Melinda greeted Gaia at breakfast with a fresh pot of ginger tea. "How are you this morning. The hurricane is just a bit south of us now and moving away from us. Things should calm down pretty soon, from what Captain Kelly told us in the morning briefing."

"A bit better. How many days till we make port in New York? I find I'm anxious to get back on dry land again." Gaia noted her tea had been steeping for a while as it was already almost to her liking. She couldn't place the scents, except for peppermint. Ginger wasn't dominant, and there was something under the mint.

"Captain said somewhere between three or four days till we arrive at Ellis Island. And Chef found some oolong black in with the rest of his loose tea. He's made you a combination of that with ginger, peppermint, and a touch of turmeric. Said he learned about herbs from a Chinese friend."

"I'll see how it works and get a message back to him. I'd love to know exactly what the proportions are if it does work. I'm sure he wrote them down, or he knows because he's already memorized it. I've got several healing recipes for my older relatives stored in my head. Love to use goat's milk cream and honey with aloe as well for creams. But that's another conversation," Gaia explained as she checked her tea once more. Almost black and the scent of the herbs was enchanting.

"I'll let Chef know. He'll want to talk to you. The last guy who knew about herbs ended up with him in the galley for hours. Our ship's doctor likes his recipes as well. Says the natural methods are best. You do know that aspirin comes from willow bark?"

"I do. I see Harry has found me. He must have finished his walk around the ship."

"Before I go, who was that man who was with you dancing last night. I don't usually work the dance hall, but I switched with Johnny's girlfriend last night. I think they'll get married soon. But that man. I couldn't stop looking at him. He's got the kindest eyes, and he seems so lonely. I wonder, is he really a good person? I don't trust my heart to know the difference."

"He's Dr. Graham Jenkins. He's a coroner, and a pathologist. That's a mouthful," Gaia said as she pulled the tea ball out of her teapot.

"But I'm fascinated. I think I'll see if I can get him to talk to me. I know we're not supposed to fraternize with the passengers, but there's something about him that pulls at my heart. I need to know if it's there for him as well."

Harry pulled out a chair for himself and sat down beside her. The other passengers who usually sat at their table weren't there yet. Gaia turned to him and pressed her hand into his.

"Thank you for letting me sleep. I'm feeling much better this morning and a lot less tired. Not as seasick either," Gaia said. "And what do you think? Is Graham ready for a girlfriend?"

Harry studied Melinda for a moment before answering.

"I'll just get you your breakfast before you answer that, Harry. I really would like to get know the good Doctor better."

Melinda scurried across the dining room and into the kitchen doors before Harry nodded.

"She's serious?" he asked.

"And very unsure of herself. Will you talk to Graham?"

"I'll do it. I saw the look that passed between the yesterday. Let's play matchmaker. It's likely to be good for both of them." Harry said. "I'll encourage Graham."

"I'll talk to Captain Kelly as well. Melinda is bound by rules that say she cannot fraternize with the passengers either."

Harry chuckled. "With the child murdering Amanda Fitzroy-Evans lost at sea, Graham should be more amenable to a romance."

Melinda returned with plates loaded with thick mushroom, onion, and cheese omelets. A beautiful bowl of colorful fruit accompanied it with a mound of hash browns to go with it.

"That smells wonderful, Melinda." Gaia said.

"And I think Graham will be more than happy to make your acquaintance. He frequents the bar on the top deck in the evenings. If you go introduce yourself, I'm sure he'll enjoy a bit of conversation," Harry told her.

"Really? His eyes drew me. I have to know if there's more," Melinda said. "I'll just go get the ketchup for your potatoes."

"Yes, definitely there's something there. We'll go help them along right after we eat." Gaia popped the first bite of her omelet into her mouth. "It tastes as good as it smells. I think I'll keep drinking this tea, though."

"Hmmm, smells like there's more than ginger in there."

Gaia nodded. "It's a special blend Chef came up with. I'd like to know more about how he knew which ones to put together."

"A little time in the deck chairs first. The sun is peeking through the rain clouds. I hear we're escaping the bad weather." Harry ate steadily. "Can't believe how hungry you get at sea."

"I've got my appetite back too. Melinda didn't know when we will dock in New York, but I can't wait for it. I've got a great feeling about where America will take us."

"Me too. What about the other ghosts? The one's the Captain was talking about?"

"They're happy here for the most part. Two or three were as worried about little Betty Anderson as Graham was. With her killer caught, there isn't anything more to do. I can enjoy the rest of our voyage." Gaia smiled as she popped a slice of orange into her mouth.

"I'm happy to see you enjoying your food again. This voyage has brought knowledge and challenge to us. I would like to keep Graham as a friend. What about you?" Harry asked.

"Yes, and Melinda too. She seems to be very lonely, and I like her."

"Then let's make it happen." Harry clinked his coffee cup against her teacup as she lifted it to sip.

The clear tone of ringing porcelain brought a wide smile to Gaia's lips.