Endless Mercy

by Tracie Peterson

  She knew that he was in love with her. And he knew she felt the same for him. Grief had simply clouded her reasoning. And no wonder. Hadn’t she been through enough? She also loved her sister and wanted to take her away from the embarrassment borne in Nome. He couldn’t blame her for that either. Then there was Buddy’s lure of fame and fortune. Daniel certainly couldn’t compete with that. Nor did he want to. He shouldn’t have to. Love should be enough to make Maddy rethink what she was doing.

  “She doesn’t love him.” The sheep he’d been milking looked at him, a piece of straw dangling from its mouth. “Well, she doesn’t.” Daniel fixed the ewe with a glare.

  He was just about to turn the animal loose when Madysen walked into the sheep shed. “John told me you were in here.”

  “Well, I figured I’d better start helping out more with them so they get used to me being their master. You won’t be here much longer.”

  Madysen nodded. “That’s why I wanted to talk. I’m supposed to leave tomorrow. I didn’t want to go without explaining.”

  He let the ewe return to the flock and gave her his full attention. “So explain. But you can skip the part about being in love with Buddy Merrick because I know you aren’t. You’re in love with me.”

  Madysen flushed red and looked to the floor. “A person can love a lot of different people.”

  “Yes, but they can’t be in love with more than one man at a time. It just doesn’t work that way.”

  “So now you’re an expert on love?”

  Daniel shrugged at her haughty tone. “Seems to me I know a whole lot more about it than you do.”

  “Oh!” Madysen stomped her foot. “I came here out of the goodness of my heart to share my feelings and thoughts, and you’ve got no respect for either.”

  “Fools don’t deserve respect.”

  “Daniel Beaufort, you take that back. I’m not a fool. I am very concerned about Whitney. She wants to go with me and escape the embarrassment of living here.”

  “Sinclair apologized yesterday at the Follies and at the Roadhouse. Then this morning he stood in front of your entire church and apologized again. I heard many of the congregants apologizing to Whitney for believing the worst about her. All that gossip is soon to be behind her.”

  “Maybe so, but as far as I know, she still plans to go with me.”

  “And you still plan to marry a man you don’t love.” His words struck home. Madysen’s face fell, and Daniel took advantage of the moment. “There, see. I knew I was right. You don’t love him.”

  “But he loves me, and he’s so lonely. He’s been very kind to me. I’m sure in time I could fall in love with him.”

  “How are you going to do that when you’re in love with me?”

  “You’re making a supposition that you have no right to make.” Her cheeks tinged pink. “I never said I was in love with you.”

  He crossed the space between them. Madysen had to lean back to look him in the face. “So tell me that you aren’t.”

  “Aren’t what?” She licked her lips.

  She was clearly stalling.

  “Tell me that you aren’t in love with me, Madysen.” He inched closer.

  She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

  “Here you are.”

  Drat! Daniel glanced at Whitney, who was entering the shed.

  “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” Whitney crossed the room, studied their faces, and then raised her brows. “Looks like you two are having an argument. I don’t want to interrupt.” She looked at Madysen. “Just come see me when you’re finished.”

  “No, that’s quite all right. We’re finished here.” Madysen sidestepped Daniel and went to Whitney. “What is it you need to see me about? You can talk in front of Daniel. He was just about to leave anyway.”

  Whitney looked from Daniel to Madysen. Madysen wasn’t fooling her sister one bit. “Well . . . you see . . .” She frowned. “I’ve been talking to Ruth and Havyn, and I’ve changed my mind about going with you to Seattle.”

  Madysen’s mouth dropped open. “But I thought . . . I thought it was important to you to get away.”

  Whitney shrugged. “I’m not going to run from that man and the gossip of a bunch of ninnies. My reputation is restored, and I am not going to be tormented by what others believe.”

  He couldn’t help but smile. “Good for you, Whitney. I’m so glad to hear it. Otherwise, you might have spent the rest of your life running. That’s a terrible thing to do. I know. I’ve done it, and it gets you nowhere. Even when you think it might all work out to your benefit, it never does.”

  Daniel looked at Madysen full on. “I’ll leave you two to discuss the details of how this affects your trip, Maddy. I have cheese to check on.”

  Early Monday morning Madysen tossed in her bed. Today was the day the last ship would leave Nome. She hadn’t talked to Buddy since church on Sunday, but he’d told her to be at the dock by eight.

  She hadn’t slept a wink last night. The whole family had gathered after Daniel left. While there had been a lot of discussion around her, it hadn’t taken much for her to make up her mind. How could she leave the man she truly loved and marry a man she didn’t love?

  There was no need to sacrifice her own life for her sister’s. And as much as she loved performing, the thought of leaving Alaska no longer held any appeal. She got up and dressed. No one else was up yet. Good. If she didn’t get off the farm before they woke, she’d have way too many questions to answer. Better to answer them after the fact.

  Madysen snuck downstairs, made her way to the barn, and saddled the horse. Thank You, Lord, for helping me along the way. I know I strayed a lot as I journeyed through the grief, but You kept shepherding me. Thank You for keeping me from going down the wrong path, and for setting things straight for Whit. God, please help her to heal. She’s been hurt so much. I praise You for bringing Dad back to us, and for bringing Ruth, Eli, and Bethany. I’m going to need Your help speaking to Buddy. Give me the words to say. Help him forgive me.

  The ride into Nome seemed to take forever. The darkness made Madysen a little leery. She hadn’t thought to bring a gun. What if she ran into a wild animal or highwayman? There were always desperate men around gold camps. She urged the horse to go a little faster, though they had to be careful on the snow-packed road.

  When she reached the edge of town, bustling activity greeted her. Madysen breathed a sigh of relief.

  “God, please give me strength to do what I must.”

  She reached the boarding docks and tied off her horse. She had plenty of time before the last steamer would take passengers out to the ship, but already there was a lot of commotion. A lot of people wanted to escape being imprisoned over winter in the frozen north.

  Madysen took a seat and waited for Buddy. He hadn’t said what time he’d arrive, but she felt certain he wouldn’t be the last aboard. Buddy struck her as the type who liked to be settled in early on. He liked having full control of his life and the things that affected him.

  The wait continued as a hint of dawn showed on the horizon. That couldn’t be. How strange that he hadn’t come. What time was it? When a rather well-dressed man passed with an equally fashionable woman, she asked for the time.

  “It’s a quarter after eight.” The man nodded and tucked his watch back in his pocket.

  Madysen smiled. “Thank you so much.” More time had passed than she’d realized.

  Buddy should be there.

  She looked around and saw a woman approach the docks. She looked familiar. Oh, of course. “Excuse me. Aren’t you the ballerina who dances with Buddy Merrick’s Follies and Frolics?”

  The woman stopped and gave a nod. “I am. What can I do for you?” She spoke with an accent Madysen didn’t recognize.

  “Do you know if Mr. Merrick is on his way?”

  She shook her head. “He’s already on board the ship. Aren’t you the girl he wanted to take along to sing?”

  Madysen nodded.
“And marry. But I can’t marry him, and I was hoping to explain. I thought he’d be here to board the ship with me, but I’ve changed my mind. I wanted to give him back his expensive ring.”

  Why was the woman looking at her that way? Like she was sorry for her.

  “Mr. Merrick cannot marry you. He is already married. His wife awaits him in Seattle.”

  “What?” Madysen got to her feet. “He’s married?” That low-lying, two-timing, horrible man!

  The ballerina nodded. “I am sorry.”

  Madysen’s heart pumped a steady rhythm. So why would he . . . ? She took a deep breath and almost laughed.

  She didn’t care! Not that Buddy was married, or that he’d conned her. The man she truly loved was out there. Waiting for her.

  Madysen produced the ring and held it out. “Well, would you see that he gets this back? Don’t tell him that you told me. Just tell him that I send my regrets.”

  She leaned in closer over the ring and studied it. “The ring is worthless. Purely costume. You might as well keep it.” She shrugged.

  “No. Please take it to him. I want him to know that I refused him. I came here to tell him that I couldn’t leave my family and couldn’t marry him because I love another. That’s all he needs to know.”

  The ballerina nodded and took the ring, a slight smile on her lips. “He is not used to being refused.”

  “Good. Let this be a lesson to him. Hopefully, he won’t try it again.”

  The woman’s smile widened.

  “Last call for Seattle!”

  Madysen looked toward the ship. A man with a megaphone had made the announcement.

  “Last call for Seattle!”

  She couldn’t stop grinning. She was staying here! Staying home!

  “That’s me.” The ballerina touched Madysen’s arm, then made her way to the steamer.

  Madysen sat back down.

  “I see that you decided not to go.”

  That voice.

  Her insides did a little flip.

  She turned. Daniel stood not ten feet away. She’d never even realized he was there. Goodness, but she was rather blind to her surroundings. “I couldn’t go.”

  He didn’t move. “Why not?”

  “My family needs me.”

  There was a hint of a smile on his lips as he came and sat down beside her. “Is that the only reason?”

  She gave an insulted sniff. “No, of course not. The sheep need me too.”

  He was silent for a while. “Is that the only other reason?”

  She studied his face. It was such a good face. Honest and strong. Small lines that showed how often he laughed. His blond hair fell over his left brow, begging her touch. Madysen reached her fingers to do just that. “No.” She smiled and let her touch trail down his cheek. “You need me.”

  “It took you long enough to figure that out.”

  She nodded. “It did, but it’s all right because I figured out that I need you too. Nothing would have been right if I had left Alaska. My music wouldn’t have been nearly as important without you in my life.”

  He cupped her chin and leaned closer. “You are an infuriatingly stubborn woman.”

  “I am.”

  “And you always think things have to be your way.”

  “I do.”

  He grinned. “But you’re in love with me, and I’m in love with you. And I really don’t think anything else matters quite as much.”

  She started to speak, but he covered her mouth with his and kissed her.

  Goodness! Thank heaven she was sitting down. She’d have hated to disgrace herself by fainting.

  Daniel would never let her forget it.

  Well. This was an interesting turn of events.

  Judas cleared his throat. “I am sorry to bother you two, as you look quite caught up in the moment.”

  Madysen straightened and stood. Her cheeks flamed pink.

  Daniel stood next to her, a protective arm around her waist.

  Interesting indeed.

  Judas smiled as he went on. “I’m wondering if you know where Buddy Merrick has gotten off to.” He studied Madysen’s bemused expression. “Miss Powell, I thought you were leaving with him. To marry him. And yet I find you here kissing another.”

  “Yes, well, it seems Mr. Merrick cannot marry me. According to that beautiful ballerina from the show, he already has a wife.” Madysen shrugged. “But it doesn’t matter, as I had already made up my mind to remain here. My heart has become . . . otherwise engaged.”

  Ah . . . so the lovely Madysen Powell hadn’t been taken in by the con man. Good thing she figured it out. Why would Merrick go to such lengths for his ruse? To even involve him to try to convince the girl to go with Merrick?

  Daniel pulled Madysen a bit closer, and she leaned against him. She glanced over her shoulder at the steamer heading for the Corwin. “I gave Mr. Merrick’s ring to the ballerina, and she promised to give it to him once she was on board.”

  Judas frowned. Had he heard right? “On board? She’s not going anywhere. I bought out the contracts for the troupe.”

  Madysen’s face went ashen. “Oh no. I’m sorry, Judas. She just left on the last steamer.”

  He looked out to where the steamer was disembarking the passengers onto the Corwin. A sinking feeling washed over him. “It would seem I’ve been robbed.” The sale of the show and needing Judas’s help to convince Madysen to go with him—it was all a scam to get his money.

  The ticket master made his way toward them with a lockbox. Judas stopped him. “Ralph, tell me, did you see the performers from the Follies and Frolics board the Corwin?”

  “Yes, sir, I did. The tenor came through early with Mr. Merrick. Later, the chorus girls arrived with some of the others. That beautiful dancing lady just boarded. I think, sadly, they have all departed from us.”

  Well played, Merrick.

  Judas shrugged, making sure his tone was sorrowful rather than furious. “And stole a great deal of money from me.” The steamer was starting to make its way back. Meanwhile, the Corwin looked to be already under way. Judas turned and fisted a hand inside his coat.

  Ralph pursed his lips. “You could go after him, but the ice is coming in awfully fast, and the smaller boats are having trouble, sir.”

  “Oh, of course. He no doubt planned it this way.” Judas fought the urge to pace. Nobody did this to him. This was the kind of thing he did to others.

  “Mr. Reynolds.”

  Judas turned back to Daniel.

  “You could wire the police in Seattle to take Mr. Merrick in hand when he gets there. You might even be able to get word to the ship and have him placed under arrest.”

  Of course, why hadn’t he thought of that? “Yes. Yes.” His anger eased, and he drew a deep breath. “Miss Powell, this young man of yours is quite resourceful.”

  Madysen smiled. “I like to think so.”

  He gave her his most beneficent smile. “And that wedding gift I wanted to spoil you with stands. I presume the two of you are engaged?”

  “He hasn’t exactly asked me yet.” Madysen angled a smile at Daniel.

  The young man immediately dropped to one knee and smiled up at her. “Madysen Powell, will you be my wife?”

  Her expression, her every movement, bespoke adoration. “It took you long enough to ask, but yes. Yes, I will marry you.”

  Daniel rose, and she was in his arms. Though whether he’d pulled her there or she’d leapt into them, Judas wasn’t sure.

  Daniel chuckled. “You were the one who was slow to come around, but I forgive you.”

  She started to argue, but Daniel kissed her instead.

  Judas laughed out loud as he turned away. Would that all women could be hushed so easily. “Come along, Ralph. We have a wire to send.”

  “I’m so happy!” Havyn rushed to Madysen, who laughed as her older sister hugged her tight. They’d all gathered for a late breakfast. “We couldn’t believe you were gone this morning. We thought you�
��d decided to stay, and no one could fathom that you would leave without saying good-bye.”

  “And I wouldn’t.” Madysen looked from Havyn to Whitney, her heart overflowing. Amazing how everything was clear now. “I will always tell you two my deepest secrets, which is why I let you know about being engaged to Daniel the second I got back.”

  Daniel took her hand and squeezed it as he looked to Granddad and then Dad. “I apologize for not asking either of you for her hand first. I had to act rather quickly lest I lose her again.”

  “You’re forgiven so long as you promise to always be good to her . . . better to her than I was.” Dad’s tone was bittersweet.

  Chuck wrote something down and handed it to Daniel, who held it up and read, “‘I approve and will pray for you.’”

  Madysen gave her grandfather a frown. “That sounds like you think he’ll need special prayers if he’s married to me.”

  Granddad nodded, and everyone, including Madysen, laughed.

  Epilogue

  December 1904

  The wedding had been beautiful. Madysen watched her new husband greet their guests. He was so tall and strong. So handsome.

  She couldn’t wait to have him all to herself.

  “I see that look.”

  Havyn came up to her side and wrapped an arm around her waist.

  Heat crept up Madysen’s neck. “I’m beginning to have a new appreciation for all the looks that you and John share. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love him.”

  “That’s good to hear—I was praying you would come to your senses sooner rather than later.”

  Madysen laughed. “Well, thank you for praying.”

  “That’s what good sisters are for. To boss you around and pray for you.”

  Havyn smiled at Whitney as she joined them. “And to get you out of trouble. Don’t forget that one.”

  Their older sister half smiled. She still wasn’t herself, but at least she tried to smile more often.

  Daniel walked up to Madysen and put his arm around her shoulders. “Maddy in trouble? I can’t imagine such a thing. . . .”

  “Oh, just wait. We have lots of stories.” Whitney winked at her.