Endless Mercy

by Tracie Peterson

  “You did, indeed.” Judas turned a keen eye to him. “I’ve got a business proposition.”

  “Oh?” Buddy pulled a cigar out of his pocket. This would be fun. Maybe get the man to squirm just a bit.

  “I’m impressed at how much money can be made with this venture, so I’d like to buy you out and keep the show in Alaska. Over time, I could change things up and add other performers—and I’m sure your people are capable of doing other things as well?”

  “Yes, of course. They are multitalented.” Not entirely true, but he wanted to see how high he could jack up the price. The longer he kept Judas talking, the more this could be to his advantage.

  A plan formed. An ingenious one, if he did say so himself.

  “Good. Well, I will make it worth your while.”

  Judas was so confident that the deal was already done. Did anyone ever tell this man no?

  Judas might be a shrewd businessman, but Buddy conned shrewd men all the time. “Well, I did hand-select this group. And then I trained them for several years to prepare for touring.”

  “Of course. Name your price and we can negotiate.”

  Buddy held up a hand. “Wait just a moment. I’m open to selling, but there’s something else I would require beyond just the purchase of my troupe.”

  Reynolds quirked an eyebrow. “And what might that be?”

  “Miss Madysen Powell.”

  “Mr. Merrick—”

  “Hear me out.” He held up both hands this time. “I will sell you my show for a discounted price if you can assure me that Madysen Powell will go back with me to the States. I’m certain that with her as the main star of my new show, I’ll be able to make a fortune.” He lowered his voice and leaned in. “I also think she’ll be a good diversion on long nights.”

  Judas let out a long breath and squinted at him. “You do remember that the Powell women are all quite religious—otherwise I would have been seeking them for my own diversions.”

  “That’s the deal. I’ll only sell my show to you if you can guarantee her as part of the payment.” He stuck a stogie between his lips.

  Judas didn’t seem fazed by his request. “Have you considered proposing marriage to the girl? As I said, she is religious, and you’ve already been wooing her.”

  “I’m not the marrying kind.” Buddy made a show of picking at a piece of lint on his lapel. “I’m the moneymaking kind, and that girl’s talent is going to make me a lot of money. If I happen to get more in the deal, then so much the better.” He grinned. “I’m usually lucky in love. . . .”

  Reynolds laughed. “You are quite the bargainer, Mr. Merrick. But Miss Powell is not going to be easily persuaded. I can guarantee that she will go and do whatever you like—if you make her fall in love with you and promise her marriage. As for the rest, your terms are acceptable. Before I agree to anything, however, I need to hear this discounted price.”

  Buddy leaned closer. “Let me work on the details. For one thing, I’ll need you to agree to keep everyone on at their regular salary for at least a year. If and when you are through with them, you’ll also give them passage back to the States.”

  A slow smile eased across Judas’s face. “I think I can manage that.” He stuck out a hand. “I’ll wait to hear your price, but Mr. Merrick, I think we have a deal.”

  The handshake was all Buddy needed. “Wonderful. Let’s get it done. I want to be on the last ship before the Sound is iced in.”

  “That gives me several weeks. Plenty of time.” Judas walked away with a wave. “I presume you want Miss Powell to be of a cooperative heart in this matter.”

  “Just get her on the boat with me. I can convince her of what I feel for her. It’s merely a matter of getting her away from that possessive family of hers. They guard her closer than the bank is guarding gold.”

  “Very well.” Judas dipped his chin. “I will have papers for our transaction drawn up immediately.”

  Buddy admired the man as he disappeared into the crowd. Good looking, powerful, he carried himself with a confident air that also oozed comfort so people would trust him. How did he do it?

  He’d have to study the man a bit more. Maybe use Reynolds to create his new persona in his next location.

  Oh, this was going to be fun.

  The dogs yipped and howled around Whitney. They jumped up and down in the barn.

  “I know you want to get out there, but we don’t have enough snow yet. We’ll have to practice with the cart, okay? You can’t run as fast, but it will at least give you some challenge. Oh, and you should know there are a few more buyers coming by today, so be on your best behavior.” Good grief, she really was as bad as Havyn and Madysen.

  Of course, her little talk did no good. The jumping and howling increased as she pulled out harnesses. It would take the better part of the morning to exercise all of them. Good thing she’d gotten out here early.

  As she rounded up the first group of dogs, the ache of losing Mama hit again. Sometimes she had everything under control, and then it came like a kick to the stomach. Grief was such an ugly beast. And she had no idea how to control it.

  Whitney snapped the leash on Aurora. Control. That was the problem. As long as she had everything under control, she functioned just fine. But when she lost it?

  Look out.

  Whitney shook her head to clear her thoughts.

  Baaahaaaah!

  She turned and watched Maddy herding some ewes into the milking shed. Good thing they were bringing in a steady income, because sheep were messy and stupid.

  The dogs pulled on the lines, drawing Whitney’s attention back to them. “Do those strange wooly things look yummy to you?” Whitney snapped another leash in place. “Because I’m certain you all look like wolves to them.” One of the pups gave a mournful cry, and Whitney shook the last clip at him. “Have a little patience. We’re going to run. I promise.”

  She snapped the clip in place, then gave the signal to go. The dogs stayed in formation and ran as a team. In fact, the long lead lines that she held were a bit slack, which was a good sign. This group was ready. They knew what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. Together.

  It was beautiful to watch.

  She called out commands and they obeyed. Perfect. Every time.

  “Whoa.” She spied her first customer of the day and gave a little wave to Amka’s brother Ben. She never demonstrated the dogs without one of the workers or John to stand as her protector. Ben grabbed his rifle and stood guard off to the side. Be there four-legged attackers or two, Ben would be at the ready.

  The customer approached. “Hello der, Miss Powell. I’m Nils Andersson.” His Swedish cadence made her smile. It was almost musical. “I come to see de dogs.”

  “Of course, your brother made an appointment with me. I can exhibit them here with the cart instead of a sled. Let me show you what they can do.” This was her world. Her comfortable place of refuge. If only she could stay right here.

  She demonstrated for Mr. Andersson, and then a Mr. Meyers showed up. He was only looking for one dog, but he was very particular about the animal he needed. They’d met before and hadn’t made a decision. After an hour of discussion with both men, Whitney knew exactly which of her animals would suit their needs. They struck deals and shook on it. It was still hard to part with any of her dogs, but she had to do her share for the family.

  After she’d made final arrangements for delivering the dogs and the two men left, she turned and smiled at Ben. “Thanks. I think it’s safe to go back to John now.”

  Amka’s brother nodded, slung his rifle over his shoulder, and headed toward the dairy barns.

  Time to get the dogs unharnessed and fed, then go to work cleaning up after them. “Good dogs.” She walked over to them, laughing at how they wriggled and squirmed to get her attention.

  Unconditional love. That was what her dogs gave her. It was so much purer and more honest than people’s love.

  She hated to be such a cynic, but aft
er what she’d seen as a child, who could blame her?

  Dad wasn’t all bad. She had some good memories of him, but they were few and far between. What she remembered well was the weight of carrying a full-grown man on her six-year-old shoulders as she dragged him home from the saloon while he stumbled and sang off-key. Not what a small child should have been doing.

  Her sisters didn’t share those memories. Even Mama hadn’t known everything.

  Whitney had protected her too.

  And now there was Maddy to protect. What had gotten into her? Why would she even consider leaving the family to travel off to who knows where? It didn’t make sense.

  True, Madysen was full of life whenever the three of them played and sang together. It was almost magical. And it was understandable that Mr. Merrick’s visits and gifts had enchanted her baby sister. But why didn’t the man ever stay long enough to visit with the rest of the family? Except for that one awkward lunch and the first time he offered to employ them all to sing in the States, he’d shown very little interest in anyone but Madysen.

  Whitney shook her head. None of it added up. If Mr. Merrick truly wanted to become part of their family, wouldn’t he want to get to know them? To get their approval?

  Of course, let her or Havyn bring up concerns about Mr. Merrick to Madysen, and their sister’s eyes shot sparks.

  It was too much like it was with their dad. Madysen had always defended their dad when Whitney said something negative. Madysen always took a stand for those whom others disliked.

  If only she had more of Maddy’s compassion. Perhaps then she’d know how to help her beloved sister.

  “Excuse me, Miss Powell?”

  The deep voice caused her to turn around. “Yes?” She studied the handsome man before her. Where had she seen him before?

  “Name’s Garrett Sinclair.” He removed his hat and stuck out a hand. “I hear you have the best dogs around, and I’m in need of a new team.”

  She didn’t shake his offered hand and fidgeted with the dogs’ lines instead. Why had she let Ben go back to the dairy barn so quickly? They rarely had unannounced visitors to the farm. They were too far out. But they were always careful around new men. Nome had become a haven for ne’er-do-wells. Shoulders tight, she pulled her dogs closer. “What happened to your other team?”

  The man looked down and fiddled with the brim of his hat. “They’ve been loyal for many years. But they’re aging.” His voice was full of compassion.

  A man who cared about his dogs like that must be safe. Her shoulders relaxed a bit. “So you’ve been in the north quite some time.”

  “Yeah. Love the cold.” He smiled and stuffed his hat back on his head.

  “Well, I do have several buyers interested. I insist that all of my buyers train with any dog they wish to purchase.”

  “That sounds wise. That way you know what kind of people they are—if they will take care of the animals.” He crouched down in front of several of the dogs. Let them sniff him.

  This guy said all the right things. She narrowed her gaze at him. “What do you do for a living?”

  “I mine a claim outside of town.”

  Hm. A gold digger. “And are you financially able to take care of a team of dogs? They aren’t cheap to feed.”

  “I’m well aware. Like I said, I’ve had my other team for years. They’re like my family.” He seemed sincere enough. Then he smiled. The dimples in his cheeks made him even more handsome, but she wasn’t impressed.

  Whitney took a deep breath and studied him. “Are you willing to go through the training? It will take several weeks.”

  “Of course. Like I said, I heard you were the best.”

  “All right, then.” She stuck her hand out this time.

  He shook it. “I have to admit, I never expected for the owner of Powell Sled Dogs to be so pretty.”

  Men. Why did he have to say that? “My price is set. There will be no negotiating or flattery. If you want someone to sweet talk, there are plenty of girls in town.” Her words sounded harsh even to her own ears, but she wasn’t about to be coaxed and cajoled by a man.

  Mr. Sinclair’s deep laugh echoed through the air. It made the dogs bark. “No negotiating. Got it. I’ll be back.”

  Whitney gathered up the next set of dogs and made herself not watch the man walk away. Why would she? He’d had no effect on her.

  None whatsoever.

  SEVENTEEN

  All right, are you ready to finally learn how to milk the ewes?” Daniel grinned at Madysen. Her fun-loving personality was so invigorating.

  “Yes, I am.” She put on a clean apron and then held out a piece of paper. “There’s a few more things that we need to order. Unless, of course, you have them in stock. I don’t know what we would have done without you, Daniel. I’ve been so busy in the cheese kitchen—again, thanks to you—that John hasn’t had the opportunity to teach me. But I know he’s grateful you taught him. I guess I should say that I’m grateful too. These are my sheep, after all, and you two have helped all of this be possible.” She covered her mouth and giggled. “Sorry, I tend to ramble when I’m excited.”

  “And you’re excited to milk a ewe?” He took the paper from her and glanced down at the list.

  “Yes! And I’m excited about other things as well. I may be leaving soon.” The hint of a smile hurt.

  He frowned. “Leaving Nome? For where?”

  She shrugged. “Wherever I can perform. Buddy Merrick believes I can make a name for myself on the stage. I’m quite excited to consider it.” Her smile stretched, and she swayed back and forth.

  “I didn’t think you were seriously considering it. And your family is all right with this idea? I mean, you don’t even know this man and yet you’d consider running off with him?”

  Madysen’s countenance fell. “You make it sound risqué.”

  “Well . . . isn’t it? This man shows up in town a matter of weeks ago—you don’t know him from any of the other strangers who came on the same boat, and now you’re ready to leave with him. If that isn’t dangerous, I don’t know what is.” Why on earth did he allow himself to care about her? Then he took one look at her and knew . . . because she was Madysen. He wouldn’t change her, not even to keep her.

  “You don’t know him like I do.” Her chin lifted a tiny bit, and he noticed the spark of challenge in her eye.

  Daniel put the list in his pocket. “Tell me about him. Where’s he from? Who are his parents? Does he have siblings? How old is he?”

  Rolling her eyes, she let out a dramatic sigh. “Ugh. Everyone is always worried about his age. I don’t know how old he is. And just because he’s older than me doesn’t mean we aren’t suited for each other. I don’t know where he’s from. I know he loves music and believes in me. He has handled a lot of performers and believes he can make me a star.”

  “That still doesn’t tell me anything about who he is.” Daniel kept his tone even. “A girl can’t just go off with the first man who comes along and tells her she’s pretty and sings well. Not if she’s smart.”

  Madysen drew a deep breath and planted her hands on her hips. “I thought you were going to show me how to milk the ewes.”

  He could continue to fight her on the issue of running off with Buddy Merrick—which he wouldn’t win if the set of her jaw was any indication—or he could be her friend. Maybe what he needed to do was give her a reason to stay.

  “I want to teach you. I like helping you out here. And I think we have a couple of the things on your list at the store. But we may have to order the rest. Of course, there’s no way of knowing if we can get it in before the freeze.”

  “I understand.” She calmed and offered him a smile. “I didn’t mean to get carried away. Let’s forget about it and get down to business. We can have a pleasant afternoon. What do you say?”

  He shook his head as he laughed. “I don’t know how pleasant it will be, but I’m happy to try and make it that way.”

  “I’m sure w
e’ll have a very pleasant time of it. And I just want you to know how thankful we are for you. I’m glad I have help coming next week. Otherwise, there’s no way I could keep up.”

  “You’re welcome. Remember, I volunteered to help. I forgot how much I loved this until I came back, so I should be thanking you.”

  “That’s what friends are for, right?” Her earlier frustration was replaced by a smile. It lit her face and made her even more beautiful.

  If only she trusted him the way she did Buddy Merrick. All this time out at the Bundrant Dairy around Madysen was making his head spin. Hearing her laugh, watching her scrunch up her nose as she concentrated, and getting to know all her little habits was a joy. What if all that was taken away?

  “What do I do first?” She glanced around at the ewes.

  “Grab a clean cloth and a bucket of water.”

  “Got it.” She picked up the items.

  “Now lead the sheep over to the head gate we built.”

  “That’s quite a contraption.” She eyed it as if inspecting it for flaws.

  “Yes, it is. But you’ve got to get her in it. Put a little hay in front of her to keep her occupied, or you’ll end up with a mess. Sheep are not as easy as cows.” As fascinating as she was to watch, he forced himself to focus. He was here to teach—not gawk.

  “Oh boy. Is now the time to tell you that I never thought cows were easy?” Her grimace was comical.

  Oh, she could make him laugh. “You’ll do fine. Just watch me. First give me the water and cloth.”

  Madysen handed over both.

  “Okay, so this is how you wash the ewe once she’s secured in the head gate.” He straddled the sheep. “You’ll notice that this breed of sheep has longer tails, which help to keep them warm in the winter, but they do make birthing and milking a little more messy.” He looked up to make sure she was watching and then studied her. “You know, we’re going to need to build another ramp for you.”