Wings of the Morning (Kensington Chronicles) (11 page)

"Next summer," Tate answered and this time he did leave

the room.

Jenny knocked on Smokey's door, but there was no immediate

answer.

"Smokey," she called softly after a second knock. "May I

please come in?"

"I'm going to bed, Jen." Smokey's voice was barely audible,

and Jenny knew she would never sleep unless she

talked with her. She eased the door open carefully and closed

it with a soft click.

Smokey, still fully dressed, was on the window seat, the

light from the full moon illuminating the tracks of tears on her

face. Jenny came and sat across from her, not touching her or

talking, but waiting and praying.

"He made me feel ashamed," she finally said, her voice

quivering with emotion. "I saw him on that dock in London,

but I never do anything to bring attention to myself while in

port. We'd met so briefly that I thought it was best to walk on

by. I never dreamed that he had noticed me. Now I feel like a

liar and a cheat. I'm also angry because he's made me feel

ashamed of the way I make my living."

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Jenny's arms came around Smokey then, and the small

woman, though older, sobbed in her friend's arms.

"Dolly is a Wonderful man, Smokey," Jenny began. "And

he's probably sorry right now for the way he acted I was

furious with him, but now that I've taken a few minutes to

calm down, I can see that he reacted out of shock. That doesn't

excuse him, but it might help you to see that it was nothing

personal."

"I guess you're right."

"In fact, he probably greatly admires you. Buck was telling

me before you came down for supper that your reputation is

incredible."

Smokey shrugged and used her handkerchief on her face

"Like my father used to say, there's no magic in it, just a lot of

hard work"

"It also must help to have the fastest ship on the ocean."

Jenny's voice was very droll, and they both giggled.

Tate came for Jenny then, urging her to bed and sleep.

Jenny made sure Smokey was all right before she left. She also

refused to budge until Smokey promised to stay one day

longer than she had planned Smokey agreed, albeit reluctantly.

As Smokey fell asleep, she knew she would have to see

Dallas again before leaving. It was not a comforting thought,

but she told herself she would survive it. Of their own volition,

tears started up again before she slept, this time because she

wanted to talk with Darsey.

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"you're an awfully hard lady to track down."

Dallas' deep voice so frightened Smokey that she started

violently, and Dallas found himself apologizing over that

before he could voice what he had come to say.

"I didn't mean to sneak up on you."

"It's all right."

They fell silent for a few minutes, each with his or her own

thoughts, eyes out to sea.

Dallas had found Smokey in a craggy spot right above the

beach. He had gone bright and early that morning to apologize,

but Jenny had told him Smokey was on a walk. Dallas had

other things he could do, many in fact, but until he had made

things right between Smokey and him, he would not go to

work.

"About last night, Smokey," Dallas finally began, and

Smokey turned to look at him where he stood a short distance

from her. "In my surprise I handled the situation very badly.

I'm sorry."

"Thank you," Smokey said simply, and let her eyes rest on

him for a moment more. His presence made her so aware of

her rather plain looks and dowdy clothes that she couldn't get

comfortable around him. After just a few seconds, Smokey

transferred her gaze out to sea. She was surprised when

Dallas did not bid her goodbye and leave.

She was even more surprised when he sat down on the

rock beside her. There was nothing improper in the gesture,

in fact he was two feet away, but she felt his closeness like an

embrace.

"When do you sail again?"

Smokey answered without looking at himj it was easier

that way. "We're scheduled to leave tomorrow."

"Will you be gone long?"

"We'll be back a few days before Christmas."

"May I sail with you?"

Even though the question surprised her, she answered

immediately. "I don't take passengers."

"I meant as a crewman."

Smokey chuckled; she couldn't help herself. "Captains do not make good crewmen."

"I would" Dallas' deep, solemn tone forced Smokey to

look at him. He was staring at her intently.

He's serious/ she thought incredulously.

"Why?" she managed out loud

"Because I want to study the Aramis."

"Why?" Smokey asked again, beginning to think this conversation

absurd

Dallas sighed It was a reasonable question, but so hard to

answer.

"I don't want to sail all my life." Dallas* eyes were now back

to sea, his voice wistful. "When my parents moved south, a

man they'd known for years took over my father's company.

Buck had his own business to run, and I was too inexperienced

to understand we were being swindled until it was too

late. We were nearly broke in six months. Now I want to build

the business up again, and my sailing is simply a means to that

end. When I have enough capital, I want to build ships, and

studying the Aramis would be invaluable to that trade."

"Knight Crafts," Smokey said when the realization dawned

"They're fine ships."

"I think so. I realize we were one of the smaller lines, but

it's my dream to see the company in full production again."

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"What happens to your ship in the next few weeks?"

"It needs repairs, and because it's been a busy year, my

crew is ready for a break. I would work hard for you," Dallas

added, "and take orders with the rest of the men."

Smokey wondered that she was actually considering it.

Nate had impaled his hand on their last voyage, and as of a

week ago, it was still infected. They could sail without him; it

wouldn't be the first time they were shorthanded, or Dallas

could take his place. Of course he probably wouldn't want the

job when he learned it was the most insignificant position on

the ship.

"I have an opening, but there's nothing very glamorous

about it."

"I would take any job in order to be on theAramis when

you sail."

"You'd be a cabin boy of sorts, taking everyone's grief and

seeing to every dirty job on ship, including the care of my

clothes, my cabin, and the officers' quarters, and without a

word of complaint."

"I was cabin boy to my uncle for two years. I can do the

job." Dallas' eyes were alive with excitement.

"All right," Smokey agreed before she could change her

mind

"Great!"

Without even looking at him, Smokey knew his smile was a

mile wide.

"Do your officers call you Smokey or Captain Simmons?"

Dallas asked, his voice respectful.

"Captain Simmons," Smokey said with an unladylike snort.

"I should be so lucky!"

It was a cryptic remark, but Dallas was given no chance to

question her. Smokey pushed to her feet, jumped down to the

beach without help, and took a few steps away. She turned

back to him, as though suddenly remembering he was there.

"Be at the docks here at six bells tomorrow evening. Be on

time, or we'll sail without you." She gave him no chance to

reply.

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Dallas watched her walk on down the beach, his heart and

mind aswarm with questions. None of them mattered for the

moment, however. He was going to sail on the Aram is. He still

had his doubts as to whether Smokey could sail her way out of

the harbor, but that wasn't important--studying her ship was.

9 w 9

"Did Dolly find you?" Jenny inquired of Smokey when she

came back to the house.

"He did," she told her with a decisive nod

"And did he apologize?" Jenny prompted

"Yes, we actually talked awhile."

"Why, Smokey, that's wonderful! What did you talk about?"

"My sailing. I actually was able to converse with him this

time without stuttering or staring at him like I was demented"

"So the wall has come down between you?"

"I wouldn't say that," Smokey shook her head "He asked if

he could sail with me when I leave tomorrow, and I actually

agreed"

Jenny's mouth swung open. As funny as she looked, Smokey

did not feel like laughing. She gave Jenny a short rendition of

the conversation, and when she finished, the younger woman

was still speechless.

"What are you thinking?" Smokey needed to know.

"That you're wonderful," Jenny told her lovingly.

"What do you mean?"

"Smokey, I know Dolly hurt you last night, and here you

are helping him out. It's been his dream to build ships for

years, and I think your assisting him is wonderful." Jenny

paused and bit her lip. "Do you feel a little used?"

"A little," Smokey admitted "Your brother is kind, but he

really couldn't have given me the time of day before he found

out who I was."

Jenny nodded with understanding. "I'll be praying that

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you two will get to know each other and be friends. Knowing you both, I think you would get along very well."

"Thanks, Jen, but first I need you to pray about my having

to tell Darsey. I don't even want to think about what he's going

to say."

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Now it was Smokey's turn to sigh, heartfelt and deep. "I'm

sure that won't be a problem, Darsey," Her voice was resigned

"No problem at all."

She turned and went upstairs before he could question

her, but in truth he had heard enough. He sat in Willa's parlor

for a long time, wondering how many years he had prayed for

this, and then asking himself, now that it had finally happened,

why it scared him witless.

As it was, Darsey said nothing. He simply stared at Smokey

for one full minute. When he spoke, his voice was even.

"What about your plans for China Island?"

"We can still do it, if we don't forget the book this time."

Darsey fell silent again.

"I can send word that it won't work out," she finally said,

looking so young and vulnerable that Darsey sighed deeply.

She was so naive of other ships and crews. Didn't she realize

how unusual their life on the Aramis was?

"It's not me I'm thinking of, lass, it's you. The boys know

how to give you your privacy, and you give us ours. We don't

know this man. It certainly wouldn't be the end of the world if

he didn't work out, but it would be an awful bother getting rid

of him"

"I don't think he'll be any trouble. Like I said, he's been a

captain for years, and he just wants to study the Aramis."