“And you haven’t even experienced winter yet. You’ll appreciate the extra effort the men put into getting the firewood stocked up. Having it stacked around the outside of the house adds extra insulation and makes it easy to bring inside. We’ll get by just fine. You’ll see.”

“I do worry about Scott.” Sally shook her head. “He works so hard.”

“Yes, but when the harbor closes in January, he’ll be here with you and the baby. There’s still work to be done, making repairs and getting ready for the next fishing season, but having the men home is always nice.”

“But the storms between now and January are yet to be endured. I’ve heard so many horrible stories.”

Gloriana nodded and reached out to pat Sally’s hand in reassurance. “They are bad, to be sure, but being afraid won’t change things.”

“I know, but just seeing some of the storms this summer was enough. I don’t like to think of what’s to come. How can a person live through such things?”

Gloriana wished she could say something comforting, but she knew as well as every other person in town that Lake Superior was extremely unforgiving at times. Papa said the lake was like a wild animal. You could never hope to tame it, and to ignore it could easily spell your doom.

“Sally, just remember that God is in charge, and He knows the lake because He created it. We can trust Him to watch over us and guard us.”

“Yes, but people die out there all the time.”

“They do, but you can’t live your life in fear. People die logging the woods. People die from sickness, like my mama and brother and sister.”

“Or in childbirth,” Sally murmured.

“Goodness, just listen to how morose we’ve managed to get. This is a beautiful day, and you are soon to deliver a much-desired baby. We need to think on that and other good things.”

“I know you’re right. I need to get back home. Do you still want us to come for supper at five?”

“Yes. Papa wants to get to bed early so he can get out on the lake early. At least they’re sticking close and just heading over to the Apostle Islands. He said they’d haul in whatever the pound nets have caught and then take up the nets before the weather turns bad. We always retrieve them before October.”

Sally nodded and squared her shoulders, as if determining to be brave. “I know they’ll have their hands full. Oh, I almost forgot. Could I borrow some cinnamon too? I want to make the men some cookies to have as a snack tomorrow.” She scooted to the edge of the seat and struggled to her feet.