Chapter 6
The new arrivals stared in amazement at the old farm. Greg slowly ran his fingers over the mantle, tracing his fingers over the delicately carved deer, wolves, bears and eagles. He walked up the stairs and looked down at the scene below him. Even from there he could see the carvings.
To Greg the whole scene looked like a Rockwell painting. All that was missing was the tree for the main parlor. The tears swelled up in Greg’s eyes has he remember things that happened in the farm.
Greg remembered the killing, his first deer. He recalled the time that Laura, Tiffany, and Julie had swapped molasses for his hair tonic. The sleigh rides through the woods. All the memories of his dad and uncle playing chess and arguing over who was better Ted Williams or Joe Demagio. The Fourth of July picnics.
It wasn’t all fun and games. It had been a working farm and that meant coming home right after school and doing chores. Not even weekends were exempt from chores. There was mending to be done on the buildings and furnishings. Greg still remembered how to make cabinets, tables and chairs.
There was hay to rake after it was cut and then it had to be bailed. All the leaves that had to be raked and placed in the compost bins. He thought about him and Pete pruning the limbs in the apple orchard. Then they would run the limbs through the chipper to make mulch for the flower beds.
However, as they grew up and went away the farm fell into disrepair. To add an insult to injury after their dads had died Faith and Terri wanted to sell it. That had almost split the family. When Laura’s first book, Kris Kringle became a runaway bestseller, she used the proceeds to buy out the others.
“Greg you had best come on back down here before your daydreaming causes you to fall off the balcony.” Mary chuckled.
Greg gulped, “If I didn’t know any better I swear that is place hadn’t been in shambles.”
“Laura and Hank are a pair of miracle workers.” Peggy agreed.
“Nothing has been altered as near as I can tell.” Faith said.
“Where’s the tree?” Terri said looking at Greg, Peter and Ric. “It should be a twelve-foot Blue Spruce and not one inch shorter.”
Faith walked up to them. “Take the Swedish giant with you so he can to make sure you don’t screw up the top.”
Julie looked at Laura, “They’re Aunt Peg’s and Mom's daughters all right.”
Laura laughed, “We need to raid some squirrel’s caches at the Fairy’s Meadow. Adam, are you too old to believe in fairies?”
Adam was looking at his granddad’s picture. The man at the tavern was older but he was the same man. He looked at his aunt, “After this morning I can believe magic and enchantment.”
“That’s your grandpa.” Julie told him pointing at the picture.
“I know. I talked to him this morning outside the tavern. He gave me a good but gentle tongue lashing about my attitude. He said that I was full of green persimmons.”
Julie looked at him, “How exactly how did he start his scolding?” she asked.
Adam looked at her and smiled, “So boy, full of green persimmons?”
Tiffany and Julie were stunned by his words. Julie gulped, “That was your grandpa all right.”
Adam looked at his grandma, “I’m sorry Grandma. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
Mary hugged her grandson. “These aren’t tears shed for sadness. They’re tears of happiness. Tom is still looking after his own. Old Death can’t even hold him when he’s got his dander up over one of kids or grand-kids behaving poorly.”
Peggy looked at her family and smiled, “You had best remember that or Mike will come a calling.”
Laura laughed, “They are here I can feel them.”
She walked over to the chess set’s case and opened it. “Greg do you still have that chess piece?” She asked as she placed an ash tray next to the board, “Pa, watch your ashes.”
Greg set up the board and smiled as he placed the bishop in place. He looked around at everyone and smiled. “We men have a tree to find. Adam you’re sixteen it’s time for you to learn about selecting and cutting Christmas trees.”
Gabby looked at her uncle, “Why can’t I learn?”
“It’s a family tradition. It is taught from father to son. I can remember going out with my grandpa and dad. They taught us what to do.” Peter explained.
Gabby smiled, “Well since it’s a tradition it’s ok. Grandma Peggy taught me how to make sugar cookies today. She didn’t teach Tommy so we’re even.”
“Tommy put on your coat. It’s time for you to learn to do this.” Peter said.
Hank finished his coco and smiled. “I am deeply honored to be included in this.” He told them.
Mary with a twinkle in her eye looked at him, “I see a lot of my Tom in you Hank. He was good with hands also. He originally carved the mantle and yours is a perfect copy. I look forward to chatting with you later.”
Laura looked at her brother and Mom then at Hank. “You had better do some fancy talking big guy.” She laughed.
She looked at all the older girls, “Time for us to pay a visit to the fairy queen and look for those caches. Everyone bundled up warm and no snowball fights.”
Julie looked at Laura, “We’re not going today so you can spend some time with the girls.”
“We need to do a few things around here anyway.” Tiffany agreed.
Laura looked at them suspiciously, “Well you two have fun then.”
They watch out the kitchen window as Laura left. Sue and Meg looked at them. “Ok you two, what do you have cooked up for Laura?”
“What, do you think that Tiffy and I would pull a prank on our comrade?” Julie asked in mockery.
Tiffany feigned shocked, “You wanta to help?” She smiled wickedly.
Sue laughed, “I’ve heard the family legends and have been the subject of a few. Hell yes I want to give some pay back.”
Meg nodded in agreement, “What’s the plan?”
Tiffany went into the old mudroom and brought out the branch of mistletoe. Sue, Meg, Terri and Faith looked at it and smiled. “I would say that’s big enough for Laura and our Nordic giant to stand under.” Faith laughed.
Julie nodded, “We were going to hang above the parlor door but then decided to hang it from one of the parlor rafters’ right above it.”
Meg laughed, “It’s a good thing, it’s an eighteen-foot ceiling. You’re going to have to cut about six inches off it.”
“We thought about that as we were looking for it. I found a gold ribbon and a piece of gold cord to hang it with. I’ll get the ladder. We all need to listen out for those sleigh bells.” Tiffany told them.
Mary and Peggy looked at the women and frowned, “Now what in damnation, are you ladies up too. I already know which two are behind it.” Mary said.
“We’re just hanging mistletoe.” Julie told them.
Peg laughed, “It’s supposed to be just a twig and not the whole tree.”
Mary laughed, “All of you are going to owe Laurie for this prank. It is right big enough for the two on them.”
Peg took the cord and ribbon from Julie, “Here child let me show you how it’s done.” She said with a twinkle
Tony and Tammy sat on the stairs and watched them. They saw snowflakes start falling outside.
Mary saw it too, “It’s started but not hard. That will come tonight.” She told them.
“Why is it called a noreaster?” Tammy asked.
Tiffany chuckled, “That is a question that really doesn’t have an answer. It’s an expression that’s been around so long that no one knows why a winter storm is called that.”
Tony looked out the window, “Grandma, will it be like it was last night?”
Mary nodded, “I can’t say but it will be bad. Don’t worry everyone will be in before it starts in earnest.”
“Your pa, uncles, and Aunt Laurie know what to look for and will come back here before they get caught in it.” Faith told her nephew.
Tony and Tammy went over to the window bench and watched the snow falling. The pranksters finished with the mistletoe and sat down.
Terri started working on the wreaths and the children came over to watch. She showed them how to work the pine branches around the large hoop. Next she weaved in the holly, telling them to be careful of the barbs on the end of the leaves. Finally she added bits of mistletoe. She held it up and smiled, “Now all we need is the acorns and nuts and it will be finish.”
“That was fun, can we keep helping you?” Tammy asked.
Terri hugged them, “I wasn’t talking just to entertain everybody. Of course you’re going to help. It’s a family tradition for everybody to contribute”
“We’re a big family Tony, the main reason we are moving is because I wanted you to know how a real family acts.” Sue told them.
Faith looked at her sister-in-law, “Are they that bad?”
“My parents and siblings are full of themselves. I couldn’t take them anymore. When Pete asked me if I could live in a small fishing village in Maine I didn’t blink an eyelash when I told him yes.”
“Well you’re just a small town girl at heart. I tried living in New York. I decided to come back to Logan Harbor and opened that small bookshop with Faith.”
Sue nodded, “I want to open a craft shop there.”
Peggy nodded, “We could use one. We have to drive up to Appleton to find one.”
“Vicky Collins has all the old style fabric we could want.” Mary agreed.
“It seems like lots of people are coming home. Lynn Carson and Tara Rogers moved back a year ago.” Julie said.
“Sounds like a lot has happened since Greg and I have been here.” Sue said.
“Last Fall Jessie Gordon and her extended family reopened the old Eagle lake Lodge as a nice homey inn. That old gilded age eyesore is now nice farm house.” Peg said.
“Jess has been a big help for Babs.” Julie said, “She’s her older friend.”
“All young gals need an older confidante. Someone they can tell things they can’t tell their folks. Gina and I still talk and her daughter Jill is Deb’s age,” Peg replied.
“It was our upstairs maid for me. Lacy and I still talk for hours on the phone.” Sue said.
Faith, Meg, Tiffany, Julie and Sue sat next to Terri. They worked on wreaths until they heard the sound of sleigh bells. Julie walked out to the kitchen and saw the girls getting out of the sleigh as Laura started unhitching her team.
They came bounding into the lodge with big smiles. “Is it done?” Debbie asked with an impish grin.
“Mission accomplished and we couldn’t have done it without you three. Your Moms are in on it too.” Julie said. “I’m going to help Laurie with the horses. Just act naturally and it will work like a charm.”
She saw the men were back with a tree and smiled.
“Perfect timing,” Gabby laughed.
Julie went out to the barn and took Midnight from Laura, “This bay is one of the prettiest I’ve seen.” Julie said.
“She’s a good work horse all right and beautiful but don’t tell her.” Laura said.
“Right. These horses think their beauty is in their great strength and endurance.”
“It looks like the men did a great job. That’s a lovely spruce.” Laura said.
“It will look good in the Parlor. Speaking of which, we need to get the ornaments from the attic. I hope they are in good shape.”
“I went up and checked them last month. I had to mend the tree skirt and sand and repaint the Nutcracker figures but everything else is fine. The lights are also in great shape.”
“It’s going to be fun having everyone decorate it.”
Greg entered the barn with Hank’s team. He looked at them and smiled. “I think we did dad and Uncle Mike proud. It was standing there all in the middle of the field behind the old Hardwick Place. Hank told me that you bought that place last summer. That means that you now both own most Grey Mountain and then some.”
“Next summer we will each buy more.” Hank said, “The developers seek to build and build but not preserve.”
“Morgan’s Hallow has decided to preserve and not develop.” Laura said.
“That is going to cost them some extra tax revenue. Some things are more important than money.” Greg said.
“Most of the more wealthy citizens have bought most of the abandon farms. My target is the old saw mill. I want to turn it into a nice wood shop for me and Hank. That way we will have a place to build and repair furniture. Oh and Mrs. Pierce is selling her place to me in January below market cost. I guess we will then own all of Grey Mountain.”
“Would you be interested in selling the Hardwick Place?” Pete asked.
“It’s in good shape and the land is now fertile again.” Laura said.
“You have the key? I want to show it to Meg. We will need a place to live and that’s a beautiful place.”
“You want to take her over there today? The snow is falling harder and the wind is starting to kick up.” Laura said.
“Not today maybe tomorrow if the weather clears but most likely the day after. This noreaster doesn’t look to be just an overnighter.” Pete said.
“Nope that wind is freezing.” Julie said, “We should get the tree inside.”
The tree stood proudly in front of the window. Hank was standing next to the parlor door as Laura entered from the kitchen. Hank walked up to her, “The Tree is perfect.” He told her.
Tiffany coughed, “Hum, the two of you are standing under the mistletoe.”
Laura and Hank looked up. Laura glared at Julie and Tiffany, “All right who else did you two dragged into this prank?”
Meg laughed, “Well it we weren’t exactly dragged into it.”
Sue giggled, “Nope we ran to it.”
Laura kissed Hank and it wasn’t a friendly kiss. “Now everyone raised your hand if you knew or helped with this lovely prank.”
Everyone but the men raised their hands. Debbie laughed, “We were their agents to keep you busy. That’s what the three of us were whispering about last night. We may not be The Three Cavaliers but we are The Three Cabalas.”
“Oh great now there’s a new generation of pranksters to worry about.” Greg said.
“Well they should know that though we are older, we have more experience and we will remain the standard for years to come.” Julie laughed.
Laura laughed, “Well this prank is much appreciated. I think it’s a great Christmas card.”
Faith held up her digital camera, “It’s a Good thing that this camera needs very little light. Let me go upstairs and print it out for you.”
“Faith! You stinker! We’re the pranksters!” Tiffany said.
“This isn’t a prank so don’t worry. I thought that Laura might like it.”
Mary nodded, “It will be first of many for her family scrapbook.”
Hank looked at everyone and smiled, “It is time for our chat I think.” He told them.
“Let’s go in the kitchen so my rolling pin is handy. I want Greg to consider what may happen.” Mary said.
Sue looked at her mother-in-law and smiled. “Oh, so that how you get a man to listen.”
Meg laughed, “It’s worked for me!”
“I’ll need an industrial size for that big hunk.” Laura thought.
Laura was surprised at Hank, He knew how she felt about him but never let on that he did. Now he was insisting on talking to Greg and her Mom before he purposed. Some would think it was just old fashion silliness, but Laura admired him even more for it.
“Well Julie and Tiffany, Lets go and fetch the ornaments we have a naked tree in the parlor.”
“I’ll fetch the ladder.” Terri said.
“I’ll get my Cannon to document everything. It’s the super deluxe kind that does both film and digital photos. I have got to download these pictures into my laptop and then print them.” Faith told them.
“What else did you photograph?” Julie asked.
“I took photos of everyone working on the wreaths.” She said.
“I’m shock, shock I tell you. You didn’t document us setting up the prank!” Tiffany laughed.
“Faith, why don’t you use the computer in the small parlor? My study was full of this furniture. Hank insisted I buy one for the restoration.”
“Landsakes child, if you had to rely on memory this lodge would never have past our inspection.” Peg told her.
“I realize that now. I may not use it for an email or instant messaging. However, I will use it for planning a cottage herb garden like we use to have outside the kitchen.”
“I have plenty of pictures of that garden. So you will know what to plant and where.” Peg said.
“I could use a cup of spice apple cider.” Pete said.
“When they get though talking I’ll go and fix some for the adults. I don’t think the youngins will drink something that spicy.” Peg said.
“Aunt Peg, Debbie and I drink hot herbal teas all the time.” Barbara said.
“I do too.” Gabby said, “It helps me to concentrate when I do my homework.”
Julie laughed, “Girls, It’s hard applejack cider.”
“You mean it’s been fermented?” Adam said.
Sue laughed, “Adam, you only know about the cider they sell in the supermarket. You can’t get hard cider except may be where they sell the wines.”
“Pete, I’ll use regular cider. We don’t need to get tipsy.” Peg said.
“Regular or hard it doesn’t matter to me. It’s homemade and that’s all that is important to me.” Pete said.
“I don’t have any hard cider anyway. I don’t drink alcohol.” Laura said.
When Faith returned from the study she had several copies of the photos she had taken. She also had her camera ready. Laura and the others had just finish bring down all the ornaments. They were packed in old cedar chests that Laura had bought second hand the week before labor day.
“I want them to last forever.” She told them.
Julie nodded, “Besides they will smell fresh.”
Laura opened the chests and the room was filled with the smell of cedar. It mixed with the flagrance of pine and holly. She carefully unpacked a large angel made of tinted crystal of blue, gold and pale pink. Terri set up the ladder, “Greg’s the oldest boy, but he is busy right now. Laura as the Oldest girl, even is if is only by a couple minutes, you get to place it on top.”
Pete held the ladder for Laura. Tiffany removed several spun glass snowflakes from a small homemade cedar box and placed a hook on a couple and handed them to Tony and Tammy. They carefully placed them on the tree.
Has he watched Laura he saw the outline of the large lump on her back and frowned.
Laura placed the angel on top of the tree. She secured it with a small pole and gold twine. She climbed back off the ladder.
“Where is the ornament pole?” Pete asked.
“We’re not ready for that yet we still have to string the lights.” Julie replied.
“Look behind the parlor doors. Hank carved a new one for us. The old one was just too rotted even for Hank to clean.” Laura said.
“I’ll get it.” Adam said, “This is going to be a Christmas I won’t forget. Andra and her snobbish family don’t know what it’s really about.”
Tiffany hugged her second cousin, “From now don’t use her name just say she that must not be named.”
Gabby looked a Adam, “Is she that must not be named related to he that must not be named?” she said referring to the Harry Potter books
Julie laughed, “I would call her something else but I don’t want a visit from Dad.”
Adam brought out the pole. “How does this work?”
“You see the wooden basked in that second cedar chest on your left. Take it, and hook it to the pole using that latch at the end. Then one of us will climb the ladder and you will send the ornaments up to us in the basket.” Tiffany explained.
“Start with the first string of lights.” Laura suggested to them
Laura guided the string around the tree until she couldn’t reach around it. She asked Adam to give her the pole. She used it to finish stinging the lights. She stepped off the ladder.
Gabby unwrap a wooden soldier and placed it in the basket. It was painted red and black and had a big toothy smile. “Oh it’s the Nutcracker!” Gabby said.
Laura nodded, “Dad made a complete set of characters from the Nutcracker.”
“There is a string of the sugarplum fairies too. It goes from the top to the bottom of the tree.” Tiffany said.
“The popcorn strings should be dried.” Barbara said.
They went over and helped Gabby to unwrap the wooden figures. Each figure was intricately carved. All had recently been painted. Mary, Greg and Hank returned from the kitchen.
Greg coughed, “Laura, Hank as something he wants to ask, and something to give you.”
Laura started crying as Hank got down on his knees. “Laura West, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” He opened a small box. Inside was a ring studded with small diamonds.
Laura hugged Hank, “It is I that will be honored. You are so much like Dad. Yet you have many great qualities of your own. I’ve been in love with you, from the moment I saw you carving that sign for your little wood shop. Yes I will marry you!”
Hank placed the ring on Laura’s finger.
“That’s the work of one of the Remmae clans.” Julie said.
“I asked Paul Kaklos to make it for me when we stayed up at the Appleton Inn last spring.” Hank said.
Peggy nodded, “I gave Jessie Gordon a good talking too. She didn’t think I would find out about her not taking her medications.”
“They have done miracles of their own on that old lodge. It has looks and feels like an old fashion farm house.” Tiffany said.
Julie looked at her mom, “Mom was Greg any trouble?”
“Greg was no trouble when it came time to say the right thing.” Mary laughed.
Greg nodded, “I would rather face that noreaster outside than her rolling pin.”
Sue laughed as she climbed up the ladder, “Since this is my first real family Christmas, I want to start at the top. Adam when you’re ready you can start bringing them up.”
Adam carefully lifted the basket up to her. She removed the figures and slowly placed them on the tree. When it was empty, she looked down, “Give me something else. We don’t need all the Nutcracker figures on top.”
Laura laughed, “You have the idea already. Do another basket and hand over the ladder to Gabby and then Tommy gets his turn. When it’s his turn, Greg can work the pole.”
Sue giggled, “Your secret is out Greg, everyone knows you’re a pole dancer!”
Greg started laughing, “Very funny Sue.”
Gabby filled the basket with a mix of tinted glass globes with a silver and gold gild.
Laura looked around and smiled, “I have a surprise for all of you.”
She went to her study and came out with a box of envelopes. “Last month I went to my lawyer and had him change the deed to the farm. You and your families will own a piece of this land and the farm. Mom and Aunt Peg, I have included you too. When all the kids get to be adults, I will give them a share also.”
“Laurie, I couldn’t wish for a better gift than the one you and Hank have already given us.” Tiffany said. “Restoring our family home was more than enough but now you have returned to us our part of the legacy.”
Terri and Faith started crying as they took their share. “We have a tree and a parlor to finish decorating.” Faith said as she hugged her cousin.
Faith thought back to all the fuss about selling the lodge. She now realized that she would have hated herself for doing so.
“I know this is all water under the bridge but I was so wrong about selling our home. I’m sorry I almost split this family part.” She told them.
Terri nodded, “I want to echo that. I know now that we all have too many important memories tied to this place to have let it be sold. At the time I was only thinking about the money and not my family. I’m sorry for my selfishness.”
Greg and Peter looked at them, “We’re family and like Faith said that is all in the past.” Greg said.
“Now that’s said and done. You youngins need to get busy decorating the tree.” Mary said.
Laura looked around, “Tiffany and I can help with supper. It’s almost time to start it.”
Terri and Faith joined them, “We will let the families start, and there will still be plenty to do after supper. That tree is more like 14 feet than 12.” Faith said.
Terri nodded, “We it isn’t an inch short so I guess they did follow our instructions.”
Mary stood up, “We have enough help in the kitchen, Laura, you stay here and help with the tree.”
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