“It’s more difficult than you know,” he said with a smile. “Can I do anything?”

  Claudia answered him with a short shake of her head.

  “Then are you going to feed me or not?” His roguish smile only highlighted his irresistible masculinity.

  The special baked egg recipe was one Ashley’s mother had given her. Claudia was pleased when Seth asked for seconds.

  When he finished eating, he took a small package from his coat pocket. “This thing has been burning a hole in my pocket all morning. Open it now.”

  Claudia took the package and shook it, holding it close to her ear. “For me?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

  “I brought it with me from Nome.”

  From Nome? That was certainly intriguing. Carefully she untied the bow and removed the red foil paper, revealing a black velvet jeweler’s box.

  “Before you open it, I want to explain something.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “For a long time I’ve been married to my job, building my company. It wasn’t until…” He hesitated. “I won’t go into the reason, but I decided I wanted a wife. Whenever I needed anything in the past, I simply went out and bought it, but I knew finding a good woman wouldn’t work like that. She had to be someone special, someone I could love and respect, someone who shared my faith. The more I thought about the complexities of finding that special woman, the more I realized how difficult it would be to find her.”

  “Seth—”

  “No, let me explain,” he continued, reaching for her hand. He gripped it hard, his eyes studying her intently. “I was reading my Bible one night and came across the story of Abraham sending a servant to find a wife for Isaac. Do you remember the story?”

  She nodded, color draining from her features. “Seth, please—”

  “There’s more. Bear with me.” He raised her hand to his lips and very gently kissed her fingers. “If you remember, the servant did as Abraham bade and traveled to the land of his master’s family. But he was uncertain. The weight of his responsibility bore heavily upon him. So the servant prayed, asking God to give him a sign. God answered that prayer and showed the servant that Rebekah was the right woman for Isaac. Scripture says how much Isaac loved his wife, and how she comforted him after the death of his mother, Sarah.”

  “Seth, please, I know what you’re going to say—”

  “Be patient, my love,” he interrupted her again. “After reading that account, I decided to trust the Lord to give me a wife. I was also traveling to the land of my family. Both my mother and father originally came from Washington State. I prayed about it. I also purchased the engagement ring before I left Nome. And like Abraham’s servant, I, too, asked God for a sign. I was beginning to lose hope. I’d already been here several days before you placed that card with the verse in the mirror. You can’t imagine how excited I was when I found it.”

  Claudia swallowed tightly, recalling his telling her that the message had meant more to him than she would ever know. She wanted to stop him, but the lump in her throat had grown so large that speaking was impossible.

  “I want you to come back to Nome with me tomorrow, Red. We can be married in a few days.”

  Claudia’s eyes widened with incredulous disbelief. “Married in a few days?” she repeated. “But, Seth, we’ve only been together less than a week! We can’t—”

  “Sure we can,” he countered, his eyes serious. “I knew even before I found the Bible verse in the mirror that it was you. Do you remember how you bumped into me that first day in the outside corridor?” Although he asked the question, he didn’t wait for the answer. “I was stunned. Didn’t you notice how my eyes followed you? Something came over me right then. I had to force myself not to run and stop you. At the time I assumed I was simply physically reacting to a beautiful woman. But once I found the Bible verse on the mirror, I knew.”

  “What about school?” Somehow the words made it past the large knot constricting her throat.

  A troubled look tightened his mouth. “I’ve done a lot of thinking about that. It’s weighed heavily on me. I know how much becoming a doctor means to you.” He caught her hand and gently kissed the palm. “Someday, Red, we’ll be able to move to Anchorage and you can finish med school. I promise you that.”

  Taking her hand from his, Claudia closed the jeweler’s box. The clicking sound seemed to be magnified a thousand times, a cacophony of sound echoing around the room.

  “Seth, we’ve only known each other a short time. So much more goes into building the foundation for a relationship that will support a marriage. It takes more than a few days.”

  “Rebekah didn’t even meet Isaac. She responded in faith, going with the servant to a faraway land to join a man she had never seen. Yet she went,” he argued.

  “You’re being unfair,” she said as she stood and walked to the other side of the room. Her heart was pounding so hard she could feel the blood pulsating through her veins. “We live in the twentieth century, not biblical times. How do we know what Rebekah was feeling? Her father was probably the one who said she would go. More than likely, Rebekah didn’t have any choice in the matter.”

  “You don’t know that,” he said.

  “You don’t, either,” she shot back. “We hardly know each other.”

  “You keep saying that! What more do you need to know?”

  She gestured weakly with her hands. “Everything.”

  “Come on, Red. You’re overreacting. You know more about me than any other woman ever has. We’ve done nothing but talk every day. I’m thirty-six, own and operate the Arctic Barge Company, wear size thirteen shoes, like ketchup on my fried eggs and peanut butter on my pancakes. My tastes are simple, my needs few. I tend to be impatient, but God and I are working on that. Usually I don’t anger quickly, but when I do, stay clear. After we’re married, there will undoubtedly be things we’ll need to discuss, but nothing we shouldn’t be able to settle.”

  “Seth, I—”

  “Let me see,” he continued undaunted. “Did I leave anything out?” He paused again. “Oh yes. The most important part is that I love you, Claudia Masters.”

  The sincerity with which he said the words trapped the oxygen in her lungs, leaving her speechless.

  “This is the point where you’re supposed to say, ‘And I love you, Seth.’ ” He rose, coming to stand directly in front of her. His hands cupped her shoulders as his gaze fell lovingly upon her. “Now, repeat after me: I…love…you.”

  Claudia couldn’t. She tried to say something, but nothing would come. “I can’t.” She had to choke out the words. “It’s unfair to ask me to give up everything I’ve worked so hard for. I’m sorry, Seth, really sorry.”

  “Claudia!” His mouth was strained and tight; there was no disguising the bitter disappointment in his voice. “Don’t say no, not yet. Think about it. I’m not leaving until tomorrow morning.”

  “Tomorrow morning.” She closed her eyes. “I’m supposed to know by then?”

  “You should know now,” he whispered.

  “But I don’t,” she snapped. “You say that God gave you a sign that I was to be the wife He had chosen for you. Don’t you find it the least bit suspicious that God would say something to you and nothing to me?”

  “Rebekah didn’t receive a sign,” he explained rationally. “Abraham’s servant did. She followed in faith.”

  “You’re comparing two entirely different times and situations.”

  “What about the verse you stuck in the mirror? Haven’t you ever wondered about that? You told me you’d never done anything like that before.”

  “But…”

  “You have no argument, Red.”

  “I most certainly do.”

  “Can you honestly say you don’t feel the electricity between us?”

  How could she? “I can’t deny it, but it doesn’t change anything.”

  Seth smoothed a coppery curl from her forehead, his touch gentle, his eyes imploring. “Of course it does. I think that once you come to Nome you’ll understand.”

  “I’m not going to Nome,” she reiterated forcefully. “If you want to marry me, then you’ll have to move to Seattle. I won’t give up my dreams because of a six-day courtship and your feeling that you received a sign from God.”

  Seth looked shocked for a moment but recovered quickly. “I can’t move to Seattle. My business, my home and my whole life are in Nome.”

  “But don’t you understand? That’s exactly what you’re asking me to do. My education, my home, and my friends are all here in Seattle.”

  Seth glanced uncomfortably around the room, then directed his gaze back to her. His dark eyes were filled with such deep emotion that it nearly took Claudia’s breath away. Tears shimmered in her eyes, and his tall, masculine figure blurred as the moisture welled.

  Gently Seth took her in his arms, holding her head to his shoulder. His jacket felt smooth and comforting against her cheek.

  Tenderly he caressed her neck, and she could feel his breath against her hair. “Red, I’m sorry,” he whispered with such love that fresh tears followed a crooked course down her wan cheeks. “I’ve known all this from the first day. It’s unfair to spring it on you at the last minute. I know it must sound crazy to you now. But think about what I’ve said. And remember that I love you. Nothing’s going to change that. Now dry your eyes and we’ll visit your uncle. I promise not to mention this again today.” He kissed the top of her head and gently pulled away.

  “Here.” She handed him the jeweler’s box.

  “No.” He shook his head. “I want you to keep the ring. You may not feel like you want it now, but you will soon. I have to believe that, Red.”

  Her face twisted with pain. “I don’t know that I should.”

  “Yes, you should.” Brief anger flared in his eyes. “Please.”

  Because she couldn’t refuse without hurting him even more, Claudia agreed with an abrupt nod.

  Since she certainly couldn’t wear the ring, she placed the velvet box in a drawer. Her hand trembled when she pushed the drawer back into place, but she put on a brave smile when she turned toward Seth.

  To her dismay, his returning smile was just as sad as hers.

  * * *

  —

  Cooper knew something was wrong almost immediately. That surprised Claudia, who had never found her uncle to be sensitive to her moods. But when he asked what was troubling her, she quickly denied that anything was. She couldn’t expect him to understand what was happening.

  The two men eyed each other like wary dogs that had crossed paths unexpectedly. Cooper, for his part, was welcoming, but Seth was brooding and distant.

  When they sat down to dinner, Seth smiled ruefully.

  “What’s wrong?” Claudia asked.

  “Nothing,” he said, shaking his head. “It’s just this is the first time I’ve needed three spoons to eat one meal.”

  Cooper arched his thick brows expressively, as if to say he didn’t know how anyone could possibly do without three spoons for anything.

  Claudia looked from one man to the other, noting the differences. They came from separate worlds. Although she found Cooper’s attitudes and demeanor boring and confining, she was, after all, his own flesh and blood. If she were to marry Seth, give up everything that was important to her, and move to Alaska, could she adjust to his way of life?

  During the remainder of the afternoon she often found her gaze drawn to Seth. He and Cooper played a quiet game of chess in the den, while she sat nearby, studying them.

  In the few days they had spent together, she had been witness to the underlying thread of tenderness that ran through Seth’s heart. At the same time, he was self-assured, and although she had never seen the ruthless side of his nature, she didn’t doubt that it existed. He was the kind of man to thrive on challenges; he wasn’t afraid of hardships. But would she?

  Resting her head against the back of the velvet swivel rocker, she slowly lowered her gaze. The problem was that she also knew Seth was the type of man who loved intensely. His love hadn’t been offered lightly; he wanted her forever. But most of all, he wanted her now—today. At thirty-six he had waited a long time to find a wife. His commitment was complete. He had looked almost disbelieving when she hadn’t felt the same way.

  Or did she? She couldn’t deny that the attraction between them was powerful, almost overwhelming. But that was physical, and there was so much more to love than the physical aspect. Spiritually they shared the same faith. To Claudia, that was vital; she wouldn’t share her life with a man who didn’t believe as she did. But mentally they were miles apart. Each of them had goals and dreams that the other would never share. Seth seemed almost to believe medical school was a pastime, a hobby, for her. He had no comprehension of the years of hard work and study that had gotten her this far. The dream had been ingrained in her too long for her to relinquish it on the basis of a six-day courtship. And it wasn’t only her dream, but one her beloved father had shared.

  Seth hadn’t understood any of that. Otherwise he wouldn’t have asked her to give it all up without a question or thought. He believed that God had shown him that she was to be his wife, and that was all that mattered. If only life were that simple! Seth was a new Christian, eager, enthusiastic, but also unseasoned—not that she was a tower of wisdom and discernment. But she would never have prayed for anything so crazy. She was too down to earth—like Cooper. She hated to compare herself to her uncle, but in this instance it was justified.

  Cooper’s smile turned faintly smug, and Claudia realized he was close to putting Seth in check, if not checkmate. She didn’t need to be told that Seth’s mind was preoccupied with their conversation this morning and not on the game. Several times in the last hour he had lifted his gaze to hers. One look could reveal so much, although until that day she had never been aware just how much his eyes could say. He wanted her so much, more than he would ever tell her. Guiltily her lashes fluttered downward; watching him was hurting them both too much.

  Not long afterward he kissed her good night outside her apartment, thanking her for the day. The lump that had become her constant companion blocked her throat, keeping her from thanking him for the beautiful solitaire diamond she would probably never wear.

  “My flight’s due to take off at seven-thirty,” he said without looking at her.

  “I’ll be there,” she whispered.

  He held her then, so tightly that for a moment she found it impossible to breathe. She felt him shudder, and tears prickled her eyes as he whispered, “I love you, Red.”

  She couldn’t say it, couldn’t repeat the words he desperately longed to hear. She bit her tongue to keep from sobbing. She longed to tell him how she felt, but the words wouldn’t come. They stuck in her throat until it constricted painfully and felt raw. Why had God given her a man who could love her so completely when she was so wary?

  Claudia set the alarm for five. If Seth’s flight took off at seven-thirty, then she should meet him at the airport at six. That early, he would be able to clear security quickly. On the ride back from Cooper’s she’d volunteered to drive him, but he’d declined the invitation and said he would take a taxi.

  Sleep didn’t come easily, and when it did, her dreams were filled with questions. Although she searched everywhere, she couldn’t find the answers.

  * * *

  —

  Claudia’s blue eyes looked haunted and slightly red when she woke up, though she tried to camouflage the effects of her restless night with cosmetics.

  The morning was dark and drizzly as she climbed inside her car and started the engine. The heater soon took the bite out of early morning, and she pulled onto the street. With every mile her heart grew heavier. A prayer came automatically to her lips. She desperately wanted to do the right thing: right for Seth, right for her. She prayed that if her heavenly Father wanted her to marry Seth, then He would make the signs as clear for her as He’d apparently done for Seth. Did she lack faith? Was that the problem.

  “No,” she answered her own question aloud. But her heart seemed to respond with a distant “yes” that echoed through her mind.

  She parked in the garage, pulled her purse strap over her shoulder and hurried along the concourse. I’m doing the right thing, she mentally repeated with each step. Her heels clicked against the marble floor, seeming to pound out the message—right thing, right thing, right thing.

  She paused when she saw Seth waiting for her, as promised, in the coffee shop. The only word for the way he looked was “dejected.” She whispered a prayer, seeking strength and wisdom.

  “Morning, Seth,” she greeted him, forcing herself to smile.

  His expression remained blank as he purposely looked away from her.

  This was going to be more difficult than she’d imagined. The atmosphere was so tense and strained, she could hardly tolerate it. “You’re angry, aren’t you?”

  “No,” he responded dryly. “I’ve gone beyond the anger stage. Disillusioned, perhaps. You must think I’m a crazy man, showing up with an engagement ring and the belief that God had given me this wonderful message that we were to marry.”

  “Seth, no.” She placed a hand on his arm.

  He looked down at it and moved his arm, breaking her light hold. It was almost as if he couldn’t tolerate her touch.

  “The funny thing is,” he continued, his expression stoic, “until this minute I didn’t accept that I’d be returning to Alaska alone. Even when I woke up this morning, I believed that something would happen and you’d decide to come with me.” He took a deep breath, his gaze avoiding hers. “I’ve behaved like a fool.”

  “Don’t say that,” she pleaded.