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As soon as Hank saw Caroline and Tam enter the lodge, his daughters delighted their audience with a quick program on how Thanksgiving became a day of thanks.
Once his little girls took their bow, he started his part of the evening with a ballad. After he finished, Big Dog joined him for two knee-slapping songs. The guests who knew the lyrics joined in the fun. Before the break, Hank asked if anyone in the audience would like to share something they felt thankful for.
Several people stood and gave thanks. After the last of the guests spoke their piece, Caroline stood. "Ever since I can remember my father has played his music and told his stories to the families who live around our area. It's obvious to my sisters and me that he loves to share his talent with such a great audience. I'd like to thank all of you who attend our evening get-togethers. I especially enjoy his stories, which I'm quite certain must be exaggerated at least a little bit."
"No, daughter, they are exaggerated quite a bit."
Hoots and hollers sounded around the room.
Big Dog placed his hand on Hank's shoulder. "I thank this man for giving me a place I can call home and a family I can call my own." He stared at Genevieve. "I also thank Miss Genevieve for considering me her friend."
Jory stood. "I agree with Big Dog. My brother and I have only been here a short while, but being part of this group of people has enriched my life." He grinned at Hank. "You didn't have to break your leg to keep us here until the thaw. We rather like Wisconsin."
"I agree with my brother's sentiment, plus I'd like to thank you, Hank, for your enormous talent in making people feel welcome with your music every evening. Jory and I come from a family that has never learned what singing on key means so your music is a new experience for us."
Hank slapped his knee. "You can say that again, son." He glanced around the room. "For those of you who didn't have the pleasure of hearing Tam sing about his beautiful homeland of Scotland, you didn't miss a thing."
Hank ran his finger over the strings to hide the emotions he thought he could control. He wasn't used to receiving praise like the ones he'd received this evening. He thrived on singing and he knew he had a lot more to be thankful for than anyone else in the room.
"How about I play a few more songs before you all head out into the cold?"
When the evening ended and the room cleared, the adult family members relaxed around the fireplace and talked.
Tam shared their family's first, and most favorite, Thanksgiving memory. "We didn't have your delightful holiday in Scotland. So, can you imagine the excitement our oldest brother, Trevin, caused when he announced we would serve a great Thanksgiving feast and invite our neighbors and friends to join us. He surprised everyone, especially his wife-to-be Rebecca, with a wedding ceremony between supper and dessert."
Hank and Tam's gazes locked for a moment. Was the young man hinting he'd like to have a holiday wedding this year—with my daughter?
Hank broke eye contact with Tam and glanced at Caroline. When he saw the red creeping up her cheeks, he wanted to jump up and hoot, but couldn't with his damned broken leg.
Genevieve clapped her hands. "What a beautiful story, Tam." She yawned. "It's been a long day and I'm ready for bed. Thank you all for this great day. I think it's going to be my most memorable Thanksgiving. Good night."
She started to leave, but stopped beside Amanda. "If you'd like to come up with me, I can give you a nightgown."
"Yes, that'll be nice. Thank you all for including me in your feast day." She stood and left with Genevieve.
"Daddy, when shall Tam and I go after our Christmas tree?"
Hank nodded toward Big Dog. "This question is yours to answer."
"Thank you, boss." He cleared his throat and stood. "This year we have a treat for the Hughes sisters. At Hank's request, I've fixed the sleigh and it'll be ready soon to take you all for a ride. We shall not return to the trading post until you've picked out the best tree on the property."
"Daddy!" Caroline rushed over to him and gave him a hug. "This is possibly the best Christmas surprise ever."
"Big Dog is the one who gave you the gift by fixing and polishing the sleigh."
"Thank you so much," she said, throwing her arms around the blushing giant of a man. "Are you going to drive us?"
He chuckled. "I am this family's driver, am I not?"
"Yes, our Big Dog, you certainly are. When will the sleigh be ready so we can go after the tree?"
"As soon as we have enough snow to safely drive it."
Hank glanced around at the young men in their midst. "I would appreciate it if you would all escort my daughters on their sleigh ride."
Luc, nodded. "I suppose it would include cutting down and dragging the tree home as well."
"Yes, it does. If I didn't have this damnable splint, I'd be the one dragging. Next year it'll be my job again."
Hank grabbed his crutches and stood. "Tam, Jory, Big Dog, and Luc please join me in my office." He glanced at Matthias.
"I'll be right there. Let me grab some drinks."
"I'm coming, too, Daddy."
Tam grabbed her hand. "She's right, sir. I'd like her to be with us."
She led the group into the office. Jory grabbed a couple of chairs on his way.
Matthias came in carrying a tray of glasses full of ale. Everyone except Caroline grabbed a drink and sat.
"I presume you've all talked about a strategy for protecting the trading post. I'd like to hear the details."
Luc started and by the time he finished, Hank had a burning pit where his stomach used to be. "Is it as bad a situation as I believe it is?"
"It could be unless we start building up our defenses right now," Luc said.
Matthias leaned forward and set his empty glass on the tray. "What should we do first?"
"Contact Michel and get him down here as quickly as possible. I wouldn't put anything in the telegram that would give hint to what we are facing, though."
"Luc's right," Tam said. "We still don't know who the ringleader is."
"Michel and I have key words we use as codes. They're not as good as your whistles, but they work. I'll take care of it first thing in the morning," Matthias said.
"Is all of this anger from Gervais because we are breaking into his smuggling profits?" Hank said.
"No," Luc said, "he blames you for Isabella's death. In fact, I believe Pascal and Sabine do, too. As long as you have their grandchildren here at the trading post, my guess is they won't destroy you."
"That's a comforting thought." Hank let out a deep sigh. "Our top priority should be discovering who is feeding trading post information to the revenuers."
"We're at a loss as to who it can be," Jory said. "If I had to take a guess, I'd say give Spike a second look."
"Spike's been a smithy here since my father started the trading post. He's never been trouble that I'm aware of."
"Since your accident, you haven't been able to keep an eye on things, Hank. He's been drinking a lot of moonshine lately," Big Dog said.
Hank looked at Big Dog. "Have you any idea where Spike is?"
"No, I figured you might have fired him."
"Why would you think that?"
"Since you hired me as a second smithy, he's been acting odd. I haven't seen him since the day before we drove to Wausau."
"What made you think he was acting strange?" Tam asked.
"That lady, Mrs. Brown, came into the smithy shop and confronted him about something. I didn't give it much mind at the time, but right after that he went missing."
Hank gazed at Matthias. "If this is true, the odds against Penelope are stacked even higher. She must be involved with Farthington and Gervais."
"We should have stayed and made sure that woman got on the stage out of Wausau, boss."
"You're right. If I hadn't wanted to get to the doctor's office so we could head home before dark, we could have waited until we saw the damnable woman pull out of town on the stage."
"I'll ride to Wausau tomorrow and see what I can find out," Jory said. "I can drop Matthias' message off at the telegrapher and see if I can find out if Mrs. Brown left Wausau or not. If I don't dawdle, I'll be back by dark."
"I'll go with you, brother."
"No." He glanced at Caroline and back to Tam. "You have responsibilities here. I'll be fine. I know how to find the city. I go out the gate, turn left, and take the road south until I see lots of buildings."
*****
TAM WALKED BESIDE JORY to the gate and pulled it open. Apprehension settled in his stomach as he watched his brother ride away from the trading post alone. He almost called him back, but knew Jory would guffaw at his irrational thoughts. He'd be glad once he returned from Wausau.
Luc and Josef entered the trading post before he closed the gate behind them. They walked to the stables together. "What's going on with you two today?"
"We're getting started on training the horses. Josef can handle his own mare. I want Madeleine used to her mount and ready to ride as soon as I train it. She picked the horse Hank and I thought best for her."
"If you need help, let me know. I'm going to work in the smithy shop once I massage Hank's leg." Tam waved and entered the lodge.
He knelt next to Hank and removed the splint. "Are you ready for me to start massaging your leg muscles?"
"Yes, I'll do anything to strengthen my leg."
Hank tensed as Tam massaged the tight muscles and bent his knee. "It's a good thing you saw the doctor and found out we needed to do this to keep your leg from becoming stiff. If I'm hurting you, I'm sorry."
"If it helps get the leg ready for the day I toss those walking sticks, I can endure the pain."
While he was on his knees working with Hank, Amanda came into the room and approached him. "Good morning, Jory. How are you doing today?"
Tam smiled at her. "Hi Amanda. You've got the wrong brother, but thanks anyway."
Amanda grinned at him. "I'm sorry. You two brothers are difficult to tell apart."
Tam answered her smile with one of his own. "Even our own mother would get confused at times. It's not a problem for either of us."
Matthias entered the room and walked over to the sofa. He watched Tam for a while. "Do you need help putting those splints back on?"
Tam nodded. "Yes, I'm sure it'll be easier on Hank with the two of us doing it." Tam lifted the leg and held it up while Matthias strapped it back into the bindings. They helped Hank to his feet and handed him the crutches.
"You both have my thanks for your help." He headed toward the door. "I'm going to go back to my perch on the porch and observe what's going on around the quadrant. Will you check with Big Dog on whether he's discovered where Spike's gone, Tam?"
"Yes, I'll do it right now." He helped Hank into his coat and slipped his own on. Hank grabbed a bear pelt on the way outdoors. Tam waited until he was sure Hank settled on the lounge before he headed to the smithy shop.
Large snowflakes fell over the trading post this morning. He pulled his collar up and hoped his brother would get his task done with haste and get back here before nightfall as planned.
Tam found Big Dog polishing the large sleigh. "You need some help?"
"Nah, I'm almost finished. But thank you. Ain't this a wonderful way to transport someone? It's going to be a driving job for me to cherish for the rest of my life. When the Hughes sisters see it, they're going to be pleased with ole' Big Dog."