They fell silent for a moment as Nick dug into the apple dessert.
“Mmm, this is delicious. But then, I’ve never had any complaintswith your cooking. I have to laugh when I think of us cooking for ourselves while you were in Oswego. It doesn’t compare, to be sure. I’m glad you weren’t here to see how miserably we failed.”
“It’s nice to be appreciated. My mother taught me. She believed hardworking men needed a good meal to keep them content. She once told me that more problems are made by hungry men than for any other reason. Do you suppose that’s true?”
“I can see it happening.” He finished the dessert and leaned back on his arms. He stretched his feet out in front of him and gazed up into the night skies. “Hunger or love. Both cause a man to set aside his dignity.”
His comment gave her a little shiver. Falling in love with Nick might well cause her to act rather undignified. She shook away the thought. “Well, it’s nearly eight, and I should get back. Papa won’t stay up late, and I certainly don’t need him locking me out.”
She knew he never would, but her nerves had gotten the best of her. Only after she stood did she remember her father’s desire that Nick walk her home. She started to ask Nick, but he spoke first.
“Wait a couple of minutes. My watch is over at eight. Ah, there’s Sam now. Let me go speak to him, and then I’ll walk you home.” He jumped up and started across the deck.
Elise felt relieved that if she ran into Booker Duran again, at least she’d have Nick by her side. She picked up the tray and waited only a minute or so before Nick returned.
He took the tray from her arms. “Ready?”
“Yes.”
She looked up at him in the moonlight and felt something change inside her heart when he smiled down at her. Was this love? Wasn’t it much too soon? She didn’t really even know Nick. Yet the feelings were so strong that she was almost certain he could read them on her face.
With the tray balanced against his side, Nick put his hand on her elbow as they made their way down the ramp to the dock. Once on solid ground again, he let go, and Elise immediately felt the loss.
“It’s a beautiful night,” he said as they made their way back to her house.
“It is. And the walk isn’t far.”
“If I’m not mistaken, this is Minnesota Point.”
“Yes. You’re right. Our cottage is right on the water. Papa can never be far from the lakes. He says lake water flows through his veins instead of blood. He and Mama both loved the water more than land. We even buried Mama in the water. She wanted it that way, and Papa will someday follow. Although I pray it will be a long while yet.”
“And what will you do then?”
She shrugged. “Probably find another ship to cook for. Or maybe I’ll talk Uncle James into letting me captain theMary Elise.” She laughed at the very thought. “Wouldn’t that be something?”
“And why not? You handled her quite well, as I recall.”
“Yes, but that was in open water. I don’t know how well I’d handle her in tight situations or storms.”
Nick paused mid-step and looked at her. “You’d learn. I’d teach you.” As if realizing he’d suggested they would still be together, he changed the subject. “You’ll have to lead the way.I have no idea where your cottage is except that it looks out on the lake.”
Elise felt another shiver go up her spine. Could it be that she and Nick might have a future together?
Booker Duran sat at the bar, drinking his fourth beer. His hopes for the evening were dwindling. He’d wanted nothing more than a hearty meal, a good woman, and some strong drink. Unfortunately, the food was unsavory compared to what he’d enjoyed on theMary Elise, no woman seemed interested in his charms, and strong drink was only acceptable so long as he was sleeping somewhere other than theMary Elisetonight.
Of course, it was hard to attract the attention of a woman without also attracting the attention of others around him. He was doing his best to blend in at the crowded bar rather than stand out, so a woman would most likely have to do all the pursuing. Something he wasn’t used to. Still, he couldn’t risk having anyone dwell on him. By now there were probably drawings of him out to the police. A wanted poster might not be posted on every street corner, but the authorities would certainly be notified, and though he could change his name, it didn’t do a thing for identifying him by his face and description.
He tossed back the rest of his beer and got up to leave. There was no sense in remaining. The place was getting rowdier by the minute, and it wouldn’t be long until a fight broke out and the police were called.
Duran left the tavern and kept to the shadows as he headed back to the ship. The smart thing to do would be to head out west or even sign on with an oceangoing vessel, rather thanremain in the Great Lakes region. But the latter would confine him and leave him with little freedom to escape if necessary. Heading west was probably the better of the two ideas. Nobody knew him there. If he made it to the coast, maybe he could pan for gold. That idea had always appealed to him. The problem was, he had little money to his name. TheMary Elisepaid monthly on the first. Here it was the middle of the month, and he was already broke again.
He shoved his hands deep in his pockets. If only he’d done things differently, he could still be making his living gambling. He wasn’t sorry he’d killed that man, just sorry that it had been done where others had witnessed it. It truly had complicated his life.
Something caught his attention just ahead. A man struggled to stay on his feet. It was clear he was drunk and had little common sense left to him. He was alone in a dark alleyway and obviously incapacitated.
Booker smiled. This should take very little effort, and he wouldn’t even have to kill anyone.
Chapter 11
