Without a suitable response, she kept silent and tended to the dogs. The awkward moment stretched into several minutes.
Once the dogs all had a bit of the blubber, and she’d petted each one, she stilled. “Listen.”
Peter sat up straighter. “It sounds like the worst of it has passed.”
“It does. We should check the skies and wait to be sure, but I don’t want to waste any more daylight if we can avoid it.”
“Just let me know how I can help.”
She nodded and put her attention back on the dogs. Gracious, Peter didn’t seem bothered by her awkward moments, her cool indifference. It wasn’t like she was doing it on purpose. But how could she fix it?
He cleared his throat and clapped his mitten-covered hands together. “You know, I’ve been wanting to talk to you about getting my own team and sled. Would you be willing to teach me more than breaking the trail?” He raised his eyebrows.
She could hug him for changing the subject. “It’s a great idea to get your own team. I can even raise a team specifically for you and train them with you.”
“I was hoping you’d say that. I hear your dogs are the very best.”
She sent him a smile. “They are, but they will take a great deal of care and work on your part as well. You’ve got to be invested in them.”
“It’s clear you love working with them. How much time is involved in the training?”
“At least a couple hours each day. Are you up for that?”
He leaned forward. “Of course. I want to be available to help the outlying villages. The other doctors have informed me they don’t have time. The truth is, I don’t think they care much about the native people.”
Was that a hint of disgust in his words? “Sadly, that’s an attitude many whites take toward the Alaskan natives. It doesn’t matter which tribe they are from, they are looked down upon. The color of a person’s skin or where they are from or how they speak shouldn’t matter. We are all children of God.”
“I agree. That is why I want to be able to drive a sled out there myself.” He lifted one corner of his mouth. “It’s not like I can take up your precious time every time I need to check on the villagers.”
The man could cut to her heart one moment, then smooth it over in the next breath. She returned his smile and looked him in the eyes. “There will be more to it than learning to drive the sled. You have to develop bonds with the dogs, learnhow to command them, earn their trust, and become their leader. You’ll also need to relocate. There won’t be room for the dogs in town. At least not where you’re currently living.”
His brow creased. “I have been thinking on that. I could keep my office where it is in town. Maybe you could help me find a place to build a home that would accommodate the dogs and their needs?”
Warmth filled her cheeks again. Why? Just because she’d be spending more time with him? No matter. She didn’t have time to examine her feelings or what they meant. “Sure. I’ll help.”
“I doubt there’s much land available that I can afford, so that should narrow our choices. You can show me what you think would be best.”
“Of course.” She hadn’t thought about the financial strain this would put on him. The sacrifice this man was making to take care of others reminded her of her mother. Mama would have loved Peter. And Granddad would have offered to build something on their farm for the good doctor.
Why hadn’t she thought of that before? She frowned. They were already adding more on the farm with Dad and his other family. Even so, perhaps she could bring it up with her sisters in a few weeks. It was the least they could do to help the doctor. Besides, it would take a good deal of time to teach him, so having him right there on the farm would help her too.
“Thank you. I really appreciate it.”
“You are welcome.” The intensity in his gaze made her turn away. She repacked the leather satchel and crawled over to the flap of the tent to take a peek. The sky was indeed clearing, with no ominous line on the horizon.
“Looks like it has stopped snowing. Stay here with thedogs. I’m going to check the skies and see if anything else appears to be on the way.”
Chris glanced around the room one more time.
The blizzard raged outside the thin walls of the gold camp’s one lopsided building. Most of the men had made their way from their flimsy tents into the meeting room to share warmth and to pool their resources for food. The others were probably digging away inside the caves and tunnels, oblivious to the storm outside. That or they were lost to the blizzard. Not a pleasant thought.
Was that what had happened to Stan? There’d been no sign of him. No one had a clue where his brother-in-law had gone, and it had been months since anyone had seen him.
As much as Chris hated the thought, if something didn’t happen soon, he’d have to tell Ruth the news she didn’t want. He didn’t want it either—didn’t wish that kind of loss on anyone. But the reality of the situation was all too clear.
Life often dealt horrible blows.
He swiped a hand down his face. Only by the grace of God was he still standing. Alive. With six beautiful children, whom he didn’t deserve. They were the reason he kept going.
