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

dogs,” Welch answered firmly. “Of course, take good care of yourself as well. Keep detailed records, and let me know if there’s anything that needs my attention.”
    â€œI will,” Julie promised and picked up her parka. “I’d best be on my way. My first stop is nearly two hours away.”
    â€œAt least the weather’s been good. Unseasonably so, if you ask me,” the veteran doctor replied. After nearly twenty years in Alaska, he spoke with authority.
    â€œWell, remember me in your prayers,” Julie said as she pulled on her coat.
    â€œThat we will,” Nurse Emily replied.
    Moving out on the open trail, Julie had plenty of time to think. Too much time. She’d been working for nearly six weeks, and during that time, she’d seen just about everything.
    She’d delivered babies, set broken bones, stitched up wounds, and dealt with a multitude of other ailments. Overall, her experience had been a good one, but always there were the hours alone on the trail when the only thing she could think about was Sam.
    How could one man affect a woman so much that she questioned her purpose in life? Ever since Sam had kissed her and told her he intended to marry her, Julie had been confused.
    When Julie was younger and there had been only her mother’s driving desire to see her daughter become a nurse, she’d felt certain of her destiny. But Sam was just as strong in maintaining that Julie was his destiny.
    Julie stopped the dogs for a brief rest. There were only three to four hours of light a day as Christmas grew near. Usually she woke up in the darkness and moved out, only to spend the daylight hours inside a sod igloo, delivering a baby or tending to some other medical need. She was enjoying this rare opportunity to travel during the daylight hours.
    Julie checked her compass and pulled out a small map from inside her parka. If everything went according to plan, she’d be in the next village within two hours. Carefully replacing the compass and map, Julie checked her dogs and took her place at the back of the sled.
    â€œLet’s go,” she called out, and the dogs immediately picked up a nice trotting pace.
    Julie alternated running behind the sled and riding the runners. She’d gradually regained her muscular arms and running legs. Physically, she’d never felt better, but emotionally, she was drained.
    â€œGod, please help me,” she prayed. The winter sky’s pale turquoise color was already giving way to the coming darkness. In the distance, Julie saw the telltale signs of a snowstorm. She called to the dogs to pick up the pace before turning her mind and soul back to God in prayer. “Lord, I don’t understand why You sent Sam into my life at this time. I thought I knew what You wanted me to do, but how can I do that and care for a husband? And if You don’t want Sam to be my husband, then why did You allow him to complicate things for me?” Julie realized how selfish her prayer sounded and fell silent.
    She watched the frozen wasteland pass by her moving sled. The horizon stretched out forever, and yet, just ahead Julie would thrill to the light in the window of some thoughtful villager, and once again she’d be safe.
    The dogs seemed to sense the end of the journey and hastened to the place where they would receive fresh tom cod and tallow.
They are smarter than human beings
, Julie thought.
They never press on in a storm when they know it’s dangerous, and they’re content to do their work and take their rest. If only I could be the same
.
    Blackness fell long before Julie reached the small Eskimo village. She kept watch through the darkness as the dogs, confident of their trail, pressed on.
    Visions of Sam filled her mind, and for a moment Julie allowed herself to wonder what it would be like to marry Lucky Sam Curtiss.
    â€œSurely I’d have to give up my nursing,” Julie mused. “He would