Summer of the Midnight Sun

by Tracie Peterson

  “Wait, please. Would you mind telling me . . . do you live here?” Helaina questioned.

  “No. Actually I live in a village northeast of Nome. Up on the Bering Sea. We had to bring a wounded man to the doctor. What about you? You sound as though you’re new to Nome.”

  “Indeed I am. I wasn’t to be here at all, in fact. I was to join an exploration group in Seattle, but I missed my boat. Then when I tried to catch up with them here, I was once again too late.”

  Leah frowned. “An exploration group?”

  Helaina nodded and put a hand to her hat. “Goodness, is it on straight now?” she asked, pushing it toward the center of her head.

  “Yes,” Leah said nodding. “Are you by any chance part of the Homestead group?”

  Helaina halted her adjustment and looked hard at Leah. It seemed her entire demeanor had changed. “Are you familiar with them?”

  “Yes. Some. I know they are heading north to map out Arctic islands and study the geological findings. My brother was asked to join the group because he raises and handles dogs.”

  “I see.” Helaina seemed to relax just a bit, but Leah could tell the woman was still rather stirred up about this news. “I wonder if I know your brother. Why isn’t he with the Homestead now?”

  “Jacob Barringer is his name. He’s just inside if you’d like to meet him. We brought an injured man here to Nome. We were having dinner when I . . . well . . . it isn’t important. I can introduce you to Jacob if you like.”

  “That would be wonderful,” Helaina said, smiling. She smoothed her beautiful dress.

  Leah couldn’t take her eyes from the creation. “That’s a lovely gown. I haven’t seen anything like it in a long, long time, but I can’t imagine it lasting long up here.”

  “Have you lived here long?”

  “Yes. We’ve been up here for what seems forever. We came north during the Yukon gold rush. Our father had gold fever.”

  “How did you come to be in this part of the world if you were in the Yukon?”

  “There were several things. Jacob took a job with the postal service, then later he went into business for himself. We run a small store in Last Chance, a small village on a creek by the same name. My brother also raises sled dogs and makes sleds.”

  “Seems like there wouldn’t be too much demand for that kind of thing.”

  “Oh, but there is,” Leah argued. “He’s always selling dogs or trading them to the natives. People come from miles around—sometimes hundreds of miles, to buy his dogs. Then there are the exploration teams like yours. The folks from the Karluk came to us a few years back.”

  “That was a tragedy,” Helaina said, showing some knowledge of the event. “I certainly hope Homestead does better. Surely this captain knows more about his surroundings and won’t get his ship stuck in ice.”

  “Change happens fast up here. Storms, temperatures, animals—they all can come upon you without warning. I’m sure the captain of the Karluk did his best to keep his men safe.”

  “Well, if I recall correctly, the captain wasn’t even with them at the end. He’d gone off to get help. Seems unusual to say the least.”

  “Sometimes we hear stories that don’t line up with the truth. No matter what the captain’s actions were, we cannot possibly understand all the details that led to that decision.”

  They seemed to have reached an impasse, but Helaina was unfazed. “So you mentioned coming north with your father. Is he here as well?”

  Leah shook her head. “He died trying to reach the gold, but he had already found someone to care for us before heading up over the Chilkoot Pass. We were well cared for after his death. We eventually left the goldfields to settle in Ketchikan. My guardian’s husband was part Tlingit, so he wanted to be around his people.”

  “I see,” Helaina replied as though she were trying to put all the pieces together. “Well, I’m quite delighted to have run into you, Leah Barringer.”

  Leah smiled. “Well, I was the one doing the running, but no matter. Come on inside. I’ll introduce you to Jacob. If you like, you can share dinner with us.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Helaina had eaten at the Lucky Lady on many other occasions. She motioned to the waitress and ordered a small caribou steak dinner and hot coffee before following Leah to the table. The man seated opposite where she stood seemed the brooding sort. His tawny brown hair fell lazily across his forehead and from the look of his jaw, he hadn’t seen a razor in at least a week. There was something familiar about him. When he raised his face, she knew exactly what it was.

  “Helaina Beecham, my brother, Jacob Barringer,” Leah introduced.

  “We ran into each other earlier. Much as our encounter,” Helaina said, offering her gloved hand. But Leah’s brother was less than receptive. The steak on his plate seemed far more interesting at the moment.

  “What’s this about?” He looked to his sister rather than Helaina.

  Leah took the chair she’d obviously occupied earlier, where Helaina noted that another plate of food awaited. With no other choice, she sat down between the brother and sister and waited for Leah to smooth the waters. She knew her earlier introduction to Jacob Barringer had been an abysmal failure, but given his standing and relationship to her manhunt, Helaina figured she should mend some fences.

  “I apologize, Mr. Barringer, for my earlier behavior. I’m afraid the bad news I’d received regarding my ship took away my good manners.”

  “Helaina was asking about the Homestead.”

  “To what purpose?” Jacob asked, finally looking Helaina in the eye.

  She saw in his expression that he wouldn’t be easily impressed. The men in Nome had been falling all over themselves for her attention, but apparently not this man. “I’m to assist the cartographer,” she told him flatly. “I was unable to catch up with the team in Seattle, and they advised me to come to Nome.”

  “Well, we just left that ship in Last Chance,” Jacob said, turning his attention to a thick crusty loaf of bread. “They’re heading to Kotzebue next.”

  “I wonder if there is any chance of you helping me in that matter.”

  Jacob shook his head. “None whatsoever.”

  “Jacob! I honestly don’t know what’s gotten into him. He doesn’t usually act this way.”

  Leah’s tone held admonishment, and Helaina couldn’t help but wonder at the pair. Brother and sister they said, but it seemed odd that Leah Barringer should be unmarried and traveling with her brother. Then it dawned on her that they might be two of Jayce’s cohorts.

  The woman she’d spoken to earlier appeared with a platter of food and a steaming cup of black coffee. She put the plate in front of Helaina and then, still holding the cup, looked to Jacob. “Jacob, do you need anything else?” She smiled sweetly, revealing two missing bottom teeth.

  “No, Sally, I’m fine,” he said. “Good coffee.”

  Helaina looked to the woman. “Is that cup for me?”

  The woman seemed startled to find the mug still in her hand. “Oh, sure, miss. Sorry about that.” Helaina only faintly smiled and took the offered drink. Seeing that perhaps a change of subject was in order, Helaina waited for Sally to leave, then ventured a question.

  “Leah, are you married?”

  “No,” the dark-haired woman said. “You?”

  Helaina frowned. This wasn’t going as easily as she had hoped.

  “I was. My husband died three years ago.”

  Leah winced. “I’m sorry.”

  Had Helaina not seen Leah with her dander up just moments ago, she might have thought her quite temperate, even quiet. But there was something that spoke of a hard, fighting side to this woman. Helaina had learned to read people well over the years, and she could see for herself that Leah Barringer was a woman with a wounded spirit. It was Jacob, however, who proved the real mystery. Usually she could charm her way out of any situation, but not this time.

  “Widowhood has not been easy by any means,” Helaina
said, hoping to enlist Jacob’s sympathy. “The days and nights are so different—so strange after sharing such close companionship.” She lowered her head and pretended to dab at her eyes. “Robert was a wonderful man, and a murderer cut him down in the prime of his life. Killed my parents too.”

  “How awful,” Leah said, pausing her fork in midair. “I’m so sorry.”

  Helaina straightened. “I have found the strength to go on. I’ve decided to use my education to make Robert proud. That’s part of the reason I came here—in honor of Robert.”

  “Well, people come here for a great many things, Mrs. Beecham. I am sorry for your loss,” Jacob said, his tone softer.

  Helaina studied him carefully. “What of you, Mr. Barringer? Have you a wife and children?”

  “No. I have neither.” He cut into the steak again.

  “So what brought you to Nome? Leah mentioned you came north during the Yukon gold rush. How did you get from there to here?”

  Jacob put down his fork. “Mostly by boat,” he answered dryly and grinned.

  Helaina didn’t care for his amusement at her expense, but she, too, smiled. “I suppose that would be only fitting since there is a great deal of water between here and there.”

  Leah chuckled. “Jacob, what has gotten into you?” She turned to Helaina. “He’s probably worried about our friend.”

  “The man you brought to the doctor?” Helaina questioned.

  Leah nodded and picked at her food. “He was also to have been on your expedition to the Arctic.”

  “Truly? And for what purpose?” Helaina leaned toward Jacob, hoping to gain his favor with her attention.

  Jacob looked at her oddly for a moment. Helaina knew he was trying to guess her game.

  “I can’t really say what his job entailed. He asked me to come along and help with the dogs. I raise dogs—sled dogs. I was asked to join the expedition as their handler. I’ve lived on the Seward Peninsula for the last ten years, and I’m well suited to Arctic winters. I seriously doubt you can say the same. Even your manner of dress would suggest you have no knowledge of what it takes to be here in Alaska.”

  Helaina eased back in her chair. Her initial assessment of the man was correct—he was positively rude. “Well, I believe I do have what it takes. I’ve trained and studied the territory. I possess mapping skills and feel my company is generally well received.”

  “Be that as it may, you aren’t going far in a flimsy gown like that,” he said, pointing to her outfit.

  Helaina stiffened. “I didn’t expect to find a fashion expert in Nome.”

  Jacob laughed. “Hardly that. But I do know what works up here. Take the outfit Leah is wearing. She has on thick mukluks—solid, warm, native-made boots. They’ll endure just about any terrain and temperature. Then there’s the sealskin pants. They offer good warmth, especially when layered. Of course, it’s nearly summer now so that’s not quite so critical here, but it will be up north. The Arctic is cold, even in June.” He munched a piece of bread and pointed at Leah’s top. “That’s called a kuspuk. It’s also native-made. It’s put together like the heavy fur parkas, only it’s made of cloth for summer.”

  “Jacob does have a point, even if he presents it in a rather hostile manner,” Leah said, looking at Helaina. “If you don’t have warmer clothes, I’m afraid you won’t be able to endure the desperately low temperatures. Especially if you stay through the winter, as I was told some of the party plans to do.”

  “Well, I’m not one of them, but I do thank you . . . both.” She looked first to Leah, then settled her gaze on Jacob. “I already have an Eskimo woman putting together an odd assortment of travel clothes for me. Although I did come north with boy’s jeans and sturdy boots, as well as woolen shirts and heavy undergarments.” She smiled, hoping her expression would mask the lie she’d just told regarding the seamstress.

  “That will help a great deal. Especially when the seasons change again,” Leah said.

  “As I said,” Helaina began, “I don’t intend to stay on through the winter.” She really wanted to talk about the injured man and the Homestead crew, and a sudden thought sent her in the right direction. “Unless, of course, the injured man—your friend—is the team cartographer. Then I might very well need to stay on and take his place.”

  “Jayce isn’t a cartographer,” Leah offered. “He’s a geologist.”

  “Jayce Kincaid?” Helaina thought her heart might stop. “He’s here in Nome?”

  Leah nodded. “He was working with the dogs, along with Jacob. They got out of control and he suffered a bad wound. It’s infected now, and the doctor is fighting to save his leg—and his life. Do you know him?”

  Helaina pondered the news for a moment. “Yes.” She realized she had momentarily forgot herself. “Well, that is, I know of him. I’ve been told about him.”

  “You know of him?” Leah asked.

  Helaina didn’t want to make them suspicious. “Yes, through the exploration association. I’ve not met him personally, you understand.”

  This seemed to satisfy the woman. “He’s very passionate about Alaska and learning more of what she has to offer,” Leah replied. “He’s been up here for many years.”

  “But he’s ill now? Maybe even dying?” Helaina hoped her tone betrayed a reasonable amount of worry.

  “He’s strong as an ox. I’m sure he’ll pull through,” Jacob replied in a rather clipped tone. “Besides, Dr. Cox knows his medicine well enough. If he can’t do the job, I’m sure he’ll send Jayce to the hospital or even to Seattle.”

  The situation was sounding better all the time. Helaina made a pretense at eating but found she was no longer hungry. Jayce Kincaid was right under her nose—and with very little coaxing, she could no doubt convince Dr. Cox to send him to Seattle. Her journey of woes had finally come to an end.

  Leah watched the beautiful woman as she ate and wondered at the relationship she shared with Jayce. It almost seemed that she might be lying about knowing him—like maybe she didn’t want Leah to know how well acquainted they truly were. She’d stammered over her answer, after all. But Leah tried to push away such thoughts. She didn’t want to feel this way. She cared deeply about Jayce, and if someone else cared about his well-being, then she shouldn’t be jealous. Especially now that Jayce was so desperately ill.

  Leah couldn’t put the matter from her mind, however. Helaina Beecham was a beautiful woman, and no doubt she’d treat Jayce with great kindness and a gentle spirit. Unlike me, Leah thought.

  She considered the way she’d treated Jayce—how she’d done nothing to be kind or friendly toward him. Why did I act that way? Why didn’t I just put the past behind us and start fresh? She picked at her food, not really tasting any of it.

  All through the dinner—in fact, ever since setting out for Nome—Leah had been dealing with a bevy of emotions. Guilt was right there at the top of the list, but now Helaina Beecham had stirred up one more: jealousy. What if there was something more between her and Jayce, but Helaina wanted to keep it a secret? Leah pondered that idea for several minutes.

  “When will Jayce be up to having visitors?”

  Leah swallowed the bread in her mouth and felt it stick in her throat. Was this woman somehow romantically linked with Jayce? Surely not, for she’d just talked of her departed husband.

  Jacob shrugged and pushed his empty plate back. “I guess you’ll have to ask the doctor tomorrow. I doubt he’ll want Jayce having too much company right away.”

  “I’m sure you’re right, Mr. Barringer,” Helaina smiled at Jacob. “I’m equally convinced, however, that people heal faster when they know there are others around who care. Besides, if Jayce isn’t improving—if he needs more attention than what he can get here in Nome—I, for one, would be happy to see him through to Seattle. We don’t want him to die.”

  Leah felt her food become an uncomfortable lump in her stomach. “You are a very kind woman, Mrs. Beecham.” She followed her brother’s example and pushe
d back her plate. She could see that Jacob was anxious to leave, and frankly, she was feeling more and more driven to check on Jayce—maybe even talk to him and beg his forgiveness for the way she’d acted.

  Leah extended her hand. “It was nice to meet you, Mrs. Beecham, but I’m afraid we need to be going. It’s been a long day and we’re both quite tired.” Leah and Jacob stood. Jacob fished out a five-dollar bill and tossed it on the table.

  Helaina surprised Leah by getting to her feet. “Are you staying at the hotel?” She opened her small purse and left money by her coffee cup to pay for her meal.

  “Yes,” Leah answered. “I think so.” She looked to her brother.

  “Yes, we’re staying there. But just tonight. Why?”

  Helaina seemed surprised. “Are you heading back so soon? What of Jayce?”

  “We aren’t heading back just yet,” Jacob said, heading for the door. “Hotels are for the rich. We’ll camp down by the boats with our friends after tonight. We’re just sticking close for now, in case . . . well, you know.”

  Leah cringed at the thought that Jayce might die without her making peace. She longed to tell him that she was sorry for the anger—sorry for the bitter way in which she’d acted. What if Jayce died and the last thing he could remember about her was how poorly she had treated him?

  Ayoona thought Leah should just tell Jayce how she felt, but now she wondered if she’d ever get the chance. I’ve been a fool, acting like a spoiled child. Why didn’t I just let the past go and smooth things over with Jayce? I’m a grown woman, I should have known better.

  “I find that I’m quite exhausted. If you don’t mind, I’d like to walk back to the hotel with you. I realize it’s just a short distance,” Helaina said, smiling, “but one can never be too careful.” She headed for the door without waiting for them.

  Leah leaned toward her brother and whispered. “Jacob, why don’t you go ahead and walk Mrs. Beecham to the hotel. I’m going to go check on Jayce.”

  “But it’s late,” Jacob said, looking at the clock near the door. “It’s nearly nine.”