Austin returned from the fog. "What do you mean?"

"Something seems to be bothering you, or you're not happy to be here."

"Hayley, I'm sorry, I wanted to make this evening nice for you. It's not very often we get this opportunity-for a nice meal."

"Austin, I didn't come on this trip to find a decent meal."

"I didn't want you to have to sit through another night of belching and filthy language."

"Why not? You have done it."

"I have never belched in the presence of a lady and certainly never use profanity."

Hayley could not suppress her laugh. Its loudness surprised everyone in the small room. She covered her mouth with her napkin and continued to laugh as she watched his baffled face.

"Austin..."

"What are you laughing about?" The tone in his voice proved he was amused by it.

"You didn't understand what I meant." She reached for his hand. "When I said you've done it, I meant that you have sat through nights of belching and bad language." She stifled a giggle as she caught Austin's look of embarrassment.

Of course, that's what you meant." Austin picked up his wrinkled napkin and placed it on his lap. "I wonder what is taking the steak so long."

After their meal arrived, Austin told stories about the men on the ship. Hayley was interested in the background of each shipmate she was getting to know.