April 20, 1854
58 days at sea
President Garn stood againon his makeshift podium on the poop deck and spoke loudly. “The tug will pull the ship up the river until we arrive at the port.” A murmur of excited voices rippled through the crowd. “Those who are sick will have to quarantine. All others, prepare your spaces for departure in two days, and God be praised that we have been thus preserved.”
A cheer erupted from the crowd, and Ann squeezed her arm around Elizabeth. Across the group she saw her mother and sister along with little Cyrus and Job, and she waved. Adelaide came close to her. “Ann, I’m so sorry I didn’t let you stay in our cabin. I’ve been feeling so bad about it—”
“Don’t.” Ann reached out one hand. “It was smart of you, and I don’t begrudge it all. Soon all of this will be over, and I’ll rejoin you.”
Adelaide smiled, and Ann noticed her sister, despite the poor food rations, seemed strong again. Somehow, despite all the trials, it seemed she’d found herself, too.
President Garn called a few of the men around him to organize more logistics. Then, from the corner of her eye, she saw Will approach President Garn. Ann’s heart tightened at the sight of him, but after a few moments, she couldn’t hold back her curiosity and wove her way through the crush of people until she was near enough to hear the men talking yet still remain hidden behind a large pile of stowed sails.
A few assignments were quickly doled out, and President Garn turned toward Will. “What can I do for you, Mr. Boyd?”
Ann studied Will’s face. It was drawn and serious. He was always handsome, but today something pulled his brow down. Her stomach twisted as she admitted his consternation might be her doing.
“Sir.” His voice was low, and she had to crane her ear toward him. “I have a matter of a delicate nature I need to discuss.”
President Garn gestured toward the bow, and they walked several paces away, out of earshot of anyone, even of Ann. She peered out. President Garn’s face was going through many iterations of bewilderment, from what she could tell.
Ann wondered if what Will was saying concerned her or if he was reporting something with the ship or describing a procedure they hadn’t accounted for. Whatever it was, Ann grew more and more anxious.
At last President Garn clapped Will on the shoulder. He spoke louder and his words floated through the breeze. “I’d be more than happy to.” They exchanged a pleasant nod. “And regarding your second question, it may not look like you are thinking.”
Now it was Will’s turn to act surprised.
Ann had the urge to run up and demand they explain themselves, but she held back.
Later that day, while Ann was cleaning up the sick bay, Elizabeth appeared in the doorway.
“You should not be here,” Ann chided. “It’s not safe.”
“Actually, I very much should be.”
Ann hadn’t seen her friend this animated for weeks. Ann turned to Dr. Rowley.
“Go,” he said with a smile. “You’ve done plenty.”
Ann thanked him, and they made their way into the corridor. As soon as they were alone, Elizabeth leaned toward her ear, clearly incapable of keeping her secret one moment longer.
“No,” Ann said, pulling back. “It can’t be true.”
“It is. I heard Brother Harper and President Garn speaking just a few minutes ago.”
“But why wouldn’t Will—”
Behind Elizabeth, someone entered the passageway.
“Ann,” said a deep, masculine voice she’d know anywhere. “Might I have a word?”
Elizabeth clapped her hands together a few times and gestured for Ann to walk past her.
“Of course,” Ann answered, meeting her friend’s excitement with large eyes.
Will waited until they had walked to a secluded part of the passageway before speaking. “The first thing I must say is I am not choosing this course just to be with you.”
“Oh, that is quite a way to start a conversation with a lady of interest.”
