Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer Page A

kitchen and see if Mrs. Graham has any leftovers I can pilfer for luncheon.” And escape any further probing questions. The less the people at Oakhaven knew about her, the better it would be for everyone.
    “Oh, all right, dear.” The housekeeper waved her rag as if she were a fancy lady waving farewell with a lace handkerchief, but the confusion in her eyes pricked Nicole’s conscience. “Have a nice time.”
    She didn’t want to hurt Mrs. Wellborn’s feelings, but neitherdid she wish to encourage any matchmaking impulses the woman might be prone to. Especially if those efforts involved a man handsome and noble enough to tempt her heart while being completely unsuitable for taking the helm at Renard Shipping. An obsessed, eccentric, social misfit would be a disaster for her father’s company, no matter how intelligent and driven the man might be. No, she needed to do her job, earn her wages, and get on to New Orleans. Memories of her father’s weakened condition spurred her determination. He was counting on her to find him an heir. She’d not disappoint him.
    After collecting her bonnet from her room and thrusting it upon her head with a careless abandon that would no doubt make her disheveled employer proud, Nicole strode into the kitchen, where Mrs. Graham was pulling a pair of Dutch ovens from the coals in the hearth. The cook thumped them onto the worktable and pulled off the lids, releasing the heavenly aroma of fresh-baked bread.
    Nicole’s stomach gurgled.
    “Bread’s gotta cool.” Mrs. Graham lifted her eyes just enough to let Nicole know she was speaking to her. “If you’re wanting somethin’ to eat, there’s part of yesterday’s loaf in the cupboard. You can take some ham from the skillet, too. I ain’t got around to warmin’ it yet.” Defensiveness edged the cook’s voice, as if she expected a reprimand for not anticipating Nicole’s early lunch plans.
    “Cold ham and day-old bread sounds perfectly acceptable, Mrs. Graham. Thank you.” She crossed to the cupboard, found the bread, and began exploring the other occupants resting within its recesses. Lifting the corner of a flour-sack towel, Nicole smiled at the treat she’d uncovered. “Would you mind if I cut off a few slices of this cheese, as well?”
    Mrs. Graham shrugged. “Suit yourself.”
    Nicole gathered her luncheon items, tied them up in a towel, and headed for the back door. Sunshine warmed her face the moment she stepped outdoors, and in that moment her concerns shrunk to a manageable size. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply of the clean, sweet air. God was good. He’d blessed her with a beautiful spring day and, with it, the reminder that he was in charge. She didn’t have to carry her troubles alone. He would watch over her father’s health, take care of her, and if it fit his plans, lead her to the man who would fulfill both her and Papa’s needs.
    Nicole hiked around to the far side of the pond and settled herself on the large exposed root she’d discovered on her first visit. It had just enough curve in it to be comfortable, especially when she leaned back against the oak’s trunk. The natural bench offered a delightful view of the pond. She tore off a piece of her bread and tossed it toward the pair of ducks gliding along the surface. Both birds dove beak first for it, their feathered bottoms popping up at the same moment, stirring a laugh from Nicole.
    After whispering a quick word of thanks for her meal and a heartfelt plea for her father’s healing, she relaxed against the tree trunk and ate. The ducks hovered on the edge of the pond, silently pleading for her to share. She obliged, tossing her last two scraps into the water.
    “That’s all there is, I’m afraid.” She held up empty hands, then shook out her napkin, scattering the crumbs upon the dirt. A line of ants came to investigate, and she watched the procession carry away the evidence of her lunch. Industrious little bunch. Wonder how far