Christmas Surprise Read online

  Hank tossed the quilt over the sofa's back and grabbed for his crutches. He pulled himself up and balanced himself on his good leg. Dammit, she couldn't have waited to come for her so-called mail order bride visit until I got back on both feet?

  He moved toward the store entrance, but when he saw her walking around the room pushing on walls and pulling up the small rugs, he stopped and watched her in silence. She would find nothing in this part of the lodge. Nonetheless, he needed an excuse to end the woman's curiosity.

  He made his way into the kitchen. "Lottie, I need your help."

  "You don't look well. Too much work plucking those turkeys?" The housekeeper pulled a chair from the table. "Sit and let me get you a drink of water." She pulled a glass from a cupboard, filled it from the pitcher on the counter, and handed it to him.

  "I've got a pain in my head from that fancy-smelling stuff Penelope wears. I opened the windows." He grinned up at her. "Hopefully she'll take the hint and leave."

  "Don't count on it. In the first place, you should have told the hussy she needs a bath instead of more cologne water."

  "Is there a second place?" Hank asked Lottie.

  "Yes, you betcha there is. I'll go pack her bags and set them out on the porch. If that doesn't work, I'll kick her ass all the way to Jenny Bull Falls."

  "Lottie, I do believe you remember her from when she came here with her father."

  "Hump, won't ever forget that one. I found her going through your father's desk one time. I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't her stinkin' father who put her up to it back then. Wondering who put her up to doing it now."

  "I had no idea she's a habitual snoop."

  "She's trash, I tell you."

  "We have a bigger problem than her stink and going through the desk all those years ago. She's searching the lodge and for what, I don't know."

  Lottie grabbed a cup of coffee and sat in a chair next to him. "I've been taking care of you since you were a boy. I'm telling you this for your own good. Find a way to get her out of here and away from your daughters. If she gets desperate, she knows how to hurt you."

  "My children?"

  "Yes."

  He'd never given their safety a thought in regards to Penelope. "You're right. I should have thought about the girls first." He got up from the table. "I'll make sure Matthias, Luc, and Tam know what you just said about my daughters needing protection. Thank you, Lottie."

  "You're welcome. I love the girls, too."

  "I know and I'm thankful that you're as protective of them as you are of me." Hank returned to the main room. He found Matthias and Penelope drinking ale at the bar. "Are you taking the day off, Matthias?"

  "No, just giving the lady a taste of our goods."

  "I need your help this afternoon. Please heat enough hot water for Penelope to have a bath before supper."

  She sputtered for a moment. "Are you once again implying I smell?"

  "No implication at all. I'm telling you outright that you will bathe before you sit at Lottie's table. Your cologne water hurts my head, so if you'd not wear it while you're here, I'd appreciate your kindness."

  She slammed her glass on the bar. "How dare you."

  "I dare as I please in my own home. If I hurt your feelings, I apologize, but a couple of my daughters pointed out last night you'd probably enjoy a nice bath after traveling the long distance to get here."

  "Well, a bath does sound pleasant. Thank you. I have some clothes that need washing. Who does the laundry here?"

  "I believe you will."

  "What?"

  "We have a saying here at the lodge. Those who don't work don't eat."

  "If you'll excuse us, Penelope, I'll have that bath ready for you in a couple of hours." Matthias headed toward the door. "Are you coming with me or not, Hank?" He opened the door and waited for Hank to move across the floor toward him.

  They stepped outside. Matthias closed the door and helped Hank down the porch steps. They walked side by side in silence until they reached the barn.

  "What's the matter with you, Hank? You've not been yourself all afternoon."

  "Penelope is a spy."

  "What?" He stopped walking "Are you sure?"

  "Yes, I watched her go through your two supply closets, the store, lift up carpets, and push her hands against walls. She's searching for something and we both know what it is."

  "Good God! Do you think Gervais is behind this?"

  "Gervais or Farthington. Make you choice. Maybe it's both of them working together. We've got to get her out of the trading post as soon as possible."

  "Agreed, but do you think being nasty will rush her along?"

  "I admit I was rude, but I want her to feel uncomfortable enough to leave. That smell she wears is unbearable."

  Matthias snickered. "I was wondering why the windows were open."

  "Fresh air helped a little bit."

  "It's just like my brother to do something like sending a woman to find proof against you. Over the years he's tried just about everything else."

  "How would he have known about the mail order bride angle? Not very many know about it."

  "It's common gossip around the post, Hank. Someone who was in church the morning you confronted Caroline told someone and it has spread."

  Hank let out a deep sigh. "What worries me is Gervais' animosity toward Luc. We both know Luc's temper and if he gets provoked too far—"

  "I would guess that's why Gervais is pushing as hard as he is. He wants Luc to lose control and do something violent so he can arrest the boy," Matthias said.

  "If Penelope doesn't leave on her own in a few days, I'll simply ask her for the real reason she's come to the post. If I confront her about being a spy and not a potential mail order bride, what's she going to do?"

  Chapter Seventeen

  Hank sat on his tall stool that evening and tuned his guitar. He glanced around at his audience consisting of friends and neighbors. Tam and Caroline were missing. Tam had promised him they'd be back by dark. He'd give them a short while longer before he put together a search party. Tam hadn't kept his word. When they returned, Hank planned to tan the boy's hide.

  He pushed away his concerns for a while and started the evening's entertainment.

  "Good evening friends. It's time to celebrate. I'd like you to welcome Penelope Brown. This is her first time to enjoy the festivities."

  He started the night with a few ballads and ended the first half of his performance with a knee-slapping tune.

  Danielle handed the popcorn pans to her sisters and saw that they didn't get burned while they shook them over the hot coals. They filled individual bowls with the treat and handed them around to the guests.

  Matthias brought him a glass of ale. "I'm getting worried about the two missing kids. You think something could have happened? As well as Caroline knows her way around the woods, I doubt she'd get lost."

  Hank sighed. "Go find Luc. I'd feel better if he went out to find them. Suggest he take Josef or Jory with him."

  "Right. I'd feel better with all three of them out there searching."

  Hank watched Matthias leave. Fear squeezed tighter around his gut. Something was wrong and he was stuck on this stool because of the damnable broken bone. If anyone could find them, it would be Luc.

  Matthias returned halfway through his second song. He nodded and mouthed on their way.

  Hank put more effort into his songs and made it through the second hour. He'd kept his gaze on Penelope for most of the evening. Her expressions gave him no clue as to her thoughts. She was either a good actress or probably not involved with the reason the kids weren't home yet. He finally finished the last ballad and said good night. The guests slipped into their coats and pulled on hats. They all said their thanks and walked out the door.

  Danielle gathered up her sisters and took them upstairs. Penelope followed them.

  Hank slumped. He glanced at Matthias and held up the guitar. Matthias walked over to him and took the inst
rument.

  "You don't look so good, Hank."

  "I'm worried sick. I can't understand why we haven't heard from Luc or at least somebody with an update. My daughter's not here. She's out in the woods some place. I want her home now."

  "Sit still. I'll be right back to help you to the sofa."

  Matthias returned to the bar and set the guitar on its hooks. "You want me to bring you something to drink?"

  Hank shook his head and slid off the stool. Matthias came back and helped him to his comfortable place to rest his throbbing leg. "It could be a long night. Luc had no particular direction in which to follow them. Even with his tracking skills, he needs time."

  "My mind understands what you're saying, Matthias. My heart doesn't."

  Danielle returned and sat on a chair near him. "Daddy, where's Caroline?"

  He grasped her hand and squeezed. "We don't know, honey."

  Tears filled her eyes.

  He patted the cushion next to him. "Come here and sit with me. I can use the company right now."

  Danielle sat next to him. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her head against his shoulder. "You can wait here with me as long as you want, sweetheart."

  "I don't want her to die like, Mama."

  He squeezed tighter. "Me neither. Luc is searching for her with Jory and Josef. It's going to take time in the dark. You know Luc is the best tracker anywhere around."

  He glanced over her head at Matthias. "Will you please go check and see if anyone in the stables knows anything yet?"

  Matthias nodded. He set his cup on the hearth, grabbed his coat and hat, and left through the front door.

  He returned several minutes later. "I'm sorry, Hank, but I don't have good news. We are fortunate that Big Dog decided he should go with them. Jimmy said they haven't heard anything yet, but if someone comes in with any kind of information, you'll hear about it immediately."

  Hank noted the time. As far as he could judge, Caroline and Tam had been gone for around eight hours. He knew his daughter would never worry him intentionally, so whatever happened, it wouldn't be good news. He prayed to God and Isabella, promising everything he had to get them home alive. It wasn't only the revenuers that worried him. The woods held predatory animals.

  Lottie carried a tray with coffee and cups to the main room. Matthias took it and set it on the table. He poured a drink for Hank and Danielle.

  "Lottie, please join us." Matthias picked up a chair and set it in front of the fire. He waited for her to sit, then poured another cup of coffee and handed it to her before he poured himself one. They waited. Still no word came.

  SHE KNELT AND CRAWLED into the dark earth. Tam followed right behind her. She squeezed as close to the wall as she could until he got his long legs inside. Much to her relief, the space was large enough for both of them with a small amount of wiggle room left. They waited for the Mounties to water their horses and leave.

  She peeked through the lace-like roots and pulled back. "It's Uncle Gervais and three men."

  "What are they doing?"

  The nerves in her stomach clenched. "Oh, no."

  "What's the matter?"

  "They've all dismounted and one of them is gathering wood. Gervais took the other two men down to the water."

  "Let me see."

  She pulled back and let him slide forward. She couldn't see Tam in the dark, but could certainly feel his back rub against her bosom as he moved. A strange, but pleasant feeling titillated her.

  "Dammit, this isn't good. Those same men were with Gervais at your grandparents' house," Tam whispered in her ear. "All of them hate Luc."

  "They can't find us, Tam. Gervais could use me in exchange for Luc."

  "I'm afraid you're right."

  The fire caught on and the Mounties gathered around the pit. One of the men left for a few moments and returned with some booze. Caroline recognized the moonshine bottle the men drank from and passed around.

  "Oh no, they must have found the Mulberry brothers' still. When Gervais gets drunk, he's even meaner."

  "That settles it, then. We either have to wait until they pass out or leave in the morning."

  Caroline leaned back against the dirt wall and moaned. "My father must be out of his mind with worry."

  "I can imagine how he's feeling right now. If I didn't know you were safe, I'd be insane."

  She kissed the back of his neck. "Thank you, Tam. You are my hero today and always."

  "I hate to find out what he's going to do to me for not getting you home on time. He probably has everyone in the post out searching for us."

  "No, he's probably sent Luc and your brother."

  "Oh, God." Tam rested his head against her shoulder. "I forgot about Luc looking for us. Does he know about this place?"

  "Will you stop it? Nobody's going to hurt you."

  "Caroline, it's not me I'm worried about. It's Luc. If he shows up here, how do you think he's going to react to us hiding in this root hole?"

  She hadn't thought about Luc encountering the Mounties. This situation was even worse than she'd thought. "Not well."

  "Not well? Caroline, he'll kill Gervais."

  "Do you think Luc will be that angry?"

  "Honey, I saw the hatred between the two and it's highly volatile."

  "You're scaring me, Tam."

  Tam twisted his body around. "Ow, ow, ow."

  "Are you hurt?"

  "I have a cramp in my leg. Lay still. I have to straighten it or I'm going to die."

  He slid the leg over hers. "Oh, that hurt." He rubbed his calf.

  "We've got to get out of here before you're crippled."

  "No, it'll be all right in a moment." He started to move off her.

  She laid her hand on his hip. "You're not hurting me. Leave it where it is for the time being."

  "I wish we had a blanket. The ground's damp and I'm getting cold." Tam adjusted his position again. He pulled her backside against his chest. "We can share our warmth for a while."

  Caroline peeked through the roots every now and then. She thought the moonshine would have knocked them out a while ago.

  "Try to sleep. I'll stay awake and shake you if something happens."

  She didn't think she could, but closed her eyes and tried. When she felt Tam flinch, she opened her eyes. "Is something wrong?"

  "No, something's finally right. When Jory and I are out on the range, we communicate by giving different whistles. I just heard the 'are you there' code. Somehow we need to let him know we're underground."

  "Like what?"

  "If you're up to taking a chance, I'll answer him the same way. The problem is those drunken Mounties are going to know we're hiding in this hole."

  She thought about their options for about a half second. "Whistle."

  "Cover your ears."

  Tam put his fingers between his lips and sent the shrill answer.

  Caroline waited to see what would happen next. She didn't wait long. A man's hand reached into their hiding space, grasped her arm, and pulled her outside.

  "Well, look what I have here. It's my sweet little niece."

  While Gervais gloated to his friends, she looked toward the root hole and motioned for Tam to wait before he came out.

  "What are you doing here, Caroline?"

  She tried to break out of his grip, but he squeezed tighter.

  "I asked you a question."

  She stared at him, but said nothing.

  With the back of his free hand, Gervais slapped her cheek.

  She screamed.

  Tam rushed forward from the hole, jerked Caroline away from Gervais, and shoved her behind him. "Don't you ever touch my woman again, you bastard."

  A whistle came out of the woods again. Tam turned and grabbed Caroline as he dropped to the ground.

  An arrow shot through the air and clipped Gervais's cheek as it passed his head and slammed into a tree behind him. Gervais grabbed his cheek and stared dumbstruck into the dark.

 
His three friends struggled to get to their guns. Their drunken state slowed their reflexes.

  "You sonuvabitch, Luc. Show your ugly face."

  It wasn't Luc that Caroline saw first. It was Big Dog. He walked into the light of the fire directly toward her. One of the Mounties tried to block him. Big Dog picked the man up and tossed him out of his way. The other two friends of Gervais backed away and left Big Dog's path to her unhindered. He never stopped or hesitated in his stride toward her.

  Big Dog grabbed Gervais by his collar and shook him. "Nobody touches one of my girls." He shoved Gervais to the ground and lifted Caroline up into his embrace.

  "Are you hurt, Miss Caroline?"

  She shook her head. "No."

  He turned to Tam. "How about you, buddy?"

  "I'm fine. Thank you for coming for us."

  Jory, Luc, and Josef circled around them. Everyone spoke at once. Jory hugged Tam. Luc, then Josef, hugged Caroline. Tam explained exactly how they happened to end up under a dead tree, and then turned to Jory. "I've never been so happy to hear your whistle as I was tonight, brother."

  Jory snickered. "Not as happy as we were to hear your answer."

  "How long have you been searching for us?"

  "Since Matthias came out to the barn and told us not to come back without you." He grinned. "It seemed like forever."

  "Daddy must be frantic."

  "Yes, but he's more scared than unhappy. We need to get you home. Can you walk?" Luc asked.

  "We were cramped inside that place for quite a while, but if I have to crawl, I'll make it," Caroline said.

  "Not necessary." Luc untethered two of the Mounties' horses and led them to Caroline and Tam.

  "You can't take our horses." Gervais got up and staggered as he tried to grab the lead lines away from Luc.

  Luc pulled his knife from his thigh sheath and held it in front of his foster brother's face. "One more word and you won't need a horse."

  Gervais stopped and glared at Luc. "You'll pay for this."