Tracie Peterson - Dawns Prelude

She closed her eyes and reopened them as if trying to focus. Kjell thought she might faint again, but instead she said, "My name is Lydia Gray.

"I have my wagon here. Can I drive you someplace?" he offered.

"I don't know. I don't know where I'm going."

He grinned. "Well, I'm hettin' you'd rather it he someplace other than the dock."

She nodded. "My aunt lives here, but I don't know where."

"What's her name? I know just about everyone. Sitka isn't that big, you know" He reached the wagon and stepped up with Lydia held tightly in his arms. She hardl7' weighs anything, he thought, depositing her on the seat. He sat down beside her. "So do you know your aunt's name?"

"Of course I do. It's Zerelda Rockford."

"Oh, Zee. Of course I know her. Wonderful woman-great friend to everyone she meets. Everyone loves her. She lives down a ways on the Saherhagen property."

Nodding, the small woman smiled. "Yes, that's her. She worked for Mr. Saherhagen and his wife. You call her Zee? How unusual."

"She started it. Some of the Tlingit children had trouble saying her name, so she shortened it to Zee."

Lydia suddenly turned and pointed. "My hag! My violin." She started to climb down from the wagon, but Kjell stopped her.

"I'll get them. Sorry, I didn't see them." He bounded out of the wagon and hack down toward the dock, where a heavy carpetbag and violin case awaited retrieval.

When everything was secured, Kjell took up the reins and urged the matched draft horses forward. "Get along now, boys." They headed south along Sitka 's main road, pulling the load in their effortless manner. They seemed to instinctively know where their master wanted them to go, which allowed Kjcll time to consider the woman at his side. What in the world had brought her to Alaska? She hardly looked prepared for life in the small island community-she wasn't even wearing sturdy hoots.

"I want to thank you for helping me hack there. I've not felt well since leaving San Francisco." She straightened a little but remained pale. "I had thought maybe Zerelda would he there to meet inc, but I realized too late that my last letter to her likely hadn't preceded me."

"It's probably on the same ship that brought you," Kjcll said. "Zee won't care, though. She'll be so happy to see you it won't matter."

"And how can you be so sure?" Lydia asked. "You don't know anything about me."

"Don't he so sure about that. I've heard Zee talk quite a hit about her one and only niece. She thinks of you as a sort of daughter." Kjcll could see that Lydia was not bearing well with the bouncing wagon. "Why don't you stop trying to impress me with your ladylike posture and lean against me? You're sick, and there's no reason to be ashamed of it."

To Kjell's surprise, she didn't fight him on the idea. Nodding, she slouched against him. "I am sorry."

"You don't need to be. Truth be told, I'm the sorry one. Sorry that the roads aren't better and that the wagon springs are so bad."

Lydia looked up at him and shook her head. "What will your wife think when word gets back to her that you were seen like… like this?"

"I'm not married, so I don't anticipate a problem," he said with a wink. "I hope there won't be any jealous husbands hunting inc down…"

The woman blushed and lowered her gaze. "No, I'm a widow."

"I'm sorry" he murmured, not knowing what else to say.

"Don't he," Lydia replied without even pausing for breath.

This truly served to confuse Kjell. There was a bitter hatred edging the woman's words. She must have lived a pretty awful life if she could say such a thing. Maybe someday she would tell him more about it.

"I bought supplies in San Francisco. I'm afraid there is quite a bit. I wasn't at all sure what would be useful to Zerelda. Might I hire your services, Mr. Lindquist, to bring them to Zerelda's place once they are unloaded from the Newbeni?

"I'd he happy to help, but there's no need to offer me pay. Folks up here help each other without it. We have to help one another, you know"

My aunt has often said as much." She closed her eyes and sighed.

The wheels sank into a deep hole, bouncing the wagon hard. Lydia sprang up as if she intended to jump. She didn't reach for Kjcll, but he put out his arm to keep her in place.

"Sorry. We do the best we can," he told her.

Lydia nodded and remained rigid in her seat. She stole a glance at him, and Kjell couldn't help but return her gaze. My, but she sure is pvetty, he thought. Like a spring blossom. He had to admit he wasn't in the least hit sorry that he'd been the one to catch her.

With no reserve strength, Lydia let herself lean on Kjcll once again. It went totally against her better judgment, but she couldn't help herself. Men had caused her nothing but pain and miseryalways betraying her trust. Still, despite her misgivings, she felt at case with this man.

How strange. I ve never felt comfortable with any man, and now this total stranger leaves nee without concern. It's almost as if I've known him, a lifetime.

Paying little attention to the surroundings, Lydia felt her stom" ach lurch. She was going to be sick again. "Oh, please stop.

Kjell reined hack on the horses just as Lydia leaned over the side of the wagon. Her abdominal muscles churned violently, bringing up what little was left in her stomach. To her embarrassment, she felt Kjell's arms slip around her steadying her as she continued to he sick. She waited for the misery to end and then drew a deep breath.

"I'm afraid there's no ladylike way to do this. I'm sorry," she said in a tone that came out more whimper than anything.

"Don't he on my account," Kjell said, pulling her gently back toward him. "Lots of folks get seasick. I had a friend who didn't stop feeling the rocking of the waves for weeks."

"1 hope that won't be my case," she said, shaking her head weakly. "I don't think I could live that long in this state."

"I'll pray it passes much quicker for you," Kjell stated softly.

She didn't argue with him. If there was even a remote possibility that God truly cared, she would welcome any help in overcoming this sickness.

"Do you feel good enough for us to go on?" he asked. "Your aunt's place is just up the hillside over there."

Lydia nodded and tried to see the cabin she would soon call home. It looked quite small. What if it was too small? What if Zerclda had no desire for her to stay there?

"Arc there other places to rent?" Lydia asked. "I mean, if my aunt can't have me."

He chuckled. "You'd be hard-pressed to get away from Zerclda once she sees you. Besides, there aren't any places available."

"Its just that I hate to impose myself upon her. She might not have the room."

"My guess is she'll make the space if she doesn't have it," Kjcll replied. "But don't worry about it. If she won't have you, there arc dozens of men in town who would seek your hand in marriage before the sun goes down. Zerelda gets asked at least ten times a day, I'm sure."

"That may he. However, they would ask in vain where I'm concerned. I don't intend to ever marry again."

Kjell surprised her by shaking his head. "That husband of yours must have really hurt you."

Lydia met his gaze. "You have no idea."

Kjell helped Lydia to the cabin door and knocked. "Zee? You in there?"

A slender woman opened the door. "Kjell, what brings you here?" Her mouth dropped open at the sight of the woman at his side. "Liddie? Is that you?"

"It's me," she replied in a weak voice.

"She's not in good shape. Been sick all the way up." As if on cue, Lydia 's strength gave out, and Kjell caught her as she started to sink. He lifted her into his arms again. "I think she'd better lie down."