by Erica Vetsch
eighteen
Men crowded the bridge. The cook elected to remain below with the captain. Every face regarded Noah solemnly. The helmsman continued at his position, the others lined the walls of the small room.
“Men, there’s no sugarcoating the situation. The safest course is to drop anchor and wait out the storm. You all know the risks of attempting a harbor run in rough seas. The captain is in a bad way. I don’t know if he’s going to make it, but his chances are better if we can get him to a doctor.”
One of the crewmen, a grizzled man with enormous white side-whiskers, shifted a plug of tobacco in his mouth. “I say we risk it. I been with the cap’n for nigh onto twelve years now, and he deserves a chance.” Several voiced their agreement.
Noah nodded. “We’re riding light with no load. Fuel’s low, so we have to commit one way or the other soon. Either we shut down all but the bare minimum and ride things out or we pile on the coal and get to Duluth as quickly as possible. You all know me, you know what happened the last time I captained a ship in a storm.” He braced himself, but not one crewmember cast him a reviling glance. “But I’m willing to try to get us into the harbor.”
Eli clasped him on the shoulder. “Noah, you’re the best captain on the lake, and these men know it. We’ll do everything we can to help you.”
Fear churned in Noah, hot and cold by turns. Their faith humbled him. “Very well. Stokers, get down to the boilers and get to work.” He turned to the engineer. “Throw her wide open. You and you, you’re the deckhands, right?” Two narrow, lean men nodded, their slickers dripping water. “One of you get downstairs and relieve the cook and tell him to make sandwiches and coffee, lots of coffee. The other will stand by to relay messages and carry the food to the crew.”
“What shall I do, Noah?” Eli raised his brows.
“Stay here and watch with the glasses. Daylight’s fading. The instant you spot the harbor light, give a shout. I’ll be watching, too.” Noah settled into the captain’s chair and gripped the arms. “And all of you, pray.”
The men dispersed to their stations.
In less than five minutes the ship surged ahead, the engine throbbing. Waves broke over the bow, sending water pouring over the deck. With no cargo, the ship bobbed like an empty bottle on the waves. Noah braced himself for each roll.
Eli clung with one hand to the window frame, the other pressing the glasses to his eyes. “Awfully hard to see anything. The sky and the water are starting to merge.”
Nick nodded. “It will get worse before it gets better.” Images of the Bethany, of the storm, the faces of his crew members, flashed in his head. He second-guessed his decision a hundred times. What if he failed? What if history repeated itself and he lost another ship?
He thrust the thoughts aside. For the sake of the man lying injured on the bunk below, the crew would risk the narrow harbor entrance. For the captain’s sake and his own, Noah would return to Duluth and all he’d fled two months ago.
“What did Jonathan say about the engagement?” He didn’t really want to know, but it gave him something else to think about.
Eli shrugged. “Just that it would be in the papers by the end of the week. Noah Kennebrae to wed the daughter of Phillip Michaels.”
“Michaels? The iron tycoon Michaels?” Noah remembered seeing his name on a few Kennebrae manifests, but most of his ore was handled by their archrival, Gervase Fox’s company, Keystone Steel. “So, Grandfather plans to get all of the Michaels shipping contracts, does he?”
“Yeah, didn’t he tell you who the girl was?”
“I didn’t discuss it with him. I guess I didn’t want to know. Maybe I thought if I ignored it, the problem would go away.” How foolish. By stepping out of the discussion, he’d done nothing but give Grandfather a free hand.
“The Michaels’s business would certainly keep the fleet busy. Between the grain from Jonathan’s marriage and the ore from yours, we’ll need half as many ships again just to cover the contracts. Which will give me the perfect opportunity to test out my new ship design.” The pilothouse lurched, rolling as a wave caught her off the port side.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself there. I’m not marrying the Michaels heiress.”
Eli whipped around. “That’s not what Grandfather says. How’re you going to get out of it?”
“I’ll just tell Grandfather I’m in love with someone else, and I intend to marry her.” If she’ll have me. If she can forgive me. And if I can find her again once she’s left Sutton Island. His heart thudded thickly in his throat. His beautiful Annie. He hadn’t even gotten to say good-bye. As soon as he confronted his grandfather and this girl he was supposed to wed, he would begin his search.
Eli grinned. “In love with someone else? Who is she? And boy, is Grandfather going to be surprised. I can’t wait to see what he says. That should be some show.”
“I wouldn’t be so complacent if I were you. He might just have you take my place with this Michaels girl.”
Eli shook his head. “I’m married to my work. Grandfather will have to accept that. I wouldn’t give up shipbuilding to marry any woman.”
“Eli, you’ve never been in love. That’s your trouble. If you had, you’d give up anything, any dream, any hope, to win the woman you love.” The ache around Noah’s heart intensified. He had to find Annie, to make her understand how much he loved her. And he had to get free of his grandfather’s entanglements. “Two Harbors Light, sir.”
Noah’s jaw tightened. He could play it safe and swing the boat into the security of Agate Bay. He could dodge the gauntlet of the Duluth ship channel. But the injured captain needed a doctor in Duluth.
The helmsman flicked a questioning glance his way.
“All ahead full, helm.” The light at Two Harbors slid by on their starboard side. No turning back now.
The ship pitched and plowed through the waves for what seemed an eternity before a faint glow appeared through the gloom ahead.
“Duluth Harbor Light, sir.” The helmsman peered through the window.
Noah tensed. “Left rudder five degrees. Line up on the starboard light. Bring her around.” Lord, help us. You promised to be a strong tower. We need that strength now.
Several ships lay at anchor beyond the channel, riding out the storm before trying to enter the docks. Noah scanned the shoreline. The Bethany no longer lay broken on the shoal just outside the piers. He could be grateful for that at least.
Waves thrashed the piers, spewing up gray white foam, surging over the seawall higher than a man’s head. The Kennebrae Siloam bucked and heaved, her nose plowing the water, targeting the window formed by the transport bridge.
“Reduce power.” Noah’s mouth went dry. He had little recollection of the Bethany’s wreck, having been tossed to the floor and rendered unconscious when she bottomed out in the channel. But what he’d awakened to was something he had no desire to relive. “Correct your course, helm. Waves hitting three-quarter on the port bow. Steady at the wheel.”
Eli moved to stand behind Noah, holding the back of the captain’s chair just as Jonathan had done seven months before.
Noah’s hands ached from gripping the arms of the chair.
The bridge loomed ahead. Green water heaved against the bows. Lightning streaked the sky, precursor to a clap of thunder that shuddered through the steel hull and rattled the panes of the pilothouse.
The nose of the ship entered the canal. Rain ran down the windows. The green light of the pier lighthouse bathed the ship momentarily in an eerie light.
Noah could barely breathe. “Steady, helm.” A heavy wave smacked the ship mid keel. She slewed, kicking the stern toward the pier. “Watch the cross current as soon as she noses through the channel.”
The helmsman hung on as the ship bucked, spinning the wheel to edge the nose toward the starboard pier and bring the stern back in line. He wasn’t quick enough, and the stern bounced off the steel and concrete pier, the impact vibrating through the ship.
For
a moment, Noah closed his eyes, certain a repeat of the Bethany disaster was about to occur.
Eli grabbed Noah’s shoulder.
Noah’s eyes popped open. He dialed the chadburn, asking the engineer for more power. A rumble shot through the ship as the pistons responded to the increased steam from the boiler. The ship surged forward, scraping momentarily against the pier but righting herself and leaping under the bridge supports.
“You did it!” Eli grinned and punched Noah’s arm. “I knew you could.”
Noah brushed his brother’s praise aside. “Signal the tugs. Take us into any empty Kennebrae dock and signal that we require medical assistance.”
“Aye, aye, Captain Kennebrae.”
Captain Kennebrae. A bittersweet homecoming indeed.
Two hours later, Noah shouldered through the doors of Kennebrae House into the foyer, stripping off his coat as he went. Carved oak pillars stretched to his right and left down the grand hall, and overhead crystal chandeliers winked. The imposing staircase dominated the space, curving off on either hand to the balcony above. The sound of cutlery and china clinking drifted from the dining room at the end of the house.
The butler took his coat, eyes bright with welcome. “Mr. Noah. It is good to have you home, sir.” The seasoned servant concealed whatever surprise he might have felt at Noah’s appearance behind a long-practiced mask of imperturbability. Some things never changed.
“McKay, is Grandfather at supper?”
Eli shoved his way in the front door. He dropped bags, coat, and an armful of chart papers in a heap on the marble mosaic of the entryway. “McKay! Now I know I’m home.” Ignoring protocol, he wrapped the butler in a bear hug.
“Mr. Eli, it’s been too long, sir.”
“That it has. And I brought the prodigal home with me.” Eli flashed a boyish grin. “Or maybe he brought me home. We had to make a harbor run in the dark in the teeth of this storm.” As if to punctuate his words, lightning flashed through the stained glass windows above the landing before them, bringing to colorful life the lotus blossoms and birds held captive in the leaded design. The thick walls and slate roof of Kennebrae House muffled the thunder to a distant roar.
McKay motioned for them to follow him toward the dining room.
“Mr. Noah and Mr. Eli, sir.” He announced them and withdrew.
Massive silver candelabra graced the mahogany table. In the flickering candlelight, Grandfather’s dark eyes gleamed but registered no surprise.
Jonathan rose from his position at Grandfather’s right hand, a smile splitting his normally sober expression. “Noah, Eli, welcome home.” Jonathan advanced to shake hands with them. His eyes studied Noah’s face. “I had no idea you were coming home tonight.”
Melissa pushed back her chair and joined them, kissing Noah on the cheek. “Welcome home, Noah.” Her face held questions and compassion in equal measure. She squeezed his arm. “I’m glad you’re back. I’ve missed you.” She turned to Eli. “And you must be Eli. It is so good to meet you at last.”
Eli grinned. “Johnny, old boy, you sure came out the winner catching this gal. Melissa, Grandfather sent me a copy of your wedding photo. Your picture doesn’t do you justice. You are loveliness itself.” He kissed her warmly on the cheek and hugged her. “Too bad I wasn’t here at the time. I’d have snatched you up before Jonathan knew what hit him.”
Jonathan cocked an eyebrow at Eli who stalked around the table to greet Grandfather.
Noah braced himself for battle and followed.
Grandfather sat straight in his chair. Gaslight from the wall sconces ran along the metal arcs on his wheelchair. His snowy hair lay like a helmet on his large head. The Kennebrae tartan blanket in his lap covered his stick-thin legs. Everything Noah loved and everything he resented about this man clashed in his breast.
“Noah, Eli, I’m pleased you’ve returned. Sit down, have some dinner.” Grandfather motioned to the discreet screen in the corner beside the silver hutch.
A maid’s white cap bobbed, and she disappeared into the kitchen.
“I was just about to tell Jonathan and Melissa about the party tomorrow night at Michaelton House.”
Eli pulled out a chair beside Melissa, leaving Noah to sit beside Jonathan. “Party? What a nice homecoming.” McKay set a plate before him and placed cutlery and glasses. Eli dug into the meal as if he hadn’t eaten in a week.
When the butler set food before him, Noah’s gut churned and tightened.
“Though it is nice that your homecoming coincided with Noah’s, the party is intended to announce and celebrate Noah’s engagement.” Grandfather took up his glass and sipped, staring at Noah with a challenge in his eyes.
Noah stared at his plate for a moment then raised his chin. “Grandfather, I have no intention of going through with this marriage. I won’t put myself or some girl through it. Call off the party, extend my regrets, and get this notion out of your head.”
Jonathan turned to Noah. “Noah, you don’t have to call things off. I know you were upset when you left, but I have some news for you that might change things. We hauled the Bethany into dry dock and the engineers have been going over her.”
Noah braced himself to hear what he already knew.
“We’ve conducted interviews with the remaining crew, and we’ve had two independent shipbuilders go over her. The wealth of evidence states that you made the only choice you could under those circumstances.” Jonathan’s gaze pierced Noah.
Noah leaned forward, his hands gripping his knife and fork.
Jonathan continued. “You remember how she was listing even before she hit the canal wall? The engineers say part of her hull had buckled and was taking on water. You had no choice but to attempt the harbor run. If you had laid out at anchor, she’d have gone down in a matter of an hour or so.” He grinned broadly. “Everyone agrees that you saved our lives. Though some were lost, and we grieve for them and their families, more were rescued. You can stop blaming yourself. The Bethany will be out of commission for a while, but she’ll be back on the lake next spring, maybe even this fall. You’re not a failure. You’re a hero. In fact, a reporter from the Duluth paper was at the shipyard today to hear the verdict. It will be all over town by tomorrow that you deserve the highest praise.”
“Here, here.” Eli raised his water glass. “I knew it. And you saved our necks today. This hero gambit is getting to be quite a habit with you.”
Noah sat in stunned silence, processing Jonathan’s words. For so long he’d assumed he’d made the wrong choice, that he’d jeopardized his crew. Could his brother’s words be true? Had he made the right decision? Relief, questions, absolution, all crowded his mind.
“I’d like to go look at her when I have a chance.” He forced the words through his thick throat. After he found Annie. Everything else was second to that. Surely she’d be aboard the Jenny Klamath when it returned to Duluth. He’d meet her at the dock tomorrow and confess everything.
“Me, too,” Eli agreed. “And I want to talk to you, Grandfather, about implementing some of my new designs. The Bethany refit would be just the opportunity I need to try them out.”
Grandfather nodded, his fingers steepled beneath his chin. “Good idea. Go tomorrow. Just be back here in time to leave for the party.”
Noah’s shoulders sagged. “I told you, Grandfather, I’m not getting married, at least not to the Michaels girl.”
Grandfather’s fingers fisted and he banged the table. “You will. The contracts are ready. Philip Michaels has already signed. The invitations to the party went out last week.”
Noah narrowed his eyes. “Last week? But you didn’t even know I’d be back in town. Or did you?”
The old man’s chin lifted. “I knew it. I planned it. How do you think that unctuous little inspector knew your real name? When those ferry passengers you rescued returned to town, one of them came to see me. He recognized you as the captain of the Bethany, but you were using a different name. That’s when I cont
acted the Lighthouse Board and let them know they had an imposter in their ranks. I knew they’d fire you and you’d be back here within the week.”
“You had me fired?” Noah pushed his chair back.
“I wanted you home.” Grandfather’s back straightened. “I wanted you to stop running from your responsibilities. Now you’re here, and you’re exonerated from any wrongdoing regarding the Bethany. You’re free to marry.”
Noah stood. “When will you stop manipulating people? I’m not a chess piece for you to shove around and use to conquer your opposition. I have no intention of marrying this Michaels girl. Cancel the party, inform her family, and leave me alone. You don’t have the hold over me that you had over Jonathan, though I’m pleased at how that all turned out.”
He nodded toward Melissa, who smiled softly in return.
“I’ve proven these past two months that I can take care of myself. I’m not afraid to walk away from all this.” He waved his hand toward the ornate room. “In truth, my heart belongs to another. I have every intention of marrying her when I find her again.”
Grandfather scowled and tossed his napkin down. “Don’t be a fool. Think of what your marriage would mean to the company, to Eli, who is filled to bursting with new shipbuilding ideas. If you marry into the Michaels family, we’ll need at least six new ships, probably ten, to carry their ore. If you won’t do it for yourself, then do it for your family. And who is this girl you say you love? Is she wealthy?”
“She’s as poor as a fishwife, but I don’t care. I’m not marrying her for money.”
Noah regarded each of them—Grandfather, imperious and demanding; Jonathan, sober, staring at his hands in his lap; Eli, eager-eyed, chewing thoughtfully. And Melissa, her blue eyes filled with compassion.
Jonathan cleared his throat. “Don’t blackmail him, Grandfather. Noah should marry for love. If he loves another, he should be free to pursue her.”
Grandfather wheeled his chair back, expression dark. “Well, I’m not going to do his dirty work for him if he’s as ungrateful as that for all the work I’ve done. He owes the girl and her family an explanation. He should at least meet his fiancée before he ruins her character by refusing to marry her.”