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February 20, 1865

Carla was steering the boat, with Jason standing next to her, gesturing and very caught up in what he was saying: "I know! I know! My point exactly. He's the only one she speaks with. But before he spoke to her, he wouldn't speak to any of you!" As he paused, Lavinia took a deep breath and started into the room, but then Jason continued with his thoughts, "I would have thought one of the shyer girls, the younger girls, perhaps." Carla responded, "To be honest, we have had a conversation late one evening."

At that moment, Lavinia swept into the room and greeted Carla with a practiced look of surprise on her face. "Carla - I thought I might find you here!" She then turned to Jason, smiling demurely, and swept a small curtsey. "Good evening, Mr. Bolt."

Jason bowed slightly to her. "Good afternoon, Miss Danforth."

Carla looked over at Lavinia, "Hello, Lavinia. How are you?", but then she turned back to complete her conversation with Jason. "As I was saying, Jason, I have spoken with Jeremy."

Lavinia smiled at Carla and responded: "Fine, thank you. Just came up for some fresh air. It gets so...so stuffy down there."

As Jason asked Carla "What did the two of you speak about?", Carla responded to Lavinia's statement. "I agree. There is something about the salt air..."

Two conversations were too confusing! Lavinia arched her right eyebrow in what she hoped was a particularly beguiling fashion and sweetly inquired, "I hope I am not intruding?"

Jason shook his head, grinning. "Not at all! The more, the merrier. Although you won't find me the most sparkling of company..."

Carla, however, was not to be deterred from finishing her conversation about Jeremy. "Well, let me just say that he asked some questions, but if you wish to know more then perhaps you should ask Jeremy."

"You're right, Carla. Perhaps I will ask Jeremy."

Lavinia kept her attention on Jason. "You do seem a bit... piqued? I thought that we were past the seasick phase."

Jason smiled broadly at Lavinia as he replied. "This is an entirely different kind of seasickness. The kind one catches around sea captains...but this seemed an excellent opportunity to show Miss Riley how to steer the ship. As the daughter of a sea captain, it seems only right she should know."

Lavinia couldn't help but smile back at him - when Jason Bolt smiled, it was contagious! She decided that she would stay awhile, even if she were intruding on his conversation with Carla.

And Carla got caught up in the smiles as well, as she shifted her grip on the wheel and said, "I am enjoying this so much. I do thank you, Jason."

Still looking at Lavinia, Jason tilted his head in Carla's direction as he said, "And she's doing a wonderful job." Then, turning back to Carla, "Well, it's in your blood, I suppose. It's not hard, is it? Can't you begin to feel her move under your grip?"

Carla nodded, "Oh, yes. I can feel it. My father would be pleased, I'm sure." "I know he would be pleased," returned Jason.

Jason then turned his full attention, and his charm, back to Lavinia. "Would you like to give it a try, Miss Danforth?" Lavinia looked startled for a second, then giggled slightly. "Yes, please." Jason gestured towards Carla with his hand. "Show her how, Carla."

"Jason, please, then hand me my cane...it fell to the floor."

Jason offered his arm to Lavinia as he escorted her to the wheel. "Here you go." She put her hands on the wheel, then uttered a small squeal of delight as she felt its vibrations beneath her fingers. "Oh, this is fun! So, I just aim for that star over there?" Carla replied, "It's so simple, Lavinia, put your hands here and here...then just keep it steady." Jason studied the two young ladies with a slightly amused expression for a moment before commenting, "We'll make able-bodied seamen out of the both of you. Clancey'll have to pay for the extra hands." He was rewarded by the delighted smiles of the women. "It's a wonderful feeling, isn't it, Carla? So smooth, what might seem like flying."

Lavinia sighed, "That fresh breeze feels good," as Carla said, "I must admit that it was quite enjoyable."

Jason nodded. "I never handled a ship before this trip. Almost makes me wish for a life at sea.... Well, you're more than welcome to come up and take a shift any time, Lavinia. You're like Carla. You have a natural hand for it." Lavinia looked at Jason and said, "You've made Seattle sound like a place you would never want to leave." "Ah, well, I did say ALMOST..." Jason grinned cheerfully back at her. "Now, Jason, I have heard you speak of Seattle." Jason shifted his weight slightly. "Well, Seattle is special, there's no doubt about that."

Lavinia looked over at Jason with a quizzical expression on her face. "Are the trees really as tall as you say?" Jason chuckled in reply. "Well, if there's anything about which I didn't exaggerate, it's those trees." And they all smiled. He cleared his throat and asked, "Ladies, I could use a little more coffee. Can I bring some for either of you?" Lavinia offered, "I can get the coffee, if you like," while Carla said, "I would like a cup of water, Jason, if it's not too much trouble." Jason shook his head. "Oh no, Lavinia. You still have the wheel. I'll go below. Water? Certainly." Lavinia called out, "Water sounds good for me too, please," as Jason left to get the drinks.

"Well, Carla - now that he's gone, can I ask you a question?" Carla looked over at Lavinia, a little puzzled. "Of course." Lavinia bit at her lip for a moment, unsure exactly how to ask. "Do you 'like' Jason?"

Carla looked back at her thoughtfully. "That's a hard question. He's very nice, and we have spoken several times, but I believe we are just friends. What about you?" "It's just that I notice you up in the pilothouse a lot with him lately - I didn't want to intrude if I was unwelcome." Carla laughed. "No, we talk about Shakespeare, and my father. He's just been very kind to me...Are you interested?"

Lavinia smiled a bit secretly, but ignored Carla's question. "The rest of the ladies are planning a sing-along downstairs tonight. Do you want to go?" But Carla pressed on, "...in Jason, I mean." Lavinia hesitated for a second before answering. "Oh, I don't know. I am wondering what the rest of the men in Seattle are like."

Carla smiled at her in amusement, suspecting that Lavinia was not being completely truthful. However, she relented and answered Lavinia's last question. "I would love a sing-along...if there are songs, it's hard for me not to join in."

As Lavinia responded, "That is why I came up - to let you know," Jason returned with a mug and two glasses, which he presented to them with a flourish. "Ladies, two glasses of water. No salt." He smiled.

Lavinia dropped another curtsey as she turned to take the glasses from Jason, then handed one to Carla. "Thank you, Mr. Bolt." Carla wrinkled her nose slightly at Jason. "Very funny, Jason." She took a refreshing sip of water, and smiled. "And thank you." "Did I interrupt something?" Both ladies answered at once: "No, not at all." "No, just talking about a sing-along later." Jason's mouth quirked a bit. "Well, that sounds...nice." By his pause before the word "nice", the ladies weren't quite sure that he meant it. "Do you sing, Mr. Bolt?" "Ah, no. No, not really. My brothers have the musical talent in the family." "Do they play instruments?" Carla asked. Lavinia added, "Perhaps they would like to join the ladies downstairs then." Jason nodded. "Yes, they both play guitar. You should invite them. In fact, I believe they bought a new guitar during our visit in Rio. Joshua is the more accomplished, but Jeremy has real talent, too." Carla turned to Lavinia. "Lavinia, perhaps Candy should invite Jeremy. I doubt that he would go otherwise." Lavinia nodded in agreement. "That sounds wonderful. It would help the ladies so much to have some real music to sing along to. You're right, Carla." Jason turned to Carla, his brow furrowed. "But you said you had spoken with him. Is he still shy with you, too?"

"Well, our conversation did center on other things. So perhaps Candy would be the best choice." Jason continued to frown, always concerned about, as well as a bit exasperated by, his youngest brother's extreme shyness. "Well, I'm sure you'd know best. I've tried several ways to get him to open up, but he has to do it on his own." Setting down his coffee, he turned to Lavinia and asked, "Miss Danforth, would you like me to take the wheel?" Carla interposed, "I'm sure if Candy knows his interest in music she will invite him." Jason smiled back at her, "Well, then I'll leave that to your considerable social skills..." Carla nodded decisively in response. "I will talk to Candy then," as Lavinia murmured, "Yes. All this water... I think I need to go ... I'll be back." She hurried out of the room, taking the empty glasses.

Despite her statement to Lavinia about only feeling friendship for Jason Bolt, Carla suddenly found herself a bit reluctant to end her conversation with him. "I want to thank you again, Jason, for the wonderful time in Rio."

Just then Jeremy entered the pilot house. He stopped short, a bit disconcerted at first to find Jason talking to one of the brides. His jaw tightened and he almost looked ready to turn and leave again when Jason greeted him heartily. "Good afternoon, Jeremy." Carla smiled at him as well. "Hello, Jeremy." Jeremy ducked his head a bit and gave a slight smile in return. "H-hi."

"Jeremy, you know Carla...." Jeremy nodded again, somewhat shyly.

Jason motioned him over. "Jeremy, take the wheel, would you?" Jeremy quietly walked over to grasp the wheel, but remained silent.

Jason felt it best to continue his conversation with Carla. "So, Carla. Never been to sea..."

Carla laughed slightly. "Well, this is my first time on a ship that wasn't tied fast to the pier."

"Well, to be honest, except for relatively short trips to San Francisco, this is the longest we've ever been on ship, isn't it, Jeremy?"

Jeremy looked a bit dismayed that Jason was including him in the conversation, but he managed to murmur, "Uh..y-yes."

Carla continued. "My father used to let me come down when he was in port."

"Did you ever want to sail around the world with him?"

"I used to beg him to let me go...He kept telling me when I finished school..." Her voice dwindled away as she thought again of how she missed her father.

Jason nodded sympathetically. "What a shame...My father sailed to this country from Scotland...Then went back to marry our mother, and then sailed all the way back... He always spoke about those trips."

"He must have loved her very much to sail back for her."

"It made me want to sail...Well, yes, yes he did. And she loved him." His eyes held a far-away gaze as he smiled in remembrance of his parents. "How about you, Jeremy? Do you remember him telling those stories?"

Jeremy smiled back. "Yes, I do."

Carla watched the two of them as she sighed wistfully. "I do love stories like that. One true love....."

Jason turned his gaze back to Carla and smiled inquiringly. He lowered his voice a bit, which made his next question seem even more intimate. "Are you a romantic, Carla?"

At that very moment, Karen St. James entered the room, just in time to see Carla blush slightly. Her answer was quiet. "I suppose I am. Looking for that knight in shining armor, I suppose."

Jason's attention was drawn by Karen's footstep; he turned his head and smiled in greeting. "Good afternoon, Miss St. James."

"Hi, Carla!"

Carla bit down on her lower lip, a little embarrassed that Karen had overheard her wistful musings. "Hello, Karen."

Karen turned towards the Bolt Brothers. "Hi, Mr. Bolt. Hello, Jeremy." Jeremy smiled shyly but said nothing. Jason waved his right arm and pronounced, "There's a rule here, Karen. Anyone on the bridge has to take a turn at the wheel! Jeremy, relinquish command!"

"S-sure, Jason." He started to step back, as Karen asked, "Have you seen my brother? He was playing with Serena, and they got away from me!" She suddenly realized that Jeremy was offering her the wheel. "You mean I have to steer the ship?"

Carla responded to Karen's worried question. "Well, at least they can't go far."

Jason agreed. "But how far could they have gotten, Karen? They're fine...Yes, steer the ship. There's nothing to it. First mate Riley will show you how."

Jeremy gratefully moved out of the way, relieved that Jason hadn't volunteered him to demonstrate to Karen, and Carla moved over to help Karen at the wheel. "Just hold on and keep it steady."

Karen remained somewhat distracted as she continued to look out the window for her brother. "Oh, I see them - right down there. Emmy Lou's with them. Good." Her anxiety temporarily abated now that she had located her young brother, she turned her attention back to the wheel. "Okay...Like this?"

Jason motioned to Jeremy. "Jeremy, get these ladies some more refreshments. And some more coffee for me, there's a lad..."

Suddenly the ship swerved and everyone swayed to the left. Jeremy, forgetting his shyness, cried out, "N-no, not that way!" He lunged forward to grab the wheel and hold it, preventing it from spinning further. Karen, chagrined at her mistake, pulled it back towards her. Jason stepped forward as Jeremy left the pilothouse to get some drinks for everyone.

"Whoa! Steady...."

Karen shook her head in dismay. "Oh, sorry!"

"Oh my..." murmured Carla.

Jason set out to reassure Karen. "That's all right, Miss St. James. I think you have it now." But Karen didn't feel so confident. "Someone else take over - please!"

"Carla - take over, please."

Karen smiled gratefully at Carla. "Thanks, Carla."

"OK...I got this..." Carla handed her cane to Jason, so that she could keep both hands firmly on the wheel. All three sailed in companionable silence for a few moments before Jeremy returned with the refreshments. He handed a steaming mug to Jason

"Thanks, Jeremy...Here, let me take that for you, Carla."

Jeremy glanced at Carla with a lopsided grin. "I could tell that s-someone else was steering." Jason looked at him in pleased surprise.

"Hey, Jeremy, I'm getting good at this." Carla smiled back. "Yes, you are." Karen was still embarrassed over her mistake. She bit her lip and blushed, "Sorry - I'm not very good with buggies, either. I should've warned you."

Jason set out to reassure her. "That's all right - you've had your initiation. So, how are you this fine day, Miss St. James?"

Karen responded with a shaky smile. "Fine, thanks. How are you?" Carla smiled too. "Now if I can just get the captain to give me navigation lessons..."

Jeremy looked at her in surprise. "C-clancey? He can't navigate!"

"Where is the captain?" Jason chuckled as he shook his head. "Below. We had a bit of, well...a binge, last night. He's feeling even worse than I am."

Carla looked puzzled by Jeremy's statement. "He can navigate by the stars, I'll bet...he's been sailing a long time."

Karen, still trying to put her steering mishap behind her, peered anxiously out the window as she began to worry anew over her brother. "I want to make sure Emmy doesn't mind watching Jonny. I'll be right back." And she hurried out of the pilothouse.

Jason turned back to Carla. "Jeremy's made friends with Dimitri, the navigator. Perhaps he could translate for you, and Dimitri could instruct you."

"I'd like that...Jeremy, you willing to help?"

Before Jeremy could answer, Jason asked, "Jeremy, how's your Russian coming along?"

Jeremy was shaking his head. "J-jason, I don't think I c-can translate that-that well yet." His blue eyes held an appeal, as he hoped that Jason would get him out of it. But Jason looked right back at him, and Jeremy could see that there was no way to get out of this one. "Well, it'll be fun trying, won't it?" He put his hand firmly on Jeremy's shoulder; Jeremy swallowed hard and looked down at the floor in chagrin. Jason then looked out of the window and mused, "Karen worries a great deal about her little brother, doesn't she?"

Carla was observing Jeremy's obvious discomfort, and she sought to reassure him. "I would really appreciate your help, Jeremy."

Jeremy glanced up for a moment and muttered, "Uh, um, w-well, it's up to Dimitri, I guess." He now looked more annoyed than worried.

"Would you talk to him then? Ask if he would?"

Jeremy nodded without enthusiasm. "Sure." He walked over to look out the window, thumbs hooked in his waistband, to silently deal with his frustration.

Jason grinned broadly. "Well then, splendid! That will help pass the time for all of you!" Carla smiled at Jeremy, although his back was turned to her. "Thank you. This means a lot to me, Jeremy. My own father isn't here to teach me anymore, and I do want to learn."

"Sure he will!...Say, Jeremy, I was telling these ladies earlier about that fine guitar you and Joshua bought in Rio. How's that coming?"

Jeremy whirled around, his eyes wide in astonishment that Jason would say this, on top of the other ... His thoughts, although unspoken, were clear on his face: "Gee whiz, Jason!" Jason leaned against a post, his strong arms folded across his chest, just grinning back at him and waiting for him to answer. Jeremy's eyes shot daggers at Jason as he muttered, "F-fine...he sounds real good."

Jason's eyes still sparkled at Jeremy. "You're caught, boy!" was the obvious message. "And you? How are your lessons coming?"

Jeremy chose to ignore Jason's last question, saying "J-Josh would l-like to play for the ladies, I think." Carla observed, "Joshua, I think, only wants to impress the ladies." An engaging smile replaced the mulish expression on Jeremy's face. Jason grinned too. "And are they impressed, do you think?" Jeremy moved back a bit to hear Carla's answer.

"Well, some are, I'm afraid." She sighed.

Jason raised his eyebrows slightly. "But not you?"

"At his games...oh my... no...." With Carla's comment, Jeremy turned away slightly so that Jason couldn't see him laughing, but the shaking of his shoulders was a dead giveaway. Jason noticed his brother's laughter, but chose to ignore him. "Not at his games...but at anything else?"

Carla thought for a moment before answering. "Well, he's hard to get to know. He seems to change, be different each time I talk to him." She paused for another moment. "Sometimes I think he doesn't believe I should have come."

Jeremy was curious. "Why's that?" He grinned at the two of them. "Jeremy, would you say that describes our brother?"

Jeremy chuckled, exchanging glances with Jason. "Y-yes, I'd say that describes Josh pretty darn well."

Jason joined in his laughter. "Me too. We're a mixed bag, I guess. Maybe not like brothers at all..."

Suddenly they heard light footsteps approaching as Karen returned. "Hello, everyone."

Jason greeted her with his devastating smile. "Welcome back, Karen. Did you find Jonny all right?" Jeremy also smiled shyly at her in greeting. "Hi, Karen."

Karen seemed less anxious this visit. "Yes, Emmy says she'll keep an eye on him."

Jeremy turned to Karen with a bit of a mischievous glint in his eye and asked, "Y-you're not g-going to try to steer the ship again, are you?" Jason laughed, pleased that Jeremy was feeling sure enough of himself to tease one of the young ladies for a bit.

Karen shook her head. "I shouldn't fuss, I guess, but ever since that man fell overboard... No, Jeremy!"

Jason's laughter stopped as he thought of the loss of the young sailor only three weeks before. Jeremy's quiet voice filled the silence. "D-do you need more coffee, Jason?"

"Please, Jeremy. I'm beginning to feel better. Thank you." And he handed his mug to Jeremy.

Karen looked inquiringly at Jason. "So, Mr. Bolt, have you been telling Carla more about Seattle? I still can't quite picture it."

"Well, we were talking about that earlier. What would you like to know?"

"Are there many trees?" She smiled at Jeremy, who was preparing to get more refreshments. He asked, "W-what about the l-ladies?"

Carla commented, "I was going to ask if you were feeling better, Jason, you are looking better, some color returning."

Karen said to Jeremy, "None for me, thanks. I don't drink coffee or tea." Carla shook her head and said, "I'm fine, Jeremy, thank you." Jeremy ducked out of the room, saying, "B-be right back...." Jason nodded at Carla and said, "Thank you, yes, Carla. The conversation is waking me up." A look of concern flitted across Karen's face. "Have you been feeling seasick, Mr. Bolt?"

Carla smiled at the innocent question. "Tell her, Jason...."

Karen was still puzzled. "I thought everyone was over that now."

Jason sighed as he shook his head ruefully. "Clancey and I, well, we indulged ourselves a bit too much, last night, I'm afraid."

"Oh.... I see."

"But thanks to the charming company, I feel myself coming alive." And Jason grinned once more at the two young ladies. At that moment, Jeremy returned with Jason's coffee. "H-here you go, Jason." Jason thanked him, and prepared for more questions. "So, Seattle?"

But Karen was still concerned with Jason's physical well-being. "I heard Biddie say she had a cure for that. Something to do with sour milk and tea grounds.." Carla laughed. "That should be good." Jeremy just looked amused, wondering what Jason would say to that.

Jason's reaction did not disappoint. He shuddered and pulled a face. "Uhhhh....no thank you!", which brought a small laugh from his brother.

Carla had been steering the ship for quite some time now, too caught up in the conversations to realize her growing fatigue before now. "Jeremy, would you take the wheel, please, I'd like to sit awhile."

Jeremy stepped up to her and handed her her cane as he took hold of the wheel. "Sure thing."

"Thank you."

Karen was still eager to learn more about her new home. "Anyway, you were about to say ... about Seattle?"

Jason nodded. "Well, was there something you want to know? I know everything there is to tell...about Seattle, anyway." He smiled knowingly.

"You mentioned that there was a school? Is it close to where we'll be living?" "Yes, a small school...but a very fine teacher. Miss Gustafson. Essie Gustafson. Yes, everything in Seattle is close. Quite close."

Jeremy looked over at his eldest brother with much interest. Something in the tone of Jason's voice made him sense a good story coming on. Jason just looked back at him.

Karen seemed pleased. "Oh, good. New Bedford's gotten too big. Don't you think so, Carla?" And the latter agreed. "Well, yes, much too big to walk anywhere."

Jason chuckled in amusement. "Well, you won't have that problem in Seattle, I assure you. The town sits right on the bay. Eliot Bay. And everything is right there. The store, the church, the saloon..."

"Saloon?" Carla was taken aback. "Well, yes, saloon...but not the sort of thing you might think."

"I don't believe you mentioned that before."

Jason hastened to explain. "Lottie's is...that's Lottie Hatfield, the woman who runs the place...oh, you'll like Lottie very much. It was her idea that sent me to New Bedford to begin with." He looked over at Jeremy, who was grinning broadly. "This is getting good," he was obviously thinking to himself. Jason opened his mouth but then paused for a second, trying to think of exactly how to phrase things. "Lottie's is more of a...well, a town hall you might say...a gathering place."

Carla was obviously dismayed. "I don't know, Jason...a Saloon? Are there, well, women in this Saloon?"

Jeremy interrupted at that moment. "Uh, Jason?"

"Uh, yes, Jeremy?" Jeremy faltered a bit as he asked, "D-d-don't you think you ought to - um tell them that-that Lottie serves drinks?"

Karen didn't seem surprised by this. "Well, sure, that's what saloons serve, isn't it?"

Jason waved his right hand as he declared, "Well, they're bright girls! They can figure that out. With one hundred eligible men in town, of COURSE she serves drinks. But no, Carla, no women. Just Lottie. And she's more...maternal."

Jeremy looked relieved to have this revelation out and in the open. However, Jason was not off the hook yet, as Karen said, "I guess I didn't realize there were other women there. You hadn't mentioned that."

Jason looked a little uncomfortable, but began to speak when Carla, still displeased at the thought of the saloon, said, "I see. And these men you are taking us to meet, frequent this saloon, for the purpose of drinking liquor?"

Jeremy glanced over at Jason, wondering what he would say next. But Jason, silver-tongued devil that he was, had found his feet again. "Oh, a few, Karen. A few. But aside from Miss Essie, I can't think of any other single women for the purpose of relaxing at the end of a day, Carla. Lottie serves meals too, you know."

"Lottie's a good cook," Jeremy added.

Carla was shaking her head. "This just doesn't sound at all like what I had envisioned."

Jason threw it back at her with a smile. "Well, what DID you envision?"

Before Carla could answer, Karen mused, "Well, it must be a hard life for the men...I imagine they work hard, and need to relax afterwards." Jason was quick to agree with her. "It's all harmless enough. No different than New Bedford, I'm sure."

Carla had gathered her thoughts by now. "Well, Jason, I envisioned the mountain, and the trees, hard-working loggers. Guess I never thought about them spending evenings at a saloon."

"Well, not all their evenings. And there are others in town too, besides the loggers. There's Stempel's mill workers."

"Stempel?"

Jeremy tried again to help. "And w-with women in town, we won't spend all our evenings at Lotties."

Carla still appeared a trifle unsure, but she raised her chin in obvious determination (just like that Miss Pruitt, Jason thought to himself), and announced, "Ok, I guess I'll keep an open mind."

Jason placed a firm hand on Jeremy's shoulder, as he said, "Uh, Jeremy...I'm not sure you meant that the way it might have sounded..." Jeremy pressed his lips together and looked down at the ground, obviously embarrassed.

But then Jason stepped back and rubbed his hands together briskly. "Well, ladies, I'm going below to wake the Captain. It's time he take over this rotten tub. And time for me to get some shut-eye. I've enjoyed our visit. We must do this again soon!"

Carla nodded agreement. "And I need to help in the galley tonight."

End of chat