[Alaskan Quest 02] - Under the Northern Lights

by Tracie Peterson

  The day had turned out quite warm, and Helaina longed for the cooler temperatures of Alaska. She began to think back to the winter and realized she had not even minded the extreme cold as much as she hated this stifling heat. Of course, the fashionable green creation Helaina had chosen for the occasion didn’t help. The long, fitted sleeves and high neckline seemed to hold the warmth of the day to her body. She waved her ostrich feather fan, but it did little but move the damp, warm air around her.

  When the ceremony finally concluded, the entire group was ushered into the main dining room for a wedding luncheon. Helaina found herself swarmed with friends of the happy couple as she made her way through the house. She tried to offer reasonable small talk, but her mind was ever on the train she would board that evening.

  ‘‘Your brother mentioned at supper last night that you intend to leave us,’’ a young man in a navy blue suit declared. His accent bore a distinct southern flavor.

  ‘‘I’m afraid so,’’ Helaina replied with a smile. ‘‘I will take a train bound to San Francisco tonight.’’

  ‘‘I hate train travel,’’ said the maid of honor, Amorica Smythe. She seemed bored with the entire matter. The spoiled young woman was the exact opposite of Annabelle, whom Helaina had found to be simple and unpretentious.

  ‘‘Well, my dear Amorica, you’d hate wagon travel worse,’’ the young man replied. He looked to Helaina and smiled. ‘‘My manners are atrocious. I’m David Riley.’’

  ‘‘Very nice to meet you. I’m Helaina Beecham.’’

  ‘‘Yes, we all know. Your brother has told us much about you, including the fact that you’ve worked in the past for the Pinker-tons. That must have been most sensational.’’

  Helaina could see that several other gentlemen had joined her circle. They all seemed very much interested in knowing about her adventures. ‘‘I wasn’t a true agent. I merely helped Stanley with some select cases. My finest adventure was in Alaska. And I found that I enjoyed that dear territory so much that I’m heading back tonight.’’

  ‘‘To Alaska?’’ Amorica asked in surprise. ‘‘I’ve heard there’s absolutely nothing there. Is that true? Where will you live? How will you manage?’’

  Helaina shook her head. ‘‘The territory is vastly unspoiled by man. There is great beauty and riches beyond compare.’’

  ‘‘Yes, they still have great veins of gold, I’m told.’’ David seemed quite excited. ‘‘Perhaps I will come and visit you there.’’

  ‘‘Your mother would never let you leave the area,’’ one of the other men teased. ‘‘You know how she dotes on you.’’

  ‘‘She’ll have to part with him if we go to war,’’ another said.

  ‘‘Hardly that,’’ Amorica countered. ‘‘She’ll merely buy his way out of that responsibility like she does all others.’’

  David seemed rather hurt by this. ‘‘She needs me—I’m all she has.’’

  The others laughed as though in on some big joke.

  Helaina saw that Stanley was by himself and excused herself. ‘‘I must apologize for ending our conversation, but I need to speak privately with my brother.’’

  They were noticeably disappointed but nodded their consent.

  Helaina was never so glad to be away from a group in all her life. They seemed so much younger, although she doubted David was more than a year or two her junior.

  ‘‘You look handsome,’’ she told Stanley, standing on tiptoe to offer him a kiss on the cheek.

  ‘‘Thank you. I’m so hot, I thought I might well give up the ghost during the ceremony. Maybe it will rain and cool things down,’’ Stanley said, pulling at his collar.

  ‘‘Perhaps. It would be nice for you.’’ She noted the clock. ‘‘I’m going to have to be on my way. Would your driver take me to my townhouse and then to the station?’’

  ‘‘I’ve already arranged it,’’ Stanley said, sounding sad. ‘‘I do wish you would stay. At least for the luncheon.’’

  ‘‘I can’t. I’ll be late for my train.’’

  ‘‘But I worry about you. I don’t want to see you get hurt.’’

  ‘‘I know, little brother.’’ She smiled. ‘‘But I have to follow my heart, just as you did. I pray you’ll both be very happy.’’

  ‘‘I hope Jacob is worthy of your sacrifice,’’ Stanley said, shaking his head.

  Helaina laughed. ‘‘I suppose because I love him so much, it doesn’t feel like a sacrifice at all. The sacrifice would be in staying here.’’

  ‘‘Well, if you are sure of this.’’ He frowned but leaned down to kiss her cheek. ‘‘I give you my blessing.’’

  ‘‘Thank you. And put your mind at ease. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.’’

  Chapter Thirty-two

  September arrived without any word of the Regina. Night after night Leah waited and prayed, always hoping that the dawn would reveal the return of her husband and brother. The nightmares made her wait more difficult. She often dreamed of bear attacks—huge white polar bears that would come out of nowhere to devour Jacob and Jayce. Other times she saw them drowning in icy waters—their ship crushed to kindling in the background. Her worst fears were confirmed when a whaler bound for Dutch Harbor made a stop in the Last Chance harbor.

  Leah had heard of the ship’s arrival and left the babies with Mary and Sigrid to make her way to the shore. She hoped the ship’s captain might have seen or heard of the Regina and have some news to share. What he had to tell her, however, was not what she wanted to hear.

  ‘‘We heard tell the Regina ran into trouble west of Point

  Barrow. She’s stuck there in the ice, out to sea. She’s moving with the floe but has no chance of breaking free.’’

  ‘‘Is something being done?’’ Leah asked. ‘‘Has the government been notified to send help?’’

  ‘‘There’s no help to be sent now. No one’s going to risk their vessel to save a few foolhardy explorers. They should have known better.’’

  He had little else to offer, and Leah walked back to the mission house feeling a great sense of dread. Stories of the various ships stranded in the Arctic came back to haunt her.

  ‘‘Well, did you get word?’’ Sigrid asked. She sat on the floor, playing with Wills, while Merry slept peacefully nearby.

  ‘‘The captain said he’d heard that the Regina is stuck in the ice.’’

  ‘‘Well, that would explain her delay,’’ Sigrid said, smiling. ‘‘Surely it won’t be long before they manage to break free of that.’’

  Leah shook her head. ‘‘No, this is most serious. It won’t be possible for them to get away from the ice—not now. The season is too far gone. The temperatures have dropped drastically up there, and ships won’t be able to maneuver.’’ She sat down and tried to figure out what might be done.

  ‘‘Do we know for sure that they’re stuck? You said the captain only heard this. Maybe it’s just a rumor.’’

  ‘‘I suppose that could be true, but there’s been no other word from them. I would have expected them to return by now. The open water lanes won’t be available much longer. If they are free to maneuver, they would be headed to warmer ports by now.’’

  ‘‘I suppose you’re right. What then can be done? How would you go about finding out for certain that the rumors are true?’’

  Leah shook her head. ‘‘I suppose I shall have to go to Nome.

  That will be the closest place where I can get reliable information. They may have heard more official reports. If the government ships have seen the Regina or taken reliable accounts of her fate, they would report it to the officials in Nome.’’ She looked to her children and knew she couldn’t risk taking them with her. Oopick and Ayoona would no doubt be willing to care for them. Mary, of course, could also offer a hand.

  ‘‘I need to speak with John. He’ll be able to help me. We can make a supply trip and bring back goods.’’ Leah got to her feet. ‘‘I’ll be back in a few minutes. Will you s
tay with the children?’’

  ‘‘Of course.’’

  Leah hurried to find John. She was breathless when she reached him where he sat working on building a sled. ‘‘John, we have a problem,’’ she panted.

  He looked up, his round brown face appearing serious. ‘‘What’s wrong?’’

  ‘‘I was just talking with some men from a southbound whaler. They said rumor has it that Jayce and Jacob’s ship is stuck in ice. He didn’t know anything for certain, and I must have news. I’d like to make a trip into Nome. I know there isn’t enough snow to take the dogs, although I would expect it soon enough. Still, I need to get there. Do you suppose we could go by umiak and bring back supplies as well?’’

  ‘‘Sure. We can get there pretty fast that way. It won’t freeze over too bad if we go quick.’’

  ‘‘I can be ready within the hour. Will that suit you? Can you arrange for the dogs?’’

  ‘‘Sure. I’ll get Kimik to take care of them.’’

  She nodded. ‘‘I’ll speak with Oopick and your mother. I’ll have to leave the babies.’’ Even the thought of being separated from her twins left Leah questioning the sanity of this trip. ‘‘I’ll meet you on the beach.’’

  Leah hurried to attend to every matter. She spoke at length with Oopick and Ayoona, who assured her that they would care for her children.

  ‘‘You no worry, Lay-Ya. We keep them safe and feed them plenty. They can chew muktuk soon.’’

  Leah smiled. ‘‘I’m sure Wills would love that. Sometimes I worry that he’s not getting enough to eat. I’ve been supplementing their nursing with bottles of canned milk for weeks now, but they always seem hungry.’’ She sighed. ‘‘I shall miss them so much, but I have to know what’s happened to Jayce and Jacob. I see no other way.’’

  Leah wrestled with her decision from the time she left Last Chance until she stepped foot in Nome. This was the first time she’d been separated from her babies for any length of time and it felt completely wrong.

  Seeking out information, Leah made her way from the harbor to the telegraph office and then to the military officials.

  ‘‘We have no official word, ma’am.’’

  The officer was sympathetic but completely useless, as far as Leah was concerned. ‘‘I need to get information about the Regina,’’ she reiterated. ‘‘If the reports are true and she’s stranded in ice, those men will need a rescue.’’

  ‘‘I can understand your concern, ma’am, but if they are moving with the ice, we have no way of knowing their exact location. Furthermore, the dangers are too great to risk a rescue. The situation would probably just leave two ships stranded.’’

  Leah clenched her fists. ‘‘But my husband and brother are on that ship.’’

  ‘‘Yes, ma’am. You told me that.’’

  Leah finally gave up and went back to find John. ‘‘Nobody knows anything officially,’’ she told her friend. ‘‘Everyone has heard the same rumors and believes them to be true, but they cannot act upon them. It’s too risky.’’

  John’s expression never changed. ‘‘Alaska too risky, but I don’t see them leaving.’’

  Leah smiled, despite her worry. John always had a way of easing the burden. ‘‘I suppose I’ll check into the hotel. It’s kind of late to head back. I’ll be ready bright and early. We’ll tackle the goods together.’’

  Walking with less enthusiasm than she’d known earlier, Leah made her way to the hotel where she and Jacob had stayed the year before. The place hadn’t changed. There was still a musty odor of cigars and unwashed bodies.

  ‘‘I need a room,’’ she told the man behind the counter.

  ‘‘Just you?’’

  ‘‘Yes. And just for tonight.’’

  ‘‘Sign the register.’’

  Leah turned the book to sign her name. She saw only two names listed on the page above hers. One belonged to a man, and the other was Helaina Beecham. She thought for a moment she was imagining the words. Leaning down, Leah looked again.

  ‘‘Helaina Beecham.’’ She looked to the man. ‘‘Is she still here?’’

  ‘‘Sure. She’s in room 211. You want a room next to hers?’’

  Leah nodded. ‘‘I’d like that very much.’’ Hope surged anew. Helaina had money and contacts. If she was back in Alaska, it could only mean that she’d come here to be with Jacob.

  Only Jacob isn’t here.

  Leah knew once Helaina realized the situation, however, she would take charge and figure out what needed to be done. Leah might know the wilderness and be able to treat a case of pneumonia, but Helaina would know how to cut through the bureaucratic nonsense of government and get some answers.

  Racing up the stairs, Leah didn’t even bother to stop at her own room. With her pack sack in hand, she went straight to room 211 and knocked.

  ‘‘Who is it?’’ Helaina called from behind the closed door.

  Leah could have cried for joy. ‘‘Helaina, it’s me. Leah!’’

  ‘‘Leah?’’ Helaina immediately opened the door. The women embraced. ‘‘I can’t believe you’re here,’’ Helaina declared. ‘‘I have been trying to secure some type of transportation to Last Chance. This is answered prayer. What brings you here?’’

  ‘‘We have a problem—a very serious one,’’ Leah said. ‘‘May I come in?’’

  ‘‘Of course.’’ Helaina stepped back and opened the door wider.

  Leah smiled to find the woman dressed in native fashion. ‘‘Where are all your pretty city clothes?’’

  ‘‘Back in the pretty city,’’ Helaina said with a laugh. ‘‘I have a great deal to tell you. Is Jacob here too?’’

  Leah frowned and shook her head. ‘‘That’s what we need to talk about.’’

  Helaina closed the door and leaned against it. ‘‘What’s wrong? Where is Jacob?’’

  Leah put down her pack. ‘‘You know that Jayce and Jacob went north with Captain Latimore.’’

  ‘‘I knew that was the plan.’’

  Leah heard the questioning in Helaina’s voice. ‘‘They’ve never come home, Helaina. The ship is missing somewhere in the north.’’

  Helaina moved her bags from the only chair in the room. ‘‘Sit down and tell me everything.’’ She placed herself on the edge of the bed.

  ‘‘I’m afraid what I know isn’t much. No one seems to have any real knowledge. I’ve talked to all the officials in the area, and while they’ve heard rumors that the Regina is trapped in ice moving with the floe, they have no other proof or information about her location.’’ ‘‘When was she last heard from?’’

  Leah shook her head. ‘‘No one can tell me. It’s almost as if the ship doesn’t exist.’’

  ‘‘I’m used to dealing with that kind of thing,’’ Helaina said with a wave of her hand. ‘‘We won’t let that slow us down. First things first.’’ She pressed one index finger down on the other. ‘‘We will talk again to the officials. Sometimes you don’t get the right answers because you don’t ask the right questions. I know it may sound strange, but sometimes details are easily forgotten. There might be some information to be had that we just haven’t learned about.’’

  ‘‘I knew when I saw your name in the hotel registry that you would know what to do,’’ Leah said, tears forming. ‘‘I can’t manage this on my own. I have to get home to the children.’’

  ‘‘Children?’’

  Leah nodded and forced a smile. ‘‘I had twins right after you left. A boy and a girl.’’

  ‘‘Oh my. That must have been quite the adventure.’’

  ‘‘It was. They are such dear babies, and I’m anxious to return to them.’’ She shook her head. ‘‘What are we going to do, Helaina? Winter is no time to get things accomplished up here, and the snows and storms will soon be upon us. Communication will be difficult at best.’’

  ‘‘I didn’t sell everything I owned to move here only to see my dreams crumble. I’ve come too far to lose Jacob now,’’ Helaina repli
ed. She met Leah’s gaze. ‘‘I won’t give up. I’ll wire Stanley and use whatever resources are available to us. I don’t care if we have to go to President Wilson himself.’’

  ‘‘You know the president?’’

  ‘‘Not exactly, but Stanley just married a woman whose father is an aide to the president. I’m not afraid to use family ties to get help in this situation. Those men can’t manage a winter out there alone—without supplies.’’

  Leah considered the stories she’d heard. ‘‘It has been done before. That’s the only thing that gives me hope. They can hunt on the ice and Jacob knows plenty about that. Jayce even knows something of it. They are both very knowledgeable about surviving the harsh temperatures and storms that accompany life in the Arctic. I have great faith in their ability.’’

  ‘‘I have faith in their ability too,’’ Helaina agreed, ‘‘but I also know it doesn’t hurt to work on things at this end. I can’t sit idly by and do nothing.’’

  ‘‘But what if that’s all we have until spring?’’ Leah asked seriously. She’d already given this plenty of thought and knew the odds of any kind of winter rescue would be difficult, if not impossible. ‘‘I don’t know, Leah. I suppose we’ll deal with that when we know there is nothing else to be done. Either way, I have plenty of time and money to put into bringing our men back safely. If we have to purchase our own ship and outfit it for the Arctic, then that’s what we shall do.’’

  Leah couldn’t help but smile. ‘‘And you can be the captain and I’ll be first mate.’’

  ‘‘Whatever it takes,’’ Helaina replied with a grin. ‘‘For as long as it takes.’’

  ‘‘There must be something we can do,’’ Jacob said as Captain Latimore sat reviewing his log.

  ‘‘I know of nothing. This is the end for us. I’ve read too many other accounts of ships crushed in the ice. We can’t hope the Regina can last long.’’

  ‘‘Then we should make ready to abandon ship when the time comes,’’ Jacob countered. ‘‘We should start setting out supplies on the ice. We can even pitch our tents there.’’ The ship moaned as an awful cracking sound echoed in the cabin. ‘‘See what I mean? One of these times the ice will break through. You can’t just sit here and do nothing.’’