Christmas Surprise

by Paisley Kirkpatrick

  Hank couldn't stop grinning. Caroline was right. He was feeling sorry for himself missing out. "Do I get to ride up on top with you, Big Dog?"

  "You betcha, boss. If you're ready, let's go get you sittin' where you belong."

  Matthias was a couple of steps behind them. It didn't take long to get Hank on the seat next to the driver. Big Dog climbed up and sat next to him. "You ready?"

  "Yes, let's go get the bad guys, or in this situation, the bad girls."

  Big Dog disengaged the brake and snapped the whips over the teams' back. He headed toward the front gate.

  Matthias mounted his horse and, along with Luc, Tam, and Jory they rode out of the trading post ready for bear.

  Hank glanced over his shoulder as they rode through the gate and waved to Caroline. She stood with her hands on her hips, but finally waved back.

  "Twice this week you're sittin' up here next to ole' Big Dog. It's starting to become a habit."

  Hank couldn't stop smiling. "Yup, a habit I'm enjoying."

  They had a clear sky all the way to Wausau. As the coach bumped into town, Hank started watching for Penelope and Gervais. It would be too easy to find them right off, but he hoped they could catch the two together and take them back. He'd like to toss them into one of the tunnels and leave them there for eternity.

  "You all right, boss? You're too quiet."

  "Yes, just thinking of ways to torture our prisoners after we catch them. Guess I've been reading too many mystery novels lately."

  Big Dog laughed. "It sounds like it. Did you learn any good techniques?"

  The two stared at each other. Hank shook his head. "I know neither of us would break the rules because we are honest, law-abiding citizens."

  "Did you decide where we should start our search, boss?"

  "If we separate, we can cover more ground in a short amount of time. You and I can go to the last hotel restaurant where Amanda saw them hanging out."

  "I'll leave the coach in the empty lot where I left it last time, but I'll drop you off in front of the hotel first."

  The riders pulled their horses up to the hotel's hitching post and dismounted. Matthias helped Big Dog get Hank to the ground and grabbed the crutches. "Are you staying here in the restaurant?"

  "Yes, with Big Dog in case I need someone with legs."

  "Luc and Jory can work the other side of the street while Tam and I check the places on this side. We can report back here."

  "It sounds like a plan. Good luck, boys."

  Hank watched the men walk away. He ignored the knot in his stomach as he watched his crew head in different directions. What he wouldn't give to be going with them.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Tam and Matthias worked out a system. They'd enter the establishments and one would go to the right, the other to the left. Tam knew how to whistle, Matthias didn't, but he could cause a commotion to draw Tam's attention.

  Nothing caught their attention in any of the stores they checked. "Let's try the back street and see if something unusual pops out," Tam said.

  They walked around the corner of a burned-out building. Matthias grabbed Tam's arm and pulled him back. "It's Gervais. He's headed this way."

  Tam shoved Matthias into the charred restaurant building and jumped in behind him. "Wouldn't it be a miracle if he leads us to Mrs. Brown?"

  "I'm glad we've at least found him."

  "He's heading toward the hotel where Hank and Big Dog are," Tam said. He stepped onto the boardwalk. "Let's hurry and stop him before he goes inside."

  By the time they reached the hotel, Gervais had disappeared. They entered the hotel in time to watch him walk past the check-in counter and up the flight of stairs.

  "We need to find out which room is his."

  Tam nodded. "I'll go find out and you inform Hank and Big Dog what's happening."

  Jory walked toward Tam. "We didn't have any luck, but Matthias just told me that you found Gervais?"

  "Yes, but we don't know which room is his."

  "Let's give the check-in clerk some double trouble like we used to, Tam. If need be, we can use Hank as our backup."

  "It's your idea, Jory. You start it."

  "Watch me."

  "Hello, I'm looking for my brother. He's tall. He has a weird sore on his cheek."

  The clerk glanced at the two of them. "It looks like you've found your brother."

  "Not him, our other brother."

  Tam pushed Jory out of his way. "Our older brother came into this hotel. He's come all the way from Canada to help us take our father home. We can't leave until he comes and helps us."

  "I'm sorry, sir, but we don't give out our guests' room numbers."

  "You don't understand. Our father fell and broke his leg. He needs to have his doctor operate on it or he may die."

  "From a broken leg? Do I look that naive?"

  Tam cleared his throat. "Since he fell down your flight of stairs while staying in this hotel, I would have thought you would put his wellbeing before your stupid rules."

  Jory patted Tam's arm. "It's all right. The lawyer said we had a good case. It was Dad who said he wanted to take legal action against this hotel, not me."

  "Well, go get father and we'll let him decide what action we should take. I can't understand why the clerk wouldn't want to do it the easy way. All we wanted was a room number."

  Jory turned to leave.

  "Wait, it's room 223."

  "Thank you," Jory said. The twins grinned at each other. "Let's go get him."

  "I'll be right back." Tam headed toward the table where Hank sat with Luc, Matthias, and Big Dog. "We need your help, Big Dog."

  He nodded. "Will you be all right without me for a little while, Hank?"

  "You heard Tam. Don't let me hold you back."

  Luc started to get up. Matthias got out of his chair first. "Luc, you stay with Hank. This is something I need to be part of."

  "I understand. I'll stay."

  The three of them walked back to the staircase where Jory waited impatiently.

  "Now, let's go get him," Tam said with a grin.

  They reached the second floor and walked along the hall until they found the right door. Big Dog motioned for them to be quiet and each to stand at opposite sides of the door. He knocked. "It's maid service," the giant of a man said in a high-pitched voice. "I have refreshments, sir."

  Gervais swung the door open and stared transfixed at Big Dog.

  "Good afternoon, you miserable sonuvabitch."

  Gervais realized who stood before him and swung the door. Before it closed, Big Dog shoved his boot inside the opening and shoved Gervais backward. He landed on his backside.

  "Hello, Gervais. It's so nice to find you here," Tam said with a pistol pointed at his head.

  "What's going on out there?" Mrs. Brown entered from the bedroom part of their suite. She stopped dead in her tracks and stared open-mouthed at the four men in their rooms.

  "Keep coming," Tam said, motioning her further into the room. He spun her around and tied her hands behind her back with the sash she wore around her hair. He pushed the woman onto one of the chairs.

  "Now that we have your attention, we want you to know we're taking you back to the trading post and handing you over to the authorities. We know about your schemes and illegal smuggling practices."

  "The hell you are. You can't arrest me. I am the authority here and demand you let me up."

  Big Dog put his foot on Gervais' chest. "Speak again and I'll cut your tongue out." He leaned down and ripped a medal off the red coat. "I don't know what earned you this honor, but you don't deserve to wear the Mounties' uniform any longer." He handed it to Matthias. "Help me get this jackass to his feet."

  Both MacGregors grabbed his arms and pulled Gervais to a standing position. "Let me have the pleasure." Tam pulled his knife from it booth sheath and sliced up the back of the bright red jacket and pulled it off the furious man. "Like my friend here said, you don't deserve to wear this
uniform." He tossed it on the bed and turned Gervais around. "You have the honor, Matthias."

  "Thank you." Matthias searched through Penelope's bag. "The next time we turn into vigilantes, remind me to bring a coil of rope." He finally found another scarf and used it to bind his brother's hands. "You disgust me."

  Big Dog and Jory grabbed hold of Mrs. Brown. Matthias took one of Gervais' arms and Tam the other.

  "If you make any kind of scene, you'll have an accident with my rather sharp knife."

  Gervais stared at Tam for a moment, and then at his feet. He didn't change his pace down the stairs or as they walked out of the hotel onto the boardwalk.

  Tam motioned to Luc as they passed through the hotel. They waited away from the front door until Luc helped Hank out of the building. From there, they continued walking toward where Big Dog parked the coach. When they finally reached the empty lot, Luc opened the coach's door, helped Mrs. Brown inside, and then spit on Gervais' boots before he shoved him in after the woman.

  Luc stared into Gervais' eyes. "Give me a reason to put an end to your miserable life." He stood next to the door while Matthias and Big Dog hoisted Hank up to the top seat.

  Matthias pushed Luc out of the way. "I'll ride inside with them. You relax, Luc. It's a long ride home."

  "I hear you."

  Luc mounted and waited with Tam and Jory for Matthias to tie his horse to the back of the coach and climb inside.

  Tam waved at Big Dog. "Take us home."

  CAROLINE HAD WATCHED her father ride out of the trading post sitting up top with Big Dog. She worried, but the determination to take Daddy along with them on their adventure pleased her. He'd always been in the center of things concerning the post. It would have been a shame if he'd missed out on one of the most important quests. Not for goods this time, but for smugglers with a mission to destroy him.

  Josef joined her on the porch. "You do realize it's up to you and me to make sure the trading post is standing when they return."

  "Yes, let's start by closing the front gate and putting one of the ranch hands on guard duty. I have a strange feeling we'll be tested before the men come back."

  She returned inside while Josef left to take care of the guard and gate closure. As long as Genevieve kept her sisters busy inside the classroom, she wouldn't worry about them.

  Mary Timmons rarely came to visit. Her visit earlier in the day surprised Caroline. Why would the pastor's wife walk all this way in bad weather to bring her two letters? The only answer she could think of was snooping or, like Amanda feared, she wanted to know who helped Lottie in the kitchen. Whatever the reason, Mary Timmons would soon face her own bad decisions.

  Caroline doubted Daddy would be back in time for his entertainment, but in case people still showed up, she'd better find somehow to entertain them.

  She ventured into the kitchen. "Amanda, you don't sing, do you?"

  "Me? Please don't tell me it's part of my job around here."

  "I guess that means no?" Caroline giggled at the horrified expression on Amanda's face. "We must plan on something to do if Daddy doesn't get home in time to sing."

  "Strangers will be here while we're not protected?"

  Caroline patted Amanda's arm. "Don’t panic. We'll be fine. Our guests come by almost every night."

  Lottie tossed her towel onto the sink and faced Amanda and Caroline. "First off, we may be womenfolk, but we're not weak. Keep the normal schedule, and if someone you don't trust shows up, we'll take them out."

  Her statement terrified Caroline. "Take them out? What are you saying, Lottie?"

  The older woman picked up a cast iron frying pan. "One whack in the back of the head and they're out."

  "Put the frying pan down. Nobody's going to kill someone while Daddy's gone."

  "Young lady, surprise is the best kind of attack."

  Caroline sighed. She had one overzealous woman, one scared woman, and Josef to help her defend her sisters and the post.

  "Let's wait and see what happens. If Mary or Captain Farthington and his crew show up, we can worry about frying pans and guns and whatever. I'm going to set up for the evening."

  She returned to the main room and dropped onto her father's sofa for a second to gather her thoughts. The clock rang out three times. The men left around two o'clock. A long wait lay ahead of them.

  She got up and arranged the chairs for the evening festivities. Josef came in and asked if he could help. She sent him to bring in firewood. He stoked the fire and added enough wood to keep it going for a while.

  Lottie called them all to supper. Caroline checked her younger sisters for clean hands, and then sat in her usual place. Halfway through their meal someone entered the main room. Before she could leave her chair to find out who was there, Mary Timmons showed up at the dining room's door, but didn't come inside.

  "Mrs. Timmons, what a surprise to see you here twice in one day. What can I do for you?"

  The woman glanced around the room of girls. "Where are your father and the other men?"

  The knot in Caroline's stomach clenched. Maybe I should have paid more attention to Lottie's plan.

  "They're busy at the moment. What do you want?"

  Amanda entered from the kitchen carrying a frying pan full of cooked potatoes. When Caroline saw the cast iron weapon in her hand, she took a deep breath and braced herself for what could possibly happen next.

  Mrs. Timmons glared at Amanda.

  Amanda froze.

  Gabby smiled at the pastor's wife. "Amanda lives with us now."

  Caroline cringed at her little sister's comment.

  "You know who I am, don't you, Amanda?"

  Amanda remained mute and didn't so much as move a muscle.

  Mrs. Timmons pulled a pistol from her bag.

  The gun in the hand of someone Caroline's sisters trusted terrified her. She jumped up. "Put the gun away."

  Mrs. Timmons kept the gun pointed at Amanda, but looked at Caroline long enough to spit out her order.

  "Sit down, Caroline. My gun says I'm in charge." She returned her attention to Amanda. "You're coming with me unless you want me to shoot one of these little girls." She waved the gun back and forth between the Hughes sisters.

  While the gun held the girls' attention, Lottie snuck up behind Mrs. Timmons, raised the cast iron pan, and slammed it against the side of the woman's head.

  Caroline went into action. "Get them out of here, Genevieve. You go with them, Josef."

  Genevieve nodded at Caroline and gathered the panicky children. The governess took them through the kitchen.

  Caroline knelt down and rolled Mrs. Timmons over. The woman's chest moved up and down. She looked up at Lottie. "Thank God you didn't kill her. We need something to bind her hands."

  "I'll be right back." Lottie set the pan on the floor and rushed out of the dining room.

  While Lottie was gone, Caroline picked up the pistol. She didn't have pockets in her skirt, so shoved it inside her bodice. She stood and gazed at Amanda. "Are you all right?"

  "Yes." Amanda picked up the pan and set it on the table. "Sorry I froze."

  "At least you held her attention, and gave Lottie time to sneak up behind the woman," Caroline said.

  Amanda pressed her hand against her heart. "I was stunned to see Mrs. Timmons with the gun. She must have seen me somehow. I don't know how."

  "It doesn't matter now. Because she pulled her weapon and threatened you and my sisters, Lottie had every right to defend us."

  Lottie came back with a coil of rope. Caroline stared at the length of it. "Do you need that much to tie her hands?"

  "Nah, I need this much to hogtie her. I've worked with cowhands before. I know how to tie someone so they won't get loose. Come over here both of you and I'll show you how."

  Lottie's calm attitude worried Caroline. She was enjoying this too much. She knelt next to Mrs. Timmons' feet and Amanda sat next to her head. The girls helped Lottie wrap the woman like she'd done while branding cattl
e. Quite a bit of the rope was left. Instead of cutting it, she finished the length around Mrs. Timmons' midsection and stood.

  "Where do you think we should put her until Daddy returns?"

  "Let's put her in the cellar where we stayed during the fire. There's more than enough air."

  "Good idea, Lottie."

  "You're going to put her alone in the hole in the ground?"

  "Don't worry, Amanda. My grandfather had the cellar dug and set up for long stays in case of a forest fire or attack on the trading post. In those days, they used it a lot, but now we don't need it as much."

  They picked the unconscious woman up and carried her into the main room. Lottie moved the rug and pulled the trapdoor open.

  "Do you want me to get Josef to help us, Lottie?"

  "We don't need him."

  Lottie was right. Caroline went down the ladder first. They slid Mrs. Timmons down the rungs and Caroline caught her. Amanda and Lottie stepped down the ladder and helped carry the unconscious body across the cellar. They hoisted her onto one of the beds. Caroline tossed a blanket over her while Lottie lit a lantern. "We can check on her later."

  The three came back up into the room, they pulled the ladder up, and Lottie closed and locked the trapdoor. They rolled the carpet over the entrance.

  Caroline opened the door to the classroom. Her sisters ran to her. She pulled them around her. "Everything is fine now. Mrs. Timmons can't hurt anyone. Daddy will be home in a couple of hours and the men will see that the pastor's wife is taken away."

  "I thought she was a nice lady," Francesca said.

  Caroline grabbed her hands. "Honey, sometimes people fool us for their own selfish reasons. She pretended to be kind, so nobody would know what kind of person she really is."

  Francesca nodded, but hung onto Caroline.

  "Now, there's something I need all of you to do. Guests may be coming tonight, and we're going to have to entertain them until Daddy gets back. Do you think you can help me?"

  They all nodded.

  She smiled at them. "Good. You're being very brave and Daddy is going to be so proud of you. Please remember that nobody can know about Mrs. Timmons. If Pastor Timmons comes looking for her, say nothing. Immediately find me or Lottie."