Brides of Alaska by Tracie Peterson Page B

eyes, Julie worked her way out of the covers and sat up.
    The sky was gray and heavy with snow. Julie knew it would only be a matter of time before those clouds would open up and dump another white blanketing on the Alaskan coastline.
    â€œWe’re nearly there,” Sam said as he moved out on the river ice.
    â€œI hope we’re not about to repeat scenes from our last shared trip across the Nome,” Julie called up from the basket.
    Sam laughed good-naturedly. “You’d better mind your manners, or I’ll make you get out and walk, and we both know your ability on ice is questionable.”
    Julie laughed. “I can manage.”
    â€œNo doubt,” Sam said as he reached the opposite bank. He jumped off the runners and pushed as his ten-dog team pulled. Within seconds they were over the top.
    In the fading light, Julie could see the welcoming sight of her home. She would be home with her family for Christmas. In the distance the dogs yipped and howled as Sam’s team drew near, alerting Vern and August to their arriving visitors.
    Sam halted the sled at the back door and helped Julie from the sled. “You go on in, and I’ll unload the basket and take care of the dogs.”
    Julie started into the house but remembered her gifts. “I need to unpack some of it myself,” she said as she turned back to the sled.
    â€œI can take care of it,” Sam insisted.
    â€œLook, I’m not just being stubborn this time,” an exasperated Julie tried to reason. “I have to take care of some of it myself. It is Christmas Eve, after all.”
    â€œI see,” Sam said with a grin. “Anything for me?”
    â€œThat’s a rather presumptuous question,” Julie replied. “You’ll just have to wait and see.” She took a step back and crossed her arms against her body.
    â€œI’m not good at waiting,” Sam teased. “Especially when I want something and set my mind to get it.”
    Julie pretended not to understand his meaning. “You must have caused your family a great deal of trouble on Christmas morning.”
    â€œI was a perfect child,” Sam grinned.
    â€œI’m sure.”
    â€œSure of what?” August asked as he came out the back door.
    â€œOh, never mind,” Julie said with a sigh. “Would you mind helping Sam with the dogs while I get some of my gear?”
    â€œYou can just leave it all, and we’ll bring it in,” August said.
    Sam laughed as Julie rolled her eyes. “Don’t even start, August. She’s got Christmas presents and doesn’t want any of us to see them.”
    â€œOh,” August replied and went to unharness Kodiak.
    Julie turned to Sam. “Now, why can’t you be more like him?” Sam shrugged his shoulders and went to help August.
    Julie managed to get her gifts inside without running into her father. She was coming out of her room when Vern came in search of her.
    â€œJewels!” he said as he embraced her. “Good to have you home.”
    â€œGood to be home. I wanted to let you know about George Nakoota. He tangled with his dogs and had his arm ripped up pretty bad. I stitched him up, and it looks good for a full recovery.”
    â€œHe was blessed to have you there,” Vern said as he walked with Julie to the kitchen. “He probably would have died if you hadn’t been. That village is nearly fifty miles from Nome, and he would have bled to death before he got proper care.”
    â€œWell, he’s doing fine now, and I know he’ll follow my instructions on how to care for the wounds. My biggest frustration with many of the Eskimos is their curiosity. I’ll stitch something closed and bandage it up, and before I can recheck it, they’ve unbandaged it so they can see my handiwork.”
    Vern chuckled just as Sam and August came in through the back door. “You know where curiosity will get you,” Vern