The Sea is a Thief by David Parmelee Read Free Book Online

this routine tomorrow, beginning early in the day.”  
    Dismissed from the cabin, Sam strode back to the mess, eager to relate the news to Ethan.  Tomorrow, then!  He could see Anna Daisey again.  This time, he resolved, would be different.  He would be quicker with his words, and hold a proper conversation with the young lady.
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    Sam lay awake in his hammock, the time creeping by as slowly as the stars in their tracks.  He almost always slept well onboard ship, for the darkness in the hold was nearly complete, but no darkness could quiet his mind that night.  One berth over, Ethan turned in his hammock.  
    â€œEthan,” hissed Sam.  “You awake?”  Ethan was.
    Sam paused before he spoke.  “The house I’m working on?  The widow?”  
    Ethan was impatient. “Yes?”   
    â€œI had a fine conversation with her daughter.”
    â€œWell, then? What are you tryin’ to tell me?”  
    â€œShe’s a lovely girl, that’s all I’m tryin’ to tell you.”  Sam could picture Ethan’s smile, even in the dark.  
    â€œI met some lovely ones myself.  They passed by quite regular while I was working.  Made it look like they were just happening past, but I could tell they came that way on purpose.  You just tip your cap and they come right over to chat.  Some right pretty lasses.”  
    â€œNever mind,” said Sam.  
    Ethan chuckled softly.  “I was wondering when you were going to tell me what was up.”
    â€œAm I that plain?”
    â€œYes.  You surely are.”

 
    CHAPTER THREE
    Father was a Market Gunner
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    So eager was Sam Dreher to return to Chincoteague Island that he rose early to cook breakfast even though it wasn’t his turn for three days.  After the meal the boatswain called the roll of sailors who would go ashore.  Accounts of the previous day had travelled around the ship; Benjamin Harvey had the full attention of every seaman when he read his list.  Dreher and Platt were first again.  In minutes, gear was assembled and the launch was dropped into the channel.
    Squinting against the light, the men put their backs into their oars, and the boat flew across the water.  
    â€œEthan,” Sam asked, “Do you plan ahead what you’ll say in a conversation with a girl?”  
    â€œNo,” Ethan replied. “I don’t believe you do.”  Sam scowled.  “Sorry,” said Ethan.  “If it makes it any easier for you, I don’t believe you’ve ever cared what you said to a girl.”  They rowed in silence, Sam rehearsing his talk with Anna Daisey.
    On the steps of the Atlantic Hotel, the party divided up their assignments.  Ethan recruited men for the heavy work of splitting rails and setting fence posts for Lovey Copes’ pigpen.  Sam set off for the Daisey home, citing the difficult carpentry it required.  He promised to rejoin them by midday.
    The closer he got to the house, the more loudly his heart pounded in his chest. All was quiet when he arrived; Beau was sleeping, and Mary Daisey was in the kitchen.  She answered Sam’s knock with a broad smile.  
    â€œMr. Dreher!” she greeted him. “Are we blessed with another visit today?  Please come in.”  He stepped inside the door, his nervousness all too evident.   “We are so grateful for your excellent work yesterday, Mr. Dreher.  Are we not, Anna?”  Sam caught his breath.  Anna appeared in the kitchen doorway, a mixing bowl cradled in the crook of her arm.  
    â€œWe are, Mr. Dreher.”  
    Mary pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear.  “I'd like to get to work on your shutters today,” Sam suggested.  Several of the shutters were on their last legs.  Mary was pleased.  
    â€œThat would relieve my mind greatly,” she said.