“No.” Elise paused a moment, then offered Mina a sly smile. “But I would like to know him better.”
“Well, maybe the accident was God’s way of bringing the two of you together.”
Elise shook her head. “I’d like to think God could have brought us together in a less painful way, but nevertheless Nick has been well received on theMary Eliseand knows the job well.” She figured it was best to get back to her sister’s wedding. “Speaking of my sister, Caroline had a lovely reception in my uncle and aunt’s garden.”
“We weren’t talking about your sister, but that’s all right. I want to hear about everything.” Mina laughed. “Were there lots of flowers?”
“There were flowers everywhere, and the guests seemed quite pleased. What the garden didn’t grow, the staff rounded up and wove into the scene. I tell you no lie, they actually bound additionalflowers to the rosebushes to make them look three times as full.”
“Oh my. Can you imagine the expense?”
Elise laughed and then sobered almost as quickly. “Before we left, I was in the garden picking herbs to take with me on the ship. One of my cousin’s friends thought I was a housemaid and accosted me. Can you imagine? He had his hands all over me. I was appalled. In all my years among the seamen and rowdies on the dock, I’ve never been attacked.”
Mina looked properly shocked. “What happened?”
Elise laughed and grabbed a cookie. “I did that flip Papa taught me. The poor man looked absolutely dumbfounded. I had screamed in surprise when the man grabbed me, and Nick heard me screaming and came to my aid. I think he was surprised to see I could take care of myself so well.”
“What was Nick doing at your uncle’s house?”
“He’d come with Papa. He needed to write a letter home, and Aunt Martha helped him out with stationery, then invited him to stay for dinner.”
“He was refined enough for your aunt’s requirements?”
“Yes, he grew up in Boston in a well-off family. They were textile people, and Nick found he didn’t care for such factory work.” Elise imagined him as a young man longing for the sea.
Mina chuckled. “I think this Nick is someone to be observed. Seems to me he comes up in conversation often.”
Elise hadn’t meant to refocus their discussion on Nick, but he was quite prevalent in her thoughts. She nibbled the cookie, wondering what, if anything, that meant.
Chapter 10
Elise finished making supper and called her father to join her at the table. He waited for her to take her chair before taking his own. He looked tired.
“Are you going to get some extra rest—maybe sleep late tomorrow—since you found out they can’t load the grain until later in the day?” she asked.
“I might. Sleeping in sounds good, although I don’t know if this old body of mine will let me. It seems my clock is set to chime at four each morning.” He smiled. “There was talk of even further delays, so we might not get out of here tomorrow.”
“Well, I think the rest would do you good. The men could do any work on theMary Elisethat you need, or you could just give everyone an extra day off. They’d love you for that.”
He chuckled. “Everyone loves you when you’re givin’ what they want. Let me offer grace, and we can eat.” He bowed his head and said a simple prayer. Even his voice betrayed his weariness.
“Amen,” he concluded.
“Amen.” Elise looked up. “I hope you enjoy it.”
“I always enjoy your food. You cook just like your mother.” He dug into the casserole of homemade egg noodles and chicken in cream sauce.
Elise passed him hot bread she’d just taken out of the oven. “Mina gave us some fresh butter. I thought it’d be perfect for the bread. Plus, there’s plum jam that she canned.”
“The Osbournes are good neighbors. We need to do something special for them.”
“Maybe I can bake them a pie or a cake.” Elise slathered butter on a chunk of bread and popped a piece in her mouth. It was wonderful.
“I think you ought to take Nick a big portion of this for his supper. He’s got the evening watch, and I don’t know if he had time to arrange something for his dinner.”
“I’ll do it as soon as we’re finished. I’ll even let the dishes keep.” She smiled. “I think you did well in hiring him, Papa. I like him.”
“I’ve noticed. He likes you too.”
