Snow Angel (14 page)

“That's OK, Jacko.” Noah knew Jacko and Will would support any decision he made, but it was good to hear them voice it. “I think I can manage alone, but if you know where I can borrow a good canoe …”

Jacko laughed and Will replied, “Don't be stubborn Noah, you'd lose precious time and energy canoeing to Skagway. I'll find you a little steamboat. I have enough folks around
here who owe me, and you're not unheard of in these parts. It shouldn't be too hard to scrounge up a boat.”

Noah nodded. “OK, I'll take the boat.”

He walked over to Will and held out his hands for the baby. Balancing her carefully, he cradled her in his arms, staring at the tiny, unspoiled potential of a new human, thinking how lucky she was to have a wonderful mother and a daddy who was already blindsided with love for her. What kind of woman would Elizabeth be if she'd had all that? He didn't know and, really, didn't care, because he simply loved her and he thought that she had begun to love him too. It would take more than a man from her past to stop him from finding her and winning her and bringing her home.

* * *

The chilly breeze that blew off the ice-laden water of the Gastineau Channel stung her cheeks as Elizabeth leaned against the railing of the river steamer
The Stars and Stripes
. Dark forests passed by, stark against the white backdrop of the mountains. Everything was so startlingly contrasted here, the colors of the land and the water vivid and opposing, as if they were competing to see which one could outshine the other.

Turning from the natural resplendence, Elizabeth's eyes swept over the passengers on deck. She saw two of her party, the twins, playing a game of poker around an overturned wooden crate. She had hoped the pair wouldn't get themselves into trouble but was convinced they wouldn't smell danger if it sat down in front of them, which looked to be the case now. Her gaze shifted to the dark-haired man sitting between them. He had the slow, lazy smile of a professional gambler, complete with thin mustache and cigar clamped between his teeth. With a sigh, she turned from the brilliant view of the ice-strewn water and strolled over to the boys.

Tilting her head to one side, she fluttered her lashes and drawled in her best southern imitation, “Now boys, I just know one of you promised to escort me around the deck. Why, I feel just perfectly silly standing here all by myself.” She let her gaze slide to the man in black and saw him staring thoughtfully at her. He winked. Turning her attention quickly back to the twins, she said, “Come on, fess up, which one of you promised? Ya'll know I can't tell you apart.”

She waited patiently, eyebrows raised, hands on her hips, tapping one foot, while they looked stupidly at each other. When Josh started sputtering, she held up a hand and puckered her mouth. “Now I know you're real involved in this here card game, but boys,” she leaned down and whispered, “I'm getting stares, if you know what I mean. Standing around all alone and all.” She almost grinned at their sudden scramble to rise. “Since you can't decide which one, why don't you both join me?” They looked uncertainly at the other players. Elizabeth turned back to the gambler and dimpled. “I'm sure you'll spare these gentlemen from the game? I am in such dire need of their assistance.”

He placed his fingers on the brim of his black hat and drawled mockingly, “Of course, ma'am, I'm sure I'll sleep better tonight knowing you are in such … capable hands.”

“Thank you, sir,” she replied tartly. Like most gamblers, he was too sharp for his own good. He may have seen through her ploy, but more importantly, the twins hadn't. Men didn't like to be rescued by a woman. They would be appalled if they knew she had likely just kept them from losing all their supply money. She'd seen more than her share of eager, green miners lose everything before they ever saw the gold fields, and these boys were like ripe berries to a marauding bear. She'd have
to keep her eye on them. Aside from their puzzling over her sudden accent, they were thrilled to be in demand. Being the only woman within miles did have a few advantages. Grasping each by an arm, she strolled them a safe distance away to the railing.

As the three stood on the deck, Elizabeth watched the twins as they were courted into awe by the scenery. Nearly everyone aboard was out enjoying the view. The air was misty and she could hear the groaning of the ice. Occasionally in the distance an oversized hunk would break away from a glacier and slide into the water, causing a monumental splash and cascade of snow. It looked too beautiful to be dangerous, but Elizabeth knew better and shivered, remembering her own near-death at the hands of the elements.

As the mist cleared and they moved away from the trees, all on deck collectively inhaled as a mighty glacier rose into the pale blue sky. She had never seen anything like it. It was fantastic … and blindingly white. The glare hurt her eyes. She lifted her hand in reflex, as did many of the others, but to no avail. Relief could only be gained by turning away, and yet she couldn't bear to miss it.

Charlie joined them at the rail just as Ben, one of the twins, was excitedly pointing out a herd of Dall sheep on a slope in the distance. Seconds later, another crowd on the other side of the boat proclaimed their awe as a humpback whale rose twisting from the water. The splash and spray that followed was all Elizabeth could see.

“Pretty easy trip so far, eh boys?” Charlie eyed Elizabeth shrewdly for a moment and touched the brim of his tan slouch hat. “Ma'am.”

“Hello, Charlie. I'd have to agree everything has been comfortable up to now.” She looked pointedly at the twins' backs and mumbled, “Perhaps a little too comfortable.”

Charlie nodded in understanding and turned to the twins. “You boys keep a sharp eye out for those gamblers. They'll take your savings before you can say Jack Frost.”

Josh wrinkled his nose. “Ah, come on, Charlie, we wouldn't let a fool thing like that happen.”

Charlie winked at Elizabeth, and she sensed the first sprouting of respect from him. She breathed an inward sigh of relief. She needed him on her side.

“You be careful, all the same. And don't underestimate these professional fellows. They know how to work the best of us,” he said.

Changing the subject, she asked, “Charlie, you said we should get to Dyea today.” She looked at the low midafternoon sun. “Do you think we'll make it before dark?”

“Yes, I do, Miss Smith. And if you'll look up ahead you'll see why.” Charlie pointed. “We just passed through the Lynn Canal, and Skagway is just up on the right. If you look close, you can make out that dark spot there on the bank. That's Skagway.”

Ben piped up. “Why did you say we weren't going to stop at Skagway? We're going on to Dyea, right?”

Josh elbowed Ben in the side. “Because of Soapy Smith, isn't that right, Charlie?”

Charlie laughed and exchanged glances with Elizabeth. “Soapy isn't anyone to tangle with, but that isn't why we're not going to Skagway. There are two trails to choose from to get to Lake Bennet and the Yukon River. Each trail has a different
mountain pass. This time of year, with spring just getting into full swing, the White Pass is a treacherous beast. And that's the path from Skagway. It turns into a swamp and a giant mud hole. Packhorses can't get through. Dogs can't get through.” He shook his head and spit a line of chew over the side of the boat. “It's the best trail in the winter, without the steep incline that the route we're taking has, but it's the devil in the spring. No boys, better prepare yourselves for Dyea, then Sheep Camp and the Chilkoot Pass.”

Elizabeth had already heard the details of both routes from all the men going through the post, but the twins were as excited and curious as children.

“How soon till we get to Dyea, then?” Ben wanted to know.

“And tell us about Soapy Smith,” Josh added with bright eyes.

Charlie slapped his leg with his hat, letting it dangle in one hand while he scratched his graying brown hair with the other. Squinting at the sun, the deep creases showing around his eyes on his tanned face, he replaced the hat and began. “Dyea is only three miles around the bend from Skagway—it shouldn't take over an hour.” He grew suddenly serious. “As for Soapy Smith, he pretty near owns Skagway.” He looked sternly at the twins. “He would have a couple of
cheechakos
like you boys in his clutches within minutes.” They started to protest, but Charlie went on. “They coax men fresh from the steamers to an outfitting office, and by the time you leave ‘outfitted' you haven't a cent left to your name. He even owns the docks. If you happen to cross his dock it'll cost you fifty cents, and if you rest your bags on one of his boards, it'll cost you a dollar for ‘storage.'
That's what they call it. And that's just the beginning. He owns the bank, the newspaper, and any law trying to go on in that town. We'd do better to steer clear of Skagway.”

Elizabeth grinned at the twins, who were looking at Charlie like he had just saved their lives. Elizabeth joined their appreciation. “It's a good thing we have you with us, Charlie. I know I'm grateful.” She meant it. A knowledgeable guide could save their lives and could mean the difference between the easy and the hard way in many difficulties.

Charlie turned a little red, gazing off into the distance.

Turning, Elizabeth saw the other two members of their group standing behind them. They looked odd standing together—the tall preacher, William Cleary, with his light-brown hair, beard, and mustache all neat and trim; and the hard, tanned half-breed, Skookum Billy, with his long, black hair and scowling features. She had tried to avoid Skookum and, so far, he had only watched her, but she knew if she was going to have any real trouble from this group, it would come from him.

* * *

THE BOOMTOWN DYEA didn't yet have a pier, so most of the passengers paid for their provisions to be paddled over on a small boat. Some of them, though, jumped into the freezing water, whooping and hollering their way to the shore. Elizabeth paid for herself a ride. It would take hours for the fools to dry out, and she had no intention of freezing all night in wet skirts. What she wouldn't give for a pair of pants!

Charlie gathered their group together on the bank with their belongings piled around them like the beginnings of
buildings. “Everyone has a tent, right?” He was looking at Elizabeth. He looked relieved when she nodded. “Good. There's a spot up on the hillside where we can set up camp. We'll need to set watches. While our supplies are probably safe from the other miners, they aren't from the animals. There are six of us, that's two-hour shifts each.” Again he looked at Elizabeth doubtfully. “Can you shoot a gun, if need be?”

Again she nodded.

“Well, that's everything then. We'll set up camp and eat some supper. I don't know about you boys, but I sure am hungry.” He looked at Elizabeth again and grinned. He didn't ask if she could cook.

After setting up her own small tent of white canvas and lining it with a fur and blankets, Elizabeth looked morosely at the cooking utensils scattered across the slope around the fire. They had each set out a ration for themselves and left it for her to cook. She tapped her foot against the ground as she saw the different varieties of fare each man had set out. The twins, thankfully, had jerked beef—that she wouldn't have to touch, so she knew at least they wouldn't go hungry. They had also set out two raw potatoes, some carefully measured flour in a hide bag, and sourdough starter dough in a little clay pot. What was she supposed to do with that?

Charlie had set out beans and flour, and William Cleary had some kind of smoked meat. She smelled it, wrinkling her nose. Some kind of salt-pork. Mr. Lynn—she still couldn't think of him by the first name of Skookum—had two whole fish (from the looks of them, freshly caught, though she couldn't imagine when) and some dried corn. Well, that would challenge anyone's teeth.

Sighing, she turned to look for water and something to carry it in. If Noah had taught her anything about cooking, it was that everything seemed to require water. If she had to fetch it herself she would never be done with this task. Where had all the men gone off to? Searching the camp, she felt her anger rise when she saw Charlie and William Cleary sitting propped up against trees, their hats down over their faces, snoring. The twins weren't around, probably down in Dyea getting the latest news. Skookum was busy smearing some sort of grease from a small pot on his arms and face. She could smell it from where she stood. Clearing her throat loudly in the direction of the snoring men, she said, “Excuse me, but I could use a little help getting the water? Hello?” When they kept right on snoring, Elizabeth marched over and tapped them on their hats. Charlie continued sleeping, but William woke up. “I'm sorry, Miss Smith. You need water? I'll see what I can do.”

As he left, Elizabeth went back over to the fire and stared at the food. She idly hoped it would jump up and cook itself and then laughed at herself for thinking such a thing. Charlie had placed an iron spit with a large black kettle hanging from it over the fire. William brought her the water. She poured some in the kettle and added the beans and the corn. They would just have to share. The potatoes she shoved under the nearest glowing log and then she looked dubiously at the meat. Walking around, she found a stick with a good point on it. Turning her head and batting her eyes quickly, she stabbed the fish with the stick until they were impaled on the end. How did women do this every day? The one job Margaret insisted on doing herself had been the cooking. She wouldn't let Elizabeth near the food stores, hoarding the supplies like a tight-fisted miser.

The smoked pork was already cooked, but she supposed she should do something with it, since Mr. Cleary had given it to her. Shrugging, she tore the bark from the other end of the stick and stabbed the pork on that end. Then she balanced the stick across the pot. Finally, with everything cooking she turned to the flour. She added water until it was sticky and then added some sugar from her small stash. Anything with sugar in it would have to be good, she reasoned. After all the “cooking” Elizabeth no longer had an appetite.

The men started prowling around like hungry bears half an hour later.

Skookum was the first one to comment. “You have ruined my food. You cook them unclean. I will eat yours.”

He looked at her so accusingly, Elizabeth wanted to cry, but she dared not. Instead she got mad. “Well, you should have cleaned them before you gave them to me. I don't take the guts out of fish. And since I didn't fix anything for myself, I guess you'll go hungry.”

“Other women do this. Why do you not do this?”

His face was so stern she was almost afraid to answer. “It's … it's disgusting. Besides, you still have the corn. It's in the pot with Charlie's beans. I only had the one pot so you'll both have to share.”

Charlie looked like he might choke but said nothing. Elizabeth tried to retrieve the potatoes from the fire, but she couldn't find them at first. Finally, she spied two round black things and rolled them out with a stick. She looked apologetically at the twins. “Just scrape off the black,” she said irritably when they stared at her wide-eyed. They chewed on their jerky instead and remained silent.