[Yukon Quest 01] - Treasures Of The North by Tracie Peterson

looked directly at Bill, even as she stroked the heads of her children. ‘‘He said he had to go to prepare a place for us. Remember?’’
    The children nodded, but neither spoke. Bill could see they were trying hard not to cry. He was trying hard too, but his vision was already blurred.
    ‘‘I’m going to go to the place Jesus prepared,’’ Patience said, her loving gaze never leaving Bill’s face. ‘‘I want you to remember that, just like Jesus wanted us to remember it. I want to see you again in heaven, and there’s only one way to get there. You must give your heart to Jesus and continue to live by what the Bible tells you. Will you do that for me?’’
    Leah lifted her head. ‘‘I will, Mama. But why do you have to go now? I don’t want you to go.’’ Her voice broke into a sob as she buried her face against her mother’s neck.
    ‘‘Oh, sweet baby, I don’t want to go away, but God knows best.’’
    ‘‘I think God’s bein’ mean if He thinks it’s best to take you away,’’ Jacob said, wrapping his arm tightly across his mother’s still-swollen abdomen.
    ‘‘No, Jacob, God is not mean,’’ Patience said, trying her best to soothe his anger. ‘‘You mustn’t be mad at God. He loves you so. Please promise me, Jacob, that you’ll love Him and keep His word.’’
    Jacob raised up to meet his mother’s eyes. His lower lip quivered as he opened his mouth to speak. No words came. He bolted from the bed and flew across the room, knocking Bill backward as he fled the room.
    Bill could no longer stand the pain of the moment. ‘‘I’m going to send Jacob for the doctor,’’ he said, struggling to keep his voice steady.
    ‘‘No,’’ Patience said, shaking her head. ‘‘It wouldn’t help. God is calling me and the baby home. You must let us go.’’
    Bill crossed the room and knelt down on the floor beside Leah. ‘‘Don’t leave me, Patience. Don’t leave us.’’
    She reached out her hand and Bill took hold of her. ‘‘I would stay if I could,’’ she whispered, her voice sounding even weaker. ‘‘You must all surely know that I would love to stay here with you.’’
    ‘‘Please, Mama,’’ Leah cried, wrapping her arms around her mother’s neck. ‘‘Please.’’
    His daughter’s pleading only mimicked the cry of Bill’s own soul. Please stay with me, Patience. If you die, I die as well . The words went unspoken, but they were forever chiseled on his heart.
    ‘‘Oh, my precious ones,’’ Patience murmured, ‘‘Jesus is here—He won’t . . . leave . . . you.’’ Her blue eyes met Bill’s gaze for only a moment. Even in death, they were filled with the hope she’d known in her Savior. Without a word, she closed her eyes and said nothing more.
    Bill saw the life go out from her. Still clinging to her hand, he knew the very instant she left his side for her heavenly home. Leah, still holding tightly to her mother, didn’t seem to notice for a moment. Then, raising her head, her expression became the very image of brokenness.
    ‘‘No!’’ she cried. ‘‘No!’’
    Leah’s mournful wailing brought Mrs. Reinhart into the room. The older woman reached down to comfort the girl.
    ‘‘Oh, darlin’, your mama wouldn’t want you to fret so.’’ She led the crying child back into the front room.
    Only Bill remained.
    Looking down at the angelic face of his wife, Bill let go of her hand and reached up to touch her face. The woman he had loved so dearly for over fifteen years had gone to her reward without him. Somehow he had always figured they’d die together. He knew it was silly, but it was born out of the reasoning that he surely couldn’t remain alive if she were not at his side.
    ‘‘I love you, my darlin’,’’ he said, smoothing back the dark curls that framed her face. Leaning down, he placed one last kiss upon her lips. She had deserted him, taking with her their unborn child . . . and his heart.

6
    —[ CHAPTER SIX ]—
    THERE