Frontier Gift of Love (American Wilderness Series Romance Book 5) (11 page)

Rory let Lucky’s words sink in, and then burst out laughing.

The old hunter chuckled too in a deep, jovial way. When Lucky finally quit, he asked, “How are Kelly and your sweet granddaughter doing?”

“They are all hale and excited about leaving tomorrow for our visit to
Sam and Catherine’s place for Christmas.”

“Yep, Bear told me about your trip and asked me to look after his place and William’s while all of you were gone. I’ll take care of feeding the horses and stock too.”

“We appreciate your help, Lucky.”

“Would you do a favor for an old man?” Lucky asked.

Concerned, he glanced up and studied Lucky’s weathered face. “Certainly. Are you not well? Do you need me to reopen the apothecary?”

“If I were any better, I’d be in heaven. I just wanted you to tell the Captain and Catherine howdy for me and send my Christmas wishes to them.”

“Well, of course I will. I can’t wait to see them again myself. According to Sam’s last letter, Catherine is due to deliver soon. Perhaps we will have more to celebrate than the birth of our Lord.”

Lucky nodded in agreement. “It’s tavern time. Care to join me?”

Rory shook his head. He’d sworn off liquor for the rest of his life. Drinking to excess had almost cost him his daughter’s life. “I thank you for your invitation, Sir, but I need to pick up some gifts for the children. I hope Breedhead isn’t sold out.”

“I’ll leave you to make your purchases then.” Lucky waved as he rode away toward the tavern and eatery.

“Have a blessed holiday,” Rory called after Lucky. As he watched the old fellow ride away, he decided he would ask Sam if he could invite Lucky to join them next year.

He hurried to the general store and, as he entered, he delighted in the store’s unique fragrance. A blend of spices, leathers, grains, coffee, gunpowder, and at least a dozen of other scents. Breedhead still had several customers and would likely have to stay open past the store’s normal closing time. Like most men, Rory dreaded shopping and had procrastinated until the last minute. He quickly selected an assortment of
toys and even found a pretty hair comb for Kelly. After all, she would always be his little girl, even if she was married and had a child of her own.

After he paid, he retrieved his horse from the livery, loaded his packages, and hurried over to the fort to meet up with William. On the days he worked at the apothecary, he and William normally rode to and from Boonesborough together. Kelly would have a nice meal prepared and he didn’t want to be too late. She’d scold them both if her meal got overcooked.

William’s horse, Smoke, stood saddled and waiting outside the office.

“Ready?” William asked him as he entered the sheriff’s office.

“Indeed. It has been a particularly long day.”

“Good night, Dr. McGuffin. Have a safe journey and pleasant visit with your family.”

“Good night Deputy Wallace,” Rory said as he turned to leave.

Speaking to William, Wallace added, “I’ll see you in a couple of weeks. Don’t worry sheriff, the judge will be here while you’re gone if I need help with anything.”

“I’m not worried,” William said, “I know I’m leaving the town in capable hands. And Judge Webb and Colonel Byrd are here to assist you if needed.”

Wallace stood a little taller and shook William’s hand. “Thank you, Sir. And please have a wonderful time with your family. You’ve earned some time off.”

“Thank you Deputy. I’ll be back in early January, right after the Twelfth Day race.”

“That’s twelve days starting on Christmas, right?”

“Yes,” William said. “The twelve days are 25 December to 5 January. So we should be back home around the seventh or eighth.”

“We’d best be on our way,” Rory said. “You know how your wife gets when we keep her dinner waiting.”

“You mean how
your
daughter gets!” William laughed and snugged his tricorne onto his head. “I do know. Let’s hurry!”

“Gwaaanpa,” Nicole said as Rory opened the door to Kelly and William’s cabin. Not quite two years old, the pronunciation of some words still eluded Nicole.

William’s long legs swept past him and his son-in-law lifted Nicole into his arms before McGuffin could reach her. Whenever William and he arrived together, they’d both race in to see who could pick Nicole up first. The game seemed to amuse his granddaughter.

“Your Father got you first tonight,” Rory told her. “But I’ll win next time!”

“Kiss mama!” Nicole commanded her father and pointed a tiny finger at her mother.

William carried his daughter over to Kelly and gave his wife a big kiss. Riley, their big golden dog, wagged his tail furiously, as he romped next to them. It was another game they all played. As soon as he got home, Nicole would tell her father to kiss her mother and Riley would escort the two over to Kelly. McGuffin suspected that it was William’s favorite of the many games they played.

“How’s my daughter? Did you have a good day helping your mother pack for our trip?” William asked Nicole. He gave Riley a vigorous pat or two and then sat down at the table with Nicole balanced on one leg. Riley instantly jumped up and planted his front legs across William’s other leg. William gave both a big hug.

“She did have a good day,” Kelly answered for her. “We are all packed up and ready to go.”

“Go,” Nicole repeated, “see Unc’ Bear.”

“And have a wonderful family Christmas!” Rory told her. He missed celebrating Christmas with his family at his childhood home on their Virginia plantation. They followed the old Christmas customs of their
English ancestors who lived in fine manor houses. He remembered enjoying ample feasts, dancing, gambling on horse races, hunting, and visiting relatives. His oldest brother, in keeping with custom, inherited their family home and the plantation. He couldn’t help but wonder if he still celebrated Christmas with gusto as their parents had. Perhaps one Christmas, he would pay him a visit.

“I’d like to leave by daybreak,” William said, “earlier if possible.”

“I’ll be ready and have the wagon team hitched,” Rory said.

“Oh, I almost forgot the presents for the children,” William told Kelly. “We unloaded them onto the porch before we stalled the horses.”

“I’ll get them,” Rory volunteered, “you have your hands full.” He went outside and brought several packages back, stacking them beside the luggage neatly piled by the door.

“Since Bear had to leave sooner than he planned, he wanted us to pick out presents for Stephen’s girls and…” William paused and peered into his daughter’s happy face, “…and Nicole!”

The child giggled with glee and clapped her tiny hands. “Pwesssscents!”

William turned to Kelly. “Since you didn’t get a chance to get into town, I went ahead and purchased the gifts. And I bought Nicole a warm wool coat. A blue one.”

“Oh William, that’s wonderful! She needed it. We’ll all need to wear warm clothing,” Kelly said. “After we eat, I’ll tie some pretty ribbons on the packages.”

“And we should bring plenty of blankets and furs,” Rory said. “I don’t want Nicole to catch a chill.”

“Agreed,” William said. “But if she does, she’ll have her own personal physician.” William glanced over at him and winked.

“True,” Rory said, “but it’s much easier to prevent an illness than it is to cure one.”

“Pa, did you bring your medicines home with you?” Kelly asked.

“Yes, I brought everything I could think of. I should have all we might require. Hopefully, we won’t need any of it.”

“Now all we need is a couple of days of mild traveling weather,” Kelly said.

“No problem, we’ll ask Father Christmas to bring it!” Rory said, grinning at Nicole.

He couldn’t wait to spend a peaceful Christmas with his family.

Chapter 10

Cumberland Falls Horse Farm, Kentucky
,
late Monday, 19 December, 1799

“G
arvin!” Sam yelled into the barn as he approached. When his farm manager rushed out, he asked, “Have you seen my son?”

“No, Sir. Do you want me to ask the other men?”

“Yes, and be quick about it.” Sam paced outside the barn, wearing a path in the snow down to the dirt. Where could the boy be? He scanned around him, hoping to spot his son. But he only saw a crimson sunset gleaming through the dark woods. He could not take time to appreciate its beauty now. He began to worry in earnest as his mind clouded with the terrible possibilities. Was Little John hurt? Did a wild animal find him? Was he lost?

Garvin hurried back and reported the men had seen no sign of the boy and Little John’s horse was still in the barn. “Do you want us to get saddled and start a search?”

Sam rubbed the tense muscles on the back of his neck. It was nearly dark. Little John should have returned by now. The boy never disobeyed him. Well, almost never. But he doubted Little John would want to be out after dark. He looked up at Garvin. “Yes, have the other men saddle up, and tell them to each bring a torch. Have one of them saddle Alex for me.
I want you to stay behind. Stand guard on the front porch and keep your eyes wide open. If my son returns, fire one shot into the air.”

“Yes, Sir. I’ll speak to the men and be right there.”

Sam rushed to the house, leapt onto the porch, and called to his wife as he burst through the door. “Catherine!”

She hurried into the front room. “Is something wrong?”

“I pray not. Little John never came back from hunting and it’s getting late.”

“Oh no,” Catherine said, covering her mouth with a hand. Concern quickly filled her eyes.

A wave of apprehension gripped Sam. “I checked the house earlier. When I didn’t find him, I starting searching everywhere. He hasn’t come back in here has he?”

“No, I don’t think he’s inside. I haven’t seen him for hours. Could he be hiding somewhere? Maybe playing some kind of game?”

“Little John!” Sam shouted up the stairs as loudly as he could. They heard no response, except both the cook and housekeeper came rushing out of their quarters appearing alarmed. The urgency in his voice must have worried the women.

He quickly approached the two. “Have either of you seen Little John?”

“No, Sir,” they both said in unison.

“What do you think it means?” Catherine asked, her fists clenched tightly at her sides.

Sam could hear the alarm in her voice. The last thing she needed was this upsetting her. “God only knows. It’s not like John to disobey me, I asked him to be home before dark. Three of our men and I are leaving to search for him. I told Garvin to stand guard in front of the house in case you need him. Keep the back and front doors barred until further notice.”

The cook and housekeeper nodded their understanding.

“All right, Sam. Please be careful,” Catherine said.

He took hold of her hands. “I will, Catherine. We’ll find him,” he promised emphatically. “Please try not to fret. It’s not good for you or the babe.” She would likely worry anyway, but he had to say it.

He turned toward the cook and housekeeper. “I want you ladies to be sure Catherine rests while I’m gone. And take good care of her!” It sounded like an order because it was.

“We will Captain,” Mrs. Wrigley promised while Miss Henk lit a few candles to brighten the dark room. “We’ll be praying that you find Mister John with all speed.”

Sam glanced toward the door at the sound of the hired hands riding up outside the house. “Time to go.” Since it was winter, the only time he ever wore a hat, he snugged his tricorne over his head. To ward off the frigid night air, he exchanged his light coat for a heavier one. As always, he carried his long knife, but he grabbed his Kentucky rifle, powder horn, lead bag, and a second flintlock pistol as well. “I’m going to let Garvin use your rifle, Catherine, so he’ll have two rifle shots, if needed.”

“Of course,” she replied.

He kissed Catherine before he left. A man should never leave his wife without kissing her.
Life is entirely too precarious and one never knows what threats the day may hold…or the night
.

He tossed Catherine’s rifle to Garvin, snatched up Alex’s reins, and sprang on top of the big gelding.

He peered down at Garvin. “Guard Catherine and the other women. If anything happens and I’m needed, use your rifle and Catherine’s rifle to fire two shots into the air. Remember, one if Little John comes back, two if my wife needs me.”