Christmas at Barncastle Inn: Four-in-One Collection

by Susan Page Davis, Darlene Franklin, Janelle Mowery, Lynette Sowell

“For once, I think everyone’s happy,” she agreed. “They want to ride over to the high school this afternoon and see the ice sculptures.”

  “Good.” Mom dished up portions of trifle. “We can catch our breath.”

  “Just keep praying things continue to go well,” Jayne told her, “and that no one gets hurt or upset.”

  Jayne organized games for the youngsters that evening in the hall, while the adults chatted in the parlor and listened to a quartet of singers. Luke gravitated out to check on Andy.

  Emma was blindfolded and feeling about for her sister and cousins—and they were all laughing. She cornered Michael beside the check-in desk and whipped off her blindfold. “Got you!”

  “You sure did,” Jayne said. “Here’s your prize.” She handed Emma a gaily wrapped little box.

  Luke sidled over to Jayne. “You’re doing a great job.” “Thanks.”

  “Can I be it?” Andy asked.

  “It’s your turn.” Jayne knelt to wrap a soft cloth around his head.

  “Ooh!” Chelsea was eyeing the faux bronze brooch Emma had unwrapped. “It looks like Viking jewelry.”

  “Hey Uncle Luke, are you playing?” Michael called.

  “Sure, if I get Viking loot.” He grinned at Jayne. “You and your folks deserve a reward. Somehow you’ve made this clan happy.”

  “My reward is working with Mom and Dad,” she said. “Just pray that the peace lasts.”

  “Everybody’s going to Bennington to watch the dogsled races,” Dad announced the next morning after breakfast.

  “Everyone?” Jayne asked. “I thought Luke and Andy were staying here.”

  “Mrs. Dillard reminded Luke that the purpose of this week is to spend time together as a family.”

  Jayne winced. “I wonder how much family time Luke can take. I hope it’s not his in-laws’ way to hold him captive while they try to persuade him to move back to Hartford.”

  “I heard Rosalyn say something about that.” Mom shook her head. “Well, it gives us some time to prepare for tonight’s banquet.”

  “Are you sure we want the jugglers to come back?” Jayne asked.

  “Yeah, give them another chance,” Dad said. “Only they will perform in the parlor this time—and no candles.”

  To Jayne’s relief, the next few days went smoothly. The Dillards gradually unwound and spent more time sitting in the comfortable parlor and talking to each other. Each dayshe offered several options for entertainment, ranging from lessons in snowshoeing and weaving to touring a gallery of local fine art. Hillary, Chelsea, and Emma wanted medieval costumes, so Dori came to fit them and sew the outfits, and all four youngsters attended the class in juggling silk scarves and beanbags.

  By Thursday afternoon, Mrs. Dillard had progressed with Andy to the point where he sat beside her on the sofa and let her read him a story. Jayne felt that was a major victory, and she saw that Luke, too, had lost some of his nervousness. Austin offered to take the entire family to a ski slope for the day Friday, but to his surprise, they all turned him down. They already had requested more fencing instruction, and Luke and Ray were taking their sons to visit Bill’s workshop and take a lesson in using the forge. A skating party on the lake filled the evening hours, and even Austin and Rosalyn went out on the ice together.

  At last Christmas Eve arrived. The grandchildren displayed the juggling skills they’d learned, tossing colorful silk scarves into the air. Michael was quite proficient with beanbags. The youngsters then paired off to demonstrate their prowess with fencing foils, and the adults applauded so enthusiastically that Jayne glowed. The week was ending nearly as well as she’d hoped.

  The Dillards planned to watch the medieval mystery play to be staged that night at the community church. Late in the afternoon, Jayne retreated to the Abbott’s Chamber to do some paperwork while her mother and the two hired women worked in the kitchen.

  The door between the study and the parlor was open partway, and Austin Dillard’s voice reached her plainly.

  “Luke, I strongly urge you to reconsider. If you’ll move back to Hartford, Rosalyn and I will pay for private schooling for the boy. A nanny, too, if you need it.”

  Jayne raised her head involuntarily. Luke would never consent. Would he?

  “I appreciate the offer, but I don’t think that would be best for Andy.”

  “Are you sure you’re the best judge of what’s good for him?” Austin asked.

  Jayne clenched her teeth. She shouldn’t be hearing this, but she couldn’t leave the study without them seeing her and knowing she’d overheard.

  “Yes, I do think so. I’m his father.” Despite his words, Luke’s voice seemed a bit unsteady. “You have to admit, Andy’s doing better than he was a year ago.”

  “Yes, and he seems happy here. He really loved the sword master, didn’t he? But Luke … we are his family. What can I say that will bring you back?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Surely—”

  “As I said before, I’ll try to bring him to see you more often,” Luke said. “Believe me, it’s not my purpose to keep your grandson away from you. I only want to help Andy heal and grow strong. He does better here than in the city. He needs me with him, not a nanny.”

  All was silent for a moment, and Jayne held her breath. Could Luke hold out against this forceful man?

  At last Austin spoke again. “All right, Luke. I can’t fault you for that. The truth is, we miss you and the boy.” Austinsighed heavily. “Would you consider working with me occasionally on special commission projects?”

  “Yes, of course—if I can do it without traveling and leaving Andy behind.”

  Jayne released her pent-up breath, glad the conversation had taken a more cordial turn. A few moments later, footsteps retreated toward the hall. She put away the papers she’d been working on and walked into the parlor. Luke stood gazing into the fireplace, but he turned as she entered.

  “Jayne.”

  She stopped and swallowed hard. “I’m sorry. I was—” She waved toward the study. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”

  “It’s all right. It’s not the first time that Austin has asked me to go back to the firm. I dreaded a confrontation with him. But he seems reconciled to my decision.”

  “Yes, I thought this time he behaved quite well.”

  Luke nodded. “The whole family has calmed down since we came here. I appreciate all you’ve done to cater to our many whims.”

  She gazed into his blue eyes. So much more that he hadn’t said shone there. He took a step toward her, and she caught her breath.

  Luke put his arms around her, and it seemed the most natural thing in the world. He lowered his head and kissed her.

  “Daddy!” Andy ran in from the hall with Michael on his heels.

  Jayne sprang back, but Luke smiled at the boys.

  “Daddy, we learned to tumble. And we’re going to give you a show.”

  Over Andy’s head, Luke caught her eye. Jayne smiled at him.

  In the hall, the front door opened.

  “I don’t see why we have to go.” Chelsea’s strident voice carried clearly to the parlor.

  “Yeah, Dad,” Emma said. “It’s just some stupid religious pageant.”

  Jayne’s heart lurched. Too soon, the peace had shattered.

  Chapter 8

  The argument in the hall made Luke shudder. Jayne had planned for the medieval mystery play at the church to serve as a high point of the week. She’d told him how hard the cast had worked on the unusual presentation.

  “Maybe you girls and I will stay here tonight,” Liza said. “The others can go if they want.”

  Jayne looked as though her face would crumple.

  Andy tugged on Luke’s sleeve. “Daddy, we’re going, aren’t we?”

  “Yes,” he said softly.

  “Now, see here,” came Austin’s deep voice. “I heard you drive in, and I was coming down to tell you we’ll all leave right after dinner. Nana and I think this play wi
ll be quite an interesting part of the cultural experience, and everyone is going.”

  Jayne glanced at Luke and winced.

  “Let him handle it,” Luke whispered. “Liza will back down, and I’m sure once they get there, they’ll be glad they went.”

  “Can I wear my medieval outfit?” Emma asked.

  “I’m wearing mine,” Hillary said cheerfully. “I’ll help you girls dress.”

  A moment later, Liza came into the parlor.

  “Well hello, Luke. Do you think this play will be any good?”

  He glanced apologetically at Jayne. “I do. Jayne tells me that a thousand years ago these mystery plays were performed by rustics to portray spiritual truth, and they’re not very polished, but they’re funny and touching.”

  “I saw the rehearsal yesterday,” Jayne said. “It’s a different take on Christmas. Has an ancient feel to it.”

  “I suppose we may as well see it, or Dad will have cats.” Liza held her hands out toward the blazing fire.

  Luke wanted to smack her. Instead, he smiled. “We wouldn’t want that to happen, would we?”

  Later that night, when the Dillards and the Barncastles had returned to the inn, Luke went unobtrusively to the kitchen, where he found Diane standing over the stove, stirring a large kettle.

  “Hello, Luke. What did you think of the play?” she asked. “I liked it. It was entertaining, but thought provoking,

  too.”

  “Yes,” Diane said. “It made me realize how difficult it must have been in the Middle Ages, when there was no English Bible. They used drama to teach the truth of God’s Word to people who couldn’t read it.”

  Luke smiled. “Michael was a bit put out that it wasn’t a detective story. I told him I thought ‘mystery plays’ were to reveal the mystery of Christ’s incarnation.”

  “That’s a good way to put it. I hope everyone is thinking about Christ’s birth and the sacrifice He made for us.”

  Luke sat down on one of the stools by the island. “I thinksome of them are. Ray told me he and Liza have talked lately about how they’ve let their faith slip. Maybe this will prompt them to go back to church. Of course, Liza only said that it made her appreciate technology and modern times more than ever.”

  Diane chuckled.

  “I’ve done a little research of my own on medieval traditions,” Luke said. “I wondered if you’d help me prepare a little surprise.”

  Diane turned toward him, her face eager. “Gladly. What are you up to?”

  Jayne came out of the parlor, where she’d set out punch and desserts. The Dillard family was diving into them and still discussing the play. She’d missed Luke, but Andy seemed content to sit between his grandparents, sipping the punch and nibbling on a cookie.

  As she approached the kitchen door, it swung open, and she stepped back.

  “Oh, excuse me,” Luke said.

  “Hi. What’s up in the kitchen?”

  “Just confabbing with the cook.”

  She eyed him suspiciously. “Did you have a craving for plum pudding?”

  “No, but I’ll do it justice tomorrow. See you later.”

  Luke walked away, and Jayne stared after him. He ambled into the parlor, so she went on into the kitchen.

  “Hey, Mom. Why was Luke in here?”

  Her mother smiled at her. “Jayne, that is a very nice young man.”

  “Well yes. I know.”

  Mom bustled about, still smiling, but offered no more by way of explanations.

  After serving a hearty breakfast on Christmas Day, the Barncastles retreated upstairs and left the Dillards with the run of the downstairs for their family celebration and gift giving.

  In her parents’ sitting room, Jayne presented them with her gifts—new luggage for her mom, a GPS unit for her dad’s car, and her first payment on Barncastle Inn.

  Her father looked down at her check with misty eyes. “Jaynie, this means so much. Not the money, I mean—but the fact that you want to stay here and own this house.”

  She felt her eyes tearing up. “I realized I can’t walk away again, Dad. This is my home, and to have it as my job, too—well, it’ll be tough when you’re gone. I’ll need to find some super maintenance person, but—” Her voice cracked, and she stopped talking.

  “Oh, honey!” Her mom reached over and embraced her. “We love you so much. We didn’t want to pressure you into this, but we didn’t want you to lose the opportunity either.”

  Jayne wiped her eyes with the backs of her hands. “Thanks. I don’t think I ever would have considered going out on my own here if you hadn’t nudged me a little.”

  That afternoon, Jayne and her parents served the Christmas feast to the Dillard family. The fruit, salette, and pottage, as Dad delighted in calling the salad and soup, were followed by a main course of roasted goose, broiled fish, and roastbeef, with several vegetable dishes and the requisite thick bread trenchers.

  “Diane, you’ve outdone yourself,” Mrs. Dillard said as Mom poured tea for all those who wanted it.

  Mom flushed with pleasure. “Thank you, kind lady. We shall serve custards and cake now, if milady pleases.”

  “I don’t think I could eat another bite,” Mrs. Dillard said.

  “What kind of cake?” North asked, and everyone laughed.

  Dad cleared his throat and stepped up near Mr. and Mrs. Dillard. “Milord, milady, it is the custom long held for the guests at the feast to expect to find trinkets in their cake.”

  Austin stared up at him. “Indeed?”

  “Aye, sir.”

  Austin said in his most lordly voice, “Then let the cake be served, and we shall see what surprises it brings.” He looked down the table toward Andy and the other children. “Mind you eat daintily, lads and lasses. No choking on the prizes, if you please.”

  The Barncastles quickly cleared the table and brought in the portions of cake and dishes of custard.

  As Dad served him, Luke said, “You and your family should take a piece with us, Ted.”

  “Ah, we’re but peasants,” Dad said cheerfully. “We’ll eat later in the kitchen, milord.”

  “No, I insist,” Luke said, glancing at Diane, who was setting a small piece of cake in front of Chelsea.

  “Yes, I think that’s a splendid idea,” Austin said. “Your family has served us so well all week, and I’d like to think we’ve become friends. Won’t you please join us?”

  Mom smiled at him and dipped a small curtsy. “Thank you, milord. We should be delighted.”

  Jayne arched her eyebrows at her, surprised that she’d agreed so easily, but Mom ignored her. Instead she reached for extra portions, which had somehow found their way onto her tray in advance. She held one out to Jayne.

  “Oh, no thank you,” Jayne said.

  Mom leaned toward her and hissed, “Take it!”

  Shocked, Jayne accepted the plate. Her father and Ray West pulled two extra chairs over to the foot of the table for her parents. Luke pulled Andy onto his lap and patted his son’s empty chair.

  “Sit here, Jayne.”

  Hesitantly, she slipped into the seat between Luke and Hillary.

  Austin beamed on them all and raised his fork. “To our fellowship as friends.”

  “Here, here,” North said. Everyone began to eat.

  Jayne halfheartedly cut off a small bite of her cake. She didn’t need the calories, but she was sure her mother’s creation would be delicious.

  “Daddy! Look what I found!” Andy rubbed away the crumbs from the tiny pewter dragon Mom had lovingly placed in his cake. Soon the others exclaimed over finding charms and coins in their own portions.

  “Miss Jayne, what did you get?” Andy asked.

  Jayne looked up at Luke, and he smiled at her. “Go ahead.”

  She cut into her cake again, self-conscious as he and Andy watched her. She’d helped her mother pick the charmsand toys to put in the cake. Which one would turn up in her piece?

  A metallic gleam showed thro
ugh the crumbs, and she extracted the item with her fork.

  “It looks like a ring.” With her napkin, she wiped off the remnants of cake. She didn’t remember any rings when they’d shopped for the trinkets.

  “It’s pretty.” Andy wriggled with excitement on his father’s lap.

  “Isn’t it?” Luke asked.

  “But …” She stared down at the beautiful Celtic knot ring. She’d never seen it before, and it appeared to be sterling silver. “Someone must have lost this in the batter, Mom.” She glanced anxiously down the table. Her mother only smiled.

  Andy laughed. “Daddy, Daddy! She got it.”

  Jayne looked up at Luke. He smiled sheepishly.

  “Do you know something I don’t?” Jayne asked.

  Luke’s face was slightly flushed, and his eyes glowed. “All right, I admit it. Your mom helped me arrange it. I wanted to give you something that symbolized my feelings for you.”

  Jayne’s heart thumped wildly.

  “That’s so sweet,” Hillary said. “May I see it?”

  “Good move, Luke,” Ray said with a smile.

  Jayne wiped the ring off carefully and slipped it on her finger. It fit perfectly. She held it out so that Hillary could examine it.

  Luke touched her sleeve gently. “If you’re agreeable, Andy and I would like to come back in two weeks and take you ice skating.”

  Jayne felt as though she could hardly breathe. “I’d likethat,” she managed, wishing there weren’t more than a dozen spectators to the scene. She looked at Andy. “Would you like to keep Hendrick for me for a couple more weeks?”

  Andy nodded, grinning.

  The telephone rang.

  “Hark, do I hear bells?” Dad jumped up and hurried into the hall. A moment later he returned. “Sir Luke, your squire just sent word that your conveyance will be here this evening as requested.”

  Luke smiled at Jayne. “I hope you don’t mind. I called Dr. Ross’s father, and he agreed to pick us up for a sleigh ride after dinner.”

  “It sounds … wonderful.” Jayne was keenly aware of her flaming cheeks, her pummeling heart, and the people watching her and Luke.

  “Methinks I saw Cupid fly over,” Ray said.