“We’re married, love.”
“Stop calling me your love! I am not your love, or any other man’s. And we’ve certainly got to do something about annulling this…this marriage.” She winced at the flash of pain that shot through her head.
“If you’d rather I didn’t call you love, I won’t.”
“Call me Caroline or Ms. Myers, anything but your love.”
“I am your husband.”
“Will you stop saying that?”
“I have the paperwork to prove it.”
Caroline tucked the blankets under her arms and scowled at him with all the fury she could muster. “Then I challenge you to produce them.”
“As you wish.” He threw aside the blankets and climbed out of bed, standing only partially clothed before her.
Caroline looked away. “I would really appreciate it if you’d put something on.”
“Why?” He sent a questioning glance over his shoulder.
The red flush seeped down to her neck and she swallowed convulsively. “Just do it…Please.”
Chuckling again, Paul withdrew a slip of paper from his shirt pocket. “Here,” he said, handing it to her.
Caroline grabbed it and quickly unfolded it, then scanned the contents. The document looked official and her name was signed at the bottom, although she barely recognized the signature as her own. Vaguely she remembered Paul having her sign some papers when they’d entered the meeting hall. She’d been so bemused she’d thought it had to do with registering as a guest.
“I signed first,” Paul explained, “and gave you the pen.”
“Yes…but at the time I assumed it was something all tourists did.” It sounded so ridiculous now that she wanted to weep at her own stupidity. “The party yesterday was our wedding reception, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.”
Caroline shook her head. “I…I thought Gold River got so few tourists that they greeted everyone like that.”
“Caroline, you’re not making any sense.”
“I’m not?” she shouted, then winced. “You should look at it from my point of view.”
“But you agreed to marry me weeks ago.”
“I most certainly did not!”
“I have the letter.”
“Now, that I’d like to see. I may not have been in full control of my wits yesterday, but I know for a fact I’d never heard of you until…” The words died on her lips. “My aunts…my romantic, idealistic, scheming aunts…They couldn’t have. They wouldn’t…”
Paul regarded her suspiciously. “What aunts?”
“Mine. Just get the letter and p-please…” she stammered, “please put something on. This is all extremely embarrassing.”
Grumbling under his breath, Paul reached for his pants and pulled them on, snapping them at the waist. Next he unfolded his shirt and slipped his arms inside the long sleeves, but he left it unbuttoned. “There. Are you satisfied?”
“Somewhat.” Speaking of clothes reminded Caroline of her own skimpy state of dress. When Paul’s back was turned, she scurried to the very edge of the mattress in a frantic search for her cords and sweater. She remembered undressing, but she couldn’t recall where she’d put her things.
Stretching down as far as possible, Caroline made a wide sweep under the bed and managed to retrieve her sweater, sliding her arms into the bulky sleeves, and yanked it over her head. As she shook her hair free of the confining collar, Caroline came eye to eye with Paul.
He stood over her, his grin slightly off-center. “Just give me that letter,” Caroline demanded.
“Would you like me to read it to you?”
“No.” She grabbed for it, but he held it just out of her reach. “I don’t appreciate these sophomoric games, Paul Trevor.”
“Go ahead and read it for yourself while I fix us something to eat.”
“I’m not hungry,” she announced sharply, jerking the envelope from his hand. Food was the last thing on her mind.
Humming as though he didn’t have a care in the world, Paul left the bedroom while Caroline’s eyes narrowed on his back. How dare he act so…so unruffled by this unexpected turn of events.
The instant Paul was out of sight, Caroline tore into the letter. The creases were well worn, and with a mild attack of guilt she realized he must have read the neatly typed page repeatedly.
Dear Paul,
My name is Caroline Myers and I’m responding to your advertisement in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. I am seeking a husband to love. My picture is enclosed, but I’m actually more attractive in person. That isn’t to say, however, that I’m the least bit vain. I enjoy fishing and hiking and Scrabble and other games of skill. Since I am the last of the Ezra Myers family left in the Northwest, I am interested in having children. I’m a nurse currently employed by Dr. Kenneth James, but can leave my employment on two weeks’ notice. I look forward to hearing from you.
Most sincerely,
The evenly shaped letters of her name were penned at the bottom of the page in what Caroline recognized as her aunt Mabel’s handwriting.
With sober thoughts, Caroline dressed, then joined Paul in the kitchen. He pulled out a chair and handed her a cup of coffee.
She laid the letter on the table. “I didn’t write this.”
“I figured that might’ve been the case.”
Her face flushed, and she wondered just what had happened after the ceremony. Surely she’d remember something as important as that. “I have these two elderly aunts…” Caroline hedged, not knowing where exactly to start her explanation.
“So I gathered.” He pulled out the chair across from her and placed his elbows on the table. “They answered my advertisement?”
“Apparently so.”
“How’d they convince you to marry me?”
“That’s just it…They didn’t.” Caroline dumped a tablespoon of sugar into the coffee and stirred it several times.
“Then why did you go through with it?”
“I…wasn’t myself yesterday. I…I didn’t fully realize what was happening.” She knew how ridiculous that sounded and hurried to explain. “You see, Aunt Mabel and Aunt Ethel—they’re really my great-aunts, but I’ve always called them Aunt—anyway, they told me they were giving me a trip to Alaska.”
“Why?”
She wasn’t sure how much she wanted to reveal. She understood the reason her two scheming aunts had answered Paul’s ad. They’d been worried about her after the breakup with Larry. The question was: How was she going to untangle herself from this unfortunate set of circumstances? “The purpose for my agreeing to come to Alaska isn’t important,” she told him stiffly.
“Not too many people visit Alaska on the brink of winter,” he said.
She wished he’d stop arguing with her. Keeping her composure under these conditions was difficult enough.
“Was it because of Larry?”
Caroline felt her blood run cold. “They told you about Larry?”
“No, you did.”
“I did!” She opened her eyes wide, then quickly lowered them. “Is there anything I didn’t tell you?”
“I imagine there’s quite a bit.” He paused to drink his coffee. “Please go on. I’m curious to hear how you got yourself into this predicament.”
“Well, Aunt Mabel and Aunt Ethel insisted I take this trip. I’d never been to Alaska, and they kept telling me how beautiful it is. I didn’t know how they could afford it, but—”
“They didn’t.”
“What do you mean?” She held the mug with both hands. This was getting more complicated by the minute.
“I paid for it.”
“Terrific,” she said and groaned. She’d need to repay him for that and God only knew what else.
She paused for a sip of coffee and continued her explanation. “Then John Morrison met me in Fairbanks and the ride to Gold River got a bit rugged, so I drank the thermos of tea my aunts sent along.”
“Tea?”
“Not regular tea,” Caroline corrected. “My aunts have a special brew—their father passed the recipe to them.”
“I see.” One corner of his lip curved upward as he made an obvious—but futile—effort to contain his smile.
Caroline wasn’t fooled. “Would you stop looking amused? We’re in one heck of a mess here.”
“We are?” He cocked an eyebrow expressively. “We’re married, Caroline, and the ceremony is as legal as it gets. We stood before God, with the whole village as witness.”
“But you don’t honestly expect me to honor those vows…You can’t be that unreasonable.”
“We’re married.”
“It was a mistake!”
“Not as far as I’m concerned.”
“I’ll have it annulled,” she threatened.
His grin was wide and cynical. “After last night?”
Her cheeks flamed even hotter. So something had happened. “All right,” she said tightly, “we’ll get a divorce.”
“There will be no divorce.”
Caroline placed her mug on the table. “You can’t be serious! I have no intention of staying married to you. Good heavens, I don’t even know you.”
“You’ll have plenty of time for that later.”
“Later? Are you nuts? I’m not staying here a second longer than necessary. There’s been a terrible mistake and I want out before something else happens.”
“And I say we make the best of the situation.”
“Just how do you propose we do that?”
“Stay married.”
“You’re crazy.” She stood up so abruptly that the chair went crashing to the floor. “Let’s talk about this in a logical fashion.”
“The deed is done.” In Paul’s opinion, there was nothing to discuss; she was here in his home and they were legally married.
“Deed,” Caroline echoed, feeling slightly sick to her stomach. “Then we…I mean, last night, you and I…we…?” Her eyes implored him to tell her what they’d done.
Paul yearned to assure her they’d shared only a few kisses, but the instant he told her that nothing—well, almost nothing—had happened, she’d bolt. “Caroline, listen to me. It’s too late for argument.”
“Not from my point of view.” Her arms were wrapped around her stomach as she paced the floor. “I want out of here and I want out now.”
Paul shrugged. “That’s unfortunate, because you’re staying.”
“You can’t force me!”
His frustration was quickly mounting. “Would you give us a chance? I’ll admit we’re getting off to a shaky start, but things will work out.”
“Work out!” she cried. “I’m married to a man whose face I can’t even see.”
Paul ran his hand over the neatly trimmed beard. “It’s winter and my beard’s there to protect my face from the cold. I won’t shave until spring.”
“I…I don’t know you,” she said again.
“I wouldn’t say that.”
“Will you stop bringing up the subject of last night?”
Caroline was surprised by Paul’s low chuckle. “Now what’s so funny?” she asked.
“You’re a passionate woman, Mrs. Trevor. If it’s this good between us at the beginning, can you imagine how fantastic it’ll be when we know each other better?”
“Stop it!” Furious, she stalked across the room and stood in front of the window. A thin layer of snow covered the ground, and in the distance Caroline could see the form of a small plane against the blue sky. Her heart rate soared as she contemplated her means of escape. If the plane landed in Gold River, maybe she could sneak out before Paul discovered she was missing.
“Caroline?”
She turned back to him. “Were you so desperate for a wife that you had to advertise? That doesn’t say a whole lot about your sterling character.”
“There are very few opportunities in Alaska, love. I don’t often get into Fairbanks.”
“I already asked you not to call me that.”
“I apologize.”
He didn’t look the least bit contrite and his attitude infuriated her further. “Why did you choose me? You must’ve received more than one response.”
“I received…several.” Hundreds, if the truth be known. “I chose you because I liked your eyes.”
“Wonderful!” She threw her hands in the air.
“But your aunts were right—you are more attractive in person.”
Caroline couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Paul Trevor apparently expected her to honor her vows and live here on this chunk of ice. She was growing increasingly frantic. “I…have disgusting habits. Within a week you’ll be ready to toss me to the wolves.”
“There isn’t anything we won’t be able to work out.”
“Paul, please, look at it from my perspective.” Her eyes pleaded with him.
Paul struggled with the effect they had on him. It was difficult to refuse her anything, but the matter of their marriage was something on which he couldn’t compromise. “We’ll discuss it later,” he told her stiffly and turned away. “I’ve got to get to the station.”
“What station?”
“The pump station by the pipeline.”
“Oh. John mentioned it.” Already her mind was scheming. She’d let him go and pray that the plane circling overhead would land. If it did, she could convince the pilot to get her out of Gold River before Paul even knew she was gone.
“I won’t be more than an hour or two.”
“All right.” She slowly rubbed the palms of her hands together. “And when you get back, I’m sure we’ll be able to reach some agreement. I might even be willing to stay.”
Paul eyed her suspiciously, not trusting this sudden change of heart. While he shrugged into his coat, he said, “I want your word, Caroline, that you’ll remain in the cabin.”
“Here? In this cabin?”
“Your word of honor.”
Caroline swallowed uncomfortably; she hated lying. Normally she spoke the truth, even to her own detriment. “All right,” she muttered, childishly crossing her fingers behind her back. “I’ll stay here.”
“I have your word?”
“Yes.” Without flinching, her eyes met his.
“I won’t be long.” His hand was on the doorknob.
“Take your time.” The plane was landing; she could hear it in the distance. “While you’re gone, I’ll find my way around the kitchen,” she said brightly. “By the time you return, I’ll have lunch ready.”
Again, Paul eyed her doubtfully. She sounded much too eager for him to leave, but he didn’t have time to worry now. Giving her a few hours alone was probably for the best. She’d promised to stay and he had no choice but to trust her. He was already an hour late. Walter had said he’d stand in for him, but Paul had refused. The station was his responsibility.
The second the door closed after Paul, Caroline dashed into the bedroom and jerked her clothes off the hangers, stuffing them back inside her suitcase. With a sense of guilt, she left the winter gear that Paul had purchased on her behalf. He’d gone to a great deal of trouble and expense for her, but she couldn’t be blamed for that.
A quick check at the door revealed that Paul was nowhere in sight. She breathed a bit easier and walked cautiously outside. Although the day was clear, the cold cut straight through her thin jacket.
A couple of Athabascan women passed Caroline and smiled shyly, their eyes curious. She returned their silent greeting and experienced a twinge of remorse at this regrettable subterfuge. If he’d been more reasonable, she wouldn’t have had to do something so drastic.
The plane was taxiing to a stop at the airstrip where she’d been dropped off less than twenty-four hours earlier.
Caroline watched from the center of town as the pilot handed down several plywood crates. A few minutes later, the dogsleds and snowmobiles arrived.
“Hi.” She stepped forward, her calm smile concealing her anxiety.
The tal
l, burly man seemed surprised to see her. “Hello.”
“I’m Caroline Myers.” She extended her hand for him to shake and prayed he wouldn’t detect her nervousness.
“Burt Manners. What can I do for you?”
“I need a ride to Fairbanks,” she said quickly. “Is there any way you could fly me there?”
“Sorry, lady, I’m headed in the opposite direction.”
“Where?” She’d go anyplace as long as it was away from Gold River and Paul.
“Near Circle Hot Springs.”
“That’s fine. I’ll go there first, just so it’s understood that you can fly me to Fairbanks afterward.”
“Lady, I’ve already got a full load. Besides, you don’t want to travel to Circle Hot Springs. It’s no place for a lady this time of year.”
“I don’t care. Honest.”
“There isn’t any room.” He started to turn away from her.
“There must be some space available. You just unloaded those crates. Please.” Caroline hated the whiny sound of her voice, but she was desperate. The sooner she escaped, the better.
“Is that the warmest coat you’ve got?”
He was looking for excuses and Caroline knew it. “No. I’ve got another coat. Can I come?”
“I don’t know…” Still, he hesitated.
“I’ll pay you double your normal fee,” Caroline said, placing her hand on his forearm. “I have to get to Fairbanks.”
“Okay, okay.” Burt rubbed his neck. “Why do I feel I’m going to regret this?”
Caroline hardly heard him as she made a sharp turn and scurried across the snow toward the cabin. “I’ll be right back. Don’t leave without me.”
She got to the cabin breathless with excitement and relief, and hurried into the bedroom. Taking the coat Paul had purchased for her went against all her instincts, but she’d repay him later, she rationalized, once she was safely back in Seattle. To ease her conscience, she quickly scribbled an IOU and left it on the kitchen table, where he was sure to find it, along with a note apologizing for the lie. Her suitcase stood just inside the doorway. She reached for it with one hand and her purse with the other.
The pilot was waiting for her when she returned and she climbed aboard, feeling jubilant. Getting away from Paul had been much easier than she’d expected. Of course he could follow her, but that was doubtful unless he had a plane, and she didn’t see a hangar anywhere.