Forever Hidden

by Tracie Peterson

  Chuck quirked an eyebrow and chuckled. “I knew you were perceptive.” He paused for several seconds. “Son, I’ve been watching you. You’re hardworking and you love the Lord. Those are my top two priorities. It also helps that you’re quite capable at what you do. Your grandfather was a good friend to me, and I know you come from hardy stock.” Chuck looked down at his boots again. “The truth is . . . I’m sick. Something is wrong with me. I need someone I can trust to take over the farm and to provide for the girls.”

  A deep ache hit John in the chest. Would he lose this man so soon after losing Nonno? He’d just found Chuck. This couldn’t be happening. “What’s wrong, sir?”

  “I don’t know for certain. I need to see Doc Gordon again before he leaves.”

  Of course. It all made sense. “That’s why he sent me here.”

  “Yes, to help lighten my load. He’s been scolding me for months that I needed to slow down. Fact was, I was too stubborn to listen. Until recently.”

  John leaned forward. “What can I do to help? You don’t look sick, so there must be plenty of time for you to heal . . . right?”

  “Are you saying you’re willing to stay?”

  “Of course. I’ve come to love working on a farm again. And Nonno would want me to help his friend.”

  Chuck held up his hand. “This isn’t a charity case, John. Don’t misunderstand me. I’m here to offer you a business deal. One that also includes my family.”

  John raised his eyebrows. “You already hired me . . .”

  His boss took a long breath and held out both of his hands. “Let me be blunt. Years ago, your grandfather and I had a lengthy discussion about our families. It was shortly after the girls lost their father. Giuseppe and I had been quite close. We were both gravely concerned about you youngsters living in a mining town. What would happen to you, or to my girls, should we pass on. We made a pact to keep in touch, and should anything happen to one, the other would assure the safety and provision for the other’s loved ones.”

  “Sounds like Nonno.” John went over and stoked the fire. “But why did he never mention it? I mean, he talked about you all the time and told me how he loved you as a brother, but nothing of this.”

  “I didn’t tell my girls either. Not until a couple years ago, when a letter from your grandfather came. I mentioned to Melissa that should anything happen to me, she needed to get in touch with Giuseppe.”

  John sat back on the bed. What would it be like to have a bond—a friendship—like that?

  “The truth is, son . . .” Chuck leaned forward. “And this might sound a little crazy—but I’m hoping that you will marry one of my granddaughters and run the farm. It will be yours—and the family’s—if I die. But you must promise to provide for them all until they are married and out on their own. Of course, Melissa has never remarried, so I would ask for you to provide for her as well. Perhaps you could even keep them all together on the farm and let them help you run it. I’m not worried about how you do it, because I trust your judgment. I know we’ve just gotten to know each other, but I believe God put our two families together a long time ago and that you are worthy of my trust. So the bottom line is—I’m asking you to take care of my family.”

  Was he really hearing what he thought he was? “Sir . . . Chuck, surely things aren’t that grave—”

  “They are. At least to me. I want to offer you this . . .” He pulled a large gold nugget out of his jacket pocket and held it out to John.

  It was the largest nugget of gold John had ever seen. “That’s huge, sir.”

  “Yes. It is, but I’m asking you to accept a huge responsibility. Something I don’t take lightly. Please consider it a dowry of sorts.”

  John stood and placed his hands on his hips. “I admire you a great deal. Especially after all the stories Nonno told me over the years. But this is a bit overwhelming. I’m here to help you. You’ve already hired me. So why the need for an additional arrangement?”

  Chuck grimaced as he shook his head. “There are men in this town who would kill to have this place. If something happened to me, they wouldn’t hesitate to jump in and steal everything from my girls. Their futures are at stake.” The weariness in the older man’s eyes pleaded with him.

  John swiped a hand down his chin. Chuck was right to be worried . . . especially in a town like Nome that had exploded with men all seeking their fortunes. Men who would do anything to gain wealth fast. Men who would take advantage of women. “And you want me to marry one of your granddaughters? But this doesn’t have to happen right away . . . does it?” Not that marriage and settling down wasn’t a pleasant thought.

  “What? You don’t think they’re lovely?” The older man lifted one side of his mouth in a grin.

  “Of course they’re lovely, but your granddaughters don’t know me. Or I, them. And I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but Whitney doesn’t seem to care for me one bit. What if none of them do?”

  Chuck laughed. “Don’t you worry about her. She’s the oldest, and to be honest, I think she’s peeved at me for hiring on a foreman—any foreman. She wanted the job. Look, I know this is a bit unorthodox, but I need you to promise me that you will marry one of them. It doesn’t have to be anytime soon. Just within the next year or so. I need to make sure that they are taken care of and that my farm will be in good hands.”

  The thought of the proposition in front of John overwhelmed him. He paced the room, his mind spinning in a hundred different directions. “What if none of them want to marry me? I mean that’s a pretty important piece of the agreement.”

  “I’ve been doing a lot of talking to God about this. I’m content to let Him arrange it. The girls all have their good points and bad, but they’re all loyal, faithful, and loving.”

  John nodded. “I’m sure they are, but love . . . well . . . that’s something special. Something that needs to grow from a mutual affection. You can’t force it.”

  “You’re right, of course.” Chuck’s shoulders slumped, but his gaze was more fervent than ever. “You can’t force love, but I believe God has made it clear to me that this will happen. I’ve already had a contract prepared, in fact.”

  “I understand you wanting to take care of your family, sir. It just all seems a bit . . . strange.”

  “I know. And I’m sorry. But I don’t think I have a lot of time.” He pulled some folded papers out of his jacket. “If you’ll notice, it’s pretty simple. There’s two copies to sign. One for you and one for me. Just in case.”

  John studied the man a moment and then took the papers. Chuck was serious. What had he gotten himself into? Was this why Nonno had sent him here? No. His grandfather couldn’t have known this would happen. But he would want John to help his friend.

  Lord, I need some wisdom. And fast. Is this Your will?

  John unfolded the sheets and read them. “So I don’t have to choose now which granddaughter? I can get to know them?”

  “Of course.”

  He nodded and continued reading. “Would you let me think about it and pray about it?”

  “I hope that you do. But I’d like an answer soon.” Chuck clasped his hands together and then slapped them against his thighs. “Am I asking too much of you, John? I mean, you will have quite a farm that will be in your name once I’m gone.”

  “No, sir.” John swallowed. “It’s a bit overwhelming. I mean, this is all very generous of you, and I’m grateful that you would entrust me with such an enormous task. And your family . . . it’s an honor that you consider me—”

  “Let me stop you right there, son.” Chuck stood and picked up the box. “I’m hoping I’ll be here for quite a while yet, but I’m feeling an urgency. It would give me a great peace of mind if you would agree to this now. I know it’s a lot to ask, but your grandpa was the only man I ever trusted with my whole heart. And he had the same worries about you as I had about my girls. Won’t you please consider doing this for an old friend of your grandfather’s?”

 
; John stared at him for several moments. Took a few deep breaths. “Of course, I will. Let me sleep on it and pray about it. But I want to add that I hope you are around for many years to come. I wouldn’t ever want you to think I signed this because of what I would gain.”

  “I know that. That’s why you’re the man for the job.” Chuck put a hand on his shoulder.

  John’s throat clogged a bit and he swallowed against it. To have someone believe in him . . . “It’s been wonderful being at your side the past few days. You know I don’t have any other family—but you’ve welcomed me with open arms, and I feel like family. And that makes me miss my grandfather a bit less.”

  “I’m glad I can help alleviate a bit of your grief. He was a good man. No, I take that back. Giuseppe was a great man. It was an honor to call him friend.” He turned to the door. “I better let you get some rest. Thanks for hearing me out.”

  After the older man walked out of the room, John stood staring at the door.

  When he’d come to his room a little bit ago, sleep had been his main priority. Now . . .

  His mind swam.

  The farm was a huge responsibility. But then, so was taking care of all four of the Powell women. Chuck hadn’t minced words, which was nice, but the thought of promising to marry one of his granddaughters made John a little nervous. They were all beautiful. Talented. But he didn’t know them.

  The good Lord was going to have to guide him on this one. He placed the contract—a contract that, if he signed, obligated him to forever alter his life—on his bed next to the gold nugget and dropped to his knees.

  Seven

  Havyn pulled on her sealskin pants and grabbed her rubber boots to put by the door. The beginning of May had brought warmer temperatures—finally!—but now they had to muck about in snowy, slushy mud for a while.

  It usually didn’t bother her, but for some reason, having to trade her skirts for the pants wasn’t appealing. Probably because they weren’t all that flattering. And because of a certain new foreman.

  She admitted it. He hadn’t been here that long, but she liked him. And what was wrong with that? It was the first time a decent man close to her age had been around. It didn’t hurt that he was handsome, had a smile that made her stomach flip, and had her grandfather’s approval. In the past twenty-four hours, she’d heard Granddad sing John’s praises at least ten times. Either he wanted them to take notice or . . . what? Granddad had never raved about anyone like he had John.

  Madysen had told Havyn that she thought John was nice. Then she’d gone right back to talking about the latest magazine she’d read about Boston and how she wanted to go there. So, obviously, there wasn’t much interest in John from her younger sibling. Whitney, on the other hand, had plenty of interest. But not the good kind. She’d done nothing but shoot daggers with her gaze at John since Granddad announced he’d hired the man. And whenever Mama brought John up, Whitney was the first to express her concerns.

  Over and over.

  But Whitney’s worries were for naught. John had so easily assimilated into the family that even the dogs were comfortable with his comings and goings. Havyn knew that was due in part to all the time John spent letting them sniff him as he petted them when he and Granddad walked and talked about the farm. Not that either man had leisure time—the two worked long hours to make sure John understood every little inch of the farm. But the fact that John took the time for the animals showed her a lot about his character.

  If only Whitney would acknowledge that.

  John was so . . . intriguing. She hated that her grandfather suffered from his affliction, but her worry for him eased with John around. Before he’d come, the thought that they might lose Granddad if no one was around to help him was almost more than she could bear.

  Oh, she missed her father at times like this. Ten years old was a hard age to lose anyone, but it had been especially hard to lose her dad. What would her life have been like had he lived? Would he have stopped drinking? Would he have made a farm for them like Granddad had?

  Highly doubtful. She couldn’t imagine her father enduring the isolation of Alaska and the physical labor of farm work. Just keeping up with their stock was hard. There was a lot to do in making sure those animals survived the bitterly cold temperatures and heavy snows. Of course, some years the snows weren’t that bad, but all the same, the stock had to be fed and watered whether it was fifty degrees above or fifty below. Dad had never been all that fond of the cold.

  Ready or not, it was time to grab some breakfast and face the mess her chickens had surely made in the mud. How wonderful it would be when all the snow melted and she could tend to them without getting covered in muck.

  As she neared the kitchen, a commotion sounded. What was going on?

  Madysen’s voice screeched and squealed.

  Havyn couldn’t decipher the words, but when she entered the room, she saw Madysen running around and spinning while her mother and Whit watched, amusement etched on their faces.

  Madysen spotted her, raced over, took hold of Havyn’s arm, and gave her a twirl.

  “What’s this madness?” Havyn grinned and looked at the others. “Did we find gold in our part of the river?”

  “No, silly. The first ship is in the Sound! The Corwin is back!” Madysen sang the words.

  Ah . . . excitement understood. With exception to the mail and freight that came on occasion during the winter months, Nome was completely cut off from the United States. So the first ship of the year was always cause for a huge celebration. There would be new supplies and people. The town would throw a party and everyone was invited. Of course, for the Powell girls it could mean a much larger crowd at the Roadhouse. And a lot more tips.

  “Mr. Norris will expect you to come early tonight.” Mama wiped up the counter. “So you’d best eat your breakfast and get chores done.”

  Havyn glanced back toward the parlor. “Where’s Granddad? And John?”

  “They’re the ones who told us about the ship. They took the milk to town and brought back word.” Their mother untied her apron. “I hope they’ve brought all the music we ordered.”

  Whitney’s eyes lit up. “I hope it doesn’t take them too long to unload. I’m itching for a new challenge.” Stuffing the last piece of her toast in her mouth, she waved at them all. “I’ll be out with the dogs.”

  Mama shook her head and laughed. “I never could keep enough music on hand for you girls.”

  Havyn walked over and kissed her mother on the cheek. “You’ve taught us well.” She grabbed a piece of buttered toast from the counter and then went to the stove, scooped a mound of scrambled eggs, and plopped it in the middle of the toast. Folding the concoction together, she shrugged her shoulders. “I’ll take my breakfast with me. My girls await.”

  Doctor Geoffrey Kingston unpacked his second trunk, taking special care to put his medical books in alphabetical order. Just as all his peers did. Not that he’d ever paid much attention to what was in the books, but this was a fresh start for him. It would be good. Nome was a bustling town and no one knew him here.

  He could do it.

  Memories rushed into his mind of who he had been before. He shook his head to dispel them. No. He would move on and do the right thing for once. No sense rehashing the past.

  A knock sounded at the door.

  With a hefty stack of tomes in his arms, he couldn’t open the door. “Come in,” he shouted over his shoulder.

  The door scraped as it opened. “Good morning, Geoffrey.”

  “Ah, and good morning to you, Dr. Gordon.” He set the stack of books down and dusted off his hands. “I’m afraid I don’t have any refreshments to provide you, as I have yet to go to the mercantile for supplies, but I can offer you a seat.” Pointing his hand toward the settee, he smiled at the man who had hired him.

  “Not to worry. I’m not going to stay. Figured it might be a good moment to schedule a time for us to discuss my patient load, which you’ll be taking over. I’ll
be here for a couple of weeks to help you out, but it’s best that you understand all the cases first.”

  “Of course. How about Monday morning at seven? You mentioned all the hours of daylight we’d have, so I presume it will be plenty light.”

  “A man after my own heart.” The older man smiled. “I do appreciate an early riser and yes, you’re absolutely right. As you’ve no doubt noticed, the dawn’s first light starts as early as three thirty now. But I can come as early as sunrise—around five thirty—if that suits you.”

  Geoffrey swallowed. He’d never been up before seven! He’d heard Dr. Gordon liked to get started early, but earlier than seven? Ridiculous! Of course, he couldn’t say that. Besides, he was turning over a new leaf. . . .

  Dr. Gordon laughed. “I’m joking. Seven will be perfect. Meet me at my office. I’m sure you’ll have no trouble finding it. Then you can follow me for a few days and I’ll introduce you to your patients. After that, you’ll take over.”

  “Thank you. This is a wonderful opportunity.” He reached out to shake the man’s hand.

  “I’m thankful you’ve come. The other two doctors have their hands full. It’s perfect timing.” Dr. Gordon headed to the door and smiled. “Don’t worry, I can let myself out. It looks like you have a good deal of unpacking to do yet. Welcome to Nome.”

  “Yes, sir. Thank you.” The man’s trust in him felt good. He’d heard good things about Dr. Gordon. Not just good things. Amazing things. The doctor was adored by everyone. Maybe this was Geoffrey’s chance to become a respected citizen of a community. Healing people, helping people, serving people. He could make a difference and forget his former life.

  By the time the bookcase was filled to overflowing with every medical book he had been able to get his hands on, he stepped back to check his organizational skills. It appeared everything was in order. It would simply take him time to learn which resources he would use the most. Perhaps he could ask Dr. Gordon on Monday. Might as well learn everything he could from the good doctor before he left.