Snow Angel Part 15

"If the Dunnings were here, I would have come anyway," Jane muttered.

"No doubt."

They stared in tense silence, hearing only the loud ticking of a clock as they waited. After what seemed an eternity, Bess came back down and said, "They're ready. You can follow me."

At Ben's nod they followed her down a narrow hall and into a small room at the back of the building. Jane sighed in relief at the spare furnishings and simple embellishments. She had feared the deeper they ventured in the house, the more brothel-like it would appear. Sinking down into a chair, she summoned a smile. "Miss Hart, might we have some coffee while we wait?"

Bess seemed more amiable after her visit to the Dunnings'. "Of course, ma'am. And some tarts if you like. Freshly baked, apple or blueberry."

Glancing at Ben, Jane shook her head. "No, thank you, Miss Hart. Just the coffee will do."

The door had just closed when it opened again. In walked a tall, reedy man, his face gouged with pockmarks, his hair thin and gray. Standing beside him was a gaunt, hard-looking woman. Her face hung in lines of bitterness. Jane felt her heart lurch. Fighting down feelings of despair, the inability to connect these two with her precious child, she forced a smile and stood with her husband. Ben regained his composure first and in his usual friendly way extended his hand. "You are the Dunnings, I presume?"

Henry shuffled his feet and handled the brim of his hat, nodding, his eyes darting around nervously. Margaret eyed them with a greedy glitter. "Yes, sir, we are. Margaret and Henry Dunning you're talkin' to."

Jane felt as if nothing escaped those beady eyes and shivered. Ben drew her forward, her arm stiff as she reached out to shake their hands. "This is Jane, my wife, and I'm Ben Rhodes. Please, sit down. Coffee should be here any minute."

After they were all settled, Ben began his interrogation. "Your letter indicated that you adopted a girl from the Illinois State Orphanage."

Margaret nodded, quickly agreeing. "That we did, sir. She was nigh on twelve when we got her. Pretty thing, wasn't she, Henry?"

Henry jerked his attention to her and scowled. Speaking for the first time, he said loudly, "We did the best we could by her. Times were tough and we might 'ave worked her a mite hard, but she thrived."

Jane sought and found Ben's hand for strength. Her eyes closed briefly for a moment before she could speak. "You said her name was Elizabeth. Could you describe what she looked like?"

Margaret was quick to answer. "She was the spittin' image of you, ma'am. Only maybe a bit prettier, beggin' your pardon, ma'am." She smiled, revealing black rot on her teeth.

Jane turned her face toward Ben's in a silent plea for help. She hadn't known this would be so difficult.

Ben squeezed her hand. "You say she looks like my wife. Can you be more specific?"

Margaret shrugged. "She had black, wavy hair. Thick and unruly it was. Fine, creamy skin. I never could figure out how it stayed so nice out in the goldfields like we was a but she always did insist on a big hat. Wore one o' Henry's most of the time."

"You made a living mining gold?" Ben asked incredulously.

Henry roused himself to answer. "Farming wasn't feeding us anymore. We had to do somethin'."

Jane's eyes sparked as she asked quietly, "If you couldn't feed yourselves, why adopt a child and have another hungry mouth?"

Margaret stepped in. "Now listen, we done all right by the girl. She wasn't mistreated."

Ben squeezed Jane's hand again and took over the questioning. "Your letter also said you saw a paper with the name Elizabeth Greyson. Can you tell us more about that?"

Margaret answered again. "Well, the day we went to pick her up at the orphanage, we were left in the office there for a bit, and layin' on the desk was her papers." She shrugged. "I was curious what they said and so was Henry. Seein' how he can't read, I sneaked a peek. I only made out the name Elizabeth Greyson, then I heard them coming back and sat myself back down. They told us at the orphanage her name was Elizabeth Smitha"till we changed it to Dunning, that is. Does the name Greyson mean somethin' to you?"

Margaret looked hopeful and though Jane didn't want to confirm it, she did. "It's my maiden name and the name Elizabeth was given at birth."

The gleam was back in Margaret's eyes. "Well, if you don't mind me sayin' so, I think you've found her."

"We've found her," Jane repeated softly to herself.

Ben leaned forward, intense. "Not quite, Mrs. Dunning. Where is Elizabeth?"

Margaret and Henry exchanged glances. "Well, lookee here," Henry interjected, "we heard there was a big reward for that kind of information. We'd like to see some of the cash before we go and tell what we know."

Jane felt Ben's muscles tense for the battle and relaxed inwardly. Her husband was one of the best legal minds in the country. He could handle the Dunnings.

"There is a a reward," Ben said smoothly, "but only for the safe return of Elizabeth Greyson." He looked steadily at Henry. "Not for information."

Margaret perked up. "Well, you won't be findin' her without our information. And we ain't sayin' where the chit is until we see that reward money."

Henry looked at her and scowled.

Ben just stared at her. Calmly he laid it out. "We, of course, are interested in finding the young woman you say is Elizabeth Greyson and desire to know her whereabouts. On the other hand, you have no proof of your claims and could be misrepresenting the facts for your own personal gain. This being the likely case, we shall have to be a.s.sured that the girl in question is indeed Elizabeth Greyson before you see the reward money. Is that perfectly clear?"

They both nodded as if spellbound. Henry hesitated and then ventured, "But sir, we can't stay on in this hotel without somethin'. We've been living on credit with the hopes of gettin' this money soon. Couldn't you spare a small sum to tide us over?"

Ben contemplated the man. "Three hundred dollars for the whereabouts of this young woman. After that, you will have to wait until her ident.i.ty has been confirmed."

Margaret drew a wrinkled paper from her pocket and handed it to Ben. "I suppose that'll do for us until you find the chit. Now this here is a telegram we received from that investigator we hired to find Elizabeth."

Ben scanned the message and pa.s.sed it to Jane. "It's over a month old. Is this all you have?"

Margaret grinned, showing a missing tooth. "That's true, sir. But if I know Elizabeth, I know where she's at. This telegraph from Juneau proves it."

Jane grasped the paper tight in her hands. "Where?"

Margaret cackled with glee. "To the goldfields in the Yukon. That girl gets gold fever worse than any man I ever saw. She always said she'd be rich someday. Well, I figure she's gone to make her fortune."

Jane felt the paper slip through her fingers as she put her hand to her mouth. Ben interceded. "Is this it?" he thundered. "Are we supposed to search the whole Yukon Territory for her?"

Henry roused himself to answer. "She'll be somewhere between Juneau and Dawson City. A woman'll be easy enough to track in the goldfields." Scorn curled his lip. "Even a couple of city folk like you should be able to find her."

Margaret shot him a hard look and interjected, "We'd offer to come with you and help look, but Henry here ain't been feelin' too well lately, have you, Henry?"

Henry looked down at his hands and shook his head.

Ben rose and pulled some bills out of his pocket. Handing them to Margaret, he said, "Stay here if you want the reward. We'll be in touch."

WHEN THE DOOR closed, Margaret waved the bills in glee. "We were real lucky to hear about that reward when we ran from the law in Utah. That little chit runnin' off worked to our good."

When Henry started to reach for the bills, she jerked them back and crowed, "You ruined the chances of our last fortune by turnin' tail and runnin'. I'll not hand over this and let you do it again."

Henry's eyes narrowed at the reminder. "We barely escaped with our lives after I killed that miner. We didn't have no choice, woman."

Margaret sniffed. "You're lucky to still have your neck. It was an idiot thing to do."

Henry moved closer to her to peer into her thin face. "You wouldn't 'ave said that had we got the gold. And anyhow, we can't keep that money. As much as I'd like to, we have to pay Billy the gold we borrowed to hire that investigator and clear this hotel bill."

The two continued to argue as Ben and Jane went out the establishment's front door.

BEN LED JANE back to their hotel, both numb and unable to say a word. She couldn't talk about ita"she couldn't think about ita"not out here on the street in front of the world. Once in their room, Jane turned and buried her face in Ben's shirt, gasping, "I hope it's her a and yet after meeting those horrid people, I hope it isn't."

Ben kissed the top of her dark head. "I know, I know," he agreed grimly. Leaning back, he tilted Jane's face up and wiped her tears away with his thumbs. "Jane, if it is her, you mustn't expect too much. A hard life could have changed her into someone you aren't expecting. Do you know what I mean?"

Jane nodded. "I know. I've tried not to have any expectations, but it's nearly impossible." Turning from him, she walked to the washbasin and took up a cool cloth. Placing it on her eyes, she lay back on the bed and asked, "What do we do next?"

Ben sat down beside her, staring into the darkening room. "We go to Juneau, Alaska. I'll book pa.s.sage aboard the first steamship I can, though it will probably be difficult with all the miners heading that way. In Juneau we will see what we can find out." He sighed. "Pray we find her there, my dear. From what I hear, the Yukon Trail is not for the faint of heart."

Jane lifted the cloth and stared at him. "If she's not in Juneau, we'll hire a dozen men to find her. I won't lose her again. Not this time."

Twenty-One.

Elizabeth was so tired when their steamer floated into the Juneau wharf that she could hardly muster a smile in answer to Noah's obvious excitement. They had been on the water the entire journey back, in one kind of craft or another, mostly a crowded steamer. Elizabeth hoped to never see another boat for as long as she lived. Now, three weeks after she'd agreed to become Noah's wife, she was back in little Juneau.

So much had happened. Ross was dead. She'd given up her claim to the twins. She'd given up gold mining in the Yukon all together. Ross was dead. Noah had taken over the plans, convincing her a wedding in Juneau with Will and Cara present was better than a mining town filled with strangers. Ross was dead. Everyone would be so happy for them. Ross was dead.

It was all so hard to grasp hold of. She was free! And yet a she didn't feel free. She felt a tightness in her chest and panic in her breatha"especially when she thought of the wedding.

They climbed into a small rowboat that was sent out to the steamer to fetch pa.s.sengers. Noah's arms bulged as he took up oars and helped row, strong and steady, looking over at her now and then, br.i.m.m.i.n.g with antic.i.p.ation. He looped a rope over one of the posts of the dock and said softly, "We made it. Come, Elizabeth, let me help you out."

His touch was gentle as he lifted her out of the canoe and set her on the dock. She tried to fight off the desperate need to run a run as far as freedom could take her. What was wrong with her? Any woman would want Noah. She wanted Noah, wanted him in ways she didn't even understand, and yet she was terrified. Now here they were, about to burst in on Will and Cara, and Elizabeth felt close to tears. She longed to see her old friends, but so much had happened. Would they still accept her? Be angry with her? Her brow creased with worry as they strapped on their packs and walked toward the post.

Her gaze swept over the town as they descended upon it. It seemed much the same and yet quiet, peaceful almost, after the noise and teeming humanity of the boomtowns.

Slowing her steps, she asked hesitantly, "Do you think they will be surprised to see us?"

Noah slanted her a look. "If you mean will they be surprised to see you, I don't think so. They knew what I was going after."

Yes, of course they knew. Noah wasn't one to fail.

The post loomed up ahead of them, just as her future loomed ahead of her. Soft light flooded out of the windows, and Elizabeth momentarily forgot her apprehensions and braced herself for Will and Cara's reaction.

The door swung open at Noah's knock, revealing Will's startled face.

"Noah. And Elizabeth?" He opened the door wide and motioned them in. "You're back." With a big grin he grasped Noah's arm. Turning to Elizabeth, he took both her hands in his and said sincerely, "I'm glad to see you're all right, Elizabeth. You gave us a scare, but you look none the worse for it." Turning his head he yelled, "Cara, come quick! You'll never believe who is here."

It didn't take long for Cara to appear at the top of the stairs. When she saw Elizabeth she squealed like a schoolgirl, rushing down the steps and throwing her arms around her, hugging her tight. "Oh, my sweet girl, I can't believe it's you. Let me look at you." Leaning back, she took Elizabeth's face between her hands and said, "A little thin, but nothing my cooking can't fix." Looking over Elizabeth's head toward Noah, Cara raised her brows in silent question. When he didn't answer, she looked back down at Elizabeth and asked softly, "Did you find what you were looking for, dear?"

Elizabeth looked down and said, faltering, "I, um a"

Cara started to ask another question, but Noah cut her off. "I'll be glad to tell the whole story, but first, Cara, I sure could use a drink. Got any coffee?"

Cara smiled. "Of course. Please sit down and I'll put on some water." Linking an arm through Elizabeth's, she said, "You come with me. I'm not letting you out of my sight for a while."

Once in the kitchen, it didn't take Cara long to ask, "Elizabeth, I have to know, are you and Noah a ?"

She left it hanging, but Elizabeth knew what she wanted to know. She took a deep breath. "Yes, Cara. I've come back to marry him. We hope to have the ceremony here, as soon as possible."

Cara's face lit up with joy. Then, as she looked into Elizabeth's eyes, her smile faded. "But that's wonderful a what's wrong?" When Elizabeth didn't answer she continued, "I know I shouldn't pry, but Will and I care about the two of you so much. Tell me."

Elizabeth toyed with the spoons in her hands and looked at the counter. "Nothing's wrong. I a I just hope he's not making a mistake." The last came out in a rush and Elizabeth wished she could take it back. It sounded so pathetic.

Cara's laugh was a short ha! "A mistake in marrying you? He has known what he wanted the moment he laid eyes on you." Squeezing her hand tight she said, "It's obvious he is in love with you. Is it that you're not sure you love him?"

"How could I not love him? But marriage a what if I can't?"

Cara smiled a little sadly. "If the alternative is letting him go, could you? Does marriage sound more terrible than a future without him?"

Put like that, Elizabeth shook her head. She couldn't deny that a part of her wanted to run, run to the safe comfort of independence. But another part wanted nothing more than to stay.

Cara laughed, not unkindly. "You look so miserable. What you need, my girl, is some good old Elizabeth determination. It's fear you're fighting here a you've fought that before and know how to beat it down, yes?"

Elizabeth could only nod. She didn't deserve such a good friend, but she was glad she had one.

"My sweet girl, you've climbed steeper mountains than this will prove to be. I have perfect confidence that once you get settled with him, in your own home and together, you'll be amazed that you fought this. Marriage is a gift. And with Noah, it will be a treasure."

Elizabeth felt the first beginnings of hope. "Do you really think so?"

Cara clasped her hands together, eyes sparkling. "Yes, and I have just the gift for you. Follow me out with the coffee and then we'll go upstairs to my bedroom on the pretense of seeing Rebecca."

She grasped Cara's arm. "Oh, the baby. I do want to see her. Thank you, Cara. I a I wasn't sure you and Will would ever want to see me again after I ran out like I did. And in your time of need, too. I'll never forgive myself for that."

Cara shook her head. "There's nothing to forgive. It was your time of need more that it was mine. We did just fine."

Taking up the tray of cheese, smoked sausage, little green pickles, and crackers, Elizabeth followed Cara with another tray of coffee, cups, and a fresh apple pie. Setting down the trays on the low round table, Cara made their excuses.

The cradle sat beside Will and Cara's bed, small and bright with a pink, ruffled calico blanket. Elizabeth leaned down and smiled at the sweetness. Rebecca was lying on her tummy with her face turned toward them. In the light from the candle that Cara was holding, Elizabeth could see her chubby cheeks pressed together making a rosebud of her mouth. Gently Elizabeth reached out and smoothed the back of her finger over the curve of the baby's cheek and whispered, "She's beautiful."

"Yes, Will and I think so. She's good and sweet, too. You should see Will strut about with her."

Elizabeth smiled up at Cara and then followed her over to the cedar chest on the other side of the room. Opening the lid, they knelt down in front of it. Cara carefully pulled out several items until she came to a small bundle wrapped in tissue paper. "My mother gave this to me when I married Will. I wore it at our wedding." Handing it to Elizabeth, she smiled.

Elizabeth slowly opened the wrapping and pulled out the most lavish dress she'd ever seen. Gasping, she held it up in the candlelight. Shimmers of light bounced off it, making it seem alive. It was of the palest blue, shot with silver threadsa"the most beautiful fabric. It had a round neckline edged in a shade of darker blue satin and a high gathered waistline with a wide satin ribbon that tied in the back.

"It's like nothing I've ever seen. I couldn't possibly a"

"Yes, you could," Cara insisted. "You'll look like a princess in it." Excited, she continued. "Tomorrow is Sat.u.r.day. Pastor Sullivan may be available and perhaps we can even have the wedding in the afternoon."