Clear skies graced the Seamus' return trip allowing the members of Clancey's crew to relax and enjoy this voyage home. A day out of California, the sailors tried to convince Kate that she should help them with their tasks. The reporter refused saying that she had had enough adventures at sea to suit her, thank-you very much.

      Third mate, Rob Wilkins, noticed the change in Katie and wondered what had caused her to be less of a thrill-seeker. Perhaps it had something to do with the odd way she and Joshua Bolt had of strolling around the deck together after meals. Every evening the couple walked as closely as they could to each other without actually touching. It sure seemed strange to the teenager.

     It seemed strange to Joshua, too. Katie was teasing him as she had before and he was enjoying it but the young man was hoping for something more than the friendly rivalry they'd always shared. When the Seamus was a day out of Seattle, the logger drummed up the courage to share his heart with her.

      That night, the crew remained below for a poker game and Lottie and Clancey holed up in the pilothouse. This left Joshua and Katie alone on deck to enjoy the brisk, clear evening. The two were doing a little star gazing when Joshua began his speech.

      He cleared his throat. "Cricket..."

      "Yes?" She smiled up at him. How handsome he looked in the moonlight.

      "I had a great time in San Francisco, after I got out of the hospital, of course."

      "Oh, so did I. It was wonderful attending those concerts and the plays with you and the Cutlers. I never realized there were so many things a body could do when they had the money to do it. Some of those wealthy homes we visited made me nervous. How about you?"

      "They weren't what we're used to but they had their advantages," he grinned.

      "That they did," Kate agreed. "Right now though I'd give anything to see my tiny, drafty old cabin. I've got an urge to jump into the Pacific and shove the Seamus along with my own two hands."

      "You won't though, will you?" he asked, not all that certain she was joking.

      Kate laughed, "Not this time, but I wish we could sail faster. I can't wait to see everyone."

     "We'll be home soon."

     Kate returned to her star gazing while Joshua gazed at her. Here was the girl, there might never be a better time and the place was romantic enough, but where was the speech he'd rehearsed?

      The young man motioned toward a large coil of rope.

     "Cricket, would you mind sitting down a minute? There's something I want to discuss before we get home."

     "Of course, Josh."

      Katie tried to sound calm but her palms were perspiring and her heart beat a cadence she was sure he could hear.

      The young man searched the deck hoping to remember his practiced phrases but every word had vanished. He threw a vague question in her direction.

     "Katie, have you noticed a change in our relationship?"

     The girl caught her breath. This was it. What should she say? Lottie had said their was a risk involved in love. Could she risk opening up her heart to Josh?

      As Kate looked over at her friend she was comforted to see the very same apprehension reflected in his eyes. Just knowing that they were both nervous, made her less fearful. This was Joshua Bolt, her Joshua, and he loved her. Katie could and would trust him.

      "I have noticed that whenever you're around I want to you to stay with me for as long as possible, because I get this lonesome, empty ache right around my heart when you leave."

      "You do?" Joshua wondered.

      "I do," she grinned.

      Josh was emboldened by her words and took a seat beside her.

      "Katie, I'm asking for your permission to court you."

      "Court me?"

      "That's what a man does with the woman he loves," he smiled. "What do you think?"

      Kate paused a moment, "I think you're a very brave man."

      The logger had prepared himself to hear a variety of responses but this wasn't one of them.

      "Brave?"

      "In a few days everyone in Seattle will know exactly how that fire started. I hope they'll forgive and forget but there's bound to be some who...well, who won't. Those people aren't going to be pleased with you if they find out we're keeping company."

      "Got any other arguments?" he asked.

      "'Fraid so."

      "Fire away!"

      "While you were in the hospital, I promised God that I would get the Inquirer up and running. I mentioned it in San Francisco, remember?"

      "I remember."

      "I'm very serious about this, Josh. It will take time to rebuild what we had, but until I do, I...well, what I've seen from watching the brides, a courtship requires a lot of attention."

     "I see." Joshua said quietly. "Anything else?"

     She closed her eyes as her deepest concern rose to the surface.

     "I'm not sure that I'm the type of girl you need."

     "What kind of girl do you think I need?" he asked amused.

     Katie rose and moved a few steps away.

     "A beautiful, cultured, domestic girl who wears cologne and has polished nails. Just look at these." She held up her hands to him to prove her point. "These nails are usually covered in ink."

     "I've noticed. Anything else?"

     Kate continued, unable to restrain the tide of insecurities rushing out into the open.

     "I don't cook very well. I can only make a few meals and even I don't like them that much. I can stitch a loose button back into place but that's the extent of my sewing ability. I don't know much about the logging business. You understand arithmetic so well, Josh, you always have, but numbers rarely do what I want them to. You deserve a woman who can understand what you do and help you when things pile up, kind of like a secretary, maybe... "

     The young man stood behind her, slipped his arm around her waist, turned her toward himself and stopped her mouth with a gentle kiss.

     "Listen, Cricket, don't you think I haven't tried to talk myself out of this?" he asked tenderly. "I've even used those exact same arguments and, guess what?"

     "Didn't work, huh?" she said dazed by his kiss.

     "Not in the least," he smiled. "Now, pay attention because I have to ask you something very important."

     "All right."

     "Are you in love with me?"

     Kate frowned, "But Josh, I told you I..."

     "Nope," he shook his head firmly. "No 'but Josh's', just answer the question or I'll have to kiss you again...Are you in love with me?"

      As his clear blue eyes gazed steadily into her soul, Katie listened for that small voice within her to whisper the truth. When it did, she could barely contain her joy.

      "Joshua Bolt, I love you with all my heart."

      "That's all I needed to know," he whispered kissing her once again. Katie felt her insides turn as soft and warm as a toasted marshmallow as he said; "You are the woman I love, Kate Macready, inky nails and all."

     "I am?"

     "You are. Now," he turned from her and gazed out across the moonlit sea, "about this promise you've made, I think I have an idea."

     "What is it?" Kate asked dreamily. The young man smiled at her uncharacteristically submissive condition.

     "I suggest we practice courting until the paper gets on its feet?"

     "Practice?" The girl's eyes widened. "How can you practice courting?"

      "We'll just try it out and see if we like it. We'll take a few walks; I'll escort you to a dance or two while you work on the Inquirer. After a few months, if we both agree, we can tell everyone that we're courting and then...if we both still agree of course, we could make our arrangement more, well, more permanent."

      It finally dawned on Kate what this courting idea was leading to.

      "Josh, do you plan on marrying me?"

     "That's the general idea."

     "Well, I'll be," was all the stunned young woman could say. "Married? You and me?"

     He chuckled as he placed his hand against her cheek. "I can't imagine going through life without you, but if you want to get the paper started before you'll agree to be my wife, then that's the way it will be."

      "Oh, Joshua!"

     The depth of his love for her was overwhelming. She knew that if the Inquirer weren't so important to her they would be engaged in that moment.

      "What will we say to everyone when we get home?"

      "Nothing! You know how they'll react if they think we're in love. We'll never have a moment's peace and that will make it more difficult for you to get the paper going again."

      Kate was amazed. She didn't know where he'd developed this deep respect for her work but she was very grateful for it.

      "It's not going to be easy pretending to be the way we were," she admitted sitting back down on the ropes. "I'm starting to like this kissing business."

      "We'll just have to be careful," he gave her a sly grin.

      "Josh..."

      "What is it?" He sat close beside her.

      "How will we treat each other once we let everyone in on our secret?"

      "I suppose we'll go on in the same way we have been."

      She sighed in relief. "That's good."

      "Of course, " he said gravely, "I will expect you to call me 'sire' from now on."

      "What!" Kate almost fell to the deck. Joshua laughed until his stomach hurt as Kate jumped up and thwapped him in the shoulder with her ever-present notepad. "Sire, huh?" she grinned. "Do I get to crown you every time I say it?"

     "I'm joking! I'm joking!" Joshua pulled her down onto his lap and held her still by wrapping his arms tightly around her. "The only thing I really expect is that we always tell each other the truth." He shifted her on his knee so she faced him. "Will you make that promise with me?"

     "Even if it means telling you that we can't live happily ever after?" she asked quietly.

     "Especially if it means that."

     "I promise." Kate crossed her heart in the old way.

     "And so do I." Joshua repeated the gesture then kissed her once more.

     That night as they each lay awake in their cots, the lovers thanked the Lord above for the confessions of love they had given and received. To Joshua Bolt and Kaitlyn Macready it was nothing less than a miracle that two very lonely people could find such happiness in each other's arms.