Brides of Alaska (56 page)

Rita shook her head. It seemed fairly obvious that God wanted her in Tok. “That would make it just under thirty minutes into town,” she surmised.

“That's true,” Beth answered. “If you don't mind, we'll start fixing it up for you. You know, a few touches of home. We can take over your old bedroom stuff and put in some new touches as well.”

“I don't know what to say, Mom.”

“Just say yes, and we'll all get to work.” Beth's words were Rita's final straw. She knew God's destiny for her would take her north.

“Yes,” she replied into the telephone receiver. “I'll take the train to Fairbanks when the tracks are open for the tourist season. That will be May fifteenth. Can you meet me?”

“You bet,” Beth replied, not hiding the joy in her voice.

That left only one unspoken problem. Mark.

As if interpreting the silence, Beth braved a question. “Do you want me to tell Mark that you're coming home?”

Rita started to say no and then changed her mind. It would be fairer to warn Mark of her impending arrival. “Yes,” she said softly. “Tell him my plans. I don't know that he cares anymore. I sent him only one letter, and he never wrote back. But, I'd still feel better if he knew.”

“I understand, and I will let him know.” Her mother's words offered a bit of solace.

“Mother?” Rita questioned. “Do you think he still cares for me?”

“Do you want him to?” Beth asked.

After a difficult pause, Rita spoke. “Yes, I do. I really want him to still love me.”

“Then give it over to God,” Beth suggested, “and trust Him for the rest.”

“You're right, of course,” Rita murmured. “It's really a matter of trust.”

Rita was glad for the long train ride home. The miles offered her twelve hours of contemplation time before she would arrive in Fairbanks. For most of the trip, Rita rode the train in the area between cars. She opened the upper portion of the door and allowed the chilled May air to assault her face. The cold felt good and the fresh air seemed to clear her mind.

As the scenery rushed past her, Rita found herself praying. “God, You know my heart even when I don't. This time, I feel that I truly love Mark, but I don't know if he still feels the same way about me or not. Father, I know I must leave this matter to You. Help me not to take it back and work it for my own will rather than Yours. Amen.”

The ride lasted from eight in the morning until eight at night, passing through miles of Denali National Park. It even afforded Rita a picturesque glimpse of Mt. McKinley before the clouds moved in and sheltered the summit from view.

From time to time the forest gave way to glimpses of small towns. Railroads always seemed to approach towns from the backside, Rita decided. It appeared to be just the opposite of the highway on which she'd driven north a year earlier.

When she caught sight of the DEW line, America's Defense Early Warning system in case of Soviet attack, Rita knew that she was nearly to Fairbanks. She mentally calculated the plans from there. They would no doubt stay overnight, given her parents' dislike of traveling the highways after dark. That would make it at least noon tomorrow before she'd actually make it home. How much longer after that before she could see Mark and talk to him?

When the train pulled into the station, Rita put her concerns of Mark aside and rushed to greet her parents.

“I'm so glad to see you both,” Rita exclaimed, throwing herself into their arms. “It's good to be home.”

“Well, nearly home,” August laughed. “You don't mind staying over tonight, do you?”

Rita laughed. “No, I already had that planned. Did you get the things I sent by air express?”

“They're safe and sound in your new cabin,” August replied.

“My new cabin,” Rita repeated. “It seems so strange to know that I'm now a homeowner.”

Beth laughed and gave Rita a squeeze. “You're going to love it. I just know it. You should have seen the way your father and Mark worked to finish it.”

“Mark helped?” Rita questioned. Was that an air of hope for something more in her tone?

“Mark nearly built it himself,” August answered honestly. “I can't move like I used to. Gerald came over, and he and his older boys offered a hand as well. It was a real family affair once your mother started adding the homey touches.”

“Well, well.” Rita's tone made her pleasure evident. “It's going to be hard to stay over, knowing all that awaits me.”

“It'll be just like Christmas,” August said with a smile. “You'll have to wait until morning to unwrap your gifts.”

“Like Christmas, eh?” Rita questioned teasingly. “Then we can get started at four o'clock in the morning, right?”

August and Beth rolled their eyes. “Some things never change with kids,” August laughed. “Come on, we'd better get you fed and to bed if you plan to get started that early!”

Rita didn't get her parents up at four. She relished the soft mattress of the hotel bed and lingered there until her mother announced that they were going down for breakfast without Rita if she didn't get up.

She could hardly sit through breakfast while thoughts of Mark pressed her to hurry. When they were finally headed home, she couldn't help but count the landmarks and towns. Minutes seemed to drag by, while Rita barely heard the things her parents had to say.

By the time August finally pulled down the dirt road that led to the Eriksson homestead, Rita was gripping the door handle in anticipation. Home had never looked so good to her.

“I drew you a map,” August said, coming to a stop beside Rita's car. “I know you want to head right over, but you could stay a spell.”

“That's true,” Beth added, getting out of the car. “I'd be happy to fix you lunch and—”

“Thanks anyway,” Rita interrupted.

Beth and August laughed. “Go on, then,” August said. He put his arm around Beth and, for the very first time, Rita felt the warmth of the love they shared. She'd once questioned what her father could have possibly seen in her mother. Now, however, Rita thought she was coming to understand.

Rita glanced around, wondering if Mark was working with the dogs. Beth read her daughter's mind and shook her head.

“He's not here, Rita. He's getting your dogs settled at the new place.”

Now Rita was even more motivated to see her new home. “I'll see you later,” she grinned and jumped into her car.

“Don't speed,” August called out to his daughter. “Remember where that got you before.”

“I do,” Rita said, remembering it fondly. “It found me the man I intend to marry!”

August shook his head and waved her on. It was good to know that his youngest had finally found happiness. Better yet to know that she'd finally found peace of heart and soul.

Rita glanced only briefly at the map. From her father and mother's earlier description and directions, she knew without the paper just where she was going. She crowded the speed limit as closely as she dared and finally found her turnoff just as her patience was wearing thin.

The dust sprayed out behind her car as Rita moved closer to her cabin. She rounded the final bend to face a huge banner with bright yellow letters strung across the road. As she approached the cabin, she found that banners were flying everywhere.
W
ELCOME
H
OME
, they read.

Across the front porch of the huge cabin, another banner in multiple colors reiterated the message. Rita felt her heart pound faster. Were the banners her parents' idea or Mark's?

Parking the car, Rita got out and stopped. She looked around her, just trying to take it all in for a moment. The clearing set out before her held not only the cabin, but a partially finished shed. From behind the house, Rita could hear the dogs raising a ruckus. They knew their mistress was finally home.

She searched the area for some sign of Mark's motorcycle or truck. Surely he hadn't tended the dogs and left. If he had, did that mean he no longer cared for Rita in the way he once had?

Rita felt a gripping despair come over her. Maybe her anticipated homecoming wasn't what she'd hoped for. Maybe Mark's kindness and work had been done out of his partnership status with her father. Maybe Mark wouldn't want to see her. After all, he'd never even acknowledged her letter.

Rita swallowed hard. Whatever happened was in God's hands. She had to trust Him and count on Him to make the way for her life. Breathing a little easier, Rita stepped forward to explore her new home.

She hadn't taken more than two steps when the unmistakable sound of a screen door opening caught her ear. Looking up, Rita found Mark coming out of the cabin. He walked to the edge of the porch and stood at the top step.

Rita stopped and appraised him for a moment. His expression was masked from revealing whether their reunion was a welcomed one or something that he was merely tolerating. His brown eyes were serious, and Rita felt their warmth as his gaze penetrated her fears.

The wind in the trees broke her concentration and Rita turned momentarily. She looked back quickly, half expecting Mark to have moved or done something that would indicate how he felt. Instead, he said nothing, did nothing. What did it mean?

M
ark's words came back to haunt Rita. She remembered in Nome when he told her,
“Some day you'll come to me and I'll be there with open arms just for you
.”

Here I am
, Rita thought to herself.
Now where is the open-armed welcome that he promised?

Mark had played his game long enough. When a grin spread across his face, he couldn't help but fulfill his promise to Rita.

Rita ran across the yard and up the steps to where Mark's open arms waited. “I've missed you so much!” she exclaimed as his arms tightened around her.

“You have no idea how hard it was for me to leave you in Anchorage and wait here,” Mark replied. “Thought you might have even headed off for Texas.”

“I was afraid you wouldn't care anymore,” Rita said, lifting her face to Mark's. She needed to see in his eyes that her fears were unfounded.

“I told you that I'm a very patient man,” Mark whispered. “Although you very nearly made me a liar. It's a good thing your dad had this cabin project in mind, or I'd have never been able to get through the weeks.”

“Oh Mark,” Rita said, burying her face against his chest. “I love you and I'm so sorry for making you wait so long to hear me say it.”

Mark pressed his lips to the top of Rita's head. Kissing her hair, he whispered, “The wait was worth it. All things in God's timing are worth waiting for.”

Rita released Mark and stepped back. “The loneliness was incredible. I thought of you constantly and all I could imagine was that my foolishness had put you out of reach forever. I was truly afraid that I'd lost my dreams of happiness.”

“You're the only dream that has ever mattered, Rita,” Mark said with a grin. “And let me tell you, my time up here alone has given me an awful lot of time to perfect that dream.”