Read Online Brides of Alaska by Tracie Peterson - Free Book Online

family, but, well …” She paused for a moment. “I don’t know. I guess I’m just anxious to be at my job.” Getting to her feet, Julie was just as anxious to drop the subject. “Now, if you’ll all excuse me, tomorrow is October twelfth and that means it’s August’s birthday. I’m going to see what I can whip up in the kitchen.”
    August grinned. “I figured everybody would forget.”
    â€œJust why do you think I braved the weather to come this way?” Sam said and laughed. “Besides, why do you think I let you win at chess yesterday?”
    â€œWell, if it was a birthday present, you should have let me win today as well. I’m a bit humbled by the entire experience,” August said as he got up, stretched, and looked at his watch. “I guess I’d better go check on the dogs.”
    â€œThat’d be a good idea,” Vern said. “Let’s go.”
    â€œI’ll lend you a hand,” Sam offered.
    â€œNo.” Vern waved him off. “Somebody has to keep an eye on
her
,” he said pointing at Julie.
    â€œMe?” Julie questioned as she pointed to herself. “I don’t need a keeper. I’ll be just fine. I promise to behave myself and stay in the kitchen.”
    Vern smiled at his daughter. “I’d feel better if Sam kept an eye on you.”
    Julie rolled her eyes and shrugged her shoulders before she let the men go.
Who was going to keep an eye on Sam?
she wondered.

    By the time the sun began to set, the weather had calmed, and the temperature had risen significantly. The silence left in the wake of the roaring wind was unsettling.
    Julie bundled up against the cold and waved off her father’s protests. “I’m just going outside to look things over. There’s no wind, no snow, and I’d best get used to the elements. I have a job to report to in little over a week,” she said, more harshly than she’d intended.
    Vern nodded. “I can’t help worrying. I love you, Jewels.”
    Julie’s expression softened as she reached out to put a reassuring hand on Vern’s arm. “I love you, too, Papa. Please don’t worry. I was very foolish the other day. I realize my mistake, and I won’t make it again.”
    Vern embraced his daughter momentarily and then opened the back door for her. “Have fun,” he said. Julie knew it was his way of giving her his blessing and confidence.
    Julie walked out into the darkness. She turned back and saw the cheery glow of light shining from the house. Out on the nursing trail, there would only be the lighted windows of strangers to look forward to. Was she doing the right thing? Was she really cut out for the solitary existence her job required?
    â€œYou’re mighty deep in thought,” Sam said as he came from somewhere out of the blackness.
    â€œI was just thinking about my work.”
    â€œApprehensive?” Sam questioned.
    Julie looked rather quizzically at Sam. “How did you know?”
    â€œJust something I felt.”
    â€œWell,” Julie continued before Sam could get personal, “I’m sure everyone has second thoughts. I’m just settling mine, that’s all. How about you? What brings you out tonight?”
    â€œI just bought two new dogs from your father. We staked them out with my team this afternoon, and I was checking up on them. They fit right in,” Sam said as he moved closer to Julie. “I figure we’ll leave sometime in the morning.”
    â€œOh, so soon?” Julie questioned.
    â€œDisappointed?” Sam asked with a grin.
    Julie moved away from Sam and noticed the sky. “Look!”
    Overhead, the sky filled with pulsating light. Green, pink, and white lights streaked the night blackness, and the heavens exploded with northern lights.
    â€œThe aurora,” Sam said as he came to stand directly behind Julie.
    â€œI’d nearly