“Mind if I drive?” Not waiting for an answer, he lifted the hook and stepped up behind her, putting his arms around her, his hands over hers on the handle. “Let’s go!”
The nearness of her took his breath away as he drove the sled through the town and out to the north, where a beautiful aurora-filled sky awaited them.
Once they were away from the cacophony of Nome, he called out, “Whoa.”
The dogs slowed and the sled came to a stop, but he didn’t move.
For several seconds he watched the sky move in beautiful waves of greens and yellows. Then he stepped back a few inches and turned her around to face him. “Whitney...”
She gazed up at him, her gorgeous hair framing her face. Those brown eyes searching his.
“I don’t have a lot to offer you. But I believe our future is together.” He got down on one knee, and her eyes widened. “I love you. I haven’t been whole for a very long time, but you fill all the empty spaces when nothing and no one else could. I pledge to honor you and love you with all my heart. Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” She threw herself into his arms.
Nothing in this world could be better.
Epilogue
June 15, 1905
With a nod to Peter, Whitney squeezed her sister’s hand.
“Havyn ... it’s time to push.” Peter’s voice was calm and soothing.
“Are you certain it’s not too soon?” Sweat beaded on Havyn’s forehead.
They’d expected the baby in July, but Havyn had been large for some time now, so Peter said he thought there might be a chance at twins. Though he’d heard only one heartbeat.
His reassuring smile was all Whitney needed. “Your baby is coming now. God’s perfect timing, so don’t you worry. Simply focus on pushing when the contractions come.”
Havyn’s head bobbed up and down. “I didn’t mean to mess up your wedding, Whit. We had so much to do today, and I was supposed to help.” Tears pooled in her eyes.
“You haven’t messed up a thing. The wedding will still happen tomorrow, and we’ll put you and the baby intoGranddad’s wheeled chair and roll you in.” Whitney winked and kept a grip on her sister with her right hand while using her left hand to wipe a cool cloth over Havyn’s forehead. “I’m right here. Nothing is more important than this right now.”
Butterflies took up residence in her stomach. She and her family had helped birth hundreds of animals, and the miracle of new life was always exciting. And now...
It was time for the first of their family to bring in the next generation.
Excitement filled her heart. Tomorrow was her wedding day, and today she’d have a niece or nephew.
Thank You, Lord. Please give Havyn the strength she needs and keep our new little one safe.
“Here we go.” Peter’s demeanor held strength and peace. All at the same time. God had used everything he’d been through to make him an even better physician. What a blessing it was to know and love this man. To think that she was marrying him ...tomorrow! “Big push.”
“Ahh!” Havyn’s long cry turned into a powerful grunt. Her face went from pain to determination. Then back to pain.
“Keep breathing. You can do this.” Whitney had no idea if what she was saying was encouraging or not, but she’d promised to be here for Havyn while Madysen kept everyone else busy with preparations for the wedding.
“Almost there. You’re doing a great job.” Peter’s encouragement steadied her nerves. Exactly what they needed right now.
After several more contractions, Peter nodded to her and spoke softly to Havyn. “One more big push.”
Havyn moaned. “I don’t know how much I’ve got left.”The contraction must have hit, because she squeezed Whitney’s hand so hard she thought it might break.
“Ahhh!”
Peter scooted back with a big smile on his face. “Havyn, it’s a girl.”
