Angel spent an enjoyable time chatting with the women. It being difficult to get to town too often, she caught up on all the news. The hair on the back of her neck rose as a deep voice sounded in her ear. “When do you want to leave, honey?”
She turned to Nate. “I’m ready whenever you are. I imagine the boys will be awake early tomorrow, and I have that big dinner to fix. Or burn.” She laughed.
“Oh, sorry, I forgot to tell you. Eli has invited all of us for Christmas dinner. Do you mind?”
“All of us? The children, too?”
He nodded.
“Heavens no, that’s wonderful. Another meal I won’t have to ruin.” They excused themselves from the women, Angel taking his arm to find Eli and Lucy, and say their good nights.
Eli had attached himself firmly to Sylvia’s side as he talked with his guests. Lucy had disappeared, so Nate and Angel said their goodbyes to Eli, and headed for the door. Nate helped her into the buggy, and as he turned to walk to the other side, he heard his name called.
Lucy ran down the steps, her skirt bunched in her fist.
“Nate, please wait for me.” She gasped as she hurried to him.
“I didn’t get to talk to you all night,” she pouted. “You danced with everyone else except me.”
“Lucy, you had so many men vying for your attention, I’m sure you didn’t miss me.” He grinned.
“Yes I did,” she stomped her foot. “You danced with every ugly girl at the party.”
Nate’s smile faltered. “That remark was uncalled for, Lucy.”
“I’m sorry. I think my father’s surprise announcement has unsettled me.” She moved closer and ran her tongue around her lips. “Goodnight, Nate, thanks for coming.” Rising on tiptoes, she kissed him soundly on the mouth, attempting to coax his mouth open with her tongue.
Nate pulled back and pried her arms from around his neck. “Good night.”
He climbed into the buggy, and slapping the reins, they left.
“Nate, something needs to be done about that young woman.” Angel huddled in the corner, shivering from the cold damp air.
Glancing sideways, he pulled her over and wrapped his arm around her. “I know. And even more disturbs me.”
She snuggled into his warmth. “What?”
“I distinctly smelled liquor on her breath. And I’m not speaking of the champagne at the party, but strong spirits.”
“Oh, my. I’m afraid Sylvia’s going to have her hands full with that one.”
“So it seems.” He hugged her closer and steered the buggy toward home.
Before the sun had eased over the horizon, Luke and John crawled into their parents’ bed.
“Papa,” John whispered in Nate’s ear.
He kept his eyes closed. “What?”
“It’s Christmas.” Luke whispered in his other ear.
“I know.” Nate opened one eye.
“Can we go look in our stockings?” John still whispered.
“If you’re whispering to keep from waking me up, it’s too late, gentlemen.” Angel sat up and grabbed a pillow from under Nate’s head. With a grin and a mighty swing, she swatted Luke on the back.
“Pillow fight!” John yelled, grabbing Angel’s pillow.
The peaceful morning air rang with giggles, tickles and pillow slinging. Soon Matt and Mark joined the fray. Nate and Angel scooted out of the bed and left the boys to battle it out. Angel lifted Julia-Rose who cried to join her brothers.
Angel put on coffee and heated milk for potted chocolate. Not long after, the boys joined them in the kitchen.
“Can we look in our stockings now?” Mark asked.
“Angel and I will be right in, just wait for a minute. Matt, go change Julia-Rose please, and Mark, set out cups for coffee and chocolate.”
Angel breathed in the cool air as Nate started a fire. She glanced around in amazement. Her family. What a huge difference from last Christmas, with her and Sylvia trying to cheer each other, so soon after Papa’s death. The table had been filled with all kinds of Christmas dishes, served by starched servants. She and Sylvia nibbled a bit and then excused themselves from the table and went their own way.
She’d attended a Christmas party much like the one last night, but instead of dancing all night in the strong arms of her husband, she’d bantered and flirted with a number of men. No one made her feel a tiny bit the way she did when she looked at Nate.
His hair falling over his forehead, he shoved it back and continued helping her get the coffee and chocolate ready for Christmas morning. The boys danced around with impatience, and from her place on the floor, Julia-Rose raised chubby arms to be picked up.
Soon, the family gathered in the parlor, and the boys dug into their stockings which contained fruit, a candy stick, and a few toys. Nate had elected not to have candles on the tree for safety reasons, so the house sat in shadows until the sun came up. By then Angel had served her family breakfast, and they all chattered about going to Eli Benson’s house for Christmas dinner.
“Angel, can you finish reading A Christmas Carol to us before we go?” Matt asked.
“Yes, I’ll do that as soon as we’re cleaned up from breakfast.” She wiped Julia-Rose’s hands free of scrambled eggs.
“Before that, boys, we need to read the story of the ‘First Christmas’ from the Bible,” Nate added. ”In fact, Mark can you read for us?”
The boy’s face glowed with pride. Since Angel had been tutoring him, his confidence had grown.
After the readings from the Bible and Dickens’ book, Luke crawled on Angel’s lap and twirled her hair around his finger. “Why does Julia-Rose get to call you Mama, and we all call you Angel?”
“Because she’s our Angel. Papa said so when she came,” Mark said, sucking on his peppermint stick.
“I already have an angel Mama in heaven. I want a real one here.” Luke looked at her, his eyes wide.
Angel’s heart melted, and she turned to Nate for help.
“If any of you want to call Angel Mama, I’m sure it would be all right with her.” Nate studied each boy in turn.
“Is it all right with you?” Matt looked at her from across the room.
Because she couldn’t talk, Angel merely nodded, and wiping quickly at her tears, hugged Luke. Before long the other three settled next to her, and she hugged them all.
When she finally spoke over the lump in her throat, she looked beyond four small heads at Nate. “This is the best Christmas I’ve ever had.”
“Me, too.” Nate watched them, all gathered together on the settee. Julia-Rose climbed from his lap, and toddled over to Angel.
“Mama, up.”
Lucy nursed a headache, and a rolling stomach, as she sat at the breakfast table. At Papa’s insistence, Sylvia had spent the night at the Benson home, which wasn’t exactly scandalous since technically, Lucy was a chaperone.
Papa had sent his man to the Hale’s to get a change of clothes for Sylvia. In the meantime, she used one of Lucy’s silk robes after her bath.
Papa’s face flushed with high spirits, and Sylvia kept stealing glances at him from across the table. Annoyed at their exuberance, Lucy hated that her pouting had no effect on the older couple who only had eyes for each other.
They told her the Hale family would be joining them for Christmas dinner, and Lucy decided to get Nate alone this time. With all those urchins running around, keeping Angel busy, the opportunity would present itself. She had to talk to him, and make him understand once and for all he belonged with her. It might even be time to drop a few hints about the criminal background of Mrs. Sylvia Hardwick.
The doorbell rang shortly after noon, and within minutes the sound of children and adults wishing each other a ‘Merry Christmas’ filled the air. Despite her
father glowering at her, she refused to play hostess to Angel and Sylvia. She begrudgingly showed them into the grand parlor, and waved in the general direction of a table set with Christmas drinks. Papa invited Nate into his library for a whiskey before dinner.
Angel sat on the dark green damask settee, enjoying a cup of mulled wine. Green and white striped wallpaper covered the walls of the beautiful room. A large, gold-framed mirror hung over the blazing fireplace, the flames reflected in the glass chandelier in the center of the ceiling. Several patterned carpets rested on a beautifully finished hardwood floor.
“Lucy, did you do the decorating in here? It’s truly lovely.” Angel smiled at the girl.
“No.”
Sylvia and Angel exchanged glances.
“Who did it, dear?” Sylvia asked sweetly.
“A decorator. Would you excuse me, I need to see about dinner.” Lucy rose from her seat, left the room, then hurried up the stairs.
Angel looked at Sylvia over the top of her glass. “I had no idea Eli kept the kitchen on the second floor.”
Sylvia smiled wryly.
The remnants of the party from the night before had been cleared away. The immense Christmas tree in the parlor had been decorated with candles, bows, fruits and nuts. Angel had to keep hopping up to grab things out of Julia-Rose’s hand that were likely to choke her. Finally, she pulled the baby on her lap, and entertained her with songs and stories.
Lucy returned, then took her seat by the doorway, arms crossed.
“Lucy, Eli tells me you took a trip to Europe this year,” Sylvia said, trying once more to draw the girl out.
“Yes, it was a wonderful trip. I bought lots and lots of expensive dresses.” She narrowed her eyes at Sylvia. “But I guess that’s the reason you want to marry Papa. Everyone knows he’s richer than a king.”
Smiling through gritted teeth, Sylvia turned her attention to Angel, remarking on the beauty of the Christmas tree. Since Sylvia hadn’t responded to Lucy’s challenge, the young woman slumped in her chair and continued to sulk.
Within minutes a small bell rang, and Lucy leapt from her seat. “Dinner is ready.” She walked off and left her guests, who followed behind her, glancing at each other at the display of unsteadiness in Lucy’s walk.
After they were all settled at the table, Eli turned to Nate. “Will you offer the blessing?”
Lucy snorted, but bowed her head anyway as Nate said a short prayer. Soon, dishes were passed from hand to hand, and silverware clanked as they all enjoyed the ham, turkey, boiled potatoes, greens, biscuits, and fruit.
Angel smiled with pleasure as she watched her boys. She had been working on their table manners for some time now, and apparently her lessons had paid off. They all conducted themselves like little gentlemen. She glanced over at Nate, and they both smiled, knowing what the other thought. Even Julia-Rose used her spoon with her fingers, much to Angel’s delight.
After dinner, Lucy disappeared as the others retired to the parlor where Nate and Eli played a game of chess, with Matt looking on. Sylvia and Angel kept the rest of the children occupied with stories and games. If Eli noticed his daughter’s absence, he didn’t comment on it.
Shortly after dark, Nate stood and stretched. “Eli, I enjoyed that game. But it’s time to get my family home. We were up pretty early this morning.”
The adults struggled to their feet, full and content from the wonderful meal, which concluded with the elegant desserts that in Lucy’s absence, Sylvia had served in the parlor. The boys appeared to have spent their energy, and Julia-Rose’s eyes grew heavy. It had been a long day.
Eli walked them to the door, calling for the doorman to deliver their coats.
“I’ll be bringing Sylvia home in a little bit.” Eli placed his arm around her shoulders possessively.
They stood in the doorway with their coats on, as Lucy came slowly down the stairs. She weaved her way through the crowd, smiling smugly, and seemed to lurch on her way to reach Nate.
Glancing up, Angel noticed a sprig of mistletoe hanging over Nate’s head, and knew trouble was about to start.
Lucy pointed. “Mistletoe,” she chanted, and proceeded to pull his head down and give him a lengthy kiss.
“Lucy!” Eli grabbed her arm and pulled her away.
“What?” She turned and stumbled against him. “It’s only mistletoe. I saw you kiss her under it before.” She jerked her chin in Sylvia’s direction.
“That’s enough.” Eli moved closer and peered into his daughter’s eyes. “Have you been drinking, young lady?”
“No.” She raised two fingers, about a half-inch apart. “Well, maybe a little. It is a holiday, you know.” She slurred her words and swayed in his direction. “I’ve had enough of this party.” As she turned to walk away, her body crumbled. Nate caught her right before she hit the floor.
Sylvia glanced at Angel, and mouthed, “Oh, dear.”
Chapter 18
It was winter in Oregon City, and the night before, a rare snowstorm had battered the city, blowing white powder in swirls, wrapping bare tree branches in crystals, and turning the world into a frosty, hushed playground.
Luke and John were the first of the boys awake to witness the wonderland. Nate watched with one eye closed as they ran to his bedroom and excitedly rubbed nightshirt-clad arms across the window, then shrieked in delight. Matt and Mark woke up, and hearing her brothers’ screams, Julia-Rose started to wail.
“Snow, Papa, snow,” Luke yelled, jumping on the end of his parents’ bed.
Angel pulled the pillow over her head. Nate regarded her. “Coward.”
Despite being Saturday, Nate left his shop closed in honor of the snowfall, and after chores were done, he joined the boys in the front yard to build a snowman. Angel dressed Julia-Rose in warm clothes, and taught her how to make angels in the snow. When the baby got too cold, Angel changed her clothes and sat with her on the front porch, drinking cups of hot cocoa and watching the boys and Nate having a snowball fight.
Shortly before supper, a familiar figure on horseback ambled toward the house. Smiling broadly at the antics between Nate and the boys, Sheriff Travis and his horse plodded along, kicking up clumps of snow-covered mud. He stopped in front of the gate, and tipped his hat to Angel.
“Afternoon, Mrs. Hale, Nate.” A puff of steam shot from his mouth as he swung his rotund body off the horse and opened the gate.
“What can I do for you, Sheriff?” Nate dusted powdery snow off his gloves.
The sheriff cleared his throat, and kicked at the snow under his foot. “I understand there’s a Mrs. Sylvia Hardwick residing here with you?”
“Yes, that’s right.” Nate frowned. “She’s my wife’s stepmother, been here for a few months.”
The sheriff thumbed his hat out of his eyes, and sighed. “There really isn’t any good way to say this, Nate. I have a warrant here for her arrest.”
“Her arrest!” Angel gasped, holding Julia-Rose as she came down the steps to join Nate and the Sheriff.
“Yes, ma’am, I’m afraid the Police Department in New York City has been looking for her for quite some time.”
“My stepmother? There must be a mistake, Sheriff. My stepmother never did anything criminal in her life.”
“Well, ma’am, that may be, but I still need to take her to the jail.”
Nate rested his fists at his waist. “Now, wait a minute, Sheriff. Take her to the jail? Is that really necessary?”
“I know this is difficult for you, ma’am,” he nodded in Angel’s direction, “but I have no choice. With this here warrant, I have to take her into custody.”
“Then, what?” Nate put his arm around Angel’s shoulders.
“Well once she’s at the jail, I’ll notify New York City, and follow whatever orders they give
me.”
“This is unbelievable.” Angel glanced at Nate.
“Mrs. Hale, I understand your distress, but I must ask you to please get Mrs. Hardwick.”
“Nate?” Angel’s voice trembled.
“Honey, go get Sylvia, but don’t tell her anything yet. I’d rather be there when we tell her.”
Turning to the sheriff, Nate said, “Won’t you come inside, Sheriff? Sylvia may be some time.”
The sheriff took his hat off, ran his fingers through his hair and tugged it back on. “Actually, Nate, I hoped you would be willing to bring her in. All I have is my horse, and I think the lady would be much more comfortable in your buggy.”
“I agree. I don’t think Mrs. Hardwick would appreciate being slung over the back of your horse like an outlaw.” As the sheriff turned to go, Nate added, “Incidentally, she recently became engaged to Eli Benson, so I’ll need to notify him.”
The sheriff sighed, and hung his head. “This is getting complicated, Nate. I’d rather not deal with Eli right now. Please bring Mrs. Hardwick to the jail, and then you can get whomever you want. Since I know she’s here, I really shouldn’t even leave without her.”
“I understand,” Nate said. “I’ll get her there right away.”
“Sheriff,” Nate stopped him once more as he turned his horse. “What’s the arrest warrant for?”
“Grand larceny.”
Sylvia had not stopped sniffling into her handkerchief since Nate told her about the sheriff’s visit. She was thoroughly confused. Jail! How did one conduct oneself in jail? Would she have a roommate? How long would she have to stay? How much clothing should she pack? And her job!
“I still don’t understand,” Sylvia wailed once more as they stopped in front of the sheriff’s office.
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