Chapter 4 Mutiny

Carolyn couldn't sleep. She watched the white curtains billow in the breeze. She loved a man . . . a ghost … someone who was afraid to touch her, was afraid of being touched, afraid of the result. She turned over, seeking a less uncomfortable spot. In most of the ghost stories she'd read or heard, the ghosts were malevolent, frightening. When she had first met the captain, he did seem frightening, but hardly malevolent. Egotistical perhaps, the way he'd boasted of his conquests, but he'd been alone for so long with no one to talk to but himself.

She sat up, punching her pillow into a more comfortable shape. The pagan Celts had decorated their places of worship with human skulls, an uncomfortable reminder that the seeds of death are already within us. She tried to imagine how she would react if, in a moment of passion, the captain became a skeleton. No, she simply couldn't imagine it.

She turned onto her back. Daniel had made the rules clear, drawing his line in the sand.

Still, a line in the sand was arbitrary. Tides change, the wind blows, and sand shifts, erasing.

She kicked one foot out from under the covers. She loved two dead men. Was it some sort of punishment? Robert was gone; Daniel was here, in this house. She wished her brain had an off switch, her bed like a prison, herself sentenced to be still. Enough. Anything would be better than this. Even making horrible mistakes would be better than this.

She put on her robe and went up to the wheel house, his private sanctum. She knocked, softly calling his name. The door swung open and she saw him across the room, cigar in one hand, pen in the other, his log book open before him. He snapped the book shut and set the pen down, asking, "Yes, Madam?"

"Daniel, we need to talk."

He blew a smoke ring, nodding, somewhat withdrawn.

"It seems to me you've neglected the obvious."

"I sincerely doubt that as I've contemplated the matter quite a bit, madam, but pray continue."

"You were trying to maintain your distance physically because of those ghost stories. You lied, although for a good reason I'll admit."

"As I told you on the beach before you slapped me."

"Which I've apologized for."

"I might have been slapped once or twice before in my life. Go on."

"Who else slapped you?"

"It's of no consequence. Continue!"

"So, because of those ghost stories, all touch between us is forbidden. That's the decision you had made to protect us both."

"That's why I lied, yes."

"Because you think neither of us is capable of self-restraint."

"Madam, you seem to be veering off course a little."

Determined, she walked over to him and took the lit cigar from his hand, placing it in an ashtray. She pressed her lips against his. His eyes widened, but he didn't push her away. All that time of wishing, of wanting, fueled Carolyn's kiss and he responded ferociously. This was not a gentle kiss; this was . . . molten. Heart hammering, she broke off the kiss, smiling up at him. "Do you get my point, Daniel?"

"I'm not sure. Perhaps you need to explain again."

"Perhaps there is an impossibility here. But must we turn our back on what is possible?"

"When I said explain again, I didn't mean tell me."

"I think perhaps you got my point. May we continue this discussion later? I want to give us both time. Good night, Daniel." She brushed her lips against his cheek.

As she closed the door, she heard him mutter, "Damned mutiny."

Chapter 5 Of Public Displays of Affection

One evening a week later, Martha entered the living room where Daniel and Carolyn were entangled on the sofa. Martha cleared her throat, and the two pulled back, looking sheepish but smiling. Martha said, "Not meaning to pry or anything, but I'm getting a little tired of innocently bumping into you two lovebirds necking. If I were related to Carolyn, I might ask you, Daniel, what your intentions are, but I'm no busybody."

With a devilish grin, the captain replied, "I appreciate your disdain for busybodies, otherwise I might have to ask about Mr. Peavey's intentions, given what occurred in a certain truck parked outside last night."

Carolyn watched the battle, amused. "Captain, how dare you watch us! You're a peeping tom!"

"No, I heard what I assumed was someone in pain, either that or a moose in rut. I merely ascertained that there was no injury and no moose. Believe me, I did not linger." Carolyn couldn't help herself, she burst out laughing. "Furthermore, my intention is simply to make her as happy as I can."

Martha snapped, "You'd best do that. And it wasn't what you thought in the truck, Captain Nosey."

"Carolynn, perhaps we should adjourn to the wheelhouse."

In the wheelhouse, she sat beside him, leaning her head on his shoulder while he draped an arm around her. She said, "So you spied on Martha and Ed?"

"Carolyn, why would I?"

"But rutting moose?

"Mr. Peavey is enthusiastic in his vocalization. I sincerely thought an injury had occurred."

"Do you think they're serious?" The captain remained silent. "Daniel?"

"Carolyn, all this is wrong, albeit pleasant."

"You mean us?"

"If I could be a husband to you, I'd ask for your hand."

She reached up and caressed his face. "I know. But just this, touching your face and having your arm around me makes me happy."

"If Martha knew the truth about me, she'd be disgusted."

"Martha's more of a romantic than you might think. I think she'd understand."

"Out of blasted pity, perhaps."

"Daniel, I think we should enjoy what we have now, which is more than we ever had before." He muttered something. "What did you say?"

"I said blast."

"That's not what I thought I heard."

"Madam, what I said is not appropriate for a lady to hear."

"Stop calling me madam! And you always call me a lady as a way to avoid things!"

"Alright, Carolyn. I'll be blunt. What's the point in all this . . . What did Martha call it? Necking. You say you're happy, and perhaps you are for now. I am a man, or was a man. All this 'necking' only makes me more aware of what we can never share."

"What do you want me to say? Full steam ahead despite a literal skeleton in your closet? That I'd marry you and take my chances?"

"Yes."

"Yes?"

He kissed her hand, then looked her in the eye, demanding. "Marry me. You have courage. Think of it as a gamble- a gamble for happiness. I've waited so long for you, both in life and after."

"Daniel . . . I didn't expect this. I need to have time to think."

He stood. "Of course, madam. Call my name when you've decided." He disappeared. Slightly dazed, she wandered down to the kitchen for a cup of coffee.

Chapter 6 Once Again Martha Deals with Life's Complexities

She sat at the table, coffee cup cradled in her chilled hands, trying to think. Yes was out of the question, but no meant everything would change. No would mean leaving Gull Cottage, and she couldn't do that- not to Daniel, and not to Jonathon who loved him like a father. Suppose she did marry him for the sake of family; and he did turn in to some horrible creature . . . would he remain like that forever? Would he disappear? How could he have put her in this position?

Martha bustled in, laundry basket in hand, jolting Carolyn out of contemplation by joking, "Oh thank goodness, it's not you two sparking again." Carolyn looked up at her, and Martha immediately set the basket down and joined her at the table. "What's wrong?"

"He proposed."

"Oh that rotten ghost! Help me out here, you two clearly love each other; he's certainly good with the kids. Granted, it's a little strange, but strange isn't so bad. Is it because you feel like you'd be unfaithful to Robert's memory?"

Carolyn called Scruffy. "Hey boy, is the captain here now?" Scruffy sniffed around the kitchen, then sat down. "Scruffy, keep watch." Carolyn explained to Martha.

Martha grimaced. "I never expected to know quite that much about my employer."

"And friend?"

"And friend. You two each need a friend at this point. I'm way out of my league on this."

"You see why I can't marry him."

"Yeah, and I see why he hid his ability to touch for so long. Frankly, you shouldn't have started anything at all with him after you found out. I understand why you did, but still."

"I wish I could go back in time and redo everything."

"Well, everything happens for a reason. I always try and tell myself that. Hmmm. The root of the matter is whether he'll transform or not, because otherwise I'd make book that you'd marry him so fast it would make my head spin." Carolyn nodded. "So maybe you need to talk to folks who know a lot of ghost stories. Why not call up that medium you interviewed, or that ghost hunter Paul Wilkie."

"I can't ask directly, but I suppose I could pretend I was writing an article on ghosts and researching. I couldn't interview Wilkie, he'd figure too much out and no doubt haunt us in the worst possible sense."

"Then find someone like Wilkie who doesn't know you. Use a different name, too, maybe your maiden name. I'm sure folks in that field swap information."

"Thanks, Martha. I don't why it hadn't occurred to me."

"Because you're too close to the matter. Prepare yourself for the worst, but hope for the best."

"So Martha, I've spilled my guts. What about you and Ed? Is it getting serious?"

Martha grinned. "It passed getting serious. That so called moose noise was poor Ed when we discovered the stone fell out of the ring setting."

Carolyn shrieked, jumped out of her chair, and hugged Martha. "I'm so happy for you!"

Right then, Scruffy started growling at an empty space in the kitchen. Martha nonchalantly said, "I didn't know me finding a recipe for pavlova cake would excite you that much."

"I only had it once in a restaurant, but it was so good!" Scruffy stopped growling, sat down, and began scratching his ear. "Martha, what is pavlova cake?"

"I'll make one so you'll know."

"Did you find the stone?"

"Yes, but don't ask where."

"Have you set a date?"

"We're in negotiations. I'm holding out on cherry pies until I know when."

The three mediums she 'interviewed' all struck her as having consciously developed eccentricity. Most of what they had to say seemed as vague and misty as their flowing skirts, shawls, and even sleeves in one case. One of them, however, did clutch her arm and intone, "I'm getting a message from the great beyond . . . It's a handsome man . . . He burns for an answer . . . Wait . . . What? This is so strange . . .He also wants a boy to stop absconding with ball point pens. Does that make sense?"

Carolyn merely answered, "Possibly."

The parapsychologists seemed to be a different breed entirely, much more technologically and scientifically minded, that is until she got them to speak off the record. One spoke of his departed aunt appearing in times of trouble. Another one told her of invisible but not unwanted advances made in the night at a bed and breakfast. Only one of them knew of a tale like the ones Daniel had mentioned, but there was some question of sanity involved in the person who had reported it as happening, and that question of sanity had begun long before the tale supposedly happened.

Chapter 7 In the Garden

Having just finished with the last ghost hunter 'interview,' Carolyn swiftly walked into the garden. It had been a rainy day, again, but the rain had stopped, leaving diamond-like drops glistening on leaves. She wondered if so much rain lately had been his doing, or merely spring showers. She cleared her throat and softly called for Daniel. He appeared, wary, one hand braced against the monkey puzzle tree. She looked into his unflinching blue eyes and said, "Yes, Daniel." He burst out laughing, swooped over, picked her up in his strong arms, and spun her around.

He put her down, a grin on his face. "And if I should turn?"

A little breathless, she replied, "You were a unique and willful man." His nodded. "Now you're a unique and willful ghost. I don't believe you'll ever resemble any ghost story. You're just too stubborn."

"I'd say now is a wonderful moment for a wedding, but I suppose now is too soon for you. No doubt there's feminine fripperies to arrange."

"More like family matters, breaking the news for one. I'd like to tell Candy and Martha myself. Would you mind telling Jonathon and Claymore?"

"Claymore?"

"You should have one relative there." He scowled . "Belay that, sir. How about one alleged relative? Besides, we need a justice of the peace."

"What about the moose?"

"Stop calling him that! You want to invite Ed?"

"Thus we won't have lost a dear family member, but will have gained a repairman."

Carolyn laughed. She thought of all the misty apparitions she'd recently been told of compared to this all too human and vivid man. "Is he ready to meet you yet?"

With a somewhat evil grin, he said, "We've already met."

"Hmmm. I'm afraid to ask. Is tomorrow evening soon enough? That would give Martha time to prepare."

He hesitated. "Carolyn, you're truly certain?"

"So very certain. But are you? Remember, you're forever in the prime of your life while I will age."

"Hmmm. Perhaps we should call it off."

"Daniel?"

"A jest. A bit of payback, if you will."

He reached in his coat pocket, removed an emerald ring, and slid it on her finger. "Oh Daniel, it's so beautiful."

"A poor imitation of your bewitching eyes." He kissed her, slowly, with much more tenderness than ever before.

She murmured, "Daniel, should we adjourn to our cabin?"

"The children will be back from school soon, too soon."

"Perhaps tonight?"

"Better to wait. If by chance those old stories are true, I'd rather be married first."

She wondered if this was more payback. "I think you've misinterpreted my invitation."

"I've never misinterpreted an invitation like that."

"And no doubt there were many in your life. You never told me about who slapped you."

"You did, my dear, you did. I forgive you but also expect much to make up for it."

In the shimmering green of the garden wet with rain, they held each other.

Chapter 8 Love and Fear

When Carolyn told Candy, her immediate reaction was less than what she'd hoped for. "You act like you're married anyway, but you like each other better than most kids' parents. Can I have a new dress and be a bridesmaid?"

"How about if you wear that dress Grandma and Grandpa got you for their wedding vow renewal? You'll make a lovely bridesmaid!"

"I need SOMETHING new; Mom, this is like practice for when I marry."

Carolyn tried not to look amused. "Not too soon I hope." She hesitated, then added, "I need you to know that this doesn't mean I love your father any the less."

"Sometimes I still think about him, but it stopped hurting awhile ago. The captain isn't like a dad exactly, but he is family. It's just he waited so long to let me know about him. Is it okay if I call him Captain instead of Dad?"

"Honey, you can call him captain. About him waiting so long to make himself known to you, remember how frightened you were your first night here?"

"Yeah. But then I wasn't frightened. And he and Jonathon were really close and I thought Jonathon was making him up because he missed Dad so much."

"Oh, honey! The captain frightens people sometimes, like when he's angry or trying to protect something. When he really cares for someone, he tries hard not to frighten. One of the ways I know he loves you, silly as it may sound, is how long he waited to let you see him."

"I'm glad you're getting married, Mom, really. I just wish I wasn't the last one to find out stuff."

Telling Martha should be a breeze after this, Carolyn thought. When she did, Martha said, "Congratulations! I'm assuming the ghost experts had the answers."

"Not exactly answers. It's a bit of a unique situation. The only way out is through."

"Tomorrow night doesn't give me much time to prepare."

"Martha, if I ever take you for granted again, just remind me of this and your ghost expert idea."