"Thor."

Hayley lost her grip on the bowl, and it hit the table.

Careful, miss. You don't want to have to clean that up."

"Perhaps I am still a little sleepy-headed. She sat down slowly.

"Did you enjoy your dinner last night?"

"How did you know about that, if you just got here this morning?"

"I was at the same establishment last night. You appeared to be enjoying yourself."

Hayley nodded but felt her privacy had been violated.

"Oh, please don't be embarrassed. I wasn't spying on you."

"I did make my presence known when I was laughing so loudly."

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"Don't you worry about it. There is nothing wrong with having as good a time."

"I believe I found you in deep discussion with my father a while back."

"Yes, well---don't worry, your father and I worked things out."

"My father told me your name is Thor. His housekeeper may have been married to man by that name.

"You don't know whether or not your housekeeper was married?"

"No, she rarely speaks about her life before she came to live with us. Her name is Maddie. Do you know her?"

"Hayley." She heard her father's voice behind her.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm eating. Unfortunately, I overslept."

He turned to the man. "You are needed on deck."

Without a word, the man stood up and picked up his book. Hayley saw it was a Bible. He put his dish away and left the room.

"Why did you speak to him that way?"

"I am his boss, Hayley."

"But he just told me you have worked things out and I can see you're still angry with him."

"Don't make more out of it than there is."

"I only want to know the reason."

"It is going to be a long day and I don't need to provide reasons for treating employees the way I do."

"Are you sending me home soon?"

"That is the plan."

"Good. I am looking forward to it."

"Hayley, I am sorry that I have been busy, and we haven't been able to talk, but I tried to warn you about it."

"Yes, I know, Father, I am getting used to your busyness."

"I'm sorry."

"I would like permission to stay in Kingston tomorrow."

"That would help me out since I have a few things to take care of in the office before we can go home. I will drop you off at the university and pick you up in the afternoon."




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