“I was a mistress to Moerman before he married me.”
“I know. Millie told me. Then, of course, when I caught up with your brothers in Vancouver, they told me all sorts of things. I don’t even know what’s true and what’s not, but I can tell you that it doesn’t matter at all. I hate that you suffered and that it torments you still. That’s what I care about. Otherwise, those things are unimportant and need to be left to die in the past.”
“But you deserve so much better than a damaged princess,” she said, thinking of the girls.
“You are so precious to me, Addie. I know I’ve been pushy at times, but if you could only see yourself through my eyes, you’d know that the past doesn’t matter to me. I lost my heart to you the first time I saw you in the Yukon. You’re more precious to me than silver or gold.”
“Oh, Isaac, you make it all sound so simple.”
“It is simple as far as I see it. I know you feel the pain of all that has happened and all that was put upon you. I just want to help you heal. I know that together we can overcome everything that’s happened.”
“You make me believe it can be that way too.”
He smiled. “Don’t be afraid, Princess Addie. Let me be your brave knight and rescue you from the dragon.”
“Yes, well, Hiram and Shep are indeed dragons. They’re vicious and cruel and all for the want of gold.”
“Your gold?”
She nodded. “I have gold and jewelry in a safety deposit box at the bank.”
“Millie told me about the gold-nugget necklace. I thought it might have something to do with Hiram’s demands, but I didn’t realize you still had it until you told the police about it.”
“He wants it, but I won’t give it to him. Even if I do, it won’t be the end. He already demanded I go away with him so he can sell me to the highest bidder when the time is right.”
“No one wants that to happen. Addie, a lot of people love you, and we will fight to keep you safe, no matter what.”
She smiled despite the pain. “I can just imagine you all donning armor. The girls too. By the way, how are Mina and Lena doing?”
“They’re fine, but they’re worried about you. Elizabeth even cancelled her trip to California. They all want you to get well soon. I told them that I very much hope you will marry me right here in the hospital, and then we can have a formal ceremony in the church later. What do you think?”
“Marry in the hospital?” Addie shook her head. “But why?”
“I want to be in charge of protecting you. I want to make certain everything that can be done is being done.” He paused and gave her a slight smile. “And most importantly, I love you. We’ve been apart much too long. I want you to be my wife, Addie. I will never want another.”
“But what about your job? What if someone found out that I lived in a brothel, mistress to the owner? What kind of reputation would you have then?”
“It’s none of anyone’s business what happened in the past. I’ve prayed long and hard about this, Addie, and I am convinced that God will deliver us from the past. No matter what happens, I am putting my trust in Him for our future. I know He plans one for us ... together.”
Addie relaxed a bit, but her anxiety was far from gone. “I fear it could bode so badly for you. You’ve been hired on at the university, and their standards are quite stringent. Eventhough I’m not the person I was in Dawson City, what if the truth comes out? What if someone learns about my past and presents it to the president of the university? What if he’s so appalled by it that he fires you?”
“Then we move on and allow God to show us where we’re to go. I’m not afraid, Addie, and I don’t want you to be either. You’ve been through so many terrible things. I’m not going to be just one more on the list.”
“You could never be terrible to me. A little overbearing, yes, but not terrible,” Addie said, shaking her head.
“I know I have been out of line, but my enthusiasm got the best of me. I wanted to pick up where we left off. I just knew that you must still feel the same way about me. That you would remember our love for each other.”
“Your memory was all that kept me going. I still have the tintype you gave me. You wrote ‘Remember Me’ on the back, and I’ve kept it close to my heart ever since. I suppose it might be lost to me now, but it has otherwise been with me since living in the north.”
“So you admit that you still love me?”
Addie could see the hope in his eyes. “Of course I still love you. I’ll never stop loving you.”
“Then marry me, Addie. Don’t let them win. Your brothers might think they can control you. Control us. But we need to show them that they can’t. Marry me here in the hospital. I’ll arrange it all.”
Addie wrestled with her heart. She wanted to say yes and throw caution to the wind. If problems came down the road, then they’d face them together. Saying yes would mean that everything she ever longed for was finally within reach.
“I can see that you want to say yes.” Isaac’s expression lit up with joy. “I know you do.”
