“Yes,” both Florence and Lydia cried, taking his hands and pulling him from the room.
“It’s nothing special,” Judith said, her chest tightening. What if he didn’t like them?
“Come along,” her brother said, taking her arm before she could flee. “You won’t be casting your pearls before swine, so have no fear.”
Judith allowed him to pull her into the library, where they’d decided to put the tree. She really had been pleased with the effect and the touch of elegance her garlands had given the tree. It seemed she might have a creative streak after all.
“We were just going to string together a few strands of popcorn and some with cranberries,” Doris said, studying the tree. “And then Judith suggested mixing and matching. The effect is quite lovely.”
“Orange slices?” Luke asked, his eyes scanning the strands.
“I’d ordered a case of oranges,” Marshall said coming to stand next to Doris and putting his arm around her shoulders. “They froze, and I was afraid we’d have to throw them out, but Mrs. Hauser dried the slices to use them in tea. Judith had the idea to add them as decorations.”
“Do you have any of the slices left over?” Luke asked, looking at Judith.
“Quite a few. Why?” she asked.
“Because there are a few families I’d like to give Christmas trees to.”
Judith glanced at her sister-in-law, and it was as though they shared a mind, both of their faces lighting up at the same time.
“I was speaking with Reverend Pearce yesterday,” Doris said, “and he mentioned a list of families who are struggling. They can afford the basics but nothing extra.” She looked at her new stepdaughters. “You mustn’t speak of this to anyone outside of the family. Wouldn’t it be a lovely surprise?”
“Oh, yes.” Florence clutched her hand. “We know which of the scholars don’t eat well at lunch.”
“Well, it sounds like we have an extra holiday assignment,” Luke said softly to Judith. “I hope I haven’t added to your burdens.”
She glanced up into his soft warm eyes. The way he was watching her made her want very much not to disappoint him.
“I can do it if I have help. Are you offering?”
Luke chuckled. “I guess I should since it’s my idea. Looks like we’d best get to work on another list.”
6
“It’s obviously not a pack of wolves, Abe, and now we’re sure it’s not wild dogs either. Look at him.” Luke prodded the large dog’s body. “He’s too fleshed to be attacking out of hunger. What kind of breed is that?”
“I’m sure it’s got some Bullenbeisser in it,” the sheriff said, nudging the animal.
“I’ve never heard of it.” Luke’s feet were going numb from the cold, so he began to dance around to keep the blood flowing.
“It’s a kind of bulldog they breed in Germany. Get the significance of the name?” Abe shook his head. “I don’t like this.”
“Well, I sure don’t like it. I’ve lost six head of cattle since the beginning of the month,” Luke said. “It’s almost as though my herd’s been targeted.”
Charles turned to stare at him, his expression troubled. “That animal’s a crossbreed. From the way Tom McBride described the attack, it’s well-trained. You haven’t had any words with anyone, have you?”
“You mean someone who might want to get even with me by running me out of business? No. The only man I’m in competition with is my brother-in-law, and we get along fine.” Luke turned to his foreman and said, “I’d like to take this carcass back. It’s cold enough it won’t rot.”
Tom seemed glad to have something to do and signaled a couple of the cowhands to help lift the beast.
Luke wrapped the scarf around his mouth again and mounted his horse. While no one else in the area had reported attacks like the ones he’d been experiencing, it seemed clear hewasbeing targeted, but he couldn’t imagine why.
The men were silent as they headed back toward the ranch. When Charles would normally have branched off to head into town with the sheriff, he signaled for Luke to stop.
“What is it?” he asked, pulling up.
“Do you mind,’ Charles asked, “if we get Jim Harkins out here to take a photograph of that dog?”
