[Yukon Quest 01] - Treasures Of The North

by Tracie Peterson

  Her head snapped up in alarm. ‘‘I should say not! I don’t desire that you suffer yourself in any manner. I cannot abide that you would sacrifice either way on my account.’’

  He came forward and took her hands in his own. The warmth of his touch reminded her of the night before.

  ‘‘Grace, marriage to you would not be a sacrifice. Surely you know how I feel.’’

  ‘‘We hardly know each other and you’ve not cared at all for my opinions on your family and of God and spiritual matters.’’

  ‘‘Grace, please listen to me. I love you.’’

  Her heart raced and her breath caught in the back of her throat. He loved her! Oh, how she cherished the words. The nagging thought of his lack of love for God was quickly pushed aside. Surely once they were married, he would see how important God was to her and give his life over as well.

  ‘‘I thought you were just doing this—’’

  He pulled her into his arms. ‘‘I love you and I want you to marry me, Grace.’’

  He lowered his face to hers but didn’t kiss her. The inches between them were maddening to Grace. She longed for the feel of his lips against her own. She felt her arms involuntarily embrace him, pulling him closer and closer.

  ‘‘Oh, I love you, Peter.’’ Her voice came in a breathless whisper.

  ‘‘Then don’t be afraid. You are always saying that we must trust God. Why not trust Him now?’’

  His words brought a wave of reassurance. Grace nodded. ‘‘I do trust Him.’’

  Peter smiled. ‘‘Then trust me as well.’’

  Karen opened the door of the store to find the two burly henchmen waiting patiently outside.

  ‘‘You ready to leave?’’ one man questioned.

  ‘‘No, in fact, I was looking for my aunt. She went to bring our pastor. Grace is very close to him, and we thought perhaps he could offer her some comfort and prayer.’’

  The man scoffed. ‘‘Praying won’t help now.’’

  Karen smiled sweetly. ‘‘I think otherwise.’’

  Just then Doris and the preacher rounded the corner. The man had a look of sheer terror on his face. Karen felt sorry for him. He was very young and new to the ministry and no doubt this matter did not bode well with his sense of heavenly peace and order.

  ‘‘Pastor Clark, we’re so glad you could come,’’ Karen said, extending her hand. ‘‘Grace will find great comfort in your presence.’’

  The man nodded. ‘‘I will do what I can.’’ His Adam’s apple bounced up and down as he replied. Karen would have laughed at the funny, frightened man had she not had her own fears to contend with.

  ‘‘You’ll find Grace preparing for her wedding,’’ Karen said, looking to the two ruffians at her side. ‘‘We’re to head over to Skagway as soon as she’s prepared.’’

  ‘‘Yeah, hurry it up, preacher,’’ the man at Karen’s left said with a low, growling tone. He reminded Karen of a bulldog, complete with lower teeth that seemed to protrude just a bit up and over the top set.

  Leaving the guard behind, Karen was about to follow the preacher and her aunt inside when she heard her name being called.

  ‘‘Miss Pierce!’’

  She looked down the street to find Adrik Ivankov bounding toward her. She smiled, but the look on his face did not suggest the action well-served.

  ‘‘Sorry to bother you like this,’’ he said.

  ‘‘Is something wrong?’’ she asked. ‘‘Have you seen my father?’’

  Adrik stopped long enough to take inventory of the men standing outside Colton Trading Post. ‘‘These guys giving you trouble?’’

  Karen smiled. ‘‘No, they’re just annoyed that the store is closed for business. Why don’t you step inside, Mr. Ivan-kov . . . I mean, Adrik.’’

  He looked at the men for a moment. ‘‘Why don’t you fellas head over to Healy and Wilson’s. They’re open.’’

  ‘‘Just mind your own business, stranger.’’

  Adrik squared his shoulders and narrowed his eyes. He was about to say something, when Karen took hold of his arm and pulled him forward. ‘‘Come, Adrik. I want to hear the news.’’

  They stepped onto the creaky wooden floor of the store, and Karen quickly closed the door behind them. Leaning against the frame as if to keep the two men from entering, she turned to Adrik. ‘‘So what of my father? Have you news?’’

  Adrik looked around the empty store as if to check for anyone else. ‘‘I’m sorry, but the news isn’t good.’’

  Karen put her hand to her mouth. She didn’t even realize she was holding her breath until her ribs began to ache from the tension. Adrik seemed willing to wait for her prompting, but Karen didn’t know if she could ask the question that so desperately needed asking.

  Letting out her breath, she looked at the floor and tried to gather her courage. ‘‘Is he . . . dead?’’

  ‘‘I don’t know. A man brought me word that he was gravely ill. There’s been a round of measles and dysentery and many in the village have died. I’m guessing that your father has fallen ill with one or the other. He may already be gone, but I felt it important to return from the Scales and let you know.’’

  Karen didn’t know what to say. It was possible that her father might still be alive, but the situation didn’t look at all promising. ‘‘What should I do?’’ She looked to Adrik, realizing she’d vocalized the question.

  Adrik’s rugged features softened, his square jaw seeming to relax as he spoke. ‘‘You can’t do much. You can’t get to him, and most likely he’d be gone by now if he’s going to die.’’

  ‘‘But he’s alone,’’ she said, biting her lower lip to keep from crying.

  ‘‘No, he’s not alone. You know better than that,’’ Adrik said, his voice low and husky. ‘‘I’ve never seen a man or woman who was closer to God than your pa. One thing’s for certain, he ain’t alone.’’

  Karen nodded. ‘‘I know you’re right. Oh, this is so hard. To have come all this way. Others came for gold and I came for him.’’

  ‘‘Treasures come in all forms,’’ Adrik replied.

  She looked up to meet his sympathetic gaze. He seemed so concerned for her well-being. He looked at her as if he were preparing to jump into action. Almost as if he expected her to fall to pieces any minute, only to be responsible for putting her back together.

  ‘‘Please don’t say anything to my friends. We’re in the middle of a rather delicate situation, and I wouldn’t want them to fret over me.’’

  ‘‘Does this have something to do with the men outside?’’

  She nodded. ‘‘But honestly, it’s under control and you don’t need to worry. Will you be around town until evening?’’

  ‘‘What’d you have in mind?’’

  There was no hint of teasing in his tone and for this Karen was grateful. ‘‘I’d like to discuss this further, perhaps even decide what I should do. I’d like your advice, but I can’t discuss it now.’’

  ‘‘Then I’ll come back. Say, around eight?’’

  ‘‘That’d be fine.’’

  Adrik nodded. ‘‘I’ll return then.’’

  Karen waited until he’d gone to make her way back to the others. She wouldn’t say a word, not even to Doris. After all, if her father was dead, there wasn’t anything anyone else could do.

  She opened the back door and gasped in surprise as she observed Peter and a rather boyish-looking Grace embrace and kiss. Leah, dressed in Grace’s cream-colored day dress, wore a heavy veil that covered her from head to foot.

  ‘‘We tried to wait the ceremony for you but figured we should get first things done first,’’ Doris told her.

  ‘‘I’m glad you went ahead. Congratulations, Captain and Mrs. Colton,’’ she said, grinning. ‘‘I guess we’re well on our way to seeing this thing through to completion.’’

  Peter nodded. ‘‘I think we’d better give some serious thought to getting on our way. Those two thugs aren’t going to wait pati
ently for much longer.’’

  ‘‘You’re right about that,’’ Karen replied, forcing a smile. ‘‘They were just making a fuss about all the time we’re taking.’’

  ‘‘We’re ready,’’ Leah said from behind the veil. ‘‘Jacob’s even hiding.’’

  Karen looked around the room. ‘‘Where is he?’’

  ‘‘He’s in my steamer trunk,’’ Doris replied. ‘‘If those men come to search out the place and see if anyone else is here, they’ll only find the silence as their companion.’’

  Karen took up her coat. ‘‘Then we’d best get a move on. Leah, you might want to start your crying. Oh, and, Aunt Doris, please bring Grace’s coat for Leah. It’s bitterly cold outside.’’ Doris nodded and helped Leah into the heavy coat, while Grace shrugged into a brand-new coat they’d taken from Peter’s newest shipment.

  ‘‘Are we ready?’’ Karen questioned, looking to the conspirators.

  ‘‘We’re ready,’’ Peter said, helping Grace with a pack. He took up a heavier one for himself but didn’t bother to put it on.

  The entourage reminded Karen of a strange, out-of-place funeral procession. Walking with a slowness that denoted sorrow and loss, the group refused to be hurried by the angry guards.

  ‘‘We’ll be all night at this rate,’’ the taller of the two men grumbled.

  Peter waited until Pastor Clark took his leave from the group to begin complaining about the entire matter. ‘‘Grace, I’m sorry about all this. I wish I could have helped you escape Paxton.’’

  Karen took up the cause. ‘‘Oh, be quiet. If you weren’t such a coward you would go with us and see her protected.’’

  Leah wailed loudly and the two bodyguards exchanged a scowl of displeasure. ‘‘Does she have to carry on like that?’’ the bulldog man asked.

  ‘‘She’s hardly going into this willingly,’’ Karen replied. ‘‘You men think you can push us around, make us do your bidding, and then you fail to understand when we dare to be less than pleased with the affair.’’ The men muttered but said nothing more.

  The party boarded an awaiting boat and set out on the short trip to Skagway. With every stroke of the oars, Karen prayed their ruse might work.

  Leah continued to sob, only softer now, and from time to time Doris would lean over and gently pat the girl’s arm for comfort. Other than this, the group remained silent.

  Once they’d arrived, however, Peter no longer held his silence. Making a great show of his disgust, he made his move.

  ‘‘I’m leaving,’’ Peter announced. ‘‘I can’t bear to watch this mockery of marriage. My condolences to the couple.’’ He pulled the bulky pack onto his shoulders. ‘‘Jacob and I will write. And we’ll come check in on you with the next load of goods.’’

  ‘‘I’m sure you’ve done all the harm you can, Captain,’’ Karen replied. ‘‘Why don’t you just leave us be?’’

  ‘‘I’m going, Miss Pierce.’’ He turned to Grace. ‘‘Come on, boy. Pick up your feet, no sense in us staying here any longer.’’

  ‘‘That’s right. Leave us to fend for ourselves in our darkest hour,’’ Karen replied, trying to keep up the farce. She tried not to think about her father’s health or Grace’s trembling figure dressed in Jacob’s clothing. She tried not to imagine the fears that were running rampant in Grace’s mind because her own were so close to being unleashed it was sure to be her undoing.

  Tears came to her eyes. Real tears of sorrow. She hated seeing Grace go but knew she had to let her. And she hated thinking of her father dying all alone in the frozen wilderness.

  ‘‘He’s not alone.’’ Adrik’s voice rang out in her memory.

  He’s not alone. I’m not alone, Karen thought. Glancing upward, she whispered a prayer. ‘‘Oh, God, please help us now. I know deception is a sinful thing, but this is for Grace’s good.’’ Leah alternated sobbing with a mournful, howling kind of cry. The noise was almost haunting—like something very primitive. Karen thought it would have been very easy to imitate the sound based on her own misery.

  The bodyguards paid little attention as Peter and Grace hurried off toward the harbor.

  ‘‘Get moving. We’re already running late,’’ the bulldog man ordered.

  Leah clung to Karen’s arm, crying for all she was worth as Karen gave the impression of attempting to urge her along. She had to give Peter enough time to get safely away with Grace. And somehow, she would have to keep Paxton from learning it was Leah under the veil until the last possible moment.

  30

  —[ CHAPTER THIRTY ]—

  MARTIN PAXTON PACED the confines of his second-floor apartment. He’d not been available when Ephraim Colton and his family had departed for San Francisco aboard Summer Song, but he gave it little consideration. It was better that he now had the place to himself. With his wedding about to take place, he would appreciate the privacy afforded him in their absence.

  Smiling to himself, he took time out to light a cigar. The tip burned bright as he drew a long breath. The plan had taken far more time and effort than he’d originally hoped, but nevertheless, his revenge was about to be made complete. Grace would be his to do with as he pleased, and then he would discard her. Of course, there was some disappointment in the fact that Frederick Hawkins wouldn’t be alive to see it. How he hated that man. Hated him so completely that the power of that emotion had killed Hawkins as sure as a bullet. Paxton rather liked the idea that his merciless drive had taken the life of his enemy.

  And just as his hatred had consumed Frederick Hawkins, Paxton’s lust and greed would destroy Grace. Everything precious and important to Hawkins would be destroyed and utterly wasted. This was a day of celebration, Martin decided. He sucked on the cigar as he poured himself a shot of whiskey.

  Holding the glass aloft, he pulled the cigar from his mouth. ‘‘To revenge both bitter and sweet!’’ He tossed back the drink and turned at the sound of people on the stairs. His day was about to be made complete.

  Karen Pierce was the first to pass through the doorway. She stared at Paxton with an air of haughtiness that suggested she would somehow manage to win the day after all. Her eyes narrowed as they shared a wordless exchange.

  Next came the veiled figure of Grace. She sobbed softly and moved slowly. Paxton smiled and leaned over to his desk to put out his cigar. ‘‘Ah, the happy bride.’’

  Doris Pierce came behind Grace, and the two henchmen he’d hired followed wearing a sober look of disgust.

  ‘‘Mr. Tavis,’’ Paxton began, ‘‘the preacher is cooling his heels in the storeroom below.’’ The man needed no further instruction. He turned heel and stomped back down the stairs to fetch the preacher.

  ‘‘I’m sure it’s a waste of time to ask you to reconsider this,’’ Karen stated.

  ‘‘You’re right. It is a waste of my time.’’ Paxton considered the attractive redhead and smiled. His private thoughts were loosed on images of an intimate nature, but he said nothing more. First he’d deal with Grace. Then he could worry about Miss Pierce. After all, she’d helped Grace to escape to Alaska. She deserved to be punished.

  The women heard the heavy steps of two men on the stairs and turned back toward the door. Paxton found the panic in their eyes a strong stimulant. He felt the blood course through his veins in anticipation. He felt empowered by their fear.

  Mr. Tavis appeared first and then a pudgy man who looked to be in his late fifties. The man panted breathlessly as he bounded into the room with Bible in hand.

  ‘‘I believe, Miss Hawkins, it would be appropriate for you to come to my side,’’ Paxton stated firmly.

  Karen gripped the arm of her friend and shook her head. ‘‘I cannot let this happen. To move forward with this wedding would be wrong. Grace doesn’t love you. She’ll never love you. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?’’

  Paxton shook his head. ‘‘Not a thing.’’

  ‘‘She hates you. She’ll never make you happy.’’

  ‘‘
I’m unconcerned with such notions,’’ Paxton replied coolly.

  Karen turned to the preacher. ‘‘You’re a man of God. You must help us here. This woman has no desire to marry this man. You must intercede on her behalf.’’

  The man turned to Paxton, eyes widening in apparent concern.

  Paxton held up his hand. ‘‘This marriage will take place. I have come thousands of miles, and I am not leaving without my bride. Whether Miss Hawkins loves me or is happy about this arrangement is of no concern to me. I have her father’s legal permission to marry her. She has not yet reached her majority and therefore must heed her father’s direction.’’

  ‘‘You’re a man without feeling, Mr. Paxton,’’ Doris said, shaking her head in a disapproving manner. ‘‘Shame on you for forcing yourself upon this child.’’

  Paxton grinned. ‘‘I’m certain she can come to enjoy our arrangement.’’

  He crossed the room in a rather casual manner and took hold of Grace’s arm. ‘‘We need to stop wasting the preacher’s time,’’ he said, pulling Grace forward.

  Karen refused to let go. She followed them the few steps to the preacher and threw Paxton a murderous glance. She glanced over her shoulder as if contemplating their escape. The action made Paxton laugh.

  ‘‘You’d never make it, so don’t even think of causing such a scene.’’

  The preacher quickly opened his Bible, clearly uncomfortable with the situation. ‘‘Dearly beloved,’’ he began.

  ‘‘We need no formalities here,’’ Paxton interjected. ‘‘Just get on with it.’’

  The preacher nodded. ‘‘Does anyone know a reason why these two can’t be wed?’’

  ‘‘I do.’’

  Paxton looked to Karen, not the least bit surprised that she’d made one last attempt to halt the ceremony.

  ‘‘She doesn’t want to marry him. That should be reason enough,’’ she pleaded.

  ‘‘We’ve already covered this,’’ Paxton replied in a heavy tone of annoyance. ‘‘Let’s get on with this.’’

  ‘‘We haven’t covered anything. You’ve dictated terms to us.’’