And if the snows came, they’d be dead for sure.
Molly Gregor came out of the door at the far end of the ship. She had a teakettle in one hand. “Thought we could all use hot tea this morning. Take the bite out of the cold in this hole.”
She didn’t wait for an answer, but instead poured a cup for Cedar and Mae, and one for Rose too.
Cedar took it gratefully, and swallowed down the fragrant brew. “Mint?” he said.
“Picked some up when we were last out Chicago way.” Molly pulled a cloth-wrapped bundle out of the leather bag at her hip. “I don’t suppose you folks have much on you in the way of food and supplies,” she said, offering a share of jerked meat and dried plums.
Cedar took some of the jerky and was happy to see Mae take both meat and fruit.
“We left all that we had behind,” Cedar said. “Do you know where the captain will be taking the ship for repairs?”
“Probably Old Jack’s,” she said. “He makes a profit keeping his landing field open and his mouth shut. He’ll have food, supplies. Medicines too,” she said with a nod to Rose.
“Sounds like a good choice, then,” Mae said softly.
Molly smiled, and it softened her blunt features. “It is. The captain might be a blowhard, but he’s got a head full of clever.”
“How long have you known him?” Cedar asked.
“Too long, Mr. Hunt,” Molly said with a grin. “Now about Robert Gregor. How was he when you saw him?”
“He was well,” Cedar said. “He and his wife have a son.”
“Oh, that’s good news! Another addition to the Gregor clan. What’s his name?”
“Elbert,” Rose said.
That got them all turning back to the hammock. Rose’s eyes were closed, and her skin still looked an awful shade of gray.
“Elbert’s a fine name,” Molly said, glancing a question at Cedar.
“Miss Small had a fondness for Mr. Gregor,” Cedar said. “He holds her in high esteem also. Showed her the way around his smithy.”
“Did he now?” she asked. “Well, if you’ve been taught the secrets of metal by a Gregor, you’re practically one of the family. Think of going into the smithing trade, Miss Small?”
Rose opened her eyes. Glossy with fever, they still carried a hint of her spunk. “Maybe. Although a boilerman on an airship seems a real fine life too.”
“It is,” Molly said. “Would you like to help me check over the boiler today?”
“Yes,” she said, “I’d love to. Though I’m not sure how much help I can be, with this shoulder.”
“Let me tend to it,” Mae said. “I have some herbs. Black salve that might give you some ease.”
“And while Mrs. Lindson sees to your shoulder, I certainly would like to hear more about little Elbert,” Molly said.
The cabin door opened, letting in a gust of wind. Captain Hink leaned his head in, his hand gripping the top of the jamb. “Mr. Hunt. Do you know your way around a hammer?”
“I can do my share,” he said.
“Good. We could use an extra set of hands. Molly, when will she be up to steam?”
“She’ll be ready to go by the time you get her feathers mended,” she said. “Are we going to have all fans on line?”
“Mr. Seldom’s never let us down before,” Hink said, ducking back out the door. “We’ll be in the air before noon. Mr. Hunt?” he called.
Cedar glanced one last time at Mae. She was unwrapping the compress on Rose’s shoulder, frowning at what she saw there.
“We’ll need more medicines than what I have on me,” Mae said. “It looks like an infection is setting in. Do you have any more hot water, Miss Gregor?”
“Of course.”
“It’s fine,” Rose said. “I’ll be fine.”
But Mae glanced up at Cedar and gave him a slight shake of her head. “As soon as we could be on our way would be best,” she said.
Cedar didn’t wait any longer. He strode out the door and then shut it behind him.
Morning had chalked clouds across the sky and brought out enough light that it was a fair share easier to see inside this pit.
Still, it was cold and wet, some areas still slick with frost. It was like walking across the bottom of a grave.
“Harbor here for too long and this will be nothing more than a death trap,” Captain Hink said. “If those clouds bring rain or snow, we won’t be able to launch. The faster we fix her, the faster we fly.”
“Tell me what you need me to do,” Cedar said.
Hink handed Cedar a hammer. “Take a turn on the rivet work with Guffin,” he said. “And pray we don’t get rain.”