Marjorie was in the guest room touching up her hair, when Ralph came in shortly before dinner.

"How was your day . . . other than your hand . . . that is?" she asked.

"Fine."

She wasn't surprised by his response . . . or lack of one. After the wonderful day she'd had with Candace and then later with both children, she'd reconsidered the reason they'd come to Schooner Bay. She was convinced, more than ever, that they should just drop it. They'd barely been there twenty-four hours, but it was obvious to her that what he'd hoped to accomplish was not likely to happen. Her husband's disdain for their daughter-in-law, and his failure to mask his annoyance at having to spend so much time with the children, was not going over well . . . with anyone. Shaking her head, she turned around and looked at him.

"Do you think we should go forward with your plan?"

"Of course, we should; why wouldn't we?"

"Things up here aren't as dismal as you expected them to be, are they?" she asked directly. "When you intentionally made Carolyn's pension so small that she and the children couldn't possibly live on their own, you thought you could manipulate her into doing whatever you wanted."

He didn't reply, but she could see he was annoyed.

"Ralph, our daughter-in-law is not like most women; she never has been. She's strong and has a mind of her own. I know that's one of the things that bothered both you and Bobby about her . . . that independent streak," she remarked. "If you think about it, it's really quite remarkable. She hasn't asked one thing of us since he died, and, when we invited her and the children to move in with us weeks after the funeral, she didn't hesitate to turn us down."

The glare he gave her would have stopped her in the past, but, this time, she soldiered on.

"Instead, she moved in with her parents. Perhaps if you'd been more generous, she'd have been able to live on her own, and she and the children would have stayed in Philadelphia," she pointed out. "Then, we would have been able to see Candace and Jonathan regularly, instead of traveling for days to spend a short period of time with them."

"Marjorie," he said his voice dripping with contempt. "I didn't ask for your opinion then, and I'm not the least bit interested in what you have to say now."

"I'm not surprised you feel that way, Ralph, but, if you proceed with what you have in mind, you're going to fail. Carolyn will never agree to it."

Having had more than enough of her unsolicited opinion, he walked toward the door.

"We'll just see about that!" he blustered and stormed out of the room.

Marjorie watched the door slam, turned back to the mirror, and shared a sigh with her reflection.

XXXXX

The evening meal was unusually quiet. Ralph's behavior wasn't any better than it had been earlier in the day, or the previous evening. He was clearly in a foul mood, which the family decided must be his natural state. Even though the meal didn't require him to use a knife, which he might have had trouble with because of his hand, he grumbled about having to cut things with his fork. The only thing that seemed to keep him from a full-blown tantrum was the wine served with dinner. It was a good year and went perfectly with the fish; he didn't hesitate to request several refills.

The children didn't have much to say, despite the women's efforts to draw them out. Most questions asked of them were answered with a simple yes or no, or with as little elaboration as possible. Even compliments to Jonathan, for the evening's main course, were met with only a polite 'thank you' and 'you're welcome.' Carolyn and Martha exchanged worried glances, knowing the change was a result of Ralph Muir's presence. Scruffy didn't know what was going on but knew he needed to stay by the youngest of his pack. He took up his post beside Candy and Jonathan.

Marjorie didn't miss the difference in the children's mood, and her annoyance with her husband was hard to hide. She didn't blame them after the way he'd treated them during the previous night's dinner . . . especially Jonathan. It seemed, both were afraid to say or do anything that might prompt his wrath. There was also the failure of whatever Ralph had hoped to accomplish doing real 'boy' activities with their grandson. It hadn't done a thing to improve their relationship. She knew, first-hand, he'd never been good with young children. Even with his own son, he hadn't shown the slightest interest in him, until Robert was about fourteen.

Carolyn had been watching Ralph, and Candy and Jonathan's reaction to him, since he came downstairs. The slim hope she'd had for a good visit had long since vanished. Marjorie was proving to be wonderful with the children, when allowed to be. She was more pleasant, and easier to be with, than she'd ever seen her, but nothing had changed with her father-in-law. She decided his behavior was more like that of a spoiled child and was worse than any ill-mannered child she'd ever known – with the possible exception of the Shoemaker boy. She almost laughed out loud, when she considered that Ralph and Mrs. Shoemaker would have made a perfect couple. The way they treated people, they certainly deserved each other.

When the painfully quiet meal was final over, the family moved to the living room. Ralph, aware of Marjorie's annoyance with him, tried to make up for it by playing the role of a doting grandparent, telling the children stories about their father as a young boy. Candy and Jonathan listened politely, but the tales weren't very interesting and paled in comparison to the captain's exciting adventures. Their grandfather just didn't have the knack for telling a story like their hero did.

When he offered to tell another one, Carolyn spoke up and reminded the children it was time to get ready for bed.

"It's getting late; I'm afraid it's time to say goodnight," she told them. "Why don't you put Scruffy out one last time, then go up to get ready. I'll be up in a little bit."

Candy and Jonathan agreed and politely wished their grandparents goodnight. They didn't hesitate to go over to their grandmother, who happily wrapped them in her embrace, but their mom had to nudge them to go to their grandfather. They went over as expected, but the hugs for him were perfunctory at best.

Leaving the room, Candy turned when she reached the door.

"Mom, may we talk to you for a minute before we go up?"

"Of course," she replied and excused herself. She found them waiting for her at the foot of the steps. "What is it, sweetie?"

"Mommy, do you think the captain will still come tonight?" Jonathan asked quietly.

"He said he might be home in time to tuck us in," Candy added softly, looking toward the living room to make sure they weren't overheard.

"If his train gets in before it's too late, I'm sure he'll be here, but he may not be able to go upstairs to tuck you in."

"Why not?" they asked.

"Because your grandparents are here."

"Oh," they both responded, their disappointment obvious.

"I'm sorry, kids; we'll make it up to you after they go home. For now, go ahead and put Scruffy out, and I'll meet you upstairs as soon as I can."

"Yes, ma'am."

As they trudged through the kitchen, Carolyn looked at the timepiece pinned to her dress, and it was half past seven. Daniel might still get home in time to see the children before they went to sleep, even if her in-law's presence did keep him from going upstairs to tuck them in. If they were still awake when he arrived, she knew he would want to see them and they him.

Whether the captain made it to the house or not, she had no idea what the rest of the evening would bring. She had a feeling Ralph had been waiting for a chance to talk to her alone and could only hope what he had to say wasn't what she expected. It would most assuredly be something she had no interest in for herself or the children. Saying a silent prayer, she took a deep breath, stood tall, and warily returned to the living room.

XXXXX

Daniel arrived in Schooner Bay about the same time the children were going upstairs to get ready for bed. Forty-five minutes earlier the train had run into fog, and the closer it got to the coast the thicker it became. For a while, he was concerned his arrival would be delayed but, fortunately, the setback was only minor, and he had a smile on his face as he made his way down the platform.

"Evenin' Capt'n. Welcome home."

"Good evening, Brooker. Thank you; it's good to be home. How are things in Schooner Bay?"

"Things are just fine, sir. Not much ever happens around here," he said. Then, remembering something he thought the captain would be interested in, he added, "Mrs. Muir was at the station yesterday."

"Oh?"

"Yes, sir. She was here to pick up an older couple. It seems her in-laws are here for a visit."

"Mr. and Mrs. Mur?"

"Yeah, that's who she said they were."

"Interesting. Thank you for letting me know," he said, pulling on his ear. "Will we see you in church in the morning?"

"Yes, sir. We'll be there."

The seaman nodded, wished him goodnight, and continued on his way.

Daniel stopped in front of the station to consider what he should do. Before leaving, he'd told Carolyn and the children he'd come up to the house when he returned but, assuming her in-laws were staying with them, he wasn't sure if he should go or not. He didn't think about it long, and, after a slight hesitation, the decision was made. His family was expecting him, and he didn't want to worry them again after being so late returning from Europe. If Carolyn's in-laws questioned his arrival, at this hour, he'd just come up with a reasonable explanation.

His course determined, he walked to the livery stable to pick up Splash for the ride to Gull Cottage.

XXXXX

When Carolyn returned, Marjorie was still sitting on the couch, and Ralph was helping himself to the decanter of Madeira Martha had placed on the end table. Before his daughter-in-law took her seat, he started in.

"My dear, it's time to talk about why we came up here to visit you and the children in this godforsaken wilderness," he said, taking a sip of the wine. A look of pure pleasure crossed his face, and he immediately finished the contents of his glass. "Why you got it in your pretty little head to leave home and move up here . . . to take a job with your uncle . . . is something I'll never understand," he said, refilling his glass.

She looked at him and realized this was what she'd been expecting. Glancing at her father-in-law, she picked up her sewing and settled in her chair by the fireplace.

"Everything you could possibly need, or want, is back in Philadelphia. We're there, you parents are there, as are the rest of your family and friends, and you certainly wouldn't need to work. You could be living the life you've always lived, instead of living up here, in the middle of nowhere. What kind of example are you providing for the children, leaving them alone while you go traipsing off to town every day, to play at being the breadwinner? Especially Candace. My God, Carolyn, do you really want her getting it in her head that she should work?!" he asked drinking his wine.

Her eyes flashed. It was only a lifetime of breeding that kept her from giving the arrogant man a piece of her mind.

"Ralph, I think you might have been a little more tactful," his wife suggested. "Look how you've upset her."

He finished his drink and quickly put up his hand to quiet his wife.

"Marjorie, stay out of this; it doesn't concern you."

She physically stiffened and shot him a look, but he was too caught up in his own self-importance to notice.

"If I may, I'd like . . ."

"Carolyn, I don't want to hear any excuses; I'm not finished."

Another deep sigh escaped as she sat back in her chair.

"The children need to come home to Philadelphia where they can be cared for properly, have appropriate supervision, and solid role models to look up to . . . especially Jonathan," he continued, pouring another glass. "That boy needs masculine companionship; a man like his father, who can show him how a real man . . . a successful man . . . behaves and makes his way in the world. At the rate you're going, the only thing either child will be suited for is farm work."

"Ralph, I . . ."

"There are other reasons too," he stated, intentionally cutting her off. "The family needs to come back, not just for the children, but for you too. I know Bobby would be hard to replace, but if you should decide to remarry, you couldn't possibly find a suitable husband in a place like this. The quality of men here is nothing like the well-bred men you find in Philadelphia."

Carolyn didn't say anything but, in her mind, she was screaming "Thank goodness!"

"You're very young, dear," Marjorie added to her husband's argument.

"And mighty attractive," her father-in-law remarked.

"Ralph always manages to notice those things," her mother-in-law added.

She was smiling when she made the comment, but Carolyn recognized the look, and realized Marjorie knew the complete truth of her words.

"I'll drink to that," he stated, quite pleased with himself. Lifting his glass, he drank the Madeira down and poured himself another.

"Carolyn, I've come up here to offer you a gilt-edged proposal . . . a package deal . . . Come back to Philadelphia with us."

"If this is something you'd like to do, we'd love to have you," Marjorie said sincerely.

"I . . ."

"Don't say a word until you've heard the whole deal. We discussed this years ago, and you turned me down, but it's time for you to reconsider the offer. You know our house is too big for just us and, someday, it'll be all yours, and the children will have a man around," he said, seeing himself as the perfect masculine role model. "I've already applied for Jonathan's admission to Dexter Academy, where his father went, and he's been accepted. I also think it would be good for Candace to go to Miss Porter's Finishing School in Connecticut; think of the contacts . . . ah . . . friends the children would make. So, you see . . . you can't say no," he finished and threw back another full glass of Madeira.

"Ralph, there are a few things that need to be clarified . . ."

"Of course!" he agreed happily, pouring himself another drink. "I understand there are plans that will need to be made to move the family back home, but I can easily take care of the details for you. We'll have you back in Philadelphia before you know it."

Carolyn put her sewing aside and looked at her father-in-law.

"No, Ralph; you misunderstand. I appreciate the offer, but the children and I will not be moving back to Philadelphia," she said calmly. "As I've told you, we love it here, and we have no plans to leave."

"Now, Carolyn . . ." he started in his condescending tone.

"Let me finish. You said more than a few things that need to be corrected."

Marjorie sat back on the couch to hear her daughter-in-law out. Her eyes had been opened this trip too, and she realized there was much more to her son's widow than she'd ever imagined.

Ralph stood dumbfounded, but it didn't keep him from emptying his glass again.

"The life I want to live is right here. With the exception of family, everything we could possibly need, or want, is here in Schooner Bay. I work hard to provide for my family, in the best way I can, and believe that's an example the children can learn a great deal from. I know full well that sometimes life doesn't turn out the way you expect it to, but that doesn't mean it's wrong, or not as good as you thought it would be. Candy and Jonathan need to know they should never give up, and that, if they work hard, they will find they can make a wonderful life for themselves.

"As for traipsing off to town every day and leaving them here, alone . . . they are most certainly not alone. Martha is here for them, she's here for me, and we are all properly cared for and supervised," she said and smiled. Martha certainly had her hands full supervising her when Daniel was home. "I only hope she feels the same way about us, because we would do anything for her. I owe her more than you can imagine and will be grateful to her for the rest of my life."

"Now, look here!"

She put up her hand, almost exactly as he had done to her.

"I'm not finished," she said directly, shutting him down. "Make no mistake, Ralph, I am the breadwinner of this family; I don't 'play' at it. I work very hard, and the children see that. What better role model could they have to look up to. They are learning a person can do whatever they want or need to do.

"When she grows up, Candy may not have to work, but if she finds herself in a situation where she does, she will know she can and will have the skills to do so. I have no doubt Jonathan will grow up to be a fine man. Even at his young age, he doesn't shirk responsibility . . . he works hard and strives to do the best he can at whatever he does. You may have noticed that from his fishing, carving, and other skills, but he will grow up to be the kind of man he chooses to be. I don't care if he's a farmer, seaman, businessman, or something else he enjoys, but his profession will be his choice."

The room was quiet. Marjorie looked at her husband but, seeing the anger in his eyes, she looked at her hands in her lap. He was fuming and went to fill his glass again, but the decanter was empty.

"How do you like that? I don't remember drinking all of this wine."

"Then you've had enough," his wife replied, more than a little relieved there wasn't any more.

Carolyn was sure he was going to explode, but when he didn't say anything right away, she took the opportunity to leave the room to let things cool down.

"If you'll excuse me, I'll ask Martha to bring the coffee in now."

"Thank you. I think we could all use some," Marjorie said, giving her a grateful smile.

In the kitchen, she found Martha getting the tray ready and stopped beside her. Her friend glanced at her as she put the coffee pot on the tray.

"Are you all right, dear?"

"You heard?"

"I couldn't pull myself away. I was in the hallway when he started. I hope you don't mind."

Carolyn looked at her and smiled.

"Not at all."

"I appreciate what you said, and I want you to know I do feel the same way about you and the children . . . and the daptain too, of course."

"You do so much for us. I meant what I said. We would do anything for you, Martha," she said, touching her arm.

"I know you would, dear," she replied grasping her hand. "Thank you."

Both had tears in their eyes and were wiping them away as they smiled at each other.

"Martha, before I go back in there, or up to the children, I'd like to go outside for a few minutes to clear my head. Can you cover for me? I won't be long."

"You can count on me, but don't go far . . . fog has moved in, and it's like pea soup out there. Be sure to take a shawl, you may need it."

Carolyn nodded and grabbed her everyday wrap off a hook in the mud room and slipped out the back door.

XXXXX

Martha hadn't been kidding; the fog had rolled in and was thick. Walking around the house, toward the front yard, it seemed to have engulfed Gull Cottage like a dark cloud, and its symbolism wasn't lost on her.

Taking the long way around, she found herself on the road in front of the wall. As she walked, her mind ran through everything Ralph had said, and she couldn't believe how blind he was to the person she was and, especially, the person his son turned out to be. She would no more allow her children to move back to Philadelphia, to live with him, than she would marry another man like Robert. She'd found all she ever wanted and needed in Daniel.

As if he were a spirit, the captain appeared in front of her through the fog.

"Madam, what brings you out on a night like this?" he asked gently.

"Daniel!" she said, throwing herself into his arms.

He enveloped her with his love and kissed her softly.

"Where's Splash? You didn't walk up here, did you?"

"Of course not; he's in the barn. I didn't want to run the risk of him getting lose and wandering around in this mess. I saw you leave the house from there," he explained. "Now, why are you out in this dreadful fog?"

"I thought I'd take a walk," she replied moving her hands up his chest in a caress that caused him to take a sharp intake of breath. Letting the breath out slowly, he looked down at her.

"I understand your in-laws are here."

"Yes," she said softly, moving out of his embrace to resume her stroll. He stayed quietly by her side, patiently waiting to hear what was on her mind.

"They want us to leave here and move in with them."

"Are you thinking a steering a course for Philadelphia?"

"No," she answered softly, taking his arm. "Daniel, all I've ever wanted, for myself and the children, is right here . . . with you."

"Then why this night watch?" he asked placing his hand over hers.

"I needed to clear my head. My father-in-law said quite a few insulting things about me and our moving up here. I wanted to cool off before facing him again. I just don't understand how he can be so blind," she puzzled. "He doesn't know me at all, and his high opinion of his son can only be attributed to the fact that Robert was just like him."

"Tell me what he said."

Carolyn could hear his concern in his voice, and the tension she was feeling began to abate. She looked up at him as she drew closer.

"Just his typical criticisms. He couldn't understand how I got it in my 'pretty little head' to move up here . . . to hold a job. He wanted to know what kind of a role model I thought I was being for the children . . . Candy especially . . . He implied that, at the rate I was going, the only thing the children would be good for was working as farm hands. He believes Jonathan needs to be around a man like his father, so he can learn how a successful man behaves.

"Daniel, there is no way I want my son to be anything like his father, or his grandfather. Ralph had the nerve to tell me he knew replacing Robert wouldn't be easy, but if I did decide to remarry, I'd never find a suitable man here."

"Ah," he replied, tugging on his ear. "So, what do you want to do? I will support you in whatever you decide and do whatever you need me to do."

"I've already done it. I told him 'no' and set him straight on all inaccuracies of his rant."

"I have no doubt you put him in his place. I'm so proud of you," he said squeezing her hand. "How did he react?"

"I could tell he was angry but, when he didn't say anything right away, I excused myself to check on the coffee. That's how I ended up out here. Martha's covering for me. I just thought I'd take a walk."

"It sounds like you set him straight."

"There is one thing I haven't done, though."

"What would that be?"

"I haven't told them about you yet."

"Are you sure you want to?"

"Oh, yes. They need to meet a real man. The one I would be thrilled to have my son grow up to be like," she said smiling.

He looked in Carolyn's eyes, searching for any indication she was unsure that this was the right thing to do. Finding nothing but steely determination, and a confident smile, he kissed her.

"I will do whatever you think is best for you and the children, but are you sure you want them to know about us?"

"I am."

"Then, I imagine we will be having a discussion on a broad range of subjects when they meet me."

"I'm sure we will," she smiled.

Turning toward the front gate, he presented his arm again.

"Then, if you're ready, Mrs. Muir."

"Daniel?"

"Yes, my love?"

"Let's go in through the back; that's the way I came out."

"Do you want me to knock on the front door? I could say I'm here to retrieve something from the barn that I'll need in the morning."

"No. I want them to know that you are here, as my guest, to fulfill a promise you made before you left for Boston," she stated simply, running her hands gently up his chest in a gentle caress. Before he realized what she was doing, she grabbed his lapels and, in one swift motion, pulled him to her, bringing them together for a hungry kiss. It was something she felt she should have done when he first appeared.

Not needing any encouragement, Daniel took full advantage of the moment, and the fog, and both gave the other a proper greeting. Coming up for air, Carolyn found herself backed against the wall with him holding her close.

"I missed you so much. Welcome home," she said quietly.

He smiled and kissed her once more.

"I missed you too; more than you know," he replied with a devilish smile. "Shall we go in?"

She nodded as he offered his hand so she could right herself. Taking his arm, she leaned her head against his shoulder. She was beyond happy, and relieved, to have him home.

XXXXX

When they reached the back door, he took her in his arms again.

"Are you sure you're ready?"

"Yes," she nodded and rested her head against his chest, drawing strength from him. She knew that with him by her side, they were an unbeatable team.

Coming through the mud room, they found Martha sitting at the table, drinking a cup of coffee. Seeing the captain with Mrs. Muir, she smiled; happy to see that reinforcements had arrived.

"Welcome home, Captain. It's about time you got here," she scolded in good humor.

"So, I hear," he replied, kissing her cheek.

"Are they still in the living room?" Carolyn asked.

"Uh huh."

"And how are things?"

"Very quiet. They aren't at all happy. If I'm reading things right, Mr. Muir is angry because you refused his 'gilt-edged proposal,' but Mrs. Muir is annoyed with her husband, because he's made such a fool of himself."

"That sounds about right," Carolyn replied, taking a deep breath. "Well, you'd better batten down the hatches; things are about to get even more interesting."

Daniel smiled and, taking her hand, looked at her confidently.

"Everything is going to be fine."

"I know. When we're together, how can it be anything else?"

He kissed her softly, ignoring the 'look' he received from Martha.

"After you, my love."

Carolyn left the kitchen ahead of him, leaving Martha to decide if she should stay where she was or move into the hallway, so she didn't miss anything. It didn't take her long to make up her mind.

XXXXX

In the living room, her father-in-law was pacing back and forth.

"Sit down, Ralph, and drink your coffee. You haven't touched a drop."

"How dare she!" he blustered. "She as a lot of nerve speaking to me like that!"

"Actually, I thought Carolyn was very calm and extremely polite. You're just angry because she told you 'no,' Marjorie said. "I tried to warn you."

His pacing came to an abrupt halt and, as he turned to snap at his wife, he saw his daughter-in-law walking through the foyer toward them. Focusing his attention to her, he pointed his bandaged fingers at her.

"Now, you listen to me, missy!"

Carolyn stopped just inside the room, her eyes showing her annoyance that he would speak to her that way. It was in that moment Ralph noticed the tall, bearded man who had moved to stand beside her. Marjorie had spotted him immediately and took a quick glance at the portrait over the mantle.

Silence filled the room for several moments. The seaman's anger, at the man's condescending attitude toward Carolyn, rose in him like the tide, and he struggled to tamp it down. Ralph, starting to feel the effects of the wine, looked perplexed at the sudden appearance of the stranger. Marjorie immediately put two and two together and looked on with interest. Carolyn took a moment to settle herself and then turned to Daniel.

"Captain Gregg, I'd like to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Muir, my late husband's parents. Ralph, Marjorie, this is Captain Daniel Gregg; the designer, builder, and owner of Gull Cottage," she smiled. Making eye contact with Marjorie, she added, "He is also the man who has become an important part of my life and the children's." Then, taking ahold of Daniel's hand, she looked lovingly up at him and, when their eyes met, there was no doubt, at least to her mother-in-law, that her son's widow was deeply in love with the seaman and he with her.