“The Harborside will be whole.” Captain Braddock said, eyes shining.
Katherine’s throat tightened with emotion. She smiled at her friends, her heart silently shouting what her voice couldn’t speak: Thank You, Lord!
* * * *
“You mean they’ve really got it?” Sally almost shouted the words.
Katherine turned the water on to fill the sink. “Yes. The sale closes in three months, since they have to go through the trust and all. But the contract has been signed, and it’s as good as theirs!”
“I just can’t believe it.”
“I know, and there’s more. The captain and Serena both agreed to let me start planning for a Harborside museum with some of the new space!”
Sally squealed and hugged Katherine, then, pulling a serious face, picked up a dish rag and flung it at her friend. “Now, then. These dishes aren’t going to clean themselves. You wash, I’ll dry.”
Katherine laughed and swished her rag through the water to dissolve the dish soap. Soon the sink was filled with suds and Katherine began the comfortingly familiar chore.
As Sally rubbed the first teacup with her towel, she asked, “Did you ever find out what they’re going to do about the letter?”
Katherine looked down at the suds she was rinsing off a saucer. “No. I didn’t.” Raising her head, she met Sally’s concerned gaze. “I’ve thought about it, and worried about it more than I like to admit… but I’ve decided that’s something I need to leave with God.”
Sally nodded, her face sober. “I’ve something of the same kind myself.”
“Really?” Katherine rinsed another cup and handed it to her friend. “Can you tell me?”
“It’s my Dad. I haven’t seen him since… well, you know I ran off pretty quick after my brother died, and never looked back. But now… I started to feel like I needed to write to him, to clear the air, at least about my running away. I know it must have hurt him dreadfully, especially right after losing my brother.”
Katherine nodded. “That sounds like a good thing to do.”
“Well, I talked with Auntie H. and eventually, I decided to. But then we went off for the New Year and I didn’t get around to mailing my letter until the day after I got back here.”
“And have you heard anything in reply?”
“That’s the thing I have to leave with God, as you said. I never did hear, and I might not ever hear. For all I know, he may never read it.” She looked down at the plate in her hands and moved her towel in methodical circles. “I may try again eventually, but for now, I feel I’ve done what was right, and need to just leave it alone.”
Katherine dried her hands and put an arm around her friend. “I understand,” she said softly. “And I’ll be praying.”
Sally returned her hug. “Thanks, Katherine.”
* * * *
“Welcome home!” Katherine flung her arms around Mrs. James as she came through the doorway.
“Oh, Dearie. I’m glad to be here.” Mrs. James wrapped Katherine in a motherly embrace before holding her at arm’s length and eyeing her closely. “Now, how are you? Tell me truly.”
“I’m fine. Really. It’s been like a roller coaster, but it seems like the scary bit is over with and now—oh, I have so much to tell you!”
“And how is the Captain?”
“He’s improving little by little. Serena’s still here, by the way, and wants you to visit.”
“Oh, that’s all very good news!”
“But you haven’t heard the rest of it.”
“The rest?”
"Auntie!" Sally ran out from the kitchen and into Mrs. James' outstretched arms. "We've missed you ever so much!"
"And I've missed you—both of you!" Releasing Sally, she looked from one to the other. "Now, any chance of some tea while we get caught up?"
"I'll go." Sally offered, beaming at her aunt. "You two just sit and relax."
"Thank you, Sally. Katherine, let's sit by the window, and you can tell me all about the rest of the good news."
Katherine filled Mrs. James in on everything at the Harborside while Sally went off to make tea. After a while, the singing of the kettle brought up a new subject.
“How did Sally do?” Mrs. James said quietly.
“I haven’t been around much to watch how she was with the customers, but as far as I can tell, they seem pleased with her, and I’ve noticed a new sort of…something. Confidence, maybe. I don’t think she’s dropped anything in a week, and she’s standing taller and expressing herself better. She deserves a good day or two off, though, for all the hard work and extra hours she’s put in while I was at the Harborside.”
