Blessed Beginnings (Hunter's Ridge Book 4) (32 page)

"I wish to offer my congratulations on your marriage, as well as wish you Merry Christmas," she said. "And I might add that you look like a candy cane, my dear."

Franny smiled, having made the same observation. "Thank you. The muffin was delicious. Oh, and Merry Christmas."

"Thank you. I've packed a few more in the basket." She left and Samuel stood up.

"Please have David come around with the carriage," he said as he helped Franny from her chair. "I need to give Sadie time to romp about a bit, which I'll do while Franny prepares the puppies for Louisa."

"Certainly, sir. I placed the basket and the blanket in your study."

"Mrs. Harris?" Franny said, and waited until she turned to continue. "Do you have some ribbon? I'd like to tie bows around the puppies' necks."

"That's a good idea," Wilma said. "What color would you like?"

"Oh, um, do you have red and green? That way they'd look like a present."

"I'll look and bring them to you."

They left her to go to the study, where Sadie was indeed ready for a romp. Samuel opened the door and after she dashed out, he picked up the larger puppies and Franny took Sarah outside. She instantly whined when she set her down on the snow. "Now, no whining, Sarah. The faster you go potty, the faster you can go back to sleep." Her husband's chuckle had her remembering her own hesitancy in making her own toilet, and she blushed. Once the puppies had pottied, she took them back inside while Samuel waited for Sadie, who was enjoying her romp around the garden.

"Oh, these are perfect," Franny said, accepting the spools of ribbon from Wilma. "I think green for the boy, and red for his sister."

The housekeeper cut the ribbons and Franny attempted to tie them around the little male puppy's neck. "Be still, I'm just making you handsome." Wilma laughed and offered to hold him. Between the two of them, they had both pups dressed for the day and tucked into the basket, a soft blanket folded them. They gave huge yawns before settling down, curling around each other. A soft yip had Franny picking up Sarah and cuddling her close.

"Don't fret, sweetie. Your mama is coming…" Even as she reassured the puppy, Sadie bounced back into the room and back into her basket. "Take care of our baby," Franny said, tucking Sarah next to her mother, who instantly gave her head a lick of her tongue.

"Ready?" Samuel asked and when she nodded, he took the basket and led her to the door. He tied her cloak around her and put on his coat. "Have a wonderful day," he said to his staff, who had gathered to see them off. "I don't expect anyone to do a lick of work. Enjoy yourselves." He opened the door and turned back. "Oh, I forgot, there are gifts for each of you under the tree. Merry Christmas." A chorus wishing the same was returned as he led his wife to the waiting carriage. The basket containing the snacks was set on the floor to sit beside the one holding the sleeping puppies. Samuel had lifted his wife in first before climbing in behind her. Taking his seat, he pulled her onto his lap as David closed the door.

The couple each ate another muffin and shared a jar of milk as they were driven through the streets of the city. Once they left the city streets behind, fields and hills covered in snow provided a beautiful view. They could hear the bells on the horses' harnesses tinkling, accompanied by the clomp of their hooves.

"Comfy?" Samuel asked. "Are you cold?"

"No, Papa, I'm perfect," Franny answered, leaning her cheek against his chest. "I love it when you hold me like this."

"And I love holding you," he said. An hour later, when they pulled to a stop at the base of the steps leading into the house, both were flushed, and neither was the slightest bit chilled. Kisses and caresses had ensured that the journey had been very enjoyable indeed.

Female squeals of welcome met them the moment the door was opened by Lucas. "Merry Christmas," he said with a smile, pulling his sister into his arms. The fact that she was glowing told him all he needed to know. He kissed her cheek, noticing her lips looked a bit swollen. Helping her out of her cloak, he held her at arm's length. "Well, don't you look beautiful. In fact, you look like a—"

"Candy cane," Franny said with a giggle. "Merry Christmas, Lucas."

He gave her another kiss and then had to release her to be hugged, kissed and exclaimed over by the girls before they mobbed him. Turning to Samuel, he shook his hand. "Glad you finally made it."

Samuel just grinned. "And here I told my girl that you would understand if we were a bit late."

Lucas laughed and slapped him on the back before gesturing to the circle of women, who were chattering over each other like magpies. "I do, but you certainly couldn't expect the same from the others."

It was a very happy group that eventually moved into the library. Piles of gifts had been placed under the tree, and Samuel was pleased to see the ones he'd hidden in Lucas's study were among them. He placed the basket in front of the tree, a bit surprised that the contents had yet to object to their captivity.

He shook hands with Edward, Stefan and Frank before shaking Lawrence's offered hand. "I'm rethinking my decision," Lawrence said. "From the look on your face and the fact that your wife hasn't stopped smiling since she got here, I'm really quite jealous that we didn't walk down that aisle with you last night."

Samuel shook his head, glancing at Ettie, who was once again hugging her sister. "I can't say I blame you but I'm pretty sure that your little one wants the entire princess wedding."

"Yeah, and I want her to have what she wants," Lawrence agreed but then grinned. "But I will be telling her that it does not take months to plan a wedding. After all, it took you what? An hour?" The two laughed and saw that the women, including Franny, were circled around Lucas, reminding him that there were gifts to be opened.

Throwing up his hands, he capitulated. "Okay, take your seats and I'll play Father Christmas. Young women flew to different seats, climbing onto laps or sinking down beside their loved ones on the two settees.

"Let me see, who was the nicest girl this past year?" Shouts of 'I was!' had the men laughing and the girls giggling. "Well, then, who was the naughtiest?" Not a single female voice answered. "How do I decide who goes first?" he asked, then looked down when a soft yip was heard.

Edward stood and approached the tree, bending to pick up the basket. "Decision made," he announced and walked to the settee, placing the basket on Louisa's lap. "Merry Christmas, little lady," he said, bending to give her a kiss before taking his seat beside her again.

They all watched as she folded back the blanket and listened as she exclaimed, "Oh, Papa, they are precious. Thank you!" Lifting a puppy out, she laughed as he yipped excitedly, another yip demanding she be picked up as well. "They're twins!" Louisa said, holding both puppies to her face, inhaling their sweet puppy breath.

"Well, fraternal twins," Lucy said. "What are you going to name them?"

Louisa held them on her lap after Edward moved the basket. "This little boy will be Hunter," she said, "to remember our first Christmas all together."

"And this one will be Ridge?" Edward asked with a chuckle, his fingers running down the puppy wearing the red bow.

"No, she's… Holly! That way they have names that both start with the same letter and both will remind us of Hunter's Ridge and Christmas."

It was several minutes before anyone remembered there were other gifts, as they all enjoyed watching the puppies play. Eventually, most of the gifts had been opened. Knitted scarves and mittens, and newly embroidered handkerchiefs the women had made were given to their men. Books, boxes of chocolates, combs and new dresses were given to the women by adoring papas.

Franny had spent several minutes engrossed in the large box she'd received from her husband. Canvases and pads of paper were waiting to be covered with the pots of oil paints, tubes of a large variety of pigments, or any one of the new pencils or brushes that filled the large box. It took Lucy reminding her that she couldn't start painting yet for her to remember her manners.

"Thank you, Papa, they are perfect!"

"You are welcome, little one," Samuel said. "I'll show you the studio when we go home, and you can paint to your heart's desire." He pulled her close and whispered, "And, of course, I shall paint you, as well."

She blushed but kissed him and then pulled away. Bringing a large wrapped gift to him, she set it down at his feet. "Merry Christmas, Papa."

"Another gift? I thought I'd unwrapped my gift this morning."

Her blush and softly uttered, "Papa!" had the others laughing and causing her to giggle as well. "Open it!"

Samuel obeyed and then lifted it onto his lap. "Franny, this is beautiful! It looks as if Sadie could leap off the canvas." The painting showed Sadie sitting up in her basket, surrounded by her puppies. What truly touched his heart was that Sadie's head was bent and her tongue was sweeping across the smallest of her children, just as she had that morning.

"I'm glad you like it." Franny explained to the others that though she hadn't known it at the time, she'd picked the perfect puppy to be undergoing a bath.

Lucy watched as her Papa unwrapped his gift. When he held up the sculpture, he instantly knew that it was Diablo. "Don't worry, Papa, I didn't go near him. Jasper helped me keep it a secret when the artist came out to sketch him." The statue had his prized stallion rearing, his head thrown back and his mane flying behind him.

"He looks exactly as he did that first day you saw him," Lucas said, setting the statue on the table and pulling her onto his lap. "Thank you, kitten, it's a beautiful gift that I shall place in my study." She smiled and accepted his kiss, her arms around his neck. "That way, little one, you still won't go near him."

"Papa!" she protested, giving his chest a shove. She sat up straighter and giggled. "I guess that means I won't be sent to your study if I'm naughty?"

"Hmm, good point. I suppose you and Diablo can share the study because, kitten, I'm quite sure there is no 'if' involved."

"Papa! That's mean!"

"Ah, then, perhaps this will make it better," he said, setting her off his lap and returning with a box.

Laughter erupted as she lifted a sculpture from the box. The couple had obviously had the same idea of the perfect gift. "Samson and Delilah," Lucy exclaimed after setting the sculpture on her lap. Suddenly, she looked up, puzzlement on her face. "But who is this?" Her fingers slid across the back of a smaller horse who was sitting on his folded legs between the two horses.

"That, kitten, is the foal that should be here within a few more months." At her gasp, he continued. "Yes, little one, your Delilah is going to be a mama. And, you will have your own horse to raise."

The sculpture was stopped from tumbling to the floor by Lucas' quick reflexes as she launched herself from the chair to wrap her arms around his neck. "Thank you, Papa, oh, I can't wait!"

Bea and Frank sat happily together, surrounded by things made for them, as well as things made with love for the child they were expecting. She had cried when she opened Franny's gift. Hearing her sister explain that the book wouldn't be complete until the baby's birth had her expressing her pleasure that such a personal memento was a perfect gift to look forward to reading. She and Frank both smiled at the drawing included in the box, the snow family they'd created together to announce their pending parenthood was perfectly rendered.

The love shared between the sisters was shown again when Ettie had given her own gift. The afghan she'd made was spread across their laps, Bea often pausing to stroke her fingers across one of the baby animals her sister had meticulously knitted into the afghan. Her gasp had her family looking up to see her taking her husband's hand and laying it against her rounded stomach. His look of amazement at feeling their child kick had the girls' eyes filling with happy tears.

Lucy cried when Ettie presented her with the afghan with Cleo curled in her basket. "Oh, Ettie, it's beautiful."

Tears and laughter and calls of thanks accompanied the opening of each gift. The room was soon strewn with discarded wrappings and ribbons. Emmie was on her Papa's lap, refusing to remove the rabbit fur lined cloak he'd given her, both of her hands in the matching muff. Stefan had his new pocket watch tucked in his vest pocket. He loved the engraving on the back, which read simply:
All my love for all my life—your Emmie.
The picture inside of his wife's beautiful smiling face would remind him never to spend too long without her at his side.

"I think we need to take your gift outside," Edward said when the two puppies began to whine again after waking up from their nap.

"Wait, just a minute," Louisa said, moving to the tree and picking up the last box. Placing it on his lap, she sat down beside him.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Open it, Papa," she said with a smile.

Untying the bow, he set it aside and then lifted the lid. Everyone strained forward when instead of lifting his gift out, he simply stared down into the box before turning his head to his wife. His mouth opened and yet no words came out.

Lucy watched her sister's lip curve and her eyes light up as she gave her husband a nod. A feeling swept through her and this time it was not one of overwhelming fear. It was pure joy and though she didn't realize it, tears slid down her cheeks. Lucas felt her quiver and saw the tears but didn't speak as the smile on her face let him know she was touched deeply by something and not afraid. No one was speaking as Edward finally lifted the item from the box. Gasps finally were uttered as he displayed a gown, a tiny gown. A gown that would fit a newborn.

"A baby… are you sure?" Edward asked, his voice hoarse with emotion.

"Yes, I'm sure, and Dr. Fielding confirmed it," Louisa said, her face glowing. "Oh, and there's something else in the box."

"I don't need anything else," Edward said, pulling her to him, his lips descending on hers. When the kiss ended, Louisa was smiling but shaking her head.

"Look anyway, Papa."