Tracie Peterson - Under the Northern Lights

UNDER THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

Under the Northern Lights

TRACIE
PETERSON

BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS
minneapolis, Minnesota

Under the Northern Lights
Copyright 2006
Tracie Peterson
Cover design by Ann Gjeldum

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout the prior written permission of the
publisher and copyright owners.

Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438

Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Printed in the United States of America

Paperback ISBN-13: 978-0-7642-2774-5 ISBN-10: 0-7642-2774-2
Hardcover ISBN-13: 978-0-7642-0219-3 ISBN-10: 0-7642-0219-7
Large Print ISBN-13: 978-0-7642-0220-9 ISBN-19: 0-7642-0220-0

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Peterson, Tracie.
Under the northern lights / Tracie Peterson.
p. cm. (Alaskan quest ; 2)
ISBN 0-7642-0219-7 (alk. paper) ISBN 0-7642-2774-2 (pbk.)
1. Kidnapping victimsFiction. 2. Frontier and pioneer lifeFiction.
3. AlaskaFiction. I. Title. II. Series: Peterson, Tracie. Alaskan quest ; 2.
PS3566.E7717U53 2006 813.54dc22 2006008822

Books by Tracie Peterson

The Long-Awaited Child A Slender Thread

What She Left for Me

I Cant Do It All!

A LASKAN Q UEST

Summer of the Midnight Sun

Under the Northern Lights

B ELLS OF L OWELL

Daughter of the Loom A Fragile Design

These Tangled Threads

L IGHTS OF L OWELL

A Tapestry of Hope A Love Woven True

The Pattern of Her Heart

D ESERT R OSES

Shadows of the Canyon Across the Years

Beneath a Harvest Sky

H EIRS OF M ONTANA

Land of My Heart The Coming Storm

To Dream Anew The Hope Within

W ESTWARD C HRONICLES

A Shelter of Hope Hidden in a Whisper

A Veiled Reflection

R IBBONS OF S TEEL

Distant Dreams A Promise for Tomorrow

R IBBONS W EST

Westward the Dream Ties That Bind

S HANNON S AGA

City of Angels Angels Flight

Angel of Mercy

Y UKON Q UEST

Treasures of the North Ashes and Ice

Rivers of Gold

with James Scott Bell
with Allison Bottke and Dianne O'Brian

Contents

H ome.

Leah Barringer Kincaid sighed the word as the settlement they called Last Chance Creek came into view. It felt as if shed been gone a lifetime instead of just months. But even as the relief of familiarity settled over her, another thought shadowed her joy.

But its not really my home anymore, she whispered as the dogsled drew ever closer to the village. She had just recently married, and though she and Jayce had talked about different possibilities of where they might make their home, nothing had been settled. Not completely.

This villagethis housewas one she had shared for many years with her brother, Jacob. She could hardly expect that he would leave now, especially at this time of year. It wouldnt be prudent or beneficial for any of them to set out on their own in the face of the Arctic winter. A million thoughts rushed through her mind. So much would change now. She and Jacob had often talked about what they would do when one or the other of them married. Leah had always figured the house would belong to Jacob and she would move off to her husbands home, but where would that be? Jayce had spent time living all over Alaska. He spoke with fondness for Last Chance, but did he love it enough to remain?

Lay-Ya! Lay-Ya! Ayoonas voice beckoned to Leah. The squat old native woman waved and pushed her fur-lined parka back just a bit to reveal her brown face as she called to her son. John! You look hungry. We got you supper.

Leah felt awash in emotions. Seeing Ayoona was like seeing her own grandmother. How she had missed her home. And to think, there was a time when I wanted to be anywhere but here . She remembered the restlessness as easily as she remembered her own name. The isolation of the Seward Peninsula was sometimes daunting. Winters were hard and long. Summers were fraught with dangers and endless sun.

John pulled the sled to a stop in front of his mother. I need to see to the dogs, and then Ill eat.

Leah climbed out of the basket and hugged the old woman. Ive missed you so much. Its good to be home. The woman smelled of seal oil and smoke, and the combination made Leah smile as she pulled away.

You got married, Ayoona stated. Your man is a good man?

Yes, Leah said. He is a good man. I love him very much.

And he loves you. I know. Ayoona grinned, revealing several missing teeth against her weathered lips.

John interrupted their revelry. Im going to leave your things at the house, he told Leah. I can help you get them inside after I feed and water the dogs.

Dont worry about it. I can get the boxes inside, Leah answered, glancing toward the house. Ill be fine.

Your man can help, Ayoona said matter-of-factly.

My man? Jayce is with Jacob. Theyre tracking down Jayces brother Chase, Leah explained to Ayoona. Thats why John had to bring me home. Chase took Helaina Beecham at gunpoint. Remember her? She was the woman who helped Jacob last summer.

I remember her, Ayoona said, nodding. She didnt like it here. She strangelived in your inne even when it was full of water. Ayoona referred to the summer ritual when most of the Inupiats moved into tents as the permafrost melted and caused flooding in the subterranean houses. Ayoona shook her head. She didnt like our waysour people. The words were matter-of-fact, and there was no condemnation in the womans tone.

Leah smiled at the thought of Helaina Beecham up to her ankles in water. I dont think she understood the people here, Ayoona. I honestly dont think it was a matter of like or dislike. She was probably terrified and uncomfortable with such a drastic way of life.

Ayoona nodded. Not like you.

No, not like me. Leah had always loved the people here, even if the place had grown wearisome.

John moved the dogs out. Ill see you at the house, Leah.

Ill be right there. She gave Ayoona another quick hug. When I get things put away, Ill come tell you all about my time in Seattle.

You bring your man too. We eat together.

Leah shook her head. My husband isnt here, Ayoona. Like I said, hes trying to find his brother. The man is a killer and kidnapper. Your man is here. Ayoona pushed her parka back even farther. Her expression revealed absolute assurance that her words were true.

Jayce... is here? Hesitating, she shook her head. Hes here? Youre sure?

He just got here. He came this morning, Ayoona stated with a smile. Needed more dogs. Better dogs. Said he was only staying for a few hours, then going.

Leah felt her heart skip a beat. Jayce was here. They would have a few moments alone, and he could tell her what they had discovered so far. I have to go, she told Ayoona. I need to find him.

Ayoona grinned. You wont have to look for long.

Leah fairly ran the distance from Ayoonas inne to her own home. The little structure of wood and sod had never looked more inviting. John had just finished offloading the crates from the sled. Ill see you for supper, he told her.