scarf around the hat and carried them just inside her coat. She hoped he’d be pleased with the gift but knew it might be awkward. With that in mind, she’d practiced what she’d say and how she would say it. She knew she could make it clear that this wasn’t anything important.
“Miss Kenner, it’s good to see you again,” Andrew said, coming down from the wheelhouse.
“I thought we had progressed to Faith and Andrew.”
He grinned. “Yes, we had. Faith.”
“Thank you, Andrew.” She reached inside her coat and pulled out the hat and scarf. She pushed them toward him, already apologizing. “Now, don’t make more of this than is needed. When I was with you on Christmas Eve, you had no hat and scarf. I decided to make you a scarf, and my mother helped by making the hat. We just wanted to ensure that you are well-protected on your river runs.”
“Ever the doctor, eh?” He unwrapped the bundle and considered each piece but said nothing.
Faith could hardly bear it. “It also gave me something to do with my hands while visiting with my family, so please understand that it’s not a gift that should make you feel in any way obligated. I simply like to be useful and help people when I can. Speaking of which, I hope Ben is doing well.” She knew she was rambling but didn’t feel comfortable stopping. “Does he need a hat and scarf as well?”
Andrew looked up. His eyes, such a dark brown, seemed to grow darker still. “They are the best quality. I’m very touched that you would spend your holiday working on them for me.”
Faith swallowed the lump in her throat and found her mouth very dry. She nodded and forced a smile. Grief, what was wrong with her? This shouldn’t be that hard. It was just a gesture of kindness.
Andrew pulled the scarf around his neck. “I had a good wool hat but lost it on one of my trips. I kept meaning to purchase another.” He looped the scarf around and tucked it inside his coat with a smile. “Already warmer.” He took off the billed hat that he usually wore and pulled on the red cap. “It’s a perfect fit.” He smiled. “Thank you, Faith. I wish I had something to give you in return.”
“That’s not necessary. I didn’t do it for that reason.” Her voice was barely a whisper. There was something about this man that made her feel small, yet they were almost evenly matched in height. He might have two or three inches on her, but no more.
“I know, I’ll give you free passage on the Morning Star next time you sail. Although I’m sure to be getting the better part of this exchange.”
Faith felt herself begin to relax. “I’m glad you like it.”
“The fact is, I like you. You have a spirit that few women exhibit. You are fearless and face the world with a sense of authority. Few women could have done what you did, taking charge of my wound. You’re studying to be a doctor, so I know the things you see and deal with must be more than most women could bear.”
“Women bear a lot and get little credit for it.” Faith thought of all the injuries she and her brothers had endured over the years of their youth. Her mother was always there to patch them up. From time to time, she had to tend Father’s wounds as well.
“Still, I’ve never known anyone quite like you, and I admire you.”
Her cheeks grew hot. “Thank you, Andrew. I admire you as well. Your kindness to people of color, Indians in particular, impresses me. Few white men consider Indians to be human, much less their equal.”
He shrugged. “Maybe they’ve just never bothered to get to know one.”
“Probably not.”
“Maybe they’d be better men if they did.”
CHAPTER 7
College classes hadn’t yet resumed, but Faith saw Gerome Berkshire was giving a lecture and pondered the possibility of attending. She knew enough to be wary of him—even suspicious of the topic of his lecture—yet she felt drawn to the event. At the last minute, she slipped into the back of the room, hoping she’d blend in nicely with the others. If she was fortunate, Berkshire would never even notice her there.
“I am honored to speak to you tonight,” Berkshire declared after another man announced him. The man had sung Gerome Berkshire’s praises and no doubt left the pompous fool feeling infallible.