Christmas Surprise Read online

  "Want to go hunting with the MacGregors?"

  Matthias grinned. "You bet. Afraid it'll be on snowshoes today."

  "We promised Luc he could pick his horse first thing," Jory said. "As soon as he's made his choice, we can leave."

  "That'll work. Let me go roust him."

  Hank returned after a few moments, but without Luc.

  Matthias frowned. "Is the boy worse this morning?"

  Hank shook his head. "No, on the contrary. He says he feels well enough to come down on his own. He'll be here as soon as he's dressed."

  "I don't understand the quick recovery from last night. Luc was obviously in a lot of pain," Tam said.

  "Well, if you want to know, I'll repeat what he told me when I asked the same question. He's the son, grandson, and further on back of shamans and quite capable of healing himself."

  "I am, Hank." Luc joined the group. "I'd ask to go on the hunt, too, but know Lottie would box my ears if she knew I left the lodge yet."

  "If you don't mind me asking, what's a shaman?" Tam said.

  "He's a Sioux medicine man—a healer who possesses spiritual healing powers and the ability to treat sickness caused by evil spirits."

  Luc's statement surprised Hank, and by the look on Jory's face, it surprised him, too.

  "That's quite a belief system you have, Luc. Where we come from in the Highlands of Scotland, we believe in mist walkers and spirits as well. Maybe we're more alike than different. I'd like to hear more about your beliefs before we leave for home."

  Luc nodded. "As well as I would like to hear more of yours."

  "Let's make a point to sit down and discuss our thoughts after we get back from the hunt."

  Luc had become so ingrained in the Martel family's customs the past five years that Hank had forgotten the deep-seated beliefs of the boy's ancestry. He wouldn't mind an invite to that conversation himself.

  The front door opened and Big Dog arrived covered with snowflakes. "Whoa, it's cold out there. Glad we're not traveling today." He looked at Hank. "I'm sorry I can't get the older Vellechamp out of your way for a while. She is definitely a sorry soul."

  "Pull up a chair by the fire and warm up. What were you doing outside already?"

  "Wanted to check on my team and discussed making a new wheel with your smithy. That's quite a blacksmithing setup you have."

  "While you're here, you're certainly welcome to use it for whatever you need."

  "Thank you, I may take you up on your offer. Your man looks mighty busy. Do ya mind if I give him a hand? I hate to stand around and watch."

  "I'm sure Spike would appreciate the help."

  Big Dog's smile spread across his face. "Thank you."

  "Let me check on our meal." Hank got up and headed into Lottie's realm.

  He returned a few moments later. "Breakfast is ready."

  They gathered around the dining room table, and while they ate pancakes and fried eggs, they discussed a plan for the day's hunt. Hank figured they had enough pairs of snowshoes in the stable for their guests. They'd head north this morning to the wooded area on the other side of Lake Nokomis.

  Once everyone finished their breakfast, they all headed to the front door. They pulled on their warm coats and hats. The wind chill hit them head-on as they stepped outside the lodge. Hank led the twins to his storage room in the barn and found warmer outerwear than they'd brought with them. "If you end up staying longer than a couple of weeks, we can find better clothes for you in the store."

  "You have a nice setup here," Tam said.

  Hank nodded. "Thank you. We work as a team to give the people in the Northwoods a place to come to when they need help or something fixed. I grew up working alongside my father and have tried to continue with his high set of ethics."

  "Here comes Luc." They joined him at the corral fence.

  "These are beauties." Luc walked through the horses. He ran his hands over their legs, along their necks, checked teeth, and continued looking at every asset of the remaining couple that appealed to him.

  He stood back and did a last once over by sight, and then led a sorrel toward the MacGregors. "I'll take this one. Chase knows his horseflesh. Save yourself some trouble. I know my brother and he'll take one of those three standing right over there."

  "I appreciate your pick for Josef, but Chase was adamant the boy had to pick his own," Tam said.

  Luc threw up his hands. "Whatever you say. I'm sure Josef would enjoy coming for a visit." Luc slapped the gift horse on his hindquarters and sent him back into the center of the corral.

  He left for the barn and returned a few minutes later leading his regular mount with a pair of snowshoes tied to the saddle.

  "What do you think you're doing?"

  "I've changed my mind. I'm going with you."

  Hank shook his head. "You're not invited to go on the hunt. Your body isn't healed enough yet."

  "I'm your best hunter. You want more venison this winter? You let me do the tracking. Everyone will return with a buck on the back of their horse."

  "Your arrogance never ceases to amaze me, Luc."

  "You trained me, Hank," Luc said, and grinned. "And I passed your capabilities quite a while ago."

  "You don't have to gloat, young man." Hank leaned against the corral fence and watched Luc adjust the snowshoes on the back of his saddle. There was no use arguing with him. "At least go into the store and grab a decent pair of breeches."

  Luc just stared at him.

  "You'll infect the open wounds wearing those torn buckskins, to say nothing of freezing to death."

  Luc started to leave.

  "Wait. Grab a hat with a wide brim so you can keep your face covered. You need to change your appearance in case Farthington is hiding in the woods watching for us to make a mistake."

  Luc continued walking across the quadrant and went in the door to the lodge's main room.

  Matthias joined Hank. "You didn't give the boy permission to go with us, did you?"

  "Have you ever won an argument with Luc?"

  Matthias snickered. "Believe me, I've tried."

  "He assured me we'd all come back with a buck. I said yes."

  "He would probably have followed us anyway so you did the right thing."

  Luc hurried toward Hank in a new pair of buckskins. "Fit great. Thank you."

  "Tuck that long hair of yours inside the hat. Farthington would recognize you across the lake even in white man's clothes."

  "You're right. I know Farthington doesn't have legal jurisdiction in this country, but he could cause a lot of trouble. I'm sorry, Hank. I don't want to get you in trouble for hiding me." He hid his hair and pulled the brim down. "Better?"

  Hank nodded. "Much better. I'd like to ask you a favor before we go."

  "What?"

  "When you have time can you help Maddie pick a good mount? She's been asking to have one of her own for a while and I trust your judgment."

  "Yes, when she decides on the horse she feels comfortable with, I'll train it myself. I think I already have a mare picked for her." He reached out and shook Hank's hand. "Thank you for trusting me to do this for Maddie."

  "Let's keep this between the two of us until Josef picks his choice, Luc."

  "I understand. If he picks the animal she wants, we don't want our girl disappointed."

  Hank stared deep into Luc's eyes and saw the possible trouble and heartbreak that he feared would come only too soon. He hoped he misread the deep feelings Luc tried to hide, but knew in his heart that the boy would never give up his plan of marrying Maddie when she was grown.

  "You're welcome. I know she's in good hands with you, Luc."

  "CAROLINE, LUC'S GONE," Maddie cried as she burst into the bedroom.

  "Look out the window at all the snow." Caroline winked at Danielle and grinned when their younger sister stared outside and sighed.

  "Oh, he's going hunting with Daddy and Uncle Matthias. He must be better then."

  "Maybe you should ge
t your thoughts out of the clouds and go get dressed. We have to deal with our governess today."

  Maddie sat on Caroline's bed. "Why don't you like our teacher? She seems nice."

  "Daddy didn't ask me to take over your education is why. I'm the oldest daughter, and it should have been my responsibility not some stranger's."

  Danielle swung her feet out of the bed and stared at Caroline. "Why do you think it's your responsibility? Did Daddy say so?"

  Caroline shook her head. "No, and you can't tell him what I said." She burst into tears.

  "Please, don't cry." Maddie and Danielle took turns giving her hugs.

  Caroline pushed away from her sisters and wiped her cheeks. "It's my fault Mama died."

  "No, it isn't. It was an accident. She fell off her horse. Daddy said so," Madeleine said, and then started crying, too.

  "I think somebody knocked on the door." Danielle got up from her bed and hurried to open it. When she swung it open, she stared at their governess.

  "Who's there?" Caroline asked.

  Danielle glanced over her shoulder. "It's Genevieve."

  "I heard crying in here. Is there anything I can do for you?" She stepped inside and looked around to each sister, but none of them answered her.

  "No, it's my personal problem." Caroline sniffled as more tears flowed.

  Genevieve returned to the doorway, but stopped before she left the room. "I'm here to stay. I hope you open your minds to learning. Your hearts would be nice, too, but not a requirement. Be downstairs in the formal dining room ready to start your first class in an hour. I don't tolerate tardiness." She walked out of the room and shut the door behind her.

  "You both better leave, so you won't get in trouble."

  "Aren't you going, Caroline."

  "I haven't decided yet."

  Madeleine left and Danielle pulled out her clothes and dressed in a hurry. "I want something to eat before I have to be in the dining room. See you later."

  Caroline got up and stared out the window. Last night she'd not noticed how tall the MacGregor twins were. She supposed their muscular build came from working on a cattle ranch. She envied them going on a hunt with her father.

  After the men left, she dressed and went down the back staircase. One heavy coat still hung on a hook in the entry hall. She grabbed it, buttoned it up to her neck, pulled on a thick wool hat and gloves, and left the lodge.

  She needed to be close to Mama this morning. Daddy had upset her balance with all the changes and demands he'd leveled against her lately. If Mama hadn't fallen and hit her head on that rock, she'd be here and their lives would have gone on in the same happy way they'd always been.

  The gate to the small cemetery wouldn't budge with the snow packed against it. She hoisted herself over the top of the fence and used her hands to push the snow off the bench her father built in front of Mama's grave. She sat and stared at the marker. She never cried while she visited. It didn't seem right, her Mama being an angel and all. Peace surrounded the place and it calmed her aching heart.

  Visions of the awful day her mother died never left her. The events leading up to the accident filled her dreams every night. They never changed. She awoke to the stark terror of what happened. Every night since the afternoon it happened, she saw her mother die.

  "Mama, I don't know what to do to make things right anymore. Daddy is angry and being stubborn about the governess and me finding a husband. I wish you hadn't fallen that day you searched for me. I'm so sorry I ran off and you came looking for me." In spite of her determination not to be sad while visiting her mother's grave, sobs tore out of her chest. She couldn't stop.

  A hand gripped her shoulder, scaring her near to death. She jumped up and away from the person who dared frighten her.

  "Please don't be afraid. I met you last night. I'm Big Dog, Miss Genevieve's driver."

  Caroline calmed her rapid breathing. "Oh, yes, I remember now. I didn't hear you approach and you surprised me. What are you doing here?"

  "Miss Genevieve sent me to look for you. Your sister with the dark hair told me to look here."

  "Yes, that would be Francesca. She likes to follow me around and act far more advanced than her years. I'm sorry you came out into the cold for nothing. I'm not returning at the teacher's request now or any other time."

  He stepped over the fence and sat on the bench, leaving enough room for her to sit next to him. "Please, won't you join me," he patted the empty spot, "and explain why you're being so rude to Miss Genevieve. She's the kindest woman you'll ever meet. Give her a chance."

  "Why should I do what you say? You're not my father."

  "No, I'm not, but I am her friend and would like to be yours as well."

  She did as he asked and sat next to him, just not too close. "Why didn't you go on the hunt this morning?"

  "I needed to fix the wheel for the stagecoach. As soon as the weather warms, I'll be taking Madam Vellechamp back to San Francisco."

  "Oh."

  They sat in silence for a while before Big Dog spoke again. "Do you think your father would be proud of your behavior this morning?"

  "No, he would be very disappointed."

  "Why are you out here talking to a grave instead of inside with your sisters? Do you think this is what your Mother would want for you?"

  Her heart hurt so bad, she bent over and rocked back and forth. No matter how she fought the tears, they fell in rivulets down her cheeks and wouldn't stop.

  Big Dog pulled her against him. "You are so young to have such a burden on your heart. Let it go. Tell me what causes you such pain."

  She stilled and gathered strength from his soft-spoken words.

  "I k-killed my mother."

  His arm tightened around her shoulders. "Why do you think this?"

  She sniffed a couple of times and pulled away. "Mama took us girls on a picnic to the other side of the lake. We were all so happy. I started dancing around the campfire." Caroline paused a moment, wiping tears off her cheek. "Mama was setting out our food and told me to stop, but I didn't want to. I ignored her and went around the circle again. She grabbed my arm and told me it was dangerous for me to dance so close to the flames. I said something hateful to her and ran into the woods. She kept calling my name, but I was mad at her and hid in the bushes. Mama jumped bareback on of one of the horses and rode after me. I saw her fall and ran to her. She looked at me and started to say something, but the words never came. She died."

  She waited for Big Dog's reaction. When he said nothing, she looked at him and saw tears on his cheeks.

  He gazed at her. "Your father blames you?"

  "He told me it was an accident, but..."

  "Miss Caroline, I have dealt with your father and it is clear to me he's a very understanding and kind man. If I were his daughter, I'd believe him. Obviously, I'm not petite enough to be a daughter of this house, so I can only give you advice from my own personal experiences."

  She caught the sparkle in his light blue eyes and noticed his wide grin. She couldn't help but smile back. "You are a tease, kind sir."

  He chuckled. "I've been told that before."

  "Well, since we have established that you're one of the few people at our lodge who is not my sister, I'll think about taking your advice."

  "No, I think not. I see on the grave marker that your mother has been dead almost two years now. You've already had more than enough time to think about it. It's time for you to do something about moving on."

  He stepped over the fence and cleared the snow away from the gate. He held his hand toward her. "Come, I'll walk you back inside and you can warm up by the fireplace. After that, you go make your apologies to your governess."

  She stared at his hand and then at his face. The compassionate expression on his face got her to her feet. She took his hand and they walked back to the lodge. "I'm sorry you won't be staying with us for a while Big Dog. I'd like to get to know you better."

  "Thank you. You've given me a great compliment
. It would've been my great pleasure to have gotten to know all of the Hughes family. You have a great setup here at the trading post. I like it much better than San Francisco." They walked up the stairs to the deck and he opened the back door. She walked inside before him and waited in the hallway for him to join her.

  They removed their heavy coats, hat and gloves, and boots. He grabbed a couple of logs and when they entered the main room, he tossed them onto the fire while she waited to hold her hands near the warmth. Genevieve came into the room and nodded at them. "Will you be joining us, Caroline?"

  She looked up at her new friend, Big Dog, and smiled back at Genevieve. "Yes." She got up and approached the governess. "Please excuse my rude behavior earlier. I have no excuse except that I had a few things to work through before I could accept you being here."

  "Is everything all right now?"

  Caroline looked back at Big Dog before she answered. "Someone listened to me and gave me some good advice."

  Genevieve smiled. "I understand all too well. Big Dog has taken me under his wing many times this past year since my father's death. I'll see you in a little bit then?"

  "Yes, let me pull my emotions together and I'll be with you."

  As soon as the teacher left, Caroline turned to Big Dog. "How about you and me grab a cup of coffee first?"

  "You lead the way and I'm right behind you."

  They found Lottie cleaning up the kitchen. "Is there any coffee left? We've been exploring the property and are a bit cold."

  "Why aren't you in the classroom, missy?"

  "I'm joining them as soon as we warm up. We have permission from the teacher."

  "Sit then, and I'll bring you your hot drinks."

  Big Dog sat across the long plank table from Caroline. When Lottie set a tray of cookies on the table in front of them, Big Dog grinned. He grabbed one and almost ate the whole treat in one bite.

  In a moment, Lottie returned with two cups and the pot of coffee. "You may pour, Caroline."

  She filled each of their cups. "I hear what you say about me not dwelling on the past and beginning a life of my own away from the lodge."

  "I hope you prepare yourself by more education and training to do this." He bit into another cookie before sipping his drink. "Your father makes sure you and your sisters have a decent place to live and healthy food, including these fantastic cookies." He grabbed another one. "There are more beautiful things in life than good food and good living conditions, Miss Caroline."