[Alaskan Quest 03] - Whispers of Winter (19 page)

“He doesn’t know yet,” she admitted. “I’ve been waiting to be certain and now I am.” She gave a little shudder of excitement. “I can hardly believe it’s happening.”

“When is the baby due to arrive?” Karen asked.

“By my best calculations, it will be in May.”

“A wedding night baby,” Leah said after a quick mental calculation.

Helaina blushed. “That’s the way I see it as well.”

Karen laughed. “Jacob was never one for delaying things that he wanted done. That boy … well, hardly that … he’s wanted a wife and family for so long, he probably figured to just accomplish it all at once.”

Leah sat back in her chair. “When will you tell him?”

“Tonight, if possible. I knew they’d be busy today, and I just wanted to wait until there was plenty of time to enjoy the moment. Tonight will be soon enough.”

“I won’t say a word to him,” Leah promised.

“Neither will I,” Karen agreed.

Helaina put her hand to her stomach and shook her head. “I can hardly believe this is happening to me. I’m so happy I could cry.”

“Well, don’t do that, or Jacob will know that something’s going on.” Leah got to her feet. “I think it’s time for the twins to go take their nap.” She motioned to where Merry now sat groggily leaning against the log wall, while Wills yawned from where he sat on the rug.

“I need to get home to finish supper.” Karen got to her feet. “Tomorrow we can make plans for our Christmas celebration. This is going to be such a merry occasion.” She drew “Around here things will be warm and beautiful. Last year there were flowers and nice warm days where it was a pleasure to be outside in the sun. You can never tell about Alaska weather, but chances are good that it will be a very nice time to bring a new life into the world.” on her parka. “May will be a perfect month for a new baby.”

“I was thinking the same thing,” Leah said as she lifted Wills.

‘‘Around here things will be warm and beautiful. Last year
there were flowers and nice warm days where it was a pleasure
to be outside in the sun. You can never tell about Alaska
weather, but chances are good that it will be a very nice time
to bring a new life into the world.’’

Helaina smiled. “It comforts me just to know you’ll both be here. You will stay with me, won’t you? I mean when the time comes?”

“Of course we will.” Leah heard the apprehension in her voice. “You would be hard-pressed to be rid of us.”

“That’s right,” Karen added. “I have helped with many births, as has Leah. We certainly wouldn’t want to miss this most important occasion. We’ll be there for you.”

Jayce surprised Leah by showing up an hour later for lunch. “I hope you have something to eat. I’m starved,” he said as he bounded into the house. He was covered with snow from head to foot. “I think logging is much harder than just hunting for a living.”

Leah looked at him and shook her head. “Could you please leave some of winter outside?”

Jayce glanced down and shrugged. “It just seems to follow me wherever I go. I’ll do what I can.”

He came back in a few minutes later, parka in hand. He’d dusted himself off and had given the parka a good shake. Leah smiled over her shoulder at him. “You look better now. I’m warming up some of the stew from last night. I hope that’s good enough for now. I promise to have thick moose steak for you this evening.”

“Sounds good. We’ve been cutting logs to deliver to the railroad later this afternoon, and then Adrik says we won’t go out again for quite a while. Winter weather has shut down most every aspect of the rail line. The officials are still intent on building up supplies and getting new houses up for some of their men, however.”

“I don’t understand why they can’t continue to put in tracks during the winter. It’s not that cold right now.”

“The ground is frozen, though, and there’s not a good way of telling how firm the ground will be come spring thaw. If we lay tracks in an area not knowing it needs to be reinforced or elevated, we could have a swamp train. It will probably save a good deal of money to just wait until May. Even if they have to rehire a new crew. I heard most of the men are heading back down to the States.”

“If they’re not used to Alaska winter, then I can’t blame them. It’s probably best they go.” Leah stirred the contents of the black iron pot. “Oh, I have good news.” She put the spoon down and came to where Jayce had planted himself at the table.

To her surprise, Jayce pulled her onto his lap and snuggled his bearded face against her neck. “Hmm, this is a wonderful way to warm up.”

“Did you hear me? I have some wonderful news to tell you.”

“Hmmm, I heard.”

“I don’t think you’re even listening to me.” She playfully pushed him away, but Jayce only tightened his hold.

He looked up at her and grinned. “What is it that’s so important?”

“Well, you have to promise you won’t say a word about it, until the right time, of course.”

He frowned and let her ease away. “Well, I suppose I can promise that much. Now tell me.”

“Helaina and Jacob are going to have a baby. But Helaina hasn’t told Jacob yet.”

A broad smile broke across Jayce’s face. “That is good news. I know Jacob will be excited.”

“It’s the best news of all. I’m so happy for them.”

Jayce pulled her back to him and cradled her tenderly. “Life is so different with a wife and children. Jacob will feel himself become complete. There’s nothing like looking into the face of your children and knowing that a part of you will go on, even after you’re dead and gone.”

An image of Chase flashed through her mind. Leah pushed the thought aside, but Jayce noted the difference in her. “What’s wrong?”

She covered her reaction quickly. “The stew. It’s going to burn.” She got up quickly and walked to the stove.
Dear Lord, how long will it be before the old thoughts stop tormenting me?
She sighed. They came fewer and farther between, so that was good. Nevertheless, Leah couldn’t help but wonder what it would take to finally lay all of her demons to rest. There had to be an answer. There just had to be a way.

Chapter Sixteen

J
acob loaded the last of the peeled logs onto the wagon.

“This is it.”

Adrik nodded and made note in his ledger. “Not sure what they plan for all these logs, but at least they’ll have a stack to work with. There are plans to expand the lumber mill, and that will prove beneficial for everyone.”

“Do you think they’ll start working on the railroad again before spring thaw?”

Adrik shook his head. “They’d be foolhardy to try. There are so many issues at hand. Money is always the biggest, right along with conditions. The war is another. I’m not sure how things will come out in the wash.”

Jacob grinned. “You sound like Karen now. I remember her using that phrase.”

Adrik leaned closer and closed the green ledger. “I have some news. I’m just about beside myself to share it with someone.”

“I’m your man,” Jacob said, glancing around. “You look as though it might be an issue of national security.”

“Nah, just Ivankov security. I’ve made arrangements for Ashlie to come home for Christmas. Remember Karen’s nephew Timothy?”

“Of course.”

“Well, he’ll accompany Ashlie. They should arrive any day.”

“Karen will definitely love you for that.” Jacob could only imagine her happiness.

“I’ve been working on it for some time. I tried to get Myrtle to come too, but she didn’t feel up to making such a long trip. She’ll spend the holidays with some of Karen’s other family members, so she won’t be alone.”

“Timothy was a great help to us in Seattle,” Jacob remembered. “I’ll be glad to hear from him—his take on the war and such. I have to say I’ve had some twinges of guilt when I think of the men going off to fight. Maybe if I didn’t have a wife, I’d be more inclined to give it serious consideration.”

“Well, they’re only requiring younger men to register— under thirty-one, I think I heard.”

Jacob leaned against the cart. “I know. Still, I think about the liberty and freedom I’ve enjoyed all these years, and it makes me think I should do something more.”

“You can always pray,” Adrik suggested. “Folks need a whole lot more of that than they know.”

“True enough. You about ready to head out?” Jacob asked.

“Temperature’s dropped so much I’m actually starting to feel it. The horses are anxious too. I’m ready to be done with this.” Leo and Addy gave impatient whines. “Guess they’re ready too.” The two Huskies cocked their heads in unison as if knowing their master was speaking of them.

“I’ll just check the area for tools,” Adrik said, throwing a saw onto the wagon. “Remember to keep quiet about Ashlie,” he called over his shoulder.

“You know I will. I think it’s mighty thoughtful of you, Adrik. Most men wouldn’t be half as considerate of their wife as you have been.” Jacob climbed onto the wagon.

“Karen’s a special lady. She has her ornery side, but her loving nature makes it worth living with those few times when she plays prankster.”

“Like the time she kept sewing your trousers smaller and smaller?” Jacob fondly remembered the event. Adrik had refused to throw away a particularly ugly and well-worn pair of pants. To encourage her husband to part with the pants, Karen took up the seams a little every few days. At first Adrik thought he’d added a few pounds, but nothing he did helped. In fact, the pants just got tighter and tighter.

“I’d almost forgot about that,” Adrik admitted with a grin. “Almost, but not quite. She’s ornery. There’s just no tellin’ what she’ll do from one minute to the next. What I do know is that she’ll be as happy as she’s ever been to see Ashlie come home.”

Adrik took his place behind the team and picked up the reins and snapped them once. “Let’s go.” Adrik had fixed runners in place of the wheels so that the wagon could move easily over the snow, carrying the maximum amount of weight. With fewer men on the railroad’s payroll, hunting had lessened to a minimum. They seldom had to go Leo and Addy, longtime favorites of Jacob’s, led the way. out more than once a week to keep everyone in their area well provided for. Jacob didn’t mind the change of work. Trading the constant smell of death for the heady scent of spruce and earth made the hard work worthwhile. It also paid a bit better, although the railroad was not known for paying anyone very well.

Jacob thought about the days to come. He was excited to have secured a beautiful wedding ring for Helaina. He planned to give it to her Christmas morning when they were alone. Sometimes it was nice to have a lot of family around, but he also craved privacy with his wife. Helaina wouldn’t be expecting his gift—of this he was confident. After all, he’d given her his mother’s gold band when they’d married in Last Chance. But the simplicity of that gold band, and the fact that Jacob hadn’t picked it out special for Helaina, had left him unable to think of much else. When the opportunity presented itself, Jacob had purchased the new ring with great enthusiasm. It would look perfect with the gold band and offer Helaina the best of all his love.

“You’re mighty quiet over there,” Adrik said as he maneuvered the wagon down the slippery roadway.

“I’m tired,” Jacob said, pulling up his collar. “Tired and cold. I’m glad we’ll have some time away from the railroad. The break will do us all good. It’s hard to go from being your own boss to having to meet somebody else’s demands.”

“You talking about being married or working for the railroad?” Adrik teased.

Jacob laughed. “The railroad. I still like being married.”

“Well, so do I. At least as long as I remember who’s boss.”

“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about jobs and what I can do once the railroad moves on.”

“What’d you have in mind?”

“Actually, I’ve been praying on that. I’ve thought about opening a store. I enjoyed trading with folks back in Last Chance, and it seems it would be a responsible business to start up here. Most of the places here are crude at best. I’m thinking maybe I could talk to Peter Colton and see about getting some regular shipments into Seward.”

“And move down there?”

“Not necessarily. Maybe have a warehouse there if need be.

Ship Creek seems to be growing enough to support more business. If the train proves successful, it would be easy enough to bring goods up from Seward. Guess I’ll see just how much I like it once I’ve wintered here. It can’t be as hard or isolated as life in Last Chance.”

“Well, I’ll give you that.” Adrik scratched his gloved fingers against his bearded face. “A store would be a great pursuit. A lot of work, though. You sure you want that kind of work—what with having a new wife and all?”

“Helaina tells me all the time that she would love to work with me at something. Hunting isn’t a good thing to drag her around doing, so I just keep thinking about the store.”

“So you both plan to stay here in Alaska?” Adrik asked. He glanced at Jacob as if to read his expression. “Seriously.”

“We both love it here. It’s so unspoiled, and while it doesn’t provide the comforts of big city life, you’re also away from the burdens. You know, Helaina told me just the other night that she’s never felt safer any place in the world. In New York, they worry about locking up their doors for fear of someone coming in and stealing their possessions.”