Wings of the Morning (Kensington Chronicles) (16 page)

"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.