“Good evening, Captain.” Nick entered the house and took off his cap.
Elise reached for it. “Here, I can take that and your jacket, if you like. We keep the house warm so Papa can thaw his bones from the weeks on the lake.”
“But at the same time, we’re rather informal here,” the captain added. “No dinner coats or fancy trimmings like at my brother-in-law’s house.”
Nick doffed his coat and handed it to her. “Which is such a blessing. I used to overheat something fierce when we had important dinners in the summer. Boston temperatures can be overbearing at times.”
Captain Wright stretched out his legs. “You’ll have to tell us more about that fair city. I’ve never been.”
“I’ve read a little of its history and about the fighting that took place near there for our independence from Great Britain,” Elise said, hanging his coat and hat on a peg by the door. Soon she rejoined them with just the bouquet in hand.
“What pretty flowers,” her father declared.
“Nick brought them for me. Wasn’t that thoughtful?”
She smiled at Nick, making him wish he could sweep her into his arms and kiss her. He reined in his thoughts. They were a long way from that kind of behavior, and it did no good to dwell on it before its time had come. He pushed the thoughts aside, but they continued to come back to the forefront of his mind. He’d never felt like this about anyone.
“It was very thoughtful. Have a seat, Nick. I think Elise said it would be a few more minutes.”
“Yes. I’ll put these flowers in water and then slice the roast.” She headed to the kitchen.
Nick took a seat on one of three empty chairs. The one he chose happened to be cushioned and covered in leather. He offered his captain a smile and picked up their conversation about Boston.
“I’d be happy to share about my hometown. It is quite the place.”
“We’d best wait for Elise. I wouldn’t want her to miss out. For now, I want to say how much I appreciate the job you’ve been doing. The men are pleased to work with you. Even Duran has stopped bringing up the sinking of thePolaris.”
“I’m grateful for that, to be sure.” Nick had already revealed all of the facts regarding the shipwreck to the captain, but even so, the topic made him uncomfortable.
“My point is that I believe your period of probation has been met and you have passed with flying colors. I want you to consider theMary Eliseyour home, and I want you to know you’ll be given greater responsibility ... as well as pay.”
“Thank you, sir. I’m grateful for the opportunity to restore my reputation.”
“Well, I’m certain any reasonable person would understand you can hardly judge a man by one mistake.”
“Dinner is served,” Elise announced from the doorway.
The captain rose quickly. “I feel half starved. Make haste, Mr. Clark. Pot roast awaits us.”
“Aye aye, Captain.” Nick grinned and rose to follow Captain Wright into the kitchen.
“I hope you don’t mind that we are without a dining room. The kitchen is large enough to fit a table and chairs, so we eat here,” the older man said.
“I don’t mind at all. I rather like the coziness of it. It’s very personal.”
“Personalis another way of sayingtiny,” Captain Wright replied, grinning. “We didn’t want a big house, however. The land never called to us like the lakes did. Like they continue to do.”
“I know exactly what you mean.” Nick wished his own father could have understood that feeling.
Elise put bread and butter on the table and then took the chair her father had pulled out. “Please sit. We don’t want the food to get cold.”
The captain offered grace, speaking of his trust that God would redirect him to joy of spirit and peace of mind. Nick had no idea what was going on but figured he could ask Elise later.
“Amen,” Elise whispered after her father blessed the food. She reached for a large porcelain bowl and handed it to Nick. It was full of creamed corn. Next came the platter of roast beef cooked with a mixture of onions, carrots, and potatoes. Last of all was a gravy boat of beef broth. Nick found his mouth watering for the feast. By the time the bread and butter made its way around, he was more than ready to dive into the fare.
“Elise, this looks amazing,” Nick said, cutting into the tender meat.
“The girl can cook, there’s no mistakin’ that,” her father said.
