Summer of the Midnight Sun (11 page)

“Now that is a pity. Johnsson here is one of two geologists I was to have on the trip. Kincaid was the other.”

“I am sorry. Perhaps you would like to see Jayce for yourself.”

Latimore nodded. “Perhaps afterwards you can show me your dogs. We’ll still need a couple of teams in order to accomplish all that we have planned.”

“I’d be glad to,” Jacob said, nodding at the man.

“You other men, stay here. We’ll be back shortly.”

The team nodded in agreement at this arrangement, taking more interest in Jacob’s umiak. “Do you have any more of these skin boats? We’d like very much to purchase at least one more,” Cleary called.

Jacob shook his head. “Most of the men are using them to hunt. Winter comes around fast up here and there was a famine last season. We need to lay in a better supply of meat, so I have my doubts anyone will be trading their boats, even at inflated prices.”

“Which our expedition cannot afford,” Latimore called out as they walked away.

They made their way to the house, where Leah greeted Jacob. “Are we ready?”

“Very nearly. But first, this is Captain Latimore. He’s heading up the expedition that Jayce was to have been a part of.” “I see. Jayce is just in here,” she said, holding back the fur that covered the stormy day kitchen. “He’s quite groggy from the medicine we’ve given him. He needs to remain calm or the bleeding will start up again.”

“Thank you, I quite understand and will give him no cause for alarm.” The captain moved past Jacob and slipped into the room.

“Were you expecting him today?” Leah asked.

“No, we weren’t exactly sure when he would come. I told him the situation but thought he might want to have a few words with Jayce. How is he?”

“Actually, he looks much better. The shock is wearing off and he’s taken some broth Oopick made him. It has some healing properties and will help with the pain. It will also help him to feel relaxed for the trip.”

“I’m glad he’s doing better. That’s an awful wound.”

Leah glanced at the fur covering and lowered her voice. “I’m still not sure he won’t lose the leg. I’m really very frightened for him.”

Jacob frowned. “We will do what we can, Leah. The rest is in God’s hands.”

“I know, but I can’t help but wish I could do more for him.”

“You’re doing more than most of us even know how. Your nursing abilities have benefited so many here, you just need to have confidence that you’ll know what to do—and if you don’t, that God will show you.” Jacob felt sorry for his sister, knowing how personally involved she got—and with Jayce involved, it was bound to be ten times worse. “He has the best of care in you,” Jacob added, putting his hand on Leah’s shoulder. “I know he’d say the same.”

Just then the captain came from the room. “He’s looking much better than I expected. Very groggy, but the pain seems minimal. He seems to think if he can get proper medical attention, he might be up to joining us in another week or two. I’ve told him that we’ll be in Kotzebue after we leave here. Maybe as long as two weeks. We weren’t able to get the native help we wanted in Nome, but one of the men we picked up has relations in Kotzebue, although he calls it Qikiqtagruk.” Jacob nodded, recognizing the native name for the town. The captain continued. “He believes he can get us some additional men. Say, you don’t have any natives here who would like to come north—maybe help you handle those dogs?”

“I don’t know of any, but you could certainly ask around. However, I need to tell you also that I cannot join you at this time. You may purchase the dogs, but I need to help get Jayce to Nome.” He looked to Leah and saw her nod of approval.

The captain frowned. “My men won’t be knowledgeable with the dogs. We must have them and the sleds, however. Are you certain you can’t join us?”

“I have no idea what kind of medical needs Jayce might have. I have to stay in Nome long enough to see him through. Then if he needs to go south to Seattle, one of us may have to go part or all of the way with him.” Leah looked rather surprised by this announcement, but it was something Jacob had already considered as a possibility. If they couldn’t help Jayce in Nome, he wouldn’t just leave him there to die.

“Is there someone who could train my men in your absence?” Jacob thought about it for a moment. Most of the natives were skeptical of dealing with the whites. “There is a man here in the village who works with me. I’ll see if he can help you. If you come with me, we can discuss the payment and the dogs.” He looked to Leah and added, “I’ll go talk to Anamiaq and send John to help you get Jayce loaded.”

“All right.”

“Thank you, Mr. Barringer,” the captain announced. “This expedition cannot function without the dogs. It is my hope that we can find someone to assist us even yet.”

“Most of the natives here are reliable men who know the importance of providing for their family. They won’t be easily tempted to venture into the unknown lands with strangers, but you are welcome to try.”

————

Leah directed John and the other men as to how to carry Jayce. They were exceedingly careful to follow her instruction. Most of the men were very respectful, almost in awe of Leah. One of the group had even asked for her hand in marriage, although for the most part the natives married their own people. They were fiercely proud of their lineage and saw no good purpose in tainting the line with what they considered a weaker blood. The man in question had been quite desperate, however, finding himself the father of twins after the death of his wife. Leah had rejected his proposal of marriage, but had agreed to work with the other women in the village to see the babies cared for. One of the twins died despite their best efforts. It had been a bittersweet victory to see the other thrive and grow to be a sweet young boy.

Jayce fought to stay awake, but Leah had given him a heavy dose of stinkweed. She’d boiled the leaves to make a strong concoction that would help with the pain and keep Jayce sedated.

Nevertheless, he seemed almost restless to speak—to say something to her. He kept trying to speak the entire time the men were carrying him to the water.

“Leah.”

“You need to rest, Jayce. Just be quiet now.”

“Leah, I need . . . to . . . need to tell you . . . something.”

“It can wait until you’re feeling better.” Leah put her bag on the rocky shore and moved to the umiak to direct the placement of her patient. “Put him there on the blanket. Yes, that’s good,” she said as they positioned him perfectly.

Once Jayce was secured in the boat, Leah packed blankets and a down-filled bag around him. She made sure that everything could easily break free in case of capsizing.

As the men walked away, Jayce reached out and took hold of Leah’s hand. “I’m sorry, Leah.”

“You couldn’t help it,” she reassured. “Accidents happen, and the dogs are bad about getting excited.”

“No,” he said, shaking his head slowly from side to side.

“Sorry for the past.” He closed his eyes. “I didn’t know . . .”

She waited for a moment. “Didn’t know what?” She wanted very much to hear what he might say, while at the same time she knew he needed rest.

“Didn’t know that I hurt you that bad. Didn’t know you really loved me.”

She bristled but fought to keep her voice calm. “Had I ever given you reason to doubt my word? Why should you have thought my words less than true?”

Jayce opened his eyes. “I . . . I . . . thought you were too young. Didn’t think you knew your . . . mind. I thought . . .” His words trailed off.

The old anger stirred, but she forced it down. “I don’t imagine you thought much at all about any of it.” She tried to leave, but he held her fast.

“Forgive me, Leah. Please.”

She looked at him for a moment, his eyes pleading. She bit her lip and pulled her hand away from him. “I do forgive you, Jayce. I already forgave you long ago.” She got up and walked away before he could see the tears that came to her eyes.

“I just can’t seem to forget you,” she whispered against the Arctic wind.

Chapter Nine

T
hey’d ridden the swells of the Bering Sea less than an hour when heavy clouds formed on the horizon. Leah knew the look of danger. Around these parts bad weather blew up quickly and often lasted for days. And if not storms, then heavy fog could also blind their way. It wasn’t a good time to be on the open water.

“We’ll have to make for shore,” Jacob told her. “I wish we could make it to one of the villages, but I doubt we’ll have time. I’ll send John ahead to make the best choice.”

Leah knew Jacob was right. “I’m sure it will pass quickly,” she said in encouragement. Glancing at Jayce, she saw that he slept, despite the situation.

“John!” Jacob called across the water. “Find us a place to make camp. We’ll wait out whatever is blowing in.”

“Sure. I can do that.” The native pushed his men into action.

Leah was amazed at how quickly the umiak pulled away from Jacob and Kimik’s boats. John and his men were quite strong, definitely used to battling the sea. In their boat, Jacob had the help of four other men. Leah was grateful for this, because she knew she would never be strong enough to fight the rough water. The men were good friends, but Leah knew they would head quickly back to their village as soon as things were arranged in Nome. As much as they admired and respected Jacob, their own families came first, and this was no time to be slack in hunting and laying up food.

Before long, John directed them to shore. There wasn’t a lot in the way of shelter, but Leah knew her brother and the other men would find ways to wait out the storm and keep dry.

“Stay with Jayce,” her brother told her as the men pulled the wounded man from their boat. “We’ll put together a safe place for you both.” He left the two dogs he’d brought to stand guard.

Leah reached out to pet the two animals she’d helped to raise. Leo and Addy were strong Huskies who took the northern furies in stride. “You’re good dogs,” she said, stroking the silky fur. The animals seemed to thrive on her attention.

Jayce moaned as he tried to get up. “Are we in Nome?”

Leah left the dogs and knelt down beside her patient. “No, there’s a storm blowing up. We’ll have to wait it out.”

“I’m sorry, Leah,” he whispered, still struggling to try to sit up.

“Stay still. I need to look at your leg,” she said, desperate for something to do other than converse with this man.

Jayce fell back against the blanket. “Don’t let ’im find me.”

The statement confused Leah. “Don’t let who find you?”

Jayce shook his head. “Can’t find me.”

The medicine was obviously making it hard for him to think clearly. Leah knew Oopick’s stinkweed solution would further the man’s confusion, but Jayce needed to rest as much as possible to keep from moving his leg. Leah opened the jar and poured a small portion for Jayce. She thought about the delay with the incoming storm and prayed it would be enough to keep Jayce from misery.

“Jayce, you need to drink this,” she said, putting her arm under his neck.

He opened his eyes for only a moment and then closed them again. Leah managed to get the medicine down him—at least most of it. She lowered him back to the ground. She wasn’t used to this vibrant, strong, and self-sufficient man being so weak.

She pushed back a bit of Jayce’s brown hair. It had a coarse, wild texture to it, but she liked it very much. How often she had wanted nothing more than to run her fingers through the thick mass. She realized she was stroking his head and pulled away.

Don’t let yourself be vulnerable. Don’t care too much
. The internal warning seemed to fall on deaf ears—or at least a deaf heart. The Bible spoke of the eyes of the heart—did the heart also have ears? If so, Leah knew hers weren’t listening.

Leah peeled back the bandages and studied the wound. It seemed about the same. An oozing of blood continued to wet the bandages, but Leah knew this was better than keeping a tight tourniquet on the leg. She had been told by a doctor once that such restriction of the blood flow could actually cause the limb to die.

Please, God,
she prayed,
help me do the right thing—don’t let him die or lose his leg because of my ignorance
.

“How . . . is it?” Jayce murmured.

Leah was surprised to hear him sound so coherent. “Looks like you’ve been chewed on by a grizzly,” she said, trying to sound lighthearted. “I’m sure you’ll have quite a scar.”

“One more to . . . go . . . with the others,” he said, then seemed to drop off to sleep.

Leah rewrapped the leg and pulled a blanket over Jayce. She glanced up behind them and saw that farther inland the men were making good headway in a small cluster of bushy willows. They had taken the umiaks and positioned them in such a way that, when bound together with rope and tarps, they made a shelter. Jacob had tightly bundled the furs and wrapped them in a protective covering of oiled duck canvas. They would make a soft bed for Jayce, Leah thought.

The men came back to shore and motioned Leah away. They picked up the four corners of the blanket on which Jayce slept and carried him to the shelter. Leah followed, bringing her bag of herbs and medicine. Leo and Addy trotted behind her as if tethered. Kimik was the last to join them, bringing their food supply with him. It was a danger to have it inside their camp, but there were no tall trees in which to hang the bag and no time to build a cache. They would simply have to take their chances.

“Maybe a bear will come out in the storm and smell our food,” John said, laughing. “He will say, ‘Let me come for dinner.’ We will let him come—then shoot him. Then we will eat Mr. Bear.” They all laughed at this.

One of the other men got a fire going, and only then did Leah see that they had laid in a generous supply of dry driftwood for their fuel. She felt warm and secure—safe with these men and her brother. The only real worry was whether or not Jayce could withstand the delay.

“I’ll make supper,” John announced. He unwrapped a pack and pulled out dried seal meat. “There. Supper is ready.” The men chuckled again. John always kept everyone in a good mood, and even Jacob couldn’t help but join in.