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  He closed his eyes, sucked in a deep breath, and then opened his eyes again. “I’m all right. I simply fell down.”

  She narrowed her eyes. This seemed worse than that. “What made you fall?”

  He looked around but lay pretty limp in her arms. “I must have tripped. Don’t worry about it.”

  “I don’t believe you for one minute.” Placing her right arm under his neck, she lifted. “Let me help you sit up and then you can tell me the truth.”

  “I told you not to worry about it.”

  But he sounded so out of breath, she couldn’t help worrying. What wasn’t he telling her? “You can say that all you want, but it won’t make it happen.” Once she had him sitting up, she kept her arm around his back. Then she quirked an eyebrow at him. “Now, how about the truth?”

  He took several deep breaths and sat there. Still as she’d ever seen him.

  “Well?”

  “Pushy, aren’t you?” A disgruntled groan left his lips.

  “You taught me well.”

  He huffed. “I know.” Wiping at the hay that covered his trousers, he clenched his jaw.

  What was going on? Granddad never minced words.

  “Do you promise you’ll keep it to yourself?”

  “Of course, I will.” That didn’t sound good, so she braced herself.

  His nod was weak, but the slight smile was good to see. “I’ve fallen a few times in the last few weeks. It’s like my legs all of a sudden don’t work anymore.”

  She tried to hide her dismay, but a tiny gasp escaped. “I’m calling the doctor . . . right away.” She started to stand, but his arm shot out and stopped her.

  “No need. Doc Gordon and I have already been discussing this. But Doc is leaving soon. And there’s a couple new doctors. I don’t know either of them . . . and you know how many untrustworthy people have come to Nome because of the gold. Liars and thieves trying to pull the wool over people’s eyes. Doc said to give him a bit of time to find out who would be best to work through this with me. He said there’s another one coming too that he’d like to evaluate.”

  “What are you saying?” Was his problem that severe? Life-threatening? That he needed a specialist of some sort? For Granddad to need Doc’s advice about a new physician made her cringe. She could count the times her grandfather had seen the doctor in Nome on one hand. So it must be serious. She swallowed, determined to get to the bottom of it.

  “I’m saying you need to give me time to settle on one of the new docs.” Wiping hay from his shirt, he squared his shoulders.

  “Settle on one before what? It’s serious, isn’t it?” She narrowed her eyes. Granddad should know she could read him like a book. She’d keep pushing if she had to. “What aren’t you saying?”

  He gave her a resigned look. “The doctor thinks I’m at risk for apoplexy.”

  All the air in her lungs left her in a whoosh. Apoplexy? Didn’t people die from that?

  “Don’t look at me like that, Havyn.” He pointed a finger in her face. “Now you promise me right now that you’ll keep this secret from everyone. You understand me?”

  Havyn crossed her arms over her chest. She’d never divulged a secret before, but how could she keep this from the family?

  “Ha-vyn?” His tone brooked no argument.

  She had a hard time not feeling like a little girl when he spoke to her like that. They’d been raised to obey and respect their elders. But what if this wasn’t for the best? One look at his face made her blurt, “I promise. But you have to promise me that you’ll get this taken care of.”

  “As soon as Melly’s birthday is over. I promise.”

  She stood and reached down to help him up. “And you’ll let me know if you have any more episodes?”

  He groaned but looked steady enough. “Of course.”

  She nodded, and he walked away. Slow and with a limp. The weight of this new secret crushed her chest.

  What would they do if something happened to him?

  Two

  John Roselli stretched as he climbed out of the dog sled basket. It had been a long and arduous trip to Nome. He’d thought reaching it would be an easy task, but soon enough he found out that ships didn’t sail to Nome in the winter months. Locked by ice in Norton Sound, the town was impossible to reach by water until May. The only way to get there this time of year was by dog sled.

  Even though it was late April, he hadn’t wanted to wait on a ship. Besides, he’d been almost out of funds.

  Now, as he stood on the edge of town, he shook his head. What had he gotten himself into?

  The sled driver looked at him. “Are you taking a room at the hotel?”

  “Not just yet, Sam. I need to see if I can find a job.” John glanced first one way and then the other.

  The man nodded and extended his hand. “You more than earned your keep by helping us get these supplies to Nome. I want you to have this.” He handed John a leather pouch.

  “I don’t understand. We agreed I’d work for transport here.”

  “It’s just a little money to get you through a couple of days. Nothing more. It’s expensive around here, as you’ll soon learn. Food, drink, beds. All of it comes at a premium price ever since they found gold here.”

  “Thanks.” John pulled off his mittens so he could tuck the strings of the pouch into his belt. In truth, the few dollars and change already in his pocket weren’t going to get him very far. “You’ve been more than fair with me. Want me to help you unload?” He glanced back at the other two sleds, each pulled by twelve dogs.

  “No, I know you have business. Besides, the store owner will have men to help. You go on and find your people before sunset. It’ll get mighty cold after the sun goes down.”

  Laughing, John rubbed his hands together. “You mean this isn’t cold?” He pulled on his pack, grateful for the added warmth against his back.

  Sam grinned and gave him a pat on the shoulder. “This is a balmy day. Must be at least twenty degrees. Warm, I’m telling ya.”

  John quirked an eyebrow at the man. All the same, he was grateful for his mittens and hurried to put them back on. He started toward the main part of town, surveying the area around him as he went.

  Norton Sound was full of ice, and the beaches of Nome were lined with tents as far as the eye could see. He’d heard that not only did the creeks and rivers bear gold, but nuggets and flakes were also found in the beach sands. Hundreds of men had set up tents to prospect the sands. Because it wasn’t legal to stake a claim on the shoreline, there was often fierce fighting. In fact, on the boat to Seward, someone had told John that if he thought he was coming to civilization, he was wrong.

  Traveling all the way from Cripple Creek, Colorado, to Alaska had been a wearying journey. But he’d promised Nonno, right before his grandfather died, that he would hand-deliver the package tucked inside his rucksack to Chuck Bundrant. All he had to do was find the man.

  He turned from the sea and faced the busy town.

  The salty air around him competed with the racket of the hordes of people to overwhelm his senses. Nome was not at all as he’d expected. In Seward and elsewhere, the mountains had been glorious, but up here, it was more of a flat landscape with rolling hills in the distance. After the long sled ride in, he knew the mountains weren’t far. But they weren’t right here. The mountains had been his companions most of his life. . . .

  This would take some getting used to.

  Of course, he wasn’t planning on staying in Nome. Especially after all the stories he’d heard. Living in the middle of the wilds of Alaska would suit him better. He wasn’t exactly fond of cities and all their noise.

  And lawlessness.

  Which was rumored to be rampant here.

  He’d gone to Denver to catch the train to Seattle. How so many people could live crammed in so close together was beyond him. When he reached Seattle, he was further convinced that life in the city wasn’t for him.

  But Alaska . . . maybe. The ter
ritory boasted amazing beauty and grandeur. Nome, however, wasn’t holding a lot of appeal. There were more people and buildings than he’d anticipated. Closer inspection, however, showed that many of the buildings were nothing more than tents with false fronts, and most of those were saloons and brothels. A typical mining town.

  Why on earth did men work so hard and then waste what little they’d made on drink? Of course, he’d spent every last dime getting here and people would probably call him just as foolish. Had Sam not given him money, he’d be in dire straits.

  Probably best not to judge.

  He was here to fulfill a promise. No matter if he liked the town or not. No matter what anyone thought. It wasn’t like anyone knew him anyway.

  Before he could set out to find his grandfather’s old friend, he needed to find something to eat and a place to sleep. That meant finding a job to be able to pay for that. Good thing it was still early in the day.

  John maneuvered his rucksack into a better position on his shoulders. Nome reminded him a little of Cripple Creek when the gold rush had been on. The same looks of anticipation and hope pasted on the faces of the men. Who were everywhere. The closer he made it to the center of town, the more claustrophobic he felt. Men clamored for information on staking claims, shoving anyone who got in their way. The mass of humanity, supplies bundled up on their backs, moved through the streets.

  John heard the word gold every few seconds from a cacophony of voices until it almost made him sick to his stomach. But when he stopped and looked closer, he noticed many a man sitting on the sides of the street. Faces thin and gaunt. Eyes staring. Had they lost everything? Did they know where their next meal would come from?

  It had been the same in every mining town John had ever seen. The depravity of man, the greed, the defeat.

  Was there anything more sad?

  Forcing himself to move forward, John pushed the negative thoughts aside. But he had to sidestep a man throwing a punch, tripped over a drunk lying in the street, and then stopped in time for two men to tumble out of a saloon, their fists intertwined in the other’s collar.

  John tried to tune out the horrid, tinny saloon music and picked up his pace. How long would he need to stay in this mess of a town? He didn’t exactly have a home to return to—his family was all gone. How long would it take for him to earn enough to leave? Where would he go?

  His parents had died when John was twelve, and Nonno took on the responsibility to raise him. Now he was gone too—

  A tug on his coat sleeve made him look down. A young woman looked up at him and batted her eyelashes as she slipped her arm around his waist. “Buy me a drink? We’ve got the best beer to be had and hot toddies that will melt your frozen toes.” A smile filled her hollow cheeks but didn’t take away the haunted look in her eyes.

  John shook his head. “No, thanks.”

  With a frown, she tugged again on his sleeve. “Come on, Mister. I haven’t had a bite to eat all day.” She unbuttoned his coat and slipped inside, close to him. “Besides, if you buy me a meal, we can sit inside by the fire. I’m so cold.”

  He pried her from his body and rebuttoned his coat. She’d been so swift and brazen! He put his arm out to keep her from advancing again, though pity made him shake his head. Tucking one hand under his arm, he tugged off the mitten and fished a dime out of his pocket. “Here, go buy yourself something to eat and get warm.”

  She couldn’t have been more than sixteen and was skin and bones. She snatched the coin and hurried away.

  John pulled his collar up and glanced around before moving on through the crowd. No doubt there would be others looking for money, especially if anyone saw him give the coin to the girl. Better pick up his pace.

  The closer he came to the middle of town the noisier it grew. Sled dogs yipped and howled, men shouted, metal clanked, and people stood shoulder to shoulder. John fought his way through the throng.

  As he scanned local businesses, the brothels and saloons outnumbered everything else by probably twenty to one. Weren’t there any jobs available other than panning for gold?

  Wait. There was a mercantile ahead. Perhaps he could try there.

  Five minutes later, he was back on the street. They weren’t hiring. Too many men looking for work.

  Maybe he should stop and eat. After all, it would do him little good to collapse from hunger. He’d eaten some dried fish at dawn. Ah, but now he had Sam’s leather pouch. He smiled. At least he had plenty of money for the next day or two. He reached inside his coat and felt for his belt.

  The pouch was gone!

  He unbuttoned the coat and searched the full length of his belt. He shook his head. Where could he have lost it?

  The young lady who begged him to buy her a meal. He’d mistaken her bold actions for something else entirely. He couldn’t believe it. She’d robbed him! There couldn’t be any other explanation.

  His stomach turned. No use spending what little money he had left on a meal. Especially if he needed a place to stay for the night. He needed a job and fast. He rebuttoned his coat and headed toward the next building that wasn’t a saloon or brothel.

  An hour later, he’d tried every decent establishment he could find. All to no avail. Finally, he spotted a two-story structure with a sign that read Holy Cross Hospital. Perhaps it was run by the Sisters of Providence he’d heard about. Maybe they needed some nonmedical personnel? It was worth a try.

  His stomach rumbled as he made his way into the large building. He shook his head. An empty stomach was the price for his stupidity. He should have secured the money better. Out of the reach of pickpockets.

  Oh well. No food until he secured a job.

  Heavenly Father, it would sure be nice to have a bit of Your divine intervention right now. It’s my own fault the money was stolen, but I’m powerful hungry and in need of Your help.

  He walked toward the desk. The change in his pocket might buy him one meal at Nome’s prices, but he doubted it. No doubt that young woman had learned to steal to survive. He’d felt that kind of despair and worry himself. Grandfather’s sickness the last two years had depleted all of the fortune he’d amassed. Something John didn’t tell his grandfather when Nonno asked him to go to Alaska and find his long-lost friend. He didn’t want Nonno dying with concern for John on his mind.

  An older gentleman walked down the hall toward John, his gaze fixed on the papers in his hand.

  John cleared his throat.

  The older man—clearly a doctor—lifted his head enough to peer over the top of his glasses. “How may I help you? Are you sick?”

  Such compassion etched in the man’s face. Clearly, he was a healer. “No, sir. I’m actually here looking for a job. Any chance you need an able-bodied man to assist with moving patients or cleaning?”

  The man pushed his glasses up on his nose. “We can definitely use the help, but I’m afraid it’s not in our budget.” He stuck out his hand. “I’m Dr. Gordon. I take it you’re looking for a job?”

  “Yes, sir. Preferably something honorable.”

  “Ah, so you’re not here to find your fortune in gold?”

  “No, sir. Although I have to admit that my grandfather owned a gold mine and I grew up doing the hard work of a miner. I’ve seen my fair share of labor there and what the search for gold does to a man. Frankly, I would prefer to work another way.”

  Gordon nodded his head. “That’s admirable, young man.” He stroked a hand through his beard and squinted at him. His gaze was piercing. Like he was assessing John. “You know, I have a patient who is also a good friend. He’s been talking about hiring another worker on at his farm, and I’ve been prodding him to do it. Do you think you’re up for that kind of work?”

  “What kind of farm is it?”

  “Dairy and poultry.”

  His heart lifted. “My family had a dairy farm back in Italy. That would be perfect.”

  “Sounds like a good match. Why don’t you head on out to his place now and tell him that D
r. Gordon sent you. I doubt you’ll have any trouble.” The man scribbled a note on a small paper. “Here are directions.”

  “Thank you, Dr. Gordon. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.” That God had seen fit to answer John’s prayer with such swiftness made him want to shout, but he held it in.

  The doctor laid one of his hands on John’s shoulder. “You go work for Chuck and take some of the load off the man’s plate, and I’ll be the one thanking you.”

  “I’ll head there right now.” He let a smile split his face.

  “Chuck Bundrant is the man you need to speak to. He owns the place.”

  John froze. He knew that his jaw had dropped, but it took a few seconds for him to regain his composure.

  “You all right, son?”

  “Yes, sir.” John shook his head. “Did you say Chuck Bundrant?”

  The doctor’s eyebrows lowered and he tilted his head. “I did.”

  “Wouldn’t you know . . . my grandfather was friends with Chuck Bundrant and sent me here to find him. That’s why I’m in Nome.”

  “Isn’t that amazing. God works in mysterious ways, doesn’t He?” The doctor slapped him on the back. “I guess the sooner you find Chuck, the better. Tell him that I insist he hire help, all right?”

  Quick footsteps drew their attention to a nurse running down the hall. “Dr. Gordon! Come quick!”

  Dr. Gordon turned. “I guess I’m needed.” He pointed back to John. “Make sure you tell Chuck that I sent you.”

  “Yes, sir. Thank you.”

  Heading back toward the door, John couldn’t believe this was all a coincidence. Nonno had sent him to deliver a package to his friend. Now the good doctor had sent him to the same man for a job. Providence was shining down on him once again. He would ask Mr. Bundrant for a job, and then he’d find a good time to sit down with the man and deliver his grandfather’s package. No. Maybe he should do it the other way around. That was why he’d come.

  His stomach rumbled again. He didn’t want any special favors. A man had to earn his way. He’d have to be honest with his grandfather’s friend. Maybe Mr. Bundrant would agree to keep John on long enough to earn the amount he needed to sail back to Seattle when the waterways opened. Or maybe at least as far as Seward. The mountains there had been beautiful. Perhaps he could go into some sort of fishing industry? That sounded heavenly compared to the life he’d lived in a gold mine.