At the Rainbow's End (16 page)

He bent to kiss her on the nose. “So you fell in love with ‘Joel Houseman,' and escaped to the Klondike.”

“Yes.” Her eyes widened with delight as she felt his caress along her back, through the thin material of her blouse. “I did love him.”

His mouth less than an inch from hers, he whispered, “Why can't you love me?”

“You aren't him, and—”

Her answer was lost in his lips. She had no time to think as he lowered her to the ground. A brief warning in her head disappeared when he teased her mouth open with the tip of his tongue. His breath swirled into her mouth as he claimed it's liquid surfaces. She became as fluid, melting beneath his questing touch. The movement of his hands along her side urged her to caress him as eagerly. As his fingers moved to the curve of her breast, she gave a shocked cry. Jerking her face from under his, she tried to escape. She had risked allowing her passions to destroy her good sense. So often, she did not even like this man. She could not let him become her lover!

“No, no,” he whispered in her ear. “I'm not going to let you go.”

“Joel!”

“Hush.” Smiling tenderly, he soothed the furrows from her forehead. “I won't touch you now, if that is what you wish.”

“I—” Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. “I don't know what I want! I don't love you.”

He winced, but when she opened her earth-dark eyes again she saw his usual, irreverent grin. “I won't say I'm sorry, Sam. Sam, will you—”

“What?” she asked, stiffening. She was thrilled by his caresses, but she was not about to make a decision. A few stolen kisses did not necessarily lead to a permanent relationship.

His lips touched her forehead, before sliding to the tip of her nose. “I'm asking that you stay at Fifteen Above, and give us a chance to share these wondrous moments. You don't want to give this up, do you, Sam?”

She had no opportunity to answer. His lips found her mouth again. When she realized he would not push too far again, she relaxed, and let the fire within her blaze again. Her arms tightened around his shoulders, drawing him closer. The sensation of being pinned under him created a strange pulse in the center of her being. It urged her to move in a rhythm she did not recognize.

Suddenly he paused and raised his head, hushing her. She, too, heard a sound, through the rising tides of love. He looked down at her, smiling sadly. His voice full of regret, he said, “Kevin. At the river—”

“Yes. I hear him,” she answered.

“I have to get back to work, Sam.” Although hurried, he found time to kiss her with passion. “Soon? We'll do this again?”

She accepted his hand, and he pulled her to her feet. She brushed off her skirt which showed she had been lying in the scruffy growth.

Her sigh seemed so loud in the still shadows of the trees. When she felt his arm circle her shoulders, she leaned her head against his chest. Moments ago she had been in his arms. Now he was hurrying to the river. This crazy life! She frowned, giving a deep sigh.

“Are you so unhappy?” Joel asked.

“No … and yes.” She smiled when she heard his soft chuckle. “It just seems as if these hills are going to suffocate me.”

“Maybe today'll be the day we make the strike, Sam. Then we can put this damnable land behind us. Imagine what it'll be like to return to the States with all the money you could possibly want.” His eyes glowed with his obsession. “To tell those who said you would amount to nothing you have succeeded.”

She said softly, “I can't imagine that. I can only think of the work I still have to do at the cabin.” She stepped away from him. Reluctant to release her, he slid his hand along her shoulder blade. “And you have work to do in the river,” she went on, “if you plan to make your dreams come true.”

“You would have made a very good slave driver,” he said with a wry smile. “See you at supper. And, Sam?”

She turned. “Yes?”

His lips found hers easily. “Don't forget that, honey.” Then he moved along the path to the sluice.

“I won't.” For once, sarcasm did not taint her voice. Watching him walk away, she grinned at his pleased swagger. She was so happy about what they had discovered today. It gladdened her heart that he felt the same.

During the next month of chores and long days of toiling until she fell aching and exhausted into bed, Samantha recalled those stolen moments. Although Joel did not miss an opportunity to touch her in passing or to hold her hand out of sight of his partner, they found no chance to share passionate kisses again.

The weather changed with nearly visible speed. Summer heat vanished as if it had never existed. September mornings brought glittering frost on the few sprigs of grass in the clearing. She often woke to find a skin of ice on the water in the bucket by her bed. More than once, she dressed beneath the covers because she could not put her bare feet on the frosty floors.

At midday the sun still beamed down on her shoulders as she bent over the washboard. She had already told her customers that, at the first snow, her laundry would close. Now she often wished she had said the first frost. Carrying pail after pail of icy water from the spring and hanging clammy shirts, her chapped hands burning in the wind, was so terrible that she doubted the gold could make it worthwhile.

She spent more and more time in the cabin. Joel and Kevin did not work as long at the river now. The hours of sunlight were decreasing rapidly, and the partners had sluiced most of the pay dirt accumulated last winter. They spent some of their time shoveling piles of riverbank soil, preparing for the high waters of next spring. They hurried back to the cabin often to warm their hands, which grew stiff even in heavy gloves. She grew accustomed to this constant parade to and from the river.

When she heard a single set of footsteps approaching the cabin, Samantha noted it immediately. Joel and Kevin seldom left each other alone at the river.

“Find your prettiest hat, Sam!” called Joel, poking his head into the cabin and walking over to where she was working.

“Why?”

Taking her hands, he twirled her into his arms. “I've been speaking with Kevin about your assertion that you are bored looking at the same vistas every day. We decided you should have your horizons broadened. How about a ride into Grand Forks?”

“Oh, Joel, that would be wonderful!” Her hands slid along his arms. The strength of his warm body enticed her.

Suddenly he released her. Rocked backward, she had to grab the iron railing of the bedstead. When Kevin came smiling into the cabin, she understood. For the same reason she could not bring herself to be honest about her growing attraction for him, Joel pretended nothing had happened but a mellowing of their mutual distaste.

“So what do you think, Samantha?” Kevin asked. He drew off his hat and wiped his sweaty brow on his sleeve. A streak of dirt crisscrossed his skin.

“Going to Grand Forks sounds wonderful!” She was glad to have an excuse for the glow in her eyes. She had to hide the happiness she felt being near Joel. “What shall we do?”

Joel drawled, “Well, there's a spelling bee scheduled at the Presbyterian church.”

“No!” Kevin shouted. “Something a lot more exciting than trying to spell Cincinnati and encyclopedia!”

“We can discuss that on the way in,” she said soothingly. She had no idea why Kevin had reacted so vehemently. The idea of a spelling bee where they could compete against neighbors and laugh together sounded delightful to her, but it was not worth an argument.

“All right!” said Joel. “We'll hitch the horse to the wagon. Get your bonnet and meet us at the stable. Two minutes!”

“Two minutes! How do you expect me to get cleaned up?”

He shrugged. “You don't need to be fancy in Grand Forks.”

“You aren't going in
those
clothes, are you?”

The men looked at each other. Noting her stubborn expression, they read her desire to break the monotony of work clothes dirty with sweat, and hours of labor.

Joel slapped his partner on the back. “I guess we are going to have to be all citified.” Grinning, he added, “Maybe she thinks we can't be anything but filthy prospectors.”

Accepting the challenge, Kevin laughed. “Half an hour then, Samantha. That'll give us time to wash up.” Whistling, he reached for his clean shirt and scrounged in a box at the end of the bed for other things he had not worn in longer than he could remember. As he pulled out a dark coat, though, he frowned. The last time he had worn that was for the funeral of his stepfather.

Caught up in her happiness, Samantha did not see the odd twist of his lips. She raced to her ladder. She washed quickly.

Like the men's work things, her clothes showed signs of her rough labor. She had saved one skirt and blouse, hoping for a time like this.

Pulling them from their pegs, she placed them reverently on the bed and then put them on, one by one. The black taffeta skirt tied at her waist and ended at the hem with a pleated flounce. Over it, she wore a cream-colored silk shirtwaist, it's yoke smocked with gold threads to match the shirring at the cuffs.

Aware of how rough the journey would be, she added a heavy cape to her ensemble. Then she smoothed her hair into place and took her straw hat off the single shelf over her bed. A rose decorated the upturned brim when she settled it on the back of her curls.

She slipped her feet into her half boots, buttoned them in place, and climbed nimbly to the main floor of the cabin. Making sure the fire in the stove was properly banked, she closed the door behind her, smiling.

The buckboard waited in the middle of the yard. Stunned, she stared at the men standing beside it. Both were dressed in dark frock coats over wool trousers. Their high stock collars matched the one in the picture of Kevin they had sent to her. Neatly combed hair was slicked back in the accepted style, brushing the tops of their collars.

Despite herself, her eyes lingered on Joel. Even with his bushy beard hiding the bottom half of his face, she savored his appealing image. His work-broadened muscles strained at the seams of his coat. She yearned to reach out and trace the lines of his body, silhouetted against the sunlight. She thought of the one time she had been able to touch him as she wanted.

He bowed to her and said with his slightly mocking tone, “Lady Faire, your carriage awaits.”

As Kevin leapt up onto the seat to grasp the reins, Joel lifted Samantha to the high plank and then climbed aboard.

When she slipped her arm through his, Joel smiled at her, only slightly annoyed that she did the same with his partner. He guessed Sam's heart could be his, but he wanted to be sure. Listening to her lilting voice, brightened by the excitement she could not conceal, he wondered as he had so many times what quirk of fate had brought this delightful sprite into their lives.

He hummed as Kevin turned the wagon to follow the river path south and then east, where the Eldorado emptied into the Bonanza. There, in Grand Forks, he might be able to garner the prize he wanted.

Chapter Nine

Grand Forks' general store was crowded with miners eager to get supplies before the winter shut them off from the small settlement. Feeling a hand in the center of her back, Samantha smiled over her shoulder at Joel, glad her two partners were with her. Although the looks from men here were as lustful as those in Dawson, she had the protection of Joel and Kevin to keep the miners from putting their thoughts into action.

Men moved aside to let her pass, so she had little trouble reaching the side of the store where a few bolts of material waited. With all eyes on her, Kevin took the opportunity to push to the front of the line and give the storekeeper their order.

Samantha touched a maroon broadcloth fabric. Picking up the corner of it, she rolled it between her fingers. It felt as soft as its sheen.

“That color would look lovely on you.”

Lifting the bolt, she asked, “I thought I might get enough for a new skirt, Joel. My others have been ruined by work.”

“Then get it.” He smiled. “I like seeing you dressed prettily, Sam. You look lovely today.”

She lowered her eyes to escape the fantasies he could summon with the power of his gaze. Ignoring his compliment, she said, “It's expensive.”

He took the material from her. “Don't worry about that. You've worked hard enough for us.” He motioned with his head. “While we're shopping for you, there's something else you need before winter.”

Unsure what he meant, she followed to where a middleaged woman sat watching the customers. He greeted her with a pleasant hello and a smile. Her hard calculating expression did not change as he told her he wanted to purchase material for Samantha.

“She needs a Union suit,” he added.

“Joel!” Heat billowing from Samantha's face warned her of the redness of her cheeks. To be discussing such unmentionables was so inappropriate. His deep voice must have carried across the crowded store. Everyone in the room might know what he was buying her.

Ignoring the storekeeper, he turned Samantha to face him. His lips twitched while he fought a smile. Putting his hands on her shoulders, he leaned forward so she could understand his soft words through the hubbub in the store. He had no interest in deepening the flush on her face, although he found the color very appealing. Of course, he found everything about Samantha Perry appealing.

“Sam, you'll need these. You have no idea how cold it becomes here in January and February. Modesty is fine, but you'll need this. Trust me on this.”

“I trust you.” She smiled. Matching his outspokenness with her own, she added, “I never thought of having a man buy me such personal things. If I had, I wouldn't have thought the garments would be red flannel.”

His eyes glowed with yearning as he murmured, “I'd prefer you in silk and lace, honey. Believe me! Maybe someday when we don't have to worry about the Klondike cold.”