“And that’s a bad thing?”
She shrugged. “It is if you want to keep the relationship uncomplicated and free of—”
“Interferences?”
She snapped her mouth shut and studied him for a long moment. “Yes.”
They went back to digging on the trail and maneuvered the team back into the shallower snow. It was backbreaking work, and there wasn’t any need to fill the air with conversation. Even so, Peter enjoyed the time in her presence.
She didn’t force a façade. Had been honest enough to admit that she was struggling. Felt lost. Her faith had been sorely tested. Was there anyone else she could truly be herself with? Maybe that was why she was allowing Judas to call on her.
Heavenly Father, please comfort Whitney during this time.Help her to see that she’s not alone. Help me to be the friend she needs.
Too many times of late, he’d tried to do things on his own. It never ended well.
His heart clenched. He wanted to be more than Whitney’s friend. There. He admitted it.
But could he ever tell her?
THIRTEEN
Urging her dogs into a full run, Whitney took the trail back to Nome. As soon as she’d arrived with Peter and the supplies, Amka had asked her to fill a list for the villagers from the mercantile. The sickness had taken its toll, and many were without staples. Which, in the dead of winter, could be a dangerous thing. Deadly, even.
So she’d helped unload Peter’s supplies and turned back around.
It gave her time to think. Too much time. Because after Peter gave his opinion about her courting Judas, she’d begun to doubt. About Judas. Her future. Everything.
For the past two hours, she’d replayed the conversation over and over in her mind.
Something in the way that Peter looked at her made her think there was more he wanted to say. Did he dislike Judas? Or was there something else?
The doctor was a good man. When she hadn’t trusted any man other than John and Granddad, Peter had shown himself true. Safe.
If only she could talk to Mama about this.
The pain that hit her at the thought of her mother made her want to curl up into a ball and cry. The ache seemed as real as if something was stabbing her in the chest. With everything in her, she wanted to reach into her pocket and pull out the bottle.
No. She kept her hands firmly planted on the driving bow. She wouldn’t give in to that. It was for headaches and anxiety. Havyn and Maddy were overreacting. She wasn’t like their father. She didn’t have a problem with drinking.
The town came into view, and she breathed a long sigh.
Thank heaven. There would be plenty there to keep her busy and her mind off of Peter and his words.
She drove the sled through the bustling town, toward the mercantile. Mr. Beaufort should have everything she needed to fill Amka’s list. Whitney would not want anyone in the village to suffer because of lack of supplies.
“Whoa.” Her command to the team was immediately obeyed. She set the hook and ran to the front of the sled, petting each of the dogs and checking to make sure they were in good shape.
Their tongues hung out, and the dogs’ eyes were bright and eager. Even after the long haul back and forth, they seemed in good spirits. After making several circles in the snow, her dogs settled down in front of her sled.
“Good dogs.” She sent them a smile and headed into the store. She tilted her fur-lined hood back and removed her gloves.
“Miss Powell!” Mr. Beaufort called from the register. “It’s good to see you. How are Amka and her family?” The man’s smile was genuine.
“They are doing well, although the sickness has spread a bit. That’s why I’m here. They are in need of supplies.” Shereached into her pocket and pulled out the list from Amka. She slid it across the counter in front of Mr. Beaufort. “Do you have everything in stock?”
He perused the list. “Sure do. I’ll get this filled in a jiffy.”
“I’ll be out with my team. Thank you, Mr. Beaufort.”
