Hopeful Hearts

by Diann Hunt

  Adelaide settled in the chair and began to write in her journal of her experience as she had done every day since boarding the ship.

  Once she finished, Adelaide pulled out some paper and began a letter to Ma and Esther. Though she’d have to wait awhile before mailing them, Adelaide decided to write and store up her letters for when they reached a port or visited a passing ship. She would send the letters all at once.

  Adelaide kept her news lighthearted and happy to keep Ma from worrying. She told Ma and Esther of the beauty of the sea, the adventurous gales, as she put it, and of her work on the ship. Although Esther had been sick when the Courage set sail and she had missed seeing Adam, Adelaide kept her sister informed on how things were going. The mere mention of his name would no doubt set Esther’s heart to flutter.

  Adelaide thought for a moment. Oh, how she did miss her little family. If only she could hug them once more.

  By the time Adelaide had finished writing to Ma, Esther, and the Markles, she was tired and spent. She had hoped to do laundry the following day but knew everything would be at a standstill until the final cask of oil was stowed away below deck.

  She prepared for bed and slipped under the covers. She had pulled the sheet on the wall for privacy when Josiah walked in.

  “Adelaide, are you still awake?”

  She shot up in bed. “Yes, Josiah.”

  “May I come around?”

  She pulled her covers up around her shoulders. “Yes,” she said before gulping. Though she felt ashamed for thinking it, she’d hoped he had cleaned up a little before coming to her.

  He had.

  “I think things are pretty much under control. The try-pots are heavy with boiling oil, and the last of the blubber has been minced into small pieces, waiting their turn in the pots.”

  “Will the men have to stay up late to finish things?”

  He nodded. “We have try watches, five to six hours long. They’ll get little sleep.” He rubbed his chin. “The oil has to be tried out then put into casks, cooled, and stowed away for market. Then the ship has to be scrubbed clean. I thought you might want to get in the flour barrels and roll out some doughnuts in the morning—you know, cook them in the scalding oil. That oil will be as sweet as new hog’s lard.”

  “All right, I’ll do that.” She smiled. He was always thinking of the crew.

  “We’ve all been snitching a bite of dinner here and there. Thank you. It sure was tasty.”

  She stared at Josiah. His words ran together like an excited schoolboy. Her heart constricted. She found his enthusiasm endearing. “You’re welcome.”

  He looked at her then at his hands. He shoved them in his pockets like he didn’t know what else to do with them. “Well, I just wanted to make sure you were all right. You’d never seen a catch before, had you?”

  She shook her head.

  “You’re amazing. Most women would get sick with the sight. You’re my strong one, Adelaide. Good night.” With that, he turned and left.

  Guilt covered her. It’s not like she’d had the chance to tell him she had gotten sick, or so she told herself. She lifted her chin. Well, next time she felt quite sure she would be just fine. Each time would get easier.

  She settled back into bed and snuggled into her pillow. Closing her eyes, she played back his words. You’re amazing. You’re my strong one, Adelaide. Her eyes popped open. The words played once more. You’re my strong one, Adelaide. Into the darkness, she whispered, “He said ‘my’ strong one.” A smile touched her lips. Somehow she liked the sound of that.

  Adelaide stretched into the darkness. Though she was tired from the past few days of working around the men as they prepared the captured whale, the excitement of Christmas morning rushed through her like a child. She was delighted Josiah had decided to stop in Verdade. He said the men needed the break. On land they could celebrate the good fortune of capturing their first whale. They would arrive tomorrow, and Adelaide could hardly wait.

  Quietly, she slipped from her bed in hopes of not disturbing Josiah. She wanted to get an early start in the cookhouse.

  She had plans of a special Christmas lunch for the men. Not just the officers—she meant every crewman to enjoy this meal. Mentally, she went through her list. She would prepare stuffed roast chickens, potatoes, stewed cranberries, cucumbers, bread with jam, and squash. For dessert, mince pie. Coffee, tea, and water to drink. And the best of all, she’d prepared popcorn balls for each of the crewmen. The anticipation filled her. With swift motions, she dressed for the day.

  While she dressed, the door of their room opened, giving her a start. “You awake, Adelaide?” Josiah’s voice called to her.

  She smiled. So he had already started his day. It was she who had slept too long. “Yes, Josiah, I’m awake.” Smoothing out her skirt, she pulled open the curtain to see him. A smile flashed across his eyes and lit upon his mouth. The way he looked at her made her feel he approved of her appearance.

  “Merry Christmas.” His eyes twinkled.

  She almost wanted to giggle. Christmas seemed to bring that out in people.

  “I have a gift for you. Do you want it now or after breakfast?”

  Adelaide couldn’t hide her pleasure. She felt most happy he had thought to give her something. “After breakfast, if that’s all right. We’ll have more time to enjoy it then.”

  He nodded as if appreciating her good sense. “You ready to go?”

  “Yes.”

  He held out his arm to escort her, and suddenly it seemed to her they were back at the church social as he prepared to escort her out to the beach where he had asked her to marry him—or more precisely, to be his cook. No matter what their original intentions had been, things were changing between them, and for that she was thankful. To top it all off, today was Christmas.

  The officers ate breakfast in their cabins, while Josiah and Adelaide brought their meals back to their room, and the men ate on deck.

  “Delicious meal, as always, Adelaide.” Josiah wiped his mouth with the cloth napkin she had sewn before they were wed. He had eaten his meal so quickly, Adelaide wondered how he even had time to taste it.

  “Time for your gift.” Josiah stood.

  Adelaide reached out and touched his arm. “Josiah, would you mind terribly if we read the Christmas story together first?”

  Childlike disappointment flickered in his eyes. She smiled.

  He tossed a halfhearted grin her way. “Oh, sure.” He looked across the room for her Bible and went to fetch it. Picking up her Bible, he took it to her.

  She turned to the appropriate passage in Luke and looked up at him. “Would you read, Josiah?” She held her breath, fearing what he would answer.

  With a look of confusion, he reluctantly took the open Bible from her. “All right.” He began to read the words. His bass voice sounded through the room as she closed her eyes and listened to the greatest story ever told. Her heart never tired of the story of the Savior’s birth.

  Josiah finished the passage then handed it back to her.

  “Thank you.” She bowed her head and led them in a prayer of thankfulness that they could celebrate such a wonderful day and that she could share it with Josiah. She hadn’t meant to say those last words. In fact, she felt mortified they had escaped her. What would he think of her now? Though she felt things were changing between them, he hadn’t said things were different. As far as she knew, he still didn’t want another wife. He wanted a cook. At least for now, that’s the way she saw it. She turned grumpy. It was all Esther’s fault.

  Before her mood could grow any darker, she looked up at him. His eyes were shining. She decided he must not have heard the last part. Hadn’t she said them in just barely a whisper? That was it. He hadn’t heard her. Relief washed over her.

  Josiah rubbed his hands together. “It’s time?”

  Adelaide laughed and nodded. “It’s time.”

  While he went to his drawer and pulled out something for her, she went over to her
own hiding place to pull out her gift to him.

  They each walked back to one another and hid their presents behind their backs. Josiah looked at her in surprise, as if he hadn’t considered that she might have a gift for him.

  He cleared his throat. “I, uh, know how you like to cook and all. You bake tasty pies and work so hard to make them look nice.” He pulled the gift from behind his back. “Well, I made you something.”

  Adelaide looked at the scrimshaw in his hand. “Jagging wheels! Oh, Josiah, now I can crimp my pie shells! Thank you!” Forgetting herself, she placed his present on the trunk behind her and reached over to hug him. Overcome with excitement, she hadn’t realized the boldness of her behavior until she felt his arms firm around her back, holding her tight against him. She felt herself flush. Quickly, she pulled away and hurried back to her present.

  She reached for his gift and handed it to him. “Thank you for your hard work and kindness.”

  He ran his fingers along the material then looked at her. “You made this?”

  She nodded.

  “It’s mighty fine,” he said, looking at the shirt. He glanced back at her. “Mighty fine, indeed.” A wide smile stretched across his face, causing her heart to tumble like a fish in a net.

  “Merry Christmas, Addie.”

  After lunch, the men came up to the deck where Josiah and Adelaide sat enjoying the calm sea. It seemed to her only fitting the Lord should provide a restful sea on Christmas. Though she had to admit she had never experienced such a warm Christmas. Not the slightest hint of a breeze stirred. The canvas sails didn’t have a single kink. They wouldn’t make much headway today. Adelaide pulled off her bonnet and tucked stray hairs from her neck back into her hairpins. She felt sticky.

  The men seemed in good spirits. Many of them thanked her for the delicious meal that reminded them of home. Adam Bowman came up behind them and pulled out a harmonica, much to Adelaide’s pleasure and surprise.

  He started playing some Christmas tunes. Pretty soon, others gathered round, some laughing, some singing. Before she could blink, Josiah stood and left, taking all her joy right with him. Others watched him leave but kept right on singing.

  They were having such a wonderful time together; why did he have to spoil it all? Well, she wouldn’t allow him to ruin her Christmas. She joined in the singing once again.

  The melodies floated over the ship and surrounding waters as they each sang from their hearts. Adelaide lifted her face to the sun and sang with gusto. Suddenly a strange sound hit her ears. She stopped singing and listened. Recognizing it, she turned to find Josiah standing nearby playing a fiddle. He smiled and winked at her. Much to her dismay, she let out the most unladylike laugh. She couldn’t help herself.

  More pleasure than she had ever known rushed through her. Could life get more wonderful than at this very moment? Once the singing stopped, they all laughed and made comments to Josiah and Adam about their great music. Pride washed over Adelaide as she watched Josiah.

  Her husband.

  A whaleman named John spoke up. “You know, I can remember one Christmas our pa was away from home. He had gone to a nearby town for some seed—and I suspect a present or two. A blizzard blew in on our little community, and on Christmas morning, Pa wasn’t home. We kids sat around long-faced, even though Ma tried to cheer us up, presenting us with our stockings filled with an orange and a peppermint stick. Funny how even the candy didn’t matter ‘cause we were worried about Pa.

  “I can still remember Ma’s rocking chair as it rubbed against the wooden floor, back and forth, back and forth. The wind blew hard against our homestead, causing our only window to rattle. The clock on the mantel ticked away while my brothers and I scribbled on some paper at the table.

  “All of a sudden, the door blew open. In walked Pa, covered from head to toe with snow and shivering like a nervous chicken.” John let out a laugh, his thoughts still seemingly far away.

  “Ma gasped and ran to his side, as did we boys. We helped get Pa by the fire. Ma stripped him down to his underwear, filled him with hot coffee, and had him good as new in no time. Then Pa grabbed his bag and pulled out some dress material for Ma and little horses carved from wood for me and my brothers.

  “It was the best Christmas I ever had.”

  Smiles lit through the crowd, and one by one the rough old whaling crew shared their Christmas stories. Adelaide scratched her head in wonder of it all. Even the roughest of characters deep down had some good in them. She had to believe that. God doesn’t give up on us, so why should we give up on others? As long as there is breath, there’s always hope.

  Her gaze fell upon Ebenezer. So much had happened since their encounter on the ship’s deck, she hadn’t even given it much thought. Yet now the sight of him made her cold. She adjusted the shawl on her shoulders. Just then he glanced at her and caught her staring. He sneered then turned and walked away.

  She watched him leave, remembering what Josiah had told her. It seemed Ebenezer had once been the captain of a ship. Something unfortunate had transpired on his journey. Josiah thought it had something to do with Ebenezer’s drinking habit and some bad judgment, though Josiah wasn’t sure of the details. Whatever the problem, it reduced Ebenezer from a captain to a mere worker on whaling ships. Bitterness ate away at his soul like alcohol ate away at his future.

  There was always hope, she reminded herself. Even for one such as Ebenezer Fallon. Wasn’t there? Still, the choice was his to make.

  After the Christmas stories, the group sang a few more songs. Adam and Josiah joined in and played a couple of songs together. Adelaide thought they actually looked as though they were enjoying themselves. Maybe, just maybe, they could be friends, after all. What a wonderful day.

  After dinner, Josiah walked Adelaide back to their room. “It’s been a fine day, hasn’t it?” Josiah asked as he helped her step through their door.

  She untied the ribbon on her bonnet and straightened her hair. She turned to him. “It has been one of the best Christmases ever for me.”

  “Truly?” His eyes sparkled.

  “Truly,” she answered before staring at the bonnet in her hands.

  “Tomorrow, Verdade.”

  She looked up with excitement. “I can hardly wait.”

  Josiah laughed when he looked at her. “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself, Adelaide.”

  She looked at him but said nothing.

  “You’re not sorry you’ve come?”

  Her eyes went to her bonnet again as she shook her head.

  Josiah walked over to her and lifted her chin. The very touch of his fingers against her skin made her tingle.

  “I’m glad,” he said. His finger traced the side of her hair; then his gaze pinned hers. “I’ll bet your hair is pretty down, too.”

  Adelaide’s heart thumped so hard in her chest, she thought sure he could hear it. Embarrassment told her to move, but her feet refused.

  He stared at her, looking as though he would kiss her at any moment.

  Then just as quickly as the moment had settled upon them, it left. Josiah blinked and pulled away. His voice took on a friendly yet distant manner. “Yes, I’m quite sure you’ll like Verdade,” he said as he turned and pulled out his nightclothes.

  Adelaide said nothing. With Josiah at her side, she knew she could like anything.

  Chapter 9

  The next morning sparkled with promise. Adelaide quickly prepared skipjack for the crew for breakfast. Though not her favorite fish to eat, it did add variety to their daily meals.

  Josiah entered the cookhouse. “We caught a porpoise.”

  Adelaide worked with the iron pot on her stove and turned to him. “Wonderful.”

  Josiah snitched a piece of skipjack. “Should get about two gallons of oil from the skin. Hopefully, that will be enough to keep us from darkness for a season until we can get some more.”

  Adelaide nodded. “I thought I would make sausage cakes for dinner, if that’s all right.”


  Josiah nodded. “Good idea. They’re as good as pork sausages.” He paused a minute. “We’ll pull into Verdade about noon today.”

  Adelaide felt excitement course through her. He must have seen it in her eyes.

  “After lunch, I’d like to escort you through town to see some of the shops.”

  She eyed him closely. His clothes looked fresh, and he smelled as clean as a breeze. Without whiskers, his face looked as soft as baby skin. Her heart stirred.

  “Addie?”

  Oh, how she liked the way he said that. “I’m sorry, Josiah. Yes, I would like that very much.”

  “Good.” He smiled. He was about to leave then turned an anxious look to her. “We’ll only be able to stay till nightfall. The men want to keep moving.”

  “I understand.”

  He tipped his head then walked out.

  Adelaide fluttered around the room with a light heart. She could hardly wait to step on land.

  Josiah felt quite the lucky man as he escorted Adelaide through the streets of Verdade. He noticed more than one turned head as Adelaide walked past the men on the streets. He sneaked a glance at her. She had a natural beauty about her. He couldn’t quite describe it. Like she glowed from the inside out. Catherine hadn’t had that. Oh, she’d been pretty to look at, but something had been missing, though he couldn’t say what. His heart clenched as he thought about Catherine. Not from love for her but from the pain she had caused him.

  The more he thought about it, the more he wondered if the pain he had felt those first months after her leaving him was more from a hurt ego than from a love lost. He thought he had loved her, but then he’d never been in love before, so how could he be sure? The feelings growing in his heart for Adelaide were different than what he had felt for his first wife. Catherine had used her feminine ways on him, and before he knew it, he was caught like a fish on a line.

  No matter. He didn’t want to think ill of the dead. She had been his wife, after all, even if only for a short time.