31
The quarantine’s been lifted!” Thomas raised the paper over his head and ran from the bridge to the camp.
As the days had passed and they’d received word of people healing from the sickness, many in the camp had taken to walking down to the river each day as Thomas checked for messages.
“The quarantine’s lifted!” the young man shouted again.
Cheers were heard throughout their group and folks started for the bridge.
Jean-Michel was as eager as the rest to cross and learn how Katherine and her grandmother were faring, but he wanted to do what he could to help John and Allan break camp and clean up. Thankfully, Collette was of the same mind.
“We’ll stay here and help Thomas get everything packed and down to the river,” Jean-Michel told Allan and John. “That way you can go on to the hotel with the others. I know you’re anxious to see Cassidy and find out how she’s doing.”
Both men had a look of exhausted relief on their faces.
“Thank you, Jean-Michel—Collette.” John reached out to grip Allan’s shoulder. “Under any other circumstances, we would never allow it, but I doubt we could have kept him in camp much longer.”
“Me?” Allan shook his head. “I thought I was going to have to tie you down to keep you from sneaking over in the night.”
“And who could blame either one of you?” Collette ushered the men forward. “Now please go and give Cassidy my love—Katherine too, if you see her. Tell them we’ll be back before nightfall.”
The two men ran and made their way to the hotel.
Thomas smiled at Collette. “You sure you want to do this? Your brother and I can probably handle it.”
“Non. I want to help. I’m happy to.” She began picking up the pans she’d scrubbed only a few hours earlier. “After all our time on the trail, I think I know the routine.”
Thomas laughed and shook his head as Collette moved to the other side of the camp. “She’s sure changed her tune.”
Jean-Michel nodded. “It hasn’t been easy for her and probably won’t be easy in the days to come, but I believe God has finally opened her eyes.”
“He has a way of doing that,” Thomas replied. “I know He’s helped me often enough.”
The two men began taking down the tents, and Jean-Michel thought it the perfect opportunity to ask Thomas a few questions. With the scent of wildflowers in the air, he was inspired.
“I have something on my mind and wondered if you might be willing to answer some questions.”
Thomas was on the other side of the tent but called back, “Sure. What can I do for you?”
“Tell me about living here in the winter.”
For a minute Jean-Michel wasn’t sure Thomas had heard the question, but just as he opened his mouth to repeat it, the younger man cleared his throat. “Well . . . it’s cold and there’s a lot of snow.”
“I figured that much. What about the dark?”
“That’s something people get wrong. Way up north it stays dark for months in the winter, but here we always get at least five hours of daylight. Of course, a lot of the time that’s a cloudy, snowy daylight. But that’s better than none.”
“It doesn’t stay dark for twenty-four hours?”
“No.”
They finished with one tent and moved to another. Collette worked in tandem with them, packing up the smaller items as they tackled the larger ones. Jean-Michel smiled to himself. She didn’t even have to be told. Would wonders never cease?
“Why all the interest in living here in the winter? You thinking of staying?”
“Oui. I am, truth be told.”
Thomas straightened and looked at him. “I think that’s a wonderful idea. As long as you remember that life up here is all about preparation for any possible problem.”
“Wise advice.”
“What would you do? Just stay in the hotel?”
“Non. I have plenty of finances to start my own business.”
“Well, the town has been growing. John or Allan could probably tell you what’s needed the most.” Thomas stopped and his brow furrowed. “But what about your sister?”
“I don’t know.” Jean-Michel looked across the campsite to where Collette was wrestling with a cot. “I don’t even know if Katherine would be of a mind to stay, and I certainly wouldn’t want to plan a life without her. I just know that there’s something about this place that is healing. I felt that even before John prayed with me and I found my sense of who God is and how I needed Him. This last week has done so much to strengthen me physically and spiritually that I find the idea of leaving to be unthinkable.”
Thomas nodded. “Alaska has a way of doing that. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”
Jean-Michel sighed and looked at the vast and glorious wilderness around him. “Neither can I.”
“This is my home and I want no other.” Thomas bent down to pull up a stake.
“I want it for my home as well.” Jean-Michel sighed and went back to work. He could only hope that Collette and Katherine would feel as he did.
“That’s wonderful. We would love to add you to our Curry family.” The young man stood and put his hands on his hips. As he looked around the camp, his expression turned grim.
“Is anything the matter, Thomas?”
“Where’s PJ? He was still abed last I saw him.”
“Qui? Excuse me, who is PJ?”
“I don’t really know who he is. Remember the man who showed up all disheveled and he was sick?”
Recognition struck Jean-Michel. The man who’d looked so familiar. A flash from the war went through his mind. Non. It couldn’t be. Could it?
“All I know was his name was PJ and he kept mumbling something about the general.”
His heart sunk at Thomas’s words. Something didn’t add up. “He was the one you said I might need to . . . umm . . . interpréter?”
“Interpret? Yes.” Thomas searched the horizon as he turned in a circle. “But he appears to be gone.”
“Cassidy?”
Cassidy heard Allan call through the open window. She smiled at Dr. Reilly. “He’s here! Now, we all agreed not to tell him about the babies until the quarantine was lifted. I can’t wait to surprise him.” She looked at the small bundles tucked in the bed beside her.
“I’m sure that was wise. He’d never have stayed away.” Dr. Reilly put his instruments back into his bag and straightened. “You are doing wonderful, Mrs. Brennan.”
“You gave us quite the scare, but I’m happy to say that everything appears to be just fine.”
Footsteps pounded down the hall. The door flew open.
Allan’s desperate expression touched her heart. “Cassidy.”
She smiled. He looked so tired. “Welcome home.”
Allan spotted the doctor. “How is she?”
“Doing very well. I believe she’ll be up and running within a week.”
Dr. Reilly slipped from the room as Allan moved toward the bed. “Up and running?”
Cassidy opened her arms and he bent over and held her close. “I was so worried. When we heard you were sick . . . I wanted to be here.” His murmur against her ear sent chills down her spine.
“I know, and believe me, I wanted you here. But . . . I didn’t want you sick. So many were.”
He pulled away just enough to kiss her.
Cassidy sighed against his lips. She’d missed this man. This precious husband God had given her. Missed the way he teased her. Even missed his arguments. She rubbed the back of his neck with her fingers.
Thank you, Lord, for bringing him safely back to me and for letting me be here to welcome him home.
A tiny squeak sounded that turned into a cry. Allan jumped back as if Cassidy had put a match to his sleeve.
Cassidy drew the fussy infant into her arms. “Your son would like to meet you.”
Allan looked back at her. His mouth dropped open and he stared at her for a moment.
The baby wasn’t happy and began to cry in earnest. He was hungry, and Cassidy knew it would only be another few minutes and his sibling would be looking to nurse as well.
“Shhh, now. I’ll feed you in a moment.” She peered down at the dark-haired infant in wonder, taking in his sweet scent.
Allan sat down on the bedside chair and shook his head. “Nobody told me. When did you . . . when was he . . . ?”
She laughed at his floundering. What a surprise—and his face! “Two days ago . . . on the third of September. Would you like to hold him?”
“I . . . uh . . . what if I don’t do it right?”
Laughing again, Cassidy extended the wrapped bundle. “You’ll do just fine.”
He took the baby ever so cautiously and tucked him in the nook of his arm. The fussy infant looked up at him with bright blue eyes, and surprisingly enough, calmed. The two stared at each other for several long moments.
Cassidy couldn’t help but smile. She had waited for this moment for what felt like forever. She could see the tenderness—the love Allan held for his son. He was going to be a good father. Just then her second baby started to fuss.
Allan looked at his son who had quieted and then to Cassidy. She lifted the twin from beside her and shrugged. “I hope you don’t mind . . . but there were two. Although if you do mind, it’s too late to send him back.”
“Twins?” He stared at her in disbelief. “Boys?”
More laughter bubbled up at the shock on his face. “Exactly. Dr. Reilly said it was no wonder I was as big as a . . . well . . . bigger than he figured I’d be. He didn’t learn about it being twins, though, until I was sick. He’d sent away for a special instrument that allowed him to listen to the baby’s heartbeat. It came with his supplies just before he had to put the town in quarantine, and when he used it the first time . . . he knew. There were two heartbeats. Twins. But he couldn’t tell me because I wasn’t conscious.” The cries began in earnest and echoed around the room. “And now they are very hungry twins.” She adjusted her nightgown and brought the baby in her arms up to feed.
Allan continued to stare at her in dumbfounded wonder. She wished she could have taken a picture of his face for later. It was priceless. “I . . . don’t know what to say.” He shook his head. “You’re amazing.” He bounced the crying son in his arms.
“Here, hand him to me. I can take them both.” Cassidy smiled up to her husband. “God’s the amazing one. I don’t remember much of what happened while I was sick, but I know so many people were praying for me . . . for them.”
“Did you give them names?”
She shook her head. “No. I couldn’t keep them from coming into the world before you got back, but I saved the privilege of naming them for your return. After all, we discussed possible names for a boy or a girl, but never for two boys.”
Allan touched one son’s head with the tip of his finger and then reached over to the other. He traced down the side of his face and smiled. “I guess we’ve got some decisions to make.” He looked up again and his eyes glistened with tears. “Thank you, Cassidy. Thank you for my sons. Thank you for your love.” He leaned in and kissed her forehead.
“Ahem!” Dad’s not-so-subtle clearing of his throat came from the doorway. “I know I’m intruding, but I couldn’t wait any longer.”
“You aren’t intruding at all, John. Come in.” Allan stood with the baby. “Come see your grandsons.”
A huge smile split John’s face. “Mrs. Johnson told me it was twins. I told her it figured. Our Cassidy never does anything by halves.”
Katherine would give it five more minutes, and if Jean-Michel didn’t show up, she’d march herself across that bridge and find him herself.
But as she glanced at the door, he appeared.
“I’ve never been so happy to see anyone in my life.” She ran across the lobby.
Jean-Michel opened his arms to her and Katherine stepped in without hesitation. “I was so worried about you.” He whispered and hugged her close.
Katherine had never known such happiness. She felt the warmth of his arms around her and heard the pounding of his heart as she placed her head on his chest. It didn’t matter that they were standing in the middle of the hotel lobby. They could have been standing in Times Square and Katherine wouldn’t have cared.
Jean-Michel pulled away first. “We got messages from Mr. Bradley, so I knew you were sick. How are you feeling now?”
“I’m fine.” Katherine stepped back to look into his beautiful green eyes. “I wasn’t nearly as sick as some.”
He nodded. “We heard six people died.”
“Yes. And we feared we might lose a great many more, but in the end only six were lost.”
“And your grandmother?”
“She never took sick from the influenza, but she’s not well. She won’t tell me how bad it really is, but I know she’s weakening.”
“I suppose you will want to get her home very soon.”
Katherine shook her head and felt the sting of tears. “I don’t think she’ll ever leave the Curry alive.”
Jean-Michel frowned. “It’s as bad as that?”
“Yes. Dr. Reilly says her heart has given out. She had some sort of trouble before even coming here. Didn’t tell me about it. I guess she feared I wouldn’t come on the trip or allow her to come if I’d known how bad it was. And she’s right. I wouldn’t have, but I’m glad I did.”
“Me too, but I am sorry to hear about your grandmother. I’d like to see her.”
Katherine nodded. “Come. I’ll take you to her.” She held out her hand and he took it into his warm grip. The tingles it sent up her arm made Katherine feel loved and safe.
They found her grandmother propped up in bed and giving orders like a regal queen. Two hotel maids were the focus of her instruction.
“Now I want to make certain you understand. I want the lace gently rubbed with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Then let it air-dry and use a warm iron on it afterward. Not hot, mind you. Warm.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The girls’ unison reply echoed in the room.
“And don’t forget to bring me an extra blanket.”
“No, ma’am. We won’t.” One of the girls shook her head and they both turned.
“Excuse us, Mrs. Demarchis.” She bobbed a curtsy and left the room. The other did likewise and scooted out the door.
Katherine approached the precious woman’s bed. “Grandmother, look who’s come to see you.”
The older woman smiled and motioned them closer. “I’m so glad to see that you’ve returned safely, Jean-Michel. I had my concerns.”
“It’s good to see you again, Mrs. Harrison.” He went to stand beside her bed and took hold of her extended hand.
“I am glad for that. But I know who you are most glad to see. And it would have caused no end of grief to have you lost in the wilderness.”
Jean-Michel laughed. “Although, with the right person at your side, being lost out there might be quite nice. Oui?” He winked at Katherine. “But now, I want to know how you are feeling, Mrs. Harrison.”
Katherine could see her grandmother’s façade of perfection slide into place. “I am in perfect order, just a little tired, but certainly nothing to worry about.”
“Grandmother, it’s time to be honest.”
“Oh, child. I just don’t want you two fussing over me.”
Katherine leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. “But we like to fuss over you. And you look exhausted. Maybe we should let you rest.”
“No . . . there’s something I need to tell you.” Grandmother placed her hands in her lap and looked determined. “Please sit. On either side of me so I can see your faces.”
“All right.” Katherine’s nerves weren’t sure she could take any more bad news. She moved to the left side of the bed and sat next to her beloved grandmother. Jean-Michel took his seat on the other side. The ever-present scent of peppermint floated toward her.
“You see, I need to apologize to you both.”
Jean-Michel laid his hand over Grandmother’s clasped pair. “Non. There’s nothing to apologize for.”
“Hush now. You may know part of the story, but you certainly don’t know the whole.”
Katherine puzzled over this. “What do you mean?”
“Child, I sent a letter to Jean-Michel months ago—before we ever left New York—asking him to join us here in Alaska for the summer. And I will not apologize for matchmaking and seeing the two of you fall in love again . . . but I need to repent for my lack of faith. I took matters into my own hands when I should have left them in God’s.
“You see, I couldn’t bear to watch you suffer, Katherine. As you shriveled up, my heart went right along with yours. I couldn’t make up for what your father did, but I thought I could fix it. Funny thing is, God needed to heal both your hearts before you would ever be ready for each other again. So please forgive me for putting the cart before the horse.”
Tears streamed down Katherine’s face. “Of course I forgive you. More than that, I bless you for loving me enough to do what you did.” She laid her hand over Jean-Michel’s and her grandmother’s.
“I’m glad you understand my intent. It has been my joy to see you turn to God and grow in a faith of your own. A joy, too, to watch your love come alive again. It has blessed me.”
Jean-Michel cleared his throat. “Since we are baring our hearts, it’s only right you should know that your letter . . . well, it gave me a reason to go on. After my father passed, it felt like it was all too much. I was lost . . . so lost. At first I was unwilling to even contemplate a reunion because I knew how black my soul had become, but then something happened and I felt I could not refuse.”
“You two were meant to be together. I hope you’ve figured all of that out for yourselves, but in case you haven’t . . . I wanted to make that clear. Even if this old woman went about it the wrong way.”
Jean-Michel smiled and looked at Katherine.
Her heart melted. Even in all the broken pieces of their lives, God had brought them back together and given them so much more than love. He gave them new life. “Grandmother, your heart was in the right place, and I love you for it.” She leaned over and kissed Grandmother’s cheek again.
Jean-Michel stood and rounded the bed. As he got down on one knee, he looked at her grandmother. “Speaking of ‘meant to be together’ . . . Mrs. Harrison, I would request your permission to ask Katherine to marry me.”
Katherine blinked back tears. Her heart soared. Could it truly be?
“Of course, you have my permission. Marry the girl and do so quickly. Today, tomorrow. I’m ready.”
“Are you ready, my love?” Jean-Michel looked up into her eyes. “I don’t know how quickly we might arrange for a minister, but Katherine Harrison Demarchis, I would be most honored if you would be my wife.”