[Song of Alaska 02] - Morning's Refrain (34 page)

“Then perhaps we need to figure out ways not to oppose each other, but to blend together,” Lydia said. “Take the good from both sides.”

“I couldn’t agree more, but that’s not the attitude I see from our people. We storm into a place and say, ‘Our way is the only way!’ I cannot abide that. I don’t see Jesus doing that in the Bible. He said He was the only way to God, but He didn’t say that people had to first change everything else about their lives in order to be saved. He said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.’ ”

“But repentance from evil is necessary,” Lydia added.

“Yes, of course that’s necessary, as is putting aside idols,” Zee replied. “I agree with you. But I don’t see that all customs have to change.” She picked up a peeler to help Lydia with supper. “I don’t see that at all.”

“But shouldn’t we take some supplies?” Illiyana asked.

Britta shrugged. “The village is just up the mountain. It’s not that far. We can walk real fast and get back before it gets dark.”

Illiyana considered this for a moment. “And the shaman will be the one with the most powers. He can surely help us. My mother said in the old days he could make special potions to do all sorts of things. He had powers to bring the salmon and to help in hunts.”

“Mama and Zee said good powers come from God alone, but that He lets us do great things, too.” Britta shook her head. “I don’t really understand how it works, but I’ll bet the shaman does. Aunt Zee told me a long time ago that most of the old Tlingit people were letting Jesus come into their heart. That means he’d have to have good powers, right?”

The little girl seemed to give this careful consideration. “I just don’t see how it could be bad, if he loves Jesus. So you think he could have powers to keep me here so that we could go on being friends forever?”

“I think so,” Britta replied. “He will have a special way to keep your parents from moving back to Russia. I’m sure of it.”

Illiyana smiled and nodded with great enthusiasm. “That’s all I want.”

Chapter 26

E
vie could hardly contain herself as Lydia opened the door. “I’m so excited about this. Joshua doesn’t suspect a thing.”

Lydia’s eyes widened at the news. “Are you certain?”

“Yes. I think he’s actually forgotten his birthday is even coming up,” Evie replied. “He definitely doesn’t expect us to throw him a surprise party.”

“Good. If he did, it wouldn’t be a surprise anymore. So did you bring all the ingredients we asked for?”

Following Lydia into the house, Evie glanced around. “Yes. I was able to get everything.” She put down the bag of goods. “Where is everyone?”

“Britta and Kjerstin were just enticed outside by the Belikov girls, and Zee went to tend to other chores. We’re alone for the moment.” Lydia pulled out a chair at the table and motioned Evie to sit. “Would you like some tea?”

“Yes, please. The walk here was refreshing, but I always find a cup of tea is the perfect conclusion.” Evie sat down and put aside her shawl.

Lydia was only a moment. She gathered two cups and saucers and brought them to the table. “I had just brewed a pot, so your timing is perfect. When Zee returns, we’ll have her join us.”

Evie nodded. “I’m so grateful to you for helping me with this. Joshua and I were talking about birthdays once last winter, and he said he had never had a birthday party in all of his life. Then when he arranged for such a nice dinner last month for my birthday, I knew I had to do something special.”

Lydia laughed. “It’s a great deal of fun to surprise someone with such a festive event. Are you two still going to come over tonight for supper?”

“To be sure.” Evie took the offered tea and sipped. “Oh, this is quite delicious. Thank you so much. I figure if we come tonight, and you just casually mention having us over next week, then he won’t be any wiser to what’s happening.”

“It also helps that we aren’t actually celebrating on his birthday,” Lydia said as she took her seat.

“Exactly.” Evie put her cup down. “Phoebe is going to help me get the invitations out to folks. She’s been such a great help.”

“I think Dalton definitely found a winner in her,” Lydia remarked. “She loves to keep busy. I could never accuse her of laziness. She keeps the cleanest house I’ve ever seen.”

“That’s true. Oh, by the way, what time should we plan on arriving tonight?” Evie asked.

“Come after work. Joshua and Kjell both usually finish up around five this time of year. So just head out after that.”

“All right. What about Dalton and Phoebe? Have you included them?”

“I haven’t yet, but you could certainly get word to them on your way home. I’d love for them to join us. I keep thinking surely one of these days they’ll be announcing that Phoebe is with child. I don’t know why, but I just expect it won’t be long.”

Evie put her hand over her flat stomach. “I’d like to think it could happen for us, as well, but I don’t count on it.” She looked up at Lydia. “I would so love to give Joshua children. He says it’s not the end of the world if we can’t have them, but I think it would make me very sad.”

“Don’t borrow trouble, Evie. You have no reason to think you can’t have children. You aren’t that old. Give it time.”

Reaching across the table, Evie placed her hand atop Lydia’s. “You have always been such a dear friend to me, Lydia. I cherish that. You always encourage me and give me hope. Thank you for welcoming me here. I’m so glad that God put you in my life.”

“I feel the same way about you. Not only that, but I’m blessed that Dalton had a chance to be raised with you in his life. Especially now that he knows about the others, and about his father.”

“The trip to Kansas City was good for him, Lydia. It made him realize some important things. I know he still struggles with some of it. I remember the deep hole it left in my heart when Mama died. I can’t help but imagine Dalton has struggled with a similar hole where our father is concerned.”

“But Kjell has always been there for him,” Lydia protested. “He was a much better father than Floyd could ever have been.”

Evie nodded. “Yes, and Dalton knows that. He loves Kjell as his only father, but you must understand. There will always be those questions—those unanswered questions. Am I like him? How has his blood influenced me? Will the past affect my future? Our father is dead and gone, but in here,” she said, tapping her chest, “in here, we can’t help but ask those questions.”

Lydia considered this for a moment. “I suppose I can understand. I used to ask some of those things myself. I worried that Dalton would turn out to look and sound like Marston or Mitchell.

Worse yet, I feared he would be hateful and mean like Floyd.”

“And Dalton can’t help but harbor those same concerns, Lydia.

You have done a wonderful thing in raising him here away from the influence of anything having to do with the Gray side of his heritage. But Dalton will continue to evaluate his life in the light of his father’s memory.”

“I’m heading home early,” Kjell told Dalton. “I plan to get some repairs done on the horse shed before I lose all of the light.”

He stretched and Dalton could see him try to hide a grimace of pain.

“Sounds good. I have some doors to finish putting on the cabinets in the kitchen. I figured to get those done before I head out.” Dalton looked around the large open room. “It’s finally coming together. It was hard to see when we first started, but now I’m so amazed at what we’ve accomplished.”

His father leaned back against the doorjamb. “It’s the best thing I’ve done yet. I wish you weren’t so passionate about boat building. I think we’d make a great team in building together.”

Dalton nodded. He thought of how his father’s back had been bothering him more and more of late. “I’ll keep that in mind. Could be that no one will want my boats and I’ll fail miserably.”

“I seriously doubt that,” Father replied. “Oh, but speaking of boats, I heard that there would be quite a few Tlingit boys graduating this year who are skilled at boat building. They’ve been taught by a man at the Industrial School. You might want to go there and see about hiring them on. You could plan to put together some really nice pieces—even bigger boats than you figured on.”

“That’s a great idea. I’ll plan to go talk with them.”

“Sitka is changing—growing. I’ve heard about a lot of the plans and can’t help but think that as folks figure out that Alaska isn’t just ice and snow, more and more people will come north.”

“I hope there aren’t too many who come here,” Dalton said thoughtfully. “I rather like our small community. After spending time in Kansas City and seeing so many of the States below . . . well, I’m content to live a more isolated existence.”

His father nodded. “I agree. Maybe Sitka is a secret best kept.”

After his father had gone, Dalton went back to work. He was glad he’d let Kjell make special cabinets for the kitchen. They had ordered beautiful oak wood from the States, and it complemented the room in a wonderful way. Dalton ran his hand over the door he’d just secured. A sense of pride washed over him.

“Hello?”

He turned. “Yuri?” He walked to the front of the house and found his old friend standing hat in hand. He looked hesitant. Dalton couldn’t say as he blamed him. “Come in.”

“I was hoping we could talk.”

Dalton nodded. “I think we need to. I know I owe you an apology.”

“And I owe you one, as well.” He looked at Dalton rather sheepishly. “I sure haven’t been much of a friend to you.”

“I guess we’re even then.” Dalton extended his hand and Yuri took hold. For a moment, they just stood there. Dalton could see the pain in Yuri’s expression. He wanted nothing more than to put his friend at ease. “Phoebe told me I was an ignorant beast.”

Yuri laughed. “And what did you say?”

Grinning, Dalton shrugged. “I told her she was right. I honestly don’t know what got into me.” He dropped his hold. “Come on. We can sit in the kitchen. There’s a table and chairs. It’s about the only furniture here right now.”

Yuri followed him as Dalton led the way. “This house is incredible. It’s so big. You’ve got enough room here to hold a dance. Phoebe should be pleased.”

“I think she is. There are four bedrooms upstairs. We plan for her mother and brothers to live with us. There is one larger bedroom downstairs near the back of the house. We figure it will give us a bit of privacy. Have a seat,” Dalton said, pointing to the table. “Sorry we drank all the coffee. The stove’s gone cold or I’d put on another pot.”

“I didn’t come for that anyway,” Yuri replied. The two men sat and both folded their hands on the table as if by prearrangement.

Dalton smiled. “I guess we’re a lot alike, you and me.”

Yuri shook his head. “Not nearly enough. You’ve always been the better man. I think that’s what I’ve allowed to come between us. I’ve been jealous of you for a long time now. You were always the better boat builder—the better son.”

“That’s not true, Yuri. You’re a good man and a good son.” Dalton remembered Phoebe talking about the degree of danger involved with Yuri’s problems. “We all make mistakes, Yuri. The biggest, however, is to let a situation go on without seeking the help that might reverse the problem.”