A Bride for Adam by Barbara Goss (speld decodable readers .TXT) 📗

my heart what I want to do with my life.’ My mother doesn’t realize how forceful she’s being. She thinks she’s just trying to help.”

“I know. That’s why I hate to oppose her. I hate arguments, and I avoid them like the plague,” Greta said.

“There is no need to argue. Just compliment her, and tell her what you want to do.”

Greta smiled at him. “That’s good advice. Thank you.”

After breakfast, Greta and Adam went ashore to send their telegram. They had a reply within the hour that everyone was fine—Sam was teaching Bethany to swim in the pond, and she talked to Greta’s photograph every day.

Meanwhile, the crew and dock workers loaded the cotton into Eve’s cargo hold.

Greta returned to the galley to work with Tully, while Adam studied the maps to plan their route to Liverpool. At dawn, they’d be on their way to England.

Chapter Eleven

Greta enjoyed working with Tully to prepare the meals. He was a rotund fellow, about Sam’s age, and with a sense of humor. She always found herself laughing as she worked alongside him. One day, he was sick, and she cooked all three meals by herself. She suspected he wasn’t sick at all, but he had let her run things alone to give her more self-confidence.

Adam said the crew had raved about her stew and biscuits. She’d felt inspired. Lately, she found Tully finding excuses to give her more and more responsibility. She didn’t mind; she actually loved it.

The cleaning was minimal as there were only she, Manny, Tully, and Adam who used the upper floors, and they were all rather neat. She scrubbed the hardwood floors once a day, made the beds, and dusted.

Adam told her they were in the middle of the ocean, heading north. There was no land to be seen in any direction. According to Adam, they had a good wind, and they were bound to make Liverpool in record time if it continued.

She slept alone without having to have Adam tell her a story. She was more familiar with every nook and cranny on the ship’s two floors now and who slept where, and she felt secure when locked in her cabin. The crew had bunks on the lower deck. Working with Tully and cleaning the upper floors had helped her get over her fears.

Adam was busier now that they were headed for Liverpool. He and Manny spent time studying their maps and instruments, but he always found time to spend a few minutes with her at the rail each day.

One morning when she came up on deck, Adam was standing at the rail. He didn’t greet her with his usual smile. As Greta neared the rail, she knew why: red skies in the

morning. “Tell me again: what do red skies in the morning mean, Adam?”

“It means that sailors should take warning or that they should be on the lookout for a storm brewing.”

Greta had tied her hair back with Adam’s rawhide strip, but the strong wind was blowing most of it in her face anyway.

Adam noticed. “Do you want me to braid your hair again?”

“Do you have time?”

He gave her one of his heart-throbbing smiles. “I’ll make the time. Turn around.”

It gave her goosebumps whenever Adam touched her hair, but she loved it. He always managed to braid her hair too quickly for her liking.

“There. Now the wind is changing, and I have to get the crew to adjust the sails.”

He stood below the sails and yelled orders to the men who were climbing up to make the adjustments.

Greta went to the galley where she and Tully were making a white sauce for chipped beef to go over their biscuits for dinner. Every meal was served with fresh fruit that Tully had canned.

The ship had begun to rock so much, they spilled ingredients. Tully let out a mild curse. “Let’s get this sauce finished before the storm gets worse.”

“It will get worse?”

“Sometimes it does, but don’t worry—Adam is one of the best captains there is.”

By the time Greta had gone to her cabin to prepare for bed, she could barely stand, and she knew why the furniture had been affixed to the floor.

Someone knocked on the door. She asked who it was, and unlocked it when she heard Adam’s voice.

He came into the cabin, wearing clothes that were soaking wet. “I need my rain slicker,” he said. He opened the wardrobe and removed it. “I’d advise you to stay in the cabin. We’re in for a storm.”

Adam must have seen her face pale, because he added, “But don’t worry. I’ve seen us through worse. It’s just a lot of work in the poorer conditions.”

Lightning flashed through the portholes. Greta screamed when thunder shook the room, and she ran into Adam’s arms.

Adam’s arms tightened around her. “You’ll be all right. Do you want me to send for Tully to sit with you?”

Greta reluctantly pulled away. “No, I’ll be fine. How long will this last?”

“Probably all night.”

Greta grimaced. The ship rocked to one side, and she nearly fell onto the desk.

Adam helped her to stand. “You’d best stay in bed. If we get another hit like that, grab hold of the bed post. And no lanterns or lamps.”

Greta laid on the bed. “With all the clouds, there’ll be no moon, and it’ll get very dark. I don’t even have my nightgown on.”

“You can forget it for one night. Just remember: it will soon pass.” Adam put the slicker on and opened the cabin door. “I’ll lock you in, but I’ll check on you when Manny relieves me at midnight. The crew will be up all night to ride the storm out. We’ve all experienced worse than this.”

After he’d gone, Greta felt a bit better, knowing the crew