“This is very good,” she told her hostess. “Very nearly magical, just as Pastor Jenkins suggested.”
“I’m so glad you like it, my dear. Marcus and I have it atleast once a week with fish of all kinds, but I’m particularly fond of it with the salmon.”
“As am I,” the pastor agreed.
They ate for several minutes without conversation, and Addie felt a little of her tension give way. After all, these were people she trusted, and while she feared what they might think of her if they knew the truth, Addie knew they wouldn’t intentionally strike out at her.
She had just sampled the berry salad when the pastor posed a question. “So, Addie, tell us how it was that you ended up in the Yukon.”
It was innocently asked, but not so easily received as Addie tried her best to remain calm.
“My father and brothers decided they wanted to go find their fortune. They didn’t realize the work it took to get to the gold fields, however. I think they might have quit the trail but for the stories people told of the gold and how easy it was to be had.”
“And was it easy to be had?”
She shook her head. “Not by the time we got there.”
“And what of you, Isaac?”
Isaac paused with the fork halfway to his mouth. “My father and I saw it as a one-time opportunity to make a good amount of money. We had read up on the trip to the Yukon and knew of the difficulties, but with the help of a great many packers, we were able to take supplies to Dawson City and open a store there. We arranged for supplies to be brought in every week for nearly a year and made a good fortune in it. Of course, it was expensive to arrange for the goods and a large lot was lost in accidents or theft, but overallwe made a good amount of money for my college education and left after just a year.”
“And what of your family, Addie? Did you leave the next year?”
She took a sip from her water glass and tried to figure out what to say. Setting the glass aside she smiled. “No, it didn’t work out well for my family. My father died there, and my brothers ... well, they were men of few scruples and fell into bad ways. They ended up being sent to prison. I’m afraid the gold camps just brought out the worst in them, and they never found any gold. Well, not that they actually panned for themselves.”
“Oh goodness, child. What became of you then?” Mrs. Jenkins asked.
“I left.” Addie offered nothing more, and thankfully no one asked.
“But the two of you were good friends while there, as I understand it. At least that’s what Mr. Hanson was telling me earlier this morning.”
Addie looked at the pastor and nodded. “Yes, we were.”
“Addie and I were very close,” Isaac said, reaching over to squeeze her hand. “In fact, we had pledged to marry after I finished school.”
She could feel the color drop from her face. Never had she expected Isaac to make such a declaration.
“Marry! But how wonderful,” Mrs. Jenkins declared. “And now here you are together. Have you set a date?”
Addie pulled her hand away from Isaac. “We were only children when we made such promises.” She looked at Pearl, hoping the woman might think of some way to change the subject.
“Speaking of children, Mr. Hanson, how old are your nieces?” Pearl asked without hesitation.
Isaac smiled. “They are ten and six.”
“Oh, how sweet,” Mrs. Jenkins said, nodding. “Such a delightful age.”
“I’ve told them stories about Addie,” he continued. “They call her Princess Addie, and I am her fair knight in shining armor. They looked forward to meeting her almost as much as I did in finding her again. I’ve looked for her ever since finishing college, and finding her at the expo was such a blessing.”
“And what did your nieces think when they finally got to meet Addie?” Mrs. Jenkins asked.
“They adore her. They’re always nagging me to have her to the house or to go and meet her somewhere. They are completely devoted.”
“Well, once you’re married, I’m sure they will see plenty of Addie.” The pastor’s wife smiled at Addie. “I do hope you’ll marry soon.”
“Addie is very busy right now,” Pearl offered.
Anger stirred inside Addie. How dare Isaac show up here and talk about them marrying and put her in this awkward position?
