Rivers of Gold (39 page)

Miranda stared at her husband in disbelief. “What are you saying?”

Teddy closed the journal and reached out to take her in his arms. “I’m saying that we’re leaving Dawson tomorrow. Little Charley and his friends are coming to take us south by dog sled. Are you up for the trip?”

Miranda felt tears come to her eyes. Teddy’s words were just too wonderful. “Do you mean it?”

“Absolutely. Can you be ready?”

“Of course I can,” Miranda declared. She wrapped her arms around her husband’s neck in girlish anticipation. “Oh, Teddy, this is the best news you could have ever given me. When did you decide to do this?”

“Your brother and I spoke before he departed Dawson. I told him I would write to him to confirm the date, but I was certain the plans we set into motion would work well for us.”

“But what of your work?”

“I’ll take it with me. There’s no need to remain here. I’ve exhausted the area in my searching, and I’ve an opportunity to take what I’ve learned and present it in lecture form for various universities and lecture halls.”

“That’s marvelous. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I wanted to surprise you. I figured I owed it to you. You’ve been so very good to endure the departure of your friends and family. You’ve not complained about being left behind in this dying town, and I knew it would do us both good.”

“When I first met you,” Miranda said, lovingly touching her husband’s face, “I thought you were the most selfcentered man in the universe. You were buried deep in your work, and you scarcely even noticed that I was alive.”

“I’d never had reason to think of anything else. My work had become my life, and even my faith suffered for it. But no more. I’ve learned the importance of listening with my heart, as well as my ears. I’ve learned that God doesn’t desire us to live in isolated little shells, thinking of nothing and no one but ourselves. He longs for us to reach out—to share His love and to make mankind our greater concern.

“I started that journey from isolation when I met you, and the rewards have been most amazing. There isn’t a river of gold I would trade for the love I have with you or the friendships I’ve made through you. I had no idea what was missing in my life, until you came along.”

“I knew what was missing,” Miranda said softly. “I just didn’t know where to find it. But God did.” She melted against him, longing only for his touch.

“I suppose,” Teddy said, his voice husky with desire, “that we should get a good night’s sleep. Little Charley will be here for us around ten o’clock.”

“I’m not sleepy,” Miranda whispered against his ear.

“Me either,” Teddy replied. He pulled away enough that Miranda could clearly see his face. “Do you want to help me pack my samples? Or you could log the information for each one in the journal.”

She took hold of his hand and pulled him gently toward the bedroom. “I think I’m more tired than I realized.”

He chuckled and followed her without hesitation. “Ah, Mrs. Davenport. How am I ever to get my work done with you to distract me?”

Miranda laughed and closed the door to their room. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out in the years to come. After all, I intend for us to have several score of years together. That’s a lot of time for figuring.”

“Or loving,” he whispered.

She nodded. “Especially loving.”