Will shook his head. “This kind of talk is just going to get people stirred up. We don't need more trouble; we're already at odds with the homesteaders.” He folded the newspaper and pushed himself out of the rocker. Walking to a screened window, he gazed out. “We need to have a meeting between the homesteaders and colonists.”
Luke stepped in from outside. “I've got some friends I want you to meet.” He held the door open, and an Indian boy about Luke's age and a girl a little younger walked in. The boy was stocky and handsome with a broad, friendly face, and the girl was tiny with long black hair and large brown eyes. “This is Alex and Mattie Larson. They live on the river.”
Brian and Justin's eyes were riveted on the newcomers.
“It's good to meet you,” Will said.
“This is my dad, and that's my mom.” Luke nodded at his parents. “And that's my sister, Laurel.”
Laurel smiled. “Hi.”
Alex returned a smile, exposing a row of perfect teeth. Mattie nodded shyly.
Luke placed a hand on Brian's head. “This is Brian and that's Justin.”
“Happy to meet you,” Alex told the boys.
“Do you live near here?” Jean asked, wiping her hands on her apron.
“Not far, about a mile.”
“Are you Indians?” Brian asked.
“Brian, shush,” Jean scolded.
Alex smiled. “It's all right.” He looked at Brian. “Yes. Our mother is native, but our father was Scottish.”
“Wow, I never met an Indian before.” Brian's eyes were wide.
Mattie broke into a smile. “We're not that different from you. Although some think we are.”
“Alex is going to teach me how to hunt and fish the native way,” Luke said. “Then I can teach you, Dad.”
“Would you like to stay for supper?” Jean asked. “We have plenty.”
“Thank you, but we can't. Our mother is waiting for us,” Alex said. “We welcome you to the valley. Some people don't like that you're here, but not everyone feels that way.”
Mattie nodded.
“So, do you expect we're in for trouble?” Will asked.
Alex shrugged. “Maybe yes. Maybe no.”
“It's not easy to be different,” Mattie said solemnly. “Some of the people in this valley are good and kind, but some are not.”
Chapter Seventeen
JEAN REFILLED WILL'S CUP WITH COFFEE, THEN SAT ACROSS THE TABLE FROM him, glancing at Justin and Brian. “Those two boys were completely tuckered out. I think Brian was asleep before his head hit the pillow.”
Will sipped his coffee. “There's always a new adventure waiting for them. We need to keep a closer watch. Some of the kids have been wandering off into the woods.”
“All they can think about is fun. I worry about bears.” Jean stirred sugar into her coffee. “And the river.” She glanced out the tent window, then looked at the clock. “I still can't get used to the long days. It's nearly ten o'clock and still light. From the look of things, you'd think it was the middle of the day.”
“That's June in Alaska,” Will grinned. “From what I hear, we better enjoy it because once winter sets in, we won't see much daylight. The days are short.”
“I don't think I'm going to like that much.” She leaned her elbows on the table. “Do you know how much longer it'll be before we can start work on the house?”
“Soon, I hope. Some places are going up, but there's a shortage of lumber, hammers, nails—the list goes on and on.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “Seems the government's having trouble remembering in what order a house is built. The window frames are here, and the kitchen sinks arrived—there's a whole pile of them down by the depot. But they'll stay there until we get some of the other materials we need.”
He stared at the dark brew in his cup. “They're still not letting us work on our houses. They expect us to stand by and watch transients build them. It makes no sense. And from what I've been hearing, a lot of those men don't know the first thing about building. Things would go faster if we could help.”
“Why won't they let you men build your own homes?”
“Something about government regulations.” He shook his head. “I'm grateful for the new start they're giving us, but I think whoever's making up the rules has rocks in his head.”
Quiet settled over the couple, then Jean said, “I visited Norma Prosser today.”
“How are they faring?”
“Good. But she said the Johnsons are leaving.”
Will sat back in his chair and exhaled heavily. “I heard they were thinking about it. I was hoping they'd change their minds.”
“From what Norma said, Ruth's still got a bad cough. She can't get her breath. It's worse since the weather warmed up and with all the rain. Things never dry out. It can't be good for her. People are saying she has TB.”
“That's nothin' but gossip,” Will said with disgust. “I talked to Tim a few days ago. She doesn't have TB. It's just a cough is all. I wish people would spend more time working and taking care of their own families and less time trying to get an earful.”
“People are scared, Will. They're talking about a possible quarantine. There's a lot of sickness. Some children are down with measles. I guess one of the Ericson boys is real sick. And there's no doctor.” She glanced at her sleeping youngsters. “I pray we all stay healthy.”
