Page 50 of Christmas at Carnton

He pulled them from his pockets.

“And your scarf?”

“I’m not cold. I don’t need it.”

“But you will need it later when you get cold.”

“I’m not gonna get cold. I’m already gettin’ hot.”

She grabbed the scarf and hurried him on downstairs to the entrance hall where the table clock was chiming the nine o’clock hour. And just as they heard Winder and Colonel McGavock’s footsteps on the staircase, a knock sounded at the door.

Aletta answered. “Jake. Good evening.”

He smiled and stepped inside. “Evening, Aletta. Are my campers ready?”

“Your campers?”

He eyed her. “Did . . . no one tell you?”

“Tell me wh—”

“Oh, my dear Mrs. Prescott—”

Aletta turned to Mrs. McGavock and Winder descending the stairs.

“It’s my fault. I forgot to say anything to you about it. The Colonel was called to a meeting in town this afternoon and won’t be back until quite late tonight. He didn’t wish to cancel on the boys’ special outing, so he asked Captain Winston to stand in for him.”

“Oh . . .” Aletta nodded. “That’s very kind of you, Captain Winston.”

“Isn’t it though?” Mrs. McGavock nodded. “Well, you three boys have fun now. And when you get too cold later on tonight, the front door will be unlocked, so come on inside.”

“Get too cold?” Jake made a face that drew a giggle from the boys. “We men will be having too much fun to get cold.”

“Yeah, Mama.” Winder grinned. “We men’ll be havin’ fun!”

Andrew parroted the same, his face bright with anticipation.

“Andrew, be sure and keep your coat on, honey. You don’t want to get sick.”

But Aletta knew he didn’t hear her. He was too busy talking.

The threesome left by way of the front door, and Mrs. McGavock closed it behind them with a sigh. “They’ll have a marvelous time together and will come back with tales they’ll regale us with for a week. Meanwhile, you get some much-needed rest, Mrs. Prescott. Enjoy this rare time alone.”

“Oh yes, I will, Mrs. McGavock. Thank you.”

Aletta bid her good night and started back toward the kitchen through the study, then paused and waited to hear the retreat of Mrs. McGavock’s footsteps on the stairs before making a beeline out the front door.

CHAPTER 20

“Jake!” Aletta hurried after them, the muscles in her abdomen complaining.

Jake paused and looked back, the boys beside him.

Winded when she reached them, her side aching, Aletta paused for a few seconds to catch her breath. “I just needed to tell you that—” She swallowed. “Sometimes . . . Andrew has a tendency . . . to not wear his coat.”

“Mama, I’m not cold.”

Aletta held up a forefinger. “But you will be if you take off your coat. And then you’ll get a cold.”