The Love That Saved Him

by Sophie Barnes

  Jenny gave Pierce a hesitant look as though wondering whether to apologize or offer further explanation. She must have decided their discussion was self-explanatory because she returned her attention to her husband instead. “They weren’t happily married, though. Your mother and father, that is.”

  “What difference does that make?” Frank practically exploded.

  “Not much if you’d still been a boy, but you weren’t. You’d left home to live your own life. Your mother probably felt she’d done her duty to you and deserved to find happiness for herself.”

  “It destroyed my father.”

  “Only because of his pride, according to what you’ve told me in the past.” She gave Frank a gentle nudge. “But do we really have to discuss this now? We’ve only just arrived, and we’re already bothering Pierce with our problems.” She blew out a breath and addressed Pierce. “I’m sorry it had to come up like this.”

  “You’re right,” Frank said. “I apologize for losing my temper, but coming here has brought back a lot of memories, both good and bad. I should have waited for a better time to fill you in on the situation, but it’s also a relief to have it out in the open.” Shoving his hands into his pockets, he lifted his chin and met Pierce’s eyes. “Now, I do believe a drink is in order, don’t you?”

  “Absolutely,” Pierce agreed. He didn’t mind having one himself, all things considered. Taking their requests, he asked them both to have a seat in the living room, returning shortly with a glass of wine for Jenny and a couple of beers for himself and Frank. Fido, who’d probably been napping in his bed while Pierce had been away, made his presence known as he plodded up to Jenny and placed his wet nose against her hand.

  “Oh!” She gave a little jerk and then laughed before petting Fido’s head. “I didn’t realize you’d gotten a dog, Pierce.”

  “I found Fido a few weeks ago when I went into town,” Pierce explained. “The poor little guy had his paw caught in a fence.”

  “Some people don’t deserve to have pets,” Frank grumbled. “Judging by his size now, Fido must have been tiny when you rescued him.”

  “He was,” Pierce agreed. “I took him to the shelter, and they put a notice in the paper to try and alert the owners, but nobody ever called to claim him.”

  “It’s probably for the best,” Frank said. “If the original owners are careless enough to let a puppy escape, then I’d say they don’t deserve to keep him.”

  “He’s definitely better off with you, Pierce,” Jenny said, still petting Fido, whose eyes were now half closed with the pleasure of getting increased attention. “He’s a real Husky, isn’t he?”

  Pierce nodded. “Sure is.”

  “Caroline always loved this kind of dog,” Jenny said with a wistful smile. “Ever since she came to the Klondike for the very first time, and we visited that friend of your father’s, Frank – the musher? He must have had what…ten Huskies at least? And he was very nice to let Caroline play with them.”

  “I remember,” Frank said as he watched Jenny’s hand move smoothly over Fido’s back. “She was nine years old at the time. There was only so much fun to be found with the coloring books we’d brought along.”

  “She did learn how to play gin-rummy pretty well, though, during that visit. Your father made sure of that,” Jenny said.

  “Dad adored Caroline.” Swallowing, Frank quietly added, “She was the apple of his eye.” He took a sip of his beer as if to dismiss the sentimentality that had overcome him.

  “I don’t think she ever mentioned playing with Huskies to me,” Pierce said as he thought back on all of the conversations he and Caroline had had over the years. “I knew she loved dogs, and we always spoke of getting a puppy, but I didn’t realize she had a fondness for any particular breed.”

  “She’d be very pleased to know you took this cutie in,” Jenny said. Giving Fido a final pat on the head, she reached for her wine and took a sip. “I also think it’s good for you to have a bit of company as well as someone to care for besides yourself. It forces you to think about something else.”

  Pierce felt his stomach begin to twist. “Doing so has been…difficult,” he admitted.

  “I know,” Jenny said, “but you’re still a young man, Pierce. It wouldn’t be right for you to stop living just because she did.”

  The comment felt like a blow to his gut because of its brutal frankness. Wincing, Pierce forced back the comment that formed in his mind, aware Jenny only spoke with the best of intentions.

  “Did you manage okay with the winter?” Frank suddenly asked as if sensing a need to change the subject. “I mean, you didn’t have to shovel snow before or chop wood and build a fire. It must have been quite an experience.”

  “It was a lot colder than I expected, I’ll tell you that,” Pierce said as he thought back over the last few months. “I mean, I knew it was going to be colder than what I was used to, but it still came as a bit of a shock. There’s gas heating, though, and a really great stove as well. I actually enjoyed having the manual work. It was rewarding, you know, chopping the wood myself and stoking the flames.”

  “It seems like you’ve really settled in.” Frank took a moment to glance around before asking, “You don’t miss the corporate life you left behind?”

  Pierce shook his head. “Not in the least. In fact, I hardly ever think about it at all except for when I receive the investment report Chemcore emails me once a month. And life up here is just…I don’t know…freer. Not having to sit at a desk all day, the chance to be active instead and to actually do something productive, is so much better.”

  “I can understand that,” Frank said with a slow nod. “It’s been many years since I helped my dad with his mining operation. I think I was about eighteen years old or so, long before I took my engineering job in New Jersey. But it was great, that feeling of accomplishment I got from using my hands and getting dirty and finding gold.” He smiled broadly. “You’ll see what I mean when you hold your first nugget.”

  “Do you know how much gold your crew expects to find this coming season?” Jenny asked.

  Pierce took a moment to consider his answer. “They’re hoping to get a hundred grand from the ridge.”

  Frank responded with a slow whistle. “That’s a pretty nice sum.”

  “To be honest, it didn’t sound like much when they told me,” Pierce said. Reaching for his beer, he took another sip.

  “That’s probably because you’re comparing it to what you were making as the CEO of a large corporation,” Jenny said.

  Frank nodded. “This is different.”

  “I know that now,” Pierce said, “and honestly, I don’t really care about the money anymore. The job has offered me something of far greater value – a sense of camaraderie and purpose. It’s been quite therapeutic, actually.”

  “That’s good,” Jenny said. She sipped her wine. “I’m really happy to know you’ve found a way to move on.”

  The comment made Pierce flinch. “I haven’t…I mean…I’ll never forget Caroline or stop loving her. I don’t want you to think any of this can erase what she and I shared.”

  “Of course not.” Setting down her glass, Jenny met his gaze with deep emotion. “That’s not what I was suggesting. But you do have many wonderful years ahead of you, I hope. And…” Hesitating, she looked at Frank before adding, “We don’t want you to think we’re opposed to any of the choices you might want to make. If you’d like to start dating again, we’d support that decision.”

  Feeling as though his lungs were being squeezed by a vice, Pierce took a ragged breath. “Thank you,” he muttered, not quite knowing how they’d gotten onto this topic, “but I don’t think I’m ready for that. In fact, I’m not sure I ever will be.”

  “Caroline was very lucky to marry you,” Jenny said. “You’re a good man, Pierce, and I’ve never doubted your feelings for her, but you’re still in your prime. You deserve to find someone to share your journey with – someone who can give you the
children I know you’ve always wanted.”

  “I’ll think about it.” It was the best he could do right now without falling apart. He and Caroline had talked about having children the day before she’d gotten the news about her condition. They’d planned to start trying that coming weekend. Instead, they’d spent every moment after, researching leukemia on the internet.

  Getting up, Pierce walked across to the window and looked out. Thomas appeared to be making good progress. He could only see the top of the digger now. No sign of Sarah. He wondered where she might be, then forced the thought away. For someone who claimed to have no interest in dating, he was paying way too much attention to the little redhead.

  “Have you had a chance to visit the town much?” Frank asked.

  Pierce turned to face him. “Not really. I went to The Pit once, but I’ve mostly taken short trips to the grocery store.”

  “You should check the web for events. I’m sure there must be ways for you to get in touch with other people and make some friends.”

  “I’ve hung out with my crew a few times,” Pierce said without thinking.

  “Which reminds me,” Frank said, “you haven’t really told us much about them. Seeing as they’re miners, it’s possible I know one of them. Especially if there’s an old-timer on board.”

  “Umm…yeah, I…” Pierce raked his fingers through his hair, tussling it. “There’s something you should know.” This was it: the moment of truth he’d been dreading since yesterday. Bracing himself, he said, “It’s Thomas Palmer and his grandkids. Plus a few others.”

  Frank stiffened, his beer bottle en route to his mouth and with his eyes staring straight at Pierce. “What?”

  “I didn’t know about the rift between you. Nobody mentioned it to me until yesterday, so…I’m sorry.”

  “Are you telling me that Thomas Palmer has been given mining rights to the land my father refused to so much as let him set foot on?” Frank asked with a deadly tone that made the air ripple between them.

  Glancing hastily at Jenny, who appeared to have gone quite pale, Pierce nodded. “Yeah, that’s precisely what I’m telling you.”

  “Damn it, Pierce,” Frank said.

  “It all came out when I mentioned your visit to them. Turns out Thomas’s granddaughter had no idea about it either. She was just as surprised as I was.”

  “Unbelievable,” Frank muttered. He shook his head. “I take it this means he’ll be coming and going while we’re here?”

  “It can’t be helped,” Pierce said. “If I’d known, I would have refused to sell them the rights, you’ve got to believe that.”

  “There was no reason for me to bring up old family history until now,” Frank muttered. “Hell, I didn’t even know about your plans for the land since you never once bothered mentioning it to me.”

  “I’m sorry,” Pierce said, “but we haven’t exactly spoken much since I left New York and… Honestly, I think I got so wrapped up in just making life work again that it never occurred to me I ought to speak with you first.”

  “What’s done is done,” Jenny said in that calm tone of hers that always seemed to diffuse an impending argument. “Perhaps you and Thomas should try to meet now that we’re here, Frank. It could be good for you to—”

  “After what that man did to my father?” Frank glared at her. “Are you out of your mind?”

  “I just thought…” Jenny tried.

  Frank held up his hand to prevent her from continuing. “That man will stop at nothing to get what he wants.” He looked at Pierce. “If you’re wise, you’ll find a way to sever whatever contract you have with him.”

  “I’m sorry, but I cannot do that, Frank.” Hating the messy family situation he’d managed to land in the middle of, Pierce added, “A deal’s a deal.”

  Frank did not look pleased. He opened his mouth to say something else but was cut off by a knock at the door. Pierce flinched. Just what he needed: one of the Palmers to add to the fray. Taking a deep breath, he excused himself to Frank and Jenny and went to open the door where Sarah stood waiting. “I’m sorry to bother you, but I wanted to tell you that the new trommel has arrived. We’ll be sieving our first load in a couple of hours. In case you’d like to come and watch.”

  “Thanks.” Looking down at her wary eyes and hesitant smile, he wondered what he might say to her after taking off from her house the way he had the day before.

  “Did Frank and Jenny arrive?” she asked instead, her voice a low whisper.

  He gave her a nod.

  “How’s that going so far?”

  “It could be better. Frank isn’t pleased about Thomas mining the ridge. In fact, I’d say he’s pretty furious.”

  She grimaced. “I’m sorry.”

  Stepping out onto the front step with her, he closed the door behind him so they could talk properly. “It’s not your fault. In fact, I apologize for the way in which I reacted yesterday. It just came as a shock, that’s all.”

  “How do you think I feel?” She gave a humorless laugh. “He’s my grandfather, Pierce. Coming to terms with what he did, no matter how long ago it happened or whether or not it was for the right reason, isn’t easy.”

  Unable to disagree, Pierce stuck his hands in his pockets and looked out across the landscape. Only a little snow remained, dotting the ground as a gentle reminder of the cold, harsh winter. “The worst part is they’ll probably miss out on getting to know you. And with Caroline gone, I think they could have benefited from having you in their lives.”

  “It changes things though, doesn’t it? Me being her cousin?” Crossing her arms, Sarah glanced away briefly before looking at him once more. “I saw your expression yesterday. You looked as though you wanted to get as far away from me as possible.”

  “It’s not you, Sarah. It’s the awful memories. I feel as though they’re constantly chasing me. And whenever I think I’ve managed to escape them and the pain they carry with them, they find a way of catching up to me.”

  “Did you ever consider facing them?” she asked. “Of just trying to deal with them head on?”

  “Is that what you did?”

  Sarah stared at him, speechless for a moment. “I—”

  “I’m sorry.” Sighing heavily, Pierce determined to speak to her with the civility she deserved. “I didn’t mean anything by that. It’s just a touchy issue, this whole business of accepting I’m no longer a husband – that part of my identity no longer exists. Aside from missing her every second of every day, I also have to figure out who I am now, and that’s proving to be a lot harder than I ever would have imagined.”

  His words went straight to her heart. “If it makes any difference, I know what you mean. Or at least I think I do.”

  “Because you thought you were going to be a mother?”

  The blunt statement was soul crushing in its truthful simplicity. “Yes. I did. And I’d never looked forward to anything more.” Wrapping her arms around herself, she told him frankly, “As far as the memories go, however, I did face them. Thomas insisted I do so.” She bit her lip. “I know you don’t think much of him right now, but the truth of the matter is that he probably saved my life.”

  Pierce eyed her with a mixture of interest and concern. “What do you mean?”

  She shrugged one shoulder before saying, “Because no matter how much I longed to close myself away from the world, he made me talk. And then he made me talk some more until all the awful thoughts whirring around my head and all of the agony I felt had been unleashed.” Reaching out, she placed her hand upon his arm and quietly asked, “Who are you sharing your feelings with?”

  A frown appeared just above the bridge of his nose, right between his eyebrows. “Nobody.” He gave her an awkward smirk. “I mean, I’ve talked to you about what happened, but besides that…” His words trailed off, and then he shook his head, looking suddenly lost.

  “You probably should open up to someone.” She paused, aware they weren’t really close enough for her
to be interfering like this. “It isn’t healthy to keep so much pain bottled up inside, allowing it to gnaw at your soul. I know from experience.”

  His eyes seemed to regain focus, and his expression grew quizzical. “If I remember correctly, you’re the one who didn’t want to talk about anything meaningful when we first met. No prying. Remember?”

  “I know, but ours are not the kinds of tales one tells to a perfect stranger.” Lowering her hand, she attempted a smile. “For what it’s worth, I was just protecting myself from getting hurt all over again.”

  He gave her a curious look that made her dread the question she knew he was bound to ask, but then the door swung open behind them and a harsh voice said, “I’m guessing you must be Sarah Palmer.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Turning, Sarah stared up at the man she’d only ever known by name and did her best to look as calm and collected as a goldfish in a pond full of koi. Because Frank Lewison had quite a presence, his height well over six feet and his broad shoulders almost spanning the width of the doorframe. But the most intimidating part of him was his eyes, for he looked as though he could see inside her head and read every thought as it passed through her mind.

  “Yes. I am,” she managed to say without choking on her own tongue.

  He said nothing further, just stared at her as though studying some rare archeological find before addressing Pierce. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to take a walk over to my father’s old place.”

  “Sure thing,” Pierce said. “Would you like me to come with you?”

  “No thanks. I’d rather go alone, but I can take Fido if you think the pup might enjoy a bit of exercise.”

  “I’m sure he’d love it. I’ll just fetch his leash for you.” Looking at Sarah, he added, “I’ll be right back.”

  Left alone with Frank, Sarah tried to think of something to say and eventually settled on, “So, it must be pretty interesting for you to see what Pierce has made of this place.”