Hope Williams paid the cab driver and took her suitcase from the back seat. "Are you sure this is where you want to be?" he asked, the fear building in his eyes.
"Yes, I'm sure." she assured him, hoping she did not appear too defiant. It had been so strange ever since she had told everyone in Schooner Bay that she was looking for Gull Cottage. Almost like there was something that no one was telling her.
"Thank you very much." she told him, turning to face the house for the first time. She drank in the look of the old cottage slowly; the vines that trailed up and down the sides, the widow's walk on the roof, the stone lions that were silently guarding. So this was Gull Cottage? Well, might as well get this over with.
She waited until the taxi had gone down the hill before she walked up to the porch. He had been so nervous the whole way out here, fidgeting and wanting to know if he had to wait and could she carry her own bag. "Of course I can" she had told him, but wondered what the man's problem was. He acted just like that ridiculous man in Schooner Bay had when she had asked for directions. Why did she want to go to Gull Cottage? What was her business there? It was all ready rented.
She took a deep breath and knocked on the door. She could see why Carolyn would like it here; it just had Carolyn written all over it. When they were kids Carolyn had always pretended they were at the beach, or living in a lighthouse or something. The nice front porch, with a great view of the ocean, the way the whole place smelled.
"Can I help you?" a middle-age woman opened the door. She looked at Hope skeptically but seemed to be very nice.
"Is this where Carolyn Muir lives?" she asked the woman. "I'm her sister Hope."
The woman suddenly smiled with a look of remembrance. “I almost didn’t recognize you Miss Williams; you were just a little thing last time I saw you. Well, you just come right on in here." the woman practically dragged her in the room. "Here let me take that bag for you. Mrs. Muir isn't here right now she's in town but she should be along directly. I'm Martha, the housekeeper."
"Oh, yes Martha. I seem to remember vaguely. You lived near us in Philadelphia didn't you? I've been out of the country for a number of years and I'm afraid I've lost track."
"Well I'm sure Mrs. Muir will be thrilled to see you. I'll just take your bag upstairs and then I'll make you a nice cup of tea. I'll be right back."
"She's nice." Hope said aloud. She looked around the front entrance taking in the stairs, the table with the ancient phone on it. "I hope Carolyn will be thrilled to see me" she once again spoke out loud.
She backed up a few feet and would have run right into the front of Captain Daniel Gregg if she could have seen him. She felt a cold chill run through her at that spot and quickly moved closer to the door back to the sun. "That was really strange."
"What was really strange?" Martha asked coming back down the stairs. "Would you prefer tea of coffee?"
"Tea, please. I just got a sudden chill. It was very strange."
"Welcome to Gull Cottage" Martha deadpanned. "It's part of the deal. Don't worry about it Miss Williams, it was likely nothing." Martha turned her head to see the Captain standing silently by the table and she shook her head. What was wrong with the old coot she wondered? Usually he would have tried to drive the stranger out by now or would have disappeared all together.
"Why don't you go on in the front room? You can sit down and it's sunny in there. I'll bring your tea into you."
Hope walked into the room becoming immediately focused on the portrait hanging over the fireplace. This was really quite a man she was staring at. "What a wonderful man he must have been."
"Kind of takes your breath away doesn't it?" she heard a voice behind her. Turning around quickly she saw Carolyn standing behind her.
"Oh, Carolyn, it's you. For a minute there I thought the picture was talking, it’s so real."
Carolyn gave her sister a hug. "It is isn't it? But I would think it would have a deeper voice than mine."
Hope sank down into the sofa and Carolyn sat down beside her. "It's good to see you Hope. How long can you stay?"
"A few days if you want. I don't really have a strict plan. I want to go see Mom and Dad but I guess they aren't home right now."
"No, they've gone out to San Diego to see Uncle Leroy. I'm glad you could come, it's been ages. Jonathan and Candy should be home soon."
"I can't wait to see them, I imagine they have grown quite a bit. You look wonderful Carolyn, so happy and relaxed. The sea air must be doing you good."
Martha brought in the teapot and poured each of them a cup. "Join us please Martha" Carolyn insisted. To the Captain now standing in front of the fireplace it sounded like a plea, but he couldn't be sure.
"I've got to get dinner started. And besides you'll want to get caught up with you sister. Just call if you need anything else."
"She's nice. I don’t really remember who she is but she is very familiar to me.” Hope stated still staring at the picture of Captain Gregg.
"Yes, she is. I couldn't get along without Martha that's for sure. Don’t you remember she used to live not far from us and would help Mother with cleaning when we had something special? After you finish your tea would you like a tour?"
"Yes, it's such a charming place. Who is he?"
"That's Captain Daniel Gregg. He was the original owner of Gull Cottage."
"He really is something isn't he?"
Carolyn felt her heart skip a beat and she turned away quickly. "Yes, he i--I mean I suppose he was. Let's go on that tour now."
They started in the kitchen where Martha was starting dinner. "I hope you don't mind meat loaf Miss Williams," Martha apologized. "If I had know you were coming I would have made something else."
"Meat loaf is fine Martha and please call me Hope." She looked around the kitchen, silently wandering how they managed to cook at all with such archaic appliances. "Cozy" was all she said.
Carolyn led her upstairs into the children’s room hoping that Martha had gotten a chance to straighten any mess. "Candy and Jonathan share this room for now."
"It's nice." Hope looked around noncommittally. Were all the rooms this tiny?
"And this is where you'll be staying Hope." Carolyn opened the door to the guestroom and noticed Martha had already found the time to open the blinds and air out the sheets. "I hope it will be okay."
"It will be fine Car. I'm just your sister, not royalty."
Carolyn moved from the room without comment. They were getting along so far and she liked liking her sister. They would get through the next few days just fine. As long as no one mentioned Bobby they should be just fine.
"This is where I sleep." Carolyn opened the door.
Hope walked into the middle of the room, slowly taking it all in. "This is a great room Car. I bet some of this stuff is real."
"Of course it's real. It's all real. The telescope, the globe the sextant, everything. Captain Gregg brought most of them back from his voyages. Hope walked over to the telescope and reached out a hand towards it. Carolyn cringed at how the Captain might react but the telescope remained still.
"How far can you see with this thing?" she asked as she directed the telescope down the beach. "This is very nice."
Carolyn caught the sight of Captain Gregg standing in the corner, his eyes steadily on Hope.
"I see beauty runs in the family." he remarked. his eyes never leaving Hope's figure. "I was not aware that you had a sister."
Carolyn walked to the middle of the room and whispered back to him that she had never found reason to tell him.
"Did you say something, Car?" Hope turned around.
"No, I didn't. Just clearing my throat. I think I hear Jonathan and Candy downstairs."
************
Candy and Jonathan were coming in the door when the two sisters reached the landing. Jonathan looked up at the woman beside his mother, who looked so much like his mother, but was not and gave a shy smile. "Who's that?" he whispered to Candy
"I don't know." she shrugged. She looks like Mommy though."
"Candy, Jonathan this is your Aunt Hope." Carolyn introduced. "She's here for a small visit all the way from France."
"Wow!" Jonathan chimed up. "Did you come over on a ship?"
"No, I flew in a plane; they are faster than boats."
Jonathan was prepared to tell his new found aunt the difference between ships and boats but his mother shook her head and smiled at him. He knew that later that night he would hear the don' mention Captain Gregg becasue they wouldn't understand speech.
"Hello Aunt Hope." Candy smiled.
"Hello to both of you. My but your so grown up. Last time I saw you Candace you were just a little thing. And Jonathan I think you were still in diapers. I probably shouldn't have said that though. Children don’t like to be reminded they were little. You look so much like your father."
She looked up to see Carolyn's eyes cloud over and hurriedly changed the subject. So, she was still touchy about the subject of Bobby. Was Carolyn still grieving for him or did she still not understand why things had to be they way they had been? "I've brought presents"; she turned to face the children again. " Come on my suitcase is right over here."
"Something she said upset you." the Captain directed to Carolyn. It was more a statement than a question.
"No, not really. Jonathan does look like his father. It's a natural thing to say." The Captain just nodded.
"Dinner is ready." Martha called from the kitchen.
Everyone gathered around the table, the Captain standing quietly in the corner of the room, his eyes never leaving Hope. It was really beginning to unnerve Carolyn, why was he staring at her sister that way? She started to say something to him, but Hope caught her making a face and asked what the problem was. "Nothing, I was just thinking about something. So, are you still in Lille?"
"I don't think I'll ever move from there. It's big but very nice and I really like my students. Paris is a very nice place to visit but I prefer not living there."
"What do you do Aunt Hope?" Candy asked, also noticing that Captain Gregg was staring at her aunt.
"I teach. I teach English to French students. When I first got my degree I thought I would teach English here but it's much more challenging teaching it to people as a second language than to children who know it and don't care."
“It’s also more challenging when you’re trying to get away from your sister very quickly” Carolyn heard herself think.
She went on about her job and her home answering the children's questions one right after another. Hope was in the limelight, where she prefers to be Carolyn couldn't help but thinking.
"Stop it, Carolyn. " she berated herself. "You haven't seen your sister in six years. You really are glad to have her here. She's the only sister you have and you love her. Yes, you are glad she's here."
She shook her head firmly and joined in with a question. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw that the Captain was gone.
*****************
Carolyn handed Hope a cup of coffee and sunk down beside her on the couch. Both children were in bed and Martha was out with Ed Peavy. The Captain who had been unusually quiet had disappeared. Carolyn assumed he was working on his charts. She couldn't tell how he felt about Hope being in the house. He was being strangely quiet and when he did show up he just usually stared!
"Carolyn, this place is so wonderful." Hope cut into her thoughts. "It's like a museum. I'd be afraid to live here I think for fear I'd break something."
"It is a lovely home isn't it? I did have to make some changes of course but I tried to leave as many of the Captain's things in place as I could. They give the house a cozy feeling."
"I don't know if I’d go with cozy or not Car, but it's a matter of taste I suppose. What do you know about this Captain? Do you know what kind of man he was?"
"Captain Gregg? Oh he was quite a seaman. He sailed all over the world and fought in a few battles, the battle of Vera Cruz for one. He collected items from all over the world, including a few women I might add."
"Girl in every port?"
"I wouldn't be a bit surprised." Carolyn grinned. "He was very adventurous" she added.
"He discusses these things with you." Hope teased.
"Well of course not." Carolyn hoped she didn't sound indignant. " I'm just telling you what I've heard and found out. I am writing his memoirs. He built this home to be a place for retired seamen."
"Was it? I mean it's not now of course. I guess there aren't any sailors anymore."
"Actually the term is seamen and no he never actually got to carry through his intention. He died before he could make out a will."
"How sad. He must not have been very old. Jealous husband get him?"
"No", Carolyn could not help but laugh, remembering when she asked the Captain the very same thing. "He was in his early 40's. In the prime of life," she said, turning her head to look at the Captain, who had just materialized beside the fireplace. "It was a shame really." she said very softly.
"Talking about me?" Captain Gregg asked her in teasing manner. A most appropriate choice for conversation. "Saying nice things I hope."
"Of course," Carolyn smiled.
"Of course what?" Hope broke in.
"Of course, it was a shame." Carolyn covered. "It was very tragic. It looked like a suicide
"But it wasn't?"
Carolyn shook her head. "Accidental death"
"Blasted gas heater." the Captain mumbled.
Carolyn stifled a giggle and gave him a shooting glance. "Behave."
"What did I do?" Hope asked not sure what had made her sister say that.
Carolyn pretended not to hear and got up from the couch, stretching her arms over her head.
Hope got up also and walked around the room, pausing a moment at the fireplace, unknown to her, just inches from Captain Gregg. She shivered and crossed her arms in front of her. Was it always so cold in here?
"I think I'm going to go on up to bed Car, if that is okay. I didn't realized how tired I was until now."
"I think I'm going to turn in too sis. Today was a very long day and I have a story to work on tomorrow. If there is anything you need feel free to ask Martha or me and I'm really glad you are here."
Carolyn waited until she heard Hope's door shut. "So, Captain, what do you think of Hope?"
"Well as I said before she is very lovely, although she lacks your particular warmth somehow."
Carolyn turned her head towards the door hoping he wouldn't notice the red rising in her cheeks. Why should she be so happy that Captain Gregg, a ghost, thought she was lovelier than her sister was?
"She has beautiful green eyes but not as deep emerald as yours Madame.
"Thank you." she muttered, her face growing redder still.
"I'll have to get to know her a little better of course but it seems to me that your relationship with your sister is a little strained. The children weren't even really aware of her existence. You both seem to be happy around each other but I fear there is a boiling point."
She turned back to face him, noticing for the hundredth time his eyes, so peaceful or stormy depending on his mood. Right now they were calm with just a hint of agitation? -- concern?
"Hope and I have always had something between us." she tried to lighten her voice. "We fought from the minute she was born I think. I love my sister but" she shook her head.
She moved over to the window, pulling back the drapes to look at the outside. It was a beautiful, peaceful night and she suddenly needed to be a part of it.
"I'm going for a walk." she informed the Captain. I just need to do some thinking."
"Would you like some company or do your prefer to be alone, Madam?"
"Alone, if you don't mind. But thank you."
He watched her walk down the path to the beach front, the moon shining down on her hair and he wished for what would be an eternal wish to be human even for five minutes.
*****************
Carolyn drew her sweater around her and wished she had thought to get a jacket. Even in June the nights got cool here.
The sound of the waves lapping the shore invited her and she ran down to the water's edge. The moon was bright, not the full moon, but the one right before it.
She loved the way it caught the waves and how the waves rolled in to greet her. A sea gull let out a lonesome cry and another one answered him.
Carolyn sat down on a rock and watched the foamy water for a few minutes. She had never regretted coming here, she had looked for a place like this her entire life. The end of the month they would have lived at Gull Cottage for three years. They had been very happy but unusual years. Thankfully, Martha had stayed even with her obvious dislike for Gull Cottage. She seemed to becoming adjusted all right.
The children loved it, she talked to them, earlier in the year, about moving closer to town but they had been adamant. "We could never leave Gull Cottage." Candy had been determined. "What would Captain Gregg do without us?"
Jonathan had asked with frightened eyes. "Not that I could bring myself to leave." she said aloud. She blushed at the thought of how she ended that sentence silently. "Him. I said leave him. I should have said leave the house. I can't bear to leave the house."
The thought of leaving made her wonder how long Hope was planning on staying. Knowing Hope, she knew it would not be very long, she would most likely bore of the small town life very quickly. What had ever made her come in the first place? Was it homesickness or did she want to make amends or just come to rub everything in her face? That was unkind. It would be just fine, just fine. She would enjoy every minute of it. What was past was past and Bobby was gone, so it didn't really matter.
For a moment a picture of Bobby's face flashed before her, his strong blue eyes, the way his forehead crinkled when he laughed, his wavy hair that would never lie completely flat, his gentle touch. She closed her eyes tightly and waited until the image went away.
****************
Captain Gregg watched Hope carefully from the minute she came tripping down the steps. He was not really sure what to make of her--so much like Carolyn but not. He had resisted the temptation to check on her during the night, but had noticed that Carolyn had not slept well last night. What was it that Hope had about her that bothered Mrs. Muir so?
"Sleep well, Hope?" Carolyn asked her pouring her a cup of coffee.
"Fairly well. I had a little trouble getting to sleep but once I did, I was fine. I kept thinking I heard a ship's horn. It was so bizarre."
"It was not I, Madam." the Captain reassured Carolyn. "I let her sleep."
"I never said it was you. It's possible it was a real ship."
"Ship? What are you talking about Car?" Hope asked taking a bite of her waffle. "Martha, these are marvelous."
"Thank you." Martha put another on her plate. "There's plenty where that came from."
"I can tell I'll put on weight here." Hope poured syrup on her plate and took another bite.
"I need to go into town, Hope if you would like to come along." Carolyn said, getting up to put her plate in the sink. "I don't know how much you saw yesterday but it is a very interesting town and has much more to it then you would think."
"I would like that. All I saw yesterday was a restaurant and talked to some strange man who said he had houses for rent and seemed very disappointed that I didn't want one. And when I told him I was looking for Gull Cottage, she told me it was already rented and got very nervous. He was strange."
"That's Claymore Gregg. He owns Gull Cottage as well as several other properties. And to say he's strange is to put it mildly. But he is very nice and he is a friend."
"Is he related to the man that built this house?"
"Yes, Claymore is the great nephew of the Captain."
"I keep telling you Madam that addlepated toad is no relative of mine."
"So you say but the evidence is against you." Carolyn smiled.
Hope looked at her sister but didn't say anything. No one else seemed to notice that Carolyn was talking to no one. Didn't they notice something unusual?
"Let me know when you are ready to go sis." Hope only said and finished her waffles.
*******************
They had a good time in town. Carolyn took Hope to all the various shops and introduced her to a number of people. They had lunch at Norrie's Lobster House and talked about nothing important.
Carolyn felt very relaxed and was actually to her surprise enjoying the time spent with her sister. They had had so much fun when they were teenagers, after they had both gotten to the right age to be able to appreciate each other. Sure they had fought but that's what sisters did. Maybe Hope being around for a few days would be nice after all.
Hope couldn't believe how happy and content Carolyn looked. She looked younger now then she had the last time she had seen her. Surely it had to be more than just good cooking and the fresh sea air. Did she really love living in the middle of nowhere like this? There must be man. But that was impossible. She was sure she would have met him by now and surely, Carolyn would never love again. How dare she?
************
The two sisters walked down to the beach after they had gotten home. It was early yet and the beach was calling. Jonathan and Candy along with Scruffy had run on ahead and now were out of sight. It was the last day of school and they were happy to be free for awhile. They had all promised Martha they would return with huge appetites.
Carolyn and Hope stopped near a jutting rock and sat down in the fading sun. It was a beautiful night to be out.
"So, tell me, Car." Hope leaned in conspirately. What about men? Any prospects?"
"In Schooner Bay?" Carolyn flashed a sunny smile. You've got to be kidding?" They both laughed. "No really there are some fine men here and I've gone out with a few but I'm not really looking. I'm happy with my life right now, just the way it is. Maybe someday but not now. I can make my own schedules more or less and have more time to spend with the children."
But don't you miss Philadelphia? I mean the parties and the people, the museums, the opera, the theater?"
Carolyn shook her head. "No, not really. I mean sometimes it would be nice to be closer to Mom and Dad and I do miss doing things with Janie and Doug but really I love it here. I like life slow paced and relaxed. I'm able to take my time. Not to mention this is a great place for inspiration for stories. And if I really want to go to a museum or a play, Boston isn't that far away. Besides," she dropped her voice lower and looked straight out at the water. "Half of the fun of doing those things was because Bobby enjoyed them so much."
The minute she said his name, she knew she shouldn't have. She should have just left it alone.
Hope took a deep breath. "Car, he wouldn't want you to waste away like this. I mean it is beautiful and wonderful here but you're hiding your self away up here. Bobby would want you to get on with your life, not shrink behind an ancient cottage, talking to non-existent people.
Carolyn's eyes were thunderous as she turned to face her sister. "Well I'm sure that YOU would know far better than anyone else would what Bobby would want ME to do." She scrambled up from the sand, grabbing the blanket she had been sitting on. "I'm sure that was something else he felt he couldn't share with me."
Carolyn walked as fast from her sister as she possibly could, tears filling her eyes and making it difficult to see. Her heart was thundering in her ears and she felt as though her head would explode. Why after all these years did she still feel this way?"
"Madam?" Captain Gregg's voice was calm and reassuring beside her. She turned to face him, trying to wipe away the tears.
"Please don't cry." he whispered. "I can't stand it."
"I'm sorry. It's just that I can't. I'm so angry." Her fists were clenched by her side. "Oh Captain." The tears flowed thick and fast.
He reached a hand towards her but let it drop before it reached her arm. Was there anyway he could comfort her?
I forgot about the children" she said suddenly and headed back towards the ocean.
*************
Hope lifted a hand to knock on her sister's door but stopped at the sound of Carolyn's voice talking. She was not talking to herself, it was obvious from what she was saying, and she was talking to someone else. But who? She could not hear another voice no matter how hard she listened. Even a whisper could have been heard, if not the words what they were saying.
"I knew having her here would cause nothing but trouble... Yes, but there is just too much involved here..... No, I, I she's my sister, sister's shouldn't do that to one another.... I really don't feel like talking about it just now. Thank you." Then Hope heard laughter, but not happy laughter more a defeated laugh. "Captain, I'm just not sure at this point....."
Hope moved away from the door back down the steps. Carolyn was taking to a Captain, THE Captain, the one in the picture? Was that who all these little side comments had been directed too? Did Carolyn really believe she was talking to him? Carolyn was a lot worse off than she thought. Did I do this to her, did Bobby and I do this to her?
"Car, can I come in a minute?" Hope hesitated outside her sister's door.
"Sure, come on in." Carolyn was sitting on the bed propped up against the headboard, a book in her hand. She looked tired, Hope noticed and her face was still tear stained.
"You didn't come down for supper. The children are really worried about you."
"I know, they told me when I tucked them in." She smiled a real smile. "I told them I had a headache and would be fine in the morning. They were really to young to know about any of this. And I didn't really think they should find out now."
"Car, I'm sorry about today. I pushed too hard. I just, you know... well?"
"I'd really rather not talk about it now if you don't mind."
"But we need to talk it over. It's been six years."
"And six years ago, I would have loved to talk it over but you had a pressing engagement in France remember? So I don't suppose another night will hurt. Good night Hope."
"Good night Car." Hope walked steadily across the room, slamming the door behind her.
Captain Gregg shook his head in disgust and Carolyn saw the turmoil in his eyes. "She's very determined isn't she?"
"Yes, she always has been. It has helped her get a lot of things in life she's wanted."
The Captain raised an eyebrow in question but Carolyn ignored it.
"I guess I should talk to her about it. She took off for France right after, right after Bobby died and I haven't seen her until she showed up here. I was so angry at that time and today what she said just brought it all back."
She looked up into his face, searching those wonderful calming eyes. Thank you for letting me talk it over."
"Of course Madam," he smiled, wondering just what it was that they had talked over. Sometimes she was so female! She hardly ever mentioned her late husband; he heard the name more in the last two days then he had in the last three years.
She sighed and lay down on the bed, turning off the lamp. Her eyes were closed but her mind was racing.
"I hate to see you so downhearted Madam. Perhaps I could sit with you for awhile?"
"Thank you Captain, I would like that very much,"
He sat down on the bed beside her and even though he knew he couldn't feel her hand he placed his over hers, lovingly.
"I could tell you a--- well a bedtime story, it helps Jonathan fall to sleep in short order."
She smiled a real smile and nodded her consent. This would be nice diversion.
He started a story about his adventures off the coast of Japan with soldiers of the Emperor and just like Jonathan before he even got halfway through she was asleep.
He sat there for sometime, watching her sleep. "I'll be here when you need me, dear Carolyn" he said. "Goodnight."
********
Martha let out a small scream when Captain Gregg materialized in front of her.
"Sorry Martha, I did not mean to frighten you."
"You just startled me that's all. I don't think I'll ever get used to your popping in and out like that all time. Want some coffee?"
"Thank you Martha that would be very nice." He took the offered cup and held it between his hands, wishing he could feel the warmth. At least he could savor the flavor he thought as he took a sip.
"So, what's on your mind Captain?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"You don't usually come to visit me first thing in the morning and you have that look that means something is on your mind. So, why don't you tell me what it is?"
He couldn't help but smile. Martha was truly unique and he enjoyed the fact that she now knew of his existence. It made life much more interesting.
"This Hope Williams....." he began.
Martha smiled at his choice of words to describe Hope. That right away told Martha a lot.
"I was just wondering how well you knew her."
"Not very well. To tell you the truth I'd most forgotten about her until she showed up the other day. I remember both Williams' girls very faintly from when they were growing up. Joe, -Old Joe, the kids used to call him, he was my late husband, bless his soul."
"Why, Martha I never knew that you had been married." the Captain was surprised.
"You would have liked him Captain, served fifteen years as a cook for the Navy. Arthritis got so bad he had to retire."
"A man of the sea?" the Captain's face lit up.
"That was old Joe." her face had a fond look of remembrance. "I'd make cookies almost everyday and he'd sit outside on the porch and give out cookies and lemonade or hot chocolate to the children when they came out of school. We lived right next door to the school so are our place was usually their first stop on the way home. I couldn't keep them all straight, but Joe knew every single one of them. He'd follow their school careers through the papers. Sometimes I think he thought he could raise them better than their parents.”
She started frying bacon, the sizzle still made the Captain think of good hardy breakfasts on cold winter days. "I'll tell you one thing, and I've never told this to Mrs. Muir but Joe always felt sorry for the Muir boy."
"Why was that?" the Captain inquired; hoping no one would catch him "gossiping."
"He said that the Muirs always spoiled that boy, never taught him to take responsibility for anything. They took care of everything for him."
Captain Gregg sat there quietly just staring at his now empty coffee cup.
"Love does strange things to a normal person." Martha offered at his unasked question.
She gave him a plate of bacon and eggs and poured him another cup of coffee. "One more thing, I can tell you Captain Gregg. Joe got confused when he read about the Muir wedding in the society pages."
"Why was that?"
"Because when the kids were little he was sure that it was the youngest Williams girl that had the crush on Bobby Muir."
********************
"Good morning Mi--Hope. Did you sleep well?" Martha asked Hope as she came into the kitchen.
"Yes, actually I slept very well Martha. I think the sea air is doing me good. Am I late for breakfast?"
"No, no not all. Mrs. Muir has a story to get out and Jonathan and Candy have gone over to spend the day with a friend. Seems the family has put in a swimming pool. Don't know why you'd want one, living so close to the ocean, but it takes all kinds I guess."
"Life would be boring if we were all the same." Hope smiled.
"Pour yourself a cup of coffee and sit down. Eggs and bacon will be ready in one minute."
Hope stirred cream into her coffee and blew in to it to cool. "Martha, can I ask you something?"
"Of course. What's on your mind?"
"Martha, does my sister, is she--Martha last night I heard Carolyn talking to someone but there wasn't anyone she could have been talking too. We were all other places and she doesn't have phone in her room. I've noticed other times she seems to be talking to herself but none of the rest of you seems to notice. And last night I knew I heard her say the Captain's name. Does she think she's talking to him?"
Martha wiped her hands on her apron, a thoughtful look on her face. "Actually she does have a phone in her room and that is probably what you heard." Martha made up as she put the eggs in the pan. "Mrs. Muir is a writer and when an idea strikes it’s best she follow through with it that's all. She written a few articles on Captain Gregg and that's most likely what she was doing last night. Now here's your breakfast."
"Lord, I'm going to need some help here." Martha thought silently as she turned to her dishes. "I don't know if I can keep up with all these questions."
**************
Hope stretched out on a blanket and invited the sun to reach her. It was a perfect June day, just made for being at the ocean. The waves rolled in and out in a steady rhythm pericular to New England beaches, while the gulls made lazy circles around the horizon.
If only she could get things worked out with Carolyn. If only she could figure out what was wrong with her sister. Why did they always have to fight? It was a useless question. She and Carolyn had fought from the very beginning. Dad always said it was in their nature. A modern day Cain and Abel he would joke. She wiped a stray tear away and sighed.
"I love my sister" she told a curious crab, walking past her foot. " But she's just so, so, Carolyn." She doesn't understand that I have her best interests at heart. I always have. And she will never understand about Bobby. She doesn't want to."
Bobby Muir. Robert Jonathan Muir. Even the mention of his name could bring tears to Hope's eyes. What a beautiful, wonderful man he had been. She wished she could say that Carolyn hadn't loved him but it wasn't true. She had loved him, probably more than life itself. She had seen it in Carolyn's eyes whenever she looked at Bobby. She could have had any man she wanted. She could have had Blair. He would have kept her in minks and diamonds forever. But she had chosen Bobby. And yet she had never understood him.
...........”Hope guess what?” mother had greeted her as she came in to door. Carolyn just called and she’s bringing someone home for the weekend.” “Oh that’s just wonderful.” Hope rolled her eyes. The very last thing she wanted to put up with for a whole weekend was Carolyn and her smug college friends. “Maybe she’ll bring Susannah, I hope it’s not Stephanie she makes me feel like I’m sub-human.” “Oh Hope,” mother laughed. “She doesn’t mean too, she’s just trying to act grownup. But no, Carolyn said she was bringing home a man.” “A man? Carolyn? And it’s not Blair or Tommy or someone like that?” “No, she said his name was Muir, Robert Muir. You know the family that lives on Beckinridge Hill. She had no idea that he was from Philadelphia when she met him. It sounds as though she might be getting serious about this one.“ Hope smiled and kissed her mother in passing. Carolyn was bringing Bobby Muir home for the weekend? She hadn’t seen him for several years but her heart was pounding now like it always did when she saw him............
Hope had told herself that so often, she knew it had to be true. Carolyn hadn't understood that Bobby was high strung and sensitive. He had needed to be pampered and taken care of.
Even more than the fact that Carolyn had loved Bobby she wished she could say that he had not loved Carolyn. But he had. The way he had looked at her, held her hand, bragged about her achievements in her writing. He had loved her so much he had tried to keep her from hurting by not telling her something that he knew would hurt her terribly. And still Carolyn had never understood that. Oh Bobby!
"Nice day isn't it?" Carolyn broke into her thoughts."
"Absolutely beautiful. Have a seat."
Carolyn sank down on the blanket beside Hope and offered her some cookies.
"Have Mom and Dad been here? They would love it."
"You really don't write home do you? They have been here and they love it. The Muirs have been here as well."
"Really? What did they think of it?" she took a bite of still warm cookie.
"They had a good time. It was nice seeing them again. Candy and Jonathan had a good time with them. Mr. Muir found it a little should we say rustic but I think he liked it a little better than he let on."
The air was heavy between them, neither one wanting to talk first. That was their problem their father had always said, they were both too stubborn.
"Car--"
"Hope"
They both smiled and relaxed a little.
"You go ahead Hope."
"No, you go Car."
Carolyn shook her head in disgust but she was smiling. "Neither one of us is going to go first if we were planning to apologize."
"That's right on the button." Hope took a deep breath and started playing in the sand by the side of the blanket.
"Car, I'm sorry for what I said yesterday. It wasn't my place to say those things. I haven't been around and I don't know your situation. You seem to be happy here and I wouldn't question that."
"We are very happy here. It's quiet and I can get a lot of writing done. We depend on my writing to live on."
"Why Car?" she asked her eyes wide with question. "You could have stayed in Philadelphia and....."
"And lived off the Muirs? No thank you. I want to be my own person and take care of my children myself."
"But surely they would help out with expenses?"
"They would and they have offered but I don't expect it or want it. They have offered for me and the children to move in with them and they would even arrange for Jonathan to attend private school. They mean well. But they are my children not the Muirs'. . And I know they miss the children, especially Jonathan. He reminds them so much of Bobby. And things would be easier, I wouldn't have to write, to pay the bills, but that's not the kind of life I want."
.......”Carolyn we know this is a hard time for you” her father in law was saying. “And we would like to help you as much as we can. Why don’t you let us take the children for awhile and that will give yourself sometime to get things together. Or you could move in with us. It would make things easier for you. We can take care of you. You won’t have to worry about a thing.............
"How long have you been here?"
"Almost three years. You really don't write home much!"
Hope laughed. "No, I'm afraid I don't. I remember Mom writing and saying you had moved to Maine but I figured you would come right back. I should have known you'd be too stubborn, you are trying to prove something."
Carolyn faced her sister, her face determined. "The only thing I'm trying to prove is that I can provide for my children and me and give us a good life. We have that at Gull Cottage. Gull Cottage is the home I've wanted my whole life." Carolyn closed her eyes and saw the face of Captain Gregg in her mind. Yes, Gull Cottage was perfect.
"But is it fair?" Hope cut into her thoughts. "Is it fair to take Bobby's children away from their family?"
"That was one reason I left." Carolyn's eyes flashed like seawater in a storm. They were never my children; they were always Bobby's. Bobby's children, like I had nothing to do with it. We had the children together and I was left to raise them myself. My children." She caressed the last words softly. "My beautiful children."
They were silent for quite sometime, just watching the waves and the birds. Carolyn's heart had finally stopped racing and she was beginning to feel better. Hope was sitting silently beside her patting the sand absent-mindedly.
"Car, who do you keep talking to?"
"What do you mean?" her anger rising once more.
"You keep talking to someone who isn't there. You can't deny it; I've heard you. Last night you were talking. I heard you say something to the Captain. I asked Martha about it, she gave me a line about you were probably writing a story. But..."
"So, first I'm selfish and now I'm going crazy. Is that it?"
"Not crazy Car, but I am concerned. Captain Gregg apparently was quite a man and his presence is in the house with all his things still there, but Car he is dead."
"Yes I know." Carolyn answered almost in a whisper. But he was there, she saw him every day. She talked to him heard his voice, found warmth in his eyes, lived with his temper, fought with him, shared things with him.
"You don't act like you know."
" I think I've had enough analysis doctor, thank you. She got up, putting her shoes back on. "Lunch should be ready if you want to come back for it."
****************
Madame, I have come to the conclusion that your sister is a troublemaker and should be asked to remove herself immediately."
"I wish it were that easy." Carolyn sighed. She was sitting at her typewriter intent on finishing the story she had been working on, but right now her mind was going in three hundred directions.
The Captain chuckled. "She is very determined, isn't she?"
"You could say that? We have a rocky past, Captain Gregg. I'm trying to get past it; she wants to wallow in it."
"I could hasten her departure" The Captain offered. "She is clearly making you upset my dear and disrupting the order of my ship."
"Thank you Captain but this is something I must get through without any outside help." She stared at the empty paper mocking her in the typewriter. With anger she ripped it out and threw it to the floor. "She thinks I'm crazy now you know. She heard me talk to you last night."
"Blast!" the Captain said so angrily it made Carolyn giggle.
"Are you sure, she's your sister?" he asked getting caught up in the laughter. He leaned on the front of her desk, trying not to laugh and finding he couldn't help himself. Carolyn couldn't stop laughing and he enjoyed listening to her. It was so good to see her laugh and smile again.
After a minute she sobered and put on a straight face. "I'm sorry Captain, it was just so funny, the look on your face when you said that."
"No apologizes needed Madam; it was good to see you laugh."
Hope who had heard and seen Carolyn's half of the conversation was shocked beyond belief. Carolyn really did think she was talking to a dead man. Just as if he had been standing they’re beside her. She just could not believe it. And that look on her sister's face! It was a look of utter devotion and ---love? Carolyn Muir was in love with a ghost?
******************
"There is no such thing as ghosts." became Hope's mantra. Lying in bed at night, watching television, taking the kids to the movies-she heard it roll through her brain.
She asked Jonathan and Candy about the rumors she had heard in town about Gull Cottage being haunted. An afternoon of shopping in Schooner Bay had offered many stories about ghostly noises, rattling sounds and terrifying thunderstorms.
A Mrs. Post and a Mrs. Shoemaker had told her of being in the house and everything had seemed normal, but they both swore they had experienced cold chills and unearthly noises. Not to mention that portrait of Captain Gregg that they swore his eyes followed you when you walked around the room. Men didn't like to go up after dark and a general gloom hung over the town regarding Gull Cottage.
Candy had quickly pushed her aunt's fears aside. "Gull Cottage is a lovely home and I never have felt scared. "I love it here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Everyone is jealous because they can't live here."
Jonathan looked like he was going to give Hope an earful but one killing look from Candy made him keep quiet. Instead he hugged Hope and told her he was glad she was here and how much longer could she stay?
She asked them if they missed living in Philadelphia away from their family and friends.
"No," they both agreed. They didn't really miss it all that much. Here they had a yard to themselves not to mention a house instead of their duplex on a noisy street. Family came to visit and they had made new friends.
"One more question." Hope smiled. "Do you miss your father?"
"I don’t really think I can answer that.“ Candy said seriously. "I hardly remember him. I remember him taking me for ice cream and that he smelled good."
Jonathan shook his head. "I don't really Aunt Hope. I hardly remember him."
"Do you wish your Mom would get married again?"
"Why?" Candy had asked truly bewildered. "We have everything here. It's perfect. If Mom wanted to, that would be all right. But no."
************
Captain Gregg made a nightly vigil through each room in Gull Cottage. It assured him that all was well on his ship and they would ride safely through the night.
Carolyn was sleeping fairly well tonight he noticed. Ever since her sister had shown up, she had spent several nights unable to sleep until the small hours of the morning. Of course many of those hours she had spent in conversation with him. Any time spent with Carolyn Muir was a delight and a treasure.
He never entered Martha's room while she slept but the steady sound of her snoring alerted him that all was well. Good old Martha, what would they do without her?
Hope was "dead to the world" as the expression went. Most nights she too had been uneasy, like she was dealing with guilt or something similar. She looked so much like her older sister he couldn't help but notice. Beauty did indeed run in the family.
Hope had the same thick blond hair but it was long and hung well past her shoulders. He had always loved long hair. In his day when most women wore their hair long and arranged up on their heads, he had loved the dramatic feel of watching a woman's hair fall to her shoulders. It was amazing how that one simple act could change a woman's entire demeanor. He smiled thinking back on the many situations fondly. But all of that was in the past.
Hope rolled over, looking like a small child. He knew her eyes were green but not the emerald of her sister's. Their laugh was very much the same, their voices also at times. He had been so tempted to listen in on her conversations with Carolyn but so far he had resisted. If only he could figure out why she bothered him so.
He moved on to the nursery. The moonlight was shining in through the window shining on Candy's hair creating a halo effect. She would be as beautiful as her mother would.
Jonathan was sprawled out across the bed, his foot sticking out on one side, his covers lying on the floor. Smiling, Captain Gregg re-covered him and then backed away into the corner. If anyone had ever told him how fond he would be of these children he would not have believed it.
Jonathan rolled over, the covers once more falling to the floor. How much did the lad look like his father he wondered. He could not recall ever seeing a picture of Robert Muir.
"Candy?" a small voice split the silence.
"Wha?" a sleepy girl answered.
"Candy, are we moving back to Philadelphia?"
The young girl jerked awake all signs of sleep now gone.
"Why? Did Mommy say something about moving?"
"No, not Mom, Aunt Hope." his voice trailed off. Where those tears in his eyes? the Captain leaned forward. "Poor lad" he muttered.
Candy got up and sat down beside her brother, wiping his tears with her hand.
"Aunt Hope keeps asking questions about missing Philadelphia and Grandma and Grandpa and don’t I wish I were there stuff like that. And about Mom getting married, you know junk like that."
"Yeah I know." Candy sighed. "The other day she asked me if Mommy had ever talked about getting married."
"Only to Captain Gregg." Jonathan laughed.
"Who is really Claymore." Candy wrinkled her nose.
The Captain shook his head in despair over that incident.
"If we were leaving Gull Cottage she would tell us wouldn't she?"
"Of course she would. Besides I heard her tell Aunt Hope that she loved it here and would never leave." Candy defended.
"I don't ever want to leave Gull Cottage or Captain Gregg. Do you think he would miss us Candy?"
"I think he would." she scratched her head. He wouldn't have Martha to scare or Scruffy to fuss at."
"Or us to do things with." Jonathan brightened.
"Or Mom to talk to."
"Or Mom to look at." Jonathan rolled his eyes.
"Don"t you wish?" he began but trailed off.
"Yes," Candy nodded.
"If Mom did ever get married, we would have to leave wouldn't we?"
"I guess so. He probably wouldn't want us to live here."
"Aunt Hope wants us to leave." Jonathan added. "I like her but...."
"I know." Candy nodded sagely. "Maybe she'll leave pretty soon before she talks Mom into going back or something."
"Candy, did she ask you if you missed Dad?"
Candy nodded earnestly. "I barely remember him I told her."
"Me neither, hardly at all. Do you think Mom misses him?"
Well maybe. I never really thought about it. I mean she has us and Martha and the Captain."
Candy turned to go then impulsively threw her arms around her brother in a tight hug.
Outside the clear night sky turned into a raging thunderstorm.
***********
Hope finished her coffee and pushed back from the table. She hadn't slept well the night before; she had had the uncomfortable feeling that someone had been in the room with her. There was not such a thing as ghosts. Everyone knew that. Oh the legends were fun to read about. She and her girl friends had spent hours at slumber parties telling ghost stories and holding séances.
She remembered the summer that Mom and Dad had taken her and Carolyn up to Sandy Hook in New Jersey to visit the lighthouse there. The museum curator had filled their heads with stories of the lighthouse keeper who still roamed the building at night making his ghostly rounds. The thought of that still made her shiver with delight. But it was a story, just a story. Ghosts didn't exist. And you couldn't talk to them or fall in love with them.
But that had been the look on Car's face. It was the same look she used to give Bobby when he had said something that she found sweet or funny. Hope shook her head and tried to dismiss it.
She was the only one in the house and the quiet was about to drive her crazy. How Carolyn could live here day after day was beyond her.
Hope walked into the front room and stood looking at the portrait above the mantle. "My sister is in love with you Captain Gregg." she said aloud. "I can see it in her face and hear it in her voice. She's in love with you and you don't even exist."
Thunder clapped so close it made her jump and the windows started banging in the fierce wind. Hope ran to close them but stopped when she felt a cold chill go through her.
"I don't believe that you are here." she screamed above the noise. "I don't believe in ghosts." She latched the windows firmly and headed for the door. There standing in the door way blocking her path was the form of a man. His cold blue eyes were like steel and the look on his face made shivers go up her back.
"Miss Williams!" the voice boomed. "It has come to my attention that you do not believe in ghosts." She felt like she was going to faint and held on the doorframe for support.
"I don't" she was stubborn. "It's this place, the atmosphere."
He remained firmly planted in her path, his look making her wish she could pass out or scream or do anything to make this nightmare go away.
He snapped his fingers and the thunder disappear as fast as it had appeared. "It seems to me Miss Williams that you have caused nothing but trouble on my ship since your arrival. I do not appreciate the tension and upheaval you have brought and I do not like the way you are upsetting my family."
"Your family?" she shook her head. "I can't, I just don't. Oh my God, you are in love with her too aren't you?"
"I am merely interested in the fact that you are destroying the smooth course of things. You have brought something back to you sister's mind that she would like to forget. I must insist that you desist in your questionings and stirring up old memories.
Hope tried closing her eyes but he was still there when she re-opened them. "Go away." she yelled. He did disappear but his menacing laughter rolled through out the house.
Quickly she ran outside into the yard. It seemed like a normal day. The sun was shining, the birds were singing and the distant sound of the sea was musical in her ears. She must have been imagining it but it was the middle of the day. People had dreams like this at night when the fog rolled in and the wind whipped, not in the middle of a bright sunny day. But she had seen him--Captain Gregg. Maybe it was time to go, get out of here; she couldn't take this anymore.
"I don't know what you did." his voice sounded in her ear. "But all of these blasted questions and upsetting the children all because of something you can't live with has got to stop."
"I did what I did because I love my sister." she screamed. Panic was rising in her face.
"I'll wager you did whatever it was you did because you loved your sister's husband."
The thought had never been voiced out loud before and now that it was out in the open she crumbled on to the porch, her head in her hand. "Yes," she said. "I did love Bobby Muir. From the time I was a little girl, I loved him. But he was five years older than I was; I was just a kid. And then he went to private school and I didn't see him for years. That day that Carolyn came home from college with Bobby in attendance, it started all over again. I knew he loved my sister but I couldn't shake my feelings for him. But I never ever did anything to them. Never. I hid it very well."
............”They eloped?” Hope practically yelled at her mother. “Why would they do such a stupid thing.?” “You know Carolyn darling, she hates a fuss being made and the Muirs were certainly doing that. It will be fine, will have a reception or something for them when they come home.” Hope stomped outside and sat down on the porch swing. She had fantasized for weeks about speaking up at the wedding and saying I object. Then Bobby would look at her and finally he would see that yes he had the wrong sister. Life was so unfair.........
She was crying now and the Captain wondered why her tears were not affecting him the way most women did when they cried.
"Something was between you." he encouraged her.
"No, there wasn't I swear it. The only thing between us was what I longed for in my heart. He was too much of a gentleman to have an affair with his wife's sister. But when he came to me for help, I couldn't let him down, I wanted him to know that I understood.
<
He appeared before her again, and she felt guilty under his gaze.
"You may stay as long as your sister wishes it, but you must clear the air between you. You must stop harassing the children and you must stop all of your silly little games. And that is my final word. You look so like your sister you know, I hope you have her spirit as well."
*****************
Carolyn walked out the French doors and leaned against the railing. It was comforting in a way to be here, as close to the Captain as she could feel at times.
They had just taken Hope to the airport in Boston and had made a day of it for the children. Hope had been quiet and subdued when they came home two days ago and found her in bed mumbling something about ghosts.
"I'm glad you came." Carolyn had hugged her goodbye. "You can write once and awhile you know France is not outside the universe."
"I will try" she had smiled. "And to you two also. she beamed at the children. She gave each one a hug and slipped a five-dollar bill in to the hand of each child. "Bye, Car. thanks for everything."
"Madame?"
"Captain! It's so good to see you." she said with genuine affection. He had not shown up for those last two days of Hope's visit and she had missed him more than she could say.
"So you got your sister off all right, I assume."
"Yes, she is going to Philadelphia for a couple of weeks and then back home. I hope she finally gets to relax at Mom and Dad's."
"Did she say anything well-- about me?"
"No, she didn't mention you at all Captain but she did keep saying something about ghosts and secrets."
"I had hoped that she would talk to you about whatever it was that was between you."
Carolyn shook her head in a sad way. "Maybe someday she can, but I'm not going to let it bother me anymore. It’s all in the past and she did what she did and Bobby did what he did and it doesn't really matter any more."
"Madame, may I ask?"
She smiled at him so sweetly, he thought he would turn to jelly if he could. "Let's go for a walk Captain."
**********
The sun was sinking behind the horizon as they walked along the shore. The night was calm with just a hint of wind.
"It was like this Captain. My husband, Bobby, we always called him. My husband was a wonderful man full of life but he wasn't real responsible and he had a many faults. One of those faults was never wanting to worry me about anything. Apparently he had been taught that taking care of a woman meant you should never upset her. He tried to withhold things, like his gambling debts and losing his job at the law firm. He always wanted me to be happy he said and he didn't realize that sharing everything with him was one way to make me happy."
She paused for a moment turning her gaze off to the shore before focusing back on the Captain.
" A little over six years ago, Bobby found out that he was dying." Her eyes clouded over and her voice broke for a minute. "He had cancer and the doctor told him he only had a few months to live. Typical Bobby decided that I couldn't handle this news so he went to Hope and told her, and told her not to tell me or anyone else. He would need help getting to his doctor appointments and he enlisted her to help him. Of course I didn't know why he was always running out of the house, and making mysterious phone calls and coming home at odd times. Bobby was very handsome and the women well-- well they were always throwing themselves on him. So, I- I thought he was having an affair. And the worst part of it was I thought he was having it with my sister."
Captain Gregg stopped and faced her, concern on his face. "But this wasn't the case?"
"No, but after a month or so I got suspicious over the late night phone calls and Hope being evasive and money disappearing from the account and I decided I would confront them. I found Hope alone one day and asked her square out. She said yes, Bobby and I are having an affair, he didn't want to hurt you."
She paused for a moment giving the Captain a small smile. "I didn't know what to do; I was so hurt and angry. I stayed up late and asked Bobby when he came home and he confirmed it. He was sorry but he couldn't help himself. Could I ever forgive him?"
They kept walking in silence for several minutes. "It was two days later that I found out the truth. His parents had been traveling in Europe and came home when they got his telegram. Can you imagine my horror when my in laws come to see me to see how I'm holding up and I have no idea what they are talking about? He died a week later, collapsed at Hope's apartment. He died in her arms. All those wasted weeks that we could have had together. She shook her head. "All because he didn't want to worry me."
........Carolyn picked up a sleeping Jonathan and held him close to her. He was warm and smelled of sweet things and she knew as long as she held him she would be okay. The door to the room opened and Bobby walked in beside her. “Car.” She sat down in the rocking chair still holding the small boy close, stroking his hair. ‘”Car you have to understand I did it for you.” “For me? What you did for me was let me think my husband who promised to love me until death was out having a fling with my sister. I wish it had been that, I could have lived with that. It was so like you, hurting me with someone else I hold dear. But it wasn’t that easy. You are dying and you lied about it. All these weeks we could have had together. You will be gone, gone from my life and the children you won’t be coming back. How could you do this to us? I thought you loved me.” “I do, that‘s why I didn‘t tell you.” “What else haven‘t you told me? Where there other women or did you and Hope really have something going all these years. How could you tell me that you loved me and then do this. “ “I’m very sorry darling” he began. “So am I.” ........... .
"I'm not sure I know what to say." Captain Gregg said at a loss for words. "I really...."
She turned to him, failing at trying to keep the tears from coming. She wiped her eyes and tried to stop but the flood came.
"I'm so sorry." she managed to squeeze out. "I haven't told anyone, I haven't talked about this since he died. The funeral and all the plans were so mind numbing and if hadn't been for the children I don't know what I would have done."
"It's perfectly all right Carolyn" he said tenderly. "I'm sorry if I opened up old wounds with my curiosity."
He wished he could hold her, she looked so small and fragile and his heart was breaking to hear her cry. Blast it all that he could do nothing to comfort her. Hope had accused him of loving her sister, if she had only known the full extent of how he felt.
"Madam?"
Yes,"
"Carolyn," he started over. "I know , well that I am a spirit, and I can not show you the way I feel about you as I would like too, but I do hope you know just how much I dearly, dearly love you."
She felt the tears come again only this time they were tears of happiness. “Captain, Dan-Daniel” she faltered. What would have it been like to have known this man so well that you could freely call him Daniel.? “I do so very much care for you. I, well I I love you.”
They both smiled no quite sure what to say to each other. He reached his hand towards hers and she met it. Nothing, nothing but air, not the touch of his hand, nothing. Still the air was charged with electricty and they both felt it.
“I don’t know what the future may hold.” she began.
They walked back to the house in companionable silence. She started up the steps to the front porch and then suddenly turned around to face him. “Oh Daniel” she thought . His eyes were searching hers and seemed so real and alive it was hard to believe that he was not. What a wonderful dear person he was. Oh how much she cared for him.
“Something Hope said to me finally makes sense. She said Bobby was your great love, how could you ever let anyone or anything compare to that. And he was my love, for all his faults I did love him. But you, you are my destiny. There is a difference And now I understand it.”
“As you are mine.” His hand reached for her face and gently curved it against her cheek. For one brief moment they both swore they had felt it. “I knew from the moment I met you.”
******************
The chicken was cooked and the children were busy cutting up the potatoes for the salad. Martha had spent most of the morning getting ready for this picnic and the kitchen was filled with wonderful smells. The family had talked over the many different ways they could celebrate thier third annivesary at Gull Cottage and they thought a picnie on the beach with some games would be just the way to spend the day.
“Three years at Gull Cottage.” the Captain greeted Carolyn as she gazed out to sea from behind the ship’s wheel. She polished the wood with her hand , loving the solidness of it.
“I know can you believe it has been that long? Seems like just yesterday in away.” she had a fond look on her face.
“Do you remember the first time we met Mrs. Muir?” Even his formal address sounded affectionate she thougt.
“I will never forget it as long as I live and maybe even after that.” she smiled. “I’ll admit now I was terrified but I wasn’t about to let you know that. I knew there was no such thing as ghosts, but when I actually saw you standing there....”
“You didn’t look scared , you really didn’t And I was very surprised to find you still standing after the first second. I was so used to Claymore passing out before I could say hello. But you just stood there firmly and told me to pack my bags.” he remembered with a chuckle.
“Thank goodness you never listen to me. I didn’t know what to do. All of the sudden you were there and my heart was thumping so hard I could hardly think and I’m wondering if maybe I’m imaging you because I really did want an excuse to go back to Philadelphia. I had finally gotten the courage to tell my inlaws that I was moving to a remote cottage in a small New England town to live my own life and then when I got here doubts came flooding through my mind. Seeing you ,I was sure my mind was trying to give me away out. But that wasn’t the case. Instead of being an excuse to leave, you became a very good reason to stay.”
He started to say something but they were interrupeted by Jonathan who came running out the French doors and ran straight to his mother giving her a big hug.
“Come on Mom, come on Captain Gregg, we are ready to go. “
Carolyn took her son by the hand and they walked out of the room and down the stairs. Captain Gregg decided he would follow them and they could all walk done to the beach together. His family, yes indeed.