Free The Secret of Stavewood (Stavewood Saga Book 4) by Nanette Kinslow Page B

Elgerson.
          He’d been told to watch for the big iron archway at Mark’s ranch so he knew he was now very close to the estate. He revved the engine as he shifted and made the turn onto the lane into Stavewood.
          Talbot pressed down hard on the brake and stopped suddenly in the road, a short distance away from the massive Victorian home on the hillside. He rose up in the seat and whistled low.
          “Would you look at that,” he said to himself.
     
     
          Luc turned Avalanche into the yard at Stavewood and slid from the saddle still laughing heartily. When he reached up to retrieve Louisa she shook her head vigorously, sending a shower of rainwater over his face and across his chest.
          “Stop that!” he scolded playfully. “You’re worse than a puppy!”
          “Stay for lunch.” Louisa laughed and leaned to shake her head again just as the bright red touring car sped into the yard along the side of the house. It skidded to an abrupt stop, flinging gravel across the lawn. Avalanche reared up, throwing Louisa into Luc and the two fell onto the hard packed dirt. The startled horse stomped dangerously close around them until Luc leapt to his feet and took the reins firmly. Avalanche quieted quickly and Luc reached down with one strong hand and helped Louisa to her feet. Both of them stood and stared at the car in disbelief.
          The screen door to the kitchen smacked shut loudly as the cooks rushed outside to see what had caused such a commotion. They were followed quickly by Rebecca and then Timothy Elgerson who appeared in the stable doorway, removed his hat and put his hands on his hips.
     
          “Talbot?” Louisa peered at the gleaming touring car in disbelief.
          To everyone’s relief, Talbot cut the loud engine and opened the car door slowly. He wore an expensive Panama hat and calfskin driving gloves. He looked at Louisa, covered in a layer of mud, and then around at all the onlookers. Luc stood with a scowl on his face beside his agitated stallion. Despite the expressions on all their faces, Talbot broke out in a big smile, spreading his arms wide.
          “Surprise!” Talbot called out, looking back to Louisa.
          Louisa took a deep breath and looked down at the watch on her wrist. The crystal was filled with muddy water. She looked up and clearly saw Luc’s disappointment.
          “Is this your friend from New York?” Luc tilted his head toward Talbot and the flashy car.
          “Yes.” Louisa nodded.
          “Maybe we’ll do lunch another time,” he said discreetly.
           “Thank you for today.” Louisa’s gratitude was genuine.
          “You should never come home from fishing empty handed.” Luc handed her the whittled bit of wood, now carved in the perfect, miniature image of a carp. “Maybe this will bring you better luck next time. A carp brings fortune through perseverance. It swims through a sea of suffering and finds success. It helps you find true love against great odds. When he jumps the falls of the great river he transforms into a mighty dragon.”
          Luc cut several of the walleye from the brace that hung from his saddle and handed them to her. “I’ll see you around,” he said. Then he leapt onto Avalanche and rode away along the back path from the property.

 
     
    Sixteen

          L ouisa checked her reflection in the tall, sewing room mirror in her room and smoothed her narrow, fitted skirt. She had shaken out the muddy water from the watch and dried it carefully, hoping the damage would only be apparent if one looked closely. It had stopped and no longer kept time. She promised herself she would get it repaired at once. She squared her shoulders in an attempt to make the person staring back at her in the mirror appear stronger. Now, bathed and fashionably dressed, she felt ready to go down to the parlor.
          “What a mess,” she