Rivers of Gold (11 page)

Amelia dabbed her eyes and looked away. “But what if something happens to you? You could just as easily be lost on the same lake that claimed your wife.”

Peter went to his mother and hugged her close. “God is with me, Mother. No matter the outcome, I am His now. I am His and He will guide me. If and when He chooses to take me from this earth, please know that I am ready and willing to face Him.”

“I might know it in my heart, but I would still miss you—need you,” Amelia replied, lifting her gaze to meet Peter’s.

Peter leaned down and kissed his mother’s forehead. “Please don’t fret, for nothing will ever truly separate us.”

Just then a knock sounded at the front door. Peter exchanged a look of curiosity with his parents. “Who could that be?” He gave his mother’s arm a gentle pat before heading to the door.

Peter’s heavy booted steps echoed in the empty hallway. The house seemed so quiet without Miranda and Grace. Sometimes he ached to hear their girlish chatter. Sometimes the silence of the house threatened to encase him like an empty tomb.

Opening the door, Peter met the gaze of a small, simplydressed woman. She looked to be in her fifties and there was a certain air of refinement about her. Gazing into her eyes, however, Peter saw a haunting reminder of his wife.

“I’m Myrtle Hawkins,” the woman announced. “Grace’s mother. Are you Peter?”

Peter felt the wind go out from him. “Yes,” he managed to say.

“I recognized you from Grace’s descriptions. You are a fine, handsome man,” Myrtle said with a sober smile.

“I … ah … I don’t know what to say,” Peter replied. He had written to Myrtle months ago to tell her of Grace’s death. He hadn’t told of their separation or of the problems they were having. He hadn’t even related the issues of Martin Paxton’s continued harangue. Peter had thought to save Grace’s mother from all of that, and because he had never figured to have to face her, he felt certain it was the right thing to do. Now, however, he felt like a fraud.

Myrtle reached out and took hold of his hand. “Peter, my daughter loved you very much. You needn’t say anything more.”

Her words only convicted him that much more. “I must say,” Peter began, “I never expected to meet you. Welcome to San Francisco.” He stepped back from the door and added, “Won’t you please come in?” He looked past her to where a hired carriage waited at the curb. “Do you have baggage?”

“Yes, but I needn’t impose on you,” Myrtle replied. “I had thought perhaps you could escort me to a decent hotel.”

“Nonsense. You’ll stay with us. I’ll get your things.”

Peter quickly retrieved the bags and paid the driver. A rush of thoughts consumed his attention. Why was she here? What could she possibly want with him? What could he possibly do to ease her suffering when his own was still so raw and fresh?

“Come inside,” Peter said as he climbed the steps. “I’ll introduce you to my mother and father.”

“Peter, before we join the others, I must tell you something. In private,” she added.

Peter put her things down inside the door and waited until she’d joined him in the entryway. Dreading what she might have to tell him, Peter braced himself as Myrtle Hawkins unfastened the buttons of her traveling coat.

“I’ve come because I received some news from my late husband’s lawyer,” Myrtle said as she paused to look Peter in the eye. “News that will profoundly change your life.”

—[CHAPTER TEN]—

TEDDY ARRANGED HIS office as best he could. Working and sleeping in the same room had reduced his level of comfort, but he felt confident that he had no other choice. The hotel was full and Miranda needed his help. He couldn’t just leave her to venture into the unknown.

It was strange how she’d managed to worm her way into his daily thoughts. Teddy had never been one given to daydreams, but of late, he found Miranda’s sweet face ever coming to mind.

Looking over the variety of specimen bottles and crates, Teddy knew he’d have to abandon thoughts of the brownhaired beauty or fall hopelessly behind in his work. This had never been a problem in the past—when little could distract him from his botanical research.

“Lord,” he prayed, “I cannot say I understand my state of mind. It seems an oddity to me at best and a fearful thing at worst. Please steady me to complete the work you’ve given me to do.”

Teddy looked to the door that adjoined his room to Miranda’s. He wondered if she was there just now. He wondered what she was doing and how she planned to go about searching for her friends. She was a delicate and lovely flower— petite and gentle, but with a fiery sting when angered. He didn’t like to think of her alone on the streets, for he knew full well how some would be inclined to take advantage of her.

Crossing to the window, Teddy noted the skies were clearing. A light snow still fell, but the winds had calmed. Perhaps Miranda would choose this time to go scouting for her friends. Perhaps he should offer to help. Once again, he looked to the tables of work behind him.

“I must stop this nonsense. I have become flighty.” He reached for his coat and pulled a list of needed supplies from the table. “I might as well occupy myself by attending to this first thing. Perhaps then my mind will be fixed for work.”

But even as he rechecked his list, he found himself adding things for Miranda—a dress, new boots, stockings, and other such things that might be pleasing to her. She had told him not to worry about her, but Teddy didn’t want her going about looking like a street urchin.

“Maybe something red,” he murmured. “Something the color of the mountain ash berries.”

Heading to the hardware store, Teddy tried to bring his thoughts into order. He knew it would do more harm than good to continue focusing on Miss Colton. She was a pleasant enough woman, but he had work to do.
I must stop this nonsense and turn my attention to the task at hand
, he told himself.

Squaring his shoulders, Teddy was determined to purchase the things he needed, and then return to the hotel and spend the day buried in his work. Maybe he wouldn’t worry about getting Miranda a dress. After all, he didn’t even know her size. And maybe she didn’t like red. Tucking his face down into his coat, he put Miranda from his mind.

The ring of the bell on the door of MacCarthy’s Hardware seemed to jolt Teddy’s senses. He looked up, but not in time to avoid stepping headlong into the chest of a broadshouldered man.

“Oh, please pardon me,” Teddy said, stepping back.

“No problem, friend.”

Teddy sized up the large man and smiled. “I’m afraid my mind was elsewhere.”

The big man laughed. “Mine’s somewhere to the south where the winds blow warmer and the fishing is easy. Unfortunately, that’s a long way from this place.”

Teddy returned his thoughts to his list just as a young man joined them. “Adrik, they don’t have any sleds they can sell.”

Teddy looked up. “Sleds? Did you say you were looking for a sled?”

The big man nodded. “That’s right. Do you know where we might buy one?”

“I have one,” Teddy replied. “Oh, where are my manners, the name is Davenport. Thomas Davenport.”

“Adrik Ivankov is my name,” the big man said, extending his hand. “And this here is Jacob Barringer.”

Teddy nodded. “I have a sled, and since I’ll be staying throughout the winter, I’ll have no need of it. You’re welcome to purchase it.”

“What kind of price are you asking?”

Teddy looked around the small confines of the hardware store. “Well, I’d not considered the price.” He chuckled. “But then again, I hadn’t considered selling the sled until just now.”

“Well, we aren’t wealthy by any means. Fact is, I’m taking part of my party out to a friend’s claim and leaving part of it here. My wife’s friend just had a baby, and there’s no sense in risking their lives until things warm up a bit. Still, I need two sleds. I can work in a trade—chop wood or build just about anything you need.”

Teddy shook his head. “I’m afraid I have little need of either of those things. I’m staying at the hotel across the street.”

“We have a lot of extra meat,” the young man offered. “We shot us an elk and a moose not too long ago.”

“Fresh meat could be a real bonus. I would imagine the hotel might well be glad to get it,” Teddy said rather absentmindedly. “All right, I’ll trade you meat for the sled.”

“How much do you reckon would be a fair amount for the sled?” The big man asked.

Again Teddy felt perplexed. He’d never dealt in such matters and the consideration of a fair trade was completely beyond his interest. “Why don’t you give me what you believe to be fair. I’ll trust the good Lord to watch over my end of the deal,” Teddy finally said.

“Well, He watches over every deal I make.” The big man smiled. “I’ll tell you what. The boy and I will go load up the meat and bring it around within the hour. We’re in a bit of a hurry, so why don’t you show us where you’d like to meet.”

Teddy motioned them to follow. “As I said, I’m just there across the street. Come along and I’ll show you the sled. That way you can better judge for yourself a fair trade.”

The men followed Teddy down the walk and across the frozen snow and mud of Second Avenue. Teddy heard them commenting on the blessing of running across this stranger, but thought little of himself as their rescuer. He was glad to unload the sled. It was of little use to him. Come spring he’d simply hire someone to pack him out to the cabin on horseback.

“We’re heading out to Hunker Creek,” the big man told him. “Have a friend with a claim there. This is certainly going to be an answer to prayer.”

“Well, here we are, gentlemen,” Teddy said, stopping behind a small storage shed. The alleyway behind the hotel was covered in undisturbed snow and the wind had blown drifts across the doors to the shed. Teddy used his booted foot to push aside a good portion of the drift before pulling a key from his pants pocket.

“This should do the trick,” he said, unlocking the shed. Dim light filtered into the confines of the dark storage room. A variety of supplies and other articles were stacked atop each other. Teddy’s sled was just inside, due to the fact they’d only just arrived.

The big man pulled the sled out into the alleyway and nodded. “It’s a fine, sturdy piece,” he commented, looking it over for any defect.

Teddy pulled out his pocket watch and popped open the cover. It was nearly lunchtime. How had he managed to waste half a day? He began to make a mental calculation of his morning activities, not clearly hearing what the big man told him.

“If that meets with your approval.”

“What?” Teddy questioned. “I’m afraid I was a bit adrift.”

The big man laughed. “No problem. I merely said the sled is worth a good portion of meat. I’ll bring it by here right away. Can you meet us here in an hour and make the trade?”

“Certainly,” Teddy replied.

He waited until the men had headed off at a trotting pace before wrestling the sled back into the shed. He fiddled around with the lock, finally mastering it. Securing the door before heading back around the side of the hotel, Teddy considered what he should do now. The day was clearly getting away from him and he still had to come back to deal with the man who wanted his sled. He might as well purchase the supplies and then head back to the hotel for a bite of lunch. It would no doubt be time to meet the man after that. After he squared things away with the sled, he could certainly set about organizing his work.

Once again he crossed the street, anxious to purchase his supplies and get back to his room. There was a great deal of work yet to be done, work that would no doubt keep him busy until spring.

“Teddy Davenport, is that you?” an older man called as Teddy once again approached the hardware store.

Teddy looked up and met the approaching man somewhat apprehensively. “Lawrence Montgomery?” The man’s face was buried behind a thick fur cap.

“That’s right. I say, what are you about this day?”

“I was going to purchase some supplies. I’m working rather diligently to catalog my newest findings.”

“Still working on the book, eh?”

Teddy nodded. “Most assuredly.”

“Well, that’s fine. Just fine. Say, you wouldn’t be interested in having a spot of lunch with me, would you?”

“I shouldn’t. I truly have a great deal of work to do.” Teddy had never really cared for Montgomery’s company. They had little in common, save England. Montgomery had been a member of Her Majesty’s Navy and he never failed to bore Teddy with tedious stories of life aboard ship. Teddy wouldn’t have minded hearing about the foreign ports, but Montgomery was far more consumed with naval life than the scenery he’d experienced.

“Just a cup of tea, then?”

Teddy knew the man was lonely for company, but he really didn’t want to lose anymore time. “Perhaps we could meet later today. I simply must get back to work at this time.”

“Then it will have to be another day,” Montgomery said, “for I’m off to meet with the Arctic Brotherhood after lunch. We’re discussing the possibility of building a new hall. You really should join us.”

“Perhaps at the next meeting,” Teddy promised. He knew the organization to be one of good charity and good times, but the meetings were generally not to his liking.

Turning to head back to the hotel, Teddy had barely crossed the street when he realized he’d completely forgotten about making his purchases at the hardware store. With a sigh, he rubbed his gloved hands together and made his way back to the store. He doubted he had any chance of making this day a productive one. The best he could hope for was a time of peace and quiet in the afternoon. Of course, there was also the matter of selling his sled. Pulling his watch once again, Teddy noted the time. He didn’t want to make an enemy of the big man by failing to show up at the appointed time.

“Mr. Davenport,” the clerk called out from behind the counter. “Good to have you back in town. What can I do for you today?”

Teddy closed the case on the watch and thought for a moment.
Oh, bother
. Now what had he done with his list?

—[CHAPTER ELEVEN]—

MIRANDA LOOKED OUT the window of the hotel. Happily she found that the wind had abated, as well as the falling snow. The street below was covered with a thick layer of white powder, but already there were dozens of people forging a new path through the pristine blanket.