September's Dream (17 page)

*  *  *

The bell over the door jangled the arrival of a customer. Jacob Mueller looked up from the merchandise he was setting on the wooden shelf.

"I won’t be needing the gear for the Yukon, Mr. Mueller, unless you can tell me of someone else who would be willing to make the trip during the winter."

"Jase turned you down."

She nodded.

He read the bleak desperation in her eyes. "Jase Conroy is a loner, Miss Malloy. He keeps his own council. He lives alone and, more important, travels alone. I guess I knew from the start that he would refuse to take you along." He raised his hands, palms up, in supplication. "I’m sorry. But it was worth a try."

"When will he leave?"

He shrugged. "Jase has already ordered the supplies. The only thing holding him back is a lead dog for his team."

September’s head came up sharply. "A lead dog?"

He nodded. "Since his return to Skagway he’s put together a new dog team. I understand all he’s lacking now is a lead dog."

She paused a moment, deep in thought. "Would you say Howard Beckman knows sled dogs?"

Jacob scratched his head. "Yes. But what’s—"

"Howard Beckman told me Lucky was one of the best sled dogs in the country before he turned on Avery."

"So?"

Her eyes danced with new enthusiasm. "So I have something Jase Conroy needs. Maybe now he’ll be willing to bargain." She hurried to the door. "I may be back to place that order after all."

*  *  *

As he loped alongside his mistress, Lucky sensed an undercurrent of tension. Her sultry voice, as she spoke to him, was edged with excitement.

"Howard Beckman says sled dogs are only happy when they’re out on the trail, pulling a sled. Is that true, Lucky? Is it?" She ran a hand along the sleek coat, then quickened her pace. She needed to make a deal with Jase Conroy and get back to town before dark. There was danger for her in the darkness.

"Oh, Lucky. I hope you’re as good as he said. We’re dealing with a very tough customer." The dog heard the smile in her voice as she added, "But Pa said no one ever got the best of a Malloy in a deal."

As the cabin came into view, she felt her throat go dry. This strange, angry man would decide her fate. Her fists clenched as she drew nearer. She reminded herself that she came from a long line of good Irish horse traders.

Jase Conroy’s scowl deepened when he opened the door of the cabin.

"Jacob Mueller tells me you’re in the market for a good lead dog for your team."

He continued to stare at her wordlessly.

"I’m told Lucky is the best sled dog in Alaska."

For the first time he became aware of the dog at her side. Had it been there before? Jase couldn’t recall. He had had eyes for only her.

"Where did you get him?" Quickly Jase appraised the animal. It was strong and sleek, with powerful legs and chest. The eyes staring back at him were both intelligent and fearless.

"I bought him from Moon Avery."

"Avery." His gaze swung back to her. "His lead dog was a legend. Why would he sell his best dog?"

"Probably because he thought he was getting the best of the deal. The dog was near death from a beating by his master."

Jase looked at her with new respect. "Why did you bother?"

"Because I couldn’t bear to think about him dying at the hands of that madman."

Jase knelt and reached a hand to the dog, allowing it to study his scent before he began a thorough examination of the animal. As he probed, he muttered, "So that’s why he’s so loyal to you. You saved his life."

"He’s repaid the favor."

Satisfied, Jase stood, towering over her. "How much do you want for him?"

"I want to accompany you to the Klondike."

"Impossible."

She met his look coldly. "Then I hope you find yourself a good lead dog." As she began to turn away, he caught her arm. Immediately he heard the low growl of warning in the dog’s throat.

He dropped his hand. "I’ll pay you double what you paid for him."

Her voice was firm. "I wouldn’t sell him for all the money in Snake Rawlins’ safe."

Remembering that he had hurled those very words at her earlier, he frowned and seemed to consider. "What will you take?"

He saw her shoulders lift as she took in a deep breath. "I’ll take a fair bargain, Mr. Conroy. If I’m allowed to go with you, you’ll have the best lead dog in Alaska. If you insist on traveling alone, you’ll have to look elsewhere for a dog."

His tone was sharp. "Do you have any idea what you’re suggesting? Do you?" At her silence, he added, "The Klondike is over six hundred miles from here. That’s six hundred miles of ice and snow. Some days we may make no more than ten miles. And don’t think you can just climb on the sled each morning and let the team haul your carcass across the ice fields. The sled is used to carry a ton of supplies. You can ride on the straight runs. But when we’re climbing, or when the team gets bogged down in deep drifts, you’ll walk, in snow that at times will be up to your waist. The trail demands hard work. And I won’t do your share."

"You’ll take me?"

He gave a sigh of resignation at her single-mindedness. "I haven’t said I would." He watched as she lowered her eyes to hide her excitement. "I’ll have to test your dog with my team. If they work well together, I’ll agree to your terms. If your dog can’t control the other dogs, I’ll have to look elsewhere."

"All right. Go ahead and test him now."

The first hint of a smile touched Jase’s lips. "It isn’t that easy. Tonight, your dog will join the team. If the other dogs haven’t killed him by morning, we’ll go on a run."

"Kill him?" She dropped to her knees and drew the big dog close. "Why would they attack Lucky?"

"Lucky, is it?" He studied the two of them and was surprised at the tight feeling in his chest. "A lead dog must assert himself with the rest of the team. If they decide to trust him, they’ll follow him blindly. But remember, Miss Malloy. Few dogs have what it takes to be leader."

He glanced at the darkening sky. "I suggest you go. Come back in two days. I’ll have an answer for you."

"He won’t stay with you." She rubbed her chin over the dog’s ruff in an intimate gesture.

"He will if you order it."

Jase watched as she caught the dog’s head in her hands. The look which passed between them was one of absolute love and devotion.

"Howard Beckman said a sled dog is only truly happy when he’s out on the trail. I hope he was right, Lucky." She buried her face in the thick fur and gave the dog a fierce hug.

Standing, she said in a choked voice, "You’re staying here now, boy."

As she took a step away, the dog moved to her side. She touched his head, then said in a strong voice, "No, Lucky. Stay."

The dog glanced uncertainly at the man who stood watching. For long moments, September stared sadly at the big dog. Then, avoiding Jase’s eyes, she said, "I’ll be back in two days."

Jase and the dog stood by the door of the cabin, watching the small figure until she was out of sight.

*  *  *

As soon as September finished helping Billy and Aggie with the chores, she set off for Jase Conroy’s cabin. These had been two of the longest days of her life. Fearing Snake’s wrath, she had kept out of sight, staying in her room as much as possible. Billy reported rumors that Snake’s men were searching every shack and tent in Skagway. There were even rumbles of a reward for the Velvet Voice.

The agony of not knowing what was happening to Lucky drove her to the edge of patience, which was already on a short leash. And each day that passed meant more miles between September and the man on whom she had sworn revenge. Deke Kendall. He was going to pay for what he had done to her on the boat. She had paid dearly for her innocent trust. Not only in terms of the money and valuables he stole, but also in the time and suffering she had endured since her arrival in Skagway. She was anxious to be on the trail.

As she neared the cabin, the sound of dogs baying in the distance caught her attention. From the crest of a hill she watched as the team came into view. Behind the lead dog, twelve dogs were harnessed two by two. Behind them was a long, flat sled. Riding behind was Jase, calling out single word orders which the dogs obeyed instantly. Against the backdrop of snow, they made a breathtaking sight.

As they drew near, she saw Lucky in the lead position. Although they passed within a few feet of where she stood, he continued running without giving any sign of recognition. At Jase’s command, they circled the cabin, then drew up to a smooth stop.

When he had unharnessed the team and removed the heavy boulders used to add weight to the sled, Jase tossed chunks of meat into the circle of dogs. With a snarl, Lucky demanded the first chunk and carried it off to be eaten. The other dogs each took a morsel. The team fell silent, accepting their reward for a job well done.

September watched in silence until Jase had finished his chore. When he walked toward her, she waited expectantly.

"They’re beautiful, aren’t they?"

She nodded. "I’ve never seen a dog team work before. They’re magnificent."

"Lucky may be the best lead dog I’ve ever worked with."

Her heart soared at the compliment. "Then you’re ready to bargain?"

He went very still. "Miss Malloy, I’ve had two days to think over your offer. I want the dog. In fact, now that I’ve worked with him, I have to have him. But I don’t think you understand what this trip will be like. Hundreds of people haven’t survived this kind of journey." His gaze swept her, noting the small hand which held the hem of her skirt out of the snow. "You don’t look like you’d make it a hundred miles, let alone six hundred."

September’s chin jutted defiantly. Her voice lowered in anger. "I didn’t think you were a man who went back on his word. We had a deal."

"I just want you to consider this very carefully. You’re going into an unforgiving wilderness, Miss Malloy. And if you slow down, I’ll go on without you. I have a job to do, and nothing will keep me from it. If you can’t keep up, I’ll leave you behind." His voice had a thread of steel. "Do you understand?"

She drew herself up to her full height, the top of her head barely reaching his shoulders. "Perfectly. And I have no intention of falling behind. I came to Alaska to find my father. I’m not leaving until I do." She took in a deep breath. "If you want to take my dog on this journey, you have to take me as well. Now." She found herself staring into stormy eyes. "Do we have a deal?"

He studied her in silence for a long moment. Then he nodded. "Deal."

Extending his hand, he felt the sudden shock as her small hand became engulfed in his.

"Tell me what supplies I need from Jacob Mueller."

"Those clothes will have to go. Tell Jacob to give you Eskimo furs. He’ll know what I mean." He took her arm. "Come inside. I’ll write down everything. Jacob will see that you’re properly outfitted for the wilderness."

"What about food?"

"I have to carry a great deal of food for the dogs. In order to work efficiently, they must be well fed. I’ll be able to hunt most days for our food. I carry only staples. For a trip like this I want to keep the sled as light as possible."

As he wrote, September glanced around the clean, sparsely furnished cabin. There was a rough- hewn bunk covered with fur hides. A fire crackled invitingly in a stone fireplace. A coffee pot hissed on a flat ledge ingeniously built over the fire for cooking. Beside the fireplace was a rocking chair, with a fur thrown carelessly over one arm.

The wonderful aroma of coffee made September realize how far she had walked.

He saw her gaze linger on the fire.

"Would you like some coffee?" he asked.

"Yes. It smells wonderful."

He poured two cups and handed one to her. She wrapped her hands around the mug and sipped gratefully. He finished writing, fighting the feelings that welled up inside him at the nearness of this woman. He could still recall the way her body felt, so soft and delicate against his. Her kiss had left him with a throbbing ache which would never end. Thoughts of her tormented him on the long, lonely nights he had spent since that incident. The mere presence of her in his cabin brought on a sudden rush of heat.

He looked up. To cover his feelings, his tone was cutting. "I was hoping Jacob would talk some sense into you, Miss Malloy. He knows how many men have never returned from the Yukon."

He saw the flash in her eyes even before she spoke. "I respect Mr. Mueller. But my mind is made up. Nothing will stop me from this."

Draining her cup, she set it down and picked up the list he had written.

"What time will we leave?"

He noted the "we." "At dawn. If you aren’t here, I’ll go without you."

She flashed him a triumphant smile. "I’m not going to be that easy to lose, Mr. Conroy. I’ll be here." She turned toward the door. "Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to see Lucky."

"He has to stay with the team."

"I understand that. But I want to see him just for a minute."

Opening the door, Jase lifted two fingers to his lips and whistled. Instantly, Lucky ran to his side.

She turned in surprise. "How did you teach him that?"

"Signals. Everything is done with signals. The lead dog has to know when I’m ready to harness the team. It’s his job to get them up and going."

September bent to pet the dog. Though he stared at her with the same old affection, he made no move to lick her hand.

Sensing her dejection, Jase said, "Don’t force him to decide between you and the team, Miss Malloy. He loves you in a special way. But Lucky is an Alaskan sled dog. His first loyalty must be to the team."

She nodded, then straightened.

"Dawn, Miss Malloy," Jase cautioned.

She met his look. "Wild horses couldn’t keep me away."

As she began to walk away, Lucky made a move as if to follow. Jase gave him a single command. The dog froze. Man and dog watched as she disappeared down the snow-covered trail to Skagway.