6
She spent the day plumping pillows, changing sheets, cleaning rooms and filling pitchers for bathing. At the end of these tasks, she put out towels and soap. When she was finally satisfied the hotel was clean and ready for the evening guests,, Ginny knocked on Pete’s door, concerned that he might be sick. He’d been ensconced in his room all day, leaving the running of the hotel to her.
He invited her in and she glanced from him to the papers scattered across the floor. “I was afraid you might be ill.”
He shook his head. “Only tired. It wore me out watching you flit around last night cleaning and peppering me with questions until my poor head was swimming.”
“Was that all? I have to be ready to run this place when you leave.”
“I suppose so. Still, it’s enough to wear a body out.”
She looked at the papers. “Are these your maps for the trip?”
“Yes, I have it all planned out. I’m going to make it, girl. I’m going to the Klondike and I’m coming back rich.”
“I hope you do. I have supper ready. Jack brought salmon yesterday. You and he can tell me if I cooked it right. He’s supposed to come over for dinner.”
“My pleasure.” Pete locked his room before following Ginny down.
The scent of salmon, fried potatoes and coffee drifted from the kitchen when they reached the bottom of the stairs. They rounded the corner and she was pleased to see Jack coming through the back door.
He smiled when he saw them, his attention focused on Ginny as they approached. “Fish looks good.”
“I’ve cooked fish, just not salmon.”
“Ahhh.” He waited until she sat down, and then both he and Pete lowered themselves into the chairs. Ginny smiled at their chivalry.
“We leave in less than a week and I wondered if you have any questions,” Jack said.
He and Pete started a lively discussion as Ginny dished up.
Ginny wanted to tell him she owed him after the picnic he’d had for her. Yet, she didn’t want to mention it in front of Pete. It was special and private and between the two of them.
“May I say grace before we eat?” Jack asked.
Ginny looked at Pete. He didn’t object so she nodded her head.
Jack bowed his head, and the others followed suit. “Dear Jesus, thank you for all you have given us, life and health and the opportunity for eternal life with you. And thank you for the food you have put before us and the hands that cooked it. Amen.”
Pete took a helping of potatoes. “I haven’t given God much thought for a long time.”
“He thinks about you. He wants you to be His son.”
Ginny squirmed a little in her seat. She’d learned to be independent and lean upon herself. No Higher Power ever helped her. Hearing someone from a native culture speak of prayer amazed her. If he had mentioned spirits of the wind or animal spirits, she would have understood. But God?
“I’m relying more on you than God,” Pete said. “It’s you who’ll keep us from getting lost.”
“I am only a man. Some things are out of my control. Only God is all powerful.”
“Pray if you like, but you’re the one responsible for getting us to the gold.”
Though Ginny figured she was no closer to God than Pete was, she understood what Jack was saying. He could not control outside forces that might besiege them. He could die and she could not bear the thought of losing him.
She wondered if she should give more thought to God. “I don’t think either Pete or I have been helped much by God. If He exists, it seems He sits in the sky, looking down and not doing anything.”
“It’s not about solving all your problems. God doesn’t promise to fix everything in our lives. He promises to save us from our sins if we believe Jesus had to die for us. We can never be good enough to save ourselves.”
Ginny had never heard it put that way before. Of course she knew she wasn’t perfect. She’d said things she regretted. She’d lost her temper and lied on occasion. She’d been told these were sins when she attended a revival once out of curiosity.
“God wants you to be in Heaven with Him. Yet, He is perfect and can’t look upon sin. The only way get rid of our sin is through Jesus’ death on the cross. If we accept this sacrifice, God doesn’t see our sin. It’s covered by Jesus.”
Ginny had always thought God didn’t care about her or her life. Jack made it sound like He cared a lot, enough to send Jesus to die for her sins if she chose to let Him. She remained quiet, thinking
“It’s too late for me,” Pete said. “I’m an old sinner, that’s all.”
“It’s never too late. As long as we have breath, we can choose God and His forgiveness.”
“Maybe I’ll think on it, but I can’t see changing my ways after all these years.”
“I hope you will think about it. Choosing to follow Jesus was the best choice I’ve ever made.”
Ginny could tell Jack believed every word he said. His words compelled her, yet she wasn’t sure she could put her trust in anything except herself.
Jack insisted on helping clean the kitchen while she tended the front desk. When she returned after settling in the guests, he was nearly finished.
Pete had gone to his room, tired from his all day activity of acquiring supplies and making preparations for the trip.
She dried and put away the pans. Then, she walked Jack to the door to say goodnight.
The night felt mild and they lingered outside in the gentle breeze. Looking up, Ginny stared in awe at the stars.
“Beautiful, aren’t they? You feel you could reach up and touch them. Have you seen the Northern Lights?”
“No. I’ve heard about them, though.”
She basked in their intimacy and the warmth radiating from his body. As they enjoyed the stars together, her heart stirred with longing that they might be this close forever.
“You would like them. If you feel like getting up in the middle of the night, you might see them. Or you can wait for winter, when it’s dark most of the time.”
“I don’t think I want to wait for winter. I’ll check anytime I wake in the dark. They must be magnificent.”
“They’re God’s handiwork. He reminds us this is His creation. Psalm nineteen says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.”
Ginny brought her gaze off the lights to stare into Jack’s eyes. He was so earnest, so sure. She wished she could have the confidence he felt in an all-powerful, caring God.
He brushed her hair gently off her cheek.
“You’re so beautiful, so precious. Yet you have no idea how much you mean to God. If He was willing to die to save you, don’t you think you owe Him control of your life?”
“I don’t know. I never thought of it that way.” She was stammering, never having felt so unsure of her position. Yet she was attracted to this man who made it clear he loved God. Was there something he knew? Something that made him feel so special that the peace that filled his expression brought so much faith? “I guess I need to think about it.”
Jack held out a small, leather bound book. It looked well-used. “A gift. Please read it and learn about our God.”
“I can’t.” Ginny was deeply touched. “This must be special to you.”
He pressed it into her hands. “Please I want you to have it.”
He leaned over and bestowed a feather-soft kiss on her cheek.
Ginny hardly knew how to react. Her heart urged her to reach out to him, to touch his dark hair, find warmth in his sturdy arms. It would be inappropriate. She’d only just met him. Yet, she would trust him with her life. “I should go in,” she said, clutching his gift, her heart filled with wondrous emotions that swirled and which she couldn’t even put a name to—joy? Warmth? Caring? Love? How could it be? She’d only known him a few days.
“I’ll pray for you.”
Though she’d heard that offer before, this time it had meaning. Jack cared about her, if only as a friend. The thought of friendship disappointed her. Perhaps she wanted more.
She walked upstairs, past the rooms of snoring guests. She changed into her nightgown, snuggled into her blankets, and thought of Jack until she fell asleep.