Christmas Surprise Page 13

  Caroline always thought his ballads showed his talent best, but the younger guests preferred the knee-slapping songs. His energy carried through quite a few of their choices before he stopped to take a break. Uncle Matthias held up a glass of ale and motioned for her to come get it for her father.

  She slid off her stool and headed toward the bar.

  "Hank sounds good tonight." Matthias handed her the glass.

  "Yes, I think he was happy to see the boys arrive home today. I haven't seen much of them yet. Do you know what they're up to?"

  "Your father gave the old cabin outside the post to Luc and Josef. The MacGregors are helping them clean it out so they can spend the night there."

  "When we're done here, I'll take some clean sheets and blankets out to them. Thanks, Uncle Matthias." She handed her father his drink and returned to her stool.

  Danielle handed her a bowl with popcorn. She'd kept eye on the younger sisters while Caroline spoke with their uncle. Gabriella and Francesca handed the popcorn out to their guests. A few of the men stood at the bar drinking, but most of them stayed with their families.

  Hank picked up his guitar and finished the night with a mix of ballads and love songs. Caroline gathered her sisters together and headed them to their bedrooms to get them settled for the night.

  Before going back downstairs, she knocked on Genevieve's door. When she opened it, Genevieve smiled at her. "What are you doing here?"

  "I'm just checking on you. I thought we would see you downstairs for Daddy's music tonight. It's not good for you to shut yourself in your room."

  "You're being very sweet worrying about me. I'm fine."

  "May I come in for a moment so we can talk?"

  Genevieve stepped back and swung the door open. "Sure, I welcome your company."

  Genevieve sat on the edge of the bed and let her sit in the chair at the small table.

  "I haven't mentioned it to Daddy yet because I wanted to see what you think first."

  "All right, what do you have on your mind?"

  "Daddy and I came to an agreement the other day. He said if I don't want to attend lessons, I don't have to."

  "What have you decided?"

  "I don't know. Would you give me a test to see if I still need to take your classes? If I do well enough, I'll prove to myself and my father that I don't need more school."

  "What is it that you would rather do with your time, Caroline? You seem so anxious to grow up."

  Caroline chuckled. "Daddy wants me married. At first, he gave me until Christmas Eve, but after our talk he changed his mind."

  Genevieve jumped off the edge of the bed. "What?"

  Her unexpected action startled Caroline.

  "I didn't know you have a sweetheart. I'd like to meet him."

  "Good luck."

  "What's that supposed to mean?"

  "I don't have a sweetheart or know a man I would even consider as a husband. Nor do I want one unless I choose a man I can love and respect."

  "Your father is very demonstrative in his love toward all you girls and it warms my heart to see how proud he is of each of you. My own father wasn't affectionate toward me, but yet I knew he cared." Genevieve returned to where she was sitting on the bed.

  "I'm sorry you didn't have a happy childhood, Genevieve."

  "What I don't understand is why your father would make such an outrageous demand of you, Caroline? Has he even told you why he wants to see you married?"

  "Actually, yes he has. We were sitting in front of my mother's grave a short while ago when we both opened up and talked about our thoughts, hopes, and dreams. He told me he wanted me to have the joy of being married and having a family like he and my mother had. Daddy was so sweet talking about my mother and how much he loved her."

  "Do you want to get married some day?"

  Caroline shrugged. "I don't really know anymore. I got so angry with my father for pressuring me that I provoked him by refusing to even consider marriage."

  "You've changed your mind?"

  Caroline could feel her cheeks warming. She couldn't help but think about Tam. "Maybe, but it isn't going anywhere."

  "Why not?

  "It's Tam."

  "Oh, I thought I saw something going on between the two of you. Is it serious?"

  Her cheeks started to warm. "He's kissed me a few times."

  "You're blushing."

  "Yeah, it was nice."

  "He gave you your first kiss?"

  She nodded.

  "You're afraid he's not going to stay beyond the spring?"

  "In my heart I know he's probably flirting with me to pass his time here. He would never give up his family partnership in the ranch. I don't blame him."

  "What are you going to do then?"

  "I don't know. I suppose I'll ignore him and stay busy making holiday plans like Mama used to do for us."

  "You're planning to celebrate Christmas this year? The girls told me you don't do it anymore."

  "I hope so. I need to discuss it with Daddy. He stopped us from celebrating all holidays after Mama's death."

  "The little ones are beginning to get excited. You need to make a decision soon because if he says no, I need to know how to handle the situation."

  "They're starting to forget what Christmas is about. I hope you'll tell them why we celebrate and also have them make decorations for a tree."

  "Do you think he'll let you bring in a tree?"

  Caroline shrugged. "I'm hoping that Daddy won't be able to say no this year. I'd like to see the candles everywhere. It used to be such a fun celebration. It won't be the same without Mama, but it's time to celebrate again."

  "Candles? What's the meaning of them?"

  "Mama loved having lots of different kinds. Over the years she gathered a variety of holders to place around the main room. When we had the tree, we had small metal holders that clipped onto the boughs. Of course, she worried about us getting burned so we didn't light them for long. Daddy always feared she'd burn the lodge down."

  "What a lovely custom. Do you do something about gifts?"

  "What we used to do was have our names written on a small piece of paper. Mama would put them into Daddy's hat, and then let each of us take one out. We would make that person a gift. It's so hard for some of us to keep a secret. You'll see what fun they have trying to discover who their secret gift giver is."

  "Thank you for sharing this custom with me. I'll see what I can do to help them. I can't wait to see what they come up with."

  Caroline got up and hugged Genevieve. "Thank you for listening." She turned to leave. "Do you know how to sew?"

  Genevieve snickered. "No, with the exception of being able to sew on a button and make simple alterations, I can't sew.

  "I'll tell you about a funny situation that my 'sewing circle friends' and I used to do. We'd meet at my house once a week and pretend to have a project meeting. One of the girls could actually sew, but the rest of us just carried the baskets back and forth without opening them."

  "You didn't want to learn?"

  "My mother considered me too good to do menial jobs. It's why after my father died and we lost everything, I had no way of providing for us. Mother would never consider working for rent and food money. I didn't have any talents except for all the useless information I learned in the fancy schools where my parents sent me."

  "So, you came to the Northwoods to teach my sisters and me the same useless information that you were taught?"

  "Yes," she said, and then a wide grin spread across Genevieve's face. "It'll help you hook that husband your father is pressuring you to provide."

  "Ha ha, you're very funny."

  "I'm sorry, I couldn't resist. Look how well it's helped me catch a man."

  Chapter Twelve

  Tam, Luc, and Josef finished sweeping out the cabin Hank had given the brothers. All three heard the three short whistles. Luc stopped making his bed. "You two stay here until I get back." He hurried out of the cabin. />
  Tam glanced at Josef. "What's that all about?"

  "It's a smuggling code for needing help."

  "You're involved with the smuggling, too?

  Josef shook his head. "Luc wouldn't let me until I turned sixteen."

  "How old are you now?"

  "I turned sixteen while Luc was down here. He's forgotten I had a birthday."

  Tam shook his head. He was trying to prevent his curiosity from taking control of his better sense, but if he had a chance to see what the smuggling was about, he wanted to take it.

  He and Josef got the beds finished and sat on the chairs at the table waiting for Luc to return. Quite a while passed before he walked through the doorway. He nodded at seeing the last of the chores finished and sat on the edge of one of the beds. "Trapper Joe has quite a few wolf pelts he wants to trade with Hank. I told him the revenuers are keeping watch on the post."

  "Where is he?" Josef asked.

  "You know the rules."

  "Yes, but you've apparently forgotten when my birthday is, Luc."

  Luc closed his eyes and shook his head. "I'm afraid I did forget. All right, run to the lodge and tell Hank he needs to meet Trapper Joe near Isabella's gravesite. Stay and help him walk to the meeting place."

  "I'd like to be part of tonight's activities," Tam said as soon as Josef left.

  "If you were staying at the post permanently, I'd say why not. You can't risk being caught by Captain Farthington and his bunch for being involved in one night of crime."

  "Meeting a man with wolf pelts is that chancy?"

  Luc grinned. "If you ever meet Trapper Joe, you'll understand."

  "Well, if you're denying me the privilege of becoming involved with this smuggler then you owe me the rest of the man's story."

  "If you're that curious, I guess I'll take you with me. I'm not sure it's the best thing to do, but come along and meet the man who says he's a trapper, but in fact he's a smuggler."

  Tam followed Luc from the cabin and closed the door behind him. "Give me an idea of what I should expect."

  Luc stopped. "First, watch and don't talk. Trapper Joe will consider you a stranger and won't like you asking questions. Walk softly and listen for anything out of the ordinary. We're aware someone from inside the trading post is talking to Captain Farthington. Michel is concerned Gervais is behind the spying on us and is paying someone to watch what we're doing, especially at night. You saw the way Gervais treated me during our brief stay."

  "Is that why Michel brought you here when you got hurt?"

  "Yes, exactly. When Gervais finds out Josef and I have moved here permanently, he's going to be angry and, I expect, vindictive." Luc motioned Tam to follow.

  They stepped through the forest under a three-quarter moon. He didn't know how Luc could find his way, but Tam stayed close behind him until he stopped and whistled his presence. An apparition rose from between a huge rock and a campfire. Trapper Joe wasn't very tall in stature, but he carried strength in his character. The older man kept his long white beard in a foot-long braid while a wide-brimmed hat drooped over most of his face, hiding his eyes. Around his waist he wore a leather belt with a long knife in a sheath on his left side and a short-handled hatchet off the other side. He held a rifle with the barrel pointed toward the ground.

  "Who be with you, boy?"

  "Stay here until I motion for you to join us. If he raises the rifle, drop to the ground. You're with me, so you'll probably be accepted."

  Luc stepped up to the fire. "I bring a friend of Cappy's. His name is Tam MacGregor and he has come from Cappy and Chase's ranch in California with a gift of horses for Hank."

  The man didn't move. He stared into the darkness toward Tam and tapped the tip of the rifle against his fur-skin boots.

  "If it makes a difference to you, Gervais doesn't like him."

  The trapper hooted. "Anyone who annoys Gervais is all right with me. Come warm yourself by my fire, boy."

  Tam moved with caution as he approached the strange man. He never took his gaze off the rifle until the trapper leaned the weapon against the rock he'd been hiding behind.

  "You're a friend of that old scoundrel Cappy?"

  "I am," Tam said. He moved away from the horrific smell emanating from the man.

  "He could set a trap better than anyone I've ever known. We worked the same area years ago. He brought that young pup with him and we trained him well. I haven't seen them for years."

  "Young pup? Are you speaking of Chase?"

  Trapper Joe chuckled. "Yes."

  The three of them froze at hearing someone walking toward them. Trapper Joe grabbed his rifle.

  Luc grinned. "Relax, it's Hank. He isn't very quiet with his walking poles."

  "Walking poles? What be wrong with him?"

  Josef came into the circle of light first. He set a canvas stool by the fire. Matthias helped Hank sit.

  "You old reprobate, it's good to see you. What have you brought me tonight?"

  "What did you do to yourself, Hank?"

  "Broke my leg."

  The old man shook his head. "Be right back." The old trapper left for a few moments and returned leading a mule burdened with a heavy load.

  Tam gasped at seeing the pile of wolf pelts the trapper pulled off the back of the mule. He dropped them onto the ground in front of Hank.

  "Luc, do you think it would be all right if I ran my fingers over the top fur?" Tam said.

  Luc glanced at the man making a business deal with Hank. "Probably."

  Trapper Joe stopped talking long enough to stare at Tam and nod. "Go ahead, boy. You won't find a better fur anywhere than one of mine."

  "You've been busy, Joe," Hank said. "What do you want me to do with them?"

  "I've a buyer for maple syrup. Do you got a supplier?"

  "It depends on this year's production. I'll store your pelts and give you credit for them."

  "No syrup available now?"

  Hank shook his head. "You know the product goes fast. It'll be the end of March, beginning of April before I can get a supply."

  Tam walked around the campfire and ran his fingers over the top fur. He couldn't believe how soft it felt. "These are beautiful."

  Trapper Joe glanced at his pile of wolf pelts and then at Tam. "Of course, I bring only the best." He held his hand toward Hank. "You've got a deal. I'll return the middle of April with more pelts."

  "You boys carry the merchandise so Matthias can help me back to the lodge. You know where they go, Luc."

  Hank and Matthias moved out of the light. Luc started tossing dirt over the fire. Tam pitched in and in a matter of moments only smoke rose from the ashes.

  "These many pelts weigh a lot. If it's too much for you to carry your half, I can take a larger share." Luc stood still, staring at Tam until Tam made a face and started laughing. "When you crack a joke, you shouldn't be so serious." Tam picked up over a third of the pile and waited for Josef and Luc. "I don't know my way."

  Josef grabbed the canvas stool and a portion of the pelts. Luc took up the rest and led the way to the back door of the lodge. Matthias must have been watching for them, because he opened the door and let them in. He shut and locked it behind them.

  "If you'll move to the side, I can open the trapdoor."

  Tam and Josef stepped back. "You have more than one tunnel under the lodge?"

  "Yes," Matthias said. “We have several tunnels from the good old days when we actually did the smuggling. Now we use them to hold goods belonging to the smugglers in our organization."

  Matthias opened the entry to the tunnel. "Tie the bundles, Luc, while I go down and light the lanterns. Give me a minute."

  Luc set his pile of furs on a good-sized oak table. He wrapped a narrow rope securely around the bundle and then slid it down the stairs. He motioned for Tam to set his stack on the table. After he tied it, Luc sent the second bundle of furs down the ladder. Last came Josef's pile.

  Tam glanced down into the cellar. "Can I see?" />
  "Sure, I'll be glad to show you around."

  He stepped down and entered a most amazing place. Matthias motioned for him to follow. He led Tam around showing him all the merchandise stored on the shelves. "Hank takes in the goods and then swaps them for whatever he can barter with. Eventually, the goods are sold overseas or down in the lower states."

  "Why doesn't he sell the merchandise in the store?"

  "Taxes."

  Tam frowned. "I don't understand."

  "The revenuers we complain about all the time make sure we pay a high tax on all merchandise sold. We simply don't report what we have in here. It comes in and goes out late at night."

  "Ah, I see where the smuggling comes in."

  "Yes, and Hank isn't the only high-profile merchant in the Northwoods who does business this way. He gives all the appearances of being an honest merchant, but he couldn't stay in business for long if he didn't smuggle."

  "What about Luc? What was he smuggling when he got hurt just before Jory and I got here?"

  "Timber."

  "What? How do you smuggle logs?"

  "By boat. We move the goods through the Great Lakes and then onto large ships that carry them to England."

  Everything Matthias told him seemed impossible, but obviously it must work for all of them or they wouldn't be risking their lives smuggling.

  "Shall we go? I don't like leaving the trapdoor opened for long in case somebody entered the lodge and gets curious." He motioned for Tam to head on up while he blew out the lanterns.

  Matthias came out of the tunnel, shut the door, and set the latch. "Help me put the rug over the door and we can go grab a glass of ale." They unrolled an oval rug made of multi-colored tied rags over the trapdoor and headed to the bar.

  Hank sat in front of the fireplace in the main room chatting with Luc and Josef. They both turned toward the door as Tam and Matthias entered. "Everything go all right?"

  Matthias walked behind the bar. "Yup, all is good. You two want a glass of ale while I'm pouring Tam and me one?"

  "Make it two more, Matthias." Hank looked at Josef. "Sorry, you have some more birthdays to get through before you can have the booze."

  Josef shrugged his shoulders.