Free Summer of the Midnight Sun by Tracie Peterson Page A

the cheek.
    Several of the natives who’d come to the party circled round the two and offered their greetings, blessings, and gifts. It was easy for Jacob to see that Leah was greatly loved. But why not? She was kind and gentle with everyone. Well, maybe everyone but him. For some reason she seemed perfectly content to make him miserable.
    After a dinner of seal, tomcod, and some things unrecognizable to Jayce, Emma produced a birthday cake. He knew Jacob had brought some ingredients with him from Nome, but the cake still amazed everyone. It didn’t take long for the dessert, heavier than most of the cakes Jayce had known in the States, to disappear.
    Then it was time for gifts. There were many hand-carved trinkets for Bryce, as well as several articles of clothing. Leah received new mittens, a traveling pouch, a fur-lined hat, and a small ivory carving. Jayce felt his book of poetry paled in comparison to the other gifts, but she thanked him for it and seemed pleased.
    When they concluded the party at nine o’clock, it was still as light as noonday outside. Jayce loved the long days. He felt they afforded him more working time. He motioned to Jacob as they left the Kjellmanns’ house.
    “I’m going to work more with the dogs. Would you come and help me?”
    “It’s nearly time to turn in,” Jacob protested, his arms full of Leah’s gifts.
    “We still have plenty of light.”
    “We’ll have plenty tomorrow, too. Besides, I have to take these home for Leah. I promised I wouldn’t get sidetracked.”
    “I can help you,” Jayce offered, “and then we can get back to work.”
    Jacob stared at him in disbelief for a moment. “I’m tired. I’m going home to clean up and go to bed. You do as you like.”
    Jayce realized he wasn’t going to win the argument. “All right. I suppose it will wait until tomorrow.”
    “I heard from Ayoona’s son John that there has been a lot of fog and storms to the south. Your ship will probably be delayed, so there’s no hurry.”
    “It’s your ship too,” Jayce reminded him.
    Jacob frowned. “I know. I just wish I could help Leah to understand why I think it’s so important to do this.”
    “Let me talk to her,” Jayce offered.
    “No. You’ve done entirely enough,” Jacob countered and headed for the house. “Just leave her be.”
    Jayce stood frozen in place. What did he mean by that? What had he done? “Wait up!” he called out. “What are you trying to say?”
    Jacob waited, but only for a moment. “I said what I meant to say. Leave her alone. It’s that simple.” His calm was more unnerving to Jayce.
    “But why?”
    Jacob shifted the items and shook his head. “You really don’t understand, do you?”
    “I don’t know what it is I’m supposed to understand. I thought we were all friends here.”
    “You rejected Leah—why should she listen to you? She was in love with you, and you hurt her badly.”
    Nothing could have surprised Jayce more than this declaration. “That’s what this is all about? She was just a girl.”
    “Doesn’t really matter what her age might have been,” Jacob replied. “It still hurt.”
    “So that’s why she’s treating me like she is—all fire and spit?”
    “What do you expect? You throw her feelings back in her face, disappear for ten years, then reappear as though nothing had ever happened.”
    “But ten years is a long, long time.”
    “Not where the heart is concerned.” Jacob turned and began walking again.
    Jayce followed but waited until they were at the inne to say anything more. “I never meant to hurt her, Jacob. You know that. I never lead her to believe I cared more than I did. I wanted to explore the territory and travel. I wanted to live a life of adventure.”
    “And that couldn’t have included Leah?”
    “I . . . I didn’t figure she’d stay. I really didn’t figure either one of you would.”
    “Well, you were wrong. We both love this territory. And if you would have bothered to give