September's Dream (27 page)

"We’re almost there."

The team drew to a halt at the summit of White Pass. Below them, spread out like a muted gray pencil sketch, lay the town of Skagway, and beyond, the beach, where hordes of prospective goldseekers scrambled up the banks carrying their dreams in their pockets.

Though September was eager to see Billy and Aggie again, she felt a strange sadness at seeing Skagway. The end of the trail.

What she and Jase had shared these long weeks was more precious than anything she had ever known. Even the knowledge that she was a very wealthy woman hadn’t thrilled her as much as the love she and Jase shared.

The return trip had been unhurried. After Lucky was strong enough to lead the team and Jase was up to the rigors of the journey, they set off. Along the way, Jase took the time to share with September his many stories about his father and mother and the exciting trips they had made across this great land. In return she told him about her dreamy father and her frail, loving mother and her life in San Francisco. The happy memories they shared formed a special bond between them.

"I’ll be able to cut through all the red tape and see that all the necessary documents and papers for your father’s claim are in order before you leave."

Before you leave. His words were a knife thrust to her heart.

"Thanks, Jase."

"I’ll drop you at the boardinghouse first. I’m sure you’re dying to see Aggie and Billy."

She nodded.

The dogs, sensing the nearness of home, strained against the harness. But when Jase turned them away from his cabin toward the town of Skagway, the team seemed bewildered.

Jase laughed. "They thought they were home free."

"It shouldn’t take too long," September said, forcing a brightness to her tone she didn’t feel. "In a matter of hours I ought to be able to have everything ready for the trip back to San Francisco."

Jase frowned and told himself it was the sting of the wind.

When they pulled up in front of the boardinghouse, the door was thrown open and Aggie Whelan came striding to the porch. September took one look at her familiar figure, clad in a man’s britches and plaid shirt, and nearly flew into her outstretched arms.

"Oh, Aggie. It’s so good to see you."

"You certainly don’t look any worse for your trip. Let me look at you, child."

Aggie held September a little away from her, then stared over her head at the man who was watching them closely.

"I think you’ve come back a woman," she muttered, drawing her close against her bosom. "Was that man good to you?"

September nodded, unable to speak for the lump which threatened to choke her. She swallowed. "How’s Billy?"

"Why don’t you come on in and see for yourself?"

September signaled for Jase to follow. Passing through the kitchen, she followed Aggie to the rarely used parlor. There, on a settee, was Billy, with his arm around a slender little girl of about fourteen with long blond ringlets and eyes the color of smoke.

"Hello, Billy."

"September." He jumped up and threw his arms around her, lifting her clear off the floor. "You did it. You made it back."

"Yes." She laughed, a clear, happy sound. "Now if you’ll put me down, I’ll tell you the best part."

As Billy set her down, she could see the girl eyeing her speculatively.

"First, why don’t you introduce us?"

"Oh. Sure. September Malloy, this is Melissa Allen. Her dad’s building a hotel here in town. Wants me to come and work for him. But I told him I’ve got bigger plans."

"Hello, Melissa." Sensing the girl’s hesitation, September sought to put her at ease. "I love Billy like my own brother. I’m glad he’s found a friend his own age."

The girl gave her a grateful smile.

"Billy, how would you like to work for me?" September asked.

"Doing what?"

"Mine foreman." She laughed at the look that passed from Billy to Aggie.

"What mine?"

"The Wee Princess. It was my father’s claim. And now it’s mine. I’m"—she forced her voice to remain calm—"going back to San Francisco a very rich woman, but I’d like someone to oversee the operation. I know how much you want a chance to make your fortune. Jase and I both agreed you’d be the perfect choice."

The grin split Billy’s face like a ray of sunshine. "You mean it? Gosh, September. This is the best surprise I’ve ever had."

Aggie was looking at her as if she’d lost her mind. "You really have a rich claim?"

September nodded and glanced at Jase. He was watching them in silence.

"My father found his pot of gold at the end of the rainbow."

"What about you?" Aggie asked, watching September closely.

She didn’t miss the tiny furrow between her eyes before she gave a weak smile.

"I’m going back to San Francisco. But I’ll come back here from time to time to see how things are going."

"How will I get up to your mine, September?" Billy asked, nearly dancing with excitement.

"Jase will take you when the weather breaks. And he’ll be able to look in on you once in a while. He’ll help you pick out a competent crew. And if you’d like, he’ll transport the gold down here to the bank."

Billy reached out a hand to Jase. "Thanks. That’s darn nice of you."

Jase shook his hand, then glanced at September. "I’d better get over and register your deed."

"I’ll go with you," she said. "And find out when the next boat is leaving."

"There’s one this afternoon," Aggie informed her. "It got in late this morning, loaded with passengers. Should be ready to leave in a couple of hours. Will you have lunch here before you board?"

September gave Aggie a big smile. "I’d like that. Thanks, Aggie."

"You’re invited too, Jase," Aggie called, admiring his muscular figure as he walked out the door.

*  *  *

Lunch was a festive affair. Aggie poached succulent salmon and hauled precious potatoes, carrots, and onions from the root cellar. For dessert she baked blueberry pies, apologizing that they weren’t as good as September’s.

"You mean she bakes a better pie than this?" Jase asked, accepting his second helping.

"You bet," Billy chimed in. "September bakes the best pies in Alaska."

Jase grinned at her across the table, causing her to blush. "Just full of hidden talents, aren’t you?"

Aggie saw the look which passed between them and wondered if they knew how much could be read from their expressions.

Keeping her voice casual, Aggie said, "Snake Rawlins left while you two were away."

"Really? What happened?"

Aggie laughed. "You know Snake. There were more rumors flying around town than facts. Billy heard the townspeople complained about his men searching every building and formed a vigilante group. Someone set fire to his saloon one night. The back room burned. Then Jacob Mueller told me he heard Snake had started drinking heavily, always muttering about losing a gold mine. He heard Snake lost a fortune on a foolish drunken bet and had to sell his saloon to pay up.

For long moments September grew thoughtful.

At the blast from the boat in the harbor, Jase and September pushed away from the table.

September glanced around. "We won’t say goodbye," she said firmly. "We’ll just say . . ." She couldn’t think of an adequate word.

"We’ll say hello," Billy said, tugging on a strand of her hair.

They both laughed, then fell into each other’s arms.

"Hello, September. Hurry back."

"Good . . . Hello, Billy. I know you’ll be the best mine foreman in the world."

Joining in the spirit, Aggie hauled the young woman into her arms. "Hello, September Malloy. You always have a home at Whelan’s boardinghouse."

"Thanks Aggie. I’ll see you soon."

She swallowed back the tears that threatened and hurried out to the sled. With a crack of the whip, the team started off toward the shore. September turned and waved to the woman and boy who stood together on the porch.

The boat was already filling with passengers. A few prospectors were returning to their homes, covered with glory. Most, however, were returning broken in body and spirit, their dreams shattered beyond repair.

At the water’s edge, Jase stopped the team and helped September from the sled.

"Maybe I should wait for the next boat," September muttered, glancing at the crowd along the rail.

"The next one will be just as crowded."

"Maybe I shouldn’t return to San Francisco. With Snake gone now, I’d be safe here."

"We’ve already talked about it," Jase said softly. "You told me how your friends and neighbors laughed at your father behind his back. This is your chance to clear his name." He took her hands. They were as cold as ice. "You’re a special woman, September. You deserve a better life. Now you can afford to build a fine mansion on Nob Hill and live the way your father always dreamed you would."

She nodded. It was true. Everything Jase said made sense. This was what her father would have wanted for her. His wee princess. She felt the sting of unshed tears and blinked.

"Yes. Of course. You’re right, Jase."

She knelt down and buried her face in the thick fur of Lucky’s neck. "You were one of the luckiest things in my life, old boy." Looking up she asked, "You will take good care of Lucky, won’t you?"

"You know I will. This old dog and I work perfectly together. He can lead my team until he’s too old to see the trail. And then he and I can retire to my cabin together. We’ll sit by the fire and remember the good times."

September ran the back of her hand roughly across her eyes to brush away the tears that threatened and stood up. With her hands at her sides, she looked up into Jase’s face, memorizing his features.

"Well." She ran her tongue over lips gone suddenly dry. "I guess this is goodbye."
Tell me to stay, Jase
, she prayed.
Tell me you love me.

"I guess so."
If only I were a man of words. I’d tell you how much you’ve meant to me. I’d drag you into my arms and make you see how much I need you.

"Take care of yourself, Jase."
Please kiss me. Just once more.

"You too. Don’t get too soft, now that you’re a rich girl."
God, you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. But I have no right to hold you back from a life of luxury.

The boat’s horn gave a single blast, shattering the stillness.

"Time to go. Thanks for everything, Jase."
Don’t let me get on that boat.

"No. I’m the one who’s grateful. You saved my life. I’ll never forget that."
Or you. There’ll never be another woman, September Malloy. Only you.

"Goodbye, Jase."

"Goodbye, September."

She turned away, fighting the sobs that welled up inside her, making her throat ache.

She stepped into the water and lifted her skirts high. Turning, she saw Jase climb on the runners and flick the whip. The team made a graceful arc and began to climb the hill.

With tears blinding her, she turned and headed toward the boat.

*  *  *

Jase couldn’t bear to stay at the shore and watch her leave. Urging the team up the hill, he stopped them and unharnessed them. It had been a long trip. They deserved a rest. Sitting down, he leaned his back against the rough bark of a tree. Lucky ambled up to sit beside him. They watched the boat steam out of the harbor. Neither man nor dog looked toward the water again.

"She was the most amazing woman I’ve ever met," Jase said softly.

The dog’s ears picked up. He cocked his head, watching the man closely.

"I’ll never again be able to love a woman," he muttered, feeling the first stirrings of anger. "She’s spoiled me for any other woman."

The dog touched a paw to his arm, in a gesture of comfort. Jase reached over to smooth the fur of his head and neck, then drew him closer, draping an arm about his back.

"The first time I saw her, she did strange things to me. She had a way of clouding my thoughts, making me do stupid things. There were times around her I felt like a schoolboy. More awkward than Billy Warfield. I wanted to impress her. I wanted to throttle her." He chuckled. "I wanted to make love to her. Always." He shook his head, knowing he was rambling, unable to stop. "But I’ve never been a man of words, Lucky. I was just never able to tell her how I felt. But I loved her. I’ll always love her. And my life will be unbearably empty now that she’s gone."

The dog looked up at him and licked his face. Reaching into his pocket, Jase removed the little pouch of tobacco. He removed a thin paper and held the pouch above it.

From behind him, a delicate hand reached out and took the paper and pouch from his hands. His eyes widened. With his mouth gaping open, he could only stare as a vision of beauty deftly rolled his cigarette, held a match to it, and took a deep drag before handing it to him.

Both he and the dog jumped up and stood watching as she exhaled a plume of smoke.

"I don’t understand. How did you . . . ? Why did you . . . ?"

"I can see you’re not much with words, Jase Conroy. At least in my presence. Of course, I’ve discovered when you think I’m not around you’re very articulate. I guess whenever I want to know what’s on your mind, I’ll just have to send you out to talk to the dogs."

He couldn’t seem to believe she was really standing there. "I saw the boat leave. What are you doing here?"

"I decided I had a right to my own dreams. And they aren’t exactly the same as Patrick’s. And I decided I didn’t need you to ask me to stay. I’d just do what I wanted and hope you didn’t mind too much."

"Mind too much! I didn’t have the right to ask you to give up a life in San Francisco for this."

"My life isn’t in San Francisco anymore, Jase. It’s here. With you. We make a good team."

She gave him a coy look, then held up the cigarette. "Besides, who’d roll a perfect smoke for you each evening? Who’d make you venison stew and blueberry pies?"

"The best pies in Alaska, I’ve heard." He took the cigarette from her hand and tossed it away.

"Jase. That tobacco is precious."

"Not as precious as the woman in my arms," he murmured, wrapping her in an embrace.

His lips hovered above hers, teasing her, taunting her.

"I don’t have much to offer you, September. But I want you to marry me."

"No," she said, and for a moment, a razor of fear sliced his heart. Then he heard the laughter that warmed her tone. "You don’t have much to offer. Just a land teeming with more game, more fish, more gold, and more glorious sunsets than anywhere else in the world. I couldn’t bear to miss even one sunset with you, Jase. Or one sunrise." She brought her lips to his. Against his mouth she whispered, "Or one single night of love as Mrs. Jason Conroy."