26 Captaining the Shop

“Hello!” shouted Mr. James the next morning as the bell over the shop door announced his arrival. Katherine rushed out from the kitchen, hands covered with flour, and asked breathlessly, “Did Miss Harriet get off all right?”

“Yes. I got her there in plenty of time, although when I picked her up at her house, I thought it might be a close-run thing. She was ready, but I can’t imagine how she will manage in the airports with all the luggage she had packed.”

Katherine smiled, remembering what Miss Harriet had told her about overpacking to come to America. “That sounds about right. And how was she?”

“About as well as can be expected. I’ve never met such a strong, brave woman.”

“I know what you mean.”

“It’s a good thing she did handle it all so well,” Mr. James said earnestly, “or else I would have bought a ticket right then and there and gone with her. I don’t think I could have stopped myself. It was hard enough seeing her go off on such an emotionally difficult trip, all by herself.”

“She’ll be all right.” Katherine said reassuringly, “If she were here, she would remind us that a child of God is never alone, and that she’ll be well enough taken care of.”

Just then, there was a loud ding from the kitchen, and Katherine laughingly said, “And she would probably also tell me to go take your scones out of the oven before they burn.”

Coming back from the kitchen, she set a tray down on Mr. James’ table.

“I’ve brought out extra scones and another plate and cup because I’m going to join you for a bit. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.” Mr. James moved the flower arrangement aside and put away his laptop.

Katherine poured them each a cup of tea, then looked frankly at the reporter as she said,

“Miss Harriet told me a little about your conversation the other day, but I wanted to hear the story from your perspective: how do things stand between you now?”

He smiled broadly, “Is this the ‘what are your intentions towards my friend’ conversation?” They both laughed, and he continued, “Well, I can tell you they’re as honorable as can be. I think Harriet told you that we’re proceeding ‘cautiously,’ taking time to intentionally build and strengthen our existing friendship?”

Katherine nodded.

“Then, to put it bluntly, the way things stand is that I hope with all my heart to marry Harriet in due time, and I know she feels the same. We want to make sure it’s done right, though, and decided it was wise to take things slowly at first, giving us each time to pray and seek God’s will about each step forward.”

“I’m glad to hear that you’re both on the same page. I can’t imagine two people more perfect for each other!”

“I take that as the highest of compliments. From what I’ve gathered, you probably know Harriet better than anyone else.”

Katherine grinned. “That sure won’t last long!” she said, teasingly.

“Yes… well, that is one thing I’ve been wanting to talk to you about, Katherine. Harriet values your friendship deeply, as do I, and I want you to know that I’m not looking for that to change as she and I grow closer. You will always have a place in her life, and I never want to discourage or hinder that.”

Katherine smiled. “Thank you. I know it’s only natural that things should be a little different now, but it would be terrible to lose such a dear friend altogether. She’s become just like family to me.”

Mr. James nodded, then said with a twinkle in his eye, “Look at it this way, Katherine, you’re not losing a family member, you’re gaining one!”

Katherine chuckled, and replied, “I think that’s the very best way to see it.”

The kitchen timer sounded again, and Katherine jumped up, loading her dishes onto the tray quickly as she said, “Well, I’d better take that second batch of scones out of the oven and get Mrs. Penelope’s tea started. Thank you for the chat.”

“Anytime, Katherine.” Mr. James said sincerely as she hurried away towards the kitchen.

* * * *

The day flew by in a flurry of taking orders, waiting tables, handling money, and cleaning. Mr. James stayed at his table much of the day, which Katherine knew was probably a result of Miss Harriet’s request that he be available in case she needed anything. Still, she was thankful to have someone there just in case, and it was nice to feel someone was watching over her as she faced the frightening responsibility of running things on her own.

By the end of the day, she felt more exhausted than she remembered ever feeling before, and as she closed the door after the last customer, she turned around and looked over the shop with a sigh. How Miss Harriet had done all this six days a week, and without any help, astounded her.

As she pulled the cart out of the kitchen and cleared the last few tables, there was a knock on the door. Pulling aside the curtain, her tired face lit up with a smile as she recognized Captain Braddock standing outside, holding an old-fashioned picnic hamper.

“Captain Braddock!” she exclaimed as she opened the door. “Whatever are you doing here?”

“I came to see how my favorite employee had done captaining her own ship all day.” He looked down at the hamper in his hands, and said a little shyly as he held it out, “I also figured you mightn’t have eaten supper, and you shouldn’t have to cook yerself dinner on yer first day.”

Katherine’s heart swelled till she thought it might burst. Reaching for the hamper, she said, “Will you come in? I know it’s Miss Harriet’s and all, but coming in just once won’t hurt.”

The old man shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other, then looking up into Katherine’s face, said, “Well, I suppose… just this once.” As he walked through the doorway, he said with some of his old gruffness, “I packed you some real tea, so you won’t be stuck with the awful bagged kind that woman serves here.”

Katherine smiled as she unpacked the hamper onto a clean table. “This was so kind of you. I needed to take a break anyway. The tidying up can wait, and to tell you the truth, I was just beginning to notice how very quiet it is around here after hours without Miss Harriet to laugh with.”

“And how is she?” the captain asked, taking the top off a thermos and pouring the tea out into two cups Katherine had quickly fetched from the kitchen.

“Mr. James heard from her this evening, and she had made it safely there. It took her nearly twelve hours to get from here to her brother’s house. I can’t imagine how exhausted she must be.”

“Yes. And her mother? Is she as poorly as they said last night?”

“I believe so. It sounds like it’s good thing Miss Harriet left when she did.”

“So she’ll likely be gone for a while, then?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“Well, when you’re settled into things here, if you can find the time and energy to come to the Harborside for a couple hours each week for however long she’s gone, I sure would find it a help.” Katherine took a deep breath and nodded.

“I’m hoping to. Miss Harriet did say I could close the shop early a couple days a week if you needed my help.”

“That’s mighty kind of her. I wouldn’t want to interfere with yer regular customers… I know this place is a pretty important part of people’s lives in this town.”

“So is the Harborside,” Katherine said decidedly. “At least, it’s an important part of my life, so I will do everything I can to come by and get at least a little of my normal work done.”

Captain Braddock smiled at her, then frowned and said sternly, “I won’t have you exhausting yerself, though. So if you find it too much, you just tell me.”

“I will,” she promised.