Chapter 5

Phineas regained strength with each passing day. He couldn't remember the last time he rested so fully, or when he was unencumbered by responsibilities and troublesome situations. Jeffrey was a wonderful support and reluctant to leave his side for too long. He would give the excuse that it was a green light, and he couldn't be wandering around changing history. Phineas enjoyed his company, because they spent a lot of time talking about their families and what it was like to grow up in their respective eras of time.

Rebecca and Abigail finally introduced them to their family. They were kindly people and had no problem allowing them to stay in the lighthouse rooms. Their father Simeon was not just a lighthouse keeper. He was a Captain–a guarded, yet friendly man with stern white eyebrows and sharp blue eyes. Captain Bates was not as enthusiastic as his children with all the questions about life at sea, but he was curious to know how they wound up on the shore. At one point, Phineas feigned sleep while Jeffrey carefully explained.

"Why isn't Phineas Bogg a soldier? He's young and fit, he would be a perfect addition to the American army. What brought you to Massachusetts?"

Jeffrey and Phineas had previously rehearsed their answers. Phineas was right on the money when he told Jeffrey what questions to expect.

"Bogg was on a sailing expedition way out in Holland, he had just returned to New York for a shore leave and when he went to visit his sister's home…she was the only family he had left…he found me alone. My parent's had died in a carriage accident just a few months earlier."

Jeffrey was relieved when he saw the Captain digest the news sympathetically. "I see. That is a tragedy. I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thank you, Captain. My parents wanted to go on a vacation here to Massachusetts to see the new light houses. I begged them to go, I knew I would see many nautical towns and I love that, because uncle Bogg always impressed me with his adventures. Bogg felt terrible and being the…" Jeffrey looked at Phineas, who had his head burrowed in the pillows. He smiled proudly.

"Bogg is the most selfless man I've ever met. He decided to give up his solo sailing career and take me under his wing. And now he's teaching me all he knows about his profession. I can never repay him for everything he's done for me, but I don't think he expects me to. He's the best. He's my new father." As Jeffrey said these words, the sincerity in his tone impressed the Captain. Phineas had to swallow hard to hold down tears.

The Captain stroked his chin and Jeffrey saw his gaze look out towards Rebecca. She was relaxing on the cottage porch and sewing by the lamplight.

"That is the mark of a gentleman. He has many opportunities going for him. I can always use a good man like Phineas on my sailing crew. You tell him that when he awakens, won't you?"

Jeffrey grinned. "Absolutely, sir!"

"Good, well, it's very late, and I have to make an early start in the morning. I'll let you boys rest. And I must commend you for the help you gave my children with the chores these last few days, I didn't expect that."

"Oh, it's no big deal. Bogg and I talked it over and felt we had to repay you somehow."

"It was very much appreciated. Goodnight, Jeffrey."

"Goodnight, Captain Bates."

As soon as Jeffrey closed the door behind him, Phineas rolled over and sat up sprightly. He barely felt the pain from the lashings anymore thanks to the cool poultices the girls kept providing him. He opened his arms for a quick hug.

"Hey! Jeff you were brilliant! Even I believed every word of it…especially the part about me taking you under my wings. And how I'm like a father. We didn't discuss that."

Jeffrey shrugged meekly. "No, but it's the truth, Bogg. You know, sometimes I feel bad always lying to people, especially good people like this family."

Phineas smiled wryly. He understood Jeffrey's concern. "Hey, what did I say to you way back? I never lie, but I'm great with twisting words. Don't think of it as lying, think of it as…um…"

Jeffrey folded his arms expectantly. "As what?"

Phineas' eyes widened. "Shielding the truth! What people don't know of us can't hurt them, right?"

"Shielding the truth…" Jeffrey repeated slowly. "I like that."

"Good. For now on, we won't use the word 'lying,' deal?"

Jeffrey shook Phineas' hand. "Deal!"

Phineas stretched his entire body and stood. "If I stay in this bed any longer, I'm going to vegetate."

Jeffrey peeked outside and grinned sneakily. "Sure, I already see the cauliflower in your ears and mushrooms on your toes!"

Phineas whipped the blanket at him. "Hey! I know…I know…I could definitely use a hot bath right now."

"You ain't kidding. But you also need your exercise…and an excuse to walk the beach with Becky. I know you've been watching her do that every night."

"Smart kid." He grumbled.

Phineas secured the ties of his new shirt halfway up his chest. He loved the feel of the crisp, white fabric Becky chose; it must have been costly for her. He would make sure to keep it in good condition; it was bound to last a long time. She had even gently cleaned his suede vest and repaired the rip on the shoulder. He peered at the looking glass and patted his hair, frowning at the reflection. He was run-down and it showed in the dark hollows around his eyes, his normally smooth face appeared haggard, the neglected stubble was now a dark blonde beard from his sideburns to chin. It would take too much time to shave now. He patted his cheeks to bring some color back to his face.

"Jeff, Becky has been very hospitable to both of us. The least I could do is talk to her a little."

"Yeah, I noticed she was always coming in and out of here making sure you were comfortable or needed anything. She has it bad for you."

Phineas looked at him matter-of-factly. "I would have spent plenty of time talking to her if you had gotten the point that we needed to be alone. She would have wanted that, I saw it in her face every time she paused in the doorway and caught you hanging around."

"Jeesh, Bogg! I'm not a stray dog. Besides, this isn't 1982, I was being a chaperon."

Phineas smirked at him. "Get off it, kid, you were just making sure we never got beyond hello and goodbye."

Jeffrey rolled his eyes. "Helloooo! That's what I just said…a chaperon."

Phineas bristled at his own ignorance. "Yeah? Well, I'm too old for chaperons. I never had them, never will."

"I knew it. You like her. This is a green light zone, remember? We probably should leave by tomorrow. No hanky panky." Jeffrey warned seriously.

Phineas gaped at him and saluted briskly. "As you wish, mon capitan! I can't wait until you get older. I'm gonna remember this conversation, then you'll see how much of a wet blanket I'll be toward you."

"I'm shaking in my Nikes."

"Brat."

"Don Juan."

Phineas laughed and peered through the window. Becky had left the sewing behind and ambled down the shoreline, clutching a warm, red shawl around her. She stared intently at the ocean, something he noticed she did often. He admired her long hair blowing all around and how the moonlight shimmered upon her blonde waves and highlighted her profile.

Jeffrey's hand blocked his view and he snapped his fingers. "Well, are you gonna stare at her from afar all night? You know what, you're still recovering, maybe I should go out and…" Jeffrey sauntered away and Phineas tugged him back and sat him in the chair.

"Don't even think about it, kid. You can go up to the tower with Captain Bates and his son and be a lookout. You seem to like that job." As Phineas walked out of the room he turned and poked his head back in, grinning.

"Or maybe you can go find Abigail. I've seen you two hanging around together for days now. You look very cozy."

"Bogg!" Jeffrey blushed.

Phineas laughed and ducked before the pillow could hit him.

~Oo~

Rebecca was wistful. Being so young, her heart and body yearned for a release, to experience the pleasures she saw many of her friends have as they met young men, courted and married. Some of her best friends already had children. What was so different about her that she couldn't find someone? Perhaps it was her father, with his stern attitude and highly esteemed profession. She had learned that a few of the town boys were scared of him, they always had been. Perhaps they also feared she would tie them down and want a huge family like her mother. Ever since her tiff with Abigail, she wondered if her sister was right about her domineering attitude, and that she'd never find a husband.

A loud clanging caught her attention and she went further into the ocean. She tensed as she vainly tried to spot ships through the mist. It could have been the British, ready to make a more formidable attack on their township. A wave crashed, nearly causing her to fall face down into the water and she felt two strong hands grab her shoulders and pull her closer to shore. She turned, ready to shriek for help.

"It's only me! I'm sorry I scared you. I thought you were going to fall in." Phineas said. His eyes practically glowed like the beacon on the lighthouse. He walked her onto the dry sand. "You look worried, Becky. What's wrong?"

Rebecca composed herself. "I can't see too far yonder, but I get a sickly feeling they are still out there and are coming for us. They nearly blew up our lighthouse last time. They were so haughty and demanded the town's food and supplies at rifle point. They set fire to our barges and the soldiers, some of them are very…well, I've heard terrible stories of how they ransacked homes and molested women in other places."

Phineas kept hold of her shoulders and he felt her shiver. He pulled her closer to him. "You shouldn't fret so much. You have your family and soldiers nearby, and the entire town is ready for a defense." Their faces drew nearer and she eyed him expectantly.

"Right now you have me." He whispered, and gently brushed her lips with a soft kiss.

Becky gasped. The soldier Jim had never dared to get passionate with her. He only held her hand and touched her cheek. She could forgive Phineas' over-friendliness. He was a sailor, and those men were prone to more churlish behavior and uninhibited by social mores. However, there was something unusual about Phineas, almost ethereal. He walked his own beaten path and designated his own rules, yet all the while respected those of others. As she fleetingly considered this about him, she grew excited. Instead of turning away, Rebecca groped for his collar and she puckered her lips for a more fulfilling kiss.

"Please do that again." She murmured. Phineas smiled as her eyes gently closed, and the heat of anticipation rose upon her cheeks. He obliged her and when they finally parted, she rested her head upon his shoulder and huddled against him.

"Thank you, Phineas. You've just given me confidence to know I'm not a hopeless woman." She said quietly.

Phineas stared at her. "Absolutely not. Who says you're hopeless?"

"You mean besides bratty Abigail? Nobody really, it's just…" She turned to him. "I can see it in everyone's eyes, they seem to pity me and I don't like that. Even my father is trying harder than usual to find a husband for me."

Phineas sighed. He often pitied women throughout the ages as well. He understood they had their own natural place in the scheme of life compared to a man, but that order was often abused and women suffered too many hardships.

"You know they mean well, Becky. But I've also learned that life is not always about getting married. Some people can find real happiness being single. It gives them more freedom and a chance to do all the things they desire. If they want to get married later in life, that's fine too. But being single gives people a chance to build up good qualities that will make their marriage even stronger…and one thing I really like, it allows them time to give of themselves to other relationships, like to family and friends. To really reach out and help people. It works that way for me."

Phineas sighed, hoping she didn't feel lectured. He was even surprised at this sudden speech.

Rebecca was slightly awed by his wisdom at an age when most men tossed it aside and lived carelessly. She got the feeling that Phineas had no time to be reckless or frivolous, at least not anymore. And certainly not with Jeffrey by his side. He was ambitious by nature, and sharply focused on whatever his tasks in life were.

"I've never thought of it that way. It makes perfect sense to me. Phineas, I also understand that even though you appear to admire me…"

"I do!" He cut in. "I am really taken with you, but…" Becky raised a finger to his lips and nodded.

"Even still, you are a restless spirit, Phineas. I could never expect you to settle in some little town for the rest of your days and leave those thrilling voyages of yours behind."

Phineas stared at her. She was so close to the truth and he thought of his conversation with Jeffrey. He just couldn't tell her. Jackie Knox was an emergency situation and Harry Houdini would always have that one disappearing 'trick' Phineas pulled eluding him the rest of his life. Other than that, he and Jeffrey had done very well with keeping the secret of the Voyagers.

Rebecca pulled away from him and went nearer to the water's edge. She let the waves lap over her bare feet and eagerly watched the foam glide through her toes. The cool, wet sand dragged her feet down. She laughed and took a deep breath of the salty air. Phineas joined her and did the same. It was a calming, fun experience. When he stared at her again, he saw her eyes lightened with a renewed desire.

"Phineas, do you think there is something wrong with me for just wanting a simple, provincial life? That I'm an odd duck for desiring to stay in Scituate for all my days?"

"Is that something you'd truly want?"

"I'm beginning to think so. I'm not thirsting for adventure. If I want that, I can read a book or imagine a wild story." She grinned. "Just finding you and Jeffrey battered on the shore and your escape from the British is the stuff of good books!"

Phineas laughed. "Sure! Becky, sometimes I envy those who can take it easy, settle down and forge a simple life for themselves. I admire that. There are all kinds of people in this world, those out there making history in grand gestures, and those who live quiet lives, yet somehow they manage to touch everyone around them and make them better. That is what history is all about too."

Rebecca linked her arm through his. "Do you think one day I can make history? Wouldn't that be thrilling? To be remembered for some kind of noble deed? Oh well, if it happens, it happens. I really enjoyed our talk, Phineas."

"So did I. And if I can just say it now, I enjoyed your kiss."

Rebecca put her hand upon his cheek. "You are a fine kisser. I will never forget it, even if it's my last."

"Somehow I find that impossible, but the choice is yours. Becky, staying in Scituate won't make you an odd duck, you'll be a beautiful swan."

The two laughed, and then trudged back to the lighthouse where they said their final goodnight.

Far out in the distance and beyond the lighthouse beams, a giant ship was heading toward the harbor, intent on reaching them by morning.