Christmas Surprise Read online

  "She isn't and that's the problem. If she doesn't choose a husband by the holiday, I'll find one for her."

  "Hank!"

  He moved back at the man's outburst. Matthias was a large man who protected his loved ones with a passion that astounded Hank.

  "My dead sister will curse you for the rest of your life, man. What were you thinking?"

  "I want Caroline to have what Isabella and I had. I want it for all of our daughters."

  "How could you throw a challenge down to the girl? No wonder she defied you, and, I might add, I salute her spunk."

  "Yes, of course I knew she would be unhappy with me. I was hoping for the best."

  "When I moved down here to help you run the place, I promised Isabella that I'd keep watch over her children if something happened to you. You're a good man, Hank, but if necessary, that won't keep me from putting a stop to your ridiculous ultimatum."

  They both turned at the loud banging on the door.

  "Open up, Hughes. We know you're hiding the smuggler."

  "Dammit, how'd Farthington get here so quick?"

  Matthias frowned. "What's going on, Hank?"

  "Luc's in the third-floor bedroom. If they find him in the lodge, the boy's in a lot of trouble. He's hurt. Hide him."

  Matthias pulled a pistol from under the bar and handed it to Hank. "Stall them as long as you can." He hurried out of the bar and dashed for the stairs.

  Hank walked over to the door. "What do you want?"

  "Open the door, Hughes. We know you got a wounded smuggler inside and we want him now."

  How the hell did they find out?

  "Identify yourself."

  "You know who it is. Stop stalling and let us in."

  "You're not alone, Farthington. Who else is with you?"

  The captain pounded against the door again. Hank grinned as he held back from opening the door as long as he dared. He didn't want to have to replace another one. He shoved the pistol into his waistband and unbolted the door.

  Captain Farthington of the Canadian Tax Collector's Office and three of his underlings stomped into the room. "Where is he?"

  "Hold your voice down. I have sleeping children."

  Farthington dared brush against Hank's shoulder as he ordered his men to search the bottom section of the lodge. The captain himself checked around the main room and returned to Hank.

  "Where is he?"

  "Who is he and why do you think he is in my trading post?"

  "Daddy, I'm scared." Gabrielle stood at the hall entrance rubbing her eyes.

  Hank held out his arms and she ran into them. He picked her up and patted her on the back. "Shhh, it's all right, baby. These men are here to talk to daddy." He could feel her body tremble as she wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed.

  "You dare come into my home, scare my child, and can't even give me the name of a man you accuse me of hiding? I'm putting my daughter back in her bed. As you leave, don't slam the door on your way out."

  If Gabby wasn't scared enough already, he'd slam his fist against the wall. Maybe he should put his daughter to bed, come back down, and slam it against Farthington's jaw. The man had a lot of nerve to come into his establishment and push him around. They'd never dared enter the lodge before. He'd see to it that Farthington would never do it again.

  Matthias stood in the hall on the second floor. "Did you get rid of them?"

  "Yup, I heard the door slam as they left, the dirty bastards."

  Matthias held up a lantern by the little girls' bedroom door. Hank carried Gabby inside as Matthias walked in behind him and raised the light high enough Hank could see to get his little girl into her bed.

  Hank slid his daughter under the covers. He kissed her forehead and tucked her in. "You're safe, Gabby."

  "I want Uncle Matthias to kiss me, too."

  Matthias heard his niece. He handed Hank the lantern and gave her the requested kiss on her brow. "Sleep little one."

  She snuggled down into her coverings.

  The two men left the room and pulled the door partially closed. "I ordered them out, but don't trust that man. How did they find out we're hiding one of the smugglers? At least they don't know who he is."

  "You could have told me what happened to the boy sooner. He can hardly walk."

  "Where'd you put him, Matthias?"

  "It's best you trust that he's safe."

  "I would have told you before now, but you were behind the bar serving our guests. Michel signaled me to meet him at our rendezvous place across the lake. Luc got hurt in a log jam."

  "How serious is the injury?"

  "I spent a couple of hours digging slivers out of his thighs. He insists he can heal himself, but I'm not so sure. I suppose all we can do for him now is keep him fed and let the wounds heal. I hope his so-called healing powers work."

  "Michel should have taken him directly to the farm."

  "He couldn't. Gervais and his Mountie friends are visiting your parents' farm for a few days. We didn't want to test your brother's loyalties."

  "To say nothing about our mother's thrashing for taking the boy smuggling with him."

  "The captain's going to keep watch on us for a while. It's best we keep Luc out of sight until he can walk normally. I'm going to lock up and bank the fire. See ya in the morning, Matthias."

  Hank returned to the main room and made sure the intruders were no longer inside his home. He pulled a chair up in front of the fireplace and relaxed. He needed to settle a bit before he could sleep.

  DANIELLE GOT OUT OF bed and slid into bed with Caroline. "It's cold tonight." She snuggled in and pulled the covers up to her chin. "What are you going to do about Daddy? He was really mad at you."

  "I don't know, but if we don't change his attitude right now, he's going to do the same thing to the rest of you."

  Madeleine came into the room and crawled under the covers on the other side of Caroline. "Why don't we find him a wife so he'll be too busy to arrange our futures?"

  "You have an interesting idea, but where would we find a wife for Daddy?" Caroline said.

  "I'll be right back." Madeleine slid out from under the covers and hurried out of the room.

  She returned in a few moments and tossed a magazine to Caroline.

  "What's this for?"

  Madeleine smiled at her before lighting another lantern and pacing it on the bedside table. "Check out page seven."

  Caroline laughed at the title of the article. Mail Order Brides Ready and Willing to Travel

  "Let me see it." Danielle looked at the photos and read through the first page. "The want-to-be brides aren't too bad. Maybe we should send a letter to the address listed below the article and tell them how wonderful Daddy is."

  Jacqueline entered the room wrapped in one of her quilts with Luc following her. She sat on Danielle's bed. "Daddy will be mad at us for such a crazy idea," she said.

  Madeline gasped. "Luc, where'd you come from?"

  "I got hurt so Michel brought me here to heal." He managed to move on top of Danielle's bed and sat next to Jacqueline. "What are you getting into?"

  "We're finding a wife for Daddy," Danielle said. "He's forcing Caroline to marry, so we want to teach him a lesson. One that will change his mind about finding all of us husbands."

  Luc winked. "Isn't Gabby a bit young to need or want a husband?"

  The girls giggled.

  "Shush or he's going to come in here and discover our plan before we even send the letter."

  Jacqueline leaned closer. "How are you going to send it, Caroline?"

  "I don't know. We can't let him see it." She glanced at Luc. "How about you? When you leave here, can you mail it?"

  "Hmmm, I'm not sure I want to get involved in your scheme. Your father is going to blow his stack."

  "Maybe, unless we find someone Daddy falls in love with at first sight." Madeleine shrugged. "I've been reading books that say it happens all the time."

  Caroline rolled her eyes. "Plea
se, Maddie, you're such a romantic. Love at first sight only happens in those cheap books you read."

  "We all have to be in agreement before we pen a letter. Is there anyone who has an objection?" Caroline glanced around at her sisters. "No problem for any of you?"

  They all shook their head. She caught movement on Danielle's bed. Luc nodded.

  "Speak, Luc."

  "Do you have any idea on the amount of trouble you're going to stir up? What happens if more than one woman shows up? Or even worse, women start sending him letters. He's going to figure out very quickly who's responsible."

  "What's he going to do, Luc? Beat us?" Caroline shook her head. "He'll cool off after a while, but if he doesn't, we have Uncle Matthias to hide behind." She grinned at Luc with confidence she didn't really feel anymore. He did have a point, but she had to do something to get her father off his marriage notion. No man was going to rule over her. Not even her father.

  "I can take the letter with me, but I'm not sure you're doing the right thing. Matthias is not someone I'd tangle with either."

  "Do you think I like going behind my father's back, Luc?"

  "Why don't you invite some man he'd disapprove of to the dinner table some evening? If I was your father and you started bringing trappers, gamblers, and no-goods home for his approval for a son-in-law, it would scare the crap out of me."

  She saw him steal a glance at Maddie and when he realized she'd seen him, his cheeks turned red. So, that's the way of his heart. Daddy would never allow it, of course, but she figured Luc already understood the position he was in. It's too bad a Sioux couldn't marry a white woman. He and his brother, Josef, had been sent up north to Canada to live with her grandparents several years ago when their parents were forced into terrible living conditions. Most of the time she forgot Luc and Josef weren't Martels by birth.

  "What the hell is going on in here?"

  They all gasped at seeing Uncle Matthias standing inside the bedroom.

  "We were just talking," Caroline said as she slid the magazine under her covers.

  "By the guilt on all your faces, I'm not sure I should ask about what."

  He stared at Jacqueline and Madeleine. "Head for bed little ones." They hurried past him and were out of the room in a moment.

  He turned to Luc. "You can return upstairs now. Come, I'll help you." Luc stood and limped toward the door.

  Matthias looked over his shoulder at Caroline and Danielle. "Your father has had enough for one day. Turn the light out and go to sleep. Whatever you're planning can wait until tomorrow."

  "Good night, Uncle Matthias," they said in unison.

  As soon as he shut the door, Danielle turned the lantern down, but not off. "Do you think he heard what we were talking about?"

  "I don't know. Just in case he did, we'd better write the letter tonight and mail it before he can stop us."

  "Are you sure we should do this, Caroline?"

  "Do you want Daddy to pick out a husband for you? I sure don't."

  "No," Danielle slumped onto her bed, "I guess not."

  "If you don't want to be involved in this, then I'll do it for myself. There's no way our father is going to force me into a marriage. Not Christmas Eve or any other eve as far as that goes."

  Danielle slid under her covers and laid her head on her pillow.

  Caroline grabbed the lantern and walked barefoot over to the desk. She found some paper, but didn't have any envelopes. She'd worry about finding one tomorrow. She glanced at her bed. "Where'd we put the magazine?"

  "You put it under your blankets."

  Caroline returned to her bed and searched through the blankets until she finally found it between the sheets.

  She searched through the pages until she located the mail order bride information. She scribbled out details she figured her father might say and started composing the letter. After she finished, Caroline faced Danielle. "This is what I wrote."

  I am a middle-aged man searching for a wife. I have six well-behaved daughters who need a mother. I prefer someone who likes to cook and can help me run the lodge, which is the center of entertainment in the trading post I own. If you are looking for a nice home in a beautiful area in the Northwoods, contact me for more information.

  "What do you think? Is there too much describing the place up here? I don't want to scare anyone interested off if they are even slightly interested."

  "Daddy is a good man, Caroline, and should have someone to love him again. He's so lonely without Mama."

  "You're too kind-hearted, my sister."

  Danielle yawned and rubbed her eyes. "I'm going to sleep." She straightened her covers and fluffed up her goose-down pillow. "Good night."

  "Yeah, see you in the morning." Caroline read through the letter one more time and made a few additions. She decided against sending it off with Luc. He might be here a while until his wounds heal. She wanted this on its way tomorrow.

  As she put the top of the desk back to order, a new idea popped into her head. The preacher's wife was known for corresponding with friends around the country. She'd ask her to do it for them.

  She tucked the paper under a book and crawled back in bed. What a busy day she'd had. She closed her eyes, but couldn't sleep. An uneasy feeling filled her. She'd had these sensations before. A storm of some kind was approaching, and the thought of what it might be alarmed her.

  Chapter Three

  Hank rose at the crack of dawn and headed out the back door. Another cool day greeted him. He sat in one of the wooden chairs and watched the sun rise over Lake Nokomis. He loved the quiet of this time of the morning before the trading post came alive. The extra hour or so gave him a chance to form his plans for the day.

  Farthington's arrival last night puzzled him. He'd been very careful in bringing Luc through the back of the lodge. He could have sworn nobody followed the three of them on the trail along the lake's edge. If Michel had thought the boy wasn't safe at the trading post, he wouldn't have asked to bring him here to stay until his wounds healed. His brother-in-law never took chances, especially with family involved. Just having Luc here could put them all in legal jeopardy. Nothing would make the captain happier than to put the trading post out of business for harboring a smuggler.

  "Good morning." Matthias came out of the door and stepped onto the deck. He picked up a chair and set it next to Hank.

  "What are you doing out here so early. I can't remember the last time I saw you before eight. You have something on your mind?"

  "Maybe. I'm not sure what, but I think your daughters are up to something, possibly planning your imminent death."

  Hank shook his head and laughed. "What are you talking about? My daughters love me."

  "I found the four oldest along with Luc in conference in Caroline and Danielle's bedroom last night. When they saw me, they couldn't hide their guilt fast enough. If I were you, I'd watch my back for a while, brother."

  "Thanks for the warning." Hank frowned at Matthias. "Wait a minute. Did you say Luc was with the girls?"

  "Yes, I did. Do you remember when I wouldn't tell you where I hid the boy?"

  "Yes. You didn't hide Luc in Caroline and Danielle's room, did you?"

  "No, of course I didn't. I hid him under Madeleine's bed. I thought it would be safer if I put him with the younger girls."

  Hank stared dumbfounded at Matthias. "You damn fool. Haven't you ever noticed how the boy looks at Maddie?"

  Matthias eyes widened. "No, I guess I haven't paid attention. Maddie is a baby yet."

  "Yes, well babies have a way of growing up into beautiful and quite desirable young women."

  "Hell and damnation." Matthias slammed his hand against his thigh. "She's what thirteen years old?"

  Hank chuckled. "No, Uncle Matthias. Madeleine will be fifteen years old in a couple of months."

  "Believe you me I won't make that kind of mistake again."

  " Luc isn't suicidal. He knows if he fooled around with Madeleine, he'd have to deal with
me and then you. Everyone knows when it comes to the Hughes girls, you're more overprotective than I am."

  Matthias chuckled. "In case he hasn't heard the local gossip, I might remind him the next time I see him anyway."

  "Right now, it's better that we keep focused on the snitch."

  Matthias got up and leaned back against the railing. "I hate to think anyone we know would give information to the revenuers. Do you have any idea who it might be?"

  Hank shook his head. "Not one. It never occurred to me that we still needed to be on alert now that we only stash smuggled goods."

  "It doesn't look that way. Unless—"

  "What are you thinking, Matthias?"

  "Has Farthington named the person he wants you to turn over?"

  "No, and I've continually asked him to do so."

  "Maybe the captain is playing you for a fool. He might not have any information and is throwing out accusations in hopes you'll hand over someone."

  "I hope you're right, but until we find out for certain, let's keep close watch for anything suspicious." Hank stood. "Let's get out of here for a while. Are you in the mood to hunt?"

  Matthias' grin answered Hank's question. "If we leave now, we could be back before the noon meal."

  "I'm all for it. We need to stock up on venison before winter sets in. Let me grab my gear and I'll meet you in the barn."

  Hank went inside the lodge and proceeded to the kitchen. He left a note for Lottie and told her they'd be gone deer hunting and to expect them back for the midday meal. He grabbed a heavy coat, his pouch, and fur hat off the hooks by the front door. The woods always rejuvenated his soul, especially if his brother-in-law partnered with him. He left through the front door and locked it behind him.

  Matthias waited for him in the barn. Hank saddled Rebel and took his rifle and ammunition out of the cabinet. They led their horses out of the barn. By the time they mounted, snow flurries danced around them. They headed north toward Pelican Rapids, an area where they'd had good luck in the past.

  The hunt netted them two bucks. They headed back to the post by the time the flurries turned into a heavier snowfall. He and Matthias rode into the quadrant intent on getting the deer dressed down and into cold storage by evening. They glanced at each other as they passed the revenuers' horses tethered to the rail in front of the lodge.