Authors: Ruth Ryan Langan
* * *
September avoided the straight route to the boardinghouse. This time, she had the advantage of knowing that she was being followed. Ducking between a row of tents, she ran until she came to a clearing. The moon broke free of cloud cover, bathing the town in dim light. She waited, watching the clouds scudding across the sky. As soon as the moon was again shadowed, she darted across the open space, then crouched behind a small shed. She waited, her breath coming in short gasps, until she was certain there was no one nearby. Then she lifted the hem of her skirt and began running.
She rounded the corner of Jacob Mueller’s Store and dashed between rows of makeshift buildings. She could make out the boardinghouse in the distance. Home. Safety. She was almost there.
The clouds drifted off, leaving the full moon aglow in the night sky. Forsaking caution, she made a run for the clearing. A hand snaked out, stopping her in her tracks. A second hand caught her by the shoulders, spinning her around.
"Not so fast, girlie. You got something we want."
A second man came up behind her, pinning her by the throat with one massive arm.
"Where’s the money?"
She was gasping so hard from the effort of running that she couldn’t speak. Her breath came in short little gasps.
"Answer me." He tightened his grip on her neck. She thought her bones would snap. "Where’s the money?"
Her heart thudded frantically in her chest. "It’s here in my pocket. If you’ll let go of me, I’ll give it to you."
The man dropped his hand. The other one let go of her shoulder. They stood on either side of her. September noticed their gazes locked on the torn bodice of her gown. Humiliated, she caught at it with her hand, holding it closed against their greedy looks. With trembling hands, she reached into the pocket of her gown and took a quick step away. Both men looked surprised at the glitter of steel in her hand.
"Unless you let me go, I’ll be forced to use this."
For a long, silent moment, the two men simply stared at her. Then their surprise turned to amusement. The shorter of the two laughed.
"I don’t think that’s much protection against two guns."
"Maybe not. But one of you will die."
The taller man drew his gun. "I’m willing to bet you’re not fast enough to do much damage at all."
As he aimed his gun, September tossed the knife. He turned slightly, deflecting the knife, which landed in his shoulder.
"Bitch!" The shorter one caught her by her hair, pulling her head sharply back.
Tears stung her eyes at the pain.
"Now, I think we’re entitled to more than the money. Before we’re through with you, girlie, you’ll wish you were dead."
The taller man pulled the knife from his shoulder and pressed a handkerchief to stem the blood which gushed from the wound. At the first real sting of pain, he slapped her hard across the face.
"You’re going to pay for this."
He yanked her from the other man’s grasp and pulled her to the ground. While his partner mocked her with evil laughter, the man pinned her beneath his body.
She cried out in pain and fear. At her cry, a dark shadow rushed from the darkness to leap on the man, snarling and growling like some wild thing. As September rolled aside, she looked up to see Billy break a heavy board over the other man’s head. He crumpled and fell to the dirt.
Enraged at the sound of September’s cry, Lucky had lunged for the man’s throat. A gunshot exploded in the darkness, and September screamed the dog’s name.
"Lucky!"
The night was deathly quiet.
From the twisted bodies, the dog raised his head. Beneath him, the man lay quietly, blood oozing from a fatal wound.
"Oh, Lucky." September wound her arms around the dog’s neck and buried her face in his fur. For long trembling moments she clung to him, unable to believe he had come to her rescue.
"Come on, September. Let’s get out of here." Billy placed an arm around September’s waist, helping her to her feet.
"Not so fast."
At the icy tone of the gunman, they froze.
Dazed by the blow to his head, he got to his feet slowly. The dull metal of the gun in his hand glinted in the moonlight.
"We’ve got some unfinished business, girl. But first, I’ll get rid of the kid and the dog."
"No!" September wrapped her arms around Billy’s shoulders, shielding him with her body.
"Move aside." With one hand, the gunman flung her away and took aim at the boy.
Before Lucky could leap at this new threat, a single gunshot rang through the night’s stillness. Horrified, September watched as the gunman’s eyes widened in surprise. In slow motion he crumpled to the dirt, a dark red stain covering the front of his shirt.
From the shadows, Jase stepped into the circle of moonlight. September flew to Billy’s side. Both of them stared speechless at the stranger who had saved their lives.
"Damned little fool. You always seem to be getting yourself into trouble," he muttered.
"And you always seem to be around to get me out." She brushed a stray lock of hair from Billy’s forehead, in an oddly intimate gesture. Billy in return touched her cheek.
Jase found himself resenting this scrawny boy, who appeared so protective. "Your sister?"
The boy shook his head. "We’re friends."
Jase offered her a grim smile. "You seem to attract admirers of all ages."
Cocking his head suddenly at the sound of voices drawing near, he said, "These men work for Rawlins. And he has the law of this town in his pocket. Get out of here. Fast."
Billy took September’s hand. With his arm around her shoulder and Lucky walking closely beside her, they quickly made their way to the boardinghouse. The stranger, September noted, had melted into the darkness.
At her bedroom, September paused. "Didn’t I tell you not to follow me to Rawlins’ Saloon?"
Billy nodded.
September wrapped her arms wearily around his neck and kissed his cheek. "I’m awfully glad you had the good sense not to listen to me. Thank you, Billy," she whispered, tenderly touching his cheek. "You and Lucky saved my life."
"And that stranger," he added.
"Yes. And the stranger."
Embarrassed at the feelings she stirred by her closeness, Billy avoided her eyes. "Here. I picked this up before we left. I thought you might need it again some time."
September stared at the fish knife in his hand. With a somber look she took it from him. "It’s been a good friend. And so have you."
She gave him another kiss on the cheek. With a weak smile, she closed her bedroom door.
While she slept with the knife under her pillow, the dog drowsed, his ears attuned for any unusual sound in the night.
In another room, a young boy rolled into his blanket and thought about the soft lips which had grazed his cheek, melting his young heart, making him September’s slave forever.
And in the dark night, a solitary figure made his way to his cabin, cursing the feelings which stirred in him each time he even thought about the Velvet Voice, a waif in a severe red gown, who held an entire room full of men enthralled.
Damn the woman. One minute she was a vixen, soft, purring; the next, fighting like a she-wolf for the safety of her cubs.
Jacob Mueller looked up as the young woman entered. As always, the big dog waited outside the door, watching her every move.
"Morning, Miss Malloy. What can I do for you?"
"I hear there are big strikes along the Klondike. I need the proper gear for a trip there."
"I didn’t know you were interested in mining, Miss Malloy."
"I’m not. But I know my father. If there’s a big strike, he’ll be in the middle of it. And I intend to find him, now that I’ve earned enough money for the trip."
His smile faded. "I’m sorry. It isn’t that simple. There isn’t anyone who’ll take you up into the Yukon this time of year."
"But what about the pack trains?"
He pointed out the door of his store. "Have you looked at the weather, Miss? Those are snow clouds. The winter’s closing in. No one attempts the ice fields in winter."
"But I see people leaving every day."
"They’re fools, Miss Malloy. They have the fever. They really believe they can just slog through ice and snow and find gleaming yellow nuggets waiting for them in some swollen stream, or along the side of a trail."
"Are you telling me they’ll all fail?"
"I’m saying that most of them won’t even make it through White Pass. They will lose everything they’ve managed to save, and they’ll go back home more desperate than when they arrived."
She looked at him pleadingly. "There must be someone who knows this area who’s willing to take a chance."
He shook his head, speaking more to himself than to her. "The only man I know who’s foolish enough to make a trip like that in winter is Jase Conroy. I know he’s planning to go soon. He’s already put in his order for the gear."
Her head came up. "Jase Conroy? Where can I find him?"
"He doesn’t live in town, Miss Malloy. He has a cabin in the foothills."
That was even better. She wouldn’t have to spend the day looking over her shoulder for Snake’s revenge. She was no longer safe in this town.
"Can you give me directions?"
He held up a hand. "Now wait a minute. I can tell you how to get to his place. But believe me, old Jase is one man who won’t take anyone along. Especially a woman."
"Mr. Mueller, it’s worth a try. Please." She gave him a bright smile. "At least tell me where he lives."
At the light in her eyes, he relented. "No harm in trying. But I warn you, you’re not going to change old Jase’s mind."
"Thanks, Mr. Mueller. I have to try."
He gave her the directions, then watched with amusement. She didn’t have a prayer of a chance.
* * *
As September made her way from town and walked along the deserted path which led up into the hills around Skagway, she saw the dog lift his head. She felt the bite of snow in the air. Jacob Mueller was right. If not today, then soon. Winter was already upon them.
Snow had already come to the higher elevations. Drawing her shawl tightly about her shoulders, September lifted the hem of her black wool gown and picked her way through the treacherous drifts.
The cabin was made of rough-hewn timbers. It was a snug building, with pitch sealing the logs to keep out the ever present wind, which rattled down the mountains. Smoke curled from the chimney.
The big dog stopped at the sound of barking dogs. His body stiffened before he bounded ahead of her. His gait was stronger than it had ever been.
She knocked.
Please, God, let old Jase Conroy be at home. I have to get started, before Snake decides to seek revenge.
The cabin door opened. September felt her mouth go suddenly dry. "You’re—Jase Conroy?"
The stranger aboard the boat. The stranger from the saloon. The stranger who had kissed her in the tent.
He looked as stunned as she felt.
"Jacob Mueller told me to see you." She licked her lips. His gaze centered on her mouth. "He said you’re the only one he knows who’s crazy enough to travel to the Yukon in winter."
His eyes softened a little. "Jacob is an old friend, so he can get away with that remark." He waited, puzzled.
"I..." She looked down. This was going to be a lot more difficult now, knowing this man was Jase Conroy. "My name is September Malloy."
He almost smiled. "September. That’s your real name?"
She nodded, then spoke the words in a rush. "I must get to the Klondike."
"And you want to go with me?"
She nodded.
"Sorry." His voice hardened. "I travel alone."
His hand moved to close the door.
"Wait." She hated the pleading note in her voice. "Please."
He hesitated.
"I’ll pay you anything you ask."
His eyes narrowed. "I’m sure you have plenty of money." He remembered only too well how she earned it. "But I don’t need your money."
He was quick to note the desolation in her eyes.
"Big deposits of gold have been discovered in the Klondike. I know that’s where my father is."
"Then stay in Skagway, Miss Malloy. When he’s either found his gold, or given up the search, he’ll be back."
"You just don’t understand." Defeated, she said, "There has to be some way to make you take me along."
His voice was a low rumble of controlled fury. "I wouldn’t take you with me for all the money in Snake Rawlins’ safe. Go back to your saloon, Miss Malloy."
"I can’t. I’m not working there any more."
"Of course not." How could he forget. With a fresh rush of anger he remembered the miner and his sack of gold, and Snake’s men who wanted to take it from her. She’d finally found the big strike. She no longer needed to work for a living.
"Go back to Skagway, Miss Malloy. I can’t help you."
She kept her voice steady. "You mean you won’t."
His eyes narrowed fractionally. "That’s right. I won’t."
He stood framed in the doorway of his cabin, looking formidable. The dog, completely forgotten by both of them, watched the angry exchange. Lucky nuzzled her hand, eager to comfort her. She seemed not to notice. She turned away, then began trudging along the path which led back to Skagway. The dog trotted along by her side.
Jase frowned. September. Her name was September. For the rest of his life, he would be able to see her, small and soft and beautiful, and think of September as his favorite month of the year. Despite the kind of woman he knew her to be, despite the bile of bitterness which rose to his throat at the thought of that miner and his sack of gold, the thought of her could still make his blood hot. His hand tightened its grip on the door, as he swore and called himself every kind of fool.