Mail-Order Bride

by Debbie Macomber

  Tanana answered the knock at her door, looking relieved to discover it was Caroline. The baby cried pitifully in the background.

  “Carl cried all night. I’m afraid he’s sick.”

  Caroline didn’t bother to take off her parka but walked directly to the baby’s side. Gently, she lifted him from the crib. His little face was red and his legs were drawn up against his stomach.

  “He might have colic.”

  “Colic?”

  “Does he cry after each feeding?”

  “And before. All he does is cry.”

  From the young woman’s obvious exhaustion, Caroline could believe it. “Then I think you should make an appointment with the medical team for next week.”

  Tanana agreed with a brief nod.

  “Lie down for a while and rest,” Caroline said. “I’ll hold Carl.”

  “You spoil him.”

  Caroline grinned and kissed the top of his small head. “I know, but let me do it, okay?”

  “You’ll make a good mother for Paul Trevor’s sons.”

  Caroline quickly averted her face so her friend couldn’t read her distress. She spent most of the afternoon with Tanana and the baby, leaving only when she was sure Carl would sleep and that his mother had received a few hours’ rest.

  “Send Thomas if you need me,” she said on her way out the door.

  Paul met Caroline halfway back to the cabin. His eyes held hers in a long, steady look. “I’ll be leaving in a few minutes.”

  “Does my master wish me to carry his bags to the airstrip?”

  “Caroline…don’t, please.”

  Keeping up this charade was hard enough when her heart was breaking. “Carl has colic and poor Tanana’s been up with him for two nights.” She tried to cover the uncomfortable silence.

  Paul’s eyes caressed her. “Don’t go to the airstrip. There’s no need.”

  She lowered her gaze, already feeling herself weaken.

  Walter met them and loaded Paul’s suitcase onto the back of his sled. He seemed to realize that Paul and Caroline needed time alone.

  “Caroline,” Paul began. “You’re not a prisoner.” He took her in his arms and held her close, shutting his eyes to savor the feel of her against him. Their coats were so thick, holding each other was awkward and he reluctantly dropped his arms.

  Caroline swallowed her anger. “When will you be back?”

  “In four days, possibly five.”

  It seemed a lifetime, but she said nothing. His hands caressed her face with such tenderness that Caroline closed her eyes and swayed toward him. When he covered her mouth with his, her lips parted in eager welcome. The kiss was long and thorough, making her all the more aware of the seductive power he held over her senses. Of their own volition, her arms slid upward and around his neck. One kiss and he’d destroyed her resolve. Caroline didn’t know whether she was more furious with Paul or with herself.

  “Oh love,” he breathed against her lips. “Next time maybe you’ll come with me.”

  Purposefully, she stepped away from him. She was frustrated with herself for being so weak and even more so with Paul for not trusting her. “I’ll be happy to go with you if I’m still here.”

  The shock that contorted Paul’s features and narrowed his eyes caused Caroline to suck in her breath. Abruptly he turned away, marching to the airstrip without a word of farewell.

  Caroline wondered what had made her say something so stupid. She regretted her sharp tongue, but Paul had hurt her and she wanted him to realize that.

  “Damn!” She stomped her foot in the dry snow. If she’d hoped to build a foundation of trust, she’d just crumbled its cornerstone.

  Caroline stood where she was until Paul’s plane had taxied away and ascended into the gray sky. Only then did she return to the cabin, disillusioned and miserable. She was astonished by how empty the place felt. She remained standing in the middle of the living room for several minutes, hardly able to believe that in the span of a few hours her entire world could have been jolted so badly.

  That night, Caroline slept fitfully. She was too cold, then too hot. Her pillow was too flat and the mattress sagged on one side. After midnight, she admitted it wasn’t the bed or the blankets. The problem was that the space beside her was empty. With a sigh, she turned and stared up at the ceiling, trying to think of ways to repair her marriage.

  —

  Paul set his suitcase on the carpeted floor of the Hotel Fairbanks. His room was adequate—a double bed, a dresser, a television, and a chair. He stared at the TV and experienced a twinge of regret. The sensation multiplied when his gaze fell on the bathtub.

  Regret hounded him. Not once in all the weeks that Caroline had been in Gold River had she complained about the less-than-ideal living conditions. Yet she’d been denied the simplest of pleasures.

  Slowly, Paul removed his parka and tossed it carelessly on the bed, then rubbed his eyes. He was determined to rush this trip so he could get back to Caroline and rebuild what his jealous doubts had destroyed.

  After he’d undressed and climbed into the soft bed, Paul lay on his back, arms folded behind his head. It didn’t feel right to be here without Caroline. He smiled as he recalled how quickly she’d dropped her self-imposed role of servant; she had too much fire in her to play the part with any conviction.

  He thought about her being alone in the cabin, curled up and sleeping in his bed, and experienced such an overwhelming surge of desire that his body tightened and tension knotted his stomach. She often slept in that thin piece of silk her aunts had given her. Usually it rode up her slim body, so that if he reached for her, his hand met warm, soft skin.

  Paul inhaled sharply at the memory. Her eagerness for his lovemaking had been a surprise and a delight. She hadn’t refused him once, welcoming his ardor with an enthusiasm he hadn’t dared expect. He wouldn’t leave her again, wouldn’t take another trip unless she could join him. He planned on telling her so the minute he returned to Gold River.

  —

  Caroline woke early the next morning. As usual it was dark. The hours of daylight were becoming shorter and shorter as they approached the winter solstice. More and more of each day was spent in complete darkness. She contemplated the summer and what it would be like to have the sun shine late at night. Then she wondered if she’d be in Gold River to see it. The thought stunned her. Of course, she’d be in Gold River. This was her home now.

  No sooner had she dressed and made breakfast than there was a knock at her door. Walter Thundercloud stood on the other side.

  “Good morning, Walter.”

  He nodded politely and stepped inside, looking a bit uneasy.

  Without asking, she poured him a cup of coffee and set it on the table.

  “You okay?” he asked gruffly.

  “Of course I am.”

  “Paul asked me to check on you.”

  Caroline pulled out a chair and sat across from the old man. Naturally, Paul would want to be sure his prisoner was in her cell, she told herself wryly. Her hands tightened on the thick mug. “I’m fine. You needn’t worry about me.”

  Walter hesitated. “Paul’s been in Gold River for several years now.”

  Her husband’s friend seemed to be leading up to something. She nodded, hoping that was encouragement enough for him to continue.

  “When he first came, he had the cabin built for privacy. The oil company had supplied his quarters, but he wanted a larger place—more homey—so he could bring his wife to live with him.”

  “His wife!” Caroline nearly choked on her coffee.

  “Oh, the woman wasn’t his wife yet. She’d only promised to be.”

  “I…see.” Paul had been engaged! “What happened?”

  “He never told me, but one day he got a letter and after he read it, Paul left the station and got sick drunk. He never mentioned her name again.”

  Nor had he mentioned the woman to Caroline. The heat of jealous anger blossomed in her cheeks. The ni
ght of her arrival, she’d spilled her guts about Larry. Apparently, Paul had gone through a similar experience and hadn’t bothered to tell her. Talk about trust!

  “For many months, Paul was angry. He worked too hard, not sleeping some nights. He scowled and snapped and drank more than he should.”

  “He didn’t leave Gold River and try to work things out with this woman?”

  “No.”

  Caroline took another sip of her coffee, somehow not surprised. He had an overabundance of pride, often to his own detriment. “Why are you telling me this?”

  “For the first time since Paul moved to Gold River, he smiles every day. He laughs. Before my eyes I’ve seen him change. He’s happy now. These changes began when you came here.”

  So Walter wanted to reassure her. She smiled softly and stared at her coffee. His words only proved how little she knew of the man who was her husband.

  “What made Paul decide to get married now?”

  Walter shrugged. “He wants a family.”

  She nodded. Tanana had told her that, too.

  “He loves you,” Walter continued. “I don’t believe Paul ever thought he’d be fortunate enough to find a woman as good as you. He put the ad in the paper because he was lonely.”

  “But why did he advertise for a wife? Surely there were women who’d want to marry him. Someone in Fairbanks, maybe?”

  Walter added sugar to his coffee, stirring it a long time. “You’ll have to ask him that.”

  Alarm turned her blood cold. “He has a woman in Fairbanks?”

  Walter chuckled and shook his head. “He advertised for a bride because he didn’t have time to properly date someone and build a relationship by the usual means. I also think he was afraid the same thing would happen to him a second time and she’d change her mind.”

  No wonder he’d been so insistent that they stay married. “Why is a child so important to Paul?”

  “I suppose because he didn’t have a family when he was growing up.”

  This was another shock to Caroline. Paul had spoken only briefly about his background. He’d been raised somewhere in Texas. As far as she knew, he hadn’t contacted his parents about their marriage and now that she considered it, Paul seemed to change the subject whenever she asked about his childhood.

  The faded eyes brightened. “I’m not telling you these things to stir up trouble.” The old man paused. “I can see that most of what I’ve said has been a shock. Paul might not appreciate my loose tongue, but I felt you should know that he’s gone through some hard times. You’ve been good for him.”

  “Our relationship is still on rocky ground.”

  “I can see that. I was surprised he didn’t take you to Fairbanks, and when I mentioned it, he nearly bit my head off.”

  “You were right when you guessed that I love him.”

  “He feels the same way. He’d move heaven and earth to see that you were happy. He—”

  An abrupt knock sounded, drawing their attention to the front door. Thomas Eagleclaw stepped in without waiting for an invitation. His eyes were frightened. “Mrs. Paul, please come.”

  “What is it?”

  “Tanana and the baby are sick.”

  As Walter and Thomas spoke in low voices, Caroline stood and reached for her coat. Momentarily, her gaze collided with Walter’s. The older man pulled on his parka as well, and followed her to the Eagleclaws’ cabin. Even before they arrived at the small log structure, Caroline had a premonition of disaster.

  The baby lay in his crib, hardly moving. He stared at her with wide eyes, and when Caroline felt his skin, he was burning up with fever. “How long has he been like this?”

  “Apparently Tanana’s been ill, too,” Walter answered for the young man.

  “Why didn’t you let me know?” Caroline asked Thomas.

  “Tanana probably told him not to. She didn’t want to trouble you,” Walter whispered, standing at Caroline’s side.

  “But Carl’s very sick.”

  “Mary Finefeather has a fever,” Thomas announced.

  “Mary, too?”

  Caroline turned to Walter. “I’ll do what I can here and meet you at Mary’s. We may need to get help.”

  Walter nodded and left.

  Tanana’s face felt hot, and the girl whimpered softly when Caroline tried to talk to her.

  The young husband stood stiffly by the bedside. “She’s much worse this morning.”

  “Oh Thomas, I wish you’d come for me,” Caroline said, more sharply than she intended.

  The young man looked guiltily at the floor.

  “How are you feeling?”

  He shrugged, still not looking at her.

  Caroline pressed the back of her hand to his forehead and shook her head. “Get into bed and I’ll be back when I can.”

  Although she tried to stay calm, her heart was racing. She hurried from the Eagleclaws’ to Mary’s. Once there, Caroline discovered that the older woman’s symptoms were similar to Tanana’s and the baby’s.

  “Walter, contact the Public Health Department and see if they can fly in some help. I don’t know what we’ve got here, but I don’t like the looks of it.”

  Walter’s eyes met hers. “In the winter of 1979 we lost twelve to the fever.”

  “We’re not going to lose anyone this time. Now hurry!”

  —

  After his meeting with the oil company engineers, Paul paused on the sidewalk outside the jewelry store to study the diamond rings on display. It’d never occurred to him to ask Caroline if she wanted a diamond. She wore the simple gold band he’d given her and hadn’t asked for anything more. Now he wondered if she was disappointed with the simplicity of the ring.

  He thought about the gifts he’d already purchased and realized he’d probably need to buy another suitcase to haul them all back to Gold River. He smiled at the thought. He’d bought her everything she’d ever mentioned wanting and, in addition, purchased gifts for Tanana and the baby, knowing Caroline had wanted to get them something special. Paul was trying to make up to her for excluding her from this trip. Never again would he leave her behind. He decided he’d buy her a ring and save it for Christmas. Everything else he’d give her when he got home.

  Never had he been more anxious to return to Gold River.

  —

  The Public Health Department flew in a doctor and two nurses that same afternoon. The community meeting hall served as a makeshift hospital and the sickest were brought there. Tanana, the baby, and Mary Finefeather had been the first to become seriously ill. Others soon followed. Within two days, Caroline and the medical staff were tending twenty-five patients. The following day it was thirty, then thirty-five.

  “How long has it been since you’ve slept?” Dr. Mather asked Caroline on the third day.

  Her smile was weak. “I forget.”

  “That’s what I thought. Go get some rest, and that’s an order.”

  She shook her head. She couldn’t leave when so many were sick and more arrived every hour. The other staff members had rested intermittently. “I’m fine.”

  “If you don’t do as I say, you’ll be sick next.”

  “I’m not leaving.”

  “Stubborn woman.” But his eyes spoke of admiration.

  Later that day, Walter brought her something to eat and forced her to sit down. “I think I should contact Paul.”

  “Don’t.” She placed her hand on his forearm and silently pleaded with him. “He’d only worry.”

  “He should worry. You’re working yourself into an early grave.”

  “I’m totally healthy.”

  “You won’t be if you go on like this.”

  Walter gave her one of his looks and Caroline sighed. “All right, we’ll compromise. I’ll go lie down in a few minutes, but I’ll have someone wake me after an hour.”

  Mary Finefeather died early the next morning. Caroline stood at Dr. Mather’s side as he pulled the sheet over the woman’s face, relaxed now in dea
th. Tears burned Caroline’s eyes, but she dared not let them flow. So many needed her; she had to be strong.

  “Are you doing okay?” the doctor asked.

  “I think so,” Caroline answered in a strangled voice. “What about the baby?” She’d held Carl for most of the night. He was so weak, too weak even to cry. He’d lain limp in her arms, barely moving.

  The doctor hesitated. “It doesn’t look good. If he lasts through the day, then his chances will improve.”

  The floor pitched beneath her feet. She’d known it herself but had been afraid to admit it. “And his mother?”

  “She’s young and strong. She should make it.”

  “Anyone else?”

  “Two others look serious.”

  Caroline bit the inside of her cheek and followed him to the next bed.

  —

  At the end of the fourth day, his meetings finished and his shopping done, Paul returned to the hotel, packed his bags, and checked out. He felt as anxious as a kid awaiting the end of school. He was going home to Gold River, home to Caroline. After a short trip to a pizza parlor, the taxi delivered him to the airport. If Burt Manners was late, Paul swore he’d have his hide.

  The pilot was waiting for Paul at the designated area inside the terminal. Burt rose to his feet as Paul approached.

  “I’ve got bad news for you,” he said, frowning as he eyed the pizza box.

  “What’s that?”

  “We aren’t going to be able to fly into Gold River.”

  “Why not?” Frustration made Paul tighten his grip around the handle of his bag.

  “A whiteout.”

  “Damn!” Paul expelled the word viciously. A whiteout was dangerous enough to put the finest, most experienced pilot on edge. Visibility plummeted to zero, and flying was impossible. The condition could last for days.

  —

  “There’s nothing more you can do.” Dr. Mather spoke gently to Caroline and attempted to remove the lifeless four-year-old child from her arms.

  “No, please,” she whispered, bringing the still body closer to her own. “Let me hold her for a few more minutes. I…I just want to say good-bye.”

  The doctor stepped aside and waited.

  Caroline brushed the hair from the sweet face and kissed the smooth brow, rocking her to and fro, singing the little girl a lullaby she’d never hear. Anna was dead and Caroline was sure Carl was next. Tears rained unchecked down her cheeks. She took a moment to compose herself, then handed the child to the doctor. “I’ll tell her mother.”