Christmas Surprise

by Paisley Kirkpatrick

"You know where to find me." He pushed the brim of his hat up by the tip of his knife. "Oh, wait, you don't have legal authority on this side of the border."

  Caroline stepped up to Gervais. "When my father sees the bruise already forming on my cheek, he'll chase you all the way to Canada. I'd suggest you go and don't stop running until you get home."

  Gervais covered his bloody cheek with his hand.

  His action triggered the realization that Luc's aim might not have been off. She whipped around and stared at him. "Was that intentional payback for his slap against my cheek?"

  Luc's gaze locked with hers. It was a typical reaction of his when he thought the answer obvious. This time she wanted to hear it in his words. She grabbed his arm before he could step away. "Please, I need to know."

  Luc glanced around at the others, and then pulled her away from the group. "Yes."

  She swung her arms around his neck. "Thank you."

  "Gervais is alive only because I didn't want you to see him die."

  Chapter Eighteen

  Hank jerked his head up. "Did you hear that?"

  "Yes, someone whistled." Matthias hurried to the lodge door and threw it open. He came back, helped Hank up, and handed him his crutches. "Let's go see who is coming."

  "I'll put a couple of pots of coffee on," Lottie said, hurrying to her kitchen.

  Part of Hank wanted to run toward the gate and be there when they came through. Another part of him was terrified he would see his daughter's body tied across a horse. He took deep breaths, trying to calm himself.

  Matthias steadied Hank on the crutches. They hurried off the porch, and stood in the middle of the quadrant. Then, in the light from the lanterns by the gate, he saw her. She sat tall on a horse. Caroline lived. Tam rode next to her and the rescue team walked, leading both horses toward Hank. If he didn't have the crutches to hold him up, his knee would have given out.

  Tears welled in his eyes. By the time his daughter rode up in front of him, he was openly weeping. Luc lifted her off the horse and all but handed her to Hank.

  "Daddy!" She wrapped her arms around his neck.

  "Thank God you're home, my baby. I was terrified."

  She pulled back and nodded. "I knew you would be. I'm so sorry we couldn't get home on time."

  Hank glared at Tam. "What the hell happened, boy?"

  Tam stepped up to Hank. "It's been quite a night, but first I want to say I'm sorry we got into the situation we stumbled on, and apologize for the worry we caused."

  "I don't want your apology, dammit. I demand your explanation."

  Luc stepped between Hank and Tam. "Listen to what he has to say before you jump to the wrong conclusion, Hank. He's the hero who saved probably more than just his and Caroline's lives."

  Luc's words penetrated Hank's rage. He took a deep breath. "Let's go inside. Lottie put some coffee on the stove. If what Luc says is true, I'd like to hear what happened, step by step."

  Caroline walked alongside her father. "Except for being cold, hungry, and tired, I'm fine."

  "It sounds like you really had quite an experience. Now you know why I worry when you leave the post."

  "Yes, I do understand. We didn't get very many things for our display, but we'll have stories to tell for years, maybe even at one of your nights of entertainment."

  They stepped into the lodge and took seats. Caroline excused herself and headed toward the kitchen. A few moments later, she and Lottie returned with cups and coffee. They set them on the table in front of the sofa.

  Hank pointed to the black and blue bruise on his daughter's cheek. "How'd you get that?"

  She didn't answer, but Tam did. "Gervais held her arm with one hand and backhanded her with the other."

  Pure hatred rushed through Hank. "What?" He gripped the arm of the sofa so tight his knuckles turned white. "Is what Tam says true, Caroline?"

  "Yes, Daddy, Uncle Gervais, and his three friends were drinking Mulberry's moonshine. The more they drank, the meaner they got."

  He stared at Tam trying to figure the chain of events. "Where were you while my brother-in-law struck my daughter?"

  "I—"

  "Stop, Tam." Caroline knelt in front of Hank. She handed him a cup of brew. "Calm yourself, Daddy. Tam was still in the hole. I motioned for him to stay put. He also realized it was to our advantage that he wait until he could strike at the right time to give us the best advantage over the drunken fools."

  "Did he?"

  "Yes, just listen to what he has to say. I still can't believe all this happened to us, but we're strong and survived."

  Tam continued telling the events of the day. When he finished, Hank pulled his daughter into his arms. "I never want you out of my sight again."

  Matthias was the one who headed for a rifle. "Luc, are you coming with me?"

  "No, Uncle Matthias." Caroline pulled away from Hank and rushed to Matthias. "It's not safe for Luc. If the Mounties get their hands on him, they'll drag him over the border and arrest him. He's got to stay here."

  "You're right." Matthias wrapped his arms around her. "I'm not thinking straight. We should wait until we're not exhausted and make a proper plan to stop Gervais' threats." He walked over to Tam. "Let me shake your hand, young man. You kept a level head and your quick thinking is why we have you both back. If Luc hadn't found you when he did, God only knows what my brother would have done."

  Big Dog got up and set his empty cup on the tray. "If y'all don't mind, I'm headin' to my bed. Glad everybody is fine."

  "Wait." Caroline walked up to Big Dog and threw her arms around his neck. "Thank you."

  He squeezed her tight against him. "You get yourself some rest, Miss Caroline. Big Dog will see ya when you wake."

  Hank struggled to stand. "Don't you dare leave without my handshake."

  Big Dog grabbed Hank's hand.

  "I don't have words for what you did for my kids today. We're forever grateful."

  "It was my duty, boss. See y'all later."

  Hank stayed standing. "Tam MacGregor, I apologize for lashing out at you before I knew all the facts. Thank you for taking care of my daughter. I'm in your debt."

  Tam shook Hank's hand. "I'd give my life for her."

  "Well, let's hope it never comes to that."

  "I'm heading up to bed. Maybe in the morning I can have a bath."

  "Good night, honey. We'll see you have some hot water when you get up. Sleep as late as you need. Your sisters are probably going to wake you, but we'll see if we can hold them off for a while."

  He watched her leave and returned to his comfortable spot on the sofa. "I could use some of the good stuff, Matthias. Bring out the bottle. We have a toast to make."

  Matthias gathered up the cups and helped Lottie carry the dishes into the kitchen. When he returned, he grabbed a glass for everyone and poured them each a drink from the special bottle of scotch.

  Tam and Jory grabbed theirs and Luc took his.

  "Josef, you want a taste?"

  He looked at Luc, but Luc shook his head. "Not yet."

  Matthias handed Hank his drink. He raised it. "I thank all of you for finding my daughter and bringing her home." He turned to Tam. "You've done well. I have no words to tell you how grateful I am that you were with Caroline. If she'd been alone—" He shook his head.

  They all downed the whisky.

  The twins left their glasses on the bar. "We'll see you tomorrow." They headed out the front door. Luc and Josef left right behind them.

  Hank relaxed against the pillows. He watched Matthias clean up and then sit across from him.

  "I don't know what to say about Gervais' attitude. To think my brother would strike his own niece scares me. He's never been a happy person, but this is beyond hatred for Luc. He's not rational anymore."

  "We both know they weren't down here for legal reasons. They are on a vendetta and now that Luc has wounded Gervais, it's going to be far worse."

  Matthias burst out a loud sigh.

  "
It's time we start locking the gate at night. I don't want any of the girls or Genevieve out of the post without an armed companion, Matthias." Hank thought for a moment. "Maybe we should bring Luc and Josef inside the post until this is settled. They have targets on their backs."

  "You think Josef's life is in danger, too, Hank?"

  "Jealousy is a powerful hate. If Gervais wants to hurt Luc, killing Josef would be worse for Luc than his own death."

  "You do have a point." Matthias rubbed his brow. "Gervais and I will always be connected by blood, but I no longer consider him my brother."

  Matthias stood. "Do you want me to help you upstairs?"

  "Nah, just toss me a blanket and fill the fireplace before you leave."

  Hank watched his brother-in-law bring in more wood and toss a few logs on the fire. He brought a stack of blankets to the sofa and helped Hank settle.

  "I'll see you in the morning. Be prepared to have some early morning visitors. The girls are going to have a lot of questions about what happened to Caroline and Tam."

  "I'll be ready for them. Thanks for staying with me until they returned home."

  "I wouldn't be anywhere else, Hank. We're family."

  TAM BRUSHED DOWN ONE of the horses in the corral. He saw the flash of red out of the corner of his eye and called to Jory. "Captain Farthington is in the trading post."

  Jory grabbed his pistol and stuck it in his waistband. "I'll let Big Dog know."

  Tam headed toward the lodge and met the Mounties outside the front door. "You got business here?"

  Captain Farthington glared at Tam. "Step aside."

  "Not movin'. You and your flunkies turn your horses around and leave before there's trouble."

  "Luc Martel is going with us."

  "Like hell he is. Nobody's leaving this trading post except you and your subordinate."

  The door to the lodge swung open. Gabriella took one look at the two Mounties and belted out a loud scream.

  "I've got her." Big Dog rushed past Tam, swung Gabby up in his arms, and carried her inside before he kicked the door shut behind them.

  Jory stood next to Tam and crossed his arms over his chest. "From what I've heard, you don't have jurisdiction on this side of the border unless you have some kind of legal document stating otherwise, of course."

  Luc strolled through the front gate and walked straight toward them. Captain Farthington dismounted and pulled a pistol on Luc. "You're under arrest for attacking Gervais Martel."

  Luc laughed. "For what, rescuing my niece from him before he could hurt her even more than he'd done before he knew I was watching him?"

  Tam stepped next to Luc. "I was there and can verify it was Gervais who attacked first. His own niece bears the bruise to prove it."

  "It's your word against Officer Martel's."

  "Afraid not, Captain. I was there and saw the same thing as my brother."

  Big Dog opened the lodge door and helped Hank step out onto the porch. "What the hell is going on here, Farthington?" Hank pointed his rifle toward the ground, but kept his finger on the trigger.

  "Are you threatening me, Hughes?"

  "No. Protecting my family. Get off my property and don't come back."

  "Daddy, what's happening?" Caroline came out of the lodge and moved off the porch. She shaded her eyes from the bright sun. "Did Uncle Gervais hurt someone else besides me?"

  Farthington stood with his feet apart and arms crossed over his chest. "Miss Hughes, please explain your statement."

  Tam's first instinct was to protect her, but he waited to see what she was up to.

  She dropped her hand to her side.

  Captain Farthington gasped. "Your face—how did you get hurt?"

  "I was stunned and overwhelmed with shock when my own uncle backhanded me yesterday. He never showed violence against my sisters or me while our mother lived. I don't know what made him do such a cowardly thing to me except that maybe it was that awful moonshine he and his men were drinking."

  "You say your uncle damaged your face like that? I question why you were so far from your father's trading post and alone. Did you think Gervais might have been shocked and worried you were there alone and slapped you a little too hard to get your attention?"

  "I beg your pardon, sir. Are you calling me a liar?"

  "I'm not sure what you are at this point, Miss Hughes."

  Tam stepped next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "She wasn't alone. She was with me."

  "I see. Is this true, Miss Hughes? You were out in the forest alone with a young man unchaperoned?"

  Jory stepped next to Tam. "I was with my brother and Miss Hughes."

  Big dog pushed between Caroline and the MacGregors. "I don't like what you're insinuating about Miss Caroline." He stepped closer to Farthington. Big Dog's height towered over the revenuer. His girth doubled that of the man's. He tapped the captain's chest with his index finger. "Are you accusing our girl of improper behavior, sir?"

  Tam knew Big Dog had a tender heart, but if anyone dared hurt someone he cared about, watch out.

  Big Dog raised his voice to a loud roar. He shoved the Captain. "You git your asses from my sight and make sure I don't see you near Hank's trading post, or the surrounding vicinity again." He leaned close to Farthington's face. "Do I make myself clear?"

  Big Dog stared the man down. Farthington mounted and motioned for his men to leave."

  Hank sighed. "That went better than I thought it would."

  Tam motioned for Jory to go with him to the barn. "Let's follow them for a while and make sure they actually leave this territory."

  "You have an excellent idea. You grab the rifles and ammunition and I'll bring in our horses."

  Big Dog caught up with them in the barn before they mounted. "What are you doing?"

  "We're making sure they know their way home." Tam tied his saddlebags and bedroll on his horse. "We'll be back as soon as we can, especially by the day the turkey is served."

  "If Hank didn't need me as much as he does right now, I'd go with you. You two take care of yourselves. "I'll let the boss know." He bumped into Tam's shoulder. "You want me to kiss Miss Caroline good-bye for you?"

  "You may be able to scare those revenuers, but I know you're just a softie inside." He pinched Big Dog's cheek. "I'd appreciate you making sure she's all right until I return."

  "You don't even need to ask, Tam. I promise to keep watch over all of the girls."

  Jory finished tying his bedroll on his horse. The brothers mounted and rode toward the gate. Tam noticed Caroline on the porch.

  "Wait just a moment, Jory." He rode up to the porch and dismounted. In three quick strides, he placed his hands around Caroline's waist. "We'll be back for the holiday supper. The only way I know how to protect you from their bullying is to make sure the Mounties ride across the border into Canada."

  "Thank you, Tam." She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. As she pulled away, she gave him a quick kiss on his lips. "Please be careful."

  "I will." He hurried to his horse, mounted, and tipped his head. "I'll be back for some more of those kisses." He winked and joined his brother.

  As the rode out of the trading post, he looked back at Caroline. Her wave warmed his heart.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Caroline watched Tam and Jory leave. She dreaded the quiet while they were gone. If it happened that he did leave in the spring, how would she manage without him? It's exactly why she'd tried to protect her heart from falling for him.

  "Sissy," Gabriella ran toward her. The next thing she knew, her youngest sister wrapped her in an embrace. "You're back."

  She kissed the top of Gabby's head. "Yes, and I'm so glad to see you." The rest of her sisters hurried into the room and one by one wrapped their arms around her. They all asked questions at the same time. She didn't want to scare them so she gave a simplified explanation about dealing with nature and forgetting about the time.

  Danielle gave her that I-don't-b
elieve-you look. She hugged Caroline and whispered in her ear. "I want the real story when we're alone in our bedroom."

  They all went into the dining room and sat at the long table. Mrs. Brown came in a few moments later and sat at the opposite end from Hank. "What was all the fuss outside my bedroom window early this morning? It's hard enough as it is to sleep on that uncomfortable mattress without so much commotion going on."

  Lottie poured a cup of coffee and set it in front of their unhappy guest. "If your treatment here don't please you, I'd be happy to pack your bags for you, Missus."

  "Really, Henry, you should dismiss your cook for impertinence. She's been quite rude to me."

  He noticed Lottie's straight back as she returned to her kitchen. "This is my home. I am the one who decides who stays and who goes, Penelope."

  Madeleine got up and helped set platters of food along the center of the table. Jacqueline brought in a couple of milk pitchers. She filled both Gabriella and Francesca's glasses almost to the top before returning to her own seat.

  Hank said grace. They passed the food and filled their plates. "This morning I want to talk to all of you about something very serious. Until I tell you otherwise, none of you are to leave the interior of the trading post. If there is some place you need to go, you must come and ask either me or your Uncle Matthias first."

  "Why, Daddy?" Madeleine asked. "I was hoping Luc would let me go out to the pasture with him and work my new horse."

  "I'm sorry, but there are no exceptions. Caroline and Tam ran into some trouble yesterday, and I do not want a repeat. It won't be forever, but until I feel it's safe for you to leave the post, you must abide by my orders." He glanced around the table as each of his daughters nodded.

  "There's one more thing. Uncle Gervais is no longer welcome here. If any of you see him, please let an adult know immediately."

  "Do you mean any adult or you and Uncle Matthias?"

  "Let everyone sitting around this table right now know. One of us is usually easily found."

  He smiled at Caroline. "Let's eat."

  Genevieve stared at the bruise on Caroline's face. "Did the trouble yesterday cause that?"