Brides of Alaska (2 page)

Nearly losing her footing, Julie decided to forget about the other passengers. She was nearly a visitor herself, and she hastened to remember the little things she'd forgotten while enjoying the conveniences in Seattle. She kept her eyes to the ice, determined to keep her suitcases balanced and firmly gripped in her ladylike, gloved hands.
Useless things, city gloves
, Julie thought. She'd be only too happy to trade them in for a warm pair of fur gloves or mittens.
Not that it hasn't been fun to play the part of the grand lady
. Given that Nome streets in winter were always in some state of mud, ice, or snow, Julie knew it would be wise to forget about dressing up.
No
, she reasoned,
sealskin pants, mukluks, heavy fur parkas, and wool scarves will be of more comfort to me here
.

The wind whipped across her face and pulled at her carefully pinned black hair. Having spent most of her time indoors in Seattle, Julie's pale skin made an impressive contrast to her ebony hair and eyes.

Julie had her Eskimo grandmother to thank for the rich, dark color of her eyes and shining hair. Having left her Inupiat Eskimo village, Julie's grandmother had married a Swedish fur trapper and moved to Nome. Their only child, Lavern Eriksson, had been born in 1865, some thirty-six years before the famed ninty seven-ounce gold nugget was taken out of Anvil Creek near Nome.

It was the rumor of gold as early as 1899 that had brought Agneta's family north. While others were eager to make their fortunes, Julie's parents had found a fortune in love. Agneta and Vern had married after a brief courtship and soon Julie's brother, August, had been born. In 1902, Julie's birth had completed the family.

Julie scanned the banks again for a familiar face. She was about to give up hope when her brother's face came into view. His hand shielded his eyes, but Julie easily recognized his easygoing looks.

“August!” she shouted across the ice as she picked up her pace. Her brother pushed through the crowd and rushed across the frozen harbor to greet Julie.

“I can't believe you're finally here,” August said as he pulled Julie into his muscular arms.

“Me either,” Julie said as she enjoyed the first hug she'd had in five years. She'd nearly forgotten the feel of supportive arms.

“Here,” August said as he took hold of her bags. “Let me carry those. I suppose the rest will be brought ashore sometime later?”

“Actually the
Victoria
is unloading immediately. The ice is much worse than they expected, and they want to get on their way.”

“Great,” August said as they came onto firm land. He put the bags down and asked, “Did you bring much back from the States?”

“Well, there are quite a few supplies for Dr. Welch, and of course the things you and Father requested. Not to mention the dozen or more things that friends wired me to bring back from Seattle. I'd say maybe eight or nine crates,” Julie said with a grin.

“That many?” August questioned as his eyes grew wide. “It's a good thing I brought a twelve-dog team.”

“You needn't worry,” Julie said as she linked her arm through August's. “At least half the crates are for Dr. Welch. They're marked with bright red crosses, so we won't have to spend time figuring out which is which.”

“What a relief,” August said with a laugh. “Look, you wait here, and I'll go get the dogs.” Julie nodded and watched as August walked through the bustling crowd of people. It was good to be home.

An hour later, Julie was helping August load the last of Dr. Welch's supplies into the sled.

“I'll come back for our things after we drop these off at the Doc's. Do you want to drive the sled?” August asked.

“No, you go ahead. I'm just going to walk and enjoy being back,” Julie replied.

“Whatever you want,” August said and took to the sled. “Let's go. Hike!” he called, and the dogs set out as if the sled basket were empty. They were a hearty, powerful breed of animal, well suited to the work and cold.

Julie trekked behind August, familiarizing herself with the few shops. The post office bustled with activity as the postmaster unloaded the incoming mail. Nome hadn't changed that much during her five-year absence. The Northwestern Commercial Company remained with a number of buildings that lined the main street of town, and folks could still get a meal at the Union Restaurant for four bits.

Up ahead, August had brought the dogs to a halt outside the twenty-five-bed hospital. Julie joined him just as Dr. Welch popped his head out the door.

“You're certainly a welcome sight,” Dr. Welch said as he opened the door wide to receive August and Julie. “Let me grab my coat and I'll give you a hand.”

August waved him off. “That's all right, Doc. I can handle it.”

“In that case,” Dr. Welch said with a shiver, “I'll speak with your sister while you unload the sled. You can bring everything around back. I'll have Nurse Seville show you where to put things.”

August nodded and drove the dogs to the back of the hospital.

Julie followed the middle-aged man up the stairs and into his office. “I was able to obtain almost all the things you needed from the hospital in Seattle.”

“That's a relief,” Dr. Welch replied as he offered Julie a chair. “How was your trip?”

“Perfect,” Julie answered and took a seat. “Of course, the destination alone made it that. I wouldn't have noticed if they'd stuck me in the galley washing dishes. I was coming home, and that made everything else unimportant.”

Dr. Welch smiled and nodded. “I can well understand. Would you like something hot to drink?”

“No, I'm fine,” Julie replied as she pulled off her gloves. “As soon as August finishes unloading the sled, we'll need to be on our way home.”

“I'm afraid I must insist that you stay at least a day. Preferably two. As this area's public health nurse, you will report directly to me. Our combined reports will then go via mail to the proper officials. There's a great deal we'll need to cover before you can actually begin your work.”

“I understand,” Julie said thoughtfully, “but I have been working without much time to call my own. I need to go home and see my father, and I need time to rest.”

“I confess, I haven't given much thought to your needs. Usually people go to Seattle for a vacation. It's odd to think of someone coming to Alaska for a break. I'm just so relieved to have an extra helping hand with the outlying population,” Dr. Welch said as he took a seat across from Julie. “You will actually do many jobs that are often reserved for doctors in more populated regions. Especially as you venture out among the villages.”

Julie nodded. “If August agrees,” she stated as her brother walked into the room bringing a package, “we'll stay in Nome for one night. Then I really must take a short rest.” Both Julie and Dr. Welch looked at August.

“There's no way I can stay. I'm needed to help with the dogs,” August replied, reminding Julie of her father's sled dog kennel. “But I can leave part of the team for Julie to mush home tomorrow. I'll need to borrow another sled, however.”

“There's one here standing ready for Nurse Eriksson's use,” Dr. Welch offered. Julie smiled to herself. It was the first time anyone in Nome had called her that.

“Well, Julie?” August looked at his sister and waited for her approval.

Julie nodded. “I think I can remember the way home,” she said with a laugh.

“If you don't,” August grinned, “the dogs sure will. Especially if it's close to dinner time.”

“It's agreed then,” Dr. Welch said. “Julie, you are welcome to sleep in the back room. There's a stove and plenty of coal. It's well protected from the wind and shouldn't get too cold.”

“Once you get past twenty degrees below zero, it's just about the same. Cold is cold,” Julie said like a true Alaskan.

Turning to August, Dr. Welch gave him instructions on where he could leave Julie's dogs and sled gear. “Oh, here. I almost forgot,” August said as he handed Julie the package he'd been holding. “These are the things you asked me to bring. I was going to have you change before the trip home.”

“You remembered!” Julie said with a note of excitement in her voice. “My sealskin pants and parka!”

August smiled as he secured his parka hood. “I'll tell Pa you'll be home tomorrow. Now if you'll both excuse me, I'll finish unloading the sled and be on my way.”

Julie put the package aside and threw herself into August's arms. “Thank you, August. Please tell Pa I love him and I can't wait to see him again.” August gave Julie a tight squeeze and was gone.

Loneliness seeped into her heart, reminding Julie once again of the isolation she'd known in Seattle. She tried to shake the feeling, convincing herself that because she was home, she'd no longer be lonely.

As she turned from the door, she could hear the dogs yipping outside, anxious to be on the trail. She understood their cries. She, too, longed to be making the trip home.

T
he next morning at breakfast, Julie couldn't contain her excitement. “I can't believe I'm finally home. I can hardly wait to see my father.”

“I would've gotten about as much accomplished if I'd sent you on home with your brother. I suppose I should have realized the importance of your spending time with your family,” Dr. Welch said as he and Julie accepted a stack of hotcakes from the Union Restaurant's waitress.

Julie laughed in animated excitement. “I feel just like a little girl at Christmas,” she said as she poured warmed corn syrup on her cakes.

“We still need to pick up a few things for your trip home,” Dr. Welch reminded her.

“Umm,” Julie nodded with her mouth full. Taking a drink of hot coffee, she added, “I appreciate the supplies you've already loaned me. I'll only need to pick up food for the dogs. It's always wise to keep your transportation well cared for, just in case we get stuck on the trail.”

“I heard tell a blizzard is due in,” Dr. Welch said between bites. “I'm afraid you'll have to really move those dogs to get home before the storm catches up with you.”

Julie glanced out the window. The skies were still dark, making it impossible to get any bearing on the incoming storm. “I'd nearly forgotten about the darkness. How many hours of daylight can I count on this time of year?”

“I wouldn't expect more than seven—especially if that storm moves in as planned. The sun won't be up for another hour or so,” Dr. Welch said, glancing at his pocket watch.

“I don't dare wait that long,” Julie said thoughtfully. “I'll mush out in the dark. The dogs know the trail in their sleep, and I won't need more than two or three hours at the most, if the trail is clear.”

“Are you sure you're up to it?” Dr. Welch questioned. “I don't intend to lose my first public health nurse. I've waited too long for help.”

Julie smiled. “Don't worry about me,” she reassured. “I've never been one to take unnecessary risks. I'll be fine if I can move out right away.”

“Then I'll pay for this meal, and we'll go secure some food for your dogs,” Dr. Welch said as he rose from the table.

Julie hurriedly forked the last of the hotcakes into her mouth and pulled on her parka. The warmth of the coat made her feel confident that she could face the trail without danger.

Julie affixed the dog harness to the sled, remembering to anchor the sled securely before attaching any of the dogs. Reaching for her lead dog, Dusty, Julie gave the strong, broad-chested malamute a hearty hug. “Good dog, Dusty. You remember me, don't you, boy?” she questioned as she led him to the harness.

Dusty yipped, and soon the rest of the dogs perked up and began dancing around as Julie talked to and petted each one. Within minutes, they were once again good friends.

After harnessing Dusty in the lead, Julie secured her swing dogs, Nugget and Bear. Two team dogs, Teddy and Tuffy, came next, with two wheel dogs, Cookie and Sandy, rounding out the sled team.

Julie checked the lines and then rechecked them. It had been at least five years since she'd had to be responsible for such a job, and she was self-conscious about doing it right. The wind picked up, reminding her of the expected snow.

“Well, boys,” Julie said as she checked the ropes that held her sled load. “I think we'd best be on our way.” She left the dogs long enough to go inside and bid Dr. Welch good-bye, promising to return in two weeks.

Taking her place at the sled, Julie paused for a moment of prayer. “Dear Lord, please watch over us and deliver me safely to my father and brother. Amen.” She pulled up the snow hook and tossed it into the sled basket.

“All right, team. Hike!” she called, grabbing the bar tightly. She ran behind the sled for a few feet before taking her place on the runners. Soon she'd be home!

Once the dogs made their way out of Nome, they followed a trail that paralleled Norton Sound. Julie was relieved that, because the wind had been surprisingly calm through the night, the trail hadn't drifted much.

Julie barely felt the cold, even though the temperature had dropped to fifteen below. She was so well bundled beneath the layers of wool and fur that when snow started to fall, she barely noticed.

An hour later, however, the snow had worked into a blizzard with fierce winds blowing off the sea. Julie knew the dogs would stay to the trail unless something barred their way, so she moved on without concern.

The wind and ice pelted down ruthlessly, causing Julie to nearly lose control of the sled once or twice. The snow drifted and blew, almost obliterating the trail. Julie reassured herself by remembering that the dogs would be able to find their way through. Nonetheless, she found herself whispering a prayer. It wasn't until Dusty abruptly brought the team to a stop that Julie began to worry.