Chapter 11

Josie stood on the Lower Landing in St. Paul, watching for Alexandre to emerge out of the noisy crowd. The morning sun hadn’t yet crested the eastern horizon, and already there were dozens of steamboats lining the pier. Hundreds of passengers milled about the landing, with children running among the adults. Dockworkers walked up and down the gangplanks, loading and unloading cargo, while street peddlers hawked their wares. A whistle pierced the air as a steamboat backed out of the dock, on its way upriver.

Where was he? The Northern Star was scheduled to depart at first light. If they didn’t get passage, they would have to wait for the next boat. For two days, they had tried to book passage on an available boat, but every stateroom had been taken.

Josie stood on tiptoe, straining to find him and willing the panic to subside.

Finally, Alexandre pushed his way through the crowd.

“Did you find rooms?” she asked, searching his face. They only had eight days before Stephen’s birthday, and the trip would take at least six. If anything happened to stall their progress, they might not reach the judge in time.

Alexandre picked up her valise. “I was able to secure the last available stateroom, though it isn’t much to speak of. I had hoped to find a room with servant’s quarters for me, but there was nothing.”

She followed him through the crowd, toward the steamboat, feeling both disappointed and thrilled. For the past three nights they had shared a room, and she had come to enjoy his company.

The first night in Little Falls had been awkward—until he opened his Bible. The book was common ground for them, so she asked him to read aloud. Soon they were engaged in a lively conversation that had lasted for hours. The awkwardness had dissipated, and she had loved the way his insights had challenged her.

Every night they had followed the same routine. He read a passage of scripture, and then they discussed what he read. After their conversations, Josie had slept on the bed and Alexandre on the floor. It was an entirely new experience to fall asleep listening to the steady rise and fall of his breathing.

Now, as he led her onboard the Northern Star, she felt her stomach flutter at the idea of spending an entire week in the same room with him. They were reading through the book of Proverbs—would they finish?

The Northern Star was a grand boat, with an ornate central stairway, a three-hundred-foot-long Grand Salon, and beautiful mahogany furnishings. It was reported to be one of the fastest ships on the Mississippi. Josie hoped it would live up to its reputation.

Alexandre showed her to stateroom number thirty-eight, and produced a key.

He opened the door and Josie stepped into the small room. Only eight feet square, it boasted a washbasin, slim dresser, and narrow bed. Two doors stood opposite from each other, one going onto the promenade deck and the other opening into the Grand Salon.

“There’s just enough room for me to put a bedroll on the floor.” Alexandre placed their valises on top of the dresser. His towering form took up a great deal of space, making the room feel much more intimate than their hotel rooms.

She made a pretense of studying the room, though she couldn’t take her mind off him. “I’m sorry you must sleep on the floor.”

“There are worse places to sleep.” He smiled, and his brown eyes teased. “And there are better.”

She didn’t expect the heat that filled her cheeks. She dropped her gaze and began to fiddle with her hat pin to cover her reaction.

“The room will do,” he said, “as long as we get to St. Louis on time.” He leaned against the dresser, watching her. “On the way back, I’ll have the whole room to myself.”

She removed her hat and set it on the bed, smoothing down her hair. “I suppose you will.” Unless she could convince him to stay in St. Louis.

He continued to watch her as she removed her gloves and took off her traveling coat. She tried not to let his perusal fluster her, but she couldn’t keep her hands from trembling.

She glanced at him and couldn’t deny the spark that flew between them. If she wasn’t careful, she might fall in love with her husband.…

And that’s when she realized how she might convince him to stay in St. Louis.

He needed to fall in love with her.

A knock sounded on the Promenade door. “I have your trunk,” a steward called.

Alexandre opened the door and directed the steward to put the trunk in the only open space, between the washbasin and dresser.

“Breakfast is in fifteen minutes, ma’am.” The steward bowed and left the room.

“Fifteen minutes?” Josie threw open her trunk and looked at her clothing in dismay. “How will I change into a clean morning gown in fifteen minutes?”

Alexandre suddenly looked uncomfortable as he shuffled his feet. “I suppose I could help you.”

Josie clutched the lid of the trunk. “That won’t be necessary. I can do it on my own … I’ll just need some privacy.”

Alexandre grabbed his valise and hurried to the door. “I’ll meet you back here in fifteen minutes.”

She closed the door behind him and leaned against the solid wood, taking a deep breath.

She might succeed in getting Alexandre to fall in love with her … but the real challenge would be guarding her own heart.

Josie stood beside Alexandre at the rail, watching the large red wheels churn in the muddy water. The delicious taste of warm pancakes and maple syrup still lingered on her tongue, and the quiet prayer Alexandre had spoken for their journey echoed in her heart. The timbre of his voice was as soothing as the sway of the boat.

She just wished the boat would move faster.

Conscious of her plan to win his heart, she stepped closer to Alexandre and put her arm through his. “When is the boat supposed to arrive in St. Louis?”

He looked at her, a bit surprised—but pleased. “Thursday evening.”

“Thursday?” Her mind raced with the calculations. “My brother’s birthday is on Saturday.”

“We’ll have two extra days.”

“As long as we don’t encounter any problems.”

Alexandre placed his large hand over hers. “Don’t borrow trouble, Josette.”

“Reverend Dugas?” The captain appeared next to Alexandre, his blue uniform gleaming in the early morning sunshine.

“Yes?”

Captain Townsend was a young man, with dark hair and a well-trimmed beard. His gaze slid over Josie, and appreciation gleamed from his light blue eyes. He gave a slight bow. “Mrs. Dugas, I presume?”

Josie had not yet grown accustomed to the title, but she felt pride at being recognized as Alexandre’s wife. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Captain.”

Captain Townsend placed his hand over his heart. “The pleasure is mine.”

The appreciation in his eyes fringed on something deeper, and Josie instinctively took a step closer to her husband.

As if reading her unease, Alexandre put his arm around her waist. “Can I help you, monsieur?”

The captain directed his gaze to Alexandre. “We will stop to observe the Sabbath the day after tomorrow. It has been my practice to find a reverend on board to lead our morning service. Would you do us the honor?”

Alexandre didn’t hesitate. “Of course.”

“Wonderful.” The captain grinned, and his eyes landed on Josie once again. “I hope you’ll sit with me as my guest of honor during the service, Mrs. Dugas.”

How could she refuse? “I’d be honored.”

The captain reached for her hand and placed a kiss on the top.

Alexandre’s arm tightened around her waist.

“I will count down the hours.” The captain stood straight and tipped his hat. “Good day to the both of you.”

He walked away, but Alexandre was slow to remove his arm from around her waist—and she didn’t mind.

The other passengers milled about the promenade deck, enjoying the mid-morning heat. Lush green vegetation grew along the riverbanks, and sunshine streamed down, creating a million sparkles on the river’s surface.

A sudden jolt heaved across the promenade deck, tossing many people to the floor. Screams filled the air as a great noise ripped through the steamboat and brought it to a stop. Alexandre’s arms tightened around Josie, helping her stay on her feet.

“What was that?” she asked, her heart thudding against her chest.

“My best guess would be a snag.”

“A snag?”

“Sometimes the boats snag on dead trees in the water.”

Josie stared at him. Had that terrible noise been the ship’s bottom tearing off? “Will we sink?”

Officers and crewmembers rushed past, and Alexandre’s eyes filled with concern.

“There is a possibility.” He tried to offer a reassuring smile. “More than likely, it was a minor accident, and we’ll stay afloat.”

More crewmembers raced past on the promenade, their concerned faces not looking left or right.

Josie stood on tiptoe, trying to see what they were running toward.

Alexandre drew her gaze back to his face. “This may set us back a day or two.”

It was then that she felt real panic.