Christmas Surprise Read online

  She found her father sitting on the sofa with a tray of food on his lap and his favorite coffee cup. Tam sat in a chair positioned next to the sofa. They were discussing Tam and Jory's work schedule for the winter. She left them to their strategies.

  Uncle Matthias took the cloths from her and set them on the edge of the bar. "I'd like you to handle the store for me today, Caroline. I need to train Jory on some of our procedures outside. If you can show Tam what he needs to know to run the store, I'd appreciate it."

  "You're putting him in charge of the store?"

  "Can you think of a better place for him while his arm heals?"

  "Have you discussed this with Tam?"

  "Yes, and he's in agreement. The holidays are coming soon. Not having to work the store would give you spare time to prepare your favorite Christmas cake."

  "Is that a hint, Uncle Matthias?"

  He tapped the tip of her nose. "You know how much I love the holiday treats, especially those fruitcakes you used to help your mother bake."

  "You're trying to divert my attention. I would like to know why you don't have Luc train Tam."

  "Luc is going home so your grandmamma can see he's fine. He'll bring Josef back to pick out the horse of his choice. After Josef decides, Luc plans on breaking the mare Madeleine chooses."

  "All right then. I'll do it this afternoon."

  "He's very clever and if he comes up with good ideas of rearranging the store to his preference, go ahead and let him do it."

  "Why? What's wrong with the way it looks right now?"

  "Your mother used to decorate with candles during the holidays. It might be nice to see them back in the store and the main room again this year."

  She glanced over her shoulder at her father and Tam with their heads together still talking. "Are you sure Daddy will approve of the candles? We haven't celebrated the holidays since Mama died."

  "Think about your younger sisters. They need to have the kind of Christmas your mother gave you at their age. If you decorate a tree, it might put the spirit back in him. It's time for some changes around here."

  FOR SOMEONE WHO'D NEVER worked in a mercantile before, Tam grasped her instructions faster than she'd expected. In fact, she appreciated the ideas for rearranging the shelves for better exposure and putting a display in the window.

  "You've given me a lot of good ideas, Tam. I can see how a holiday reminder might start our customers thinking about the celebration days' menus."

  "I'm glad I'm giving you new insight to selling. One of my friends in Paradise Pines runs the local mercantile. She had a great imagination with how she presented her goods."

  "You have a great advantage over me. I've never been in a real mercantile. Anything you can think of to help sales would be appreciated. Hunters and trappers are our primary customers, but in the past year or so a lot of women have moved into the area as mail order brides."

  Now that she and Daddy had come to terms, she regretted putting his name on the letter to the magazine and mailing it. With luck no woman would jump at the chance of being a wife in their out-of-the-way home.

  "Are you all right, Caroline?"

  "What?" His comment pulled her out of her musings.

  "You looked far away. Have I done something wrong?"

  "No, you've done everything right. A thought captured my attention for a moment." She noticed him rubbing the bandage around his wound. "Is your arm hurting? Do you need to rest for a while?"

  "I'm fine, I think. It burns."

  "Sit and let me unwrap it. Maybe Luc needs to see it again."

  "Luc is your local doctor?"

  "Luc doesn't live at the trading post. He stays at my grandparents' farm in Canada. We don't have a proper doctor in the area."

  "I'm surprised Hank hasn't brought a doctor to the post, especially with all of you girls."

  "We had a doctor, but he died. If Luc isn't around, there's a woman nearby who claims she's a healer. Daddy is concerned about my sister Jacqueline. She's very curious about this self-proclaimed healer."

  Caroline finished taking the wrap from around his arm. Her stomach clenched at seeing the redness and a red line going up his arm. "You wait right here and don't move. I'm getting someone to look at this."

  She hurried into the main room and saw her father sleeping on the sofa. Uncle Matthias came thru the hall entrance at the same time as she came in from the store.

  "What's wrong?"

  "Has Luc left yet?"

  "He's about ready to go."

  "Tam's arm looks awful. Please find Luc and have him come to the store."

  She returned to Tam's side and waited with him. It didn't take long for Luc to enter the room. "Let's go into the kitchen where I can see it better."

  He turned to Caroline. "Big Dog is in the smithy shop. Ask him to come to the kitchen right away."

  "All right." She ran through the main room and out the front door. Terror filled her. Tam might die. No, stop it, Caroline, Luc won't let him die. She couldn't block out the image of Tam's arm.

  Big Dog wasn't where Luc had said he'd be in the blacksmith barn. She hurried into the main barn and saw him talking with Jory. "Help!"

  They both hurried toward her. Jory gripped her arms. "Calm down, Caroline. Tell us what's wrong. Is it your father?"

  She shook her head. "It's Tam. Luc needs Big Dog to come to them in the kitchen."

  "Thank you." The two men ran toward the lodge.

  Caroline collapsed onto one of the crates inside the barn. She calmed her breathing and waited for Big Dog to return. He'd need his tools to cauterize the wound. She'd seen the procedure done before and when Luc burned Tam's flesh, she didn't want to be inside the lodge.

  She left the barn and strode toward the lake. Watching the motion of the water always calmed her. Uncle Matthias' beautifully carved bench had become her favorite place to sit and meditate.

  A wind whipped the branches on the white birch trees. The leaves so colorful a couple of weeks ago now lay on the ground under the first snow of the year.

  "There you are."

  Caroline looked over her shoulder and saw Danielle walking toward her, carrying her coat.

  "Thank you for checking on me." She stood and took the garment from her sister. Until she was tucked into its warmth, she hadn't realized how chilled she'd become.

  "How did you find me?"

  "When Tam asked me to check on you, I knew you'd come here. You always do when you need to think."

  "Is it over?"

  "The cauterizing?"

  "Yes." A sob escaped her. "I didn't want to hear him cry out."

  "I understand how you feel, but you didn't need to worry. Tam didn't so much as let out a peep. I was stacking wood by the stove when Luc burned him. Even Big Dog had to turn his face away during the procedure."

  Caroline fought the tremors coursing through her body. She wanted to run to Tam and wrap her arms around him.

  Danielle put her arms around her and squeezed. "You've fallen for Tam's charm, haven't you?"

  Chapter Nine

  Sunday morning Pastor Timmons held the chapel door open for Hank and his daughters. Hank struggled to move through the doorway without banging the slats strapped to his broken leg.

  "You're doing well getting around on those crutches."

  Hank balanced himself. "After almost a whole week of being carried around, I'm glad Big Dog made these for me. It's taken me a while to learn how to maneuver the damn things."

  The pastor frowned at his use of profanity. "We're glad to see you here." He held the crutches while Hank managed to settle himself on the wooden pew. "Before you leave today, my wife has a stack of envelopes for you."

  "What envelopes?"

  Pastor Timmons shrugged. "She picked them up at the same time she retrieved her writing friends' letters."

  "Hmm, thank you. I'll have one of the girls find your wife."

  "Good. Mary is talking to the organist. I'll see you after the service." The past
or walked away and greeted more people.

  Hank motioned for Caroline to join him.

  "Is something wrong, Daddy? Is your leg hurting you?"

  "Stop worrying. Tell me about the handful of envelopes Mrs. Timmons has for me."

  "What?"

  Her reddening cheeks proved she'd been up to no good. "Is there something you'd like to tell me?"

  Caroline glanced down at her feet. "Yes, but not here."

  He'd have none of that. "No stalling. Tell me right now what's in those letters."

  She sat and twisted her hands together in her lap. "I answered an ad in a magazine for mail order brides and signed your name."

  Her confession knocked the breath from his lungs. "You did what!"

  The church turned quiet. Everyone in the room stared at Hank.

  "Calm down, Daddy. We're in church and your outburst has drawn the attention of the congregation."

  He waved their curiosity off and took a couple of deep breaths. As soon as everyone went back to their own business, he returned his attention to his daughter. "Please give me a few moments to calm myself. Go get the envelopes from Mary Timmons."

  "Daddy..."

  "Go!"

  She fought tears, but he couldn't discuss what she'd done yet. He needed a few moments to come to grips with the way she went behind his back in such a spiteful way.

  Caroline returned and sat next to him. She held a stack of envelopes tied in a red ribbon. "Please don't be angry, Daddy. I answered the ad before we talked at Mama's grave. I know I did wrong and am so sorry."

  He stared at her for a moment before he spoke. "Why would you do such an asinine thing?"

  "I thought if you knew what it felt like to have someone choose a wife for you that you'd change your mind about me having to marry a man of your choice on Christmas Eve."

  Pastor Timmons walked over to them. "Is there a problem I can help with?"

  Hank glared at his long-time friend. "No."

  "Good. I'll start today's service then."

  Caroline's comment humbled Hank. He leaned against the back of the pew and pondered his daughter's act of rebellion. It was times like this that he missed Isabella the most. If he'd threatened to choose a husband for any of their daughters while their mother was alive, he would have suffered Isabella's outrage. God, help me fix this mess.

  He tried to listen to Jacob's sermon, but his mind raced in different directions. When the service concluded, parishioners filed past him out of the small chapel. Hank waited until the place emptied before he struggled to get up on his crutches.

  "Hank, I'm sorry to hear about your accident," Mary Timmons said.

  "Thank you, Mary. It's a lot easier now having these things Big Dog made for me." He stumbled to the door. Mary moved ahead of him and held it open. "I apologize for my daughter using you to make a point."

  "Not to worry. Sometimes women must get dramatic to get their points across."

  "You surprise me, Mary, you being a preacher's wife and all."

  She smiled. "Don't be too hard on Caroline. She's trying to earn her independence."

  Big Dog joined them. "The wagon is out front."

  He nodded. "Thanks for the advice, Mary. Have you met our new smithy yet?"

  She nodded at him. "No, it's a pleasure."

  "My friends call me Big Dog."

  "Thank you. Where'd you come in from?"

  "I drove Hank's governess here from San Francisco."

  "Aw," she said, smiling. "Welcome to our small community."

  "You are very kind. Thank you." He turned to Hank. "You all set?"

  Hank nodded. "Yes, I certainly am."

  Big Dog helped him out of the church and onto the wagon seat. He tossed the crutches in back, and then climbed up next to Hank. "Are you comfortable enough for the trip home, boss?"

  Hank checked to make sure all of his children were inside the back. "Yup, take us home."

  Big Dog released the brake handle and directed the horses onto the dirt road. Hank welcomed the warm sunshine on his face. The weather had warmed up the past couple of days. He wished he could grab a fishing pole and head down to the river instead of sitting on the porch reading, or possibly taking a nap.

  When they drove up to the lodge, Hank slid off the wagon seat onto his good foot and Madeleine handed him the crutches. He managed his way onto the porch and worked his way to the lounge chair. He sat and let Madeleine lift his splinted leg onto the cushion.

  "Can I get you anything, Daddy?"

  "Thank you, honey. How about bringing me a tall glass of water?"

  "I'll be right back."

  Caroline joined him and set the pack of envelopes on a table next to him.

  "Please sit and read them with me."

  "I have chores..."

  Hank held up his hand. "No excuses. I need you to read them out loud and help me decide which ones I should invite for a look-see visit."

  She pulled a wicker chair close to him and sat. "What kind of visit?"

  "You know, invite them so I can look them over, and decide if they are proper to raise my babies."

  "Father! You cannot be serious."

  He waited until she'd finished huffing and puffing about his medieval mindset for as long as he could without smiling. "Of course, I'm not serious, Caroline Marguerite."

  "I should have known you'd try to teach me a lesson."

  "Yes, did you learn something, daughter?"

  She nodded.

  He cupped his hand behind his ear. "What? I can't hear you."

  "I'm sorry I embarrassed you. I never should have gone behind your back and sent the letter using your name as the sender."

  "I'm also sorry, Caroline. I never should have put you in a position where you thought you had to make your point in such a drastic way. Let's you and me make a deal. From now on we will discuss and I will not demand."

  "Thank you, I like the idea. I promise not to be dramatic and go behind your back for revenge." She stuck her hand out and he shook it.

  "I know we'll have more battles, but let's not go crazy."

  "If you won't, I won't."

  He grinned. "We might as well open a few of them to see what kind of answers I got."

  "All right, Daddy. She picked up an envelope and opened it. All of the letters sounded about the same with the exception of one from a woman named Clementine.

  Dear Hank Hughes,

  I was touched by your request for a mother for your dear children. I hope you will consider me for your wife and a caregiver to your children. I know I can never replace their own dear mother, but I would give them all the love I have not been able to give my own two little girls who died from cholera a few years ago. I am a thirty-five-year-old widow, educated, and can sew and cook. If you would like to send me travel money, I'll come to your trading post and we can see if we are compatible.

  Sincerely,

  Clementine Christiansen

  "What do you think, Daddy? This last letter sounds interesting."

  He reached over and squeezed her hand. "Honey, I'm not answering any of them. What I had with your mother will carry me through the rest of my years. You meant well, but we both know you didn't send your letter to the magazine for my benefit."

  "You're right, Daddy. I was angry and desperate at the time."

  Madeleine walked toward them with his glass of water.

  "Thank you. Now run along, Maddie." He set it on the table.

  "When I asked Mrs. Timmons to mail it, I knew it was wrong. She even asked if what was in the envelope would anger you. I lied and said no."

  He picked the stack of letters up and handed them to her. "I want you to answer each of these women and apologize for your inconsiderate action. Make sure each of the women understand it was a childish prank and that you are sincerely sorry."

  "All of them? There's so many."

  "Yes, and make sure they know your apology is heartfelt." He grabbed hold of the railing and pulled himself up. Caroline gave him
his crutches. "I expect the letters we received today and any others that arrive in the future will be answered within a day or two of their arrival."

  HER FATHER'S DEMANDS stunned Caroline. It would take her forever to get through them all.

  She sighed and watched him make his way to the lodge door. He did have a point, but since he didn't know the ladies why did it matter?

  Big Dog walked across the courtyard toward her. He leaned his arms on top of the porch rail. "You look like you've lost your best friend, Miss Caroline."

  "My father is being rather unfair and I'm putting off what he told me to do."

  "It can't be that bad, can it?"

  She explained the situation, and then how embarrassed she was for not thinking how her actions might hurt someone else.

  He shook his head. "Hank made a good point and it sounds like you've gained some appreciation for the consequences of your actions. You're right. You don't know the ladies or what their lives are like. Maybe coming here to marry your father seemed a way to escape a terrible situation or possibly loneliness. You are so young and haven't experienced life yet."

  "I've lost my mother."

  "Yes, you have. Now, do as your father says and make your apologies."

  She sighed. "I'd not thought about what their lives might be like. I'll go and at least start the letters right now. Thank you again for explaining things to me in a more rational way than my father."

  "You're welcome, Miss Caroline." He shuffled his feet. "Do you know where Tam is?"

  She shook her head. "I went to church this morning and haven't seen him yet. Do you need him right away?"

  "I'll check around. You have a job to do." He waved and walked off whistling.

  Caroline got up and headed to her bedroom. She had writing paper in one of her desk drawers. Envelopes were kept in her father's desk. She'd better grab a handful before she started the letters.

  She went into his office and sat at his desk. She opened a couple of drawers until she found what she needed. The drawer wouldn't close. She pulled it all the way out and saw something blocking the closure. She stuck her hand inside the space and grabbed the black leather box.