[Yukon Quest 01] - Treasures Of The North (29 page)
‘‘Well, that’s part of what we need to discuss,’’ Bill began, but Karen quickly continued, giving him little chance to speak.
‘‘Jacob has been very troubled over these passing weeks. He has few friends in this town and his heart seems quite burdened by something. He won’t talk on the matter. I’ve tried working with him on studies, but he holds little interest and while he’s good to contribute to our needs by bringing food and sometimes other necessities, he distances himself from all of us, Leah included.’’
‘‘He’s a young man in a house full of women,’’ Bill replied. ‘‘I’m sure he’s feeling a bit out of sorts.’’
‘‘It’s more than that,’’ Karen admonished. ‘‘He’s often been in fights.’’
‘‘It’ll do him good to fight for what he believes. That’s how it is with men.’’
Karen shook her head. ‘‘He needs a father. As you said, he’s surrounded by women. Perhaps he should join you on the trail.’’
Bill tensed. ‘‘I don’t think that would be a good idea. The elements are killing people every day. Sometimes from workin’ too hard, sometimes the weather. You know there’ve been floods and mud slides, snow and ice storms. It’s a hard life, and I’d rather not see him exposed to it just yet. I’m sure he’ll adjust to working here with you in time.’’
‘‘I disagree. He needs you.’’
‘‘I think, Miss Pierce, I’m better able to know what my kids need than you are.’’
Karen lifted her chin, striking a rather defiant pose. ‘‘I may not have children of my own, but I know children. I nannied Grace for over ten years. I know when something isn’t right and your son is clearly troubled.’’
Bill knew he would have to explain the situation. ‘‘You have to understand that some things have changed. I’ve been working hard to put together supplies for the journey north, but one man working alone is hardly able to manage very well for himself. The men I’m working with would have little patience for children—that’s why I’ve chosen to keep them here in your care.’’
‘‘Your son needs you,’’ Karen reiterated. ‘‘Who else will show him how to be a man?’’
‘‘He already knows how to be a man, Miss Pierce. He’s fourteen. He’ll be fifteen next month. My father was already dead by the time I’d reached that age and I grew up just fine.’’
‘‘Fine enough that you give little consideration for the needs of your children. You might as well not even come back for all the good you’re doing.’’
Bill bristled at this. ‘‘I’m not going to stand here and argue,’’ he said, forcing his tone to remain calm. He suddenly felt almost panicked by her reaction. He couldn’t very well tell her of his plans now. Not when she was being so harsh with him in regard to Jacob and Leah. Turning to leave, he stopped and added, ‘‘Jacob will be just fine. He’s going to have times when he fights. It’s the only way he’ll learn.’’
‘‘Learn what, Mr. Barringer? How to be as coldhearted and unfeeling as you?’’
Bill stormed out of the tent, not willing to even answer. He wasn’t coldhearted and unfeeling. If anything, his feelings were eating him alive. Karen Pierce didn’t know what she was talking about.
Jacob had heard every word spoken between his father and Karen Pierce. He felt horribly guilty for what had transpired between them. After all, they were talking about him. Karen was worried about the fights he’d had—at least the ones she knew about. Trouble was, Jacob found himself so often out of sorts with folks that he was quickly gaining a reputation as being a hoodlum. He felt bad that Karen worried, but he felt worse that his father didn’t. How could he just walk away and not care what those fights were about?
Jacob felt tears come to his eyes and angrily wiped them away. He wasn’t a baby and he wasn’t going to cry. If his own father didn’t have time or concern for him, then that was just the way it would be. He wasn’t going to shed tears over it, and he sure wasn’t going to let anyone know how much it hurt inside.
A SENSATION OF ANXIETY and anticipation washed over Peter as he made his way up from the Skagway docks. Word had come that
Summer Song
had arrived some hours earlier, as well as news that Martin Paxton had traveled north with the Colton family.
His family was to have rooms in the upstairs quarters of Martin Paxton’s mercantile. Being one of the few completed wood-framed buildings, Paxton’s store would afford them the best protection from the elements, as well as allow them time to visit with Paxton and make plans for the future.
To say that news of his father’s friend coming north was disturbing was an understatement Peter didn’t care to explore. He should have been grateful and glad for Paxton’s interest in his family, yet he felt like a jealous sibling. For reasons that were beyond his understanding, Martin Paxton’s arrival was rapidly diminishing the pride Peter felt in having purchased a building for the Colton Trading Post. He had planned to sit down with his father and explain the situation and the expenditures necessary to secure the store in Dyea. He had hoped to receive his father’s blessing and approval for the choices he’d made, and somehow Martin Paxton’s presence robbed Peter of the limelight. Peter knew his father would be focused on the old family friend rather than Peter’s accomplishments, and it made him feel most uncomfortable.
I have to stop undermining my victories and accomplishments,
Peter told himself.
I’ve worked hard for this, and the
likes of Paxton shouldn’t be the cause of my defeat
.
Acquiring the building had come at no small sacrifice. He’d had to pay a great deal to purchase the building, and along with this, Peter had to pledge shipments of building supplies that he would turn over at cost to the contractor. With the purchase finalized, Peter had sent half a dozen of his best men to help with the move of the store’s goods and had even hired a sign painter to mark the new business properly. He felt good about what he’d accomplished. It had cost him a pretty penny, to be sure, but Grace and her friends, along with the trade goods, would be safe. The expense was worth it. Still, the idea of having to share his news in the presence of a man he had come to feel rather negatively toward left Peter feeling foolish.
Father admires and cares deeply for this man,
he reminded himself.
It’s hardly fitting that I should despise the man simply
for encouraging my father to take proper business risks
. After all, Paxton had the capital to offer along with his advice.
As Peter neared the store he admired an artistically painted red, white, and blue sign announcing
Paxton & Co. Mining
Supplies
. An American flag was painted on either side of the name. The sign was new and Peter was notably impressed with the addition. It lent the store a certain flair of wealth and prestige, as well as patriotism. Of course, he wasn’t sure that the stampeders would care about the aesthetics, but the tasteful presentation both impressed and discouraged Peter. His own store would be a shoddy example next to Paxton’s.
Perhaps I
can get my own painter to embellish Colton Trading Post with a
bit of flair. I might even bring up several gallons of colorful paint
and do the store up proper
. The thought made him feel marginally better.
Peter made his way inside, nodding at the clerk and searching the room for any sign of a familiar face. ‘‘I believe Mr. Paxton is arriving today along with my family,’’ he announced.
‘‘Yes, sir. They’re all upstairs. You can use the stairs back there.’’ The man pointed to an open door beside a display of sleigh runners and wagon tongues.
Peter nodded and made his way through the well-stocked store. No doubt deliveries from
Summer Song
were quick to be put into order if Mr. Paxton had anything to say about the matter.
Climbing the steep, narrow stairs, Peter wondered what his encounter with Martin Paxton might actually bring to light. The man could be someone Peter might respect and enjoy dealing with. Intelligent men with a mind for business were always of value to Peter’s way of thinking.
He opened the door onto the second floor and was greeted by Miranda’s laughter and his father’s enthusiastic tales of boyhood.
‘‘Peter!’’ Miranda declared as he stepped into the room. ‘‘Oh, do come join us. Father is telling the most delightful story of when he and Mr. Paxton’s mother got lost while exploring a cave.’’
‘‘I’m glad to see you all have arrived safely,’’ Peter said, giving his mother and sister a smile. He turned his attention only briefly to his father before sizing up the middle-aged man at his father’s side.
‘‘You must be Martin Paxton,’’ Peter said, not waiting for an introduction.
Paxton smiled and extended his hand. ‘‘And you are the man responsible for keeping Colton Shipping in the black. Your father speaks very highly of you.’’
Peter felt some of his confidence return. He smiled at Paxton, noting a severity in the older man’s expression. While he offered a smile and friendly words, the man’s eyes seemed to denote a more cautious demeanor.
‘‘And I’ve heard favorable stories of the Paxtons since I was a small boy,’’ Peter replied, shaking hands.
‘‘We are all very much like family, eh?’’
‘‘Indeed we are,’’ Ephraim Colton offered. ‘‘Once you have found your bride and are married, we shall endeavor to have you both spend time with us in San Francisco.’’
Peter was confused by the statement. ‘‘Are you looking for someone in particular or simply searching the Alaskan territory for a wife?’’
Paxton laughed. ‘‘No, I have a particular woman in mind. We were engaged some time ago. She came north with friends and, well, I was to join her here. We’ll marry and return to the States before winter disallows for easy passage.’’
‘‘You shouldn’t have any trouble. These harbors are said to remain open year-round. I’ve not yet experienced the situation firsthand but have heard favorably from other captains.’’
‘‘That’s indeed good news,’’ Paxton replied.
Peter couldn’t shake the feeling that Paxton was considering him beyond the mere introduction of a family friend. Paxton’s green eyes seemed to take in everything around him all at once, while at the same time be zeroed in on Peter as if awaiting an answer to some unspoken question.
‘‘We told Mr. Paxton you could probably help him in finding his fiance
e,’’ Peter’s mother began, ‘‘but seeing the number of people in Skagway, perhaps it won’t be quite that simple.’’
Peter nodded. ‘‘The town is growing daily. I brought a full ship of men and women to the city just ahead of you. All were most anxious to make their fortunes. Nevertheless, Mr. Paxton, if I can be of help in your search—’’
‘‘I have hired some men to help in searching through the town,’’ Paxton interrupted. ‘‘Although I understand there is another town a few miles away. I believe it’s called Dyea.’’
‘‘Yes,’’ Peter said thoughtfully. ‘‘I have friends there who are running a small trading post for me. I would imagine they very well might know your fiancee, especially if she’s to be found in Dyea. There aren’t a great many women up this way, and ladies of quality seldom pass unnoticed. What’s her name?’’
‘‘Grace Hawkins,’’ Paxton replied. ‘‘She hails from Chicago and is probably traveling with a woman by the name of Pierce. A Miss Karen Pierce.’’
Jacob knew his father was up to no good when he announced that he would spend a second night with the family. They had just moved into the new building, and his father made the pretense of wanting to be sure that everyone was settled in before heading back up the trail. Something in the situation just didn’t seem right with Jacob. He could sense his father’s agitation—could feel his discomfort.
‘‘What’s wrong with Pa?’’ Leah asked him in a hushed whisper.
Everyone headed off to their beds with Leah, Jacob, and Bill being relegated to one room while Karen, Grace, and Doris took another. Bill announced that he’d stoke up the fire in the main living area before joining his children for the night. This gave Jacob time to ponder what his father might be up to.
‘‘I don’t know what’s going on,’’ Jacob admitted to his sister. ‘‘But he is acting strange—has been ever since coming back. Maybe he’s just worried about the weather.’’