Epilogue

DECEMBER 20, 1935

Everyone from the colony crammed into the community building. All the children were seated together on the floor at the front of the room.

Gwyn glanced around at all the smiling faces. They’d made it. Their first Christmas. As fall came in with a swift wind, the temperatures dropped and the snows came, but the people had kept their chins up and worked themselves to the bone, even though the nights in the tent homes grew chilly. Everyone came together and helped one another, chopping excessive amounts of wood for the stoves so that the families still living in tents would be able to keep the fires going.

But finally the last home had been finished, just a few days prior, and now everyone had at least four walls around them instead of the chilly tents. Most of the homes were still simple skeletons, but the colonists could spend their winter months finishing up the insides. They were happy simply to have a roof over their heads.

The harvest had been plentiful. And the men had hunted and fished, so no one was afraid of not having enough food to feed their families. All in all, the colonists were a family. They’d been through deaths, heartache, disappointment, and times of worry. But through it all, they knew they would stand by one another. Spirits were high in the little colony as they approached the festive season of celebrating Christ’s birth.

Jeremiah walked up to Gwyn and put his arm around her waist. “Hi there, beautiful.”

“Hi.” She smiled up at him. Why the Lord had chosen to bless her with such a wonderful man was beyond her. But she would always be thankful.

Giggles and cheers brought her attention back to the children. The train that morning had brought an abundance of gifts for the colony children. The Alaska Railroad, steamship companies, and organizations all over the States had sent presents for the first Christmas up in the Matanuska Colony. Christmas would be spent with friends and neighbors rather than with extended family, but from the smiles around the room, Gwyn didn’t think anyone minded.

She shook her head. They’d all come so far in seven short months.

The laughter filling the room reminded her of God’s abundance and love. Even in one of the hardest times the country had ever seen, people came together and worked hard. They loved. They laughed. They had built a community.

Jeremiah squeezed her waist, and she leaned into him. It was almost time. The paper-strewn floor attested to the fact that the children were almost done.

Gwyn glanced out the window. The snow blew sideways and the wind howled. Her father used to tell her to hold on tight on days like these. And then he’d tell her about a time when she was little: One day the wind picked her up off her feet and she flew—but she was saved because she’d been holding on to her father’s hand.

His words echoed through her mind, “It’s just like that in our spiritual walk too, Gwyn. The enemy is going to blow that wind as hard as he can, but you’ve got to hold on tight to your Father’s hand.”

Gwyn smiled. But the tears still threatened to spill. She missed her earthly father today, but she knew her heavenly Father was watching every moment.

Rose walked up, her beautiful new little baby in her arms.

“Oh, she’s so precious. What did you name her?” Gwyn reached out for the tiny one.

“Her name is Hope. For the future we have in Jesus and for our new start here in Alaska.”

The beauty of the moment forced Gwyn to close her eyes, and a single tear escaped. “That’s perfect, Rose.” Opening her eyes, she hugged her friend and handed the baby back. “Thank you for standing up with me.”

“You’re welcome.”

Women bustled around the room, cleaning up and scooting the children to the back corner. Men brought chairs forward, and Reverend Bingle strode to the front with his Bible.

Jeremiah grabbed her hand and took her to the window. “It’s a beautiful day for a wedding, don’t you think?”

She gazed at the blowing snow. “Yes, I believe it is.”

Sadzi rushed in the side door and winked at Jeremiah.

Gwyn placed her hands on her hips. “Now, what exactly are you two up to?”

Her best friend swung off her coat and threw her black braid over one shoulder. “Oh, nothing. Just helping Jeremiah with a small errand.” Sadzi didn’t look Gwyn in the eye, but her grin was unmistakable as she scooted around Gwyn and fluffed the skirt of her wedding gown.

Nasnana had ordered a beautiful, lush red velvet fabric in an overabundance of yardage so she could give Gwyn the gift of a beautiful gown. Trimmed in white satin and a wide white satin sash at the waist, Gwyn felt like a princess. The older woman had done so much for her through the years, and Gwyn appreciated this special gift. She’d be able to wear it today and also every Christmas and be reminded not only of God’s love in sending His Son as a sacrifice for all mankind but also of the love of a very special man here on earth.

Tears pricked her eyes as the ceremony began a short time later and Sadzi passed her a bouquet of handmade paper flowers. Red and white ribbons flowed to the floor from their stems. A hush settled over the crowd as the pastor prayed over the couple.

Was her earthly father watching from heaven? Would her mother be proud of her? A dozen different thoughts flitted through her mind until Jeremiah took her hand in his and squeezed. All other thoughts left her brain as she trained her focus on the man in front of her. The man she would spend the rest of her life loving. Jeremiah’s eyes twinkled as a smile lifted his lips, radiating through his whole face.

In a matter of minutes, their vows were spoken and the good reverend blessed their union with a reading of Scripture. “‘But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.’

“I now pronounce you man and wife! Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce to you Dr. and Mrs. Jeremiah Vaughan.”

Cheers erupted as two men pushed the huge outer doors of the community center open.

Nasnana threw a red velvet cape over Gwyn’s shoulders, and Jeremiah grabbed his overcoat from Earl Albrecht as they ran out the doors.

In the middle of the snow-covered street, Jeremiah stopped and drew her close. “I love you, Gwyneth Vaughan.”

The wind howled.

“I love you too.” She reached up and kissed him. Long and deep. “Where are we going?”

“That, my dear, is part of the surprise.” The train whistle blew in the distance. “But if we don’t hurry, we’ll miss our train.”

“But I’m not packed! We didn’t plan to go anywhere.”

Sadzi appeared at her side and handed her a small velvet bag that matched her dress and cape. “Not to worry. We’ve taken care of everything.”

Gwyn laughed as her new husband leaned in and kissed her again. “Our bags are already there,” he said, his voice husky and deep as he pulled away. “Sadzi and Nasnana took care of everything for you.” Grabbing her hand, he started running for the train.

Snowballs hit them from every angle—a good old Alaskan sendoff. The train whistle sounded again, and Jeremiah scooped her into his arms, snowballs pelting the ground around them.

Gwyn snuggled her face against his neck and giggled. The cold and snow didn’t bother her one bit. She was with Jeremiah, and nothing else mattered.

All things hidden had been revealed—most important of all, the love they would share for a lifetime.