She glanced through her mail and tossed the junk and the bills on her desktop. Mariah had written her a long newsy letter earlier in the week, which Tracy had read a dozen times or more. Duke’s cast was off and the people of Hard Luck had breathed a collective sigh of relief. Everyone hoped his bad mood would end soon. Once Duke was able to fly again, his friends all said, his spirits would improve. Mariah said she doubted it, knowing the source of his discontent.
Mariah also wrote that Duke had never mentioned Tracy or talked about his time in Seattle—but that didn’t mean he wasn’t thinking about her. Tracy would’ve been shocked if he had said anything. That wasn’t Duke’s way.
He hadn’t forgotten her. She’d wager she was on his mind every minute of every day, just like he was on hers. How long he’d cling to his stubborn pride she could only speculate.
The doorbell chimed. Kids already? She picked up the candy bowl and answered.
Two goblins smiled up at her and screeched, “Trick or treat!”
“And who might this be?” Tracy asked, squatting down and letting the youngsters paw through the bowl filled with boxed raisins and granola bars.
“Thanks, Tracy,” her neighbor Marilyn Gardener said as she steered her two daughters down the hallway.
Tracy closed the door and set the bowl on a nearby table. Walking to her fridge, she removed the casserole she’d assembled that morning and put it in the oven. When Duke did come back, she had a real surprise for him. She could cook. Not just one or two recipes, either, but a whole repertoire. Her mother would be proud of her; Sharon Santiago had raised five daughters, and each had become an accomplished cook—with one exception. Tracy grinned to herself. What could she say? She was a late bloomer—and everything seemed to hit her at once. Until she’d fallen in love with Duke, she’d avoided thinking about marriage and children. She’d been perfectly content to play the role of indulgent aunt.
Duke. Tracy had a great deal to thank him for. Mostly he’d awakened her to life. Her views had been so narrow, her focus solely on her career. Then she and Duke had crashed, and all the things she’d pushed into the background had suddenly sprung free.
Duke. She’d been so confident he’d return....
Why she’d chosen Halloween as her day of reckoning she couldn’t explain. Two weeks was an optimistic estimate, she supposed. It was just that she missed him so much and she’d been positive he missed her, too.
Apparently not.
Struggling against a bout of melancholy, Tracy changed out of her business suit and into jeans and a sweater.
The doorbell chimed, and once more Tracy picked up the bowl and opened the door. More neighbor children, looking for a handout.
No sooner had she closed the door than the bell chimed again. This time, however, it was Duke. “Trick or treat,” he said, grinning sheepishly.
All she could do was stare at him.
“Raisins? Granola? Sweetheart, you’re going to disappoint those poor kids. They want candy and chocolates, the gooier the better.”
Happiness bubbled up inside her. “Oh, Duke!” If he didn’t reach for her soon, she was throwing caution to the winds and leaping into his arms.
Without waiting for her invitation, he stepped into her living room and closed the door. The teasing light faded from his deep gray eyes as he studied her.
“Sit,” he ordered, and Tracy was in no state to argue. She sank onto the sofa, clasping her hands together in her lap. Once she was seated, Duke began to pace in front of her.
“From the moment we met,” he said, “you seemed to be of the opinion that you can do anything a man can do.”
“Well, for the most part I can,” she returned evenly.
“As you’ve taken great delight in proving to me,” he muttered. “Well, surprise, surprise, Ms. Attorney, there are certain matters best left in the hands of a man.”
“If you’ve come all this way to argue with me, then—”
“I didn’t.”
She stood. “I think—”
“Please listen,” Duke barked.
Because she was so shocked, she sat back down, snapped her mouth shut and did as he asked.
“When it comes to a marriage proposal, you need to learn that a man prefers to do the asking.”
Tracy almost swallowed her tongue. “A...marriage proposal?”
“You heard me.”
“If you’re upset about me bringing up the subject first, then you should know I just got tired of waiting. I love you, Duke, and you love me.”
“You’re doing it again.”
She pressed her fingers to her lips. “Sorry.”
He continued pacing.
“Well?” she prompted when he didn’t immediately speak.
“I’m thinking.”
“That’s the problem,” she insisted, scrambling onto her knees on the sofa. “You think too much.” If he didn’t stand still long enough to kiss her, she was going to do it herself.
“What makes you think you’ll be happy in Hard Luck?” he demanded.
“You’re there,” she answered simply.
He didn’t allow her response to sway him. “What about your career?”
“Yes, well, that’s a concern, but I’ve thought it through. I’ll set up my own practice. True, there probably won’t be enough clients to keep me busy full-time in the beginning, but—”
“At least you’re willing to admit it. How do you propose to fill your time? I know you, Tracy, and you won’t be content sitting on your duff.”
“Actually, not having a full-time practice suits my purposes perfectly.”
His eyes narrowed. “How’s that?”
“I want children, and I believe we should start on the project right away.”
Duke’s gaze seemed riveted to hers. “Now, just one minute...” He rubbed the back of his neck as he took in her words. “You really know how to throw a man off center, I’ll say that. I haven’t so much as proposed, and you’re already talking children.”
“I want a big family. I have four sisters, you know.”
“Would you kindly stop jumping the gun?”
“I’d like three, possibly four of my own and—”
“Four kids, in this day and age?” he said, aghast. “You’re not thinking clearly. Couples can’t afford to clothe and educate that many children.”
“We’ll do fine.” The man was nothing if not obstinate.
“I haven’t agreed to anything yet.”
She pretended not to hear him. “I feel it’s important that we be young enough to enjoy them.”
“Tracy,” he said, obviously exasperated.
“Am I answering your questions?”
“You make our marriage sound like a foregone conclusion.”
“You mean it isn’t?” She batted her eyelashes, teasing him. She’d never be a pliant woman who would bend easily to his will—but for the sake of his ego she supposed she could bend every now and then.
“No way!”
She sighed impatiently. “I’m going to tell our children this, you know.”
“Tell them what?”
“That I was the one who proposed.”
“The heck you will!”
Tracy nearly laughed out loud. Instead, she held out her arms. “Just how long is it going to take you to kiss me?”
“In a minute,” he said, “but first I have to figure out how I’m going to do this.”
“Do what?”
He walked over to the sofa and got down on one knee.
Her eyes widened with surprise. Duke was going to propose on bended knee. Duke? But then, he’d always been a traditionalist, so it made sense that he’d do this the old-fashioned way.
“Promise me you won’t say a
word until I’ve finished,” he said.
“I promise,” she said breathlessly. Duke was actually going to propose. At last. She pressed her lips together hard to show him her sincerity.
“I didn’t want to fall in love with you, and God knows it wasn’t what I planned. You’re gutsy, stubborn, insolent, hardheaded—and special.” His voice lowered to a whisper. “So very special.”
She blinked back sudden tears.
“In addition to all of that, you seem to think you love me.”
She nodded vigorously. The need to talk was so strong she had to bite her lip.
“I don’t know why you love me, but frankly I’ve given up trying to figure it out. I’m crazy about you. Yes, I love you. There, I’ve said it.”
She rewarded him by kissing her fingertips and touching them to his lips.
“I don’t understand why you’d sacrifice all this for life in Hard Luck, but you seem to have it squared away.”
Once more she nodded.
“Three kids, possibly four,” he groaned. “Knowing you, you’ll probably talk me into ten.”
She held up four fingers.
He closed his eyes, shaking his head. “I’m not agreeing to any more than two for now.” He paused and grinned. “That’s advice a good attorney would give.”
She smiled and shrugged. Not speaking was difficult, but she’d promised.
“So you think we should get married.”
She held her breath.
“I’m beginning to believe you’re right.”
Tracy couldn’t help it—she threw her arms around his neck and cried joyfully, “Oh, Duke, what took you so long?”
A grimace of doubt tightened his face. “I’m not good enough for you—”
“Don’t you dare say that,” she interrupted. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Duke Porter, and don’t you forget it.”
“Me?”
“Without you, I’d have spent the rest of my days defending my rights as a woman, pushing love out the door, arguing until I had no voice left while I stood on my soapbox. Without you, life would’ve passed me by. I would’ve missed so many pleasures. I would’ve been so lonely.” She paused, her eyes solemn. “I’ve learned that I can have my principles and love, too. I need you, Duke.”
He blinked, as if he wasn’t sure he should believe her. They faced each other. His love in all its depth shone in his eyes, and it was a reflection of what she felt for him.
“We’re going to fight like crazy,” he whispered.
“And make love like crazy.”
A smile edged up one side of his mouth. “I love you, Tracy.” His arms circled her waist. He kissed her eyes and nose and cheeks and chin, unable to get enough of her. Her senses reeled; her heart raced.
It’d been so long since he’d last held her. She loved the way his eyes darkened before he kissed her. The way his hands moved gently over her body, and the sound of his voice when he whispered her name.
They were going to be very happy—of that Tracy had no doubt. She’d found her man, and he’d found her. A man to love for the rest of her life.
Epilogue
December 1996
Scott O’Halloran sat in front of the fireplace at the Caldwells’ lodge. Dinner was over and the adults had gathered in the front room, planning a reception for Duke and Tracy. The other kids were watching a video upstairs; Scott, however, had declined the opportunity to see Snow White. He’d decided to stay down here with his dog instead. Eagle Catcher rested peacefully on the braided rug next to him, snoring softly as Scott stroked his fur. With a quiet moment to himself, Scott was considering the changes that had come to Hard Luck since his own arrival a couple of years ago.
“I still can’t believe it,” he told the husky. “Duke married Tracy.” He shook his head, feeling wiser than his years. People tended to see him as “just a kid”—and he couldn’t very well deny it—but he was smarter than some folks seemed to think.
For instance, Scott knew long before his mother and Sawyer did that they were in love. Sawyer had insisted the other bush pilots leave Abbey alone—and then found all kinds of excuses to spend time with her himself. But he’d almost blown it with that flippant marriage proposal. If it hadn’t been for Susan and him running away with Eagle Catcher, Scott didn’t know what would have happened. He didn’t like to think about it.
His mom had married Sawyer, and now there was little Anna. When they’d learned Anna was a girl, Scott had been sorely disappointed. He’d wanted a little brother real bad, but now that she was born and everything, he was glad to have another sister. Not that he’d let Susan know. Susan was a pest. But Anna was all soft and sweet, and when he held her he felt happy and proud. Scott hoped for a brother someday, but if that didn’t happen, he’d accept another sister.
After his mother and Sawyer got married, it hadn’t taken him long to figure out how things were between Charles and Lanni. The day he and Susan had gone looking for wildflowers with Lanni and encountered the bear proved exactly how much Charles liked Lanni.
Charles had been so relieved when he found them that he’d kissed Lanni right then and there. Scott never did understand why they waited so long to decide to get married. Lanni had to move away, and then Charles moped around Hard Luck for weeks until he finally saw the light.
Scott had felt downright sorry for Charles. He’d wanted to say something, but he’d overheard his parents talking, and they seemed to think it was best to let Charles and Lanni sort out their differences themselves. They must’ve been right, because a little while after that, Scott learned Charles and Lanni were getting married the following spring.
Eagle Catcher stretched out his legs and yawned loudly. Scott felt tired, too, but he kind of liked sitting here by the fireplace while the adults talked in the other room. Duke and Tracy’s wedding had taken place in Seattle two weeks earlier, and they were due back in Hard Luck the day after tomorrow, so folks wanted to give them a special welcome.
He had to admit those two had taken him by surprise. But Mitch and Bethany hadn’t. Scott smiled to himself. He’d seen the look that came into the teacher’s eyes whenever Mitch stopped by the schoolhouse. It was the same look he’d seen in his mother’s eyes after Sawyer kissed her the first time.
Susan and Chrissie, Mitch’s daughter, had played matchmaker—and it had worked, not that Scott approved of their methods. To his way of thinking, Mitch had married Bethany despite Susan and Chrissie’s schemes. They all seemed happy, though. He’d heard that Bethany’s baby was due a couple of months before Lanni’s. At this rate, the Hard Luck school was going to need more than two teachers.
Matt and Karen’s little boy was born a week before Anna. Clay Caldwell. His daddy was crazy about him. So was his mother.
Scott felt a little smug about Matt and Karen. He took full credit for those two patching up their relationship. He figured it was his advice that had helped Matt win Karen back.
Not only that, he’d helped Christian and Mariah. He remembered the evening he’d come across Christian sitting on his front porch, looking downright miserable—like he’d lost his wallet or something. The “something” turned out to be his secretary. Scott liked to think he’d helped his uncle that night, but at the time he wasn’t sure Christian had heard a word he’d said. Now Christian and Mariah were married, too, and he suspected it wouldn’t be long before they started having children.
Then there were the surprises. First Ben Hamilton and Mrs. McMurphy. Scott hadn’t known people that old could fall in love. Ben’s behavior—the way he watched Mrs. McMurphy and the way he snapped at everyone—had made Scott suspicious. He’d talked it over with Eagle Catcher and even his canine friend was skeptical, but Scott knew what he’d seen. Sure enough, a month later, he heard that Ben and Mary McMurphy were getting hitched.<
br />
By this time, Scott had been to more weddings than some ministers. He’d wondered what kind of bride Mrs. McMurphy would make, seeing that she was practically as old as his grandmother. What had surprised him was how pretty she looked. Not pretty like his mother or Lanni or Mariah, but different.
Ben, too, although the cook would probably be offended if Scott called him pretty. Ben was a cool guy. Since marrying Mrs. McMurphy he was even more fun. He actually let Eagle Catcher into the café now and then, and his cooking was better than ever.
The other surprise came when Scott learned that Duke was marrying Tracy. He’d been worried when their plane went down in a storm. Not just worried about their injuries, but about the two of them killing each other. Boy, had he been wrong. Next thing he knew, Duke was in Seattle visiting Tracy. Now they were married, and Tracy was going to open up a law office in Hard Luck.
Lots of other people were starting new businesses. Last he heard, Pete Livengood was planning to put in a hardware place. There was even talk about a video store—a whole store—not just a few shelves at the back of Pete’s grocery. That’d be great. A friend of Karen’s from California was moving north to set up a beauty shop, but this would be a place where both men and women got their hair cut. Scott preferred the video store. Oh, and Lanni was starting a newspaper—maybe she’d let him have his own advice column. “Ask Scott,” he’d call it. He grinned to himself.
Yup, Hard Luck had changed since the day he’d arrived. It wasn’t just a town fifty miles north of the Arctic Circle anymore. Hard Luck was home.
* * * * *
Midnight Sons and Daughters
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Excerpt from Starting Over on Blackberry Lane by Sheila Roberts
Alaska Home Page 31
