by Barbara Goss
“All right,” she said. “Why me? You could ask anyone.”
“Because I loved Seth, and I want to make sure you and Bethany are taken care of. I made a promise to Seth at the cemetery.”
Greta thought about that for several minutes. Could she leave Bethany for that long? She was old enough that she wouldn’t forget her mother, and she loved staying with her grandparents. She thought of the adventure. She’d get to see Charleston and Liverpool, England. She’d also experience being on the high seas.
“And if I go along, that will be my investment in the business?” she asked.
“Yes. I’ll put you to work. It would be pleasant to have company along for the voyage and fun to see how a land lover likes the experience.” He chuckled. “I hope you don’t get seasick.”
“Oh! What if I do?”
“I know all the tricks to prevention and cure—what do you say?”
Greta put out her hand. “I think we need to shake on it.”
Adam clasped her hand firmly. “I’ll hire a crew of carpenters before we leave to start building our stables. I’ll have my father scout for some good horse stock so by the time we return, we’ll be in business.”
Greta smiled. She liked the idea of being connected to Adam for years to come. Maybe—just maybe—the horse breeding would keep him on dry land.
“Oh,” Adam said, “there’s just one more stipulation.”
Greta frowned. “What?”
“I’d like to ask that you not see that Tanner fellow. At least until we return.”
Greta shrugged. “All right, but why?”
“I just don’t want anyone knowing our plans yet. He might object.”
“He might, at that.” Greta wondered if the partnership would keep suitors at bay. Who would want to court her when she was in a partnership with such a handsome, single man? Still, her heart told her to go with it.
“When do we leave?” she asked.
“Monday.” He pointed at the sky. “It’s going to be a lovely sunset—see how colorful the sky is already?”
Greta nodded.
“’Red skies at night, a sailors delight; red skies at morning, sailors take warning.’”
“Is there any truth to that?” she asked.
“I’ll explain it to you when we get on the ocean. This will be an experience of a lifetime for you, Greta. You’ll either love it or hate it.”
“I’m a bit excited now. What will my job onboard be?”
“We’ll have to go with a skeleton crew, since this is last minute. The cook will need help in the galley, and we’ll have to do without cleaners. Can you mop a deck?”
Greta laughed. “I sure can. Anything else?”
“Just having someone other than a crew member to keep me company is enough.”
Greta smiled. She could do all of those things, and now she was excited. She wouldn’t like being away from Bethany for that long; she’d just have to make it up to her when they returned.
She looked up at Adam. “How do I pack for a trip like this?”
“You pack just like you would if you were going anywhere else. House dresses for when you swab the deck, night clothes… I wouldn’t pack anything too dressy—ships are known to be wet at times.
“Oh, dear. I’m not very good at dressing myself and doing my own hair—can I take my maid?”
“I’m afraid not, but I’d be happy to oblige,” he said with a grin.
Greta had a thought. “Wait—how long does it take to get to Philadelphia?”
“My father usually goes by the International and Great Northern Railroad. It has sleeping cars, dining cars, and even a drawing room. It has fewer stops and should get us there in just five days, barring any problems.”
Greta sighed. “So, that will be added to the four weeks at sea and the trip home by train?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“That’s a long time for a mother to be away from her child, Adam.”
“Yes, but you’d be building for her future.”
Chapter Eight
Adam thought it would be a good idea if they didn’t travel as man and wife—the porters on the train would expect them to share a sleeping berth. Instead, they traveled as Adam Sutherland and Greta Hanson.
Watching Greta say goodbye to Bethany nearly broke his heart. He was proud of her, though, because she stiffened her back and did it with a minimum of tears. She’d given the child a small photograph of herself and told Rhea to show it to her often so she wouldn’t forget her mama.
Adam hoped he’d get used to having heads turn whenever his wife passed by men. He knew she was a lovely woman, but Charisse had been gorgeous, too, and she was evil to the core. He was more concerned with Greta’s character. Pretty women were often known to manipulate people with their charms. He was glad for an opportunity to get to know the real Greta Hanson, who seemed oblivious to the men who were gawking at her.
The trip to Philadelphia wasn’t held up, and the stops were brief and mainly in the biggest cities. They made it to Philadelphia in five and a half days where Adam took her immediately to the pier where Eve was docked. He’d never forget the look of awe on her face when she saw his clipper. Her sails were down, and the rigging looked like a tangle of worms and clotheslines, but he could still tell that it took Greta’s breath away.
“Adam, it’s so...so big, but sleek.”
Adam threw his head back and laughed. “That’s why she’s so fast. She’s long and lean.”
“Your father told me most shipping companies are buying the new steamships.”
“Yes, but they aren’t as fast as a clipper. I wouldn’t ever trade Eve for a steamship.”
“It’s beautiful but rustic-looking.”
“That’s just the deck. Wait until you see the forecastle, the galley, and the captain’s quarters.”
“Where will my quarters be?” she asked.
“You’ll have my quarters, and I’ll take the first mate’s quarters along with my first mate. There are two bunks in those sleeping quarters.”
Adam was pleased that she looked excited. She’d been an excellent traveler thus far, and he hadn’t heard one complaint from her.
“When can we board?”
“After we go inside, greet Isaac and Levi, and have dinner. We’ll have the ship to ourselves tonight, as I don’t think the crew is due to report until morning.” He led her to the adjacent office where Levi and Isaac were sitting at desks piled high with papers. They both sprung to their feet when they saw Adam.
“Adam! About time you got here. We were worried,” Levi said.
“We have your crew coming at about three in the morning and were afraid you’d been delayed,” Isaac said.
“The plan was to let the men stay on the ship until you arrived.” Levi looked past Adam. “Greta? Is that Greta?”
Adam reached for Greta’s hand and drew her forward. “Yes, it is. She’s going to be my second first mate.”
“Jolly good!” Isaac said with a laugh. “We were planning on dinner at our house, but since we weren’t sure when you’d arrive, we’ll make reservations at the Continental Hotel. Our wives can meet us there. I’ll send a message to Sylvia.”
Adam turned to Greta. “You remember Sylvia and Martha? It will be good to see them again.”
“Yes,” Greta said. “They were at my wedding.”
The room became quiet, and everyone looked down at the floor. “May Seth rest in peace with God until we meet him again,” Levi said.
The dinner was divine, and everyone enjoyed themselves. No one mentioned Seth again, as it seemed to make everyone uneasy.
Afterward, Levi and Martha delivered Adam and Greta to the pier.
“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather stay the night at our house?” Martha asked.
Before Adam could answer, Greta said, “Thank you, but I’m anxious to board the famous Eve.”
Her words put a warm feeling in Adam’s chest.
After bidding Levi and Mar
tha goodbye, Adam lit a large lantern, and they started for the ship.
The ship was moored in a narrow canal just feet from the ocean. Adam explained that in some ports, they might have to ride in a rowboat to board the ship, but it was easy at their pier. Adam held the lantern high and guided Greta aboard using a planked ramp that stretched from the ship to the edge of the pier.
“You won’t see much at night, so you’ll be surprised to see everything in the morning.” He led her across a highly-polished wooden floor to an opening with stairs leading down to the next level. “Watch your head,” he warned. Although it hadn’t been necessary for her short frame, Adam had to duck his head.
They walked down a short flight of stairs which was dark and foreboding, even with the lantern.
“You’ll enjoy this more tomorrow,” he said. He led her down the long, narrow, dark hallway to a door at the end of the main hall. Adam opened it, led with his lantern, and steered Greta into the captain’s quarters. Once inside, he hung the lantern on a hook on the wall. This is my quarters—well, usually.”
“It’s pretty,” she said, rubbing her hand along the mahogany dresser.
Adam set her satchel down on the bed. “Here’s the wardrobe—just push my things to the back.” Adam patted the mattress. “This is your bed.”
“Adam, I’m a bit afraid to sleep in here alone. I mean, it’s so dark and strange.”
He rubbed his chin and looked around the room. “I could string up a hammock. If I slept on the hammock over there,” he pointed to the other side of the large room, “you’d be all right?”
“Yes!” she said quickly. “At least, until I get used to the room and the darkness.”
“Good.” He walked to the door. “I’m going to wait outside while you undress. Call me when you’re in bed, and I’ll come in.”
He went across the hall, fetched the canvas hammock, and waited by the door to his cabin for Greta to call him. When she did, he came in, set up the hammock, and walked over to the bed where she was huddled beneath the quilt, pulled up to her chin, looking frightened.
He turned off the lantern and sat down on the bed. “Shall I tell you a story?”
“Oh, please do,” she said.
It was too dark to see if she was smiling, but he thought she might be. “I’d tell you the story of how the pirates overtook me and kept me locked up for weeks, but that wouldn’t soothe you to sleep. How about I sing you a lullaby?”
Greta actually laughed.
He felt as if he’d eased her fears somewhat. “I’ll tell you what: I’ll go over and get into my hammock, and we’ll talk until you feel relaxed enough to fall asleep.”
“I think that as long as I hear your voice, I’ll be all right,” she said.
Adam undressed and climbed into the hammock.
“I’ll tell you about growing up in the Sutherland home. It was here, in Philadelphia. We had a huge house, and it was a happy home. My mother wanted a daughter in the worst way, but after Seth, she had several miscarriages and finally, a stillbirth—that was another boy.
“Mother had asthma, and in the winter—we get some bad ones here—she became deathly ill. Then, when Seth was about five, he started wheezing, too. My mother’s doctor advised us to move to a warm, dryer climate. My father heard about some land for sale, and that’s how we ended up in Fort Worth. Levi and Isaac were old enough by then to stay and run the business.
“Has Bethany shown any signs of asthma?” he asked. When he got no answer, he smiled, turned over, and went to sleep.
Adam sprung up when Manny pulled on his leg to awaken him. Through the slight moonlight, he saw that Manny was about to say something so he put his finger to his lips.
His first mate looked over at the bed and rolled his eyes.
Adam dressed quickly and left the room with his first mate. Once on the deck, he saw the rest of the crew boarding in the dark. He waited until they were all lined up before giving them the rules, assigning jobs, and giving orders to the crew. At the end, he made an important announcement. “I have my wife onboard this trip. You will do no more than glance at her and nod—is that understood? You will not talk to her, stare at her, or otherwise make her feel uncomfortable.”
Adam turned to the cook. “Tully, if my wife wants to help you in the kitchen or laundry, you are to let her and treat her respectfully.”
Tully nodded.
“That’s all,” Adam said. “Get to your assigned posts.” He looked at Manny. “You’re exempt from the rule. You may speak to my wife and do everything possible to make her first sea voyage a good one.”
“Just because I’m an old coot?” Manny laughed. “I’ll do me best.”
“Are the maps set? Did you adjust the compass?”
Manny nodded. “I did that before I woke you.”
Adam clapped him on the back. “Let’s get Eve going, then.”
The boarding ramp was removed, the crew hoisted the sails, and Adam took his place at the helm.
~~~~***~~~~
The roiling of the ship woke Greta with alarm. Her bed seemed to be moving. She sat up and rubbed her eyes before she remembered where she was. Adam’s hammock was empty, and she could hear men yelling. The only windows in the room were at the very rear of the ship. She was sure there was a name for it; she’d learn it later. Greta stood on the bed, looked out the window, and saw the parting of the water by the ship’s forward progress. She saw land, but it was far away. A thrill ran through her. She dressed quickly. Greta had thought ahead and packed skirts and blouses, for without someone to help her dress, she couldn’t have worn dresses, because most of them buttoned down the back. The blouses all buttoned down the front. She chose a gray skirt and a red and white stripped blouse. Adam had bought her special shoes for the deck. As ugly as they were, she knew that if she appeared on deck without them, he’d scold her. She put on the oxfords with rubber soles, glad her long skirt hid them from view.
She walked down the hallway toward where there was some light filtering through, and she knew it was the stairway to the deck. Walking wasn’t as easy with the ship’s gentle roil. Greta walked slowly, even though she was excited to see the view from the deck.
The sun was bright when she stepped on deck, so she shielded her eyes. She made her way to the rail to take in the view; it was breathtaking. The breeze blew her hair, and it felt wonderful. She could barely see any land to her right—they were almost completely surrounded by water. It was fantastic.
The gentle rocking of the ship was comforting. A small spray of water hit her in the face, and she laughed. She felt eyes on her and turned to see Adam smiling at her from behind.
His smile was warm and friendly. “Isn’t it beautiful?” he asked, joining her at the rail.
“I never imagined...it’s wonderful.”
“Wait here,” he said. He left her but returned after a moment with a spyglass. “Here. You can keep this one—I have several. You’ll see all sorts of interesting things.”
“It’s mostly a lot of water. I can see land, but it’s getting further away each time I look.”
“We’re headed due south, to Charleston. We won’t be heading much farther east until we’re on our way to Liverpool, so you’ll still be able to see land for a while. Once we leave Charleston, we’ll go further out into the ocean. As long as we’re just a few miles from shore, you’ll see dolphins, and sharks.”
Greta felt her hair blowing in the breeze. She’d worn it down because she wasn’t too adept at putting it up herself, and the hair blew annoyingly into her face, blocking her view.
“Excuse me, again.” Adam moved to the stairs and went below deck. He returned with a piece of rawhide. “May I?”
She nodded.
He pulled her hair back and tied it behind her. When he was finished, he stroked it gently. “You have beautiful hair.”
Greta tried to hide the goosebumps that had appeared on her arms when he’d touched her hair. She rubbed her arms brusquely.
“Are you cold? The morning air is a bit chilly. Did you bring a shawl?”
“I’m fine. It was just a bit of spray on my arms.” She hoped he believed her. She didn’t want him to know what his touch did to her.
“Well, your hair won’t blow anymore. I could try my hand at braiding, if you’d like.”
“Oh, no. This is perfect,” she said. “What should I do first—scrub the deck or help the cook?”
“You don’t have to work. Why don’t you enjoy your first day at sea?”
“But it was a part of the deal.”
“Tomorrow is soon enough.” Adam waved over a man who was dressed nicer than the other men on deck.
“I want you to meet my first mate, Manny.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” she said.
“The pleasure is all mine,” Manny said with a bow.
Manny was an older man—she supposed he was about Sam’s age. His hair was turning white in spots, and he had a scar from his left eye to his chin.
“If you need anything, and I’m not around,” Adam said, “or if I’m busy, Manny will assist you.”
“Glad to be of service,” Manny said before addressing Adam. “I need you at the helm.”
The two men walked up one step to an area with a huge wheel and a lot of instruments she didn’t recognize. She went back to looking out at the sea with her spyglass. Greta thought she already knew why Adam loved the sea. It was exhilarating.
Chapter Nine
Adam got a warm feeling in his chest every time he watched Greta enjoying the sea. She spent nearly the whole day at the rail, using her spyglass to look at the view. Greta squealed in delight when she saw a porpoise swimming near the ship.
After a simple lunch of biscuits and ham, Adam took Greta on a tour of the ship. He showed her the bottom deck of the ship where the cargo would be stored; he showed her the ballast and the galley; he taught her that the right side of the ship was called the starboard and the left was the port; and he taught her a few nautical terms, but he didn’t want to overload her with information, lest she forget it.