Christmas Surprise Page 16

  "What are you two doing here so late?"

  "Lottie had a basket ready for you, but you didn't pick it up before you left." Tam set it next to Luc's chair.

  Caroline handed him the bowl of leftover popcorn. "You didn't stay for treats either."

  Luc chuckled. "After the solo, I lost my appetite." He grinned at Tam. "Wasn't Big Dog a hoot?"

  "He really surprised me," Caroline said. "Who would have thought he could belt out all those songs. He and Daddy have quite an act."

  "I didn't see you volunteer, Luc. Maybe you can out-perform me tomorrow night."

  "You might be surprised. Thanks for bringing us the gifts."

  "We'll see you tomorrow." Tam took Caroline's hand and they headed back to the lodge. "Are you cold?"

  "No."

  "Would you like to walk down to the lake with me before we go back inside?"

  She smiled at his idea. She'd been thinking the same thing. "I would love to."

  They walked hand in hand through the post and out the back gate in silence. Caroline led him to the bench. Tonight, the half-moon didn't reflect a lot of light, but she set the lantern next to her and turned it off anyway.

  He squeezed her hand. "This is nice."

  "This is my favorite spot to come."

  "I know. I've seen you sitting here a few times."

  "Why didn't you say something?"

  "You seemed to enjoy the quiet."

  "Hmmm, I do sometimes. My younger sisters can be loud and my nerves need a break from their antics."

  "I can understand the need for your time. I wouldn't trade my brothers for anything, but there are moments when I wish I had a quiet bench."

  "The view across the lake is never the same. Even in the winter the scene changes each time I come here."

  "I agree, Caroline. This whole area is nature at its best. Paradise Pines is beautiful, too. I thought I'd spend my life in the Sierra Mountains, but I'm not so sure anymore."

  Caroline hoped beyond hope that Tam would stay. She was almost afraid to ask, but maybe knowing how he felt would help protect her heart.

  "You're very quiet. Is everything all right?"

  "Would you consider staying in the Northwoods?"

  "I'm certainly considering it."

  He said it—what she wanted, no needed to hear.

  "There's a lot to offer a Scottish farmer, but my family is a powerful reason to draw me home." He turned toward her and ran his finger along her cheek. "How would you feel about me settling here?"

  "You're a good man. I'm certain my father would like you stay."

  "I'm not asking about your father, Caroline. I wait to hear your thoughts." He leaned in and kissed her.

  "You're not helping, you know. How's a girl supposed to think straight while you're kissing her?"

  He chuckled. "Maybe I'm trying to sway you toward the answer I hope to hear." He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her head against his shoulder.

  "You've been here less than three weeks, Tam. It's too soon for you to make such an important decision."

  He got up and walked the short distance to the edge of the lake.

  Caroline followed him and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Tam?"

  He stared straight ahead and didn't answer her.

  "Please talk to me."

  "I'm sorry, Caroline, but you've got my emotions tied in a knot." He turned to her and tipped her chin up. "I'm falling in love with you, Caroline Hughes, and I need to know how you feel about me."

  He wrapped his strong arms around her. She could feel the rapid beat of his heart. "Tam, I don't know what to do."

  "I know. I don't either."

  They stood holding each other, staring across the water, each in their own thoughts.

  "If you decide to stay, Tam, I want it to be for the right reason."

  "What if that reason is you?"

  Chapter Fifteen

  Hank gathered his family into the wagon and let Matthias drive them to church. Once they arrived in front of the chapel and he pulled the horses to a halt, Hank maneuvered himself off the wagon seat and walked inside with his crutches. Pastor Timmons helped him settle in the front row and sat beside him.

  "How's the broken leg doing?"

  "Fine, except it isn't healing fast enough."

  "I might have a diversion for you."

  "What do you have in mind?"

  "It's not what I have in mind, Hank. It's what the lady in my office wants."

  "Jacob, you're talking in circles. Please just say it straight?"

  "One of your mail order brides arrived last night. We didn't want to break into your entertainment so kept her with us. When you leave today, she's yours to take home."

  Hank rested his forehead against his palm. "Oh, dear God, no. We don't need another woman at the lodge."

  The pastor chuckled. "You're outnumbered, aren't you?"

  "Yes, and it doesn't look like I'll be getting a son-in-law anytime soon."

  "Ah, but you must remember patience is a virtue, Hank. By the way, the lady said she knew you. Her name is Penelope Brown."

  "Penelope Brown? I don't recollect the name."

  "She remembers you quite well. We heard stories from when you were youngsters."

  Hank frowned at his pastor. "You're having too much fun at my expense."

  "She accompanied her father, Roy Harvey, to the lodge."

  He gasped. "Oh, I do remember her. I called her Nellie."

  "She's the one. Would you like to meet her now or wait until after the service?"

  Hank glanced down the pew until he caught Caroline's attention. He motioned for her to join him.

  She grabbed her bag and hurried his way. "What's wrong, Daddy?"

  He moved over and patted the pew next to him. "Sit so we can decide what to do with the mail order bride who's waiting in Pastor Timmon's office."

  "What?"

  "Penelope Brown arrived last night. What makes the situation even worse is that we've known each other since we were teenagers. If she's anything like I remember, she won't take rejection well."

  Caroline let out a deep sigh. "I'm so sorry, Daddy. I cancelled the ad, but she might have seen it in an old magazine. I brought all the apology letters to give Mrs. Timmons after the service. I'll go right now and send your surprise guest on her way."

  Jacob started his service, but Hank couldn't concentrate on what he preached. He should have gone to Nellie instead of sending his daughter. This annoying mail order bride situation was getting on his nerves. It should have been concluded by now.

  A door at the back of the church slammed open. "Henry Hughes!"

  Hank closed his eyes and wished he could crawl inside his boots. He grabbed his crutches and tried to stand, but lost his balance and toppled forward. Jacob hurried from the pulpit and caught him before he hit the floor. Madeleine picked up the crutches and helped him stand.

  "Thank you, Maddie." He faced the churchgoers. "Sorry for the drama this morning." He hobbled along the aisle toward the furious woman waiting for him at the back of the church.

  "I'll take it from here, Caroline. Go up front and stay with your sisters."

  Nellie returned inside Jacob's office and Hank followed. He closed the door and stared at the woman he used to know. In her place, he saw a bitter, middle-aged woman who wanted revenge.

  "Hello, Nellie."

  "Don't, Henry. I'm not in the mood to play your foolish game anymore."

  "I'm known as Hank, Penelope. What the hell brought on your scene?"

  "First, you brought me up here under false pretenses, and second, you send your daughter to make your apologies. What kind of man hides behind his child?"

  "I'm sorry you were taken advantage of by a daughter who wanted to help me. Unfortunately, she didn't ask my permission beforehand or realize the consequences the mail order bride request might cause."

  Pastor Timmons knocked and opened the door. "Is everything all right in here?"

  "Yes," Hank s
aid. "Would you please ask Matthias to join us?"

  The pastor nodded and when he left, the door remained open.

  "Your bodyguard?"

  "Nobody at my trading post needs a bodyguard, Penelope. Matthias is my brother-in-law. He helps me get around while my leg heals."

  "How'd you break it?"

  Matthias walked into the small office. "He broke it wrestling a wolf."

  Her eyebrows rose at Matthias' entry and comment. She stood and straightened the folds of her skirt. "I'm Penelope Brown."

  "I am Matthias Martel at your service, ma'am."

  "Mrs. Brown will be riding to the lodge with us. Will you please see to her luggage and her comfort for the ride home?"

  "Yes, of course. Right away. Do you need my help out to the wagon?"

  "No, I'll be fine on my own."

  Hank entered the inside of the church and, as he walked passed the front pew, motioned for his daughters to join him outside. He wanted to prepare them for their guest. Her being here under these circumstances didn't seem right to him. With an informant in their midst, he didn't intend to take any chances.

  "We're going to have a guest for a short while. I knew Mrs. Brown when we were Madeleine's age and a little older. I caution you about telling secrets. Right now I'm not sure why she's here, but we need to give her the benefit of the doubt. What she says about wanting to come to the lodge as a possible bride for me may be true, but until I straighten this mess out treat her as you would any adult."

  "You want to get married, Daddy?"

  He tipped Francesca's chin up so he could look her in the eye. "No, there has been a misunderstanding."

  "I understand." Francesca made a face at Gabby. "I told you so."

  "We don't have time for squabbling, girls. I want each of you to consider everything and everyone as our personal business and nobody else's. Do you all understand?" He looked at each one of them and made sure they acknowledged his request.

  He wasn't sure what Penelope would do next, but considering the mood she was in when he left her, he didn't expect it would be pleasant. As far as he could figure, the woman didn't have any reason to cause him trouble. When they were young and immature, she was a daredevil who got him into all sorts of trouble. He'd tread lightly until she showed her hand and he could figure out the proper way to deal with her.

  Matthias helped Penelope onto the wagon seat and then put Hank next to her. Once all the girls settled in the wagon bed, Matthias pulled away from the church and headed the wagon toward the trading post.

  He drove through the gate and pulled the horses to a stop in front of the lodge's main door.

  Hank turned on the seat, took Matthias' hand, and slid to the ground. "Take care of her. I'll be fine getting inside."

  Penelope surveyed her surroundings. "You've made quite a few changes, Henry. How long has your father been gone?"

  Hank took the crutches from Danielle. "He died in an accident at the saw mill a long time ago."

  She let Matthias help her off the wagon seat and swing her to the ground.

  "I'm the uncle, the bartender, handyman in the lodge, and while Hank heals, I oversee any problems that arise. If you need anything, find me."

  He pulled her two cases from the wagon bed and followed her into the lodge. He set them by the bar.

  Hank caught one of the crutches on the chair leg and toppled onto the sofa. He clenched his teeth at the pain running up his leg.

  "Daddy," Caroline screamed as she saw him fall. "Let me help you. Are you all right?"

  "I will be in a few moments."

  Matthias moved behind the bar. "I can offer you a drink of water or glass of ale, Penelope." He poured a tall glass of ale.

  She held out her hand. "I'll take that."

  "Excuse me. I'll get yours in a few moments." He left her waiting and took it over to Hank. "Sorry, I didn't see you fall."

  "Thank you."

  "Relax. I'll handle the lady."

  Matthias returned to the counter and poured another glass of ale. He handed it to Penelope. "Please take a seat and enjoy. If you'll excuse me for a few moments, I need to unharness the horses and turn them into the corral."

  "Danielle, will you please go up to the room next to Genevieve's and freshen it for our guest?"

  "Of course, Uncle Matthias." She scooted out of the room and went up the stairs.

  Penelope sat by Hank. "How many guests do you have staying at your lodge? It seems empty."

  He ignored her jab. "I live here with my daughters, along with my brother-in-law, cook, governess, and blacksmith. You are my only guest at the moment. We have plenty of room for you to stay with us for a little while, but not permanently. I want that understood from the beginning."

  "You've made yourself quite clear, Henry. It's certainly not the reception I expected."

  "Another thing, my daughters are very impressionable, especially the younger two. Hold your tongue around them, or you'll be out of here in the first wagon to leave the post."

  Matthias came through the back door and entered the main room. After he dropped an armful of firewood into the bin, he knelt in front of the fireplace and set the kindling for the night's festivities. While he was readying the room, he placed the chairs and stools in their places.

  "You having a meeting here tonight?" Penelope asked.

  "No, we have music and stories around the fire every night."

  She frowned. "Every night?"

  Her interest in his nightly activities bothered him. Why would she care unless...?

  "Henry, why are you ignoring me?"

  The tone of her voice irritated the hell out of him. What is she up to?

  "I'm not in the mood for conversation, Penelope." Hank struggled, but he got up and made his way to the bar. He refilled his glass, and then poured one for Matthias and set it on the end of the bar.

  Matthias came by and downed the drink in a couple of swigs. "Thanks, that went down cool and wet."

  "It didn't take you long to take care of the horses. It's not like you to not brush them," Hank said.

  "By the time I got to the wagon, your stable boy already had the team brushed and back in the corral."

  "Good, something went well today." He glanced over at Penelope and shook his head.

  Matthias slapped him on the back. "Cheer up. Where would you like me to put her luggage?"

  Hank grinned. "Outside on the porch would be nice."

  "Danielle freshen up the room next to Genevieve's. I presume that is all right with you?"

  "I suppose."

  Matthias picked up Penelope's cases. "If you're ready to unpack follow me, Mrs. Brown."

  Penelope sent one last venomous look toward Hank and followed Matthias toward the stairs.

  Hank wanted to discuss his fears with Matthias. He maneuvered over to the sofa and sat so he could put his leg up. He'd been on his feet too long today and the leg throbbed.

  Matthias returned alone, went to the bar, and grabbed two more glasses of ale. "She's a might pretty one, don't you think, Hank?"

  "What are you thinking? All I see is revenue trouble. Stay away from Penelope, please."

  "What are you afraid of?"

  "Does she seem the type to put an application in as a mail order bride? Her showing up uninvited doesn't set right with me. Instinct tells me more is going on here than a heart-broken mail order bride."

  "You actually think she's a spy for Farthington?"

  Hank shrugged. "Hell if I know. Now that Josef and Luc are here, Farthington, or maybe even Gervais, won't quit searching for a way to close me down. Until we figure out what that woman is up to, I'd rather be careful than careless."

  "You may be right. I'll volunteer my services to keep close watch on the lady."

  "Be careful, Matthias. She was quite unpredictable all those years ago when she accompanied her father to trade furs. Just make sure everybody involved with the tunnels and smuggling is brought up to date on her arrival. Nobody is to expose a trapdo
or until they check with me first."

  "You're the boss. I'll do it right now."

  Having a possible spy in the house made him nervous as hell. Isabella would have known right away if he should trust Penelope or not. His father was quite involved with the smuggling at the time Penelope and her father brought in a stack of pelts. He and Penelope were kids at the time, but she may still remember at least one of the tunnels.

  WHEN THE HUGHES FAMILY had left for church, Tam headed to the woodwork shop. He found Big Dog already at work on the sleds. "Good morning."

  "Are you ready to get to work on the box for Miss Caroline?"

  "I am."

  "You'll find some oak boards ready for you. I laid them out on the worktable."

  "You have them cut already?"

  "I know you don't have a lot of time so I thought I'd help you out. Next time I'll show you how you can cut your own."

  "Thank you. Where should I start?"

  Big Dog put the sled he was working on to the side. He explained the proper way of joining the boards together with wood glue to make the sides sturdy.

  Since Tam remembered watching Braden assemble some of his projects, the directions made sense.

  They worked side by side for an hour or so. Tam had the first two sides together and asked Big Dog to check his work.

  "You've done well."

  "Thank you. I'm enjoying the challenge."

  "Miss Caroline should be impressed with her gift."

  Tam stared into the eyes of the man he'd grown to admire during the months they'd traveled here. "I hope you're right. There are only a few months for me to woo her."

  Big Dog frowned. "Love can't be rushed. If it's meant to be, it will happen in its own time."

  Tam shook his head. "I've never been known to be a patient man."

  "I understand you want your life settled. The lady is quite fetching."

  "Yes, the moment I saw her, she owned my heart."

  "I figured that's the way it was with you."

  "Any help or ideas are most welcome."

  "You're asking me? Maybe you've noticed I'm a single man with no prospects on finding me a woman."

  Tam stared at Big Dog. "I don't think you're being truthful with me."

  "You have something you want to share with me?"