by Lori Wick
iddenly a coin left Darsey's fingers and spiraled through the
r. With speed and dexterity that belied his size, the big man
^snatched it out of the air, his face alight with triumph. With a
flourish of his hand, he spoke.
"It's all yours, Captain."
"Thanks, Bart. Tell Meg we're starving, and I want my tea
strong."
The men resumed their chatter as the group disappeared
to a private room at the rear of the building. Nearly every man
in the place had a story about Smoke, some stretching the
truth only slightly. The only table that remained silent sat
in the darkest corner of the room. Two men occupied this
secluded table, and they were as different in size and appearance
as two men could be.
"Who is she?" the taller man wanted to know, his eyes
never leaving the door that Smokey and her men had disappeared
through. His complexion was fair and his hair light,
but all was hid under a cap and the shadows of the room.
"Have you not heard of the Smoke?"
'Yes, but I'd forgotten the rumors that Smoke was a woman.
I'd like to know her. See what you can do."
"I'd never get past the first mate. Guards her like mother
bear, he does."
"Then it might be worth my having a try." The big man's
smile was surprisingly boyish at the thought.
"You're willing to give up the sea already?"
"Who is to say I'll need to?"
The smaller man fell silent then. There had been a note in
his master's tone that he did not like; one that he knew better
than to argue with. After a moment of staring at the larger
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man, his eyes followed his captain's to the door of the back]
room. He couldn't help but wonder what was going on inside.
"Why can't Scully cook like this?"
"He'd pout for days if he heard that, Robby."
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe he'd just learn to cook."
Smokey shook her head at their antics and poured herself
another cup of tea. They had been telling stories and carrying
on for the last two hours.
When Dallas saw Smokey pouring out, he pushed his mug
toward her and she filled his also. The move was so relaxed
and feminine that for a moment Dallas could only stare at her.
Smokey stared back, thinking of their time on the island and
wishing she had Dallas to herself. Dallas' thoughts nearly
mirrored Smokey's, but he knew that now was not the time or
place to pursue the matter.
Indeed, had they been alone they might have leaned close
and begun to talk in quiet tones, but Mic began a story just
then and Dallas forced himself to turn and listen. What he
heard caught his full attention at once, and romantic thoughts
were momentarily swept aside.
"I swear we'd be out forever with Smokey's pa. My wife
gave birth to my twin boys while I was out roaming the world.
Not Smokey, though. She likes to stay close to home, much to
the pain and frustration of every captain sailing the North
Atlantic." All the men laughed, and he went on.
"Do you remember the time when we beat the Katie Lynn out of Halifax? You could have hung a shark hook on the
captain's mouth, it was so wide open. Dallas here is too much
of a pup to appreciate all I'm speaking of, but believe me, the
captain here has been the victor for more than her share of
spoils."
"On the contrary," Dallas put in smoothly, his voice dry,
but not bitter. "I'm well aware of Smokey's effect on the trade."
"Meaning?" Darsey wanted to know.
Dallas shrugged, growing a bit uncomfortable. "Like Mic
id, most captains have experienced the aftermath of her
ise."
A brief silence fell over the group.
"And in your case," Smokey spoke softly, "it keeps you that
^much further from realizing your dream to build ships." : These words were said thoughtfully as Smokey stared intently
at Dallas.
Dallas didn't answer, but returned her look for Just a
moment and then lifted his mug to drain the contents. As soon
as he set it back down, Smokey stood
"It's growing late. Walk me back, will you, Darsey?" Again
her voice was soft. They left then, and the men followed soon
after.
No one mentioned Smokey's proficiency or the speed of
the Aramis again that night. In fact, it was not spoken of for
many days, not until they were headed home and about a day's
sail from Kennebunkport.
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smokey wondered if there could be a sight more breathtaking
than the view of the sun rising over the Atlantic horizon.
The sky was a bit cloudy on this morning, which only added to
the glow as she stood at the stern of her ship and gazed in awe
As she did every time she witnessed this spectacle, she prayed.
This morning's prayers concerned the future
I want to give him something, Lord; I want to give Dallas a
chance to realize his dreams. I haven't been in the east for a
long time, and I feel like my time behind a ship's wheel is
drawing to a close. Smokey hesitated when she realized the
thought did not upset her. It must be time for a change
Close the door if I'm headed astray, Father, and give me
wisdom in the days to come. One more long voyage to let
Dallas have a chance, and then I'll think about selling the Aramis.
Smokey prayed until she heard footsteps behind her. It
wasn't like any of her men to disturb her at this hour, but she
assumed Darsey had a question.
"If you'd rather be alone, just say the word"
The sound of Dallas' voice washed over Smokey like a
warm spring shower. For just a moment her eyes slid shut. She
was not some giddy, wide-eyed girl who lived her days in
dreams and fantasies, but the thought of starting each morning
with the sound of that voice made her want to jump and
dance on the polished wood beneath her boots. Instead, she
opened her eyes, uttered one more silent prayer, this time for
strength, and turned to face him.
"I don't mind if you join me. It might be nice to have
company."
Dallas stood beside her, taking no care to keep his distance.
He desperately wanted to thank her again for letting
him join her crew, but even after he had prayed about what he
wanted to say, no words would come. A good five minutes
passed in silence, each enjoying the glorious morning sun,
before Dallas felt he had found the right words. But Smokey
spoke before he had a chance to share them.
"I've given a lot of thought to what you told us at Clancy's
Place, Dallas, and IVe made a decision that I hope will be a
help to you." Having spoken to the waves, Smokey shifted then
to see his face.
"I've decided to trade in eastern waters for a time. I usually
stay close to home, but the men won't mind the change and I
haven't been to Pakistan in years."
"How long will you be away?" Dallas asked, amazed that
he sounded so calm.
Smokey shrugged "We'll leave in late January andbe
gone
six months, maybe a year. We'll see how it goes. IVe a few leads
coming up in February, so I can pass those along to you if
you're interested"
It was all so selfless and matter-of-fact that for a moment
Dallas could find nothing to say. When he did speak, only one
word would come.
"Why?"
"Why what?" Smokey frowned in genuine confusion.
"Why are you doing this?"
The real answer to that question was the last thing Smokey
wanted Dallas to know, but rather than admit this, she shrugged
and answered as best she could
"Jenny is my friend, and you're her brother. I think you're
my friend too."
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"Is that what we are, Smokey, friends?" Dallas'voice dropped
in intensity, and for a moment Smokey misunderstood him.
"I realize that on this ship I'm your captain, but we're
almost home, so..." Smokey hesitated when a horrid thought
occurred to her. "If you think I'm going to be a nuisance when
we get to Maine, you needn't worry. I'm done with spilling my
water and staring like a fool."
"That's not what I meant," Dallas cut her off before she
could go on, his voice filled with pain. How in the world did
he tell this woman what he was feeling, when he could barely
identify the emotions himself? Was he in love? He didn't know.
Was he captivated? Extremely.
"It's a long time for you to be gone," Dallas finally managed,
but Smokey's stance was still guarded "I'll miss you," he
finished quietly. For a moment Smokey could only stare at
him.
"Did you mean that?" She had to know.
"YesJ'
Again Smokey stared. "I'll miss you too."
Smokey truly believed it would happen this time. Dallas'
gaze was locked on Smokey's mouth, and his head was lowering.
The small brunette's face tipped in anticipation. Smokey's
crew had other ideas, however. Scully came topside before
Seeing about breakfast, and Robby came to check on Darsey,
who had been at the wheel since 3:00 am. Again the spell was
broken, only this time Smokey did not immediately turn into
Dallas' skipper. Taking a step away from him, she spoke for his
ears alone, her eyes mirroring the pain inside.
"I honestly wonder what it would be like to kiss you,
Dallas. But now that I'm thinking a little clearer, I've remembered
that you have a girl at home. It's probably best we forget
this."
Dallas had no clue what to say to this kind of honesty. For
the moment he had forgotten all about Kathleen. In all fairness
to both her and Smokey, he knew he owed Kathleen an
explanation before pursuing someone else. He determined
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again to take care of that soon after he returned It
Idn't change the fact that Smokey was going away, but at
it he could bid her farewell with a clear heart.
"Thank you for reminding me, Smokey. I hope we'll know
fcach other much better in the future, but you're right, for now
I am somewhat committed"
As hard as it was to thank Dallas and walk away, Smokey
managed to gather her wits and do so. She had never felt for
anyone the way she felt for Dallas, but he was not free to
return her feelings and might never be. Smokey knew that the
sooner she realized this the quicker the ache in her tender,
young heart would heal.
"I feel as if you've been gone forever. Did you have a good
Christmas?"
"I did," Smokey told her friend "I thought about your
offer, Jen, but I missed Willa and hadn't seen some of her
family for a while, so--"
"I understand," Jenny told her with a smile. "We did miss
your being here, though. To make up for it we're throwing you
a party."
"A party? What for?"
"A going-away party. Dolly told me what you're doing for
him, and I thought of the party last night when I was supposed
to be sleeping. The only person I've told is Buck...oh, and
Tate too. It will be a dinner party, a week from this Saturday,
and we'll invite all your friends."
"I don't have many," Smokey told her good-naturedly.
"You have more than you think," Jenny told her cryptically.
"What do you mean?"
"You remember Greer Rittenhouse?" Jenny went on at
Smokey's nod "I saw her while you were gone. She was very
impressed with you, and extremely pleased with how well
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you liked her home. Buck is going to ask her to come with
him."
"Are they seeing each other again?" Smokey asked eagerly.
Jenny shook her head sadly. "I'm still praying. Buck is
trying to give her the time she wants, but he's truly a man in
love."
"Why, Buck," Greer spoke with genuine pleasure at the
sight of him.
"Hello, Greer. May I come in?"
"Of course." The lovely widow stepped back, and Buck
moved across the threshold. As always, her home was immaculate,
but Buck had eyes for Greer alone.
"How have you been?" he asked softly.
"Lonely and confused," she admitted, her voice just as
muted as Buck's. "And yourself?"
"Lonely, but not confused."
Greer knew exactly to what he referred. He was still as
much in love with her as ever. She looked into his eyes and
desperately wished she could return the words, but she just
wasn't sure.
When she had first met Hank Rittenhouse, many years
before, the situation had been reversed. She had fallen for
him immediately, and he'd been unsure of her. At one point,
he had confessed his love for her, only to come two days later
and say he'd spoken in haste. He had been in love with
another woman, and he confessed that he had begun seeing
Greer to put the other woman from his mind.
Greer's young heart had felt so used, she thought she
would die. The year that followed was a long, painful one, but
in the end Hank had in fact come to love her. Once married,
their time had been joyous Greer felt as if something had
been wrenched from her when he died
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And then Buck had come into her world. He was as different
from Hank as any man could be, but he made her laugh and
forget some of her loneliness. At first she'd been sure that he
was God's gift for her, but then thoughts of Hank would crowd
in upon her in the night. By morning, she would convince
herself that she was acting unfaithfully whenever she saw
Buck. The only time she had been more confused was when
she and Hank had been courting.
"Are you all right, Greer?" Buck interrupted her thoughts.
"I think so," she admitted. "As usual, my thoughts are
running wild and working to make me anxious."
They moved into one of the spacious sitting rooms where
huge windows opened out toward the sea. Each took a comfortable
chair by the fire.
"If you'd like to share, you know I'll listen, but I'm actually
here to ask you out to dinner." Buck ignored the way she
st
iffened and continued in an easy tone.
"Jenny is giving a dinner party next Saturday night. It's for
Smokey Simmons, and she told me to feel free to invite you."
"I liked Smokey when I met her, Buck. She's very sweet. Is
it her birthday or some special occasion?"
"She's going away for a time, and the party is something of
a sendoff."
Greer hesitated and then spoke with a measured tone. "I
would like to go with you--"
"But you want to be certain that I understand it's just as
friends?" Buck finished for her. Greer's eyes filled with tears
over his understanding.
"It's all right, Greer." Buck's voice was soothing; he'd
prepared himself for just that. "We'll go as friends because
that's what we are--friends."
"Thank you, Buck," she whispered
He leaned close then and took her hand. Greer was so
thankful for his tender touch that she began to tremble. Buck
desperately wanted to hold this small woman who fit into his
arms so well, but he kept his seat and prayed that in time she
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would know that his love was a safe thing and nothing to be
feared
"Are we friends, Smokey?"
"Why, Jen," Smokey said with a laugh. "What are you
talking about?"
Jenny's frown was in reality a good-natured scowl. "Your
party is just a week away, and I've made some decisions."
"About?" Smokey prompted her and tried not to laugh at
the determined look on her friend's face.
Jenny hesitated, and Smokey was more confused than
ever. She was telling herself that being pregnant must change
a person. Jenny had been acting strangely for two days.
"I want to dress you and do your hair for the party," Jenny
suddenly blurted and then held her breath.
It was on Smokey's tongue to laugh and tell her friend that
she'd been dressing herself for years when she suddenly
understood her meaning. She stood and came to sit close to
Jenny on the settee.
"Do you mean that, Jen?" Smokey's eyes had turned eager.
Jenny smiled.
When the younger woman answered, her tone was dry.
"You're one of the finest captains on the Atlantic, Smokey
Simmons, but you have wretched taste in clothing."
Smokey laughed until her side hurt. In control once again,
she confided, "I've been wanting to ask for your help with my
hair and wardrobe, but I didn't know how you would feel
about it."
They both laughed over the misunderstanding, and then
the plans began. There wasn't much time, but Jenny had