Her mother shook her head. “I am flattered that you see it that way, but I’ve had many doubts over the years.”
“Really?” Ann pulled back so she could gaze more fully at her mother.
“Yes. Doubt, I’ve learned, can be productive, if it spurs us to action. If it motivates us to turn to God. That’s what I’ve tried to do when I worry.” She smiled and patted Ann’s shoulder. “So don’t be uneasy with your questions. Involve God with them and watch what happens.”
“I ... like that,” Ann said.
Her mother took Ann’s hands in hers and gave them a squeeze before she turned and headed out the door.
The Sunday service was sure to be wonderful, but her mother’s short sermon had already given her a great deal to think about.
“Might be the clearest day we’ve had aboard,” Jack said from the bowsprit. He pulled down his dress jacket.
“Don’t count those chickens just yet.” Mr. Haddock smoothed his thinning hair. “We’ll need more wind than this if we want to make it to America before we starve. We are several hundred miles behind.”
Jack stepped onto their deck and glanced heavenward as he smirked. “Well, if that’s not the cheeriest thing I’ve heard all mornin’.”
All three men were in their best clothes as they gathered for the Sunday service.
Mr. Haddock laughed. “Let’s not curse our luck; just enjoy the sunshine for now.”
It would be easy enough for Will to be cheery; the beautiful Ann had just come above deck with Miss Cherry in tow. All around her, the lower deck teemed with people gathering for the service. A long storm and more cases of smallpox had made today’s reprieve especially needed. As for Will, his eyes were drawn only to Ann.
Crenshaw and a few other officers had started to gather near them, but Will drew close enough to have a private work with Jack. “Jack, you’ve never had a girl, have ya?”
Jack stowed a hand in the pocket of his jacket as he took Will’s measure. “Now there’s a question. I did once, in between journeys. But when I came back the next time, she was married to some other bloke.”
Will cleared his throat. Perhaps he shouldn’t have asked. Jack’s story did seem to confirm that Will should strike while the iron was hot, so to speak.
“Oh, Mr. Flynn,” Mr. Haddock chimed in, “you can’t let one lass get away from ya and never give it a go again!”
Will hadn’t realized he was listening.
Good natured as always, Jack laughed. “Right ye are, Haddock.” But Jack’s gaze didn’t leave Will’s. His voice dropped low, and he stepped toward Will. “Ye still have eyes for Miss Fowles, don’t ye?”
Haddock moved to greet the other officers. Will glanced that way and then back at Jack. “She’s the one who helped me with my burn.”
“I see,” said Jack, his eyebrows lifting in a tease. “With all yer many dutiesandyer injury, you’ve managed to fall for her, eh?”
Will dropped his voice lower. “I am not saying I have. You know me; I’ve never once flirted with a woman on a voyage. I know the captain’s rule.”
“Ah, but even despite my mentions of them cursin’ the ship, I can tell this one’s really gotten to ye, hasn’t she?”
Will just tipped his head, not willing to fully answer.
Jack let out a low whistle and punched his friend’s good arm. Will scanned the masses of people, noticing that President Garn had just come up the hatch. They would be starting soon.
“Don’t know why I’m telling you with all your skepticism,” Will whispered. “I’ve never felt this way toward any passenger before. Or any woman while on land, for that matter.”
Jack raised his eyebrows and pursed his lips. “Well,” he responded in hushed tones, “I think all them passengers are trouble.”
“Cut it out,” said Will, pointing to the assembled Saints. “We’re about to start.”
But Jack, true to form, would not be stopped until he spoke his piece. “Ye aren’t askin’ the right question.” Will watched his friend look for Ann in the crowd. “She sure is a pretty lass, I’ll give that to ye. But maybe she wants a gentleman who believes as she does.”
Will had wondered the same thing, and he did not appreciate that Jack voiced all the concerns he already had. Will had already thought a great deal about the way she’d spoken about God and about how he had felt her faith that day.
He’d made a promise to God when he’d nearly died in the storm. But after Ann had told him her story, his desire to know more grew. Unlike a fewof the other high-ranking seamen who shifted their weight uneasily near him, Will needed no coercion to attend the Sunday services.
