“I’m in need of a first mate on the schoonerMary Elise. It’s temporary. My man is down with an injured leg.”
“I’m more than qualified. As I said, I’ve been sailing for over ten years—ocean and the lakes. I worked my way up on commercial schooners and served as first mate on two different ships.”
The older man rubbed his bearded chin. “I’m impressed.”
“I’d be grateful for any position, even one that’s only temporary.”
“And I’d be grateful to take you on.” He extended his hand to Nick. They shook.
“When do we sail?”
“Tomorrow at dawn.”
“Thank you, Mr.—uh, Captain Wright.”
“Most of the men just call me Captain. I’ve had my crew for years.”
Nick could imagine the difficulty of being a new man on a loyal crew, even if it was only a temporary position. “You mentioned the schooner is called theMary Elise.”
“Yes, she’s named for my wife and her mother. My daughter too. The young lady you rescued yesterday.”
“Yes, I heard her name mentioned. A very pretty name.” Nick didn’t want to overstay his welcome. “Well, thank you again for your time. I’ll be on theMary Elisebefore dawn.”
“Why don’t you head over today? You can talk to Sam Matthews. He’s my second mate. Tell him I’ve hired you on to fill in for Joe. He’ll give you a tour and acquaint you with our operation and show you where you’ll sleep. I don’t have a regular cabin for my first mate, but there is space set aside from the men in the forecastle. I hope that will work for you. And before you go, why don’t you come upstairs with me to see Elise? I was just heading up. You can see for yourself that she’s just fine.”
Nick nodded. “Of course.” He left his duffel beside the table and followed the older man up the stairs and to the right.
“Knock, knock,” Captain Wright called when they reached the open door. “I’ve brought you a visitor.”
“Come in, Papa.” Elise sat propped up on several lace-trimmed pillows. “Who have you brought?”
“Your rescuer, Mr. Nicodemus Clark.”
Nick popped his head around the doorjamb. “I just came to check on you. Your father thought I should see you for myself.”
She smiled, and it warmed him from the top of his head to the bottom of his toes. “Hello, Mr. Clark.”
“Please call me Nick. Everyone does.”
“Very well. Nick it is. Thank you again for what you did for me. I still shiver at the idea of lying unconscious in the street with terrified horses threatening to bolt and run over me.”
“I’ve just hired Nick to fill in for Joe,” her father said. “He has a lot of experience.”
She nodded at him. “Welcome to our family—at least temporarily.”
“Thank you.” Nick found her smile infectious. “How are you feeling?”
“My back hurts, but my head is clear. I disagree with the doctor wanting to keep me on bedrest for two weeks, and I hate that nasty medicine.”
“But we are going to follow his orders,” her father interjected. “Your Uncle James and Aunt Martha will take good care of you.”
Nick wasn’t sure how this family was related. Captain Wright was a ship’s captain—a laboring man who obviously worked hard, from the look of him. Then there was James Monroe, one of the wealthiest men in Oswego. He must have been Elise’s mother’s brother, since his last name wasn’t Wright. He supposed there’d be time later to sort it out.
“I know they’ll take care of me, but who will take care of you?” Elise asked.
Captain Wright laughed, and it was so genuinely full of joy that it made Nick smile as well. He looked at Elise, who folded her arms across the ruffles of her white robe.
“I suppose you’re on his side,” she said.
