Page 17 of I Do, I Do, I Do
“Most outfits run between eight hundred and a thousand pounds,” Zoe explained, leaning forward and looking back and forth between them. “If we travel as a common party, we can eliminate duplications. That will bring down the poundage and make moving our goods more manageable. But we can’t omit anything essential because we could get stuck up there. That’s possible, even likely, since we’re leaving very late in the year.”
Juliette stared, feeling the start of a headache behind her eyes. “What in the name of heaven are you talking about?” She knew as sure as she was sitting here that she was going to despise the answer.
Clara frowned as understanding dawned. “I take it you’re suggesting that we all go to Alaska?”
Surprise lifted Zoe’s eyebrows. “Isn’t that what you intended to do? You said you were going to find Jean Jacques.”
Clara stared into space for a moment, then slowly nodded. “Ja. That’s exactly what I intend to do.”
“It is not,” Juliette objected. “You were going to wait here for my—for our—” She threw up her hands. “For Jean Jacques to return to Seattle.”
“This is a better plan.” Clara stared at her.
The air rushed out of Juliette’s chest, and she thought her heart would pound right through her rib cage. “Me? Us? Travel to the Yukon?” She gasped. She couldn’t believe they were serious. “Do decent women go to the gold fields?”
“More do than you might suppose,” Zoe answered. “It’s not common for women to join the stampeders, but it isn’t rare, either.” Her gaze traveled over Juliette in critical appraisal. “Frankly, I don’t think you should go. Clara looks strong enough to withstand the rigors of the journey, and I’ve worked hard all my life. But you don’t appear fit or strong enough to undertake a difficult and demanding trek.”
Juliette reared back in her chair, a burst of anger sending hot streaks across her cheeks. “If the two of you can go to the Yukon, then so can I!” They were not going to find her husband without her. “I’m going!” She could not believe what she was saying. Hearing the words made her feel sick to her stomach.
“We’ll camp in a tent after walking miles every day. You’ll be colder than you’ve ever been. You’ll be in danger of frostbite and you’ll have to keep a lookout for bears. No one will coddle you. You’ll have to do your share of the work. Does the journey still sound appealing?”
Of course not. But who was Zoe Wilder to take such a superior tone? Or Clara Klaus, who looked at Juliette as if she had about as much substance as a lint ball.
“Don’t you worry about me! I can take care of myself!”
Oh, my Lord. What was she doing? Instant regret nailed her to her chair. Her knees would not have supported her if she had tried to stand. All she could think was that someone else was speaking out of her mouth.
Zoe shrugged and fished a notebook out of her purse. “This late in the summer, the waiting list for the steamers is shorter than it was, but still. We should get on the list first thing.” She wrote a note, then studied Clara. “Can you be trusted to book our passage?”
“I beg your pardon. I’m as reliable as the day is long,” Clara stated angrily. “Who put you in charge?”
“Doyouknow anything about Alaska or provisioning?”
“I can learn.”
“Well, I already know!”
“Continue, please. What else do we have to do?” Juliette asked. Her voice had risen an octave and emerged in a squeak. Her headache grew worse by the minute.
“I’d suggest you walk up and down Seattle’s steepest hills and strengthen your legs,” Zoe advised, giving Juliette a look of doubt that irritated Juliette down to her marrow.
“What else?” she snapped. If Jean Jacques could see her now he wouldn’t recognize her. He wouldn’t compare her eyes to shining pewter. He’d think of steel balls. And when she glared at Clara, Clara’s skin wasn’t beautiful as Clara had claimed Jean Jacques had said. Her skin flushed an angry scarlet that clashed with her hair. As for hair, Juliette didn’t think Zoe’s mass of hair looked like silk. What a ridiculous notion.
“I’m sure my uncle Milton will sell us provisions at his cost. Nevertheless, passage and provisions aren’t cheap.” Zoe made a notation in her notebook. “Plus, we’ll have to pay a customs charge when we cross into Canada. Can you afford to go?”
“Can you?” Clara demanded.
Juliette listened to the story of Zoe’s reward. This time Zoe shared more details. “It must have been a substantial sum,” she said at the end of the tale.
“The Van Hootens are among the wealthiest families in King County, and Mr. Van Hooten was very grateful that I rescued his grandson. Plus I have a small nest egg.” Zoe swallowed a sip of coffee. “But I won’t have much left after this journey.”
Grudgingly, Juliette conceded it was courageous of Zoe to wade into the tide marsh and rescue the little boy. She wondered if she would have done the same thing in Zoe’s place.
For another hour they talked about what needed to be done and what they would take to the Yukon. Then Juliette excused herself and returned to her room. She clapped a damp cloth across her forehead, then dropped on the bed and stared at the ceiling with dulled eyes.
Oh, lordy. She was going to the Yukon. The shock of it paralyzed her.
***
