Haldis doesn’t wait like the others had. He walks straight up to the bar, sitting down in front of Leilani with his leather journal falling open in front of himself. His light eyes are taking her in, pulling a pen from his inside jacket pocket as she stops, her hands on the bar.
“We’ve pooled our money together.” he says as his way of greeting, voice matter of fact in the way he always is, “All three of us. If you’ll have us, I have a house picked out in Disment. It’s in a town not far off from the water, far enough away from the camps so you won’t be bothered if you don’t wish to be. Close enough that we can be to you within an hour of landing on shore.”
She raises an eyebrow, and he flips the page, pushing the journal to her. There’s a drawing there, the door of the home is arched, two rocking chairs on the porch.
“This is a slight exaggeration.” he admits as her fingers brush along the flowers at the windows, the tree at the corner. He holds up a finger, asking her for her patience, “Tahlia has been convinced that Disment is a lovely home base when we’re not at sea. We are heading there at the end of the week, and we’ll be staying long enough for her to set down roots, stake her claim.”
“Haldis,” she starts shaking her head, and he taps the page again.
“I have it all taken care of, Lei. We’ll stay and buy the house, and we’ll do any updates and furnishings you’d like. We have the coin upfront, and then you’ll be able to live off of the money you’ll make selling eggs, milk and kids.”
“Eggs, milk, and kids?” her shoulders slump, but he’s the only one that’s pulled a smile from her lips, always the one with a plan.
“There’s a barn and a coop- I’ve budgeted for a herd of goats and chickens.”
“Of course you have.” she pours him a glass before she moves down the bar to fill another patrons, pulling his coin. She works the bar until he’s finished half of his drink, making her way back to him.
“So,” she’s smiling at him again, but he can see the wariness in her eyes, “What’s your reasoning for trying to convince me?”
“Same as the others.” he shrugs, crossing his arms in front of himself, “I want you happy.”
They stare at each other for a long moment, and then she looks down at his book, turning it back to herself and flipping through it.
“Which one told you about the flowers?”
“He’s a gossip.” she murmurs, though her finger runs longingly over the porch railing. She snorts lightly, tilting her head, “Did Rainer tell you how he volunteered for each of you to stay on land with me?”
“He did.” he smiles back, eyes on her face as she relaxes ever so slightly, “He went straight to Captain and told her.”
“Did he now?” she shakes her head, “And how did Ms Bowen take that?”
“She said we’d be in charge of finding our replacements. And that you two would have to work out a contract.”
She snorts again, then looks up at him, “All of you, really?”
“All of us.” he nods once. He watches her gently fold the page, running her thumbnail over the edge before she slowly, carefully rips out the picture. She folds it and places it in her apron pocket, and then she rolls her shoulders back, standing up straight.
“So, who comes next?” Leilani asks, “Who else is Lord McAllister and Mr Rainer trying to bring in their crusade?”
“No crusade, Leilani.” he’s serious again, and she reaches forward, taking a long swallow of his drink as he repeats, “We just want you happy.”
