by Karen Kirst
“I’m sorry things have been so challenging, Lavinia. You can trust me not to say a word.”
“Thank you.” She spotted Alex by himself, surveying what was left on the dessert tables, and headed over to him. He picked up a molasses fritter.
“Alex.”
He spun around, a guilty look on his face. “Aunt Livy, I’ve only had three things so far.”
“It’s fine. You may have another. I just came over to introduce you to my…my friend, Mr. Worthington. Stuart this is my nephew, Alex.”
“I’m pleased to meet you, young man.” Stuart held out a hand.
Alex looked up at Stuart with narrowed eyes and made no move to accept his offer of a handshake. “You’re the man who brought Aunt Livy here, aren’t you?”
Stuart returned his attention to Alex. “You’re right. I’m the one who was privileged to serve as her escort on the trip here, and what a journey it was. We traveled on two ships and a train.”
Alex eyed Stuart suspiciously. “You’re not her sweetheart, are you?”
To his credit, Stuart didn’t appear surprised. “I work for her father, but she and I are friends.”
“It’s a good thing you’re only friends because my uncle Henry just gave her a great big kiss in front of everybody.”
Of all the things Alex could have said, that had to be the most cringe-worthy. Mindful of her nephew’s feelings and Stuart’s stunned silence, Lavinia chose her words carefully. “You and your sisters took your uncle and me by surprise with that bit of mistletoe mischief. We went along with it because we knew it was all in fun.”
“But you like him. I know you do.”
“Of course I like him. Your uncle is a fine man, and he’s very good to you and your sisters, but he and I are just friends.” And despite her surprising reaction to Henry’s kiss, that’s all they could ever be.
“Speaking of your sisters,” Stuart said, bringing the awkward conversation to a close, “I’d like to meet them, too, so your aunt and I will leave you to enjoy that dessert. I look forward to seeing you again, Alex.”
Lavinia took the arm Stuart offered, grateful to escape her nephew’s probing questions. The last thing she wanted to do right now was examine her feelings for Henry. Or his lack of feelings for her. She scanned the room, spotted Marcie and Dot by the Christmas tree and led the way to them.
Marcie saw them first, and her eyes widened. She looked from Stuart to Lavinia. “Who is he?”
She introduced him. “And these are my nieces, Marcie and Dot.”
Stuart held his closed hand to his waist and leaned toward the girls in gallant fashion. “Your aunt didn’t tell me what lovely ladies you are.”
Marcie smiled and passed a hand over her dark curls. “Do you want to see the decorations I made? Aunt Livy’s been too busy to see them.”
The way Marcie shrugged off Lavinia’s apparent lack of interest brought her up short. She’d been so focused on the party that she’d forgotten to look at her niece’s ornaments.
Henry appeared at Lavinia’s side. “Your aunt’s here now, Muffin, and I’m sure she’d love to see your creations.”
Lavinia welcomed the opportunity to concentrate on something other than the men standing on either side of her, giving her time to compose herself after the series of surprises she’d faced in the past few minutes. “Yes, sweetie, I would. Please, show us all.”
Marcie ate up the attention, eagerly pointing out her handiwork while directing her comments to Stuart. “I made angels since I’m going to be an angel in the Christmas play. I even have a line to say. Will you be there, Mr. Worthy, um, Worthing?” She frowned. “I forgot what it is.”
“It’s Worthington, but since that’s such a long name, you can call me Mr. W. And yes, I will be there. I look forward to hearing you deliver your line. I’m sure you’ll do a wonderful job.”
“My niece is quite talented.” Henry smiled at Marcie, but the icy look he shot Stuart could freeze the water flowing in Sutter Creek.
Lavinia could avoid the inevitable no longer. “Stuart, allow me to introduce Henry Hawthorn, the children’s uncle. Henry, this is—”
“Mr. Worthington. Yes, I know. Welcome.” Henry extended a hand, still stained from his day spent working in the smithy. His eyes held a challenge.
Stuart returned Henry’s piercing gaze with an unflinching one and shook his hand without hesitation. “I’m pleased to meet you, Mr. Hawthorn. Lavinia has told me a great deal about you.”
The tension between the two men put Lavinia on edge. “You must be tired after your travels, Stuart. Have you secured lodging yet?”
“I booked a room at the American House hotel. I’ll be heading there shortly, but first I’d like to sample some of those desserts and have a cup of that delicious smelling cider, if I may?”
Lavinia nodded. “By all means.”
“Aunt Livy, can Mr. W. go with us to get our Christmas tree tomorrow?”
Stuart had obviously made an impression on Marcie. “It’s nice of you to ask, sweetie, but I’m not sure he’d want to do that.”
“It’s going to be quite an adventure. This little lady—” Henry swung Dot into his arms “—has never seen snow. Her brother and sister did once, but they were too young to remember. I thought it would be fun to head up the mountain and find a tree above the snowline. That will require traveling in a wagon over two hours each way.”
Henry’s announcement was unexpected. Several days before, Lavinia had suggested granting the children’s wish to see snow, but he’d said the trip could end up being more trouble than it was worth and that they could find a tree much closer. Something had obviously changed his mind. It was clear he was out to dissuade Stuart from joining them.
Dot stared at Henry, openmouthed. “We get to see snow? Goody!”
“Please say you’ll come, Mr. W. You could help Uncle Henry cut down the tree and carry it to the wagon.” Marcie leaned toward Stuart and spoke in a stage whisper. “Alex thinks he’s old enough to do it, but he’s not. He’s still a boy, but you’re a big, tall man.”
Stuart smiled. “It sounds like fun. I’d be happy to join all of you, provided, of course—” he turned to Henry “—that I wouldn’t be in the way.”
“There’s plenty of room on the wagon.”
Lavinia stifled a sigh. Henry hadn’t exactly come across as welcoming, but he could use the help. It would take two men to carry the tree she wanted.
“Good,” Stuart said. “I’ll be ready when you show up at the hotel.”
A steely-eyed look passed between the men. She got the impression they were facing off. Were they out to show her that they cared about impressing the children? Or could it be that they were trying to impress her?
She would be delighted if Henry made his attraction clear. If he did, that could change everything.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“Are we there yet?” Dot asked for the tenth time since leaving Sutter Creek.
“We’ll be there soon, sweetie.” Lavinia was as eager to arrive at their destination as her niece.
Bouncing on the plank seat the past two hours between Stuart and Henry had been challenging. Stuart had carried on a lively conversation with the children, whereas Henry had said little beyond responding to direct questions. If she didn’t know better, she’d think he was jealous. Although he’d said nothing to indicate that he’d fallen for her, she took his brooding silence as an encouraging sign. A lady could hope, couldn’t she?
“Look at all that beautiful snow.” Marcie’s excitement had intensified with each additional inch of white on the ground. “Can’t we stop now, Uncle Henry? We’ve been riding for ever so long.”
“There are only four or five inches, but I suppose that’s enough to build a snowman.” He brought the wagon to a halt at l
ast and hopped down.
The children scrambled out of the wagon bed. Alex scuffed around in the snow. Dot tossed a handful of the powdery stuff into the air. Marcie hit Henry with a snowball and burst out laughing when he jumped.
He came to life, scooping up some snow and forming it into a ball. “Look out, Muffin. I’m going to get you back.”
The other children joined in the snowball fight. Their gleeful shouts rang out, a sharp contrast to the hush of the forest.
Stuart climbed down and helped Lavinia to the ground. She took a step, but he stopped her.
“I’d like to spend a few minutes with you. Alone.” His request, delivered in that serious tone, sent a shiver racing up her spine.
“Is everything all right?”
“I received a second letter from your father not long after the first arrived. He’s fine, but he’s made some plans that won’t sit well with you.”
That wasn’t surprising. She didn’t agree with many of his decisions. “I see. We could slip away for a few minutes after our picnic lunch.” She was in no hurry to find out what her father wanted. If it had Stuart concerned, it must be quite distasteful.
Lavinia and Stuart joined in the fun. Although she hadn’t participated in a snowball fight since she and Pauline were young, her aim was as good as ever. The snowball she sent sailing Henry’s way struck him in the middle of his back as planned.
He wheeled around, realized who’d pelted him and took off after her, holding a huge snowball in his hands. She should have waited until he’d lobbed it at someone else. He ran fast, but she zigzagged through the trees.
“Go, Aunt Livy!” Marcie and Dot called.
“Get her, Uncle Henry!” Alex hollered.
She turned to see how close Henry was and ran into Stuart. Henry sent the snowball sailing. She ducked, and it smacked Stuart in the face.
He brushed himself off and laughed. “Look out, Hawthorn. I’m coming after you.”
A fierce battle ensued. The men fired snowballs back and forth with surprising speed.
Alex and Dot cheered for their uncle. Marcie shouted encouragement to both Henry and Stuart. Lavinia watched in amazement as the men pommeled each other relentlessly. Although it was a game, the determination on their faces spoke of a deeper reason for their rivalry.
The futility of their efforts had her shaking her head. She cared about Henry deeply, but despite this unexpected show of jealousy, he seemed to be holding back, much to her dismay. Stuart appeared to be interested in her, but she wouldn’t encourage a man for whom she felt nothing more than friendship.
She waved her arms over her head and stood between the men. “I’m declaring a ceasefire. We have a snowman to build.”
“That we do.” Henry took charge. “Alex and I will make the base. Stuart, you and Marcie can take the middle, and Dot and Lavinia can form the head. Is everyone in agreement?”
They nodded.
“All right then. Ready. Set. Go!”
Before long, the snowman took shape. The children added twigs for arms, rocks for the face and moss for buttons down the snowy fellow’s front.
Dot admired their creation. “He’s the bestest snowman in the whole wide world, isn’t he?”
“That he is,” Stuart agreed, “but he’s missing something.” He dashed to the wagon and returned with a well-worn derby and scarf he’d rescued from the hotel’s lost-and-found barrel. “If you’ll allow me to hold you up, you may have the honor of putting these on our new friend.”
She glanced at Henry, as though seeking his permission. To Lavinia’s relief, he nodded.
“There.” Dot put the hat and scarf in place and smiled at Stuart for the first time. “He looks just right now.”
He returned the smile. “That he does, Miss Dorothea.”
Her mouth fell open. “You know my long name.”
“Of course I do. Your aunt told me.”
She narrowed her eyes. “What about Alex and Marcie? Do you know theirs, too?”
Stuart nodded. “Alexander and Marcella. Each of you was named after a grandparent.”
His way with the children eased Lavinia’s concerns about his ability to help her look after them on the trip back to Philadelphia. Hopefully, Henry’s had been put to rest as well. She looked his way and caught him watching her, his fine features pinched in a frown.
He turned toward the children. “Are you ready to find a tree?”
His question was met with joyful exclamations.
“All right then. We’re looking for one this high.” He held an arm over his head and bent his fingers.
Lavinia clomped over to him. “I was hoping to get a tree twice as tall.”
“Why? The parlor has a ten-foot ceiling.”
“I thought we’d set it up in the entryway. It would look wonderful there.”
Alex joined them. “We can’t do that, Aunt Livy. Mama and Papa always put the tree in the parlor.”
His drawn eyebrows and downturned mouth tugged at her heart. “I’m sorry, Alex. I didn’t think about that.” She’d been so focused on her vision for the celebration that she hadn’t thought to ask the children what they wanted. “We’ll put the tree in the parlor like your mama and papa did. And we’ll decorate it just the way you want.”
Alex’s features relaxed. “Really? We can make popcorn and cranberry strings and hang the ornaments Mama made?”
Lavinia nodded. “We’ll make the garlands as soon as we get back. I promise.”
“Can we decorate the tree tonight, too?” Alex asked.
“Is that what they did?”
He shook his head. “They made us wait until Christmas Eve, but that’s two days away. I like seeing the tree. It makes it feel more like Christmas.”
“You’re right. We’ll get it decorated tonight, provided your uncle agrees.” Hopefully, he would. She couldn’t haul the tree inside and set it up herself.
“Wholeheartedly.” Henry sent her a smile so warm it could melt an entire snowman in no time, setting her heart beating double time. “Your aunt’s a wise woman. Christmas is special and deserves to be celebrated for more than just a day or two. That’s why she’s worked so hard to spread Christmas cheer at the parties she’s planned.”
His compliments drew her up short. If he knew that the real reason was to gain support from the community, his opinion of her would change. At least she wouldn’t have to tell him about her pending case against him until after Christmas since Mr. Price hadn’t been able to secure a court date before then.
“Come, Alex.” She beckoned. “Let’s get your sisters. I’ve never gotten to pick out a Christmas tree before, so I need the three of you to help me find the very best one. And we must remember that it can’t be much taller than your uncle Henry when he’s wearing that lovely top hat of his.”
The next two hours flew by as they cut a tree, loaded it in the back of the wagon and enjoyed their picnic while seated on a quilt-covered tarpaulin spread beneath the clear blue sky. A gentle breeze whispered through snow-laden branches, sending glittering flakes floating to the ground. The sun overhead transformed the landscape into a blanket of glistening diamonds.
Lavinia gathered the remains of their lunch and carried the wicker basket to the wagon.
Stuart followed her. “Would you care to take a short walk with me before we get underway?”
She had no interest in hearing her father’s plan, especially when it was sure to put a damper on this delightful day. “Certainly. Just let me tell Henry so he knows to keep an eye on the children.”
“There’s no need. I’ve already let him know.”
“Oh. And what did he say?”
Stuart chuckled. “Very little. I get the impression he’s not too happy that I showed up.”
“I can under
stand since he knows I intend to have you help me take the children away from him.”
They set off. Although the ray of sun she’d sat in had warmed her, Lavinia tucked her hands in her muff before Stuart could offer his arm. She’d caught him studying her several times with the unmistakable look of a man who’d taken an interest in her. His lingering gazes had lacked the level of attraction she’d seen in Henry’s eyes before he’d kissed her, but even so, she had no intention of giving Stuart the wrong impression. If only looking into his eyes made her breath hitch the way it did when she lost herself in the clear blue of Henry’s.
She spotted a granite boulder alongside the creek. Henry and the children were visible in the distance, giving her a sense of security. She trusted Stuart, but he’d been acting differently. “We could sit here.”
“Fine. Allow me.” He made a cushion using the blanket he’d slung over his arm. “There you go.”
“Thank you.” She took a seat as far to one side as she could on the small surface, clasped her hands tightly inside the muff and braced herself for what was to come, whatever that might be.
Stuart sat, shifting to one side so he was facing her. He pulled a letter out of his pocket. “I received this some time ago, and ever since I’ve been debating how much to tell you about what it contains. I realized I have no right to withhold anything from you, even if the news is…somewhat troubling.”
His careful choice of words concerned her. “You said Father’s all right.”
“He is. It’s not about him. It’s about the children, Alex in particular.”
“Alex? Why?”
“Perhaps it would be best if you read the letter yourself.”
She removed her muff, took the envelope and pulled out the small sheet of paper filled with words penned in tiny print to allow for as many on the page as possible. Her frugal father had kept the weight under a quarter of an ounce to get the Pony Express’s lowest rate.
