Under the Midnight Sun

by Tracie Peterson

  Once everyone was back and seated, Thomas looked at the group. Esmerelda had her arms crossed over her chest in clear agitation while Tayler looked as if she could strangle any one of them at any moment. The adults all seemed weary and worn. Good. He hoped none of them would complain about what he had to say.

  “Folks, I’m sorry to tell you that we will need to cut our camping trip short. Mary has managed to hurt her ankle and needs to see the doctor. We need to pack up as quickly as possible and get back to the hotel tonight.”

  Several moans were heard through the crowd.

  “I don’t want to be the cause of everyone missing out on the rest of our camping trip. I’m sure it will be fine in the morning,” Mary piped up, giving him a smile.

  Thomas narrowed his eyes at her. “This is serious business, Mary. You couldn’t put any weight on your foot . . . it could be much worse than a sprain—your ankle could very well be broken, and we can’t take the chance. Besides, no one has time or strength to carry you around.”

  Her cheeks turned red as she glanced at all the guests. “No, really. I’m feeling much better. Let’s not go back early.”

  In that instant, Thomas knew. His stomach churned. He reached out and brought Mary to her feet.

  She stood without any hesitation. “See? I’m feeling better already.”

  “You lied.” Thomas said the words through gritted teeth.

  “It was just a little fun. . . .” Mary giggled and looked out to the rest of the people. The smile slipped from her face as she looked at her parents. “So, see? There’s no reason to return early.” She shrugged her shoulders.

  Thomas looked at Tayler and took a deep breath to try to calm himself. Her face went from anger to pity. Shaking her head, she looked down at the ground.

  He put his hands on his hips, then held up one hand. “Folks, again, I apologize.” He took another long, deep breath. “But we will be leaving the camp first thing in the morning. I cannot abide by any breaking of the rules. Rules we have in place for the safety of you all.” He turned and looked at Mary. “You were all supposed to stay with the group, and you didn’t.” He gave the other girls a glare. “You were also supposed to listen to instructions, and you didn’t. Then you were told time and again to stay away from the wildlife . . .” He looked back to Mary. “And you didn’t.”

  Several of the adults nodded at him as he glanced at the group.

  “I’m sorry to cut the trip short, but I have no choice. Make sure you pack everything up tonight so we can leave early. I won’t tolerate any excuses.”

  Without looking at anyone else, he walked back to his tent and hoped that he hadn’t sounded too angry, but that his words had sunk in. Especially to those silly girls. When they returned, Thomas would have to speak to John, Allan, and Mr. Bradley about the situation. Those girls couldn’t be allowed to continue to ruin everyone else’s summer.

  Margaret sat at her desk in the corner of the kitchen. The day had been extremely long, but most of them were that way. Especially during the summer months.

  She liked it when she had time to gather her thoughts. Tonight it seemed that instead of the kitchen duties, she couldn’t keep her mind off a particular kitchen staff member and Tayler’s words from a couple of weeks ago.

  “Maybe there is a certain man you do like attention from—you just haven’t admitted it.”

  Until the young naturalist had spoken up, Margaret had pushed aside any thoughts of her own feelings. But now? She couldn’t stop thinking about it. At least it felt that way.

  As much as she hated to admit it, and after the years of his getting under her skin about every little thing . . . she enjoyed Daniel’s company. The chef from Seattle had been her nemesis that first summer. But after he almost died and she’d prayed with him . . . well, things had changed. She knew that.

  Almost three years had passed, and she didn’t want to think about working without him. And if she were truly honest with herself, she didn’t want to think about not having him in her life at all.

  Then there was Bertram. Maybe at another time, the interest from him might have been reciprocated. But deep down, she had to admit that his pursuit had only helped her realize whom she really cared for. She didn’t want to think about hurting the man, but eventually, she’d have to tell him the truth.

  Footsteps sounded behind her. “Margaret.” Daniel’s husky voice made her heart pick up its tempo. How had she deceived herself for so long?

  She turned.

  In his hands, he held a bunch of wild flowers. “I know I’m not much good at courtin’ you proper, lass. But I would like to ask ya for a walk.”

  Margaret stood and nodded. “I’d love to take a stroll with you, Daniel.” She clasped her hands in front of her and gave him a smile.

  The shock on his face was enough to make her chuckle.

  Taking the flowers from his hands, she held them in her right hand and tucked her other hand in his elbow. “Shall we?”

  22

  SUNDAY, JUNE 23

  The hike back down to Curry took entirely too much time. With pouting girls slowing them down at every turn and weary adults who didn’t want to carry their loads for long, it was a wonder they’d even made it back in one day. Tayler was ready to run away and hide from them all. She’d often had difficult tourist guests at Yellowstone, but this group gave difficult a whole new meaning.

  As they made their way across the suspension bridge, Thomas caught her arm. “Would you like to take that walk tonight? I don’t think I’m up for seeing anyone else after our little fiasco.”

  Even as weary as she felt, she nodded. “I’d love to.”

  “All right. I’ll meet you down by the creek where we went fishing. Is that okay?”

  “Sounds lovely.”

  “In an hour?”

  She looked at her timepiece. “That should work for me. I wanted to get cleaned up, but that can wait.”

  “Well, you know what? Don’t worry about the gear. I’ll take care of everything from here and that way you can do whatever you need to do before we take a walk.” He shot her a smile and went on ahead.

  His thoughtfulness made her smile again.

  After she crossed the bridge, she went straight to her room. A quick bath would be wonderful and would clear her mind. She had a lot she needed to tell Thomas. Too much had happened on this trip that made her worry about his getting hurt. Those girls were taking things too far.

  She grabbed clean clothes and headed to the washroom she shared with the girls on this floor of the staff housing. Everyone was probably at dinner, so this would be a great time for her to be alone with her thoughts.

  As the hot water helped ease away the dirt and grime, it also helped to make her next steps clear. Maybe it was time to let Thomas know about her life back in Denver. Everything. Including Emerson.

  Maybe it was time to start fresh and get rid of all the shackles of her past, all the walls she’d built up, all the things she’d kept hidden. The people here at Curry deserved more from her. They’d taken her into their family.

  After getting cleaned up and putting on fresh clothes, she felt completely refreshed. She went down the back staircase and out the door, heading for the meeting spot.

  Tayler checked her timepiece and realized she was a bit early. She hoped Thomas hadn’t had to deal with too many headaches after getting back. Mr. Bradley was sure to want a full report, since they’d returned early.

  When she rounded the bend and spotted the creek, Thomas was already there. His hands in his pockets, he stared out at the river.

  “Hi.” All of a sudden, she felt unsure of herself.

  “Hi.” He turned toward her and smiled. “I told Allan where we were, and we’re still visible from here. I didn’t want you to think anything untoward. I’d never want to put your reputation at stake.”

  Just like the time they’d gone fishing, he always wanted to make sure they were visible to others. The thought made her proud of him and also
made her feel protected. That he cared for her reputation when most men would love to take a girl out of sight nowadays. The world was changing. “Thank you, Thomas.”

  “I take a walk every evening.” He looked back to the water. “It’s my time I spend talking to the Lord.”

  “I watched you once from my window.” Tayler chuckled. “I wondered who you could be meeting out here. That was before I knew you.”

  He gave her a smile. “Well, now you know. I’m having my meeting with God. It gives me peace of mind.”

  An easy silence spread between them. Tayler wasn’t sure where to start, but she felt the prodding to open up to him. “Thomas, there’s something I’d like to tell you about.”

  Turning back toward her, he nodded. “Would you like to sit and talk or walk?”

  “We can walk. It’s a beautiful evening.” She fidgeted with her hands. Something she only did when she was nervous. As they stepped along the path together, Tayler watched Thomas slow his long stride so he wouldn’t get ahead of her. Which was quite a feat, since his legs were so much longer than hers. His character made her respect him even more, and it made her feel the need to tell him the truth.

  “It is . . . but not as beautiful as you are, Tayler.” His words were soft. “I’ve been wanting to tell you that for quite some time now.” He stared ahead, but she noticed the smile that lifted his lips.

  “Thank you.” All of a sudden she felt very feminine. “I didn’t think you liked me at all.”

  “I can understand why. I wasn’t the most gracious to you and I’m sorry. But even though I was shocked that a woman had come to fill the position, I still found you quite stunning, and it did funny things to my heart.”

  “Why are you telling me all this now?” She ventured a look in his direction.

  Thomas shrugged. “I figured it was time for us to be completely honest with each other. As much as we have to work together, and as many times as we’ve had to start over, it’s hard to deny that I want to spend more time with you.”

  Her heart was thrilled with the thought of Thomas caring for her. But then it sank. There were still her mother and Emerson to consider. She had a mess on her hands. “I haven’t been honest with everyone here.”

  “Oh?” He didn’t turn or sound too shocked.

  “When I came here . . . I was . . . well, I was basically running away.”

  Thomas didn’t say anything. He just kept walking and listening.

  “After my dad died, my mother really changed. And I mean really changed. She pressured me to quit my job and submit to high society’s expectations. Nothing felt right, so I asked my boss at Yellowstone if there were any other positions available that he had heard of. He had just received Mr. Bradley’s telegram and so that’s how I came here.”

  Thomas nodded.

  “There’s more. My family is quite wealthy. I know I haven’t told anyone that, and it’s not like it needs to be a secret, but I just wanted to be me. Tayler Hale. To prove that I could do all this on my own and that I was good at it.”

  “You are good at it.” His tone had changed, but Tayler thought maybe he was disappointed that she was just now telling him the truth.

  “Thank you, Thomas. That means the world coming from you.”

  He stopped and turned toward her. “What about your brother?”

  “I don’t really know what is happening with him right now. We were always very close—but again, after Dad died everything changed. I miss him.”

  “Does it bother you that I’m an orphan? That I don’t have any social standing or money behind my name?”

  She frowned. “Of course not. Why would that matter?”

  His brow furrowed. “I thought maybe that was what you were trying to tell me . . . in a nice way.”

  Tayler shook her head. “No, Thomas. I’m not telling you any of this to try to push you away. I want to be honest with you. That’s all. Because to get to know me means you have to deal with all the problems that come along with me.”

  He reached out and pushed a stray curl of her hair behind her ear. “We’ve all got baggage, Tayler.”

  She reached up and covered his hand with her own. She didn’t want to break the moment, but she had to tell him the rest. “Thomas, I don’t want you to get hurt, and I’m worried about you.”

  “What do you mean?” He pulled his hand back.

  “Those girls—Esmerelda, Mary, Martha, and Alice—I heard them talking the other night. They’ve started—”

  “There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you.” Emerson’s voice made Tayler shudder. No. He couldn’t be here. Not now.

  She turned.

  Thomas stepped closer to her.

  She felt safer with him near. Taking a deep breath, she crossed her arms over her chest. “What are you doing here, Emerson?”

  “Why, I’m here to take my fiancée home.” The smug smile on his face made her sick.

  “Fiancée?” Thomas sounded so hurt.

  “We are not engaged, Emerson.”

  “Tayler, it’s time you stopped this little charade. We’ve been engaged for ten years.” Emerson directed those words to Thomas, then he grabbed Tayler’s arm. “Now, come on. It’s time to take you home.”

  Tayler yanked at her arm but he held tight. She tried to wriggle from his grasp again and screamed as loud as she could. “Unhand me!”

  Thomas jumped between Tayler and Emerson and looked down on her former fiancé. “Let go of her . . . now.” His voice was calm but more serious than she’d ever heard.

  Emerson squeezed her arm extra hard and then let go. He leaned to see her around Thomas and pasted on that slimy smile. One she would never trust. Not in a million years. “Tayler, I don’t think you need a bodyguard with you. We have things we need to discuss in private.”

  She rubbed her arm with her hand. She’d never known Emerson to be violent, but she’d definitely have a bruise later. “We don’t have anything to discuss, Emerson. You are not welcome here. You are the one who needs to go home.” She felt her cheeks flame with heat. What would Thomas think of all this? She hadn’t had time to tell him everything . . . in fact, she hadn’t told him anything about Emerson.

  “I’m not leaving here without you.” Emerson jutted his chin out. “Let me at least escort you back to the hotel. We really do need to talk.”

  “No.” She shook her head. “No, we don’t. I’m done talking to you.”

  Emerson pushed toward her but Thomas blocked him.

  “I don’t think so, Tayler.” That weasel-like smile was back. Emerson straightened his jacket. “You need to hear what I have to say. Especially when it comes to your family and Joshua.”

  Heat filled her face as her anger built. “Fine. Say it.”

  He laughed at her. “Um . . . no. I don’t think so. Not like this. I want a private audience. Just you.”

  Everything swirled around her. He had to be lying. Again. This couldn’t be happening. Why was he here? “I can’t deal with this right now.”

  Emerson stepped back, his hands up as in surrender.

  It gave her the opportunity she needed, and she took it.

  Running for all she was worth back to the hotel, Tayler couldn’t contain the tears that streamed down her cheeks. Emerson would surely fill Thomas’s mind with lies now. She should have never left them alone, but she had to escape. Lord, what have I done? What do I do now?

  Collette knelt on the floor in the clinic and sorted the new medical supplies. When she’d volunteered to help Matthew after church, she’d assumed she’d at least get some time with him to talk. But so far, hours later, they’d only spoken a handful of sentences to each other. He’d left the clinic a half hour ago, and she hadn’t seen him since.

  This was not how she’d imagined it would go.

  Footsteps sounded on the steps outside. She hoped it wasn’t anyone looking for the doctor because she had no idea where he’d gone. Praying it wasn’t an emergency, Collette stood and went to t
he door.

  As she opened it, Matthew’s face registered shock. “Hi. I wasn’t expecting you to open the door.”

  She laughed and looked down at the box he carried. Putting her hands on her hips, she lifted one eyebrow. “Let me guess—more supplies for me to organize?”

  “Not this time.” He gave her a smile that she thought for sure would melt her insides.

  “Well? What is my next task?”

  Matthew opened the box and delicious smells wafted toward her. “It’s dinner! I realized how late I had kept you and that it was very ungentlemanly of me to do so. I thought to repay your kindness with a picnic.” He looked at her a bit sheepishly. “I know it’s very late, but it’s still light out. Would you like to sit on the lawn with me?”

  She felt the smile ease onto her face. “Oui. I would love to.”

  He carried the box out to his small front lawn and set it down. They sat on the grass together, and he pulled out the dishes. “I’d enjoy hearing about France—your homeland—and the things you loved the most.”

  Collette grinned. He was actually asking her questions. That had to be progress. If there was one thing she’d come to learn about their good doctor, it was that he was a man of few words. “I miss the beauty of France’s countryside, and I miss my mère and père very much, but I hope I will one day see them in heaven, oui?” Her heart raced. She had come to love this man so much, but of course she couldn’t tell him that. “I . . . uh . . . I have come to love it here. Alaska is so beautiful, non?”

  “Yes, it is. I can see myself settling here in this land. It has adventure and the best of all the seasons.” He buttered his roll. “And you probably know that I enjoy hiking. I will never run out of places to explore.”

  “Oui.” Dare she dig a little deeper? “What is it that you like most about hiking? Do you wish for solitude?” She tilted her head and hoped to understand this man who intrigued her more than anyone ever had.

  He leaned back on his elbows and crossed his legs. “You know”—he looked toward the river—“it’s not as much the solitude. I would enjoy hiking with a companion, but I find it difficult getting to know people as someone other than their doctor. I find it refreshing to hike, and it’s a good way to work through anything I might need to think through.”