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wasn’t entirely true. There was Constance Penny on Journeys end, sailing in October when the seas are troubled.

Chapter 5
     
    Constance sat on the right side of the captain, who proved to be a most entertaining man. He put her at ease and introduced her as his most important guest of the voyage. There were three others who had purchased tickets for the trip. Two of them were on a pleasure cruise and had decided on a sailing vessel before the ships became relics from the past.
    The third gentleman kept his reasons vague. By his shifty eyes, she got the impression he was running from the law. Stubby sat at the end of the table and regaled them with sea stories. Long ago, he’d been on a whaler and lost his leg to a tiger shark.
    She shuddered at his telling but enjoyed every detail.
    The captain shook his head at his first mate. “Stubby, your story grows with each voyage. Soon the shark will have been bigger than the whale.” After a moment of laughter, he turned to her. “Miss Penny, you are very brave to sail with us alone. Most would have taken the train. For your courage, I lift my glass in a toast.”
    She blushed as “hear, hears,” rounded the table.
    One of the young men sitting next to her touched his glass to hers. “And you Miss Penny, what is your business?”
    Silence fell over the table as all eyes looked to her.
    She cleared her throat. “Well, I am on this cruise for a new life. Yes, a chance at a new life.”
    The captain nodded. “My ship is named Journeys end because of a line in one of Shakespeare’s plays; ‘Journeys end in lovers meeting.’ May this voyage be for us all a new chance at life, and may we all feel encouraged when we dock in Apalachicola.”
    Her cheeks warmed. Perhaps the ship’s name was another sign. Would she find a lover at her journey’s end? Regardless, never had she felt such a part of a group as she did with those men sitting around the table. Even the supposed outlaw held a place in her heart.
    She sipped the wine and licked her lips. So, this is how it felt to share yourself with others. To be a member of a group. To not be alone.
    Like lava in a volcano, she could feel the courage rise up inside her. Hot and brave, it braced her very core. She knew when she got off the ship that she would be a new person.
    She left the group, went to her cabin, and snuggled into her hammock. For once, she didn’t feel alone. She stared at the moon hanging over the sea. What would she find at her journey’s end? A man to love her? She didn’t know anything about him. The questions swirled in her mind, but soon the rocking ship put her to sleep.
    Loud shouts and banging woke her. Hurriedly, she readied for the day and slipped out of her cabin. The ship rolled under her feet. She walked outside and wanted to dance with joy. The sails, dingy or not, billowed in the wind.
    She found a place where she wouldn’t be in the way and watched as men scurried about securing ropes and freight. She knew it was dangerous to be on deck, but she could not make herself go below.
    Excitement skittered through her. The ship leaned to the right. Starboard the captain had told her. Starboard to the right when facing the front of the ship. The bow. Port to the left. She restrained herself and kept at her perch.
    Stubby clumped toward her. “Aye, Lass. You be liking the sea. Can tell it in your eyes as they be the color of waves. I do have to tell you; you’re standing in the captain’s place. You best go below and get your breakfast. At least afore Captain Gordon finds out he’s been replaced.” He laughed and helped her down to the galley.
    The ship pitched, sending her to the wall. Then rolled and sent her to the other side. She laughed as she walked like a drunken, well, sailor.
    In the galley, she saw a rather green Mr. Briggs. The passenger she’d at first dubbed an outlaw. The cook placed a plate of eggs and bacon in front of her. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was but made sure to