Whispers in the Wind

The SEA SONG landed off the coast of Scotland. Frustrated, mildly vexed, at the captain's insistence that he get into the dingy, Young tried to get him to understand that he wasn't getting off, that he wanted to go on to the Liverpool dock. The captain, however, refused to listen. He was short on time. He had come this far because he had owed James a favor, but enough was enough.
"You can always rent a horse in town and ride to your destination, " the overweight man suggested. He patted the slumped shoulder and then pushed him into the tiny rowboat.
Hudson's eyes were constantly on him though he said nothing in front of the sailors. Once they were standing on solid ground, however, and the sailors had returned to his ship, he spoke up.
"Come to my place. We'll wait for the captain together, " Hudson suggested. Young shook his head. "He'll think you don't trust him. Don't you?" The other's man look was his answer. It disconcerted the cook. "So be it, then... Still, you can't wait here." He watched the aggravation settle over the youthful features. "You have no money, now do you? You can't be renting a room without a bit of gold, now can you? No... You come with me. James will see you safely home. All right?" The other man nodded reluctantly. "Let's get going. It's a far ride and it grows dark early at this time of year, and the temperature falls."
Giving up, feeling the depression returning, Young went with him.
"From the ship, now are you?" the man in the stables inquired as he led forth two sturdy horses.
"Aye, How much?" Hudson didn't hide his shock when given the sum. "That much to rent horses?"
"Now, how would I be knowing if you'll return them?" the man demanded in scorn.
Hudson didn't have enough. The stable man turned around, prepared to restore the horses back into their stalls. Young removed the gold cross he wore, the one James had given him. He handed it to Hudson. Anguish seared his heart but he kept his features as clear as he could. Not knowing the origin of the piece of jewelry, the old cook only smiled in relief. "Will this help?"
The stable man was more than glad to dicker then. Hudson and Young came away with two horse and enough money to provide food for the three day trip.
"We'll have to sleep out in the open if we don't leave now. Are you ready?" Young simply shrugged. They mounted the horses and rode out of town. Hudson rode in silence for the first couple of miles and then asked, "Why didn't you use that cross to pay your way back home?" He watched the bewilderment flood the other man's features. "You love him, don't you, even now?" Young shook his head. "You want to wait with me until he comes. Yes, you do, " the old cook argued when his friend shook his head once more. "He was only thinking of you, you know." The closed look on Young's face froze any more conversation in Hudson's mind.
And the ride went on with only the sounds of nature, the clop of hooves, to break the silence between them.