Christmas Surprise Page 4

  "You handle Farthington and his crew, Hank, and I'll have someone help me dress down the deer."

  "Thanks. I can't believe they're back again so soon." The two dismounted and led their horses inside the barn. "Before you do anything, Matthias, you go through the back door and hide Luc under your bed this time."

  Matthias grinned. "Will do."

  Hank walked across the yard and entered the lodge's main room. The revenuers sat in front of the fire, drinking his coffee. He had to give credit to Lottie for taking care of business while he was away. "What brings you back so soon, Farthington?"

  "We demand you turn over the smuggler. We know he's hurt and hidden somewhere on your property."

  "I thought I'd made myself clear last night. I have no idea who you're talking about. If you have a positive identification, it would help me find the person you believe I have hidden on my property."

  A loud crash sounded from the kitchen, followed by loud cursing. "Excuse me a moment."

  Hank hurried toward the racket and found Lottie standing in the middle of the room waiting for him. "Those stupid men think I'm deef. I could hear their conversation clear as can be."

  Hank grinned at her. "What do you know?"

  Lottie lowered her voice. "They have no proof Luc is here and are trying to rattle your nerves. Poor dumb fools don't know how shrewd you are."

  He let out a deep sigh. "Matthias was right in his assumption they were playing me."

  "Damn right. Matthias is no fool either."

  Rage filled his gut. Something needed to be done about this constant harassment.

  "I heard that jackass Farthington say they won't be back after this visit so keep Luc hidden."

  He kissed her on the cheek. "I don't pay you enough, Lottie. Thank you."

  "Your lips are cold. Sit and let me fix you something to eat. Let those no-good scoundrels wait. They got nothing else to do but push people around." She took a cup from one of the cabinets and poured him some coffee. "Start with this."

  He sat on one of the chairs at the preparation table and accepted the drink. "I can handle another one of your great breakfasts, Lottie."

  She nodded. "Good, that makes it a lot easier on me."

  "Matthias and I both bagged a deer today. If we can go hunting one more time in the next week or so, we should have enough venison to eat through winter."

  "A full cellar always makes me feel better at this time of the year." She set a cast iron frying pan on the hot stove, and as soon as it heated, she dropped a slice of ham into the pan and cracked a couple of eggs next to the meat.

  "Caroline took Maddie and Jacqueline with her to fish. They headed down toward the pastor's house. I don't know why, but if she thinks there are more fish in that part of the lake, and comes home with a big enough catch for supper, I don't care where she drops her line."

  Lottie's comment reminded him about the conversation he'd had with Matthias earlier about his daughters plotting against him. He wasn't sure how far they'd go to prove they don't want a governess or approve of his demands on Caroline to find a husband.

  "Did you notice any odd behavior before my children left the lodge this morning?"

  Lottie frowned. "Are you talking about your daughters?"

  "Yes, I am. The four oldest might have hatched a plan to put an end to the governess' stay."

  The housekeeper slapped her knee and chuckled. "You won't ever learn, will you?"

  "Apparently not."

  Lottie filled his plate and set it on the table in front of him. "Didn't we have a similar conversation before you sent the letter and offered the woman the job?"

  He took the fork from her and started eating. "I do believe you might have mentioned your concerns."

  Lottie set her hand on his shoulder. "Hank, I've been taking care of you since you were a young'un. You're a wonderful father to those girls, but sometimes you do dumb things. I thought I helped your father raise you with good-old-fashioned common sense than what I've seen lately."

  He looked up at her comment and saw her lips twitch. He thought she might be teasing him. When she chuckled, he grinned back. "You're right. I have no idea what I'm doing with my children. Isabella took care of them with so little effort."

  "Just love them, my boy. Children are resilient and will mature, no matter how many times you mess up. You're worrying too much. Let the governess' arrival play out and see what happens. You might be pleasantly surprised. If it was meant to be, it will happen."

  He set his fork down and pushed away from the table. "Thank you for the food to eat and the food for thought. It's about time I face my guests."

  He returned to the main room. "Sorry gentlemen. My housekeeper had a minor problem for me to take care of in the kitchen. Now, what were you saying about me smuggling?"

  Farthington jumped to his feet. "I did not accuse you of anything of the sort, Hughes. I alleged that you're hiding a smuggler."

  "Hmmm that might make for good lyrics for my music. 'Accused of smuggling a smuggler who smuggled goods.' The music would have to have a quick beat to it, don't you think?" He smirked at Farthington. "At least my guests wouldn't get lost in the words."

  Farthington's face turned deep red. "You'll regret this, Hughes. I know you're doing something illegal and I will figure out what it is. I'll see you jailed."

  He and his men stood and marched out of the lodge. Hank closed the door behind them and leaned against it. Phew what a menace that man was.

  CAROLINE STUFFED THE letter inside her coat pocket. She'd taken an envelope from her father's desk first thing this morning and addressed it directly to the magazine. Madeleine and Jacqueline decided they'd go visit Mrs. Timmons with her and fish while they had the chance.

  They let Lottie know where they'd be, grabbed their poles, and tackle. Caroline led them along the well-worn trail around the lake's edge and directly to the preacher's property. She left her sisters to get their poles ready while she went up to the house and knocked on the preacher's back door.

  Mrs. Timmons opened the door. "Well, hello there, Caroline. It's good to see you."

  "May we have permission to fish for a little while?"

  Mrs. Timmons glanced out the door and waved at Maddie and Jacqueline. "Be careful."

  "We will."

  Caroline pulled the envelope from her coat pocket and held it toward Mrs. Timmons. "Will you mail this for me the next time you send out your letters? I have some coins but don't know how much to give you for postage."

  "Don't worry about the money. I have plenty of stamps here and will send it off with my letters tomorrow." She dropped it into a box on the counter.

  "Thank you, ma'am. I guess I'd better get back to my sisters."

  "Good luck with the fishing, dear."

  Caroline hummed as she walked down to the dock. She sat next to her sisters and smiled at them. "I gave Mrs. Timmons the envelope so now we wait."

  The two younger girls looked at each other. "Aren't you afraid she might tell Daddy?" Maddie said.

  "She won't know what it is. The address is to the magazine, not the article."

  "You're sure you're doing the right thing?"

  "Yes, Jacqueline, I am sure. Daddy must realize he can't rule our personal lives. He's a good father most of the time, but he's focused on me not being married and he won't listen to my pleas. I'm tired of begging him to stop pushing me toward a man."

  Jacqueline jumped up. "I have a fish." She swung it onto the dock and Caroline grabbed the line. Jacqueline had a nice-sized walleye. She took it off the hook and put it inside the wicker basket.

  The next hour or so they pulled in several more fish. When they had enough for that night's supper, the girls packed up their gear. They walked up to the house and knocked.

  Mrs. Timmons opened the door and greeted them with a friendly smile.

  "We're leaving now. Thank you for letting us stand on your dock," Caroline said.

  "Did you have good luck?"

  Maddie nodd
ed. "Lottie's going to be happy with what we bring her."

  "That's nice to hear, dear. Won't you all come in and warm by the fire before you leave? I've been baking molasses cookies and you can have some of the treats with a cup of warm apple cider."

  Caroline gazed at her sisters. "What do you think?"

  They both nodded.

  "Thank you, but we need to wash the fish smell off our hands first, ma'am."

  Mrs. Timmons led them to the soap and then poured warm water into the bowl. She pointed toward the towel. "Come into the kitchen once you're ready."

  Jacqueline's smile brightened her face. "It smells good in her house, Caroline. I'm so glad we can stay."

  After they were done washing, they walked into the dining room and found a large plate of cookies waiting for them on the table. The girls pulled out chairs and took a seat. They waited for Mrs. Timmons to bring them their warm drink.

  Mrs. Timmons carried a tray of cups and set them on the table. She handed one to each of the sisters and grabbed one for herself before she took a seat across from Caroline.

  "Are you happy about the governess arriving?"

  The two younger ones nodded. Caroline frowned back at them. "I guess I'm the only one who isn't happy. Daddy says we all need her, but I don't think I should have to be ordered around by some old bitty."

  "Caroline, I'm surprised by your outburst," Mrs. Timmons said. "I don't mean to pry, but does your unhappiness have anything to do with your letter to the magazine?"

  "You know?"

  "I didn't mean to pry, but to put the correct postage on the envelope, I needed to know where you were sending it."

  "Oh, I was afraid of that. Please don't tell my father. We want to surprise him."

  "I hope you've given careful thought before sending the letter to a publication. If it isn't the proper thing to do, I really don't want to post it."

  "I understand your hesitation, ma'am. I have and still would appreciate you mailing it for me." Caroline could feel her cheeks turning warm. She always flushed when she got caught doing something mischievous.

  "All right, as long as it isn't something that will anger your father, I'll send it along with mine in the next day or so."

  "May I have more cider, ma'am?"

  "Of course, you can, Maddie." Mrs. Timmons took her cup and returned to the stove to fill it.

  Caroline mouthed thank you to her sister for changing the subject.

  "Here you go, honey." Mrs. Timmons set the cup on the table in front of Maddie. "Anyone else?"

  The other two shook their heads. Jacqueline took another cookie and finished her drink.

  "We'd best head home so Lottie can have the fish ready for tonight's supper." Caroline got up. "Are you both ready to go?"

  They nodded and got up from the table.

  "Thank you so much, Mrs. Timmons. Your cookies were a very nice treat."

  "I'm glad you could spend some time with me, Jacqueline. It appears the snow is coming down heavier now than when you arrived. Hurry straight home."

  "We will." Caroline led them out to the deck. Madeleine picked up the basket, and they headed home along the path to the rear entrance of the trading post.

  They reached the lodge, and entered through the back door. Maddie set the creel on the floor. Caroline helped her sisters out of their warm coats. She hung the damp outerwear on the high hooks before she slipped out of her own coat and boots. Jacqueline grabbed the day's catch, they all walked into the kitchen, and she handed the basket to Lottie.

  The cook peeked inside and smiled when she saw how many fish they'd brought home. She set it in the sink. "When are you girls going to learn how to clean your own fish? Hmmm?"

  "Never," they quipped and hurried out of her sight.

  Caroline bumped into her father carrying a handful of firewood. The logs crashed to the floor as he grabbed her to keep her from losing her balance. "Whoa, slow down."

  "Hello, Daddy."

  "Where were you running off to in such a hurry?"

  "We caught fish today and were afraid Lottie wanted us to help her clean them."

  He frowned at them. "It's a well-known rule that those who catch the fish clean them."

  "We don't know how," Jacqueline said. "Besides, you said I was never to pick up a sharp knife."

  He brushed the top of her head. "Indeed, I did, but that was when you were eight. Hmmm, I believe you are almost twelve?"

  She nodded. "The dead fish are so icky. Do we really have to clean them?"

  "I'll give you until next summer and then we'll have fish cleaning lessons."

  Jacqueline frowned. "If you must."

  The girls helped him pick up the wood in the lean-to and carry it to the bin on the hearth.

  "Where'd you catch them today?"

  Maddie and Jacqueline stared at their feet, but didn't answer.

  "Caroline, is there some reason why you don't want me to know where you took your sisters today?"

  "No, Daddy. Mrs. Timmons let us use their dock. She invited us in for cookies and apple cider before we came home."

  "You're sure you have nothing else to say to me?"

  His gaze locked with hers. Somehow, he always knew when she'd been up to no good, but this time she wouldn't confess under his piercing stare. She raised her shoulders. "No, everything was uneventful."

  "Off with you then while I get the fire started."

  Chapter Four

  Hank enjoyed the enthusiasm of the crowd tonight. He'd started a second round of ballads when the front door swung open. A young man he didn't recognize burst into the room.

  "Is Hank Hughes here?"

  "I'm Hank." He handed his guitar to Matthias and approached the stranger. "Is there trouble?"

  "Yes. My name is Tam MacGregor and my brother and I are with the Vellechamp ladies."

  "Matthias, bring this man something to warm his bones." Hank escorted him over to the front of the fireplace.

  "What's happened?"

  Tam pulled off his gloves and laid them on the hearth. He rubbed his hands together in front of the heat. "The coach has a broken wheel and can't travel. The driver sent me to find you and ask for help. Maybe you have a wheel we can use to get the ladies here tonight?"

  Matthias handed Tam a glass of ale. "We can load up some equipment and I'll pull the wagon around front."

  "Thank you, sir." He gulped the drink and handed the empty glass back.

  "Tam, this is my brother-in-law, Matthias Martel. Go with him and see if we have a size that will work temporarily. If so, we can exchange it for the broken one. If not, we'll bring the ladies back here in our wagons and you can fix the wheel tomorrow in daylight."

  Hank turned to Caroline. "Honey, will you please gather up a few blankets."

  "I thought there was only one governess coming, Daddy."

  Hank raised his shoulders. "I was told we were to expect only one, so don't know what to tell you. We'll find out soon enough. Now go."

  He turned to their guests. "Sorry to say good night, but I need to round up some men."

  James Ackerman stood. "There's no need to go anywhere, Hank. Some of us can help."

  Hank grabbed James' hand and shook it. "Great. I appreciate any of you who can give us a hand."

  Two other men stood. "We'll go, too, Hank."

  "Don't you worry none, Hank," Mary Wilson said. "Our young'uns can curl up in blankets on the floor. They'll be plenty warm in front of the fire until you return."

  "Thank you." Hank gathered his children. "I don't know when we'll return. You know when your bedtime is. If we're late in coming back, tomorrow morning will be soon enough for you to meet Miss Vellechamp. Understand?"

  "Yes, Daddy." Danielle pulled her sisters around her. "We'll be fine. You stay safe."

  The men pulled on their warm clothing and headed out to the quadrant.

  Hank tossed a few logs onto the fire and took the blankets Caroline brought him. He slipped on his warm outerwear and left the lodge. />
  Matthias pulled the wagon around to the front of the lodge. Hank tossed the blankets on top of the spare wheels and climbed up onto the seat next to him. Stable hands saddled horses and brought them for the volunteers who'd arrived tonight in their family's wagons.

  They pulled out of the trading post and turned south onto the dirt road. A couple of miles toward Jenny Bull Falls, Tam stopped and pointed ahead at the broken-down vehicle. "There they are."

  Matthias pulled the wagon to a stop and Hank jumped off. He met Tam at the door of the listing coach. "Where is everyone?"

  "I don't know."

  "Is that you, Tam?"

  "Yo!"

  Another MacGregor, identical to Tam, walked out of the darkness with a torch in his hand. "The ladies got cold so I built a fire over the rise out of the wind. Did you get a wheel?"

  "Jory, meet Hank Hughes."

  "Pleased to meet ya. I'm Tam's younger brother." He stuck his hand out and shook Hank's.

  Tam pointed to the back of the wagon. "We brought a couple of different sized wheels from the trading post."

  A giant of a man stepped into the light. "I sure am glad ta see y'all."

  "You must be the Big Dog I read about." Hank stuck out his hand and found it enveloped in a large calloused palm.

  "Yes, sir, it's a name I take pride in. You bring a wheel for my coach?"

  "This is my brother-in-law, Matthias. He brought a couple of replacements we had on hand. Tam thought one of them might work well enough to get you to the trading post."

  "Thank you, sir. I appreciate your help."

  Big Dog took the lantern and held it over the back of the wagon. "Yup, this one will do for tonight." He smiled at Matthias. "I see you thought to bring the right tools as well."

  Matthias nodded at the compliment. "I did."

  Big Dog lifted the spare from the bed and carried it to the coach. Matthias grabbed the tools and followed him.