“Is that all?” Sam said with a grin. “I haven’t seen you in nearly two months. I was beginning to think I’d scared you off. Thought I might have to come find you.”
Julie put her hands on her hips. “Same old Sam.”
Sam laughed and watched Julie as she finished with her dogs. “I’ve been thinking about you,” he said. “Now that I know what it is to have you in my arms, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.”
Julie stiffened slightly. She was unprepared for Sam’s boldness. How should she react? Nervously, she shifted from one foot to the other. “I certainly hope you don’t plan to repeat the scene here in the middle of Nome’s Front Street.”
“Why not?” Sam said as he took a step toward Julie.
“Oh no,” Julie said, backing up. “You can’t mean it. I have a reputation to preserve, if not for myself, for my career.”
Sam stopped and shook his head. “I’m never going to do anything but honor and love you. I would throttle any man, or woman, for that matter, who might blemish your reputation. However, I think your dogs have earned a rest. Let’s take them over to my cabin. I’ll hitch my dogs, and we’ll give yours a break. There’s a snow building up, and I don’t want you out here alone. I’ll take you home.”
“No,” Julie protested. “My dogs will be fine. It’s only another twelve miles. I couldn’t ask you to—”
“You didn’t ask, and I am telling you,” Sam said as he pointed to the sled. “I expect you to get in the basket while I drive these dogs to my house. If you don’t get in on your own, I’ll put you there myself. Then we’ll just see how your reputation withstands the talk.”
“I will not,” Julie said as she moved to the back of her sled. She thought to jump on the runners and order Dusty into action, but Sam outmaneuvered her and took hold of Dusty’s tugline.
Sam raised a questioning eyebrow and waited for Julie to respond. Julie matched his stare. Her breathing quickened as a smile played at the corner of Sam’s lips. He waved his hand in front of him and motioned Julie to the sled.
“All right,” Julie said and carefully climbed into the sled basket, narrowly avoiding the gifts she’d purchased. “I give up. You win. Take me home.”
Sam laughed and dropped the tugline. He walked down the side of the dog team and leaned over Julie. “That’s a good girl,” he said and dropped a kiss on her forehead.
Julie squirmed away, blushed, and pulled her hood back in place so that Sam couldn’t see her face. She wondered who all in Nome had seen Sam’s actions, but before she could glance around, Sam moved the dogs out.
While Julie enjoyed the ride to Sam’s house on the outskirts of Nome, she was also nervous. Just knowing that Sam stood on the runners behind her made Julie apprehensive. She tried to concentrate on the excitement of seeing her father and brother and celebrating Christmas.
When Sam stopped in front of the two-story clapboard house, Julie was impressed. It wasn’t the type of place she’d pictured Sam in.
“We’re home,” Sam said in a jovial way. “One day I’ll say that, and it’ll be true.”
Julie tried to appear unaffected by Sam’s words, but when he reached down to help her from the basket, she nearly jumped out the opposite side of the sled.
“I wish you’d stop,” she said and pushed back her parka hood to better see Sam. “I don’t know why you insist on doing this, but I want to go home, and if you aren’t going to behave, then I’ll drive myself.” She was determined to stand her ground.
“You’re tired, Julie,” Sam said, ignoring her protest. “Why don’t you go inside and make yourself comfortable?”
“I can wait out here,” Julie said anxiously.
“I know you can wait out here. I know you can drive dogs through bitter cold and horrible blizzards. I know, too, that you have a mind of your own, but I’m every bit as stubborn, and I’m telling you to go in the house and warm up.” Sam’s words were stern, yet Julie knew they were given out of concern for her welfare.
“I’m touched that you care, Sam, but—”
In three long strides, Sam was at Julie’s side. He hoisted her over his shoulder as if he were carrying a sack of grain.
“Put me down,” Julie yelled and pounded against Sam’s back.
“I’ll put you down when we’re in the house. We’re wasting what few daylight hours we have because you can’t cooperate,” Sam said as he carried Julie into his house.
Once they were inside, Sam put Julie down. She expected him to try to kiss her again, so she moved quickly away. “All right, you’ve had your way,” she said with a trembling voice.
“Not hardly,” Sam said with a grin. “I haven’t married you yet.” He turned with a laugh and walked out the front door.
Once he was outside, Sam stopped laughing. He’d come very close to pulling Julie into his arms and was still trembling himself when he went to unharness the dogs.
He thought about what he’d done as he fed and watered Julie’s team. Sam had never imagined that he’d see Julie in Nome. It had been his plan to question Dr. Welch about her schedule and surprise her for Christmas. But the surprise had been his when he found her standing on Front Street preparing to leave town.
Sam rubbed his beard and sighed. She was a beautiful woman, but more than that, she was intelligent and self-confident, although a bit too stubborn. She was exactly everything that he’d prayed for, everything and more.
“Thank You, God, for sending Julie into my life. I feel sure she’s the one You would have me marry. I’ve prayed so long for a Christian wife, and if Julie is the right one, Lord, then I pray You will help her to see me as the man You have chosen for her. Above all else, Lord, protect her from harm. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Sam glanced back at the house. The woman he planned to marry was sitting inside the home he hoped to one day share with her. He would have loved nothing more than to go inside and share her company in the comfort of his home, but he knew it would only make Julie more uncomfortable, so he put the thought aside.
Sam finished harnessing his eager dogs to Julie’s sled. He gave his lead dog, Kodiak, a brief pat on the head before going inside to retrieve Julie.
“You’re anxious to be on the road, aren’t you, boy?” Kodiak whined as though answering, and Sam laughed. “I’m going. I’m going. I just have to go get our girl, and we’ll be off.”
Sam bounded up the front steps and peered cautiously through the doorway in case Julie planned to throw anything at him. The sight that caught his eye caused Sam to stop in his tracks. Julie lay innocently sleeping on the couch.
Sam called her name, but Julie slept too deeply to hear him. He approached her sleeping form and gently stroked her cheek. It was rosy from the wind, but soft—just as he remembered from the time he’d last kissed her.
Avoiding the memory, Sam went outside and made a place in the basket for Julie. Once he’d placed several blankets in the basket, Sam went back inside. He threw several of his own things into a pack and loaded it onto the sled. Finally, Sam trudged through the snow to the house of his neighbor, Joe Morely, a bachelor who often traded favors with Sam.
Sam let Joe know he’d be gone for several days and asked if he’d mind tending the dogs. After receiving Joe’s promise to watch over the house and animals, Sam went back to his house.
Julie slept soundly as Sam lifted her into his arms and carried her to the sled. The cold air caused her to stir and nestle her face against his chest, but she slept on, dreaming of warm arms and a man named Sam.
Chapter 9
Julie woke up just as Sam led the dog team down the embankment of the Nome River. She couldn’t believe that he had packed her into the sled to sleep away the miles between Nome and the Eriksson homestead. Wiping sleep from her eyes, Julie worked her way out of the covers and sat up.
The sky was gray and heavy with snow. Julie knew it would only be a matter of time before those clouds would open up and dump another white blanketing on the Alaskan coastline
.
“We’re nearly there,” Sam said as he moved out on the river ice.
“I hope we’re not about to repeat scenes from our last shared trip across the Nome,” Julie called up from the basket.
Sam laughed good-naturedly. “You’d better mind your manners, or I’ll make you get out and walk, and we both know your ability on ice is questionable.”
Julie laughed. “I can manage.”
“No doubt,” Sam said as he reached the opposite bank. He jumped off the runners and pushed as his ten-dog team pulled. Within seconds they were over the top.
In the fading light, Julie could see the welcoming sight of her home. She would be home with her family for Christmas. In the distance the dogs yipped and howled as Sam’s team drew near, alerting Vern and August to their arriving visitors.
Sam halted the sled at the back door and helped Julie from the sled. “You go on in, and I’ll unload the basket and take care of the dogs.”
Julie started into the house but remembered her gifts. “I need to unpack some of it myself,” she said as she turned back to the sled.
“I can take care of it,” Sam insisted.
“Look, I’m not just being stubborn this time,” an exasperated Julie tried to reason. “I have to take care of some of it myself. It is Christmas Eve, after all.”
“I see,” Sam said with a grin. “Anything for me?”
“That’s a rather presumptuous question,” Julie replied. “You’ll just have to wait and see.” She took a step back and crossed her arms against her body.
“I’m not good at waiting,” Sam teased. “Especially when I want something and set my mind to get it.”
Julie pretended not to understand his meaning. “You must have caused your family a great deal of trouble on Christmas morning.”
“I was a perfect child,” Sam grinned.
“I’m sure.”
“Sure of what?” August asked as he came out the back door.
“Oh, never mind,” Julie said with a sigh. “Would you mind helping Sam with the dogs while I get some of my gear?”
“You can just leave it all, and we’ll bring it in,” August said.
Sam laughed as Julie rolled her eyes. “Don’t even start, August. She’s got Christmas presents and doesn’t want any of us to see them.”
“Oh,” August replied and went to unharness Kodiak.
Julie turned to Sam. “Now, why can’t you be more like him?” Sam shrugged his shoulders and went to help August.
Julie managed to get her gifts inside without running into her father. She was coming out of her room when Vern came in search of her.
“Jewels!” he said as he embraced her. “Good to have you home.”
“Good to be home. I wanted to let you know about George Nakoota. He tangled with his dogs and had his arm ripped up pretty bad. I stitched him up, and it looks good for a full recovery.”
“He was blessed to have you there,” Vern said as he walked with Julie to the kitchen. “He probably would have died if you hadn’t been. That village is nearly fifty miles from Nome, and he would have bled to death before he got proper care.”
“Well, he’s doing fine now, and I know he’ll follow my instructions on how to care for the wounds. My biggest frustration with many of the Eskimos is their curiosity. I’ll stitch something closed and bandage it up, and before I can recheck it, they’ve unbandaged it so they can see my handiwork.”
Vern chuckled just as Sam and August came in through the back door. “You know where curiosity will get you,” Vern added.
“Yeah,” Sam answered with a grin. “No Christmas present.”
Julie had brought extra sugar and eggs with her from Nome. She was determined to bake something nice for Christmas so she cleared the men from the kitchen.
Darkness fell by two o’clock, but Julie refused to let it dampen her spirits. It was Christmas Eve! She baked a cake and rolled out sugar cookies, a tradition started by her mother to pass the anxious hours.
As Julie used each of her mother’s cookie cutters, she remembered with fondness the stories her mother would tell about them. The star was for the Bethlehem star that announced the birth of Christ. The Christmas tree, an outline of an evergreen, reminded them of everlasting life in Christ, and the shape of a bell was to bring to mind the joyous music in heaven whenever a sinner accepted Christ.
Taking a final batch of cookies from the oven, Julie put them aside to cool and turned her attention to the finishing touches on a chocolate cake. Setting out a stack of plates and forks, Julie went to the front room to retrieve the men.
“Who’d like some cake?” Julie asked as she entered the room.
“Cake? We should have Julie home more often,” August said, deserting his chess game with Sam in order to take his sister’s arm. “I’d love some, Julie. Lead the way.”
“Yes,” Sam said as he rushed to take Julie’s other arm. “Lead the way.”
Vern laughed and got to his feet. “I guess I’ll just bring up the rear,” he said and followed the trio into the kitchen.
They gathered around the table, praising the towering chocolate confectionery. Julie cut the cake and heaped huge slices on each plate.
“Let’s have the blessing,” Vern suggested as Julie placed a pot of coffee on the table and went for cups.
Julie took a seat at the table. The men joined her and Vern led them in a short prayer.
“Father, we thank You for the birth of Your Son, Jesus, and the free gift of salvation which You gave to us through Him. Thank You for this gathering of loved ones as we celebrate that birth. Amen.”
“What say we share our gifts now?” Vern suggested after a bite of cake. “Umm, Jewels, this is excellent.”
“It sure is,” August agreed. “And I agree with Pa. I’d like to exchange gifts.”
Julie shrugged her shoulders. “I guess that’s fine by me.”
“Then I suggest everyone get their Christmas gifts, and we’ll move to the front room,” Vern said, adding, “Oh, and Julie, please bring the cake and coffee.”
“I’ll help her,” Sam said as he got to his feet. “I’m trying to stay in Julie’s good graces.” He picked up the cake and coffee pot and moved to the front room.
Julie followed Sam with the coffee cups and then excused herself to retrieve her gifts. She unwrapped the fur bundle that she’d placed on her bed and revealed the guitar. The knife and tools were in separate boxes, so Julie rewrapped the guitar, tucked it under one arm, and grabbed the other gifts with her hands.
She joined the men in the living room and was surprised to find someone had decorated a small Christmas tree and placed it on a table in the center of the room. Beneath it were several wrapped packages of different sizes.
“How wonderful,” Julie said as she placed her own gifts on the table. “I remember the last time we did this.”
“It was the year before you left for Seattle,” August said, taking a package from beneath the tree.
“Yes,” Vern remembered, “and your mother was still here. I remember she made the most wonderful meal. I wish she could be here to enjoy this evening, but in a way, I guess she is.”
“She sure is, Pa,” Julie said as she took a seat on one of the overstuffed chairs opposite the couch.
“Here,” August said, handing his package to Julie. “I got this for you. Merry Christmas.”
Julie opened the package to reveal a black lacquer jewelry box with beautiful red ornamentation. “Thank you, August. It’s incredible.” She opened the box to reveal a red velvet interior and added, “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“It’s Japanese,” August said proudly. “The guy I bought it from was trying to raise money to get home. He said it was one of a kind.”
“Well, I haven’t much in the way of jewelry, but I’ll cherish it always,” Julie said appreciatively. “That large bundle of fur over there is yours. But I need the wrapping back.” She laughed.
August unwrapped the fur
to reveal his gift. “A guitar! What a great idea, Jewels. Thanks,” he said as he took the guitar out and began tightening the strings. “You didn’t know I’d been taking lessons, did you?”
“Then you already have a guitar?” Julie asked disappointedly.
“No. I’ve been using Sam’s.”
“Sam’s?” Julie said, turning questioning eyes to Sam. “You truly are a man of surprises, Mr. Curtiss.”
“You don’t know the half of it, Miss Eriksson,” Sam said with a laugh.
“Well, with both guitars here it would be a nice touch to our celebration if you’d both play us some Christmas songs,” Vern proposed.
“Oh yes, please!” Julie begged.
“Maybe after all the gifts are opened,” Sam said and went to the table. “I have a gift for August as well.”
He handed August a small package, which, when opened, revealed a dog harness. Vern and August exchanged curious glances, and Julie laughed as Sam cleared up the mystery.
“Kodiak sired a litter of pups last fall, some of the best quality dogs I’ve seen in a long time. I’m giving August his pick of the litter,” Sam announced. “You’ve been a good friend, August.” The men exchanged a heartfelt hug.
“A very generous gift indeed, friend,” August stated, knowing Sam could sell any one of his dogs for better than a thousand dollars. “Thank you, Sam.”
“You deserve it,” Sam replied and took a seat by the fireplace.
“Well, I have a gift for my daughter,” Vern said. He pulled several packages from beneath the tree and brought them to Julie.
“I feel like a little girl again,” Julie said as she hurried to open each one. She immediately recognized the gifts as pieces of her mother’s prized jewelry collection.
“Jewels for my jewel,” Vern said and planted a kiss on Julie’s forehead. “These were your mother’s favorites.”
“Yes, I know,” Julie said with tears in her eyes. She held up a necklace against her white blouse. The gold of the chain and brilliance of the ruby settings looked good against Julie’s dark hair.
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