Mrs. Johnson and the others had come to see what the ruckus was all about. They broke into a round of cheers, clapping all the while. There were very few dry eyes.
Cassidy couldn’t believe it. She grabbed one of each of their hands and dragged them to the dining room, where she knew everyone would follow to hear the story of their mountain expedition. After she sat her father down, she kissed his cheek. “Tell me everything. I can’t wait to hear what happened.”
John shook his head. He looked around the room at the anxious gathering. “It’s not a pretty story, Cass. But I think Allan should tell you the hardest part first.”
She turned to Allan. “The hardest part was waiting for you to come home. I think I can face anything now that you’re both here.”
His eyes were clear and bright and when he smiled at her, it reached his eyes and melted her all the way down to her toes.
“Go on,” Dad prodded.
Allan nodded and his expression sobered. “Frank is dead. He planned to kill us both up there.”
Gasps were heard around the room.
As the story unraveled, Cassidy cried and grabbed her father’s hand. The fact that he had survived being shot on the side of a mountain was a miracle in and of itself.
“. . . After I realized that it wasn’t me who was shot, I saw Frank’s empty eyes. But there wasn’t time to worry about him. I knew your dad was bleeding and I had to get him down the mountain. But we were still in the middle of the storm. So I cleaned his wound and pulled the bullet out. After I had him bandaged up, I prayed the bleeding would stop. And wouldn’t you know, it did.
“Then I prayed for the storm to stop so we could get down the mountain. And within the hour everything calmed. So then, I thought, ‘As long as I’m praying, I might as well ask for a miracle to get down the mountain.’ So I prayed some more. I knew I couldn’t carry your dad and too many provisions, so our survival depended upon me getting us down to the base camp as quickly as possible.
“The first day was excruciating. The snow was deep. I was tired and coming to grips with what Frank had done. And then we hit the big wall on the east buttress. John was passed out, no doubt from the pain, and I didn’t know if I could go on any farther. And then all of a sudden, I looked down and could see the camp. It was a long ways down, but someone was waving at me. It gave me the encouragement I needed.
“Next thing I knew, I woke up with a dog licking my face and a huge knot on my head with every muscle in my body aching.”
John laughed.
Cassidy couldn’t stand it. “What do you mean? What happened? How did you get down?”
Allan and her dad shared a look. They both smirked.
Then Dad leaned forward. “Apparently we slid the rest of the way down.”
“What?” Cassidy couldn’t believe it. “There’s no way you could survive that. Could you?” Others murmured around the table.
“Well, let’s just say that I shoved the pack with our meager provisions over the edge to see what would happen—and if there were any obstacles or crevasses along the way. It bounced and then rolled and turned into a huge ball of snow but showed me a decent path to take. I started over the edge, but it was steeper than I thought. With your dad over my shoulders, my equilibrium was way off and I was worn out. So I prayed some more—asking God to get us down. About a third of the way, I completely lost my balance and landed on my backside. I slid for a ways, but our combined weight was too much for me to stay upright and not go head over heels, so I leaned back and tried to keep John behind me. But along the way, I must have hit a rock with my head because I don’t remember anything after that.”
Dad laughed. “Don’t look at me. I don’t remember anything because I was passed out, but our friends at the bottom said we gave them quite a show.”
“And then we had the opportunity to tell them about the power of prayer.” Allan patted her father on the back.
The weariness in Dad’s eyes made his pale complexion more intense. And Dad wasn’t pale. Ever. “Enough storytelling for now. You need to be in bed.” She motioned to Thomas. “Please help me.”
“What about me?” Allan asked, looking almost hurt.
Cassidy laughed. “I would love to spend more time with you, but you should probably go and rest too.” She knew there would be plenty of time to make her declaration of love, and she had no desire to do so in front of a bunch of people. She helped get her father into bed, then asked Thomas to bring him some lunch. The boy smiled and hurried off to do her bidding.
“Once you’ve rested, there’s someone here to see you. In fact, two someones.”
Her father eyed her with a raised brow. “Cassidy Faith, what kind of mischief have you been up to?”
She grinned. “Only the very best kind.”
With her father settled, Cassidy found her grandparents and shared the joyous news of the men’s return. She explained that she hadn’t told him of their arrival, only that there were two people who wanted very much to see him. After that, she joined the others for lunch, including the Ahtna men who had escorted them all the way back down the mountain to the hotel. Allan was nowhere to be found. Maybe he’d taken her suggestion to go rest.
“We were just hearing about how your father and Allan were rescued,” Mrs. Johnson declared, pulling back a chair at the table for Cassidy.
She took a seat. “I want to hear it all.”
Her father’s Ahtna friends began filling in the missing details of what had happened. “We had already decided to go after them, but then we saw them on top of the ice. Then before we knew it, they were falling. But it wasn’t like any fall I’d ever seen. It was slow—almost like unseen hands were lowering them.”
Cassidy felt the hairs on her arm prickle. Unseen hands indeed. God’s hands.
“We managed to get to them and get them off the glacier. They were banged up and bruised, and both were unconscious. They slept for days and we figured it was best not to move them.”
They continued answering the questions thrown at them by the others, but after about twenty minutes Cassidy had heard enough. She made her excuses to Mrs. Johnson, then slipped from the room eager to find Allan. She didn’t have far to go. He stood leaning against the hallway wall as if waiting for her to join him on some prearranged date.
Cassidy smiled. “I was just coming to find you. I have something I need to say.”
Allan pushed off the wall. “I have something I need to say to you, as well.”
She felt a delicious shiver run through her. Cassidy had little doubt he loved her. He offered her his arm and she took hold of him.
She found herself wanting to pour her heart out to him but not knowing where to start. So she chose to quietly walk beside him as they made their way back to the main lobby. Cassidy was glad to see it deserted.
Allan led her to the fireplace. “I’m afraid it’s going to take me a few days to feel warm again.”
Cassidy laughed and took his hands. “I’m so glad you’re all right.” She felt a blush creeping up her neck. “And I need to thank you for saving my father.”
“He’s a wonderful man.” He stepped closer and took her chin in his hand. “One I hope to call father myself, Lord willing.”
For a moment his words confused her and then it hit her. “Oh! Do you . . . I mean . . . does this mean . . . that you . . . ?”
He got down on one knee and looked up into her eyes and took hold of her hand. “Cassidy Faith Ivanoff, I’ve already gotten your father’s permission, and so I’d like to ask you if you’d give me the honor of becoming my wife.”
“Don’t you want to know first whether or not I love you?”
He chuckled and shook his head. “I already know that, you silly goose. I can see it in your eyes. I hear it in your voice.” He stroked the back of her hand with his thumb and grew serious. “I knew the only thing left to settle was my anger at God. I did that on the mountain.”
She felt tears come to her eyes. “Oh, Allan, I�
��m so happy.”
He gave her a lopsided grin. “Does that mean you’re saying yes?”
“Yes!” She pulled him back to standing and jumped into his arms. “Yes, yes, yes!”
28
July 1924
Cassidy held her father’s arm tighter than she intended. Thomas stood in the center of the new suspension bridge over the Susitna waving at her, and she watched the bridge sway.
When Allan told her his idea to get married across the river and up on the ridge, she thought it sounded terribly romantic. But now as she faced crossing the wooden planks in her white wedding gown, she wasn’t sure she’d been thinking straight.
But she did love him. More than she’d thought possible. And she’d follow him anywhere. Even across a footbridge and up a mountain so they could stand in the shadow of Denali and take their wedding vows.
“I’m so glad Grandfather and Grandmother could be here for the wedding. It means the world to me that we’re all a family again.”
Her father nodded. “It would mean the world to your mother as well. I like to think she knows.”
Cassidy nodded and squeezed his arm. “I do too.”
For several seconds they said nothing more. Then with a smile, her father pulled her forward. “Well, they’re all waiting for us. Now, if we can just keep Thomas from bouncing too much on this thing, we might make it across without mishap.” Dad had a twinkle in his eye.
“It is a bit disconcerting, isn’t it? Knowing there’s nothing in the middle holding us up?” Cassidy wasn’t sure how she felt about the gently moving bridge and she leaned over the railing to look down. “But today of all days, I’d rather not give the bridge a hug.”
Dad laughed heartily. “Me neither, sweetheart. Although that would be a story you could pass down to your grandkids one day.”
“Oh, there will be plenty of those.”
Her dad looked at her. “Grandchildren or stories?”
“Both.” She patted his arm. “You can just tell them about all my clumsiness.”
Cassidy took a tentative step. She knew on the other side of the bridge and up the ridge her groom awaited her with friends and family who wanted to be a part of their wedding.
With each step, her courage grew. God had indeed blessed her.
The walk up the ridge trail wasn’t easy in her pretty dress, but Cassidy kept reminding herself it was worth it. They had plenty of time and she enjoyed the conversations she shared with Dad and Thomas.
Grandmother had sewn her dress—a stylish drop-waist satin creation, with layers of filmy white chiffon below the wide satin sash forming a beautiful handkerchief hem. It was the most beautiful dress Cassidy had ever seen, and she loved it even more since it was created by her grandmother.
So many memories to cherish today. She didn’t want to forget any of it. Not the sway of the bridge, the smell of the flowers, the sunlight sparkling off the river, or even the climb up the ridge. Because she knew, at the top, she’d see Allan.
Thomas raced on ahead to let everyone know they were almost there.
Dad stopped and took her hands. “This is it, my daughter. You have my blessing and I love you with all my heart.”
Blinking away tears of joy, Cassidy swallowed hard. “Don’t you dare make my cry, Dad.” She breathed in deep. “Thank you. For your blessing, and for your love. I love you too.” She turned forward again and could see the last twenty steps or so leading to the top of the ridge. “Now, let’s get moving. I’m ready to get this shindig under way.”
He laughed and held out his elbow to her.
Thomas stood above them, turned, and nodded real big.
As Cassidy took the final steps, she heard the words of the doxology wash over her. The whole wedding party sang it together, and it echoed over the ridge in beautiful harmony. As she reached the top, she looked to her groom. He was all smiles, and it lit up his whole face.
To the west was the most glorious sight. Denali stood in all his majesty—not a cloud in view.
The crowd continued to sing until John brought her to stand beside Allan.
“Who gives this woman to be married?” Their pastor from Tenana had come all this way to perform the ceremony.
“I do,” Dad answered with a slight break in his voice.
The pastor continued on.
Her soon-to-be-husband leaned over to whisper to her. “I hope the journey was worth it.”
She giggled. “Oh, definitely. And you’ll be proud—I didn’t hug the ground even once.”
Before she knew what was happening, Allan wrapped his arms around her and kissed her with a passion she wasn’t expecting. Then he pulled back and chuckled. And then he kissed her again.
The crowd applauded and laughed.
The pastor cleared his throat. “We’re not to that part yet, young man.”
More laughter surrounded them.
Allan straightened, tucked her hand into his elbow, and pulled her closer. “I’m sorry, sir, I couldn’t resist.” He breathed in deep. “I’ll behave.”
Cassidy tried to cover her laughter. She looked at Allan, his face now serious and focused on the pastor. Oh, the joy to be with this man.
She tried to keep a straight face, but she just couldn’t help it. Her smile generated from her toes today.
The pastor leaned in, a twinkle in his eyes. “May I continue?”
“Yes. Please do.”
Now her dad started chuckling as well. At least it was a joyous occasion. And one they would all remember for the rest of their lives.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today in the sight of God and in the shadow of Denali, to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony . . .”
Dear Reader
Thank you for joining us for the beginning of THE HEART OF ALASKA series.
Our heroine—Cassidy Faith Ivanoff—is very dear to our hearts, and yes, she has a lot of Cassidy Faith Hale’s real personality traits. In fact, the saying, “I guess the floor needed a hug” was a direct quote from this special girl. We hope you enjoyed the light from her legacy.
Curry and the Curry Hotel are fascinating pieces of Alaska’s—and our country’s—history. For many years, Curry was the heart and hub of not only the railroad but of all who visited the great Territory. There are conflicting reports about the actual layout of the Curry Hotel in 1923. Alaska Rails cites that the kitchen was originally in the basement and then moved, where the original floorplans for the hotel show the main kitchen on the main level and the section gang kitchen in the basement. Alaska Rails also states that the Annex was built in 1923 while other sources claim that it was built later. We’ve chosen to follow the original floorplans for our story and added the Annex in.
The book Lavish Silence: A Pictorial Chronicle of Vanished Curry, Alaska by Kenneth L. Marsh is a fascinating read and provided us with wonderful research for In the Shadow of Denali, but there are discrepancies with other sources in some matters of the history, buildings, and layout. Over the years, the Curry Hotel changed. The town changed as many other buildings were constructed. While we tried to be as accurate as possible, we did take a few liberties to fit our story when all the sources didn’t line up. We’d like to thank Ken Marsh for all his work and his incredible help sharing his research about Curry.
Today, the only remaining structure is the historic Curry Lookout, sitting high above the Susitna River on Curry Ridge (which, by the way, the lookout was not the President’s idea, but we had fun putting that conversation into the story). It’s not easily accessible. (We even tried to get in by helicopter, but the weather didn’t cooperate.) You can find a couple of pictures at www.alaskarails.org/historical/curry/lookoutview.jpg and www.alaskarails.org/historical/curry/lookout.jpg.
The location where Curry existed can be visited by riding the amazing Alaska Railroad, but since the suspension bridge has been gone for several decades, there’s no way across the river to the lookout. Coming in from the west, you can drive the Parks Highw
ay to where the future South Denali Visitor’s Center will be (and the preliminary plans show a hiking trail to Curry Lookout), but this is still several miles west of Curry Ridge, and there are no trails to Curry Lookout at this time. At one time there was a snowmobile and ski trail, but it seems to be gone as well. Remember, Alaska is still wild and untamed—and Curry and the Curry Lookout are in the “bush” of Alaska and off the road system. But to know that these pieces of history are still there thrilled us as authors.
For simplicity’s sake, we have named the railroad throughout the book as the Alaska Railroad. In actuality, the history of the Alaska Railroad includes the Alaska Central Railroad, the Alaska Northern Railroad, the Tanana Valley Railroad, and the Alaska Engineering Commission.
The President and First Lady really did visit Curry on their journey to Fairbanks. There are some fascinating pictures and stories of this time. Be sure to check out Kim’s blog at http://kimandkaylawoodhouse.com for pictures of the “Presidential Special” railroad car that now resides in Fairbanks at Pioneer Park. To be historically accurate, we spent hours and hours researching President and Mrs. Harding and their cross-country trip. Facts about the formal dedication of Mount McKinley National Park and the presidential visit in 1923 were taken from reports made to the Department of the Interior.
The First Lady’s line to Thomas about “If I had a son . . .” would have been accurate for the private lady. Most people are unaware that she had a son before marrying Mr. Harding, and the son died in 1915, long before this story took place. What is fascinating though, is that very few during Harding’s presidency ever knew that she even had a son. She never mentioned him either, which gave us an interesting twist to use.
The views from Talkeetna, Curry Ridge, and the South Denali Viewpoint on the Parks Highway are my favorite views of The High One. Even though the entrance to Denali National Park is one hundred miles north of these locations on the highway, Curry had the most ideal location to become a climbing expedition starting point since it was barely forty miles away as the crow flies. Even though Curry didn’t survive, the quaint little town of Talkeetna did, and today that is where you find the Park Ranger Headquarters to climb Denali. If you go there, say hi to Missy for me (Kim). She was, once again, an invaluable source of information.
In the Shadow of Denali Page 25
