“I don’t know. They stopped while I was away at sea. I should ask Serena.”
His words trailed off and both lapsed into a thoughtful silence. Katherine sat looking at the picture, an idea taking shape in her heart and mind. Captain Braddock looked over and raised one eyebrow in mock concern.
“Uh-oh. I know that look. What are you plotting, then, Missy?”
Katherine shook her head. “Not plotting, only dreaming.”
“And what are you dreaming about?"
“I’m not quite sure yet.” Katherine felt that the seed of an idea had been planted, but couldn’t yet tell what it would become.
* * * *
The wind and rain continued throughout the day and into the evening. Katherine had lingered near the Harborside’s warm stove as long as possible before starting off for Miss Harriet’s.
As she neared the last block, she slowed her pace, pulled her jacket close around her, and began silently to pray. Lord, there is no fear in Your love. Help me not to fear, but to trust. Help me not to be jealous. Help me to love as You love, and not to focus on myself.
As she neared the tea room, Katherine could see light spilling through the lace curtains and making bright pools on the sidewalk in the stormy darkness. Glancing in, she could see the two ladies clearing tables, chatting and laughing as they worked. The all-too-familiar pang pricked her heart, and she took a deep breath before opening the door. “There is no fear in love, for perfect love casteth out fear.”
10 The Anne
“Hi there, Tommy.” Katherine tossed her hat onto the coatrack and unbuttoned her jacket. “I see the captain’s got you hard at work.”
“Uh-huh.” Tommy replied without looking up.
Katherine couldn’t help but smile at the earnestness of the small boy’s face as he sat on the floor dusting a jar from the lowest shelf.
“Tommy.” The firmness in Captain Braddock’s tone was unmistakable, even from the other room. “How do we answer grownups in the shop?”
“Oh, right.” Tommy turned his little face upwards to look Katherine in the eyes. “Yes, Ma’am.”
Captain Braddock appeared in the doorway to the Captain’s Quarters, eyes twinkling. “That’s the way. Well done, my boy. Hello, Katherine.”
“Hello. I’ve brought Miss Harriet’s order.” She handed the slip of paper to the captain. “Is there anything I can help with while I’m here?”
“You might help Tommy with the top rows of shelves. He can’t quite reach those yet.”
“But the captain says I’m gonna grow soon!” Tommy said, looking up again, his face alight with anticipation.
“Yes you are, my boy, but until then, you’re going to leave the top ones to the big folk, and not go climbin’ the shelves again, right?”
Tommy nodded solemnly. “Right.”
“Again?” Katherine raised her eyebrows as she looked from Tommy to the captain.
“Let’s just say we’re both still learning about little boys in tea shops—even though I was one once, and ought to know all about it.”
Tommy’s head shot up in surprise. “Captain, you were a boy once? Here? Like me?”
Katherine wondered if his eyes could possibly open any wider.
“Yes, Tommy, I was the Harborside’s little boy once, just like you are now.” He limped over to the staircase and lowered himself onto a step. “And what’s more, I sat in that very spot dusting those very same jars.”
Katherine looked over at the boy and discovered that Tommy’s eyes actually could get wider.
“The same jars?” he asked, voice hushed with wonder. He looked down at his hands, then held up the rag. “With this?”
The old man chuckled and reached out to muss the boy’s hair. “No, my rags wore out and had to be replaced. But the jars are the same, and some of the dust, too, no doubt.” He winked at Katherine, who had fetched two rags and joined them by the shelves.
Lifting the Anne from an upper shelf, she reverently handed the model ship to the captain, along with a rag. He smiled and nodded, and Katherine enjoyed the moment of mutual understanding. With another glance at the boy, he began the careful, painstaking process of giving the ship a full “swabbing,” as they called it.
Katherine picked up a jar and started dusting. She sensed a story coming, and her heart quickened its pace in anticipation.
“Well, now” Captain Braddock began, eyes still focused on the minutia of the rigging as he cleaned off the dust. “Have I ever told either of you about how the very first Captain Braddock came to own the Anne?”
They both shook their heads, and a thrill ran through Katherine. Lifting a tea bowl off the shelf, she turned to watch the captain as she slowly wiped it clean.
“Well, it all started when Jeremiah Braddock and his young wife Anne came over from England. He wasn’t a captain then, you see, just the son of a shipwright, looking for a fresh start in the shipyards of New England.
"It was a lengthy voyage, and Jeremiah spent his days up on deck, talking to the crew. He’d grown up building ships, you see, but never had a chance to sail aboard one. By the time land was in sight, Jeremiah had talked the crew into letting him help with the different jobs aboard ship.
"Between his knowledge of the ship’s construction and the hours he’d spent watching, listening, and working alongside the sailors, he’d built up a considerable understanding of both ship and crew.
