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head. “Downstream’s a sight faster’n up. I’ll sleep at home tonight.” Then the grizzled old man had given Amy a worried look. “Uh, mister, I’m right sorry I didn’t warn Amaruq about her pa. I thought she knew. I’m never one to talk out of turn. But I’d a spared her that if’n I’d a known she ’spected to find her father to home.”
    With a shake of his head, Wily turned and began unloading the umiak.
    Amaruq? What did that mean? A native word of affection for Amy, most likely. Braden turned toward Ian’s house. He followed a path that climbed and twisted into the forest. Hoping Amy’s extended unconsciousness came from simple exhaustion and shock and not something more serious, he reached Ian’s door. “Ian, open up!”
    A shout of joy sounded from inside the cabin. “Merry! He’s here!”
    The door flew open. “Braden, it’s great to—” Ian, standing there in red flannel long johns, quit yelling. His expression faded from pure happiness to worry as he looked at Amy. Then he slung his arms around Braden awkwardly, trying not to squish Amy, but as if he couldn’t contain his need to make contact.
    “It’s so great to see you. What happened? Who is she?”
    Before Braden could speak, a pretty brunette in a hastily donned blue gingham housedress came dashing up from behind Ian. Ian stepped back just inches from Braden as if he couldn’t bear to be farther away. A furrow cut through Ian’s brow.
    “You look done in, Braden. Let me take her.” Ian reached for Amy, but Braden shook his head and angled away from Ian.
    “Thanks, but I’m fine. I’ll take her the rest of the way.” Empty arms seemed like an extension of an empty life, and Braden couldn’t face letting go right now. Bleakness washed over him.
    “ ’ Tis a long walk from Skaguay.” Ian stepped back a bit and laid a hand on Braden’s shoulder.
    Braden nodded. “I’ve left some supplies on the shore.”
    “This is Meredith.” Ian tipped his head at his pretty, brown-haired wife. Ian’s smile glowed with affection. Jealous pain slashed through Braden’s heart.
    Meredith nodded with a welcoming smile. “You must be exhausted. Is the woman hurt? Does she need medical care?”
    Braden shook his head. “This is Amy Simons. She planned to return to her father’s home. Peter Simons owns a cabin a few miles down river.”
    Ian nodded. “Knew him. He was an old trapper who’s been here longer’n most anyone except the Eskimos. Never heard tell he had a daughter, though. Of course, he didn’t talk much. Rumor had it he died last winter.”
    “Amy just found out.”
    “Let’s get her inside. We can talk.” Ian stopped and turned toward the river. “Say, is there coffee in those supplies?”
    “We got one letter from you this year. Ma got so excited she sent everything you asked for and more. Let me lay Amy down. Then I’ll see to it.”
    “You’ve got to be hungry.” Ian nodded toward the house. “Let’s get Amy to bed. Then you can eat while I holler for Tucker to help haul in the goods.”
    Braden knew of Meredith’s twin, who had staked a claim nearby. “I didn’t come here to make more work for you, Ian.”
    “If there’s coffee in that pack you brought, I’ll carry you down to the riverside, dancing all the way.”
    Braden scoffed. “That I’d like to see, little brother.”
    Grinning, Ian said, “I hardly qualify as your little brother anymore.”
    Braden noticed how broad Ian stretched across the shoulders these days. That kind of muscle came from long days swinging a pick for gold and an axe for wood. Braden wanted that kind of work. He wanted exhaustion that made him forget the torment of his memories.
    Braden followed his brother into a tiny bedroom and lay Amy on the rumpled sheets. Ian and Meredith had obviously been long asleep when he arrived. Meredith pushed past him as he let his burden go with surprising reluctance.
    Meredith busied herself fretting over Amy. He saw strength in