Rivers of Gold Read Free Page B

Father Judge?” Karen asked Grace. Grace had gone to the Roman Catholic hospital to inquire as to the expense for having her baby delivered there by a doctor.
    “For all the good it did. He told me it would be one thousand dollars for my hospital and doctor’s fees.”
    “A thousand?” Karen asked in disbelief. “That’s outrageous. How in the world can he expect us to come up with that much money?”
    “We can’t,” Grace replied sadly. “Apparently the hospitals are poorly equipped for women’s needs. The nurse there suggested I talk to a midwife. So I spoke to a woman who lives just over the river. She can come to the tent and deliver the baby and will only charge me a hundred dollars.”
    Karen’s emotions got the best of her. “Prices are so inflated a person can scarcely stand in one place without being charged for it. If we weren’t squatting on this land now, we’d be paying through the nose for rent.”
    “Don’t forget what Adrik said,” Leah offered. “Nobody much cares that we’re here right now. The town offers folks more interest because of gambling and drinking. But if they find gold over here or if someone decides it’s worth something, then we’ll be in trouble.” She had quoted Adrik almost verbatim.
    “Still, we need the town to survive. We can hardly head out into the Klondike with Grace due to have a baby any day. That would be totally senseless. It’s bad enough that we’re as far away as we are, especially with the river standing between us. Come spring, there will no doubt be problems,” Karen muttered.
    “We couldn’t very well afford any of the sites in town. Not that much of anything decent was available,” Grace offered.
    Karen sighed and reached up to tie back her hair. “It’s all about money—the love of it is destroying the heart and soul of the people who crave it.”
    “Still, we can hardly exist without it,” Grace said, adding, “even if it is hard to come by.”
    “We’ll just have to get the money,” Leah said as if by saying the words the money might magically appear.
    “Well, I was waiting to share this news until later, but I might as well tell you now. I heard about a job,” Karen announced. “They need a cook at one of the restaurants. They’re willing to pay $150 a month.”
    “To cook?” Grace questioned, looking up. “Are you sure about that amount?”
    “Very sure. It was only to be one hundred dollars, but that was if I needed room and board. I convinced them that I didn’t, but that I did need the extra cash. We settled on fifty dollars more, and I’ve agreed to take the position.”
    “What did Adrik say?” Grace asked, looking to Leah as if she might have the answer. The child in turn looked to Karen.
    “He doesn’t know about it—yet. I figured I’d tell him after I hear what news he comes back with this time. If he still hasn’t managed to find us a cabin, then I’ll tell him. We’re running out of money, so someone has to do something. Besides, this is a good amount of guaranteed money. He may well change his mind and want us to stay here.”
    “We have plenty of food,” Leah offered.
    “Yes, but that won’t last forever. Besides it’s mostly dried goods. Our canned goods are running low and we haven’t had fresh fruits or vegetables in forever,” Karen replied. “And even though Adrik and Jacob managed to shoot an elk and a moose, there are so many other supplies we need. Soap, for one, and that costs a small fortune. I think the job is exactly what we need to help us fill our purses again. I can cook fairly well, and it’s not like I’d be doing the job forever.”
    “I suppose not,” Grace said, “but I can’t imagine that Adrik will like the idea.”
    Karen thought of her bear of a husband. His large frame often caused folks to shy away, thus, they never learned of his gentle nature. Karen knew her husband wouldn’t like the idea of her having to work to keep their heads above water. Especially