Chapter 82
Beth laughed, and August lifted Gerald into his strong arms.
"Yes," August said enthusiastically. "Let's go home!"
Chapter 16.
From Fairbanks to Northway, Gerald chattered about the plane and the view. August pointed out the highway below and explained to the boy about the work involved in building such a road.
Gerald listened in awe as August spoke of the powerful machinery that helped clear the way. "I'd like to do that, too," Gerald said in animated excitement. "I want to do work just like you."
"I thought you wanted to be a pilot," August replied, s.h.i.+fting Gerald so he could get a better view.
"That was what my old daddy did. Now I want to do work like my new daddy. You are going to be my new daddy, aren't you?" Gerald questioned sincerely.
"Would you like that?" August asked with a grin.
"I sure would," Gerald answered. "Phillip would, too. He told me so."
"Well then," August said with a glance at Beth, "we'll just have to see what the good Lord works out."
Beth felt a twinge of disappointment at August's words. She'd held her breath, waiting for his reply, and then she'd only heard a "wait and see" answer. Hiding her frustration, Beth was relieved that Gerald seemed satisfied with August's answer.
Folding her hands in her lap, Beth thought about the situation and glanced up to find August watching her. She offered the briefest smile, and when August winked and grinned back, Beth felt relieved. There was no way of knowing exactly what August had in mind, but Beth was certain he loved her and the boys. Wait and see wasn't an easy thing to accept, but it did offer the possibility of more, and Beth clung to that for rea.s.surance.
The plane touched down shortly before dinnertime with Gerald already complaining that his stomach was growling. Stepping off the plane, August offered a hand to Beth.
"It's good to be home," Beth declared and breathed deeply of the crisp air. "I've missed it so much and Phillip, too."
August easily lifted Gerald into his arms and swung in step behind Beth. "I suggest we get your things, and I'll see about securing us a ride home. After all, this little boy is about to starve to death."
"I'll square getting the suitcase," Beth offered with a laugh. She watched as August hoisted Gerald over his head and onto his shoulders. What a great father he would be for her sons!
August waited until Beth was deep in conversation with the pilot before going off in search of a ride to the roadhouse. It was hard to believe that autumn had come in their absence. The fireweed was snowy with its cotton plumes floating through the air, and aspen s.h.i.+mmered with their hues of gold and orange.
In the distance, August could see that the Wrangell Mountains were already glistening with thick layers of snow. It wouldn't be long before snow would hug the ground in a white, insulating blanket. Thoughts of cold weather made August think of his dogs and sled travel. He'd have to find a way to bring them here from Nome and teach the boys to drive a team.
It wasn't hard to find a ride to Gantry Roadhouse; most everyone had heard of Gerald's illness and were anxious, even pleased, to lend a hand to the little boy.
The driver of the jeep turned out to be Private Ronnie Jacobs, one of the soldiers Beth had baked sweet potato pies for.
"It's mighty good to see that your boy is healthy and strong again," Ronnie said as he helped Beth into the seat.
"Thank you, Private," Beth returned. "Have they kept you well fed in my absence?"
The young man laughed. "Not on this army's food. I missed coming down to the roadhouse to buy the extras. I guess pretty soon we'll be out of here altogether. It'll sure be good to go back where it's warm. I miss Georgia."
"Who's she?" Gerald asked as August handed him to Beth.
Ronnie laughed. "That's not a girl. It's the state I live in."
"Is it as pretty as Alaska?" Gerald asked.
"I think so," the private responded, taking the driver's seat while August jumped in the back. "Now, if everybody's set, I'll get y'all home."
The drive to the roadhouse was over quickly. August had barely put a foot out of the jeep when Phillip came bursting out the doorway.
"Mommy! Daddy!" he called out. Running down the dirt pathway, he held out open arms for August's embrace. August tossed him high in the air. Phillip's giggles sounded like music to Beth and August's ears.
"Phillip, you must have grown six inches since I last saw you. Come give Mommy some love," Beth said, reaching out to take her son from August.
"I missed you, Mommy. I missed you whole bunches." Phillip's m.u.f.fled voice fell in kisses against his mother's neck.
"Oh, and I missed you, pumpkin. I missed you so much," Beth replied. "And look here," she said as she put Phillip down. "Gerry's back, and he's all better."
"I helped take care of him, didn't I, Mommy?" Phillip questioned, catching sight of his brother. "Gerry!" he squealed as he rushed to hug his sibling. The boys were great friends and had missed each other terribly. Soon they were laughing and talking at once as they shared their adventures with each other.
Mrs. Miller came outside to join the reunion. "Gerald!" she called out and waved. As the foursome approached the older woman, Beth could see there were tears in Hazel Miller's eyes.
"Praise be to G.o.d!" she exclaimed, embracing Gerald.
"I was real sick," Gerald explained seriously.
"You sure were," the older woman agreed. "But G.o.d made you well, and I've made a celebration dinner to thank Him."
"Hazel, how nice!" Beth remarked. She was weary to the bone and anxious to drop into bed, but she wouldn't have spoiled Hazel's celebration for all the world.
"I could eat a moose," August declared with a grin.
"Well, I just might have some of that, too," Mrs. Miller said, laughing. "You'll just have to wash up and set yourself down to see."
The boys and August hurried in the direction of the washroom while Beth lingered a moment with Hazel.
"Hazel, I'm indebted to you for life," Beth said as she hugged her friend. "Without you
"I'm happy to have helped. I finally felt useful, and I think it taught me something else," Hazel said, taking a step back.
"And what's that, Hazel?" Beth questioned.
"I've just been wasting myself and the talents the good Lord gave me. I've been hiding myself away, picking and choosing what I'll be a part of and what I won't. I hadn't realized how cloistered away I'd become."
"Don't be too hard on yourself, Hazel," Beth interjected. "You have done much to live for G.o.d. You teach Sunday school at the church and sing in the choir. Everyone who knows you or has had an opportunity to speak with you knows your heart."
"That may be, but I know I can do more and I intend to," Hazel replied. "But enough about me. What about you and Mr. Eriksson?"
"Oh, Hazel," Beth said, smiling broadly. "G.o.d has renewed August's heart. He's found his way back to the truth, and he loves me."
"How wonderful!" Hazel exclaimed. "G.o.d truly has answered our prayers. Has the man asked you to marry him?"
"Not in those words, but I am certain it's his intention. I can hardly wait until we're a family," Beth said happily.
"I believe you already are," Hazel stated and pulled open the door. "Now come along. My fine supper is getting cold, and those men of yours looked mighty hungry." Beth nodded with a smile and followed Hazel to the kitchen.
Dinner was as fine an affair as any Beth or August had ever known. Hazel had prepared so many specialties that Beth lost track of what she'd sampled.
Smoked reindeer sausages lay in long, steaming strips atop a bed of seasoned rice, while another pot held sliced moose in a tantalizing barbecue sauce.
Sourdough bread from a starter Mrs. Miller claimed was over seventy years old was quickly devoured with huge spoonfuls of homemade blueberry jelly.
Accompanying all this richness was an array of vegetables and fruit that bowed the table under its weight. On top of the stove sat strawberry-rhubarb pies and a fresh pot of coffee. There was decidedly more food than five people could eat, but no one seemed to mind.
"I know you'll want to put those boys to bed," Hazel said as she began to clear the table. "Why don't you run on ahead and take care of them? I'll clean up this mess."
"I can't let you go on taking care of us," Beth said, stacking the boys' dishes together and reaching for August's.
"Now, I'll be gone in an hour or two and you'll have yourself and your family to take care of. Let me do this for you while you enjoy getting back to your routine," Hazel insisted.
"I think that's mighty fine of you, Mrs. Miller," August said. He got to his feet and patted his stuffed stomach. "I can't remember the last time I had anything quite that good. After they get done with rationing, you ought to open up a restaurant."
"I think that would be a grand idea, Hazel. Maybe that's the purpose you've been looking to fill," Beth remarked. "Better yet, maybe we could add it to the roadhouse. I know my boarders would be a lot happier if I offered meals with their rooms."
"And if you were careful with the things you served, you could probably get started before the war is over," August said, contemplating the possibilities. "We could build on to the kitchen, maybe over here." August walked to the south wall of the kitchen where the stove stood. "I don't think it would be all that difficult."
"I don't expect you to alter your roadhouse for me," Hazel replied evenly, but in her heart was born the first ray of excitement.
"It would be beneficial to both of us," Beth replied. "Besides, I don't expect to run a roadhouse all of my life. Maybe you could eventually buy me out."
Beth's revelation was news to August. He wondered what her plans were for the future.
"Well, you've certainly given an old woman a great deal to think about," Hazel murmured, moving the hot food back to the stove. "But right now, you have two boys who are nearly asleep as they stand," she said and motioned to where Gerald and Phillip were swaying on their feet.
"Come on, boys," August said, scooping a child into each arm. "I think it's time to tuck you in."
The boys needed little in the way of tucking in. They were both asleep almost before their heads..h.i.t the pillows. Beth stood for a moment at the door of their bedroom. She took a deep breath and sighed. The boys slept healthy and comfortable in their beds, and in the kitchen, August waited for her to join him. What more could she possibly want?
Gently, she pulled the door closed and went to August. "Seeing my children at rest has to be the most precious moment of the day. I never fail to be amazed at the comfort and joy it gives me," Beth said, taking August's hand in her own.
Thinking they would be helping to clean up the dishes, Beth registered surprise as August maneuvered her past Hazel with a wink and out the back door into the chilly night air.
They walked hand in hand for several yards, enjoying the solitude of the moment. Beth felt a peace she hadn't dared hope for after JB's death.
Pausing, she turned to face August. "I want to thank you for all you've done-especially coming to me in Fairbanks. I think I would have fallen apart if you hadn't been there."
August's dark eyes stared down at her for a long time before he spoke. He was eager to make Beth his wife, yet there seemed so much that had gone unsaid between them. "I needed to be there," he finally whispered, "as much as you needed me to be there."
Beth silently hoped that August would take this opportunity to propose to her. She felt light and airy, and her heart was fairly flying on wings of its own. Surely August felt the same.
Leading Beth to the long bench he had made for evenings such as this one, August searched for the right words to speak what was on his heart. "I brought you out here for a purpose," he began. "I needed to tell you something and explain."
Beth's brow furrowed. This didn't sound like the beginning of a marriage proposal. "What is it, August?"
"I'm going back to Nome," he replied.
Beth felt her chest tighten. Her mind whirled in a thousand directions as she wondered what August meant by his words. She gripped the arm of the bench and forced herself to be silent. Had she misunderstood his words in Fairbanks? Didn't he intend to marry her after all?
"I have an entire life back in Nome that you know nothing about," August explained. "I have a sister and a lifetime of mementos, not to mention a dogsled team to rival any in the territory."
August's words held such longing that Beth couldn't maintain her silence. "You're leaving us?" She dreaded hearing the answer.
"Only to get my things," August said with a grin. "You can't get rid of me that easily. I don't intend to be gone a moment longer than is necessary to pack my sled and mush my team back here." August noticed Beth's look of concern. "You didn't really think I'd leave you for good, did you?"
Beth shrugged her shoulders. "I didn't know what to think. I mean, I knew how I felt, and I thought I understood how you felt, but-"
"But then I told you I was going to Nome," August interrupted, "and you started to worry?"
"Nome is hundreds of miles away," Beth said, feeling little relief that August intended to return. "So much could happen to you on the way back. There's so much open, empty s.p.a.ce between here and there. What if you have an accident or a storm comes up?"
"I've traveled those trails hundreds, even thousands of times. I know every inch of land between Nome and Nenana. Nothing is going to happen to me," August insisted.
"I wish you didn't have to go," Beth replied honestly. "I've said too many good-byes."
"Then we won't say good-bye," August stated firmly. "You could come with me. Mrs. Miller could watch over the roadhouse. We could fly to Nome and drive the dogs back together."
Beth shook her head. "I couldn't leave the boys that long. They need me to be a constant in their lives. They've said good-byes, too, remember? And their father never came home again. I couldn't put them through that, and taking them on the trail would be much too difficult, especially with Gerald just recovered from meningitis."
"I guess I wasn't thinking," August offered by way of apology.
"It's all right. I understand you have to go back, and you understand I have to stay. I guess the thing for me to do is give you over to G.o.d once again," Beth said, fighting tears that threatened to spill from her eyes.
"Who better to place me with?" August said, putting his arm around Beth's shoulders. He lifted her face to meet his and spoke with such tenderness that Beth thought her heart would burst. "I love you, Bethany Hogan. I've loved you for so long now, I don't remember a time when I didn't love you. And I love your children as if they were flesh of my flesh. I want to be a father to those boys, and I want to live my life in the warmth of your love."
Without waiting for her reply, August lowered his lips to kiss her long and deeply. He felt her tears fall against his cheek as she clung to him.
When he lifted his face, August was surprised to find Beth smiling. "Tears and smiles?" he questioned. Gently he brushed away a glistening drop from her face.
"I love you, August," she whispered in a voice more composed than August thought possible, given her reaction to his news. "I know your trip is necessary, but I wish you didn't have to leave me for so long."
"I'll be back before you know it, and when I return, I'll bring my mother's wedding ring and marry you. That is, if you'll have me," he added with a broad smile.
Beth reached out to push back his dark hair. The light from the moon illuminated his face as if it were day. "I'll marry you, August Eriksson. I'll be your wife, and bear your children, and all of my days I will love you as I have loved no other."