At the Rainbow's End by Jo Ann Ferguson Read Free Book Online Page A

she’s packed, we’ll be walking out to the claim. It isn’t that far. Not more than twelve miles.”
    The older woman frowned. Taking Samantha by the arm, she called over her shoulder that they would be only a few minutes. Inside the washhouse, she said nothing until they stood in the cramped bedroom. She watched as the bride-to-be stuffed her things haphazardly in her bag.
    â€œSamantha, child, are you sure you want to go?” She scowled fiercely, but her anger was not directed at the young woman. “Are you positive you want to leave with a man too miserly to buy two tickets on the Grand Forks stage?”
    She recognized the name of the smaller settlement on the Bonanza river. Joel had written of it several times. That was where he went to trade for the things needed on the claim. Trips to Dawson were made only when absolutely necessary.
    â€œI promised,” she said quietly.
    â€œThat doesn’t matter. You promised only to come to Dawson to see if you wanted to marry this man. You didn’t sign away your life.” She grabbed the younger woman by the shoulders and shook her gently. “Samantha, he didn’t even reserve the room at the hotel, as he promised. Mr. Houseman isn’t your only admirer. Constable French has been calling almost daily for the past week.”
    â€œI know.” Samantha thought of her other offer. Mrs. Kellogg did not know about Mr. Penn, the first mate of the Merwyn . He would be happy to pay for her passage from this city. She knew, though, that the cost of that favor might be far higher than he said when she left the steamboat.
    About to put her laundered coat in the satchel, she paused. Constable French was another matter. She could not keep from liking him. His charm washed over her in a gentle cascade each time he interrupted her workday with his irreverent humor. She liked him. But she loved the Joel Houseman she had met through the few letters she treasured.
    â€œThe constable is a dear friend. Please let him know Mr. Houseman came for me, and I didn’t have time to tell him farewell.”
    â€œYou’re going, then?”
    â€œOf course.” There was no doubt in her voice.
    â€œThen take care, child.” Mrs. Kellogg flung her reddened arms around her. “If you ever need sanctuary, you are welcome here.”
    â€œThank you.”
    With her bag in her hand, she walked out of the place which had been her home for nearly two weeks. Her eyes went directly to the impatient man pacing from the tub to a pile of kindling on the opposite side of the grassless yard.
    He was undeniably handsome. His yellow hair had been lightened by the harsh, northern sun. It brushed his collar and blended in with the darker strands of his beard. She discovered his clothes were not colorless, just covered with dirt. A warmth spread through her. Joel needed her as much as he had told her by mail he wanted her. The thought strengthened her.
    She was about to call to him when she heard hoofbeats in front of the shack. Constable French spoke her name, she saw Joel’s eyes narrow in rage as they settled on the Mountie.
    Constable French’s greeting died half uttered. His glance went from the satchel in Samantha’s hands to the man standing in the center of the clearing. Recovering his aplomb, he said with fake good will, “Good afternoon, Houseman.”
    â€œConstable,” Houseman said tersely, with a slight nod in the man’s direction. “Miss Perry, are you ready?”
    â€œYes.” She crossed the yard to stand by her fiancé. A weak smile twisted her lips into an uncomfortable angle. “Good-bye, Constable.”
    Although he clearly wanted to say something else, he said only, “Good-bye, Miss Perry. Have a pleasant journey out to the Bonanza. I don’t want to keep you. The stage should be leaving any minute.”
    The man next to her did not contradict Constable French’s assumption. He