by Susan Page Davis, Darlene Franklin, Janelle Mowery, Lynette Sowell
“Me, too.” Jayne held out her hand to Luke. “I’m so glad you came.”
He grasped her hand, feeling that the gesture was horribly inadequate. “Listen, can I call you? Or e-mail? E-mail’s good for busy people.”
“Either. Both. I’d like that.” She went to the desk and wrote something on one of the inn brochures. “Here’s my cell phone number and my personal e-mail.”
Luke took it and tucked it in his pocket. “Time to say good-bye, buddy.”
For just an instant, Andy got the panicky look that had pretty much disappeared over the weekend.
“Can we come back soon, Daddy?”
“We’ll be here for a whole week at Christmas,” Luke said.
Andy held up his arms to Jayne. She went to her knees and hugged him.
“Good-bye, Andy.” She kissed his cheek.
Andy clung to her for a moment, his arms tight around her neck with one hand clutching Hendrick the dragon. Then he let go and squared his shoulders.
“Bye.”
Luke took courage from his son’s actions and from the sweet smile on Jayne’s lips. He stooped and kissed her other cheek. “Good-bye for now. You haven’t seen the last of us.”
Chapter 5
Luke’s mother-in-law just called.”
Jayne dropped her armload of split firewood into the woodbox beside the parlor fireplace and eyed her mother cautiously. “What did she say?” Her stomach had gone all tilt-a-whirl, and she realized she’d been waiting for this news since Luke and Andy walked out the door yesterday.
“Booking confirmed.” Mom grinned. “She was delighted with Andy’s report to her.”
“Andy spoke to her?”
“Yes, he did. Luke, too, of course, but Andy’s part was what impressed her most. She said he won’t always talk to her on the phone, but this morning he couldn’t wait to tell her about the castle. And all the neat places you took him and his daddy.”
“Fantastic.”
Mom flew toward her, arms outstretched. “Honey, you were so right about this. Mrs. Dillard said she’s going to tell all her friends about this wonderful little B&B that Luke found.”
Tears filled Jayne’s eyes as they hugged each other and laughed. She swiped at them with the cuff of her denim shirt. “You’re happy about this, right, Mom?”
“I’m very happy. And your father is ecstatic. He’s alreadymuttering about crenellations and Yule logs. He wants to build faux ramparts around the deck on the roof—over the railing.”
“Andy will love it!”
“Yes. But the thing that’s got both of us dancing is you. Knowing you’ll stay.”
“I sure will. That’s my part of the bargain.” Jayne looked at her watch. “And it’s time I called Bowker-Hatley.”
“What will you tell them?”
She grinned. “That I’ve had a better offer.”
Please thank your friend Dori for putting me in touch with the homeschool people. I was at the end of my rope when I saw that Andy just couldn’t handle the public school program. I wanted him to have contact with other kids his age, but he came home every day in tears. This group has activities for the kids, and Andy’s slowly getting comfortable with it. I was afraid it would be too much for me, with my work, but it’s going well.
Andy’s been asking me when we’ll see you again. I kept thinking I’d get out from under the workload and we could set something up, but here it is November already! E-mails are great, don’t get me wrong, but Jayne—I want to see you again.
Luke stopped and re-read what he’d written on the screen. Did he dare send it? Before he could talk himself out of it, he hit SEND.
He got up and walked into the kitchen and poured himself a cup of lukewarm coffee from that morning’s pot.
“Daddy, can I have a cookie?”
“That sounds good. Why don’t we both have one?”
Ten minutes later, Luke dragged himself back to the computer. Andy had settled down with a dot-to-dot book on the rug. Luke woke up the monitor. A new message from Jayne was already in his inbox. He held his breath and opened it.
I want to see you, too. Both of you. When and where?
He let his breath out in a huff. “Hey Andy, do you want to go see Miss Jayne tomorrow?”
Luke’s SUV pulled into the parking lot at a restaurant midway between his home and the Barncastle Inn. Jayne got out of her car and locked the door. She only had time to wave and register that Luke looked good—better than good—before Andy catapulted into her arms.
“Hello, Andy.” She held him close and endured his choke hold hug. “How are you doing?”
He nuzzled close to her ear and whispered, “Good.”
She laughed. “I’m good, too.” She set him down and straightened.
Luke moved in looking a bit uncertain. She met him halfway for a kiss on the cheek.
“Thanks for coming,” he said.
“Thanks for asking me.”
When they got inside, Andy unzipped his jacket and hauled out a crumpled purple-and-blue wad and set it on the table.
“I brought Hendrick.”
Jayne’s eyes misted. “Aw. Thank you, Andy.”
“He missed you.”
“I thought of him often.” She reached out and scratched the wilted dragon’s neck. “Has he been good?”
Andy nodded gravely.
“He hasn’t torched any peasant cottages lately,” Luke said.
“Do you need him back?” Andy asked in a small voice.
“Would you like him to stay with you until you come to the castle at Christmas?”
Andy nodded.
“Oh, and Hendrick likes to sleep in my tower room. It puts him up high, where he can look out over the countryside. I thought maybe you and your dad would like to sleep in the other tower room when you come, and Hendrick could stay in there with you.”
Andy turned to his father, his eyes aglow. “Can we?”
“Sure, if that’s all right with the Barncastles.”
Jayne loved Andy’s eagerness and Luke’s easy response.
“We don’t usually rent that room to guests,” she said, “but we’ve been using it lately, because we were full almost every weekend during October. People like it, even though it’s a little smaller than the room where you slept before.”
“Chelsea will be mad.” Andy’s mouth drew into a pout.
“Who’s Chelsea?” Jayne asked.
“She’s his cousin,” Luke said. “My brother-in-law North Dillard’s daughter.”
“Why will she be mad?”
“She’ll want the tower,” Andy said.
Luke shrugged. “Should we let Chelsea and her sister have the tower room?”
Jayne could barely hear Andy’s “Maybe.”
She gave him a sympathetic smile. “Cousins can be bossy, can’t they? But my mom and I were going to put the girls in the Lady’s Bower. It’s a special room on the back of the house. It’s very pretty and frilly, and it has a little balcony of its own, overlooking the back courtyard.”
“I’m sure they’ll like that,” Luke said.
“And the tower room is quite masculine,” Jayne added.
Andy looked up at his father, his eyes like blue question marks.
Luke chuckled. “That means it’s more for men than for ladies.”
Andy frowned. “Does it have armor?”
“Not yet,” Jayne said, “but I’m working on that. Oh, and I have a few other things planned.” She looked over at Luke. “Is it better to have a surprise, or to have time to think about it?”
“Hmm. Good question. Why don’t you tell me later, and I’ll decide.”
The waitress came, and they ordered their lunch. An hour later they walked leisurely along a path in the center of the town, where the colonial village common had become a municipal park. The breeze was chilly, and Jayne pulled her knit cap over her ears. Andy spotted a pair of spring-mounted hobby horses.
“Daddy, can I?”
; “I guess so.”
Luke released his hand, and Andy ran to the closesthorse and climbed on. He jounced up and down and rocked the horse back and forth.
Luke laughed. “That will keep him occupied for at least ten minutes. So, what kind of surprises do you have in store for the Dillard-Gilbert family?”
“How about fencing lessons?”
Luke stopped walking, and his eyes lit. “That’s a great idea. I kept meaning to look into those foam swords your friend told us about, and I never got around to it.”
“Well Bill and a couple of other fellows from his group are willing to come and offer lessons to the guests. If the family is interested, we can have them come more than once. They have foils and protective masks and jackets—all the gear needed for amateurs.”
“Sounds like a blast, if North and his father aren’t at each other’s throats.”
Jayne grimaced. “Ouch. Is the family that touchy?”
“At times.” Luke smiled ruefully. “I’m glad I got out of the family business. Austin isn’t a bad man, but he’s not such a good boss. His son is a partner in the firm now, and they don’t always agree. When they go at it, it’s not pretty.”
“Oh.” Jayne swallowed hard. “Well, the foils are blunt-tipped, you know.”
He chuckled. “I’m sure everyone will love it. And I think I will tell Andy in advance, so he can think about it and not be too scared to try it when the time comes. Having met Bill in September will help. He still talks about how Bill was forging that sword hilt.”
Jayne snapped her fingers. “That’s what else I need for decorations. Oh—sorry. I just want everything as authentic as possible.”
Luke eyed her pensively. “Your family isn’t breaking the bank to accommodate us, is it?”
She shook her head. “Mrs. Dillard made a large deposit, and we’re having the time of our lives planning and shopping.”
“Sounds like you’re glad you decided to stay and help your folks this fall.”
“I am. If I’d taken that job in Boston, I’d never have had this time with them. I didn’t realize what a blessing it would be.”
“Daddy!”
At Andy’s shout, they turned to look at him, riding his springy steed and clutching Hendrick to his chest.
Luke slid his arm around Jayne and pulled her close beside him. “I think you’re very brave to host our clan—and I can hardly wait.”
Chapter 6
The folks in the Squire Room just checked out,” Jayne told her mother as she walked into the kitchen. “Rachel’s doing up the room, and Dad’s putting up the final mistletoe garlands in the entry.”
“Have all the guests had breakfast?” Mom bent over the counter, studying a sheet of paper.
“I don’t think the folks in the Library Suite have been down yet.” Jayne helped herself to coffee. “What are you cooking?”
Mom looked up. “I’m trying a new recipe for barley-honey bread.”
“For next week?”
“Yes. Can you believe the Dillards are coming Monday? The time has gone so fast!”
“We’ve been busy.” Jayne sat on a stool beside the work island. “The Carters asked if they could stay over until Tuesday, but I told them we’re booked solid next week. They’ll be the last ones to check out Monday morning.”
“Usually we have a lull after the leaves are off, but not this year,” Mom said. “I guess your advertising helped there.”
“Are you sorry?”
Her mother looked at her keenly. “No. Why would you think that?”
Jayne shrugged. “You always loved to have a slower pacein December, so you could get ready for Christmas. It’s been a bit hectic this year.”
“Yes, but that’s good. We’ll be handing a thriving business over to you—or whoever buys it from us. Have you thought about that?”
“I’ve thought about little else.” Jayne clasped her hands around the warm coffee mug. “It’s scary to think of owning my own business.”
“You’ve proven you can do it. And we’ve had good help this fall.” Her mom went to the refrigerator and opened the door. “Rachel and Stacie have been super with housekeeping, and we’ve got Tina coming in all next week to help me in the kitchen. Except Christmas Day. I’m afraid we’ll be on our own that last day, and it’s the most important.” She came back carrying a jar of yeast.
“We’ll be fine. Oh we’ve got two high school–age jugglers coming Monday night to perform, and they’ll work with the kids Tuesday if they’re interested. All we have to do is pay for their extra equipment.”
Mom bit her lip as she scanned her recipe. “Sounds like fun to me, but I don’t know how the older kids will like it. Do we have a backup plan if they think juggling and fencing are boring?”
“We’ve got sleigh rides and skating on tap, and the dogsled races in Bennington. Dad’s planning the expedition to cut another Christmas tree early in the week. And if the guests like the costumes, Dori will come over and fit them for medieval outfits.” Jayne frowned. Luke had hinted that his wife’s family included several “difficult” personalities. What if they wouldn’t get with the program?
“I don’t know how much more you can do,” Mom said. “Did that last box of tapestries come?”
“It should be delivered this afternoon. Dad’s going to help me hang those in the hall.”
“Good. The big tree in the parlor looks great.”
“Mom, I think it’s going to go over well. I really do.”
Her mother walked around the island and put her arms around her.
“So do I, Jaynie. You’ve done a terrific job, and the castle looks fabulous.”
“I just hope they like it.”
Mom drew back, smiling. “Well, you know at least two of the guests will like it.”
Jayne felt her face flush. “Andy’s going to flip over the suit of mail Dad put on the landing, not to mention the surprise waiting for him in the tower room.”
“I’m sure he’ll love it.” Her mother went back around the counter. “Something tells me his father will enjoy the week, too.”
The guest parking lot at Barncastle Inn was nearly empty when Luke drove in at ten o’clock Monday morning. An inch of fresh powdery snow turned the inn into a dream castle.
He helped Andy out and pointed to the roof. “Look at the new crenellations. Mr. Barncastle built that new wall since we were here last. Miss Jayne says we can go up there if it’s not too slippery.”
“Where’s our room?” Andy’s gaze roved the castle hungrily.
Luke pointed to the tower farthest from the parking lot. “I think it’s up there. Miss Jayne said her room is in the east tower. That would be this closer one. So we’re over there.”
“Let’s go.” Andy headed for the steps.
“Don’t you think we should take our bags?”
Sheepishly, his son came back to his side.
“Here, you take this.” Luke held up Andy’s backpack. The boy turned and stuck his arms through the straps.
Inside, Jayne stood behind the desk in the large entry hall, studying a clipboard. She looked up as they entered, and a huge smile broke over her face.
Andy ran to her. “Miss Jayne! Can we go up to the tower?”
She laughed and hugged him. “You sure can. I’m so glad to see you, Andy.”
He hung around her neck and whispered, “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she whispered back. She straightened and held out her hand to Luke. “Welcome back to the castle.”
“Thanks. It looks great.” He grasped her warm hand and felt a bit sophomoric as he added, “So do you.”
“Thanks. Let’s get you guys officially checked in.” She unlocked a drawer in the desk and handed Luke a large, old-fashioned key.
He held it up. “Wow. Is this our room key?”
“Yes, it is. We’ve gone low-tech, in keeping with the theme.”
“We noticed the changes outside. This place looks like it was built a tho
usand years ago and you’re ready to fend off the Huns.”
“You’ll have to tell my dad that. We had to restrain him from digging a moat.”
She grabbed the small duffel bag that held Andy’s extra clothes for the week, and Luke carried his own. He noted the swags of greenery and red berries along the railings and over the doorways in the hall. A cluster of pierced tin stars hung from the chandelier, and scenic tapestries hung above the stairs and on the walls below. On their way up the staircase, Jayne paused on the landing.
“Well Andy, what do you think?”
Andy stared at the suit of armor standing in the corner, where the stairway turned. “Wow. Did a real knight wear that?”
Jayne threw Luke a smile over the boy’s head. “I don’t think so. It’s made to look like a real one, though.”
“It’s a pretty good reproduction,” Luke said.
“Can I touch it?” Andy asked.
“Sure. Dad anchored it so it won’t fall over easily.”
Andy put out one finger and touched the knight’s breastplate.
“Okay, you ready to go on?” Jayne asked.
Two flights of steps later, she opened the door to their room. Andy ran inside and stood in the middle of the floor. He turned around slowly, taking in the shields and tapestries on the walls.
“Thanks, Jayne,” Luke said. “This is perfect.”
She nodded with satisfaction. “Enjoy your stay. Would you like to eat lunch with the family? Mrs. Dillard called to say the others will arrive late this afternoon. We’d love it if you and Andy would eat in the kitchen with us.”
A warm feeling spread over Luke. “That would be a great honor.”
“Dad!” Andy had found a suit of plastic armor, sized for a six-year-old, lying on one of the beds. “Dad, look! Is it for me?”
Jayne backed out the doorway smiling and closed the door.
Luke seemed completely at ease until the Dillards drove in. He and Jayne had taken Andy out to the side yard, where the lawn sloped gently away from the house, toward the lake. For a blessed hour, they’d slid and then trudged back up the hill with Luke pulling the toboggan. Andy had screamed with laughter, scrunched between the two of them, each time they flew down the hill. Jayne didn’t want to end it, but finally she knew it was time.