Rivers of Gold (38 page)

Adrik looked to Karen and laughed. “Well, God is certainly keeping us on the right path. That’s a good start south. We’ll be home before you know it.”

“We’re going to miss you terribly,” Miranda said as Karen and Adrik told them the news of their departure later that night. They stood in the hotel lobby close to the fireplace in order to ward off the October chill.

“We certainly will,” Teddy added. “You’ve been more than good friends. You’ve been a generous and loving family to both of us.”

“We feel the same about you,” Karen assured. “Don’t forget your promise to look us up on your way to San Francisco.”

“Since we probably won’t be able to go until May or June, perhaps we’ll get a chance to see the baby, as well,” Miranda said excitedly. “I still can’t believe the news. It’s just so wonderful.”

Karen looked to Adrik and laughed. “It is wonderful. I can’t tell you how happy we are.”

“May will take forever to get here,” Miranda said mournfully. She looked to Teddy and forced a smile. She didn’t want him to think her too sad so she quickly added, “At least, I’m sure you’ll feel that way. Waiting for good things is always hard, especially when it involves a baby.”

“And waiting with patience has never been easy for me,” Karen replied. “I have very little in that area to draw from.”

“Well, this child will come in God’s timing and His alone,” Teddy replied.

“Say, where are Leah and Jacob?” Miranda questioned. “Do they know about the baby?”

“They do indeed,” Karen answered. “As for their whereabouts, they’re upstairs packing. They’re very anxious to leave Dawson. They’re ready to begin anew and settle down to a different kind of life.”

“Oh, we shall miss you so,” Miranda said, hugging Karen and then Adrik. “You both mean the world to me. I’m so grateful you allowed me to come north with you.”

“Despite the fact we lost you in the lake?” Adrik jokingly asked.

“Especially for losing me in the lake,” Miranda replied, then went to Teddy’s side. “I might never have found my true love, otherwise. You shouldn’t feel guilty at all, but rather rejoice for having played a part in God’s plan to put Teddy and me together.”

“That’s definitely one way of looking at it,” Adrik replied.

“It’s the best way of looking at it.” Miranda’s words gave her the strength to say good-bye to yet another group of loved ones. She wasn’t left comfortless or without love. She reminded herself of her blessings and looked up to catch Teddy’s loving gaze. Yes, she thought, it was the best way to look at the events of her life over the last couple of years. One event had been built upon another, and each had brought her to the place she was now.

Miranda would see all her loved ones again one day, and for now, she had her Teddy—her beloved Teddy.

—[CHAPTER THIRTY THREE]—

CHRISTMAS 1899 PASSED with much joy in the Colton household. San Francisco was a far cry from the cold of the Yukon, and the spirit of celebration was upon the whole family.

Andy, now nearly a year old, was the apple of his grandparents’ eyes. Walking with awkward baby steps, he delighted the family to no end. Still too small for the rocking horse his Grandfather Ephraim had given him for Christmas, Andy was content to merely slap his palms against the wooden seat and chatter, “Horsy. Horsy.”

“There’s news from Teddy and Miranda,” Peter said, unfolding a letter. “Actually, the news is from Teddy. He intends to surprise Miranda with a visit much sooner than planned. He’s discussed lecturing here in San Francisco on the botanical wonders of the Yukon. Apparently there’s a great deal of interest, and he’s decided to approach an American publisher in regard to his book.”

“How marvelous,” Grace declared.

Amelia Colton nodded enthusiastically. “Oh, I long to see Miranda.”

“Mother Colton, it won’t be long,” Grace assured. “She’ll be here before you know it.”

“Indeed,” Peter replied. “Teddy plans to leave the Yukon shortly after the first of January. Apparently his native friends have agreed to help them.”

“Oh, that’s just days away,” Amelia said, looking to Ephraim with great joy. “How long will it take them to get here?”

“Well, it depends on the weather. Teddy wants to arrange passage out of Skagway by the thirtieth of January. He worries that he might be delayed on the trail, but if that happens, they’ll merely wait it out. I’ll pick them up in Skagway. I’m planning to arrive there on
Merry Maid
the twenty-fifth of January. I’ll be delivering supplies to the town anyway, as well as making a delivery to Karen and Adrik Ivankov in Dyea.”

“Will Grace and Andy go, too?” his mother asked with concern in her tone.

“No, they’ll stay here as the weather will probably be threatening. But I’m sure we’ll make many more trips to the north.”

“What of transporting gold miners to Nome?” Ephraim asked.

“We’re already devoting
Summer Song
to that purpose,” Peter explained. “I meant to discuss it with you last week. I’ve been using
Summer Song
for the past couple of months to take men and supplies into Nome. The biggest problem is that Norton Sound freezes solid. We end up having to harbor out deep and then transport folks and supplies across the ice. It isn’t something I’m really comfortable with.”

“I can well understand. What if the ice melts?”

Peter smiled at his mother. “They tell me it freezes many feet thick, but still, there’s no sense in risking life and limb. The passage is long and risky, but the profits are good due to the tremendous need for supplies. I’ve received an order requesting I bring as many work dogs as possible, along with any fresh fruit I can find. I’ll probably take
Merry Maid
up that way once the weather is better.” He refolded the letter and put it into his pocket, adding, “Of course, we must get the Davenports here first.”

“It will be so good to have Miranda home. Does Teddy say how long they can stay?” Grace questioned.

“No, but I’m sure if he’s to lecture, it might well turn into a lengthy visit.”

“Oh, I hope so,” Grace said smiling. “I know it would do us all good to be a complete family again.”

Miranda waited in the lobby of the Fairview Hotel. The elegance and grandeur of the once popular hotel had faded with the diminishing numbers of people still residing in Dawson. But it didn’t matter. The citizens of the town had decided a New Year’s Eve party was in order, and it had been a most entertaining and rewarding evening.

Miranda and Teddy had dressed in their finest clothes. Miranda wore a salmon-colored satin gown that was trimmed with black jets and lace. The full cut of the muttonchop sleeves were inset with ebony lace, which the dressmaker had assured Miranda had been handmade in Paris.

Teddy, ever the refined Englishman, sported the latest fashion—a black Prince Albert—styled frock coat with satin lapels and gray striped trousers. Miranda thought him the most handsome man at the party. He moved with such grace that Miranda felt almost clumsy alongside him. But it wasn’t long before he had her dancing comfortably in his arms. He was as gentle and tender a teacher on the dance floor as he had been in training her in botanical research.

“Here we are,” Teddy said, coming from the cloakroom with Miranda’s cape and his own coat. He put the fur-lined cape around her shoulders before donning his coat. “I’m certain the weather is quite frigid.”

“Then I shall have to walk very close to you in order to stay warm,” Miranda teased.

“You shall walk very close to me anyway,” Teddy replied. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He pulled her near and held her close. “Did you enjoy yourself this evening?”

“Very much,” she answered, looking up into his face. “I enjoy myself wherever you are.”

Walking from the hotel, they left behind the gentle strains of a Strauss waltz. Miranda had enjoyed the music even more than the dancing. She had missed the concerts she and her mother had attended on occasion in San Francisco. The thought had never even entered her mind until coming here tonight.

Fact was, she tried hard not to think of San Francisco at all. Even though her family could not consider themselves as wealthy, Miranda had enjoyed many cultural programs that had given her great pleasure. Those things were few and far between in Dawson. It wasn’t for a lack of trying, however. In its heyday, Dawson’s Opera House and Palace Theatres were acceptable places of entertainment, but it wasn’t the same. Miranda felt as though she were stuck at the end of the earth, with no hope of ever rejoining civilization.

She knew part of her depression was the lack of light. The winter months were very difficult to endure—especially for one who treasured the sunlight so very much. Then there was the cold and the snow. Miranda felt she’d endured enough of both to last her a lifetime.

“What are you thinking about?” Teddy whispered against her ear.

Miranda smiled. Teddy made it all bearable. She was so glad for his company—his love. “I’m just thinking how fortunate I am that God brought us together. You’ve given me so much.”

“It helps that my holdings are vast,” Teddy said laughing.

“No, not the material things,” Miranda replied. “I know I shall most likely never want for those, but I’m speaking of your love and tenderness. I love being with you—learning from you. I feel as though a whole new world has been opened up to me.”

“As do I. I know my focus for years was on one thing alone: the botanical book that would fulfill my father’s dream. But it doesn’t fulfill my dreams. You do that.”

Miranda reached across Teddy’s waist and took hold of his arm. Pulling it to her, she gently kissed his gloved hand. “And you do that for me. I adore you, you know.”

“I hadn’t guessed.”

He paused outside their hotel and lowered his lips to hers. “Happy New Year, Mrs. Davenport.”

Miranda forgot about the cold as her heart raced, warming her blood. “Perhaps,” she whispered against his mouth, “we should go upstairs.”

He pulled back grinning. “You are a bold one, Mrs. Davenport.”

She giggled. “I wasn’t implying anything improper. I’m merely confident that we will freeze to death if we wait out here much longer.”

Teddy laughed and opened the door. “After you, my dearest wife.”

They went directly to their room, ignoring the revelry of other hotel guests who were celebrating the new century. Miranda thought it all such a wonder that they should find themselves in the year 1900. What would the years to come bring? Would there be new wonders and innovations to bless them in their daily existence? Or would there be wars and tragedy? No doubt there would be both, and only a faith in God would help them endure the passage of time.

Once they’d reached their room, Teddy helped Miranda with her cloak, then saw to his own things. Shedding his frock coat to reveal a snug, white waistcoat and starched shirt, Teddy then pulled the gray silk ascot from around his throat.

Miranda watched as he put his things very carefully aside, then pulled his glasses from his pocket. She frowned. Usually this was the signal that he intended to work, but it was well past midnight, and she had not figured him to even be interested in such matters.

“Where are you going?” she asked as he walked from their bedroom into the sitting room and work area.

“I have something I need to tend to,” he said.

Miranda dispensed with her handbag and gloves and followed her husband into the other room. “Teddy, it’s very late. Couldn’t it wait until morning?”

“No, I’m afraid that will be too late.”

“Too late? What in the world could possibly be so important that it can’t wait until morning?”

He opened his journal and motioned her to come to his side. “Come see for yourself.”

She did and noted the calendar he had created for the month of January. The thirtieth was circled. “What’s this all about? What is so important about the thirtieth of January?”

Teddy smiled secretively. “Well, that’s what cannot wait.”

“But that’s thirty days away,” she protested. “What happens on the thirtieth?”

“That’s the day we catch a boat out of Skagway bound for California. In fact, if all goes well, it will be your brother’s ship
Merry Maid
.”