Free Brides of Alaska by Tracie Peterson

expect me to give him my undivided attention. And there would be the possibility of children. A man like Sam would probably want a dozen or more,” she added sarcastically. “But then, I hope to one day have a big family, too.
    â€œWhy did he have to come?” Julie yelled into the darkness. She hadn’t noticed that they were nearly upon the village, and only when Dusty brought the team to a stop did Julie realize why.
    â€œGood boy, Dusty. I was daydreaming again,” Julie said as she planted the snow hook.
    A middle-aged Eskimo man appeared with his two sons. She recognized the man as George Nakoota. She had tended his youngest child during a bad bout of tonsillitis during her first visit to the village.
    â€œThere’s warm food inside for you,” George said as he helped Julie unload her sled. “The boys and I will take care of the dogs.” Julie nodded and went inside. As long as the dogs were fed and bedded down, she could rest.
    George’s wife, Tanana, helped Julie out of her parka and mukluks. “George heard you coming from far off,” Tanana said as she placed the parka over a chair by the oilcan stove.
    â€œI don’t see how George can hear these things from so far away,” Julie said. “He’s always saying that he can hear any storm or animal coming for fifty miles. Those are mighty perceptive ears.”
    â€œGeorge does not listen with his ears. He listens with his soul. George and the land are close, like old friends.”
    â€œThe soul can tell a person a great deal, if we choose to listen to it,” Julie agreed. “Have you thought about what I told you when I was here before?”
    â€œI remember when your father used to visit with George and tell him about white man’s God in heaven. George said it made nights pass faster with stories from your Bible.”
    â€œBut they’re more than stories, Tanana.” Julie hoped her old friend wouldn’t be offended by her boldness. “I know you’re skeptical of the things that white folks bring to your people—the sickness and disease, the mining operations and such—but honestly, Tanana, God has a great deal of love for you and your people.”
    â€œI know that,” Tanana agreed, “but He loves me in the Eskimo way.”
    George came in, bringing the rest of Julie’s gear. “Your dogs are looking good, Julie. You’ve been taking good care of them.”
    â€œThe people have all been so good to me,” Julie said as she sat down at the small crude table where Tanana was dishing up hot food. “They feed the dogs and me and always give us a warm place to sleep. I have no complaints.”
    â€œAny trouble with animals?” George asked as he joined Julie at the table. “I noticed that Dusty looked a bit chewed-on.”
    â€œHe was,” Julie nodded. “You’ve got eyes that are every bit as good as your ears, George. He got into a fight with a village dog. The other dog looks worse, so we count it a victory for him. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell him otherwise.”
    George laughed. “You spoil him. He’ll grow fat and lazy and never run fast, but I won’t tell him.”

    Julie stayed on in George’s village for two days. She treated several bad colds and looked in on George’s mother, who’d suffered from an infected wound on her hand. Julie was preparing to leave when George’s oldest son came running.
    â€œMy father’s been hurt,” he said breathlessly as he pulled at Julie’s arm.
    â€œWhat happened?” Julie asked, pulling her medical bag from the sled.
    â€œThe dogs were fighting, and he tried to pull them apart. His arm is pretty bad.”
    Julie followed the boy on a dead run to the opposite side of the village where George had been carried to his house. When Julie walked into the house, George had already been placed on the small kitchen