Bethany gave her a sweet smile. Eli came over, grabbed her hand, and pointed to a chair. “Will you sit next to me?”
Her stepbrother was growing into a young man. The fact that he wanted to sit next to her melted her heart. “Sure.” It was good to feel something other than numb.
“Do you think I’m big enough to help with the dogs now?” His voice squeaked on the end.
“Of course. I can always use the help, and they love the interaction. In fact, Dr. Cameron has asked for a team, so there will be extra work training them and him.”
“I’ll do whatever you tell me to do. I want to learn all of it. I’ve been watching real good. I promise.” The eager look on Eli’s face couldn’t be denied.
Whitney gave her younger brother a soft smile. “As soon as I get back from this next trip, we’ll start, okay? Until then, you can help John and Daniel feed and take care of the dogs that are here.”
After John prayed and thanked God for the meal, all the dishes were passed. Fried chicken with roasted potatoes. Her favorite. Something they had made once in a blue moon untilHavyn finally agreed they could raise a flock of chickens for fryers. She’d have to hug her sister later.
What was Peter having for supper? Poor man. She’d deposited him at his office and just taken off. How thoughtless of her—she should have asked him to have dinner with them.
No. Such thoughts were ridiculous. Peter could take care of himself. He didn’t need her worrying over him like a mother hen.
John passed the large bowl of potatoes to her. “You know, I’ve been wondering how we could help the good doctor. Won’t he need to build a new place to live if he’s going to have a team of dogs?”
Whitney could hug her brother-in-law. Now she wouldn’t have to bring up the subject herself. “We spoke about that on our journey.” Would the rest of her family come to the same thought she had? She spooned potatoes onto her plate and let the conversation sink in.
“He’s done so much to help us and our town—not to mention the villages—we should do something to help him.” Havyn squinted and wiped her mouth with her napkin. Then she lifted a finger. “Why don’t we offer to build Peter a small home here? We’ve got plenty of room, and he wouldn’t have to build another shelter for the dogs since we already have more than enough space.”
“That’s a great idea.” Daniel lifted a piece of chicken to his mouth.
“I agree too.” Maddy shrugged her shoulders. “Are you okay with that, Whit?”
“Yes, I think it’s perfect. I just hope it won’t be too far for him to go in and out of town for his patients there.”
John waved a hand. “I doubt that will be a problem.”
“I take it Amka is still out at the village?” Granny passed a steaming bowl of cinnamon apples.
Whitney nodded. “Yes, Peter and I had planned to get the supplies he needed and go straight back, so Amka stayed with the other team and sled. Dad was still out at the gold camp. Of course, the blizzard changed our plans, but we’ll have to head back in the morning. Peter is quite concerned about some of the children. But I believe he’s gotten the sickness under control.”
“Good. That’s a relief.” Daniel poured himself another glass of water. “Peter is a wonderful doctor. The town sure did win a prize when he came.”
Whitney took a bite of potatoes and savored them. “I still miss Doc Gordon, but I’m praying he’ll return this summer. A couple of the other new doctors are too young ... and they won’t go visit the villages. Peter and Doc Gordon would get along well and be great for Nome. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to turn our town into a respectable place rather than the crazy, gold-digging, mining town that it is?”
“I wouldn’t get my hopes up.” John pointed his fork at her and then dug back into the food on his plate. “Once the gold is gone, don’t you think they’ll head out for the next great strike?”
“Probably a good thing.” Daniel nodded and then looked at Granny. “Although that would hurt the mercantile’s business, I’m sure.”
“We’d do fine. There are plenty of good people who have made Nome their home.” Granny dabbed her napkin at her mouth.
“Speaking of good people ... Judas Reynolds came out here this afternoon.” Havyn sent a little smirk her way.
What did that mean?
And why did Granny look none too happy?
“Oh?” Whitney put on her best nonchalant face.
“Yes, he was asking about you. Wanted to make sure we were all right after the storm.” Madysen put another helping of chicken onto her plate.
“That was very kind of him.” How was she supposed to answer? Sooner or later, she’d have to tell her sisters that he had asked to court her, but she hadn’t made a decision about her answer yet. Though she was leaning heavily in the direction of a yes. Whether her heart was ready or not. Something had to change in her life.
She dug into her food and allowed the conversation to shift to the farm. As words drifted around the table—from the cows, to the sheep, to Havyn’s adventure chasing three of her chickens down the lane—comfort spread its wings over her. This was normal. She belonged. Perhaps her grief had clouded everything for too long. Maybe she was on the road to healing.
