5

Never in his most vivid dreams could Jeremiah have imagined a more beautiful place. Compared to the dingy gray streets of Chicago, the massive mountains and pure white snow set against the backdrop of crystal-clear blue sky were almost unbelievable. And yet, here he stood.

In Alaska.

The train slowed to a stop at his new home. The Matanuska valley.

The long train ride across the country to the West Coast had put plenty of miles between Jeremiah and Chicago. Then boarding the boat in Seattle ensured that number would multiply. But after a rough voyage, he’d been ready to settle into any small hut he could find—as long as it was secured on dry land.

Now the final leg of his journey brought him to mountains surrounding a picturesque valley. A small flicker of hope awakened his dreams again.

A new life.

A fresh start.

And the chance to practice medicine for the rest of his days. He would earn the people’s trust with his skills and care. License or no license, he was called to heal.

Jeremiah grabbed his satchel and exited the train. Cold air greeted him. Not the windy, gritty cold of Chicago. This was a crisp, clean cold.

“Jeremiah!”

He knew that voice. As he turned, Jeremiah spotted the man he’d idolized as a young boy. “Dr. H.!” He couldn’t help the smile that grew on his face. “Thank you for inviting me.”

The older man gripped his shoulder. “I can’t believe a promising young doctor like yourself would agree to come, but I’m so glad you did.”

“It sounded like an adventure.”

Dr. H. chuckled. “I can guarantee it will be that.” He led Jeremiah to the small station. “Let’s get your baggage and we’ll head to the house for some dinner. It’s a little bit of a jaunt from here, but I’m sure you’re up to it.” The older man winked at him. “After we get you fed, I’ll show you the small office I have set up.”

“Sounds good. I’m famished.”

“I’ve got your sleeping quarters set up in the office for right now until your cabin is constructed. Everyone is so focused on the colony that there aren’t any extra hands, but I hired some good men from a village well north of here to help. It should be done within the week.”

Jeremiah hadn’t expected that. “That’s very generous, but I don’t need you to go to all that trouble. I—”

“Already done.” He patted Jeremiah on the shoulder. “And it’s not any trouble. We’ve got bigger hurdles coming up, so I wanted you to feel as comfortable as possible before the chaos truly begins. Your cabin is between our home and the train lines here, so it will be closer to where I hope we’ll eventually build a hospital. There are already plans for a town here. They’ve named it Palmer.

“I apologize. I’m overwhelming you with information. It’s been so busy already that I hardly remember what day of the week it is.” The older man laughed. “I even forgot to tell Gwyn that I’d invited you. I’ve spent so much time with the ARRC and all the plans for the colony, that I haven’t filled her in on everything.”

That was fine with Jeremiah. He wanted to avoid women as much as possible, and any sibling of Sophia was bound to be a high-hat Jane anyway. But it’d be best not to say anything to Dr. H. As far as Jeremiah knew, his mentor had no idea he’d ever been engaged to Sophia, much less had any interaction with his family.

They walked for about a quarter of an hour and arrived at Dr. H’s home. The wonderful scent of fresh-baked bread floated out the door and caused Jeremiah’s stomach to growl. How long had it been since he’d eaten?

“Come on in, Jeremiah. I’m sure Gwyn’s got something that will cure what ails you.”

“I doubt it,” Jeremiah said under his breath.

“What was that?”

“Oh, nothing. I didn’t realize how hungry I’d become. They offered us food in Anchorage when we switched trains, but I was too excited to get here to think about food.”

The doctor took his coat, hat, and gloves. “Well, you can think about it now. Let’s eat and we can discuss any questions you might have over dinner.” He turned toward the kitchen. “Gwyn, is that stew about ready?”

A slim blonde with long curly hair stood with her back to them. Not at all the curvaceous Sophia. She held a spoon up to her mouth as if she’d just tasted from the pot.

A quick turn and she placed her hand in front of her mouth. “Oh, excuse me. I was just sampling to see if it was done.” Her cheeks tinged pink as her eyes darted around, never meeting his.

Not a flirtatious glance or anything.

“No need to stand on ceremony, Gwyn. We’ll all be working together around the clock and in close conditions, so let me reintroduce you to Dr. Jeremiah Vaughan.” Dr. H. looked at him with pride in his eyes. “May I present my eldest, Gwyn.” The smile between father and daughter almost did Jeremiah in. “She is the finest nurse I’ve ever worked with, and I don’t say that just because she’s my daughter. It might take her a little while, but I’m sure she will learn your preferences as we go along and become your extra set of hands like she has been mine all these years. I realize she wasn’t even in school yet when you last saw her, but perhaps you remember.”

Jeremiah stuck out his hand. Not wanting to be rude to his benefactor, he attempted a smile. “Vaguely. Nice to meet you, Gwyn.” No need to let them know that he remembered the little pigtailed waif who had followed him around. That flash of memory overtook him for a moment. Let’s see, he was thirty-four, so that would make Gwyn around twenty-two or twenty-three.

The woman in front of him brought him back to the present. She lowered her brows a bit and seemed to study him as she shook his hand. “Welcome to Alaska.” She made her way back to the stove and threw over her shoulder, “Go ahead and get cleaned up. Dinner’s ready.”

Jeremiah had a chance to study Gwyn as her father kissed her cheek. She wore no cosmetics, and her dress reminded him of something from decades past. Not that it was old or frayed, but it was nothing like the provocative styles women were wearing in the city. The single word that came to mind to describe her was simple. He followed Dr. H. to the sink and washed his hands.

For some odd reason his heart jumped a little. He frowned. He couldn’t allow himself to be attracted to any woman. Not to mention one he’d see every day who just happened to be Sophia’s sister.

As they sat around the table, Dr. H. blessed the meal and peaceful silence surrounded Jeremiah. The enticing aroma pushed his rumbling stomach into overtime. He took two pieces of bread, buttered them, and downed the first one in three bites. The stew was delicious as well, but just about anything would taste good when he was this hungry.

Dr. H. filled his daughter in on the plans for the clinic and where Jeremiah would be staying. His hope was that, between the three of them, they’d be able to put forth a valiant effort in taking care of the two hundred families about to descend on the valley.

“It won’t be easy. Although the government officials promised that the families chosen will know how to endure the cold winters and isolation, they really have no idea of what they’re talking about.”

“Why do you say that?” Jeremiah asked.

“Having lived both in the States and here, I can honestly say there is nothing to compare,” Dr. H. replied. “People often think that because they have lived in a small town or in a place miles from a city, they will understand how it is to live in Alaska. But it’s not the same. Here you have no big city close by. Anchorage is just a baby herself. There’s no constant flow of supplies. Even transportation is limited. And when the weather turns bitter cold, there can be days, even weeks, when getting around is difficult to impossible.”

“Those people coming here will surely realize their limitations. I imagine the government would have advised them,” Jeremiah suggested.

“But that would require knowledge on the part of those government officials, most—if not all—of whom have never been to Alaska. You’re old enough to remember that ten years ago we had a terrible diphtheria epidemic in Nome. Getting serum there to save lives was very nearly impossible, and only through the ingenuity of dog-sledding teams were we able to connect to those poor folks. Imagine other epidemics breaking out. Those newcomers will be used to picking up the phone and ordering what they need.”

“True.” Jeremiah considered the situation for a moment. “Perhaps that should be something that is addressed first thing. Perhaps we could hold some sort of forum to advise the colonists.”

“They’ll need to know about so much,” Gwyn murmured. “The wildlife, the planting season, the weather signs, and many other things.” She shook her head, as if disapproving of the entire undertaking, and Jeremiah couldn’t help but wonder about her opinion. Perhaps she resented the idea of newcomers. Perhaps she even resented the idea of his being there.

Dr. H. continued speaking about the area and future plans for the colony. Gwyn nodded, seeming to listen to every word her father spoke. She had brief answers to each of his questions, and asked intelligent questions. Sophia certainly would never have had such sharp thoughts on the matters at hand. Perhaps Gwyn was nothing like her sister. Jeremiah shook his head and refocused on his food. All women were alike.

He laid his spoon down, realizing he’d eaten two bowls of stew and five pieces of bread in a matter of minutes. The doctor and his daughter both still had dishes full in front of them.

Gwyn passed Jeremiah the bread basket again without even looking at him, and he took another slice. This piece, he took his time enjoying rather than inhaling. The tanginess of the bread mixed with the saltiness of the butter had to be one of the greatest things his taste buds had ever known. He could live off of it.

Dr. H. looked toward him. “I’d like to help you unpack your supplies after dinner.” He took a bite of the stew. “Then I can show you everything in the office. Eventually, my dream is to see a hospital built here, but that will be sometime down the road.”

Jeremiah took a sip of his coffee. “That sounds great.” He realized his manners were lacking. In all his effort to avoid Gwyn, he’d been rude. “Compliments on the meal, Miss Hillerman. That was excellent. Was that beef?”

“Moose.” A small smile lit her face. “And please, just call me Gwyn.”

“Moose? I don’t think I’ve ever had moose. Do you eat a lot of it up here?”

Gwyn stood and gathered plates.

Dr. H. answered his question. “We do. One moose will feed us all winter and then some.”

A brief pounding at the door preceded the stomping of feet. A tiny girl with jet-black hair and dark eyes burst into the dining room. “Dr. Hillerman, they need you. Baby coming.”

Jeremiah watched the scene unfold. Gwyn and Dr. H. moved into immediate action, working together without a word. In half a minute, they had supplies and were grabbing coats and boots.

“You can come along if you want, Jeremiah, but you have to come now.”

The doctor’s words spurred him out of his chair and into action as he trailed the trio out into the snow.

Jeremiah rolled over in bed. Exhausted, his body screamed for sleep, but his mind wasn’t cooperating. All the events of the night kept replaying in his head.

His first glimpse of Gwyn. In those first few moments, he’d convinced himself she seemed plain and ordinary. But as the night wore on, he found himself drawn to her. What was it that fascinated him? He didn’t even know her. But as she’d helped deliver that baby—her calm, quiet nature, her soothing spirit—he’d realized he’d never met anyone like her.

His thoughts drifted back to home. Chicago. And everything he’d ever known. All the women in his life had been concerned with finery, money, catching a man, and social status. Now that he thought about it, every woman he knew had manipulated him. Had manipulated the people around them.

He realized he’d been manipulated—used and managed—by everyone in his life. Randolph Brewster, Edith Hillerman, Sophia Hillerman, even his own mother and father.

Had his busy life been full of fake people? Had he been so focused on money and securing his future that he fell for it?

A picture of Gwyn darted through his mind again. Her simple appeal was powerful.

But maybe that was her way. Maybe she wasn’t real either. He didn’t want to be caught in another trap.

No. Gwyn’s gentle spirit didn’t seem false. But he couldn’t allow himself to get close to her. The Alaska Hillermans didn’t know the truth. Gwyn would despise him if she knew.

Then she would have something in common with her sister.

Jeremiah beat his fist against the pillow. How was it that a grown man could be so mistaken about life and the people in it? How was it that he could have gone through all his schooling and training to be a physician and not understand that most everyone lived behind a façade—a pretense of images and possessions?

He’d always seen his mother and father as simple people but nevertheless genuine. Now his heart ached at the thought that even they were driven by the opinions of others. It seemed ridiculous. It was 1935 after all. They had watched their investments and livelihood threatened in the stock market crash of ’29. They’d lived through Prohibition and the government’s attempt to force morality upon a people who clearly saw no purpose in being moral. They’d even lived through a worldwide war that threatened the very freedoms which allowed them to live their socially focused lives. How could they be so blind?

How could the medical board have been blind to the fact that medicine was far from a perfect science—that patients lived and died, often receiving precisely the same treatment. It wasn’t an exact practice. There were far too many variables that entered into the picture. Even so, to not risk the new innovations, to ignore the modern inventions and medicines that were being created, was akin to hiding in the dark and hoping that the monsters would leave them alone. They were like silly children.

Jeremiah flopped over on his back and stared in the darkness at the ceiling. Why had this happened to him? What had he done wrong?

Gwyn watched as her father and Jeremiah hovered over a newer medical journal. Jeremiah talked about the innovative intravenous anesthesia, and her father sat fascinated, hanging on every word.

As she cleaned and sterilized the instruments they’d used on the last call, Gwyn thought about this new doctor. In fact, thoughts of him came far too often during the day. Brown-haired, hazel-eyed—she’d never met a more handsome man. And he was so sophisticated! What was a man like that doing in a remote place like this? Certainly someone of his caliber wouldn’t have any reason to stick around for long.

Of course, her father was the best man she’d ever known, and he chose to serve here. Could it be possible for Jeremiah to have that same kind, generous heart?

Or was he more like the other city people she knew? They didn’t care about other people. Only themselves. Like her mother.

She shook her head in an effort to rid herself of the negative thought. Jeremiah wasn’t like that. Was he?

What if her father came to rely on him too much and one day Jeremiah just decided to up and leave? Father was so ecstatic to have him here. Looked at him as a godsend. It’s all he’d talked about for days. Jeremiah this and Jeremiah that. Jeremiah showed him this great new technique. Jeremiah studied blah blah blah under so-and-so.

If this new doctor didn’t treat her father right, she wouldn’t be able to hold her tongue. Most people knew she was quiet and reserved, but what they didn’t know was that she also had a temper.

And it began a slow burn. If this young city boy thought he could use her father and then turn around and hurt him, he’d better think twice. Maybe she needed to intervene.

Her father left the office for a moment. Yes, she needed to intervene. Now. Before she had time to lose her nerve.

“Dr. Vaughan, may I have a moment?”

“Sure. And please, call me Jeremiah.” He washed his hands at the sink.

“What exactly are your plans?” She allowed the picture of her father being rejected and stranded again to rule her imagination. No matter how handsome the man who stood in front of her.

“Plans? For what?” His brow furrowed.

“Why did you come here?” Her voice squeaked on the last word. Why did she feel guilty for asking?

“What? I came to help your father. There are going to be thousands of people in this valley to care for.” He dried his hands on a towel in a slow, methodical way. “What exactly are you asking?”

Gwyn placed her hands on her hips. She and the new doctor hadn’t had much time to converse over the past week since he arrived. And she’d had way too many daydreams with him in it. That and visions of her father being abandoned didn’t help her temper. “I’m just asking what your intentions are. Not many doctors from the big city would want to venture to a place like this. So I’ll just say it plain and simple. I don’t want my father to trust you only to have you abandon him at a time when he needs you the most.” There. She’d said it. Her shoulders lifted with a huge breath of relief.

A frown deepened on his face. “I won’t abandon him.”

“How do I know that’s the truth?” Gwyn pushed. “My father is a wonderful man who’s given up his entire life to serve the people here. He loves medicine. And he loves people.”

“I won’t abandon him, Gwyn.” Jeremiah swiped a hand down his face. “Look, I think it’s wonderful that you are so protective of him, but you hardly know me. Your father does. And he trusts me.”

She deflated in an instant. He was right. Her father did trust him. But her father had also trusted her mother. Was there any way possible to protect Father? Her anger abated. “Please don’t hurt him. He’s a good man. And he’s all I’ve got.” She rushed out the door, tears threatening to pour from her eyes. Why was change so difficult for her to accept?

Tears stung her cheeks as she hit the frigid air outside. Stomping around in the melting snow, she tried to sort out her thoughts. But Jeremiah Vaughan was doing things to her brain. She loved that her father had help. She knew the heavy load would be impossible for the two of them to bear alone, but she also hadn’t expected to be attracted to the young doctor, or to worry about his abandoning them. The jumble of her thoughts wasn’t helping matters. She needed to calm down. Think it through. And give it time.

Her father headed out the door and straight for her. “Gwyn, what are you doing out here without your coat? It’s freezing.”

She clapped her hands together. “Oh, just getting some fresh air.” She watched her father’s eyebrows rise and turned on her heel before he could respond. “We’ve got lots to do before those workers arrive.” She cringed and slipped past the older man. Her father would know something was up. Hopefully he wouldn’t ask. Hopefully he would realize she didn’t want to talk about it.

Blessed warmth greeted her inside the small office. Avoiding Jeremiah, she went right back to the stack of instruments she’d been cleaning and sorting. She felt guilty for having said anything to him. He’d done nothing to earn her distrust. Her suspicious tendencies served no good and only made her look petty. Good heavens, would she ever give up her worrisome ways?

“Jeremiah,” her father stated, “I’ve got a little project I need some help with. Word has come from the ARRC that the first group of transient workers will begin their journey in a couple days. I didn’t realize how little time we have left.”

Jeremiah grabbed his coat. “Sure, I’ll do whatever I can. Although I can’t guarantee how good it will be if it includes knitting or cooking.” His smile aimed her way seemed genuine enough. Albeit cool. It never reached his eyes when he looked at her.

Her father laughed. “No knitting or cooking. This time.” He turned back to the door then looked at her. “Gwyn, why don’t you take some time for yourself today, since I’ve got Jeremiah to help me? You never take any time off.” Another smile directed at her.

And then they were gone.

Gwyn stood with scalpels and scissors in her hands. She stared at the door. Should she be offended that her father had replaced her? Well, maybe not replaced her, but it sure felt that way.

When her father had a project to do, he always needed her help. They’d been a duo for so long that Gwyn forgot what it was like to be alone. That niggling worry worked its way up her spine again. No. She wouldn’t allow it. “Humph. I won’t.” A stomp of her foot and a nod of her head. No need to worry. Nope. A little time to herself sounded wonderful, but then her thoughts turned back to handsome Jeremiah. She wanted to trust him, wanted to hope that he would stick around—she’d really like to know him.

Maybe being alone wasn’t such a good idea. Too much time to let her thoughts wander, which also meant she’d have time to worry.

Not a good combination.

“Of course, it’s silly for me to presume anything about him,” she said aloud. “He might hail from Chicago, but that doesn’t mean he’s like Mother. Father obviously thinks highly of him.” But her father had also thought highly of her mother, and that had proven unfounded.

Thinking of her mother caused the age-old sadness to stir in her heart. She had always known there was a wall of sorts separating her from her mother. They had little in common and she had always seemed an irritation to her mother. She could remember times when she’d tried to show Mother some new plant she’d found or a craft she’d learned. Mother was never impressed or even interested. She always chided Gwyn, telling her that one day all of this would be nothing more than a memory. Even then she had her plans for leaving Alaska behind. Gwyn wondered if her mother realized the emptiness she’d also left behind in her parting.

A knock sounded on the door of the office. Gwyn laid the instruments down. “Come in.”

Lilly McLaughlin hopped in on one foot. “Hey, Gwyn.” Her friend from Anchorage came every year to work with the experimental station where the University of Alaska planted and grew crops of enormous size in their fertile valley soil.

“Hey there.” She scratched her head. “What on earth are you doing? You’re not hurt, are you?”

“Pbbft, no.” Lilly continued her strange hopping, wiggling off a boot at the same time. Her bobbed red hair stuck to the sides of her freckled face. “A big mound of dripping snow fell off the roof as I walked around the corner, and now I’ve got a boot full of slush” She looked up and winked. “Have I told you how much I hate wet socks?”

Gwyn giggled with her friend. She’d always wanted Lilly’s petite size and cuteness. “Don’t we all.” She went back to putting everything away. “But I hate to tell you this—we live in Alaska. And the snow’s not gone yet.”

“Ugh. I know. Every time I think it’s warming up, we have another cold snap. But at least it is finally melting.” She shook out her boot, and Gwyn threw her a towel. “Thanks.”

“So what’s brought you over here today?”

“Do you have time to help me over at the experimental station? With all these people coming, we’re going to have to plant about five times as much as we usually do. You’re so good with growing things, and . . . I’m behind. The greenhouse is overflowing, and I’ve got much more to plant.” Lilly replaced her boot and clasped her hands in front of her face. “Please?”

Lilly’s pixie face with her lip jutted out caused Gwyn to laugh even harder. “Of course I’ll come help. And you don’t ever have to beg, unless, of course, I’m with a patient. But you are in luck. I’m free for the afternoon. As long as we’re not planting Brussels sprouts. I hate them.”

“Swell! I promise, no Brussels sprouts. You are the best, Gwyn.”

Well, Lilly thought that. But it wasn’t true. Gwyn pulled on her boots and coat. Because if it were, then a handsome young doctor would be plagued by her as much as she was by him.