Chain Locker Read Free Page A

even if you do have it—which you don’t—what better place to be than in Twillingate, with a brand new hospital?”
    â€œNever mind that. What’s she got against you anyway?” Gennie asked. “Did you steal her boyfriend or something?”
    â€œWell, to tell you the truth, you’re not far off. She used to be interested in my older brother, Bill, and was always dropping by the house on the feeblest of pretenses, hoping he might be around. Many’s the day when I was in high school that I would come home to find Agnes in the kitchen, chatting with Mama and maneuvering her way to the supper table.
    â€œIf you ever met Bill you would know how polite he is—he’s like Daddy. I guess she mistook his pleasantness for something more serious, but he had no interest whatsoever in Agnes; all he needed was eyes to see what a nincompoop she is. She must have thought that Bill consulted his little sister on matters of the heart. Anyway, ever since then she would probably choke if she had to say a good word about me.
    â€œAfter Bill went away to college she ended up with Uriah Tizzard; they were both eighteen when they got married, and then along came Georgie seven months later. I don’t know how a decent person like Ri Tizzard ended up with Agnes. He probably didn’t know where babies come from and found out too late. I think Agnes is using her son’s future to settle an old score with me. She was so smug yesterday! Poor Georgie.”
    Emily fell silent, her large brown eyes downcast. Gennie had often joked that Emily should never play poker because her face betrayed practically every thought in her head. “Go easy there, Missie. Don’t forget what they taught us in college. You can only do so much and after that it’s out of your hands.”
    â€œI know. I suppose with all that’s been going on—this business with Georgie, and those two being underfoot for nearly two weeks—and now I.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œNothing.”
    â€œNow you what?”
    â€œI have to give Henry an answer. There’s no more time left.”
    â€œThen give him an answer. Say yes.”
    â€œIt’s not that simple, Gennie…”
    â€œOnly because you’re making it complicated. A fabulous-looking, smart, witty, charming man wants to marry you. That’s pretty complicated, all right. Any girl in town would be delighted to have Henry Horwood for a husband, and if they knew you needed to think it over they would tell you you’re nuts.”
    â€œI didn’t leave home for college only to end up a fisherman’s wife with a houseful of youngsters.”
    â€œOh, I see. You’re too good for that, are you? You’re gettin’ a bit gatchy, you know.”
    â€œNo I’m not! You may think I’m stuck up, Gennie, but there’s more to it than that.”
    â€œWell, I certainly can’t figure out what it is.”
    â€œI’m afraid.”
    â€œOf what? Henry?”
    â€œOf course not. I’m afraid of what might happen. When I marry I want some assurance of a long life together. The sea has a habit of taking husbands and fathers away. I mean, your own father is one of them. I just don’t want that to happen to me, plain and simple…Oh, I’m sorry, Gennie; I didn’t say that very well.”
    â€œThat’s okay. You’re right. My mother did end up a widow with a houseful of youngsters. But, it looks to me like your family has been spared all of that. Both of your grandfathers are old after being on the water all their lives, your father is still living—”
    â€œThat makes me even more fearful; my turn is sure to come. And I can’t ask him to stay home from the sea. Why, that would be like expecting Aunt Beulah Twine not to tap her feet while the accordion is playing.”
    â€œHe’s probably like most men around here: the sea is all he knows. Get him away