[Alaskan Quest 02] - Under the Northern Lights by Tracie Peterson

out. As Chase made his way back into camp, the skies overhead revealed signs of dawn.
    ‘‘Let’s be on our way,’’ he announced, motioning her to the basket. ‘‘But this time, I’ll drive the dogs.’’
    Leah had no choice but to accept the arrangement. But as she settled into the basket, she felt a despairing chill settle over her once again. Gone was the peace from the night before, and in her heart she cried out again for God to help her.
    I’m not a very faithful child, Lord, but I’m trying. Please help us. Help me . . . help Jayce and Jacob. Lord, I don’t know what else to do. I just need for you to show me .

Chapter Five
    W hat are you saying, Emma?’’ Jacob looked in disbelief at the woman. ‘‘Jayce hasn’t been here until now. Not since last summer.’’
    ‘‘But he was here. I saw him. He was here with Leah. They left together.’’
    Jacob looked to Jayce. ‘‘It must have been your brother.’’
    Fear for Leah mingled with anger—no, rage—at Chase. Jayce clenched his fists. ‘‘I’m sure you’re right. Which way did they go?’’
    Emma shook her head. ‘‘I don’t understand any of this.’’ The bewildered woman took a seat at her table. ‘‘I thought Leah wasn’t acting herself, but since she’d just arrived and was so tired . . .’’
    Jacob sat down across from her. ‘‘Emma, think back. Tell me everything.’’
    Jayce joined them. He feared any kind of delay, but it was evident they needed more information.
    ‘‘Well, Leah came home with John. They only arrived a few days ago. The man we thought to be Jayce arrived a few hours ahead of her. We thought from the things he said that he was you. He seemed to know us—at least he acted as though he knew us.’’
    ‘‘My brother is a consummate actor. He has fooled an entire nation into believing we are one and the same.’’
    ‘‘He was very nice,’’ Emma said, shaking her head. ‘‘I would have expected . . . well, he didn’t seem bad.’’
    ‘‘Chase has a way of putting people at ease and making them believe whatever he wants them to believe,’’ Jayce said. ‘‘Don’t feel bad.’’
    ‘‘Well, he certainly had me fooled. He seemed quite kind and very loving toward Leah. Are you sure she would know the two of you apart?’’
    Jacob laughed. ‘‘Leah would know. She was probably under some sort of threat. At least that’s my guess.’’
    Emma nodded. ‘‘She did tell me that your brother was in trouble. She mentioned his kidnapping Mrs. Beecham.’’
    ‘‘What about Mrs. Beecham—Helaina? Was she here as well?’’ Jayce questioned.
    ‘‘No, there was no one but your brother.’’
    Jayce and Jacob exchanged a look of concern. ‘‘That’s probably how he gained her cooperation.’’ Fear for Helaina edged Jacob’s tone. ‘‘Leah knew your brother had taken Helaina. If Chase played on this—well, she would probably have done whatever he asked her to do.’’
    ‘‘Which was what?’’ Jayce looked to Emma again. ‘‘What were their plans?’’
    ‘‘Leah said they were going north—Kotzebue was mentioned, but she didn’t know anything for certain. She said he had a place up north. I asked if she was going to move away from us, and she assured me she wasn’t. Oh, I wish I’d paid better attention.’’
    ‘‘Chase spent last summer with the Homestead exploration group. They were in Kotzebue for some time trying to get native help. You don’t suppose he really has a cabin up there, do you?’’ Jayce turned to Jacob for answers.
    ‘‘I can’t imagine Chase being open enough to confide any such news. If he told her Kotzebue, it’s probably just a diversion.’’
    Emma began to twist her hands. ‘‘I can’t believe this. It’s so awful. Leah with a murderer.’’
    Jayce’s fear and anger mounted. Chase had gone too far this time. What little sympathy Jayce might have mustered for his brother fled in the realization that Leah was now in