Rivers of Gold by Tracie Peterson Page A

like a street urchin.
    “Maybe something red,” he murmured. “Something the color of the mountain ash berries.”
    Heading to the hardware store, Teddy tried to bring his thoughts into order. He knew it would do more harm than good to continue focusing on Miss Colton. She was a pleasant enough woman, but he had work to do. I must stop this nonsense and turn my attention to the task at hand , he told himself.
    Squaring his shoulders, Teddy was determined to purchase the things he needed, and then return to the hotel and spend the day buried in his work. Maybe he wouldn’t worry about getting Miranda a dress. After all, he didn’t even know her size. And maybe she didn’t like red. Tucking his face down into his coat, he put Miranda from his mind.
    The ring of the bell on the door of MacCarthy’s Hardware seemed to jolt Teddy’s senses. He looked up, but not in time to avoid stepping headlong into the chest of a broadshouldered man.
    “Oh, please pardon me,” Teddy said, stepping back.
    “No problem, friend.”
    Teddy sized up the large man and smiled. “I’m afraid my mind was elsewhere.”
    The big man laughed. “Mine’s somewhere to the south where the winds blow warmer and the fishing is easy. Unfortunately, that’s a long way from this place.”
    Teddy returned his thoughts to his list just as a young man joined them. “Adrik, they don’t have any sleds they can sell.”
    Teddy looked up. “Sleds? Did you say you were looking for a sled?”
    The big man nodded. “That’s right. Do you know where we might buy one?”
    “I have one,” Teddy replied. “Oh, where are my manners, the name is Davenport. Thomas Davenport.”
    “Adrik Ivankov is my name,” the big man said, extending his hand. “And this here is Jacob Barringer.”
    Teddy nodded. “I have a sled, and since I’ll be staying throughout the winter, I’ll have no need of it. You’re welcome to purchase it.”
    “What kind of price are you asking?”
    Teddy looked around the small confines of the hardware store. “Well, I’d not considered the price.” He chuckled. “But then again, I hadn’t considered selling the sled until just now.”
    “Well, we aren’t wealthy by any means. Fact is, I’m taking part of my party out to a friend’s claim and leaving part of it here. My wife’s friend just had a baby, and there’s no sense in risking their lives until things warm up a bit. Still, I need two sleds. I can work in a trade—chop wood or build just about anything you need.”
    Teddy shook his head. “I’m afraid I have little need of either of those things. I’m staying at the hotel across the street.”
    “We have a lot of extra meat,” the young man offered. “We shot us an elk and a moose not too long ago.”
    “Fresh meat could be a real bonus. I would imagine the hotel might well be glad to get it,” Teddy said rather absentmindedly. “All right, I’ll trade you meat for the sled.”
    “How much do you reckon would be a fair amount for the sled?” The big man asked.
    Again Teddy felt perplexed. He’d never dealt in such matters and the consideration of a fair trade was completely beyond his interest. “Why don’t you give me what you believe to be fair. I’ll trust the good Lord to watch over my end of the deal,” Teddy finally said.
    “Well, He watches over every deal I make.” The big man smiled. “I’ll tell you what. The boy and I will go load up the meat and bring it around within the hour. We’re in a bit of a hurry, so why don’t you show us where you’d like to meet.”
    Teddy motioned them to follow. “As I said, I’m just there across the street. Come along and I’ll show you the sled. That way you can better judge for yourself a fair trade.”
    The men followed Teddy down the walk and across the frozen snow and mud of Second Avenue. Teddy heard them commenting on the blessing of running across this stranger, but thought little of himself as their rescuer. He was glad to unload the