Chapter 5
Laura was awakened by the bright December sun peeking through her window. She slowly removed the covers from her bed and then stretched her arms high over her head. She walked over to the window and opened the blue floral drapes to allow the full sunshine into the room. She saw Hank headed toward the barn to feed the horses. It reminded her that she had work to do herself.
She dressed and headed for the stairs and saw that Julie, Tiffany, Debbie and Barbara were already working on the wreaths. She turned and saw Abby coming out of her room ready to go to work.
“Looks like we’re the late sleepers this morning.” Laura chuckled.
“Sorry, Aunt Laurie, I was just getting my sewing kit. Anyway, Uncle Ric and Dad are still sawing wood.” Abby laughed.
Meg walked into the parlor and shouted to Laura, “Well Pete needs to wake up and get a move on.”
“Ric too!” Julie said.
Laura grinned and shouted, “Landsakes, will you two get up. The morning is half gone!”
Laura ran for the stairs with Abby right behind her. Tiffany chuckled, “You’re not being very brave this morning are you cousin.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll get her back.” Pete said as he shouted out from behind the bedroom door.
Meg laughed, “Pete, you’ve forgotten the motto of The Three Cavaliers, One for all and all for one so you might just want to surrender gracefully.”
Ric peaked out from behind the door, “I just finished shaving and will be out in a few more minutes.”
“What’s with all this shouting? It sounds just like Tom and your dad first thing in the morning.” Mary said as she came into the parlor.
“Those look pretties can wait. There’s plenty of work in the kitchen.” She continued.
“Well it looks like the real cooks have taken charge.” Laura giggled.
“You man folk can help Hank with the morning chores.” Meg said.
Julie looked at her daughters and Abby, “The four of you can straighten up the bedrooms. Tom, you can help. There’s one rule in this house and that chores get done first. It’s been so long since all of us have followed that rule.”
“Once Greg and his brood, Terri and Faith get here than all the family will be complete.” Tiffany said.
The five women followed Mary into the kitchen. Peggy handed each an apron and assigned each a task. Mary could see Laura glancing out the window at Hank. She looked at her daughter, “I expect that Hank will be wanting to talk to me and Greg before to long.” She thought.
She and Peggy looked around the room and smiled at the sight. Mary and Peggy more than any of the others had missed the old farm house. There was only a slight pain to remind them of their loss of their soulmates, but suddenly Tom’s and Mike’s presence filled that loneliness. Peggy started humming I heard the Bells on Christmas Day.
Mary looked at her and started singing. Meg was amazed at Mary’s perfect a cappella. Though she was an excellent singer, her pitch was nowhere near Mary’s.
Mary’s voice filled the room,
“And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth,” I said,
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”
“Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.”
“That was beautiful Aunt Mary.” Meg said.
Mary’s eyes twinkled, “Thank you. My singing voice is the only thing that doesn’t crack at my age.”
Peggy chuckled, “Don’t think we can’t keep up with you youngins.”
Laura saw Peter and Ric come into the kitchen. She poured them both some hot coffee. Peter sniffed the aroma in the room as he put on a heavy coat, “We need to get a move on Ric, or Hank will be done with all the chores.” He chuckled.
“We can hope but we didn’t get all the feed and hay unloaded last night. It’s funny how life works out. Here we are A Doctor and an IT guy and we’re having to unload a work sleigh.” Ric laughed.
“Dad and Uncle Mike were professional people but they made this place a working farm. Hank and I have kept that tradition alive. That reminds me, can either one of you take one of those hams out of the smoke house for me later?” Laura asked.
Meg looked at her hips then asked, “Sugar cured?”
“Homemade Maple sugar, is that going to be a problem?” Laura replied.
“Not on your life! Remember I’m a Doctor. I can lose all this holiday weight pretty quick.” Meg laughed.
Peter chuckled as he headed out the door, “Meg, there is something I could say.”
“I hear you, Pete. A wise man knows when to keep his big mouth shut.” Ric laughed.
Meg threw a pot holder at her husband just as he closed the door. The room erupted with laughter. Tiffany placed a pan of biscuits in the oven then went to help Laura with the sausages. Peggy checked on Julie’s pancake batter and smiled, “Just right. Mary is the griddle hot?” She asked.
“I cleaned it just this morning while our children were still sleeping. It’s ready and waiting for you. It’s time for me to start scrambling some eggs.” Mary said.
“What else are we having?” Laura asked.
“I think we have enough. So the rest of you can set the dining room table. There will be more baking to do this afternoon.” Mary replied.
“Hank and I still need to head down to Morgan’s Hallow and pick up the rest of the family.” Laura said.
“If I recall, that’s a 60 minute trip both ways.” Peggy said.
“In a car that it would take 20 minutes both ways.” Tiffany replied.
“That road won’t be plowed for a few more days.” Julie nodded.
Laura hoped that she could finish the trip by noon. Once the horses were rested, she hoped to take the kids to the Fairy’s Meadow to look for some buried squirrel nests. The squirrels would hide nuts and acorns in underground nests but couldn’t remember where all their nests were at. The new nests made great place to find chestnuts, black walnuts and pecans.
She couldn’t wait to see her brother’s face when he saw the farm and the old sleigh. After all the work that she and the big swede had done it had paid off in the end. So far everything had been perfect but she knew that couldn’t last. With so much to do small problems would crop up.
Tiffany set a large platter next to Laura. She grinned at her cousin as they watched the men working outside. “Why is it, I just can’t find that special guy?” She thought.
She looked at her cousin, “Laurie, you are so lucky.”
Laura placed a sausage on the platter, “How so?” she asked.
“You have the luxury of when you can work. Only your book tours have a hard schedule. On the other hand, I have a hard schedule that I have to meet five days a week or did until last labor day. I look at you and Hank, I see that you have something special. I look at myself and see a woman that’s spent more time on her career and very little on herself. I don’t have anyone to blame but myself. I’ve lost something along the way to being successful.” Tiffany explained.
Peggy looked at her daughter, “Well, you know what your problem is, but are you smart enough to know what to do about it?” She asked.
“Well I’ve thought about this for a couple of years. I’ve finally got my firm to where I’m not needed as much. James Tompkins can run the firm. So I’m going to semi-retire, Laurie‘s will be my only account and I can manage that from home. I can use the time to get my priorities straight.” Tiffany replied.
“You can stay here. This place has a way of clearing out the cobwebs.” Laura said.
“Thinks, but what about you and that Viking?” Tiffany asked.
“Hank and I know each other like the back of our hands. It won’t be a problem.” Laura said.
Mary chucked, “You know each other how well?”
Laura blushed, “Well I suppose that we know enough about each other at the moment.”
“Laurie, your eyes glow every time you see that man. I saw the same glow in Hank eyes when we were talking about you this morning. That glow was in your pa’s eyes from the day we met until the day he died. I suspect that little church in Morgan’s Hallow is going see a wedding come June.” Mary told her.
“Hank hasn’t proposed to me yet.” Laura chuckled.
“Mark my words, He will before too long.” Mary told her.
The chill December wind blew snow across the frozen ground as Hank handed Ric another sack of feed. Hank and Ric seemed not to notice the cold. Pete blew his hands has he took the sack from Rick.
Ric laughed, “Too much of southern Cal. as rubbed off on you.”
“Way too much.” He nodded, “I don’t remember it being this cold.”
“You’ll be used to it come late March. In my country this is short sleeve weather.” Hank joked.
“I hope that the weather holds. Those clouds spell another taste of that noreaster is coming tonight.” Pete said.
“You haven’t forgotten everything. You can even smell it.” Ric agreed.
Hank smiled, “More snow is good for the mountain. In spring the meadows will be rich with beauty.”
Peter looked out at the old field and saw cornstalks standing cone shaped like teepees here and there. He could smell the pungent odor of composting wastes and horse mature coming from the compost bins. He could remember him and Greg turning the composting wastes on cold winter mornings before going to school. He looked at his well callused hands and marveled at how he could have become a good doctor with them.
“So when will all those cornstalks be grounded up and put in the bins for composting?” He asked Hank.
Hank chuckled, “I have been busy but sometime in the next week.”
They finished storing the feed and the hay. By that time Tiffany called out from the door they were ready for a hot meal. Pete stopped at the smoke house. With all the people that would there at the lodge, he selected the bigger of the six hams that hung in the smoke house. He smiled as he paused to take in the smell.
When Laura saw the one that he had selected she smiled at him. She took it and placed it in the freezer.
Pete sat down at the dining room table next to his wife. The picture wasn’t perfect because Greg and his family, and their sisters hadn’t arrived. Still, the old farm was full of warmth and joy. He took two pancakes and a helping of eggs.
Down in Morgan’s Hallow breakfast wasn’t as happy. Adam was still angry at his parents, but he didn’t dare say anything. Adam finished his breakfast and went outside to wait on his aunt. An old man smoking a pipe sat next to him. “So boy, full of green persimmons?” He asked.
“My parents think I’d be better off living in Logan Harbor instead of Boston.”
“I expect they’re right about that. Boston is a cold place and full uppity folks. Now Logan Harbor that is place a young man can find what’s important in life. That bay is a great place to fish and unlike Boston’s you can still swim in it. It doesn’t have the Red Soxs or that fancy fireworks on Independence day. Nevertheless, there are things Logan Harbor that a boy can enjoy. Tell me boy, is there a pretty girl behind the reason you’re so glum?”
“I was supposed to be in Vermont with her family skiing. She had everything already planned for us.”
“She had things planned? Sounds to me like you had narrow escape. You don’t need a gal that wants to spin you round like a top. She has already come betwixt you and your family.”
Adam blinked, “You right Andra has done that. In fact she’s already planned my future for me!”
“I think a smart fella like you knows what he has to do now.”
“Go to my folks and apologize to them for being full of green persimmons. Start enjoying all this snow! Is the West farm a fun place?”
“Near as I can remember that old place, I’d say so.” The man chuckled.
Adam entered the tavern just as his dad was coming out the door. “Dad! I’m sorry for being full of green persimmons.”
Greg blinked “Full of green persimmons? I haven’t heard that expression since before your grandpa and uncle died.”
“I was talking to this old man and he set me straight. It was hard getting use to the smell of his pipe tobacco.”
“It can’t be possible.” Greg thought, “It just can’t be possible. Can you show me where you were setting?”
Adam showed him the bench. He could see where the old man was setting but all that was there was a white bishop from a chess set and a pile of fresh ashes on the ground.
“Adam look, I see your Aunt Laurie driving the family sleigh. The cargo sleigh must belong to her neighbor. Go get the rest of the family.”
Greg picked the chess piece and placed it in his pocket. Something had put his son into the right mood. “Could, Dad had come back to set Adam straight?”
“Greg!” Laura shouted.
“It’s good to be home. You must be Hank.”
“It is good to meet you. You made it just in time. Later tonight the noreaster returns with a vengeance. I see that you brought plenty of love and joy with you.”
“Well it was touch and go for a while but things are fine now.” Greg said.
“When you see the farm, you will think that you stepped into one of our old home movies.” Laura said.
“Laura!” Sue said, “How have you been and where did you catch Thor?”
Hank laughed as he helped Greg with the luggage. “There is a matter I need to discuss with you and your mother.” He told him.
Greg looked at his sister and then at Hank. He smiled, “I’m looking forward to that discussion.”
“Greg, will you please hurry up? It’s freaking cold out here in this wind!” Faith told them.
Greg looked at his cousin and laughed, “I know this cold doesn’t bother you. You want to see if Laura’s done us proud with the restoration.”
“You caught me.” Faith laughed. “So what was it that you and that blond giant were talking about.”
“I think he wants to ask for your cousin’s hand.” Greg said.
“Laurie? Well she hooked the big one. It’s high time that she found her the right man.”
“What about you and Terri?” Greg asked.
“Ouch!” Faith chuckled.
Terri came out to the sleigh and looked it over with a critical eye. Next she checked the harnesses. She looked at her sister. “Oh Laurie! It’s perfect! Even some of Mom’s and Aunt Peg’s old quilts.”
Laura chuckled, “Those sleigh bells echoed all the way down the mountain. It was a perfect ride.”
“Who will ride with Laura and who will ride with me?” Hank asked.
“Faith and I can ride with you big guy. Let Greg and his family ride with Laura.”
“I thank we will all fit in. Tiffany, Julie, Deb and Bab’s rode in it yesterday. There was plenty of room left even filled with Holly, Pine and Mistletoe.”
Hank nodded, “It is a large sleigh. With all the luggage on my work sleigh you will all ride comfortably.”
“Our horses are getting antsy.” Sue said.
“They are impatient to get going. Lightfoot and Midnight are rested and ready to work.”
Faith took her SLR camera from the bag. I want to get a picture of everyone in the sleigh including you big guy.”
She set up her tripod and adjusted the camera and took a small wireless remote from her purse. She climbed in. She looked at Hank, “Hey I said you too!”
Hank stood next to the sleigh holding Midnight. Faith push the remote. She got out and put everything way but her camera.
Adam was now excited by his surroundings. The meadows and hollows were covered by a fresh blanket of snow. There wasn’t any man made tracks only the tracks of deer and other wild creatures. He couldn’t believe that he let someone try to keep him from the wild untouched beauty that lay around him.
Andrea was beautiful and as Adam now realized spoiled. “Mom, was the only reason Andrea wanted me because of Dad’s law partnership?”
Sue held tightly to her son, “I’m afraid so. Girls like her are a penny a dozen on Beacon Hill. She only wanted you because of the prestige and not for your real qualities. Don’t trouble yourself with that witch. Believe me. She’s already picked out her next target.”
Laura stopped the sled, “Look out in the meadow, Santa’s deer have come to feed on the sweet mountain grass.”
Adam watched the deer and all thoughts of Andra’s manipulations were gone. He saw his younger brother start to get out of the sleigh. “Not so fast. Santa doesn’t like it when his team is disturbed.”
Terri nodded, “That’s right he needs them to be strong for that long trip.”
“Don’t worry Tony, I’m sure there will be lots of time to play in the snow. We will build a big snowman in the field in back of the barn.” Laura said.
Faith took a photo of the deer feeding. She felt like a little girl again.
“You live in a beautiful place Aunt Laura.” Adam said.
“Call me Aunt Laurie. Everyone calls me Laurie. It is a magical place. Full of enchantment and mystery.”
Greg felt the chess piece in his pocket, “Laurie, you just don’t know how right you are.” He thought.
He looked at his son, “Well are you still full of green persimmons?”
“Not anymore Dad.” Adam answered.
“Green persimmons?” Sue asked.
“It’s an expression our Dad used when he wanted give us a scolding without raising his voice.” Greg explained.
Laura looked at her brother and eldest second cousin. “What made you think of that?” She asked Greg.
“I heard it from an elderly man I talked to outside the tavern.” Adam explained.
“Yes he was apparently someone that split his pipe ashes all over the place.” Greg said.
Laura looked at him strangely. Was Greg trying to tell her that Adam talked with their Dad? That was impossible but then so was the Ric’s encounter at the Riverton Common Train Station. There was something magical going on with the whole family.
Greg removed the bishop from his pocket, “Laurie do you still have Dad’s and Uncle Mike’s chess set?”
“Sure but it’s missing a piece.” She said.
“Not anymore.” He said as he showed her the bishop. “It’s even worn in the same spot on the base from where he used to tap it against the table as he figured out his next move.”
“Greg it is the same one! Look, it is stained yellow from his pipe tobacco.” Faith said in amazement.
“Dad, told us just before he died that he would be watching us.” Terri reminded him.
“It’s probably just a coincidence.” Sue said doubtfully.
“Adam, what did his pipe tobacco smell like?” Laura asked.
Adam thought for a moment, “Well it smelled like it had spearmint and licorice in it.”
“Our Dad was the only one that smoked a brand like that. No one for a hundred miles sales anything close to it. He had to blend his own pipe tobacco.” Laura said.
“That’s right. He mixed tobacco, spearmint, and anise to make it. Aunt Mary used to chide him for making a big mess.” Faith said.
Sue looked at her son and smiled, “It’s not every day that a granddad comes back from heaven to give his grandson a good talking to.”
Mary and Peggy came out of the lodge to meet them when they arrived. Greg hugged his mom, “Hank wants to discuss something with us.” He whispered.
“I told Laura that come June that there was going to be a wedding.” She chuckled.
She saw the chess piece and her eyes widened, “Where on God’s green earth did you fine it?”
“Mom, Dad left it outside the tavern with a big pile of ashes. He needed to have a talk with Adam about green persimmons.”
“Now Greg you know it’s impossible.” Then she remembered Julie and Ric’s mistletoe, “Well strange things have been happening lately.”
She told him about Julie and Ric getting back together and Ric’s encounter at the train station.
“Mom, the family circle is complete and it’s time to really make this place magical.” Greg said.
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