Wings of the Morning (Kensington Chronicles) by Lori Wick Page B

he never wanted to be a hero
    to me. He only wanted to be my father, teaching me God's way
    and making sure I knew he loved me.
    "Nearly everything I know, I learned from him. My knowledge
    of God, sailing, and life in general was learned at his
    knee. He was my teacher, just as his father had been for him.
    Many have heard of my father, but most know him only by his
    first name. No one, not even when my last name is spoken,
    thinks to tie him to me, unless they find out that I sail.
    "And as proud as I am to call him my papa," Smokey's
    voice dropped as she finished her speech and finally stood
    still before her host and hostess, "most of the time it's easier if
    people don't know that the legendary Clancy was my father."
    The room was utterly still for the space of many heartbeats,
    and then Jenny was coming toward her, her eyes wet
    with tears.
    There were no speeches about how blessed Smokey was
    or how honored the Pembertons felt to have her in their home,
    just a long, loving hug between friends. The hug ended with a
    bit of relieved laughter when Jenny shared that she thought
    Smokey might share about being a runaway wife or pirate.
    "I have admired your father since I was a little boy," Tate
    told her when they were once again seated and Jenny had
    poured tea.
    "So have I," Smokey told him with a smile.
    "You know," Tate went on, "I always thought Clancy had
    been born over a hundred years ago."
    "You're not alone in that belief." Smokey's voice was dry.
    "His father's name was Clancy also, so the name Clancy has
    been on the sea for many years. He told me once that to have
    done everything that's been credited to him, he would have to
    have been 200 years old"
    "No wonder you're so good at what you do," Jenny complimented
    Smokey.
    "Isn't that the truth! If our son wants to go to sea," Tate's
    face filled with excitement at the thought, "he could sail with
    you and learn from the best."
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    "Oh, no," Smokey said with a laugh. "I'd be an old woman
    by then, and I really hope I won't be sailing that long."
    "Do you have to put some money aside before you can
    stop?" Jenny's voice was filled with tender compassion, but
    late and Smokey burst out laughing.
    Smokey had just collected a small fortune from Pemberon
    Shipping, which, even though some of it would pay for
    business expenses, held a large chunk of profit. Jenny was
    clearly naive as to the success of Smokey's business.
    "It's not that, Jen," Smokey took pity on the confused look
    on her friend's face. "It's just that until I met you, I thought I
    would be at sea until the day of my death, just as my father had
    been."
    "What happened when you met Jen?"
    "I wanted what she has. Not you personally, Tate," Smokey
    told him with a cheeky grin. "But a husband of my own, a home
    for us to share, and children, if God wills. There was a man
    who was in love with me a few years ago. He asked me to
    many him for over three years, and even though I cared for
    him, and still do, I could never say yes."
    "What happened to him?" Jenny wanted to know.
    Smokey shrugged "He gave up on me and eventually
    married someone else. I never see him anymore."
    "Do you have regrets?"
    "No, but I think I know why I could never say yes. I mean,
    he was romantic, and I love romance. I also enjoyed listening
    when he painted a lovely picture of us sailing the world
    together. But just recently I realized that if ever I marry, I want
    to have a home--a real home. And I don't want my husband to
    be a sailor who's gone for months at a time!"
    Smokey's last sentence was uttered with great passion,
    and she was suddenly embarrassed at her own actions. She
    forced herself to sit back in her chair, her face heating as she
    looked down at her folded hands in her lap.
    "We'll be praying that if God has a special man for you,
    you'll know it."
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    "Thank you, Tate." His words relieved some of her embarrassment.
    "That means alotto me. I've thought about what Jen
    suggested when I was here before, and