‘‘I don’t care what Paxton threatens. I only care that you are safe. It won’t be your responsibility—it will be mine.’’
Grace looked deep into Peter’s eyes. How she loved this man. God help her, but she loved him more with every word that came from his mouth.
‘‘So what are we to do?’’ Karen questioned.
‘‘I have a plan,’’ Peter replied, ‘‘but it will require all of you helping. With Paxton’s bodyguards standing by to deliver Grace to Paxton for the wedding, we’re going to have to act fast.’’
‘‘No! I won’t let you do this. You’ll only be hurt!’’ Grace declared, getting to her feet. ‘‘I have no choice. I will marry Mr. Paxton.’’
‘‘No,’’ Peter said, coming to stand beside her. ‘‘You can’t marry Paxton if you’re already married to me.’’
‘‘What a perfect solution,’’ Doris said innocently before anyone could comment. ‘‘You two have been sweet on each other since our first meeting. This would solve the matter once and for all.’’
Grace kept her gaze fixed on Peter, her voice low and intent. ‘‘You can’t do that. Paxton will destroy your family. I won’t be responsible for that.’’
‘‘That’s exactly what I told you,’’ Peter said, taking hold of her hand. ‘‘You won’t be responsible. I can handle the likes of Paxton. You leave him to me. The real problem is going to be getting you out of here. Paxton is waiting for a bride.’’
Doris chuckled. ‘‘Too bad we don’t have my young actress friends.’’
Karen smiled and then laughed. ‘‘But perhaps we have someone just as helpful.’’
She pulled Leah with her and positioned the girl alongside Grace. ‘‘With a heavy veil, Leah could easily pass for Grace.’’
‘‘It’s true,’’ Doris replied, nodding. ‘‘They are very nearly the same height. We have that heavy lace tablecloth I brought with us from Chicago. I could fashion it into a veil for Leah to wear. No one would be the wiser.’’
‘‘Unless they insist on checking her out,’’ Peter replied. ‘‘Of course, if we delay things until the last minute, perhaps they would be less likely to worry about it. They’d see a bride and figure Grace to be cooperating.’’
‘‘But that still doesn’t explain how we can get you and Grace to a preacher and then safely out of Paxton’s hands,’’ Karen said, looking to Peter for an answer.
Grace felt helpless to comment. They seemed to have taken the matter entirely out of her hands. A million thoughts danced in her head. Peter was offering to marry her. He had proposed to make her his bride and to take her away from Paxton, even if it caused his own ventures to be threatened. Surely he loved her!
But what of their differing views on God? She didn’t wish to go against the Bible, what she knew God intended for her. Yet what else could she do? Surely God understood her dilemma.
‘‘We could disguise Grace,’’ Peter finally said. ‘‘If we’re disguising Leah, why not disguise Grace as well?’’
‘‘But if we make Grace over to be Leah, the men will see her and easily recognize that we’ve switched them around.’’
‘‘True,’’ Peter agreed. ‘‘However, if we dress Grace as Jacob, smear a bit of dirt on her face and tuck her hair up under a cap such as Jacob has taken to wearing, they just might not give it much consideration. I could make like Jacob was joining me on the ship for our departure. Once they figure out what has happened, I’ll already be steaming toward Seattle.’’
‘‘What a splendid idea!’’ Karen declared. ‘‘I believe it will work. Now what of arranging your marriage?’’ She paced a bit. ‘‘I just wish my father were here. He could marry you in a minute.’’
Doris smiled. ‘‘I’ll go run for the pastor. I’ll tell those ninnies outside that Grace is in need of godly counsel. We can bring Pastor Clark here, have him marry Grace and Peter, then leave with us as the wedding party heads to Skagway. With so many people to keep track of, Paxton’s hoodlums are certain to be confused.’’
‘‘Of course!’’ Karen exclaimed excitedly. ‘‘Their focus will be on our poor, veiled Leah.’’ She turned to the child. ‘‘Do you suppose you could do this?’’
Leah laughed. ‘‘I think it sounds like great fun! An adventure!’’
Karen nodded. ‘‘Do you suppose you could cry or at least sound like you were crying? Nothing is more certain to irritate a man than a woman’s tears. If you were wailing and crying, they might hold themselves at a distance, leaving me to tend to you.’’
Leah instantly began to sob and wail as though her heart were breaking.
‘‘That’s very good,’’ Doris said, nodding enthusiastically. ‘‘You are a natural actress.’’
Leah halted her sobs and smiled. ‘‘I’m glad to help Grace. I’m just sorry she has to go away.’’
‘‘I’ll bring her back when it’s safe,’’ Peter stated. ‘‘She can visit you from time to time when I make trips to deliver goods.’’
Grace couldn’t believe what she was hearing. They were planning out her wedding, and Peter talked like they were already well on their way to a life of normalcy and pleasure.Was this an indication of God’s blessing?
‘‘All we need is five days,’’ Grace reminded the group. She wanted very much to know that Peter was marrying her because he loved her and not because of a misplaced sense of duty. ‘‘You really don’t need to give up your life, Captain.’’ She walked away, and Peter looked to each of them. ‘‘I appreciate what you’re planning on my behalf, but I can’t put your lives in danger.’’
‘‘Would you all give me a moment alone with Grace?’’ Peter asked.
Everyone nodded and Doris even decided that she would go for the preacher, just in case the plans came together. One by one, they filed into the store while Peter closed the door behind them.
‘‘Grace, I want you to listen to me. This is a reasonable way to take care of the matter. Your friends want to keep you safe—so do I.’’
Grace looked to the floor, suddenly unable to meet his gaze. ‘‘I won’t be safe until Paxton is either satisfied or dead.’’
‘‘Would you rather I kill the man instead of marry you?’’
Her head snapped up in alarm. ‘‘I should say not! I don’t desire that you suffer yourself in any manner. I cannot abide that you would sacrifice either way on my account.’’
He came forward and took her hands in his own. The warmth of his touch reminded her of the night before.
‘‘Grace, marriage to you would not be a sacrifice. Surely you know how I feel.’’
‘‘We hardly know each other and you’ve not cared at all for my opinions on your family and of God and spiritual matters.’’
‘‘Grace, please listen to me. I love you.’’
Her heart raced and her breath caught in the back of her throat. He loved her! Oh, how she cherished the words. The nagging thought of his lack of love for God was quickly pushed aside. Surely once they were married, he would see how important God was to her and give his life over as well.
‘‘I thought you were just doing this—’’
He pulled her into his arms. ‘‘I love you and I want you to marry me, Grace.’’
He lowered his face to hers but didn’t kiss her. The inches between them were maddening to Grace. She longed for the feel of his lips against her own. She felt her arms involuntarily embrace him, pulling him closer and closer.
‘‘Oh, I love you, Peter.’’ Her voice came in a breathless whisper.
‘‘Then don’t be afraid. You are always saying that we must trust God. Why not trust Him now?’’
His words brought a wave of reassurance. Grace nodded. ‘‘I do trust Him.’’
Peter smiled. ‘‘Then trust me as well.’’
Karen opened the door of the store to find the two burly henchmen waiting patiently outside.
‘‘You ready to leave?’’ one man questioned.
‘‘No, in fact, I was looking for my aunt. She went to bring our pastor. Grace is very close to him, and we thought perhaps he could offer her some comfort and prayer.’’
The man scoffed. ‘‘Praying won’t help now.’’
Karen smiled sweetly. ‘‘I think otherwise.’’
Just then Doris and the preacher rounded the corner. The man had a look of sheer terror on his face. Karen felt sorry for him. He was very young and new to the ministry and no doubt this matter did not bode well with his sense of heavenly peace and order.
‘‘Pastor Clark, we’re so glad you could come,’’ Karen said, extending her hand. ‘‘Grace will find great comfort in your presence.’’
The man nodded. ‘‘I will do what I can.’’ His Adam’s apple bounced up and down as he replied. Karen would have laughed at the funny, frightened man had she not had her own fears to contend with.
‘‘You’ll find Grace preparing for her wedding,’’ Karen said, looking to the two ruffians at her side. ‘‘We’re to head over to Skagway as soon as she’s prepared.’’
‘‘Yeah, hurry it up, preacher,’’ the man at Karen’s left said with a low, growling tone. He reminded Karen of a bulldog, complete with lower teeth that seemed to protrude just a bit up and over the top set.
Leaving the guard behind, Karen was about to follow the preacher and her aunt inside when she heard her name being called.
‘‘Miss Pierce!’’
She looked down the street to find Adrik Ivankov bounding toward her. She smiled, but the look on his face did not suggest the action well-served.
‘‘Sorry to bother you like this,’’ he said.
‘‘Is something wrong?’’ she asked. ‘‘Have you seen my father?’’
Adrik stopped long enough to take inventory of the men standing outside Colton Trading Post. ‘‘These guys giving you trouble?’’
Karen smiled. ‘‘No, they’re just annoyed that the store is closed for business. Why don’t you step inside, Mr. Ivan-kov . . . I mean, Adrik.’’
He looked at the men for a moment. ‘‘Why don’t you fellas head over to Healy and Wilson’s. They’re open.’’
‘‘Just mind your own business, stranger.’’
Adrik squared his shoulders and narrowed his eyes. He was about to say something, when Karen took hold of his arm and pulled him forward. ‘‘Come, Adrik. I want to hear the news.’’
They stepped onto the creaky wooden floor of the store, and Karen quickly closed the door behind them. Leaning against the frame as if to keep the two men from entering, she turned to Adrik. ‘‘So what of my father? Have you news?’’
Adrik looked around the empty store as if to check for anyone else. ‘‘I’m sorry, but the news isn’t good.’’
Karen put her hand to her mouth. She didn’t even realize she was holding her breath until her ribs began to ache from the tension. Adrik seemed willing to wait for her prompting, but Karen didn’t know if she could ask the question that so desperately needed asking.
Letting out her breath, she looked at the floor and tried to gather her courage. ‘‘Is he . . . dead?’’
‘‘I don’t know. A man brought me word that he was gravely ill. There’s been a round of measles and dysentery and many in the village have died. I’m guessing that your father has fallen ill with one or the other. He may already be gone, but I felt it important to return from the Scales and let you know.’’
Karen didn’t know what to say. It was possible that her father might still be alive, but the situation didn’t look at all promising. ‘‘What should I do?’’ She looked to Adrik, realizing she’d vocalized the question.
Adrik’s rugged features softened, his square jaw seeming to relax as he spoke. ‘‘You can’t do much. You can’t get to him, and most likely he’d be gone by now if he’s going to die.’’
‘‘But he’s alone,’’ she said, biting her lower lip to keep from crying.
‘‘No, he’s not alone. You know better than that,’’ Adrik said, his voice low and husky. ‘‘I’ve never seen a man or woman who was closer to God than your pa. One thing’s for certain, he ain’t alone.’’
Karen nodded. ‘‘I know you’re right. Oh, this is so hard. To have come all this way. Others came for gold and I came for him.’’
‘‘Treasures come in all forms,’’ Adrik replied.
She looked up to meet his sympathetic gaze. He seemed so concerned for her well-being. He looked at her as if he were preparing to jump into action. Almost as if he expected her to fall to pieces any minute, only to be responsible for putting her back together.
‘‘Please don’t say anything to my friends. We’re in the middle of a rather delicate situation, and I wouldn’t want them to fret over me.’’
‘‘Does this have something to do with the men outside?’’
She nodded. ‘‘But honestly, it’s under control and you don’t need to worry. Will you be around town until evening?’’
‘‘What’d you have in mind?’’
There was no hint of teasing in his tone and for this Karen was grateful. ‘‘I’d like to discuss this further, perhaps even decide what I should do. I’d like your advice, but I can’t discuss it now.’’
‘‘Then I’ll come back. Say, around eight?’’
‘‘That’d be fine.’’
Adrik nodded. ‘‘I’ll return then.’’
Karen waited until he’d gone to make her way back to the others. She wouldn’t say a word, not even to Doris. After all, if her father was dead, there wasn’t anything anyone else could do.
She opened the back door and gasped in surprise as she observed Peter and a rather boyish-looking Grace embrace and kiss. Leah, dressed in Grace’s cream-colored day dress, wore a heavy veil that covered her from head to foot.
‘‘We tried to wait the ceremony for you but figured we should get first things done first,’’ Doris told her.
‘‘I’m glad you went ahead. Congratulations, Captain and Mrs. Colton,’’ she said, grinning. ‘‘I guess we’re well on our way to seeing this thing through to completion.’’
Peter nodded. ‘‘I think we’d better give some serious thought to getting on our way. Those two thugs aren’t going to wait patiently for much longer.’’
‘‘You’re right about that,’’ Karen replied, forcing a smile. ‘‘They were just making a fuss about all the time we’re taking.’’
‘‘We’re ready,’’ Leah said from behind the veil. ‘‘Jacob’s even hiding.’’
Karen looked around the room. ‘‘Where is he?’’
‘‘He’s in my steamer trunk,’’ Doris replied. ‘‘If those men come to search out the place and see if anyone else is here, they’ll only find the silence as their companion.’’
Karen took up her coat. ‘‘Then we’d best get a move on. Leah, you might want to start your crying. Oh, and, Aunt Doris, please bring Grace’s coat for Leah. It’s bitterly cold outside.’’ Doris nodded and helped Leah into the heavy coat, while Grace shrugged into a brand-new coat they’d taken from Peter’s newest shipment.