“No, not really. Kids don’t have to follow in their father’s footsteps, though many do because it’s like having a built-in mentor. Mr. Wilson’s dad, for instance, was a carpenter too. Taught him everything he knows.”
“Is that why you did it then?”
She shrugged. “I haven’t really thought about it. I was born in this lighthouse and I do love it. I love the sea. Call me crazy, but I actuallylikethe seclusion. I don’t feel comfortable in town. In fact, the loneliest I’ve ever felt was in a crowd. Everyone else knows everyone else. They all have something to say and I just…don’t.”
She shrugged again. “Besides, I love the sea too much to leave it. It’s too beautiful. And being stuck in one of those small, square wooden buildings in town? So boring.”
He smiled at that. “But there are plenty of places with the sea.”
“Maybe.” She sighed. “Kallias, the truth of the matter is I’m a girl. There aren’t many things I can do and not many people who’d let me do them.”
“That’s not true. What can’t you do?” he instantly said which made her smile. How did he have so much faith in her when own kind didn’t…or maybe that was the reason. Such prejudice was learned.
“I imagine there are some physically demanding jobs I’d not be very suited for.” Mr. Wilson seemed to be able to hoist massive blocks of wood with no problem at all. But really,shelugged in bodies and rowed rough seas, so maybe things were learned traits.
“But mostly, it’s more that they won’t let me. I couldn’t teach at college for instance, though I’ve studied quite a bit. They wouldn’t let me on a fishing boat if I was the last one alive.” She snickered at that, but Kallias only looked confused so she said, “They say women on board is bad luck. Men can do whatever, but women can’t.” She shrugged. “If it weren’t for my being raised here, I wouldn’t even be able to be the lighthouse keeper. But since I already know how—and because not many people want to—they made an exception.”
“That’s not fair,” he said.
She didn’t know what to say to that, so she fell silent.
“Can’t you do something about it?”
“How? No one would want to listen to me.” She gave a sad laugh. “That’s why I’m okay with this. More than okay. Happy. Because my only other option would be to find a husbandto take care of me, and I don’t want that.”
“Why not?”
There was something sweet about him not making any assumptions and just wanting to know every little thing. She wasn’t sure if that was how other people would be if she actually talked to them; she doubted it though. She doubted everyone could make someone feel so listened to and special.
“The truth is, I’m scared.”
CHAPTER 43
She was surprised how hard it was to say those words, even to him, even not facing him as she was still buried in his chest. But it felt like such a failure on her part as a woman.
“I’m scared to have a child,” she admitted. “My mother died—alotof women die—and it scares me.”
Was that what was so comforting about Kallias: that that would never be a possibility? No, even thinking it didn’t feel right because somehow a baby didn’t seem as awful of a prospect ifhewas the one beside her.
His arms tightened around her. “That would be scary,” he murmured.
“Do mermaids have easier births?”
“I have no idea,” he admitted.
She sighed. “Everyone in town wants me to settle down. Everyone acts like that’s the purpose of women. Well, maybe my purpose is saving drowning sailors and then they can go have the families for me.”
She could hear Kallias’s smile. “That’s a good purpose, Daria,” he murmured. “Just as good.”
“Just as deadly too?” she teased and he laughed.
“Not with me around. I’ll save you every time.”
“Well, hopefully I won’t ever need saving again,” she laughed. “I’m usually quite good at my job.”
“You’ve saved men before?”
“Yeah, a few times. I was probably being arrogant that night you rescued me. I had already saved three men and they were exhausted. I probably shouldn’t have let the one row, but I wasrunning out of steam myself and I thought it was the best option. I don’t know if he got distracted or what, but he let us get too perpendicular to the waves and they started crashing over the side.”
