by Keli Gwyn
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 last 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 understand 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.
The first half of the letter dealt with hotel business. The Golden Crowne hotel was not only going to be built, but her father stated clearly that Stuart would be given the task of overseeing its construction.
“Oh, Stuart, you must be thrilled. This is the first time Father has relinquished so much control. I can see why. You’ve proven you can do the job. I’m curious, though. Will you still be able to escort the children and me back to Philadelphia?”
“It depends. Keep reading.”
The next paragraph started with news that seemed too good to be true. Her skin tingled and turned to gooseflesh. “I can’t believe it! Father is eager to meet the children. He’s never said such a thing before. Pauline would be so happy.”
Stuart slid his hands in the pockets of his overcoat and gazed into the distance. Although he said nothing, the firm set of his jaw spoke volumes. The bad news was yet to come. Lavinia drew in a breath of the crisp mountain air and willed herself to keep reading.
At long last, I will have my heir. Lavinia has mentioned what a bright boy Alexander is, but I know remediation will be required after his experience out west. I’ve engaged a private tutor for him in Boston—far from the hostilities predicted to visit our besieged country soon—where I’ll send him shortly after he arrives. As soon as he’s of age, I’ll see that he’s admitted to one of the finest boarding schools.
She held the paper in hands that were shaking so badly she couldn’t focus on the remaining lines. “I can’t believe it. Why would Father have me bring Alex back only to send him away?”
“He has his reasons.”
“I see that, but tearing the children apart would break their hearts.” It would rend hers to watch it happen. She blinked several times to clear her watery vision and forced herself to finish the letter, the ache in her chest intensifying as she read.
I’ll have a governess ready to take charge of the children when your ship docks in New York. They will require a firm hand after the leniency they’ve been granted by my daughters. Pauline possessed a free spirit, and although Lavinia is more levelheaded than her sister was, she’s prone to sentimentality. I allowed my late wife to pamper our girls when they were young, resulting in outright rebellion when they were older, but I won’t make that mistake with my grandchildren. They will be taught to respect my authority, not flout it.
I wish you a pleasant journey, Stuart, and look forward to finalizing our plans for the Golden Crowne prior to your return to San Francisco.
Sincerely,
Paul Crowne
She shoved the paper at Stuart. “You’d best take this before I tear it to shreds.” She jumped up and paced, her breath coming in noisy puffs. “He’s maligned my sister for years. I kept quiet, but I can’t do that anymore. Pauline was a wonderful mother. She loved the children deeply and taught them the value of family. They might squabble every now and then, but they’re good and kind and respectful. They don’t need a firm hand. They need love and kindness and understanding.”
Stuart nodded. “And that’s what you’ve given them.”
“You’re right. I have. I’m going to see that the children get the loving care they deserve.” She stopped in front of Stuart and jabbed her fists into her hips. “And if that’s too sentimental for Father’s liking, well then, he’ll just have to deal with it.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m not sure, but I can’t take them back to Philadelphia. I know what it’s like to live life under his roof and his rule.” She plopped down on the rock, rested her elbows on her knees and held her chin in her hands. Lifting her head required more energy than she had.
Everything in her revolted at what she’d read. She’d spent years overlooking her father’s autocratic manner, even making excuses for it, but he’d gone too far this time. He might be expecting her to carry out his marching orders, but she refused to subject those precious children to his sharp tongue and barked commands.
“He can be demanding at times,” Stuart said, “but that drives those of us under him to achieve more than we might otherwise. I’m a case in point. I never imagined I’d be chosen to open a hotel for him.”
“What will you tell your father?”
“I have no idea. It won’t matter anyway. If he’s decided to claim Alex as his heir, he won’t tolerate me going against him.” Nothing she could say would change his mind. In all likelihood, he would disown her as he had Pauline.
Stuart rubbed a hand over his square jaw. “When I read the letter, I anticipated your reaction. I know how much the children mean to you. I also know what it’s like to stand up to your father, having watched others do so. That’s why I’ve come up with a possible solution.”
She straightened. “Really? What’s that?”
“You could stay here in California and marry me.”
Had she heard him correctly? “Did you say what I think you said?”
He nodded. “I’ve given it a lot of thought. If we were to wed, that would give you a stronger case. A judge or jury would look more favorably on a couple than a single woman.”
“That’s probably true, but if you join me in defying Father, you would be passing up the opportunity to oversee the construction of the Golden Crowne. How could you give that up?” And why would he?
“Not to sound boastful, but my experience working for your father has served me well. Others would like to gain from it. I’ve had two different groups of investors in San Francisco invite me to open hotels for them. The possibility of working for men who value my expertise is appealing.”
She could understand that. Even if her father respected Stuart, he wasn’t one to dole out appreciation or accolades. “But why marry me?”
“The group of investors whose offer I’m most interested in have had bad experiences with the single men out here. They’re apt to move on as soon as a better opportunity comes their way. The gentlemen want a family man and have given me until the end of the year to find a wife. If I must marry, I can’t think of anyone more suited. I realize you don’t have romantic feelings for me. Since I don’t have them for you either, this would be, to put it bluntly, a marriage of convenience. It’s not an ideal solution, but it could benefit us both.”
