just need an impartial opinion on the matter. My friends and family always have in mind what I should do or say, but I thought that since you are a newer friend, someone who doesn’t know everything about me . . . well, I thought you might be able to advise me.”
“I see. I’m not sure that’s the case, but I’ll try. You say you were asked to come and help influence donors to give money to the medical college. Do you have people of color attending the college?”
“Mercy, no. It’s hardly acceptable that women are there.”
He nodded. “So it’s not going to promote donations to digress and talk about something unrelated to the college.”
“That’s true.” Andrew was echoing her own concerns about possibly hampering the fundraising effort. “There are a group of students at the college who feel as I do about the injustices done to people of color. We want to start a series of lectures. My folks have even decided to help by donating money for us to secure lecture halls and create advertising.”
“It sounds as if you will have ample opportunities to speak out against the problem of racial injustice.”
“Yes. Yes, I will.” She smiled. “So it’s probably wise just to speak about the topic I’ve been asked to speak on and leave the other for another time.”
A stout man entered the saloon, carrying a tray. He was of mixed race, black and perhaps Indian or Mexican. He beamed Faith a smile.
“I see the captain is entertaining. Ain’t never seen him do that before.”
“Don’t be making something out of nothing,” Andrew warned. “This is the woman doctor I was telling you about. The one who sewed me up. Faith, this is Remli. He’s been cooking and cleaning for the Morning Star for over ten years.”
She nodded. “Mr. Remli.”
“No mister,” he said, depositing the tray. “Just Remli.” He smiled. “Glad to meet you, ma’am.”
“Faith. Just call me Faith, Remli.”
The black man’s smile widened.
“Thanks for the refreshments.” Andrew was already slathering butter on one of the biscuits. “You have to try this, Faith. Nobody makes biscuits like Remli.”
She pulled off her gloves. “I’m excited to sample them.”
Andrew handed the buttered piece to her. Faith took a bite and had to marvel at the cheesy flavor. “This is wonderful. How did you make them?”
“I just mix up a batch of biscuits and then throw in some seasonings and grated cheese. You can put jam on ’em too.” Remli uncovered a pot of what appeared to be blackberry preserves. “The cheese goes along real nice.”
Faith picked up a spoon and added some of the jam to her biscuit. She took another bite. The flavors were delightful. “Mmm. Heavenly.”
Remli grinned. “Glad you like ’em. Captain, if you ain’t needin’ nothing else, I got four meat pies in the oven.”
“By all means, see to it. That’s our supper.”
“Nice meetin’ you, ma’am. Faith.”
“And likewise you, Remli.”
She waited until he’d gone to finish her biscuit, while Andrew poured the coffee. She liked the way Andrew’s crew felt like family rather than employees.
“Would you like some cream or sugar for your coffee?” he asked.
“Just cream.” She leaned back in her chair and smiled as Andrew added an ample portion of cream. Here was this rugged ship’s captain playing hostess at an impromptu tea party. Or coffee party, in this case. Faith had to admit she was smitten.
“Now that we’ve resolved your questions about the lecture you’ll be giving, what else should we discuss?” he asked, handing her the cup.
Faith took the coffee and cherished the warmth in her hands. “Why don’t you tell me about the journeys you’ve made since I saw you last?”
“Mostly back and forth from Astoria and Fort Vancouver and then down to Oregon City. Routine shipping—a lot of flour and grain.”
“Any problems?”
“None to speak of.”
“No pirates to attack you and steal away your booty?”
He blinked at her, then burst out laughing. “No pirates. Although there was one cranky customer who thought we had shortchanged him. We sorted out the details, however, and he clearly saw his mistake and went away content.”
She nodded and sipped the coffee. It was strong, but the cream mellowed the bitterness. She felt so at ease with Andrew that it was almost startling. Here was a man she knew very little about, and yet she felt as if they’d been friends for years.
“Are your folks or siblings in the area?” she asked.
He shook his head. “I was the only one of my folks’ five children who lived