by Lori Wick
"Did I tell you that you look lovely this evening?"
"Thank you, Dallas. I was thinking you look wonderful
too."
Again Dallas stared at her. "I've never before waltzed with
a woman, but right now I wish there was music"
129
Smokey smiled at the very thought and then at herself. "I'd
jbably step on your foot."
Dallas smiled in return. "With your little feet, I wouldn't
;n notice."
Smokey chuckled softly, a sound that sent a shiver down
; Dallas' spine.
"Now how would you be knowing about the size of my
feet?" she wished to know.
Dallas' vast hands came up, and he held his fingers about
seven inches apart. "You forget I've sailed with you. Your
boots are only this big."
Suddenly Smokey didn't feel like laughing. It seemed such
an intimate, tender thing to have Dallas know the size of her
feet. The thought of leaving him, perhaps for the better pan of
the year, felt like a knife in her side.
Smokey watched as those hands came forward now to
frame her face. He made no move to kiss her, but she felt his
thumbs stroke gently over her cheekbones. His eyes in the
moonlight were warm and intimate like a man in love. Smokey
was afraid to hope.
"Dallas," Kathleen's voice came faintly from the direction
of the house.
"Yes, Kathleen?" Dallas turned but did not take his hands
from where they'd dropped on Smokey's shoulders.
"Buck and Greer are leaving now. Would you like me to
ride home with them?"
"No, Kathleen, I'll be there in a few minutes."
They both watched as she moved back to the house, and
Smokey was pleased at how calm Kathleen had sounded. It
didn't change the inevitable, however--she was still sailing
next week.
"I have so much I want to say to you," Dallas spoke.
Smokey tipped her head to see him.
"Dallas--" Smokey began.
"Kathleen and I are just friends."
"I think I figured that out already, but it doesn't change the
fact that I'm leaving."
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"And you'd rather that I leave things unsaid right now?*1]
"I might regret it someday very soon, but yes, I do. I don'tl
want you here, not able to get in touch with me if you change
your mind"
"You don't understand if you think that's going to happen."
Dallas wanted to say more, but Smokey was adamantly
shaking her head.
"You need to go, Dallas. Next time we see each other, we'll
talk. We'll both have had time to think, and then we can share
where we are."
Her logic and ability to keep calm in an intense situation
was one of the things he admired most about her, but at this
particular moment, he wanted desperately to kiss her. He'd
have loved for her to put her logic aside for just a few minutes.
Instead he did as she asked His hands slid tenderly down her
upper arms before he reluctantly broke contact.
"Go with God, Smokey. You'll be in my prayers."
The words were barely audible. Then Smokey stood alone
and watched him walk away.
"I think I owe you an apology, Kathleen."
"No, Dallas, you don't." Kathleen's voice was tight with
anger, and Dallas sighed
"Yes, I do. You're furious and I--"
"You're right," she cut him off in rage. "I am angry, but not
with you."
Dallas pulled the buggy to a halt and shifted in the seat to
see her. It was getting colder by the moment, but he had to
learn the truth.
"What's going on, Kathleen?"
"You wouldn 't believe me if I told you." Her voice was self-mocking,
and Dallas persisted
"Try me."
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"My mother," Kathleen began but did not go on.
"I get the impression that she desperately wants you to
Hnany"
"She does, Dallas, and I would love to be married, but not
her way, not through pretense and deceit."
"Pretense?" Dallas was adrift. "I'm not sure I understand."
"Ask me anything about ships, Dallas," Kathleen blurted
In anger. "Go on... ask me... ask anything you wish. I've done
extensive reading on the subject. Or maybe you'd rather
know about the pyramids. I was reading a book about them
before you picked me up this evening." Kathleen blurted the
words out, forgetting her promise to her mother.
Dallas could only stare at her as she came to a stop and
tears flooded her eyes.
"My mother," she whispered tearfully, "believes that all
men want a wife who's a little bit stupid and very clingy. She's
been teaching me since I was a child that if I want a man, I can't
let anyone know I am intelligent."
The tears were flowing freely now, and after Dallas produced
a large white handkerchief, he slipped his arm around
her. She sobbed into his shoulder, and Dallas said nothing,
only listened as she told the truth for the first time in years.
"I don't know if you remember Harvey Blanchard, but we
were seeing each other last year." Kathleen was developing a
hard case of hiccups, but continued to unburden her heart. "I
admire Harvey more than any other man I've ever known.
He's brilliant and sensitive and I fell for him our first time out.
At first I thought he might be feeling for me as I did for him, but
Mother insisted that I play dumb, and quite frankly he was
bored out of his head with my wide-eyed looks and inane
chatter."
The memory was so painful for Kathleen that she sobbed
anew, her frame shuddering with harsh weeping. Dallas still
kept one arm around her shoulders and let her cry. He didn't
know when he'd heard anything so foolish as to pretend
ignorance to attract a man. What rot!
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"I made a decision tonight," Kathleen lifted her head and
attempted to repair her face. Her voice shuddered some, but
Dallas could tell that her mind was resolute.
"My father is always telling me to be myself, and now I'm
going to be. He's always up when I get home. I'm going to tell ,
him that I'm done pretending and that I'm going to stand up to
Mother. I'm sure he will side with me, but if worse comes to
worst, I'll contact my aunt about moving in with her. She lives
in Biddeford and is always asking me to come. I won't live a lie
for one more day."
"I'm glad you told me, Kathleen. I hope your parents see
your side. I'll be praying for all of you."
Kathleen's eyes were filled with peace as she answered,
"Thanks for everything, Dallas. By the way," Kathleen went
on, unable to remember when her heart felt so light, "does
Smokey know what a wonderful husband you're going to
make?"
"I don't know," he said with a grin for the compliment. "I
can't ever get that girl to stand still long enough to listen to
me."
"That's part of the problem isn't it, Dallas? She's not a girl,
but a woman who knows who she is and what needs to be
don
e. Unless I miss my guess, the very thing that frustrates you
is also what you admire the most."
Amazed at her insight, Dallas stared at her. "Did Harvey
stick around long enough to learn that you read minds?"
Kathleen laughed, her first heartfelt laugh in a long time.
"Take me home, Dallas, and on the way I'll tell you all about
the pyramids."
smokey dropped into her desk chair and with a huge sigh,
leaned back and closed her eyes. She had begun to wonder if
they were ever going to get away. With plans to be gone
longer, it seemed every crewman had some problem with
getting there on time. Any other captain would have found
himself another crew, but not Smokey. She smiled at the
thought.
The smile also had to do with the comfort she experienced
to finally feel the gentle rocking of the ship beneath
her. She opened her eyes to look around the familiar cabin
and then spotted Jenny's letter. It had come two days ago, and
she hadn't even had time to open it. She'd have missed it
altogether had they not been delayed. Even fearing that it
might make her sad, Smokey decided to read it now.
Dear Smokey,
I miss you already and have to force myself not
to think about how long you might be gone. Did
Willa cry harder than usual? I hope not, but I know
how she felt.
The baby is really moving these days, and I get
so excited every time I feel it. I'm glad you liked the
wallpaper and fabric I picked. I hope the baby will.
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Tate has had a busy week--I feel like I've hardly
seen him. It's been the same for Dallas, but his
efforts have paid off. The Zephyr is well on her way
to readiness, and he plans to sail next week.
Jenny had more to say, but Smokey put the letter down and
stared into space. Dallas' face swam into her mind, and her
whole frame shuddered with yearning. What if he met someone
and married before she returned? What if he simply didn't
mean what she thought, or he had been carried away by the
moonlight and late hour? Smokey hated the questions she
asked herself, but she wanted to be prepared for the worst.
She stood and wandered to the wardrobe, where three of
her five new dresses hung, not sure even now why she had
brought them. Smokey fingered the sleeve of the gray dress,
still able to feel the pressure of Dallas' hands on her arms as
they had stood above the beach.
With a careful movement Smokey shut the wardrobe door
and began to pray. "Thank You, Father, that You've promised
never to leave me or forsake me. Help me to leave Dallas in
Your hands. I love him and I want to be with him, but I can't let
that rob me of my peace and joy in You."
Smokey prayed for herself for a long time before she
began to lift Dallas to the Lord. Peace settled over her as she
surrendered all to God, and as she finished, she wondered just
where Dallas might be at the moment.
The skeletal beginnings of the ship they had been working
on when Knight Crafts had gone out of business stood stark
against the gray sky. The sight of it had a saddening effect on
Dallas that he felt determined to fight. He asked the Lord to
help him persevere and be more resolved than ever before to
raise the capital to start the business again.
135
He thought of the orders and leads Smokey had left with
[ and praised God for her generosity. If he could make the
linost of his time and effort, this would be one of the most
Isuccessful voyages he'd ever sailed. He knew Smokey had one
Stop to make in England and then she was headed south.
Dallas found himself wishing that they might meet there, and
then he knew that wouldn't be possible; she'd be well on her
way before he arrived
"Hello, Dallas," a voice cut into his thoughts. He turned to
find Harvey Blanchard approaching. Dallas took the space of a
heartbeat to cover his surprise and extend his hand
"Hello, Harvey. What brings you out this cold day?"
"I take a walk along here most days. Sometimes I stop to
take time to think." Harvey stopped speaking, and both men
stared at the ship in silence.
"Will you ever be in operation again?" Harvey voiced the
question he had often pondered in the past.
"I hope to be," Dallas answered and turned slightly to
study the younger man without appearing to do so. He remembered
him of course, but seeing him brought back a
clearer picture. He was tall and slim, with keen brown eyes
and a serious brow. He and Kathleen had been several years
behind him in school, but Dallas did recall that Harvey had
been more than a little precocious.
"In fact," Dallas continued, "I sail next week, and when I
return I hope I'll be in better shape to assess that possibility."
"Great," Harvey told him sincerely. "If you've a need for
investors, my uncle is always looking for opportunities."
"Thanks, Harvey, but I'd like to continue on my own for as
long as I'm able."
"I can understand that. I'm the same way."
The men fell silent, and Dallas prayed How could he bring
Kathleen up without looking obvious? He quickly concluded
that uncomfortable or not, he had to give it a try.
"It's a bit ironic that you came by today, Harvey. I mean,
Kathleen mentioned you when I saw her a few weeks ago."
136
"Are you still seeing Kathleen?" Harvey asked, and Dallas]
wondered if he detected a note of sadness in his tone.
"Actually, we're just friends. But she mentioned you with
fondness, and I thought it was funny that after she said something,
you came by."
"It's unfortunate."
"What is?"
"I don't know exactly. I cared for Kathleen, but there were
some things I couldn't get comfortable with."
"Sometimes things are not exactly as they appear," Dallas
told him softly. Harvey stared at him. "I know she misses you."
"Are you saying she might welcome a visit from me?"
"She talked about going to see her aunt, but if she's home, I
know she'd like to see you."
Again Harvey stared "And you're sure I'm not stepping
t>etween the two of you?"
Dallas smiled "I'm sure. There's someone else, and Kathleen
knows all about that."
A small smile lifted the corners of Harvey's mouth as his
hand came out. The men shook. "Best of luck to you when you
sail, Dallas, and with your someone else. Thanks for telling
me about Kathleen."
Dallas nodded and shifted his eyes back over the water
when Harvey moved away. He answered even though Harvey
was already out of earshot many yards away.
'You're welcome, Harvey. I hope you and Kathleen work
things out." He fell silent then as his thoughts turned to his
own "someone else."
london
"We're loaded, Captain," Robby reported to Smokey and
waited for her orders.
137
"Thanks, Ro
b. Tell Pete and Nate they're on watch and tell
rsey I want to go to Clancy's Place."
'Will do," Robby replied and shut her door. She threw the
ibolt and began to change. She was feeling rather tired, but it
would be some time before she was back here, and even
though they were running behind schedule, she wanted to see
Bart and Meg.
An hour later the group left the ship. The men knew very
well they were welcome to go elsewhere, but they loved
Clancy's, so following Darsey and Smokey was more than Just
habit.
The usual exchange of conversation and coin took place
inside, and before long, Smokey and her crew were seated
around the back table with plates of food and mugs of tea or
ale.
Halfway through the evening, Meg reappeared She dropped
her considerable bulk down at the far end of the table and
beckoned to Smokey with one finger.
"AVe told Bart he can 'andle things for a spell. I want to
talk with me girl."
Smokey smiled at her friend, who wasn't really old enough
to be a mother to her but had always treated her with maternal
care.
"Where's that good-looking sailor ya had with ya last
time?"
"Dallas," Smokey supplied "He was just with us for the
one voyage."
"More's the pity. I thought there might be something a
cookin' there."
"Oh, Meg," Smokey laughed "You're a hopeless romantic"
Tm romantic! 'ear her talk!" the older woman exclaimed
"/ wasn't the one a gawkin* at ya with calf's eyes the whole
evenin'."
"He was not," Smokey told her and laughed at Meg's
round-eyed expression.
138
'Ya spend too much time in the salty air, love. He could
barely keeps 'is eyes from ya. In truth, he didn't even try."
"Do you mean that, Meg?" Smokey had grown as serious as
her hostess.
"I've been working in this tavern for many a year, love, and
I know a smitten man when I sees 'im. He was gone, I tells ya."
Meg reached and tugged the braid that fell down Smokey's
back "And you've never worn your 'air down afore this bloke
sailed with ya. I says ya feels the same for 'im."
Ahuge smile broke across Smokey's face, and Meg cackled
with glee. They talked on, run talk, girl talk, until Bart shouted
for Meg from the main room.
"'is lordship bellows," Meg said and rolled her eyes, but
she rose without further ado and went to him. Smokey had j ust
stood to move back to her place with the men when she