Their Mistletoe Matchmakers. Keli Gwyn

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      The quiet boy shrugged. “It was all right.”

      Marcie, the talkative one of the trio, scoffed. “It was a real good day. He got the highest marks on his whole grade’s arithmetic examination. He knows his multiplication tables all the way to fifteen.”

      Henry clapped a hand on Alex’s shoulder. “That’s great, Buddy. I’m proud of you.”

      Lavinia joined the conversation. “I am, too. I know how hard you studied for the test.”

      Alex scuffed the toe of his boot over a swirl in the worn rug. “Thanks.”

      Dot tapped Henry’s cheek.

      “What is it, Dimples?”

      “Can we have some hot cocoa? It was awful cold outside.”

      “Yes, you may,” Lavinia answered. “Just ask Miss Gladys nicely if she’ll make it for you.”

      “I’ll ask her instead. She likes me best, so she’ll do it for me.” Marcie patted her thick, curly hair. “I’ll even ask her for whipped cream on top.”

      Alex scoffed. “What are you talking about? Miss Gladys doesn’t like anyone.”

      “She does, too,” Marcie countered. “She said I’m a flibbertigibbet. Isn’t that a fun word? Flibbertigibbet.”

      Alex burst out laughing. Henry kept a straight face, but he couldn’t keep his lips from twitching. Aside from merriment dancing in her dark brown eyes, Lavinia kept her amusement under control. She shot Alex a pointed look. He covered his mouth, but his shoulders still shook.

      Marcie jammed her hands onto her hips and faced her brother. “What’s so funny?”

      “You are,” Alex shot back. “Do you even know what a flibbertigibbet is? It’s a person who talks too much.”

      “Well, Mister Smarty, at least I talk to Miss Gladys. You hardly say anything. Just please and thank you. That’s boring.”

      “Come now, children.” Lavinia draped an arm across Marcie’s shoulders. She reached a hand toward Alex and let it hover for a moment, as though waiting for him to welcome the contact. When he didn’t, she pulled her hand back. “Go into the kitchen and get that cocoa. And no more quibbling, please.”

      Henry set Dot down, and she trooped after her siblings. As soon as they were out of earshot, Lavinia laughed. “Marcie is really something, isn’t she? Even though I’ve just gotten to know the children, it took no time for me to see how similar Marcie is to... Pauline.” She blinked rapidly to clear her misty eyes. “I’m sorry. It’s just that I miss her so much.”

      “I understand. I miss her, too. She was so full of life.”

      “She was the best thing in mine. I love how she saw everything as an adventure—even coming out here. I can’t believe I’ll never see her again. I should have come sooner, but...” She heaved a sigh.

      “But your father forbade it.”

      “She told you?”

      He nodded. Paul Crowne hadn’t gone to his daughter’s wedding. Ten years had passed without a word from him. Pauline had never given up hope that his heart would soften one day, but he’d shut her out completely. “He didn’t even realize he had grandchildren until he got my letter with the sad news, did he?”

      “I told him, but he—” Lavinia toyed with the button on her sleeve. “He rarely mentioned them.”

      The admission had cost her. Henry softened his tone. “He has no idea what he missed, but it’s too late.”

      “It’s not. He’s going to meet them. Quite soon, in fact.”

      His jaw dropped. “Your father is actually going to come out here after all this time?”

      She shook her head, dislodging a curl. The spiral drooped over her left eye. “He can’t get away. Business, you know. That’s why I’m here. I’m going to see that the children have a special Christmas celebration, and then we’ll be going home.”

      He raised an eyebrow. “You and Gladys?”

      She brushed the loose curl aside. “Yes, plus Stuart and—”

      “Who’s Stuart?” The question had slipped out before he could stop it.

      “Stuart Worthington is one of my father’s competent young managers. He accompanied us all the way to Sutter Creek before returning to San Francisco. He’s there now and will come back here at the end of the year to escort all five of us back to Philadelphia.”

      Henry stared at her in disbelief. “You’re not seriously thinking of taking the children, are you?”

      “Yes.” Lavinia’s too-sweet smile was at odds with the determination in her eyes. “I am.”

      “Let me make myself clear then. You’re not taking them. They’re staying here with me. I’m their legal guardian, as per Jack’s will, and I won’t be relinquishing that right to you, your father or anyone.”

       Chapter Two

      Henry was their guardian? What could Jack have been thinking? Henry couldn’t raise a child on his own, let alone three of them.

      Or could he? Her brother-in-law had obviously thought so. Lavinia couldn’t deny that Henry was good with the children. It hadn’t taken long to see that they doted on him, and it was clear he loved them deeply in return.

      It appeared he had the means to provide for them—at least their basic needs anyhow. Although his frock coat, shirt and trousers appeared to be ready-made, his hat, overcoat and silk cravat were of the highest quality. His hotel in Marysville must be doing well, enabling him to hire a housekeeper, if he chose to.

      But the children deserved more than the simple life they’d been living. Her father could give them that. He was determined to do so, which spoke well of him. Alex, Marcie and Dot would live in a lovely home, go to the finest schools and have opportunities beyond their wildest dreams.

      Gaining the right to take them back with her might involve a legal challenge, but it wouldn’t be hard for a knowledgeable lawyer to overturn a will. Her father had waged far more difficult battles in the past and won.

      Lavinia took a seat on the bright red settee and arranged her skirts, giving her time to form a suitable response. Henry meant well and deserved respect. Perhaps she could convince him that she’d be a more fitting guardian. He might even welcome the opportunity to relinquish his obligation. No doubt, he hadn’t expected to assume the role when he’d agreed to be named. “I admire your willingness to see that the children are cared for, but surely you realize what kind of life they would have back home.”

      He gave a dry laugh. “Of course, I do. They would be taught to disparage people like their hardworking father, and I won’t have that. Jack might have fallen short of your father’s ideals, but he was a good man, and he was good to Pauline.”

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