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chipped paint, threadbare curtains, and secondhand furniture. “I know this isn’t the most comfortable place to live, but it’s all I can afford at the moment.”
    “You know I don’t care about that, Luke. I’m concerned for your soul.”
    “My soul is fine.”
    “Hmm.” She continued her knitting. “If only you’d settle down. Pick an honorable trade.”
    “I have. A privateer. If this war continues much longer, I can make a fortune.”
    “You sound as if you wish the war would go on.”
    “Absurd.” Setting his cup down with a clank, Luke rose and began to pace. “I know firsthand what the British are capable of. I hate the blockade. I hate their intrusion onto our land. I want to fight as much as the next man. Only at sea.”
    Needles flying, Mrs. Barnes joined one strand of white yarn and one strand of black together in a chaotic pattern that made no sense. Much like the pattern of Luke’s life.
    He stomped about the room, trying to settle his agitation. “When I sailed with Noah, I took great pride in thwarting the British cause by capturing their merchant ships.”
    “Yet you are no longer with Captain Brenin.”
    Halting, Luke avoided looking at the censure he knew he would find on Mrs. Barnes’s face even as he braced himself for her lecture. Everyone in town knew why Noah had relieved Luke of his duties.
    But instead, she gave him a gentle smile. “If privateering is where God is leading you, Luke, then by all means, pursue that course.”
    Luke warmed at her encouragement. “As soon as I get the funds to fix my ship.”
    “What happened to the money you had in the bank?”
    Luke lowered his chin as silence permeated the room.
    “Your parents would not approve of your methods of procuring money. And neither does God.”
    “My parents followed God and look where it got them.” Luke gazed at the rippled, pink skin on the palm of his right hand. “I’m doing things differently. I’m doing things my way. Besides, I’m not hurting anyone with my actions.”
    “Except John.”
    “He misses me, that’s all.” Luke shrugged. “I’ll make it up to him when I fix my ship. Teach him to sail. We’ll become merchants together after the war.”
    “That would be nice.” Yet her tone held no confidence.
    Luke parted the curtains. Aside from a few twinkling lights emanating from nearby homes, nothing but an empty, dark void met his gaze. Empty like his many promises to John. “Why do you stay with us, Mrs. Barnes? Surely your skills and experience could land you a better position in a proper home.”
    “Why, I wouldn’t know what to do in a proper home.” Her warm smile reached her eyes in a twinkle. “Besides, I love you boys as if I birthed you myself. And I promised your mother I’d look out after you.”
    Luke made his way back to his chair, drawn away from the darkness by the love in this precious woman’s face. “You are family now, Mrs. Barnes. Which is why I allow you to speak to me with such forthrightness.” He winked and slid back onto his chair.
    Dropping her knitting into her lap, Mrs. Barnes leaned forward and patted his hand as she always did to comfort him. “Love can only be expressed in truth.”
    The wise adage drifted through Luke, finally settling on his reason. Love and truth. Two things he didn’t know much about.
    Mrs. Barnes gazed at the red coals. “The doctor came today.”
    Leaning forward, Luke planted his elbows on his knees.
    “He said there shouldn’t be any additional malformation due to the rickets.”
    “That’s great news.” Luke nearly leapt from his seat, but Mrs. Barnes’s somber expression stifled his enthusiasm. “What else? Will the leg ever heal?”
    Mrs. Barnes took a sip of her coffee then wrapped her hands around the cup. “In time, perhaps. The doctor cannot say for sure. But he did say John needs a new brace.”
    Luke nodded, swallowing down resurging fears for his brother’s future. A new brace cost money. Money he didn’t