She laughed. “It’s nothing. He’s just the friendly sort. He’s also very intelligent.”
“He is. I like him very much, just as you do.”
Elise decided to press the matter. “You could give him more responsibility. I’m concerned about your health, Papa. You haven’t been the same since losing Mama, and I’m worried about you.”
“It’s hard to go on without her. I thought maybe time would ease the pain, but, if anything, it feels more acute. I keep expecting her to walk through the door, and when she doesn’t ... it feels like losing her all over again.”
“You two had such a wonderful love. I envied it, and I pray I can find one like it someday.”
“You would be blessed if you found a love even half as deep,” her father replied. He stared past her as if seeing something else.
Elise wondered if he would ever feel whole again without her mother. She couldn’t help but worry about him. He wasn’t that old, yet he’d aged so much in the last year. No matter how much she tried to cheer him up, his sorrow kept a tight grip. Having never been married, much less in love, Elise knew she couldn’t begin to comprehend what he felt. She was smart enough to know, however, that a child couldn’t take the place of a beloved spouse.
After supper she grabbed a plate and heaped a large helping of the casserole onto it. She added a piece of buttered bread, as well as another plate of apple cobbler. It was a favorite of Papa’s, but he’d hardly touched it. After putting both plates on a tray, Elise covered them with a dish towel.
“I’m going to clean up when I get back,” she told Papa.
He looked up and smiled. “Sounds good. I’ll walk you partway to theMary Eliseand then come back and get ready for bed. You wait at the ship until Nick’s off his watch and ask him to walk you home. I don’t want to worry about you encountering any rowdies. Especially not that Duran.”
Elise appreciated his concern for her well-being and happily agreed.
While the afternoon in Duluth had been warm, the evening air was a bit chilly, so she pulled on her jacket. The moon was beautiful, and she knew her father would much rather be on the lake. Hopefully the delays would be short and they’d get back on the water tomorrow.
“It’s such a beautiful evening,” Elise murmured as they walked. The winds had calmed, and the reflection of the moonlight onLake Superior was romantic. She wondered if Nick had noticed and appreciated the scene.
“Well, I think I’ll go check in with a couple of the other captains and see what’s being said about the grain loading,” her father declared halfway to the harbor. “Then I’ll head home and see you there.” He kissed the top of her head. “It’s early, so I figure most of the boys are still enjoying their evening. Hopefully you won’t be bothered.”
“I never have been before.” Elise didn’t mention that a lot of first-time problems had occurred over the last few weeks. Still, she wasn’t afraid.
She continued along the docks toward theMary Eliseat the far end and had nearly reached it when Booker Duran appeared out of the shadows.
“Well, well.” He smiled. “Imagine meeting like this under the moonlight.”
“Good evening, Mr. Duran.”
He frowned. “Oh, come now. You aren’t still mad at me, are you?”
“I have no feelings for you one way or the other, Mr. Duran. And furthermore, I really have no time to stop and talk.” She started past him, but Duran caught her arm.
She gave him a hard stare. “You won’t have a job tomorrow if you touch me again. Now, let me go.”
He dropped his hold, his eyes narrowing as he took a step back. “I just want to get to know you better. I don’t mean any harm.”
“Forcing yourself upon a woman is no way to get to know her better.”
“I’ll admit my manners do suffer. My mother died whenI was just a boy. I’ve had no one to teach me properly. Surely you won’t hold that against me. I think you’re quite charming, and I think having a conversation with you would be pleasant.”
Elise felt her resolve soften. That he would share such an intimate detail of his life touched her. Still, she had no desire to encourage him. “I’m busy right now. If you’ll excuse me, I need to take Nick his dinner.”
“You should forget about that one,” Duran declared. “He’s cursed. Everybody knows it. He knows it himself.”
“Cursed?” She shook her head, amused. “I don’t believe Christians can be cursed, Mr. Duran. Nick is a man of deep faith and therefore cannot be cursed. Jesus already took on all of that for him. Read your Bible, Mr. Duran. Particularly Galatians, chapter three.” She paused and forced a smile. “I never thought to ask. Do you have a relationship with God, Mr. Duran?”
He laughed. “Hardly. I’ve never seen any sense in it. I keep my own rules and order.”
“And has that blessed you with a quality life?” She fixed him with a questioning look. “Has it comforted you in times of trial and trouble?”
“As much as any pretense at the existence of God would. I’m a contented man, Miss Elise. I think you’d enjoy my company.”
