Authors: Ruth Ryan Langan
Skagway, 1900
On its trek from Dawson, the luxurious pullman of the White Pass and Yukon Railroad pulled into the station. At Jase’s signal, a horse-drawn rig pulled alongside. Settling September comfortably inside, they threaded their way through the busy streets of Skagway toward the imposing house nestled in the foothills. As they approached, Lucky barked his welcome, setting up a yawling from the other dogs. It took Jase and September half an hour to pet each dog and settle down the team for the evening.
"Billy’s done a fine job," Jase said, helping her off with her coat.
"I still can’t believe he’s married to little Melanie."
"Little Melanie is seventeen now. And so is Billy."
"But Jase, that’s so young."
He gave her a wicked smile. "That’s how old you were when we married."
She seemed surprised for a moment, then paused to contemplate.
"Was I really that young?"
"Younger. You were the most innocent seventeen year old I’d ever met."
"Really. As I recall, you thought I was a wicked woman out to bilk miners of their gold."
"Only a first impression," he said, catching a strand of her hair and watching it sift through his fingers. In her expensively tailored red traveling dress, he was once again reminded of the Velvet Voice. He’d never tire of looking at her. She was still the most fascinating woman he’d ever met.
"I have a surprise for you," he said suddenly.
"I love surprises. What is it?"
Jase held out a small box. Inside she saw the gleam of old gold. Eagerly she held it up.
"My mother’s locket. Oh, Jase. Where did you ever find this?"
"I bought it from a dealer. The Todding family suffered some financial losses this year. I’m sure it held no sentimental value for Adelia."
As September lifted up her hair, he fastened the clasp.
Casually he asked, "How would you like to go to San Francisco?"
She turned. "When?"
"As soon as Billy and Melanie are back at the mine site from their honeymoon and everything is going smoothly, I thought it might be fun for you to go back to your old neighborhood and see everyone."
Her smile grew. "You mean, be seen by everyone."
He shrugged. "We could hire a fine carriage and show everyone the result of your father’s dream."
She threw her arms around Jase’s neck. Just then Aggie descended the circular stairs carrying a chubby infant with pale, ivory skin and a thatch of fiery hair. Eagerly September cuddled him to her.
"Could we take Paddy along?"
"Of course. You won’t even have to introduce him to your old neighbors. One look at that hair and they’ll know he has to be Patrick Malloy’s grandson."
They both laughed as Jase took the infant into his arms. September stood on tiptoe to plant a kiss on his dimpled cheek. Then she stared up into the dark, laughing eyes of the man who had so often been there to fight for her safety and honor.
"If you want to make the trip, we’ll go," she said solemnly. "But if we never left this place, I’d be content. As long as I have you, and little Paddy here, I have everything I’ll ever want."
"Do you mind if I tell you something I usually only tell the dogs?" he muttered against her lips.
"What?"
"I love you, September Malloy Conroy."
"That’s all?"
He snuggled the infant against his chest and brought his other arm around her shoulders, drawing her close. "I’ve never been very good with words. But if you’ll come upstairs with me, I’ll show you."
Laughing, she handed the baby to Aggie and gave her a dreamy smile. "Don’t wait dinner tonight, Aggie. Jase and I have a lot of important things to—talk over."
The older woman cuddled little Patrick and gave a smile of approval. Some people wore love very well.
A warm, deep chuckle and a rich, husky whisper of laughter mingled as Jase and September walked arm in arm up the stairs.
The End