What had Isaac told her at her wedding to Seth? She tried to recall his exact words: “Adam was born to sail, and he is married to the sea.”
She slipped on a blue and white striped dress, and Sadie braided her hair and wrapped it around the top of her head like a crown.
Greta looked at her reflection in the mirror and said, “I like it, Sadie.”
Sadie beamed. She always appreciated it when Greta complimented her.
Annie knocked on the door. “Your prince charming has arrived. He’s in the parlor.”
Once Adam helped Greta into the buggy, he nudged the horse forward.
“Where are we headed?” she asked.
“I thought we’d visit the Trinity River. I packed a supper and we can sit on the bluffs and enjoy the view while we eat.”
Greta couldn’t help but smile. He’d picked one of her favorite places.
After Greta and Adam had eaten, they sat on a large rock overlooking the river. Adam propped his feet on the large rock in front of him. “Do you like horses?”
“I love them,” she answered.
“I could tell.”
“Why do you ask?”
“I was thinking of building a large stable and buying some prime breeding horses. We could sell them by having horse shows and auctions. I’ve seen it done in Philadelphia.”
Greta loved the idea, but what made him so sure there would be a “we?” She gave him a puzzled look. “We?”
Adam became animated. “Yes. You and I.”
“I don’t understand—the annulment is due to be final in a week or two. How can there be a ‘we?’”
“By a partnership. We don’t have to be married to run a business together. I could live with my folks, and you could stay in your home. We get along well together—what do you say?”
Greta thought it over. It might work. “And we’d split the profits?”
“Of course.”
Greta frowned. “But I don’t have anything to invest in the business.”
“You could earn it, easily.”
“How?”
“My father needs a load picked up in Charleston and taken to Liverpool. The trip would take three weeks to a month. If you go with me and help me make this delivery, you’d be contributing to our partnership.”
Greta frowned again. He was finding an excuse to go back to sea; she knew it. There was no way she’d go on a ship or leave her daughter for that long. “I’m afraid it won’t work. As much as I love the idea of being your partner in a horse breeding ranch, I have some reservations.”
“Such as?” he asked.
“What if I remarry?”
“We’re business partners. I might marry, too. It would have nothing to do with our business arrangement.”
“All right,” she said. “Why me? You could ask anyone.”
“Because I loved Seth, and I want to make sure you and Bethany are taken care of. I made a promise to Seth at the cemetery.”
Greta thought about that for several minutes. Could she leave Bethany for that long? She was old enough that she wouldn’t forget her mother, and she loved staying with her grandparents. She thought of the adventure. She’d get to see Charleston and Liverpool, England. She’d also experience being on the high seas.
“And if I go along, that will be my investment in the business?” she asked.
“Yes. I’ll put you to work. It would be pleasant to have company along for the voyage and fun to see how a land lover likes the experience.” He chuckled. “I hope you don’t get seasick.”
“Oh! What if I do?”
“I know all the tricks to prevention and cure—what do you say?”
Greta put out her hand. “I think we need to shake on it.”
Adam clasped her hand firmly. “I’ll hire a crew of carpenters before we leave to start building our stables. I’ll have my father scout for some good horse stock so by the time we return, we’ll be in business.”
Greta smiled. She liked the idea of being connected to Adam for years to come. Maybe—just maybe—the horse breeding would keep him on dry land.
“Oh,” Adam said, “there’s just one more stipulation.”
Greta frowned. “What?”
“I’d like to ask that you not see that Tanner fellow. At least until we return.”
Greta shrugged. “All right, but why?”
“I just don’t want anyone knowing our plans yet. He might object.”
“He might, at that.” Greta wondered if the partnership would keep suitors at bay. Who would want to court her when she was in a partnership with such a handsome, single man? Still, her heart told her to go with it.
“When do we leave?” she asked.
“Monday.” He pointed at the sky. “It’s going to be a lovely sunset—see how colorful the sky is already?”
Greta nodded.
“’Red skies at night, a sailors delight; red skies at morning, sailors take warning.’”
“Is there any truth to that?” she asked.
“I’ll explain it to you when we get on the ocean. This will be an experience of a lifetime for you, Greta. You’ll either love it or hate it.”
“I’m a bit excited now. What will my job onboard be?”
“We’ll have to go with a skeleton crew, since this is last minute. The cook will need help in the galley, and we’ll have to do without cleaners. Can you mop a deck?”
Greta laughed. “I sure can. Anything else?”
“Just having someone other than a crew member to keep me company is enough.”
Greta smiled. She could do all of those things, and now she was excited. She wouldn’t like being away from Bethany for that long; she’d just have to make it up to her when they returned.
She looked up at Adam. “How do I
