Laurel thought she saw tears in Adam's eyes and was touched that something so simple could trigger that kind of response in him. She felt more certain his surface bravado was simply a way of shielding himself.
“I never really had a family Christmas,” he said. “Thank you.”
Other presents were exchanged. Jessie had made a gift of her husband's wood lathe to Will. Plus there were handkerchiefs, pocketknives, cookware, and books. When the gifts were all opened, Will stood. “I think there's one more,” he said mysteriously, “but I'll have to go and get it. I'll be right back.”
He left the room and walked out of the house. A few minutes later a knock sounded at the back door. “Luke, I think that's for you,” Jean said, a twinkle in her eye.
“Me?” He stood and walked to the door. The rest of the family followed. Opening it, he stared at his father and the fine mushing sled beside him. “Where did you get it?” he asked, walking down the step, his eyes never leaving the sled.
“I made it. Figured if you two boys were going to win that race tomorrow you needed a good one.”
“Thanks, Dad!” Luke kneeled beside the sled, running his hands over the smooth wood and inspecting the metal runners. “This will be fast. We'll win for sure now.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
THE FOLLOWING MORNING, DAYLIGHT BROUGHT SUNSHINE AND SHIMMERING snow. Filled with anticipation, the Haspers piled into the back of Robert's truck and headed for town. The races would be starting in less than thirty minutes. Luke had already taken off. He and Alex had things to do to prepare.
When they pulled into town, the streets were crowded with contestants and spectators. The barking of dogs echoed from the end of the street where the races would begin. Already, two teams of mushers waited at the starting line. Several elimination races would be held, and in the end, only two teams would be left. The winners of that race would be the champions. Luke and Alex waited their turn. King was more than ready, pulling on his harness and barking at the other dogs. He was by far the biggest dog. Laurel hoped he was the fastest.
She felt Robert at her side. All morning he'd nearly hinged himself to her, often holding her arm. Laurel felt uncomfortable, especially after realizing her true feelings for Adam. She'd have to tell Robert.
Robert took Laurel's hand. “While we're waiting, can I talk to you?”
“Of course.” Laurel tried to sound nonchalant, but she knew Robert well enough to know something was wrong. She suspected it had to do with Adam, and she wasn't eager to hear what he had to say.
Robert led her away from the crowd. With his hands on her upper arms, he looked down at her. “Laurel, you know how I feel about you, and I wouldn't ever do anything to hurt you, but …”
Laurel's throat tightened.
“So, do you think the boys will win?” Adam asked, stepping up to the couple.
Robert closed his eyes and let out an exasperated breath. “I don't know,” he said without looking at Adam. “Laurel and I are talking. We need some time alone.”
“Sure,” Adam said and started to walk away.
“No, wait,” Robert said. “You might as well stay. I'd like you to hear this too.”
Laurel felt queasy. She didn't like the way Robert sounded. He seemed anxious and almost angry. “Do we have to talk about this now? Luke's race is just about to start.”
“It won't take long.” Robert sucked in a deep breath and looked at Laurel. “I know Adam leads an exciting life, and he's an interesting person, but I don't think it's a good idea for you to see him.”
“What?” Laurel asked.
“He's not right for you.”
“Robert, Adam and I are not seeing each other. He's just staying at our house. He's a guest.”
Adam took a step closer to Laurel. “And if we were, I think it's up to Laurel to decide who she sees and who she doesn't see. You have no right to tell her what to do.”
Robert's normal gentle demeanor faltered, and he glared at Adam. “In case you don't know, Laurel and I have an understanding. We're a … a couple.”
Laurel gasped. “No, Robert. We're not. I told you we could go out together. That's all.” She cringed at the pain that passed over his face. She didn't want to hurt him.
“Laurel, you know how I feel about you.” Robert gripped her arms. “Adam's not good for you. He's a philanderer. You deserve better.”
“Oh, you mean someone like you?” Adam challenged. “And where do you get the right to call me a philanderer? You know nothing about me.”
“I know more than you think. The kind of man you are is common knowledge.”
Robert looked at Laurel. “I can offer you stability, an honest living. He—”
“That's enough!” Laurel snapped. “You don't know Adam, and you have no right to say such things about him. And no one tells me who I will see and who I won't see.” Laurel's anger goaded her on. “You don't own me, Robert. I like you, or I did like you, but you've gone too far.”
“I just want to protect you.”
“Thank you very much, but I can take care of myself.” Furious and embarrassed, Laurel spun around and headed back toward the racers. As she joined her parents, Jean raised a questioning eyebrow but said nothing.
A few moments later Adam joined Laurel. They glanced at one another but didn't speak. Robert stood with his mother and sisters. Each time Laurel looked that way, he was watching her, his face a mix of anger and hurt. Laurel wished she'd held her tongue.
Luke and Alex moved to the starting line. Streamers marked the course, which led through town, then around a willow thicket at the edge of town where riders and drivers were supposed to switch places before heading back down the street the way they'd come. The first to cross the finish line won.
King barked and snarled at the dog next to him. Alex called to him in his native tongue, and King settled down. Luke would ride first. He sat on the front of the sled, and Alex stood on the runners. When the gun sounded, both teams lunged forward. The crowd cheered. Alex and Luke quickly moved ahead of the other team. King was stronger and faster than his competitor, opening up more and more ground between him and his challenger as he ran the course. It was an easy win. Luke and Alex slid across the finish line several lengths ahead.
There were more heats, with Luke and Alex winning theirs. Laurel did her best to avoid Robert and concentrate on the races. Finally it came down to the last race. Luke and Alex were matched against a good team that clearly had experience. It wouldn't be an easy contest.
Laurel asked Adam, “Do you think they can win?”
“Absolutely. I'm betting on it. I've already got my story written in my head, and they win.”
