicious. I’ll be there.” He looked at Nick. “Ready for a new day and port?”
“I am. I’ve only sailed up this way a time or two. They didn’t have their new canal in Duluth yet last time I was here, so I came in by way of Superior, Wisconsin.”
“The new canal makes it very nice. It hasn’t come about without issues, to be sure. The rivalry between those two towns goes way back and probably won’t ever be set aside. Everyone wants to see their own city succeed and the other fail. I say there’s plenty of land and sea for everyone.” The captain pulled on his billed cap. “I’ll be checking a few things out, Elise, and then I’ll be back in . . . twelve minutes.”
She laughed. “See to it. When the bells ring, don’t be late, or I’m afraid Nick might very well eat your share.”
Her father chuckled as he headed out. “That will be the day.”
Duluth Harbor welcomed theMary Eliseas it did all ships—grateful for the product she brought and happy to have trade increased. Elise secured her kitchen and found Sam. As second mate, he was responsible for the ship’s inventory and shopping unless otherwise informed, as she had done in Oswego.
“Sam, here’s my list. Papa said it will be morning before we’ll head out with the grain shipment. You might talk to him to see what time we’ll set sail. Could be you can wait to secure these things until tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Miss Elise. I’ll talk to him. Do you have anything else you wanted me to pick up?”
She shook her head. “I have need of some sewing supplies, but I’ll fetch those. I know exactly where to find them and what I need.” She smiled. “But thanks for asking.”
She headed for the gangplank and heard her father talking to Nick. “Come on to the house later, if you like. I’m sure Elise won’t mind one more for supper.”
“That’s all right. I’m happy to stay aboard theMary Elise.”
“Tired of my cooking already?” Elise asked.
Nick looked horrified. “Not at all. I ... well, I don’t want to intrude on your time alone. I know your father is very important to you.”
She laughed. “It’s all right, Nick. I wasn’t serious. But Papa’s right, you are very welcome to eat with us.”
“I have watch tonight, so I’ll have to decline. But maybe another time.”
Elise found herself wanting to push back the lock of brown hair that had fallen across his left eye. Instead, she continued to the docks. “I’ll see you at the house, Papa.”
Duluth appeared no different from when she’d been here in early June. The trip took twelve to fifteen days, depending on the weather and other issues, to get from Oswego to Duluth, so with the return trip, it was nearly a month. They could usually count on eight to ten round trips each year, but this came at the mercy of the weather and the lake herself.
Elise made her way to the small cottage her father had purchased for their family. She saw her neighbor Mina Osbourne hanging clothes on a clothesline and waved.
“Welcome back,” Mina declared, fighting against the wind to pin up her wet sheets.
Elise put down her bag and came to the rescue. “Here, let me help.”
