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

HAD BEEN no money for a stone marker, but because the Barringer family was so well thought of, the mining association put together a collection. Someone voluntarily carved a headstone, chiseling the words PATIENCE BARRINGER, 1865–1897 , while someone else agreed to make the casket. The local ladies’ sewing circle came and dressed the body for burial, and the little congregation of the Baptist church brought contributions of food to help the family during their time of loss.
    Leah and Jacob Barringer were rather relieved to see the townsfolk rally around them. Their father had spent that first week after their mother’s death in near total silence. He cried a lot at night, and it frightened Leah, who herself felt rather lost without benefit of father or mother. Jacob did his best to remain strong and supportive. He hadn’t teased her at all that week, but instead had surprised her with his kindness. Perhaps the most startling example came when Leah had been fighting to brush her long dark ringlets. Finding her hair hopelessly tangled, she burst into tears, wishing fervently for her mother. Without a word, Jacob had come to her, taken the brush from her hand, and had carefully, lovingly, worked through the tangles until her hair was completely brushed and in order. She had thrown herself into his arms, crying softly against the cotton shirt she had mended only the day before. They’d always been close, but now their bond had strengthened.
    ‘‘Pa says we’re leaving in just a few more minutes,’’ Jacob called from the side of the little church.
    Leah stood beside her mother’s grave. The dirt was still mounded up, and the rocky terrain surrounding the little cemetery looked rather bleak. Leah hated to leave her mother and baby brother there. She had decided for herself that the baby was a boy. Her mother had thought to have another son and call him Benjamin. Leah had figured her mother to know best.
    Kneeling in the soft dirt, Leah put a fresh bunch of wild flowers atop the grave. ‘‘We’re leaving now, Mama. Papa says gold has been found up north. He believes we’ll make our fortune there. When we do, I’m coming back to see that you have a beautiful new stone—one that has brother’s name on it as well.’’
    She arranged the flowers carefully and ignored the droplets of rain that began to fall. It rained almost religiously every afternoon about this time. Leah had learned to take it in stride along with everything else related to their life in Devil’s Creek.
    ‘‘I don’t know when I’m coming back, Mama. I don’t know if you can see me in heaven or not, but you told me when I was afraid, I could come to you and tell you. And, Mama, I’m afraid. I don’t know where we’re going. I don’t like our new life without you.’’ She tried hard to keep from crying. ‘‘I know you said that God is always with us and that when we’re afraid, the psalms said we could trust in Him. I know that bein’ a good Christian girl is what you want for me, but I’m still scared.’’
    Leah glanced up at the sky and let the steadily building rain mingle with her tears. ‘‘I just know you can see me, Mama. Please ask God to help me ’cause Papa just isn’t the same. He’s talking about glory and gold again, but his heart is so sad. Sometimes he just sits there staring at the fireplace, and I don’t know how to make him feel better, ’cause my heart hurts too.’’
    ‘‘Leah! Come on!’’ Jacob called.
    Leah got to her feet and bowed her head for a little prayer. ‘‘Dear God, please keep my mama and little Benjamin safe. Don’t let nothin’ hurt them no more. And, God, if it ain’t too much trouble, could you please help us on our way? My pa doesn’t always think clear. Mama said he’s a dreamer, and I know you understand what that means. So now we’re headin’ off for another one of Papa’s dreams, and I’m afraid.’’
    ‘‘Leah, Pa says come right now or he’s heading out