Читать книгу Klondike Medicine Woman - Linda Ford - Страница 11

“Doctor Calloway?”

Jacob looked through his supplies, itching to arrange them properly on shelves. He turned toward the man calling his name… Mack Tanner with a woman and young child at his side. Jacob strode over to greet them. “About time you came to check on things.”

“I’m not here to—”

The woman laughed daintily. “Of course you are. Everyone knows how you have to make sure the whole town is run according to your guidelines.” She leaned closer to Jacob to murmur, “It keeps him far too busy trying to run the town and be preacher, too. If only he could find a preacher—persuade Thomas Stone to take the job—he could spend a little more time at home with us.”

Mack looked like he might argue, then grinned. “Jacob, meet my wife, Lana. I’m afraid she understands me too well for me to be able to hide my true motivation.” He scooped up the little boy. “This is our son, Georgie.”

The Tuckers had been working on the far wall of the building and hustled around to greet the visitors.

Jacob waited, wondering why Teena hadn’t come, as well.

Frankie clapped her hands. “Well, lookee here. A little man come to visit.”

Georgie tried to escape Mack’s arms.

“Hang on a minute.” Mack lowered the boy, his feet scrambling for motion long before he hit dirt.

Georgie ran as fast as his short, unsteady legs would carry him toward the Tucker sisters. “Cookie?”

Margie scooped him up and tousled his hair. “No cookies here. You’ll have to come visit us at home for one.”

“I brought a cake,” Lana said, holding out a basket. “A welcome gift for the good doctor.”

Jacob took it to his makeshift table. “Can I offer you tea?”

“A tea party.” Frankie clapped her hands. “I love a good ol’ tea party.” She hesitated. “We are invited, aren’t we?”

Jacob answered. “Of course. Everyone is. Make your selves comfortable.” He waved around to the assortment of “chairs”—two short stools, a taller one, several chunks of log standing on end and another, longer, one laid lengthwise. As the assorted crew settled, Jacob filled the kettle and set it on his tiny portable stove. From experience, he knew it would take a good long while to boil. Hopefully no one would mind.

“Glad the building is coming along,” Mack said. “We’ll soon have the bell and stained-glass windows for the church. I’m expecting them to arrive any day.” He glanced toward the harbor. “Maybe on the next boat. I’d like to see the construction complete by the time it gets here.”

The Tucker sisters talked at once and Lana tried to insert a comment.

Mack held up his hand to silence them. “I know there’s lots of work to do yet. But with the sawmill now operating, it’s easier to get construction done.” He sat back, a dreamy look on his face.

Lana gave him an affectionate yet accusing look. “As if you didn’t have enough work without starting a sawmill.”

Mack patted her hand. “It’s important to get things done speedily. Once the steeple is done, people will see the church as soon as they venture into the harbor.” He brought his gaze back to those around him and Jacob was struck by the determination he saw. “They will understand what this town stands for.” He squeezed Lana’s hand. “Soon people will learn the real treasure isn’t up the trail or buried around town, but in knowing and obeying God.”

Jacob looked from one to the other. “Real treasure? What’s this all about?”

Frankie shrugged. “According to the legend, a Russian czar buried sixty nuggets of gold somewhere out here. Thomas Stone found six nuggets. People don’t believe he found all the treasure. They aren’t going to stop looking until they find it all.”

Mack sighed heavily. “It’s nothing but gossip and speculation that there is a buried treasure in the vicinity. They speculate I have a fortune hidden somewhere. In part because I have no use for bankers.”

Jacob wondered at the way Mack glanced at Lucy.