A Star in Winter

Book Series: Stand Alone Title 

Publishing Date: 2000

Author: Anita Stansfield

Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.

Category: LDS Contemporaray Romance
Point of View: Third Person Limited: Shayne and Helen
Chapter Count: 9
Page Count: 179

For Cindy, Kim, Dianne, LaRene, & Deanna

Happy Birthday!

Prologue        

Provo, Utah

Shayne Brynner is not happy. Thanks to his high maintenance wife and her credit card debt, he had no choice but to sell their home. Apartment hunting is the next step. Margie blames it all on him and is refusing to take any responsibility. Shayne worries about their two children and how this upcoming transition will affect them. Reclining in her La-Z-Boy, Margie accuses Shayne of being cruel and insensitive before turning back to the TV. Shayne just sighs, not wanting to admit how big a doormat he is.

Chapter 1

Meet Miss Helen Starkey. She teaches third grade and is very single but she LOVES her job. (Teaching in Utah? Just wait a few years, Miss Starkey!) During silent reading time, Helen takes this opportunity to study her (overcrowded, underfunded) class. One of her little students, Scotty Brynner, has been showing signs of social and academic decline. Trouble at home, most likely. Helen can't help but be concerned and makes a mental note to call his parents (again) for more information so she can help. She's already aware that Scotty's family are all members of the state's predominant religion. Helen is also a member. Whatever happened in Scotty's life to bring about this sudden withdrawal can't be good. (While we can't believe Helen only has ONE such student in her classroom.)

Lunchtime! Helen's best friend at work is Carla: happily married with three kids and fellow third grade teacher from across the hall for the last five years. The two women get together often outside work to exchange recipes and hang out. Hard to believe their biggest classroom management problems in this public elementary school are chewing gum and rubber bands. (Teachers have such posh jobs!) Helen doesn't mind being called "Miss Star" subsequently making it the theme of her classroom with stars everywhere, including a "Star of the Week" bulletin board but would love to toss the "Miss" title. Helen is pleasingly plump with long, curly brown hair. She dated in high school and in college where she received quite a few marriage proposals, but none of them felt right, so she turned them all down. (Really, Helen?) She is now a successful, independent career woman who owns her own home near the school where she teaches. She also has a cat.

Scotty is not in school the following day. Fed up with all the unreturned phone calls and notes home, Helen decides to take the situation into her own hands by tracking down Scotty's address and finds herself knocking on the door of a run down apartment complex.

The TV is on. The kids are alone. After reassuring Scotty it's okay to let a trusted adult, like a teacher, (Helen also plays Sunday school teacher here, reminding Scotty his recent baptism and confirmation should also concur) into the apartment, she is finally admitted. Scotty doesn't say much, but his little sister, Tamara, a first-grader, is more than happy to report to Miss Star since the babysitter never showed, they've been home alone ALL DAY, watching TV and eating all the junk food. Because of health issues, Mommy went to live with Grandma and they had to move here. Daddy's still at work. Helen investigates the kitchen to find all the cupboards near empty along with the fridge.

While these obvious conditions of child neglect would prompt any responsible adult to inform social services, Helen isn't that kind of woman. This family has obviously fallen on hard times. After going over Scotty's homework and missed assignments with him, Helen steps into the kitchen and (miraculously) finds all the ingredients to whip up a Shepherd's Pie casserole. Unsure about trying a new dish, Helen tells the kids if they close their eyes and take at least three bites, it won't be so bad. She bribes them with the promise of cookies tomorrow if they obey. They do it.

Mr. Bryner comes home, surprised to find a stranger, (his son's teacher no less) babysitting his kids and serving them a hot meal. Introductions are made, the kids are sent into the other room to play so the two grown ups can discuss the situation.

Mr. Bryner is a very lucky man. After giving Helen a very brief run down of the family living situation, Helen tells him she is more than happy to take on the extra responsibility of taking the children every day after school, bringing them here to the apartment and having dinner ready when he gets home. She WANTS to help and refuses to take any money. (This woman is nuts.)

Helen enters her dark, empty house with only the cat to greet her; already looking forward to tomorrow as she plans to bake cookies and play house as a surrogate mother to two adorable children who desperately need her. Who cares about Shayne Bryner?

                                                          Hamburger Pie (better known as Shepherd's Pie)

                                    Brown 1 lb ground beef (drain)

                                    add the following to taste:

                                                       salt and pepper

                                                       minced onion

                                                       garlic powder

                                                       dried parsley

                                                       Worcestershire sauce (about 1/2 tsp)

                                Add: one can green beans (use frozen green beans instead, along with freshly chopped and cooked carrots-cook/drain the frozen green beans and carrots first before adding)

                                          two 8-oz. cans tomato sauce

                               Spread in (9x13 Pyrex) casserole dish and spread hot mashed potatoes on top (leftover mashed potatoes from a previous meal works just as well)

                                              Sprinkle with shredded cheese 

                                              Bake at 350 degrees until cheese is melted

                                              "Close your eyes and take three bites!"

                (Author neglects to include bake time. We found 30-40 min to be sufficient. A favorite at our house, we recommend eating this with your eyes open. Enjoy!)

Chapter 2

Over lunch in the teacher's lounge, Carla and Helen speculate Shayne's wife must have some kind of cancer which explains why they are separated and so deep in debt. How sad. Carla tries to get Helen to admit feelings of attraction for Shayne but Helen doesn't want to go there. She'd rather focus on the kids and their needs and playing good Samaritan. This is temporary and besides, he's MARRIED!
That night, Shayne appreciates coming home to find children fed and homework completed. Helen offers to start doing the grocery shopping, if he'll compensate her.
Next day, Helen enjoys taking the kids with her to the store. Tonight's menu is chicken enchiladas. The kids hope there's no "icky green things" in it. Helen promises there isn't and they help her prepare the meal.
With the weekend off, Helen teaches her primary class and misses not having a family of her own to cook and care for and hang out with over the long two days. She is glad to return to her duties on Monday.
Helen discovers the apartment is two bedroom. Scotty and Tamara have their own rooms while Shayne sleeps on the hide-a-bed couch in the front room. She spends the week doing her own and the family's laundry at the laundromat, cleaning and organizing the kitchen, then making a chore chart for the kids so they can start helping out. For the most part, Scotty and Tamara are well behaved, polite children who are easy to tend. Helen adores them already and, for the kids, the feeling is mutual. Their mommy never paid this much attention to them, except to tell them to be quiet and watch TV until she could leave to go shopping. They like Helen. She's fun. She even helps them prepare a family home evening lesson the following Monday.
Tuesday is Halloween. When Shayne gets home, Helen has the kids all ready to go out trick or treating then she goes home to pass out candy, alone.
As November passes, Helen takes the kids on various outings to museums, the fire station and the library. She feels sorry for their sick mother whose health issues prevented her from spending quality time with these two special children.
Just before Thanksgiving break, Margie actually calls the apartment. She is terse and rather put out that a strange woman answered and that Shayne's not home from work yet. The kids take turns talking to their mother but the conversation is very one-sided as Margie does all the talking while the kids just grunt and nod. When Shayne gets home, he calls his wife back. Again, the conversation is tense and one sided as it becomes obvious this woman has no interest in being part of this family and, no, she's not coming to spend Thanksgiving.
After the table is cleared and the kids sent into the other room to play a board game, Helen asks Shayne for more information about his wife's health but he clams up. They'll be fine this weekend. Helen deserves some time off anyway.
Unable to fly home to Idaho for the holiday, (not on a Utah teacher's salary) Helen spends Thanksgiving with a family in her ward. Shayne phones early on Black Friday morning. (No one acknowledges it's Black Friday, either.) An emergency at work has come up and he's desperate for a sitter today and maybe tomorrow. Lonely Helen is only too happy to take the kids. He drops them off at Helen's where it'll be easier to feed them breakfast and entertain them. She fixes chicken enchiladas again that night. On Saturday, Helen takes them to one of the local malls (that'll be either University or Provo Towne Center) so they can see the Christmas decorations. The kids get a little hyper but Helen keeps them under control. Tamara comments what a good "mom" Helen is, so different from their own mom. Shayne is the only character with a cell phone (this is the year 2000 after all) while Helen has a landline and there's a message on her machine when they get home. Shayne regrets he'll be late picking up the kids tonight. The kids are asleep by the time he arrives and we finally learn what his occupation is-industrial construction worker, possibly plumbing, as the building they're working on had a pipe burst and flooding. He carries his sleepy children out to the car while Helen watches with obvious longing.

                                                  Children Friendly Chicken Enchiladas

1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can milk
1 8oz carton sour cream
(For extra color and flavor, I added 1 can Ro-Tel MILD diced tomatoes and green chilies. No heat, I promise! And once it's mixed in, you can't even see the "icky" green chilies)
12 flour tortillas (six inch fajita tortillas work great)
Cooked chunks of chicken (about one-and-a-half cups)
Sliced black olives (one 2.25 oz can, drained)
Shredded cheddar cheese

Mix soup, milk, and sour cream. Spread a little soup mixture on bottom of 9 x 13 inch metal pan (I spray the pan with cooking spray first)
Spread some soup mixture down center of each tortilla. Add chicken, olives and cheese. Roll tortillas and place in pan.

(Here's my method for rolling enchiladas: in a small frying pan, coated with a little cooking spray, warm one tortilla, place on prep board, spread mixture down center, bring both sides up and fold over each other leaving the ends open. If mixture escapes, just push it back in. Place in pan and rotate until seam side is face down. Repeat until all 12 tortillas are prepared. You should be able to fit 8 across the top of pan with remaining 4 in two perpendicular rows.)

Spread remaining mixture over top (along with remaining olives) and then shredded cheese
Bake at 375 degrees until hot
"No need to pick out the icky green stuff."

(Again, author fails to give us a bake time. Since oven temps vary, 30-45 min should be sufficient)

Chapter 3

Shayne's POV-after tucking his kids into their beds, he sobs in the shower (he gets so lonely, he could die) and goes to bed. Too tired to kneel, he says his nightly prayer in his mind. If nothing else, he's most grateful for Helen Starkey.
As another two weeks pass, Shayne's dream of Margie returning a changed woman ready to be part of a family again, is fading fast. Although Margie says she's planning on coming for Christmas, Shayne is doubtful. Over Helen's meat ring (Apparently, if you bake it in a round pan, forming a hole in the middle of the meat, it won't dry out.) Shayne agrees he should come after school for that overdue parent-teacher conference, an appropriate setting where they can really talk.
Three days later, he's standing on the threshold of Helen's classroom, smirking at all the star paraphernalia and artwork. Helen sends the kids across the hall to Carla's classroom and they finally get down to business.
Here's Shayne's sad story: His wife was born with a heart condition and while doctors assured her she could lead a normal, healthy, productive life, her parents indulged her. He enjoyed dating and courting Margie but after their not-in-the-temple wedding, for reasons even he never understood, (Really, Shayne? You never mentioned serving a mission, that's kinda important too!) Margie became a changed woman after the honeymoon. She quit school, her job and turned into a demanding, petulant witch, who always played the heart condition card to get out of doing any cooking or housework. Shayne hoped having kids might transform Margie into a Molly Mormon, but she was just never interested in being a mom. Her only talents appeared to be maxing out credit cards at the mall and going binge shopping with her friends to cope with her debilitating health issues. Her idea of cooking was bringing home fast food. Since Shayne made enough at his job to provide for his family, he continued to let Margie walk all over him and spend all his money, but as the years passed, Shayne began to feel trapped in this dysfunctional marriage. When the credit card debt became so bad they had to declare bankruptcy and sell the house, Margie left him.
Helen wonders aloud if maybe Shayne should be telling all this to a family counselor. Shayne tells her his parents are currently serving a mission and he doesn't want them to worry. He's never been close to his siblings who all live outside the state. He doesn't have anyone else. His plan is to get all their debt paid off in a year, then maybe, just maybe, Margie will come back to him and they can be a family again. In the meantime, Shayne hopes he and Helen can be friends. Flattered, Helen says she'll keep praying for them. Scotty and Tamara are good kids, resilient, and seem to be handling it fine.
Okay, good chat.
Carla can't wait to hear all the juicy details. Helen reminds her Shayne is still a married man but both agree Margie is acting like a baby. Shayne and his children definitely deserve better.

                                                               Meat Ring--Not Loaf

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
3/4 cup oatmeal or cracker crumbs (I prefer bread crumbs or two slices of bread torn into small pieces)
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 beaten egg
3/4 cup milk
(I also added 1 8oz can tomato sauce, 1/4 tsp dried sage, 1/8 tsp garlic powder and 1/4 tsp dry mustard)

Mix all together and mold into round pan, leaving a hole in the center.
(What kind of round pan? I seriously doubt anyone could cram that much hamburger into a round cake pan and make it work. Best stick to traditional meat loaf)

Cover with sauce and bake 1 hour at 350 degrees
Sauce: 1/3 cup ketchup
            2 tablespoons brown sugar
            1 tablespoon (prepared) mustard


Chapter 4

Over bacon-potato soup, talk turns to the excitement of Christmas. Helen noticed boxes in Tamara's room marked "Christmas" and offers to decorate the apartment with the kids tomorrow. For Helen, the holidays are one of worst times of the year to be single. Even when she goes home to Idaho, her married siblings and their children take precedence and she always feels left out but now that she has Scotty and Tamara in her life, it's the most wonderful time of the year for Helen.
She takes the children shopping so they can buy inexpensive presents for both their parents. Back at the apartment, they're right in the middle of baking and decorating cut-out Christmas cookies when the phone rings. It's Margie who found out Helen's name, thanks to her children who won't shut up about how wonderful she is. Hearing that, Helen wastes no time putting the children on.
Tamara becomes very upset when she learns Mommy isn't coming to spend Christmas with them after all. She screams that she hates Margie, throws down the phone and runs to her room. Scotty follows her and, after hanging up the phone, Helen does her best to comfort a still sobbing Tamara and sullen Scotty, telling them not to take it personally which helps them feel better. All are crying when Shayne enters the bedroom and learns about the devastating phone call. Helen preaches: God still loves them and they should all remember that Jesus is the reason for the season. Shayne reminds the kids Aunt Libby is still planning to come spend Christmas with them. The kids insist Miss Star join them.
It is decided Helen will come over for dinner at the Brynner's apartment on Christmas Eve (Aunt Libby will be doing the babysitting and cooking during the break) and she will host them at her house on Christmas Day which will include dinner and more gift exchange. Shayne thinks to himself what an amazing woman Helen is. Too bad he's married. Everyone can't wait to see Aunt Libby again. Helen's parents are also planning to visit sometime during the break and deliver gifts as well.
Great-Aunt Libby Brynner (Shayne's father's sister) turns out to be an older, never married, mid-single adult in her mid-fifties with blonde highlights covering the gray. She is tall, thin and bursting with youthful energy. She served not one, but THREE missions. We never learn what her occupation is but her satisfying and fulfilling career has allowed her the means to travel and indulge in eccentric activities. She enjoys serving others and learning new things which she then shares with everyone she meets. She loves spending time with her family, traveling often to visit her many nieces and nephews. Her life is rich and full, despite never experiencing temple marriage or bearing children, she's the happiest person Helen's ever met (and she's not fooling anybody).
Helen returns to her empty, lonely house, still in awe of this Sheri Dew and Mary Ellen Edmunds rolled into one amazing woman. She falls asleep with visions of living the Aunt Libby dream dancing in her head. Independent, incredibly happy, giving and serving to the very end. Who needs marriage? Who needs men?! From this moment on, Helen is not going to let her single status define her!
At 6:30am, Helen, still in her pajamas, returns to the apartment just in time to open and exchange presents with her new adopted family, also still in pajamas, even the grown ups. They have family prayer and Shayne wants everyone to name something they're grateful for before opening their first gift. Helen is impressed. She loves all her gifts: a new journal, a sweater and skirt set, a gift certificate to a kitchen store at the mall and a book. She is touched at all the trouble they went to.
Back at her house, the Brynner family arrives later that afternoon to open their own simple gifts Helen has for them. A scrapbook kit for the children, a gift set of (smelly) bath items for Libby and Helen made a wooden recipe box for Shayne with all her favorite recipes printed on cards inside. They gather at the table to eat ham and scalloped potatoes and it's a wonderful Christmas, probably the best of Helen's life.
Before they say goodbye, Helen tells Libby how much her example means to her. Libby's response is full of hope and enthusiasm. Even though she has no husband now, Libby knows if she stays faithful and works hard serving others all her life, she'll be blessed in the next with the opportunity to marry some wonderful man who was probably killed in one of the great wars and share every blessing of eternity with him. (Oh, Libby, you've been drinking the Kool-Aid, haven't you?)

                                                          Bacon-Potato Soup

1 package sliced bacon, cut into small pieces (author doesn't say how many this feeds and that's a LOT of bacon, so I'd half this recipe)
8-10 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into small pieces
2 cups cheese, shredded
Chopped onion, salt and pepper to taste

Fry bacon pieces until crisp. Drain grease (remove bacon) and set aside.  (I'd fry onions along with the bacon and boil potatoes in separate pan to add later) Cook potatoes and onions in enough water to cover, in the same pan so the bacon flavor cooks into the broth. When potatoes are tender, add thickening, cheese, bacon, salt and pepper. (I doubt a frying pan is big enough for all these ingredients. I'd use a stock pot.)

Thickening: 1/2 cup flour and 1 cup water

Mix and add slowly while stirring.
If you want the soup thicker, add more.

Chapter 5

On the 27th, Helen arrives at the Brynners' to take over babysitting (they just finished dropping off Aunt Libby at the airport) so Shayne can get to work. The kids went next door to play. Helen enters the apartment to find Shayne very distraught and upset. He's just been served divorce papers and has no idea how he's going to tell the kids. Helen listens as he makes a long speech about how hard he tried to keep this marriage from falling apart, to no avail. She tells him not to be so hard on himself.
Helen takes the kids to meet Carla at a pizza place (Peter Piper Pizza franchise no longer in Utah) where Helen brings her up to speed on the latest in the Brynner family breakdown and her possible future boyfriend/fiancé (Shut up, Carla. He's STILL MARRIED!). Helen almost admits aloud her growing romantic attraction for Shayne before stopping herself. Carla just smirks, knowingly.
Next day, after Shayne drops off the kids at Helen's for the day, Helen's parents arrive bearing gifts for all, including Scotty and Tamara. Helen appreciates the new afghan her mother made her along with small, simple gifts like new kitchen towels, bubble bath and a candle.
When Shayne comes to pick up the kids, he's invited to stay for dinner. Porcupine meatballs, yum! Everyone gets along fine, Shayne spends a lot of time talking with Helen's parents, in fact! After the Brynner family leaves, Helen's mother enters the kitchen for a little mother-daughter chat about this growing relationship, so obvious to everyone except Helen and Shayne. Helen repeats her speech: he's still married, the divorce isn't final yet, he's younger than her (but not by much) and while he's a very nice man, kind, crazy about his kids, that doesn't necessarily mean he's also crazy about her. He's given her no reason to think otherwise. Helen doubts his interest in someone like her: she's slightly overweight, single, financially independent, content to live alone (after meeting her new idol, Aunt Libby, Helen is beginning to think she never wants to get married anyway!). She also doubts his interest in her doesn't go beyond her already being his full time cook and nanny.
Helen's mom suggests Helen rent a copy of The Sound of Music to help put her confused feelings into perspective. (I'd tell Mom to go climb a mountain.)
The following evening, Shayne stays at his place to go over paperwork so Helen takes this opportunity to throw a movie party with the kids. They watch the musical and Helen falls asleep that night realizing if the opportunity ever did come to marry, she would be wise to follow her heart and take it. Sorry Aunt Libby.

                                                             Porcupine Meatballs

1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1/2 cup uncooked rice
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 Tbsp dry minced onion
1 can tomato soup mixed with 1 can water

Mix first five ingredients and mold into meatballs. Drop into soup. Cover and simmer for about an hour, or until rice is tender.

Sorry, Anita, but I like my own mother's recipe (the one I grew up on) better:
1 lb ground beef
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp salt
1/2 onion, chopped fine
1 1/4 cups dry bread crumbs
1/3 cup uncooked rice
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
3 Tbsp shortening
1 can tomato soup
1/2 can water

Mix meat, onion, dry mustard, salt, bread crumbs, rice, milk and egg in bowl-use hands or spoon until all ingredients are well combined.
Shape mixture into balls (about 1 1/2 inches in size) and fry on medium-low heat with shortening in large frying pan, turning frequently, until brown and still moist. Remove from heat, place in casserole (1 1/2 quarts) cover with tomato soup and water.
Cover and bake at 350° about 45 min.

Chapter 6

Shayne phones to thank Helen for all her help and support. Helen thinks maybe he's asking her out, but the real reason he'd like to invite Helen to spend New Years Eve is because he wants her there at the apartment for moral support while he drops the bomb about the divorce to his kids. Helen suggests they move the party to her house. More room to absorb the fallout.
When the family arrives, Helen has her mother's famous fruitcake baking in the oven. It smells so good, Shayne can't believe it won't be dry and sickly sweet. They all sit to bless the food, a baked potato bar, as prepared by Helen. Shayne brought ice cream and toppings for dessert.
Before the children leave the table, Shayne exchanges a glance with Helen and plunges in with the news to his son and daughter that Mommy is not going to live with them anymore. Ever. The kids get weepy. Shayne takes them both in his arms while Helen feels like the awkward third wheel until Shayne gives her a reassuring smile over their heads.
The party continues with banana splits, popcorn, homemade root beer and warm fruitcake which Shayne admits is better than anything he's ever tasted. They play card games with lots of laughter, joking and happy chatter.
Right in the middle of it all, Tamara asks Shayne if Helen is going to be their new mommy now? Awkward silence. Shayne answers, "Only if she wants to," making Helen feel even more put on the spot. She is understandably offended but says nothing until after the kids are in their pajamas and playing in the other room when Shayne comes into the kitchen to confront Helen, making a long speech about her attraction to him, which is okay, because he feels the same; she's the most incredible single woman he's ever met. They've been playing the co-parenting role for so many weeks now, the children love her and Helen's such an excellent cook and housekeeper, they might as well get together, maybe even get engaged. Never mind the ink's hardly dry on the divorce papers, he's ready to move on, just like her. Quite the presumptuous man, isn't he?
Instead of slapping his face, "Buy me dinner first, you moron!" Helen starts to cry, because she's falling in love with him too. Shayne takes her in his arms, kisses her forehead. Shayne is no longer in the friend zone.
When it's time to ring in the New Year, Shayne kisses her quickly on the lips, making it official. Tomorrow they'll come over for a big turkey dinner and can talk more about the future. As Helen watches Shayne carry his sleepy children out to the car, she wants to whoop and holler for joy.

                                                              Mother's Fruitcake

1 3/4 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 cup shortening
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup each raisins & chopped nuts
1/2 tsp soda dissolved in 1 cup hot applesauce
1 lb candied fruit

Cream together shortening, sugar, egg and vanilla. Add applesauce mixture. Mix together dry ingrediants and add, along with nuts & raisins, then add fruit.
Bake in loaf pan at 325° for one hour.

Chapter 7

Helen is having the happiest New Year's Day of her life as she exchanges looks of incredible romantic longing with Shayne. Not ready yet to shock her own family ward with a newly divorced man and his kids at her side, Helen attends her own ward so she can teach her primary class while the Brynner's do likewise but they share Sunday dinner at the apartment later that day.
Helen declares she's going to make a coffee cake, sans coffee, (You know, Word of Wisdom and all that!) and they'll have it with cocoa instead. Scotty exposes Shayne's habit of eating Helen's leftovers for breakfast! (Typical male.) Helen makes a mental note to put a stop to that once they're married. (Typical female.)
Helen stays for their nightly scripture study. (For a man who never served a mission or took out his own endowments, Shayne is awfully religious.)
After the kids are put to bed, Helen stays so they can talk. He wants to hear her life story. Turns out, Helen served a mission and, after graduation, felt prompted to come to Utah to begin her teaching career (Um, Idaho is just above Utah in education funding.) and she's been blissfully happy ever since. Until she met Shayne and his amazing children, that is. Now she's even MORE blissfully happy. Shayne has trouble believing she never had to fight off the entire elder's quorum of her single's ward one by one with their temple marriage proposals. He takes her in his arms and kisses her. Margie is a distant memory for him now.
With school back in session, Carla gets the whole story out of Helen in the teacher's lounge: they decided to skip dating and courtship and get engaged immediately. They haven't set a date yet but Carla is the first to know.
As the weeks pass, Helen continues to babysit and cook for the Brynner family. Except now, Shayne is taking her out on actual once-a-week dates with a babysitter for the kids. They spend hours just talking and planning their future. They read and study the scriptures together so Helen can safely assume they will marry in the temple. At the dinner table one night, Tamara asks them, straight out, if they're going to get married? Shayne can't answer that yet, not without Helen's consent. Helen blushes.
Later, as he's helping her with the dishes, Shayne asks for ideas so he can give her the perfect marriage proposal of her dreams. Helen likes balloons, bakery-style cupcakes, flowers and chocolates. Sticking the ring in one of the cupcakes would be cute and roses are her favorite flower. If he were to get down on one knee, she'd probably say yes. They laugh and kiss while Helen silently thanks God for sending a man into her life.

                                                                      Coffee Cake

1 cup pancake mix
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 egg
1/4 cup butter, melted

Mix together and pour into greased eight-inch round pan. Mix ingredients for topping until crumbly. Sprinkle over top of batter and bake at 375° for 20 minutes.

Topping:
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbsp melted butter
"Don't add any coffee! Eat with cocoa!!"

Chapter 8

Valentine's Day is traditionally the worst day of any single woman's life. Not so for Helen Starkey. Today will be a day to remember.
While her class works on their Valentine's Day cards before the class party, Scotty is called to the office. He returns carrying a large bakery box full of cupcakes to Miss Starkey (and her class) from his dad. The one in the very center has a gaudy plastic ring stuck in the fluffy pink frosting. Grinning with expectation, Helen makes a little show of putting on the ring while her class giggles.
Then Tamara enters with a large cluster of balloons, also from Shayne who is close behind. He enters with a bouquet of roses and a heart-shaped box of chocolates (Hope they're from See's!) for her. Next he gets down on one knee to open a real diamond engagement ring for Helen to accept. She does, of course, and her class cheers. They kiss and a few boys make noises of disgust while the girls sigh. Shayne is adorable. He's the perfect man who managed to propose to Helen exactly how she wanted.
Hearing all the commotion, Carla pops in and is equally happy for her friend and not at all shocked or surprised. Neither are we, Carla.
Shayne and kids are just walking in the door after school when the phone rings. Tamara answers and when she learns it's Margie, proceeds to give her mom all the details about daddy's marriage proposal and how happy she is that Helen is going to be their new mommy. Scotty talks to his mom next then, with some apprehension, Shayne takes the phone. With her usual bluntness, Margie comments how fast he's rebounding and hopes Helen won't divorce him after all his many faults are exposed. Happy Valentine's Day, Margie.
Shayne shares his feelings with Helen who assures him she still wants to go through with this. They're getting married on the first day of spring. Shayne will move his family into her house and offers to use the money he's been saving to help her finish off the basement.
A few days later, Helen is stirring a pot of chili when Shayne walks through the door to greet his future wife with a kiss. He teases her about slaving away all day in the kitchen. Helen counters this is the easiest recipe in the world and, besides, she has better things to do, like plan a wedding! They can't wait to get married. Scotty and Tamara come running into the kitchen, so glad that Daddy is home.

                                                                  Busy Mom Chili

Brown 1 lb ground beef with dried minced onion and garlic to taste. Drain grease and add the following:

1 28 oz can tomatoes with liquid
2 tsp celery salt
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 27 oz can kidney beans, drained
1 8 oz can tomato sauce

Simmer for one hour. See...easy!
(Um, is this prepared in the frying pan? You forgot to add the pot, Anita!

Not to worry. I have a MUCH better and even easier recipe for Crock-Pot Chili
1 lb ground beef
dash or two of salt
One can stewed tomatoes (Del Monte diced tomatoes, zesty chili style, is okay too)
One can chili or pinto beans
One can kidney beans
One can black beans (if desired)
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
1 package Lawry's brand chili seasoning (No heat, I promise!)

Brown ground beef (sprinkle salt while browning), drain, add to crock pot. Open and add all cans without draining any liquid, add Lawry's. Stir until well combined. Set Crock-Pot on "low" and leave for work. Simmer six to eight hours (or until Mom gets home from work!)
If desired, serve over Fritos corn chips, with lots of shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream.
See...easy!

Chapter 9

The wedding is in two weeks and for Helen, everything is perfect. Almost TOO perfect. In fact, after another teacher at school expresses her doubts and concern over how fast they're moving, Helen realizes she too is beginning to have second thoughts about this wedding. Maybe she doesn't know Shayne as well as she thought. What if he's a secret wife-beater and that's why Margie divorced him? Maybe HE was one who suffered from impulse spending, that he's really a couch potato and his whole "World's Greatest Dad" was all an act and that behind closed doors, Scotty and Tamara are really miserable, neglected children who can't wait for Helen to fall into their trap because the minute the honeymoon is over, Shayne will quit his job and refuse to contribute. She'll be stuck teaching third grade in Utah for all eternity, forced to get a second job to support the family. The Horror!
Helen sits bolt upright in bed, breathing hard. She must talk to her fiancé right away!
That Friday afternoon after school, Helen has the kids at her house and is busy in the kitchen when Shayne gets off work a little earlier than usual. He's achy and feverish and exhausted. Forgetting all about her qualms, Helen puts on her nurse's hat and devotes the next twenty-four hours to caring for him: insisting Shayne sleep in her bed tonight, fixing him soup and jello and doing all she can to make him comfortable. That's when it hits her. Shayne Brynner is the genuine deal. He's the man God put on this earth for her to marry.
Helen fixes several batches of lemon bread to serve at the wedding reception. Her mother and Aunt Libby arrive the day before the wedding to help her get everything ready. Aunt Libby confesses to Helen how glad she is her nephew is getting remarried to a better, more deserving woman. She never liked Margie. No one in the family did. Their divorce wasn't a big surprise to anyone and everyone is so relieved now to see Shayne so happy.
Helen feels truly beautiful in her "slimming" wedding gown. Her mother and Aunt Libby fuss over her. The look on Shayne's face in the sealing room of the temple says it all. (Narration doesn't say if the kids were there too, so they could all be sealed as a family.) Carla and Helen's entire third grade class is there at the reception to share Helen's joy. Since Shayne's parents are still off in another country serving their mission, they couldn't make it, but Helen got to talk to them over the phone and can't wait to meet them in person. The cake is cut, the bouquet tossed. It's a perfect day.

                                                                Lemon Bread

1 lemon cake mix
1 3 oz instant lemon pudding
1/3 cup oil
2 eggs
1 cup water

Mix ingredients and pour into well-greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 for 35 to 40 minutes. Cool in pan, then top with glaze.

Glaze:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
4 Tbsp lemon juice

Epilogue
Seven Months Later

All of Helen's in-laws, including Aunt Libby, are at the airport waiting to welcome their return missionary parents. Helen is pregnant and couldn't be happier. Shayne's parents greet her like a member of the family. They can't thank her enough for falling in love with their son (and his children) and making him so happy (because they really couldn't stand Margie, either).
Helen plans to keep teaching. Because the schools in Utah are so good about working around these things, she'll take a leave of absence after the baby's born and return later to continue her satisfying and rewarding career as a third grade teacher. (Sure you will, Helen.)
You know, life just doesn't get any better than this. Group hug!

THE END

Towers of Brierley

Book Series: Prequel to "Shadows of Brierley" series

Publishing Date: 2000

Author: Anita Stansfield

Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.

Category: LDS Historical Romance

Point of View: Third Person, limited, Gavin and Anya

Chapter Count: 19

Page Count: 309

To my son, John

For your sensitive spirit and your huge heart. May you always trust your feelings, and stand strong as a voice of all you believe in.

Prologue

Scotland 1798

Meet Gavin, age sixteen, illegitimate son of Jinny Baird who is dying and has sent her son to find James MacBrier, the fifth Earl of Brierley, with an urgent message to come (in the name of love) to her death bed. For reasons he never understood, Gavin has spent his entire life with his mother in this isolated tower, situated on the outskirts of the Brierley estate. He stops the Earl on his horse, delivers his cryptic message and is surprised at the Earl's instant agreement to grant his mother's last request. He dismounts and follows Gavin. 
Gavin eavesdrops outside the open window of the tower. Turns out James had no idea of Jinny's existence until this moment and while Jinny and James shared a very close relationship, Gavin is not his child. The Earl is dismayed realizing Jinny was here all this time, denying him the opportunity to help her. Jinny brushes that off. If James will promise to keep an eye on Gavin, help him escape this horrible place, she can die in peace. James promises.

Outside, Gavin confronts the Earl who explains Jinny was unfairly taken advantage of by a stable hand who abandoned her yet rumors continued to circulate the Earl had fathered a bastard child. He'd always assumed Jinny had found refuge elsewhere and regrets the banishment placed on mother and child. 

Late that night, James awakens Gavin. His eyes register surprise at the purple birthmark on Gavin's right shoulder before thrusting a box into Gavin's hands. The box contains a small fortune of jewels, directions to a family owned cottage located several miles away where Gavin can lay low and, most important of all, the Earl is passing on his own signet ring which is also the key to the family safe and not to be opened unless Gavin is present. James urges him to tell no one of all this as he could be killed for these possessions. He's too young right now, but one day he should return and claim what is rightfully his. Gavin is confused but grateful for the Earl's help.

Jinny is glad to learn James kept his promise. She dies peacefully in her sleep that night. Gavin tells Robbie, the kindly, middle aged stable hand and their only trusted connection to the big house, everything that happened. The Earl was also found last night, murdered in his bed. After helping bury his mother in the forest, Gavin bids Robbie farewell and sets out on foot to seek his fortune.

Chapter 1       the bad man

Ten years have passed. Meet Anya Ross, a servant girl who wasn't always a servant at Brierley. She came here as a young child to live but the Earl's death brought many changes to the household. Once she came of age, the Earl's son, Cedric MacBrier, started taking an interest in the pretty maid. Last night he went too far and while Anya fought with all her might to prevent him from taking advantage of her, he succeeded. 
Anya forces herself to get up, burns the uniform worn during the attack and wishes she could just die (or maybe just murder Cedric in retaliation). Humiliated and in pain, Anya descends the many stairs of her tower, (think Disney's Cinderella) and walks around the large stone structure of the big house in the early summer sunlight to the northeast tower, the most secluded one, with a mysterious door that, until this morning, was always locked. Now, Anya pushes it open to reveal dusty living quarters filled with cobwebs.  
Feeling sudden empathy for the poor woman and her child rumored to have lived here, Anya sits down and bursts into a fresh round of sobs. She's interrupted by a stranger with brown eyes and wavy brown hair who reassures Anya he means her no harm. He's here for Lady MacBrier's social event being held tonight. Anya tells him what time it starts, turns and bolts, still wondering over the strange familiarity of this handsome young man.
Anya's only friends among the household servants are Robbie, the kindly stable hand, and Mrs. MacGregor, the cook. With little appetite for Mrs. MacGregor's bannocks, (a flat, heavy scone made of grain, in this case unleavened oatmeal dough) Anya is temporarily distracted by her dark cloud of depression by the entrance of Effie MacBrier who suffers from an obvious mental handicap, (probably autism with her excellent memory and artistic abilities) but adored by all the staff. 
Although considerably older than Anya, Effie is a special companion and friend. The Earl used to take them on outings together in the fairy tale days before Anya was forced into service. Effie always greets everyone she knows by naming a particular activity or personality trait. Anya, for example, "likes to play games." Effie is the only child of the Earl's first wife, Ishbelle, who died giving birth to her. Ignored by her stepmother, Lady Margaret MacBrier, Effie was quickly adopted by the household servants and wanders the big house like a ghost, always keeping the same schedule and causing no trouble to anyone. Anya promises Effie to join her tonight at their special place where they can watch the mingling of the ball guests without being seen.
Before leaving the room, Anya helps herself to the jar of balm for her cracked and bleeding hands just as the evil Una, Lady MacBrier's personal assistant, a stone faced, mostly silent woman who rules the staff with an iron fist and takes special pleasure in tormenting Anya, enters the kitchen. Una sees her but says nothing. 
Anya exits and starts her day's work which includes all the lowliest, least desirable tasks such as cleaning chamber pots, cleaning the fireplaces and washing up all the soiled pots and pans in the kitchen.
Gavin arrives at the party where Malvina, Lady MacBrier's daughter from her first marriage, a homely, unattractive young woman whose debutante season has dragged on for almost ten years with no marriage prospects, flirts openly with Gavin, the handsome new stranger. Anya and Effie observe the exchange with humor. Malvina was never a nice person and always gave Anya a hard time, a poor relation, now demoted to scullery maid in order to earn her keep. Much to Anya's relief, Gavin brushes off Malvina's advances in order to talk to Lady MacBrier. 
Gavin is nervous about this meeting. Following the late Earl's instructions, he's here to inform Margaret and Cedric MacBrier of his existence; maybe open that safe and solve the mystery.  
Keeping her strict schedule, Effie informs Anya it's time for her to retire to bed. She also needs a book from the library, where Gavin and the MacBriers (with Una silently observing) are in the middle of a heated discussion. This upsets Effie. No one sees them as Anya leads her away, reassuring Effie the "bad man" means them no harm. 
Anya tucks Effie into her bed with her book and is on her way upstairs to her tower room when she runs into Cedric who, once again, tries to sexually assault her. He sneers at her spunk, not at all concerned by the chance she might be pregnant from last night's encounter. He'd love to go again with her, in fact. Breaking free, Anya runs, wanting to die, despairing any Prince Charming might some day rescue her, knowing instead she will always remain a prisoner of Brierley forever.  

Chapter 2       The escape

Still seething from the unproductive meeting with the MacBriers, Gavin mounts his horse and is galloping away when two shots ring out hitting Gavin in the shoulder and thigh. The nearly fatal wounds knock Gavin off his horse. A gruff male voice assumes him dead and kicks him into a ravine. Gavin silently prays God will spare his life as he rolls helplessly down the incline.

In her dreams last night, Anya remembers where she saw the handsome young man she just met. Back in the days when she lived the pampered life as the Earl's great-niece, she went riding, fell off her horse and it was Gavin who found her and carried her to the stables, leaving her in the care of Robbie before she could learn his name. Anya wakes up, day two of being a rape survivor, knowing she must put this behind her and try to move on. 
Stopping by the stables on her way to the kitchen, Anya gasps following the trail of blood to a stall where Gavin miraculously managed to drag himself. He prays aloud while Anya inspects his wounds and promises to be discreet in getting help. She finds Robbie eating breakfast with the rest of the staff and he returns with her. Anya is surprised the two men know each other. Together, they bind Gavin's wounds. Anya pours disinfectant, (not as 20th century as you might think, it was probably made of sulfur, vinegar and/or alcohol) Robbie will help them both to Gavin's secret forest cottage where Anya will care for him. They can leave tonight.
Gavin is already intrigued by this scullery maid with her scarfed hair who speaks like someone from the upper-class, her blue-green eyes full of cynicism and pain.
Anya does her work (for the last time) and makes special effort to spend extra time with Effie that evening. She wanders into the library with a desire to flip through the Earl's journal which she'd already read more than once but remains troubled by the last three missing pages, mysteriously torn out. Maybe one day she can return and solve the mystery.

Chapter 3        Angel of mercy

A full moon lights the travelers' way. Robbie supports Gavin on one horse, Anya rides her own. Gavin is unconscious by the time they arrive-the normally one hour ride took three-and deposit him safely into his own bed. Anya tours the single bedroom cottage. This 1798 rural structure is surprisingly modern with a fine kitchen and dining area, a parlor and a well stocked bathing room with soap, towels and even a stove for heating water (There's also such modern commodities as shampoo, a word that won't come into existence until the 1860's.) Books are scattered everywhere as Gavin is an avid reader. There's plenty of wood chopped, food in the pantry and money in the cookie jar, as Robbie shows her. There's a village just down the lane, beyond the forest but they should be well secluded here. No one at Brierley knows about this place. Robbie promises to come back in two weeks to check on them and leaves.
Anya checks on Gavin before making a bed on the bedroom floor by the fireplace. Both sleep like logs until late the next morning. Anya indulges in a long, hot bath, does a load of laundry and some light cleaning. She gives a still unconscious Gavin a bed bath, cutting away his torn and bloodied garments. She gasps recognizing the purple birthmark on his left shoulder, remembering when the Earl showed her his own mark during a conversation about family history and wonders if Gavin is aware of this MacBrier connection. 
Thanks to Mrs. MacGregor, Anya is more than capable of bathing an unconscious patient with skillful detachment. With such a nice kitchen to prepare meals and complete her domestic chores, Anya finds herself humming with contentment. Tired but satisfied with her first day, Anya crawls into her bed and falls asleep fast.
But Gavin develops a fever that night, his moaning wakes Anya who panics, fearing he might die on her. Gavin wakes up, wondering if the angel who attended him during these last few days was real. Anya fell asleep on the bed next to him, her hand on his throat, assessing his survival. She wakes up and thanks God out loud her charge is alive and doing much better. Gavin thanks her for staying. Formal introductions are (finally) made. Anya gets back to work helping Gavin get his strength back. Gavin lost so much blood he is completely bedridden; so weak and helpless he can't even lift a spoon to feed himself. Anya assists him with the broth she made, smiles and reminds him to be patient.

Chapter 4           Questions

 Gavin and Anya chat while she feeds him. He's still curious about her but Anya is reluctant to tell him anything about herself or the formidable power Brierley has over her. She obviously knows he's an illegitimate child but won't tell him how she obtained this knowledge. There's a rumor at Brierley that it was the Earl's illegitimate son who murdered him in his bed. Gavin had no idea he was a prime suspect. Luckily, Anya believes he's innocent. She cleans and disinfects Gavin's injuries again before changing the bandages. His wounds are healing well.
In the middle of the night, another moan wakes Anya. Fearing a relapse, she rushes to his side in the dark room to feel his face for fever, relieved it's only a nightmare from which she wakes him. Gavin is aware of Anya's unbound hair brushing his face and smelling like a dream. Comforted, he sends her back to her bedroll but it takes awhile for Gavin to fall asleep. He can't stop thinking about Anya and if his suspicions about her hair being blonde are true. Someone at Brierley obviously hurt her, broke her heart. Gavin longs to take her pain away.
A few days pass. Anya opens up a little more, revealing she was nine when she first came to Brierley after her parents died as the great niece and ward of the Earl who showed her more kindness than anyone in her life. But the Earl died two years later.
Gavin tells her more about his own life, always on the outside of Brierley, looking in, and never knowing why. Una always held some mysterious power over Jinny; always a threatening presence. Anya adds she was more terrified of Una than Lady Margaret. Gavin tells her what happened in the prologue and how he came to live here in this cottage. Both agree, James MacBrier was a good man, but Anya doesn't feel like talking anymore about Brierley. She gets up and leaves the room. Gavin pounds the bed in frustration.  

Chapter 5           healing

Anya is a good CNA nurse as she feeds Gavin his lunch then helps him get cleaned up and shaved. She offers to wash his hair. Gavin eagerly accepts. He flirts with her, taking her wrist, pushing her sudsy hand across her own face. Anya giggles. Gavin compliments her beauty and the moment turns tender and romantic before Anya remembers herself and proceeds to rinse his hair, holding his head over the basin on the bed. 
While Gavin naps, Anya takes another bath. When he wakes she treats him to a back massage. It's such a nice gesture, Gavin wants to do something for her. With some gentle prodding, he discovers Anya has been mistreated but promises he'll prove himself a true gentleman if she'll only give him the chance. 
A knock at the door interrupts their conversation. Robbie is delighted to find them both doing so well, though Gavin grumbles he's getting tired of brose and broth (Brose is the Scottish word for porridge made from oatmeal or lentils). Robbie brought Gavin's horse, it's in the stable. He also reports Lady MacBrier was especially upset over Anya's disappearance adding no one's ever seen her that upset since the day they buried the Earl with that ring still on his finger. 
Gavin experiences a moment of shock but manages to keep his feelings to himself. He's the only one who knows the true location of the Earl's ring, that's why he was attacked!
Robbie leaves and Gavin turns to Anya. He's getting just a wee bit impatient she won't tell him why Brierley has such a strong hold over her. Why would Lady MacBrier show so much concern over a simple scullery maid? Anya panics and runs outside to the stable, returning with the saddlebags Robbie never mentioned (because he's not the type to meddle), but this distraction is only temporary, there's no avoiding the issue.
Gavin threatens to send Anya back to Brierley unless she comes here, sits down next to him and spills all her secrets. Now. In a softer tone he pleads with her to just open up and give him all her hurt and pain and he'll throw it away for her (He's been talking to Michael Hamilton). The floodgates open and Anya curls up next to him, sobbing. Gavin pulls her into his arms, holding her close, waiting it out patiently until Anya reveals her life story. Never close to her wealthy parents who neglected her, being sent to Brierley was, at first, the best thing that ever happened to her. The Earl was kind and attentive. Once a heavy drinker, he all but stopped once his little great-niece arrived and brought some meaning back into his life. All the staff agreed, James MacBrier was happier during those two years than anyone had ever seen him since his beloved first wife, Lady Ishbelle, died. 
But that all changed the day following the Earl's death when Lady MacBrier and Una entered Anya's bedroom to inform her of her new status at Brierley. Her parents left the Earl with heavy debts which he graciously paid off but they aren't the Earl. If she wants to continue living here, she must start earning her keep. That's how she became Cinderella. Gavin agrees, Anya is living the fairy tale story and they are both victims of Brierley's evil despots.

Chapter 6      hands

Time for supper. Anya dutifully feeds Gavin who catches her wrist and inquires about the condition of her hands as they look like an old farm woman's. Anya reminds him a servant's life is not easy. Gavin asks, was she never provided with some kind of balm or ointment? Anya's eyes fill with tears as she admits they took that from her too. They took everything. Through her sobs, Anya replays the scene of that awful day when Una came into her tower room, made her hold out her hands and beat them till they bled; a further reminder that Anya was demoted for life. Mrs. MacGregor helped her wrap her hands but her daily work brought painful infection. 
Like the Prince Charming he is, Gavin takes Anya's scarred hands, kisses both palms and urges her into his arms for a well deserved hug. Impulsively, he removes the scarf binding her hair. Anya hides her face in his shoulder, admitting Una threatened to have it cut off if she didn't keep it covered. That witch.
Suddenly, Gavin remembers. Anya was the little blonde haired girl he found in the forest and carried to the stable. Anya remembers and they share their first kiss, taking their relationship officially to the next level. Anya still marvels how Gavin can look and act so much like the Earl and not share his blood. Gavin has Anya retrieve the ring from its hiding place and tells her everything the Earl told him the night before he died, adding he was given a great sum of money. 
In the years since the Earl died, Gavin kept busy traveling. He even visited America and enrolled himself at the University of Edinburgh. Anya is impressed. She hopes Gavin might help her find a respectable position after he's fully recovered. Gavin won't have that. Anya deserves to be taken care of. She should marry, have a family, live the life of a great lady as the Earl would've wanted for her. Anya tells him that's quite impossible but they can still be friends.

Chapter 7      Anya's Bluff

Over the next several days, Anya enjoys a shy infatuation with Gavin. She no longer wears the scarf covering her hair and there's a new light in her eyes. They don't say much but the romantic attraction between them is there. She continues to help him with his daily routine but the deep intimate conversations they once shared have ceased. Gavin respects Anya's desire not to get too personal.
One night, a cold thunderstorm moves in. Gavin's chivalry is commendable as he speaks aloud his wish that if he could switch places with her, he would. Anya appreciates that as she shuts the window, builds a fire and tries to sleep on the hard floor.
The next day is Wednesday, market day down at the village, and their supplies are getting low. Gavin insists she take an absurd amount of his money and buy herself a new wardrobe along with plenty of hand balm. She's not at Brierley anymore and her great uncle would approve. Touched, Anya agrees.
Welcome to Strathnell, population 605 and as cute and quaint a Scottish village ya nary ha' seen. All the shopkeepers are friendly and courteous. Anya buys all the food and supplies they need, picks up new books for Gavin and orders new dresses from the tailor, walking out the door wearing the dress from the window along with matching hair combs. The look on Gavin's face when he sees her warms her heart.
Anya gives him another shave, despite the fact his strength is returning and he could probably perform the task himself. The shaving lotion (from Walmart? Aftershave won't be invented until the late 1800's!) she rubs into his face stings her hands. Gavin orders her to bring the hand balm, returning the favor by massaging large amounts into her chapped hands. Embarrassed at this intimate act, Anya openly denies any feelings of attraction towards Gavin who suspects she's bluffing. Gavin's convalescence had progressed enough he can now feed himself. As Anya keeps her distance and avoids meeting his eye, he knows Anya is in love with him and he's going to call her bluff.

Chapter 8     the Glass slipper

Gavin asks her straight out if she likes him. Anya is boldly defiant. Lifting her chin, looking him straight in the eye, she declares while she might have feelings for him, Gavin must earn the right to love her. While playing hard-to-get worked back then, any 21st century bachelor today would just shrug and turn to Tinder if a woman dared set the bar that high but Gavin is a true gentleman. As Anya marches out of the room, he silently resolves to do just that. He will pursue her and win her heart.
Anya returns and with a coy smile admits she does like him but she's not going to kiss him. Instead she produces a gold topped gentleman's cane. Gavin is pleased. Anya helps him walk into the kitchen. The mobility is exhilarating. Gavin begins joining her at the kitchen table for meals and becomes increasingly more independent. 
In a truly romantic gesture, Gavin sits her down, takes one of Anya's slippers and declares he will only marry the maiden who fits it. Anya laughs but Gavin is quite serious. Exasperated, Anya stands up and leaves the room.
One morning in early fall he leaves the cane and goes outside to begin chopping wood, something Robbie did on his visits but now Anya knows this is the signal it's time for her move on. The thought saddens her. Gavin has repeated his intentions to marry Anya but she knows it can never happen. 
Anya's worst nightmares are confirmed when she wakes one morning with dry heaves and nausea. She's pregnant and Cedric MacBrier is the father. Gavin must never know. She tells him she's leaving and going back to Brierley. Gavin is incredulous. Why?! They argue. Anya bursts into uncontrollable sobbing, refusing to explain. She cries herself to sleep in Gavin's arms and he carries her to the bed. He's been sleeping on the floor for the last few days anyway.
The next morning, Anya is gone.

Chapter 9      Victims of Brierley

Gavin is pretty upset when he wakes to discover Anya's disappearance with only her uniforms missing, she left everything else, including the hand balm. Gavin rides his horse straight to the Brierley stable and finds Anya, hiding out until breakfast time; refusing to explain or return back with him. She's a fool. Gavin throws up his hands, tells Robbie to keep an eye on this stubborn woman and rides away. Bypassing the cottage, he follows the road to Strathnell to visit his good friend, Peg, whom we'll learn more about later.
Back in her little tower room, Anya has completed her first day's work. She collapses on the bed in tears. The only good things about being back were seeing her old friends, including Effie and hearing the latest news that Malvina finally found some old sugar daddy to marry her. Her hands look and feel worse than ever, her body aches and Una threatened to kick her out if her work wasn't up to par. 
Anya's main reason for coming back was to tell Cedric about the baby. She gets her chance a few days later. Cedric isn't happy. He strikes her just as Lady Margaret enters the room and shoos Cedric out, reminding him to start acting more like the Earl he was born to be. Seeing Anya not seriously hurt, she merely tells her to get back to work.
Unable to stand it any longer, Gavin returns to Brierley and sneaks up to Anya's tower room to wait for her. Weary from another day of hard labor, the last five days have felt more like five years to Anya as she enters her dark bedroom and falls onto her bed to cry herself to sleep. Again. Gavin lighting a candle interrupts. Without a word, he rubs balm into her hands, takes down her hair and brushes it out for her. When he finally speaks it's to invite her to come back with him. Anya tells him she's pregnant and Cedric won't take responsibility. Gavin tells her it doesn't matter. He'll marry her, they can raise the baby as theirs, let the neighbors believe what they may. Anya cries and they kiss.
They're just about to leave when Cedric knocks and enters. Gavin hides behind the door so he can jump out and rescue Anya from another attack. Gavin brought a gun this time which he points at Cedric who begs for mercy. Gavin takes Anya's hand, kicks Cedric unconscious and they leave in triumph.

Chapter 10     woman with a past

Gavin and Anya ride double on his horse. Anya falls asleep and Gavin carries her into the house and tucks her into bed. Next morning, Anya wakes with her usual morning sickness. Gavin holds her shoulders and comforts her. He cooks breakfast and draws a luxurious bath for Anya (not sure where the scented soap, bath salts, rose oil and scented shampoo came from, perhaps from the same Walmart Anya bought the shaving lotion?). Anya's new dress is lying on the bed and there's a mirror and brush set. Anya wonders where Gavin learned how to woo a woman like this, making her feel like a queen.
Gavin assures her, they'll get married soon. He adds a lady friend helped him with all the feminine items and, speak of the devil, that's her knocking right now. Peg MacTodd owns the hat shop in the village. She is delighted to help the newly engaged couple get ready for their upcoming wedding. Anya tells Gavin to get lost so she can get to know Peg better. 
The two women become instant friends. Peg is an older, never married woman-loud, boisterous with a lower-class accent and a heart of gold. Peg also confides, with a wink to Anya, she used to be a prostitute until she met Gavin who, instead of taking advantage of her services, let her cry on his shoulder, learned her story and gave her money to turn her life around. They remain close friends to this day.
Peg leaves. Gavin and Anya have lunch before Anya takes a long nap, which is cut short by a nightmare of Cedric attacking her all over again. Gavin holds her until the room grows dark. Anya is glad she'll soon become Mrs. Gavin Baird.

Chapter 11     the touch of a hand

When Anya wakes up, Gavin is rubbing balm into her hands. When she claps a hand over her mouth and is about to get up, Gavin produces a basin so she can dry heave from the comfort of her own bed. He already has breakfast ready for her (is it me or is all this just a little creepy?) and another new dress for her to wear. 
All this in honor of today being their wedding day. The white satin dress with matching pearl inlaid hair combs is lovely (thanks Peg!). Gavin buttons her up. He looks handsome too in his blousy shirt, waistcoat, tartan pinned over his shoulder with a fine brooch, matching kilt and tasseled sporran (a small pouch made of animal skin or fur).
Anya can't find her other slipper. Gavin has it, of course. He slips it onto her foot, reminding her again of her connection to the fairy tale heroine. He bought a trap so they could ride to the village green in style as a proper engaged couple.
The entire village is ready to help celebrate the nuptials. The square is decorated with wreaths, ribbons and boughs. Gavin tells Anya he stopped by the pub yesterday, announced his big news and bought everyone a round of drinks as part of the invitation to attend.
Women lead Anya off to one side, place a crown of heather on her head and admire her beauty. Bagpipes and drums produce a chaos of glorious music. It stops and the people urge the newlyweds to stand by the minister who declares them husband and wife. Anya tosses her crown for the next bride to catch. Gavin carries the bride over a line of heather on the ground. Everyone breaks into a round of "Go Home with Bonnie Jean" finds a partner and starts dancing. The table, laden with delicious food, is brought out and ale is passed around freely. Gavin and Anya dance the traditional Highland Fling (Which Anya learned as a child, thanks to the Earl. Gavin must've picked it up at college!) until Anya feels exhaustion from her pregnancy and Gavin escorts her to the sidelines where Peg comes over to offer her congratulations. She's been seeing the widowed butcher so there might be hope for her own marriage yet. They watch the villagers perform the sword dance before Anya tells Gavin she's "partied out" and ready to go home. Despite being in the family way, Anya couldn't have asked for a more perfect wedding day.
Concerned for Anya, Gavin fetches the doctor who declares Anya is fine and they should have no problems consummating the marriage. Anya is asleep when Gavin returns. He slips into bed next to her (because he finally can!) and quickly proves to her that love can conquer anything.

Chapter 12     MacBrier's child

Anya points out, eating in bed the morning after your wedding night thanks to morning sickness isn't very romantic. Gavin just reminds her how much he loves her, insisting she take it easy today, he'll do all the chores.
As the weeks pass, Anya and Gavin settle into married life and find it pure bliss. One day they return from a trip into town. Gavin remembers he forgot to buy grain and leaves. Anya enters the house not realizing Cedric is lying in wait. He attacks. Prompted to return, Gavin arrives just in time to save her. Pointing his gun, Gavin tells Cedric Anya is now his wife and his threats against her are useless because this baby now belongs to them. Cedric insults Gavin's manhood. Gavin rushes him, pounding his face until Anya begs him to stop. With a bucket of water, Gavin rouses Cedric and orders him out. If he ever returns, either to threaten his wife or their child once it's born, Gavin will kill him. They are through with Brierley, forever.
Snow is falling outside, Anya is preparing biscuits in the kitchen when she feels the cramping and knows she's losing the baby; it's too early. Gavin proves what a sweetheart he is, staying with her, taking care of the tiny stillborn body before going for the doctor who declares everything is in order. Sometimes these things happen and when Anya feels up to it, they can try again. 
Gavin holds Anya as she weeps for her lost baby.

Chapter 13      Crooks and Nannies

Anya's postpartum depression is bad. She just won't get over it refusing to talk or share her feelings. At his wits end, Gavin talks to Peg who tells him to be patient and just continue to love her. Gavin goes home and tries again to talk to Anya who admits her confusion in not loving the father of her baby but mourning it's loss nevertheless.
Gavin and Anya come to the conclusion they must go back to Brierley and face their fears. Malvina's wedding would be the perfect opportunity. Gavin takes Anya to town to buy new clothes and a new hat from Peg who comes over the day of to help Anya dress and arrange her hair. She looks like a great lady. Gavin is very impressed. He looks nice too, of course. Peg sees them off in their trap.
As they drive past dilapidated farm houses and sober-looking peasants, Gavin realizes Brierley isn't taking care of its tenants like in the old days. Cedric clearly sucks at being the Earl but if Gavin were the Earl...Gavin pushes the thought aside. He doesn't want that inheritance, Cedric can have it. Let the farmlands go to waste and the people starve.
Robbie greets them in the stable yard and sneaks them in through the kitchen. Servants in their livery are still waiting for the wedding ceremony to end so they can begin serving the food. Mrs. MacGregor is just as thrilled to see Anya looking so well and married to boot! She is pleased to meet Gavin.
The plan is for Anya to enter the reception room alone, congratulate Malvina, take Cedric aside, tell him about the baby, and leave. But Malvina doesn't believe Anya is actually married while her old pervert of a husband looks at Anya like she's something good to eat. He's very impressed Anya shares blood relations with the late Earl. Seething with jealousy, Malvina calls a servant to find Gavin so she can meet him. Anya pretends to be uncomfortable until Gavin enters and Malvina's jaw drops. Lady Margaret is also unhappy seeing Anya and now Gavin living a very good life in sweet revenge after what they suffered from Brierley. Seeing Una giving them the evil eye, they're about to excuse themselves and leave the room when Cedric steps up.

Chapter 14     the earl's daughter

Gathering her courage, Anya faces her attacker and tells him the baby is gone, miscarried, so Cedric no longer has any control over her. Gavin steps over to Una to remind her she no longer has any power over them either. They retire to the kitchen where Mrs. MacGregor feeds them until they can eat no more.
Anya inquires after Effie. Bad news. Effie suffered a little "accident" and has been in bed for the last few days but none of the staff are fooled. Someone pushed Effie down those stairs, threatening her. 
Indeed, Effie repeats to Anya, Nanny (Una) said Effie fell down the stairs and if Effie contradicts that statement, she'll fall down the stairs again. Anya shakes her head.
On the way home, Anya tells Gavin about Effie, her condition, and everyone's suspicions that Una has found a new target for abuse. Though he's never met Effie, Gavin shares Anya's concern.
Weeks pass. They're trying for a baby but nothing yet. Spring has sprung when Robbie arrives, very unexpectedly, one morning with Effie who is sporting a black eye-Una. Effie will be staying here which is more than okay for Gavin and Anya who are happy to take her in. Effie can sleep on the parlor sofa and they'll take very good care of her.
Effie makes them laugh by repeating what she always heard about Gavin-who should have stayed in the tower where he was put! Gavin and Effie take to each other immediately and he quickly grows to love her like the sister he never had; an easy special-needs adult. More weeks pass and they take many fun outings together, exploring the moors and forest. Effie fits right into their little family. Effie has no desire to return to Brierley because "Brierly died when Ishbelle died." Her ability to recall other's statements, even years later, word for word, is almost eerie. 

Chapter 15      judgments

One fine day in early summer, Anya is bursting with her secret-she's almost certain she's pregnant-and is waiting for the perfect moment to tell Gavin. They're going to town today but while Anya and Effie browse in the bookshop, the woman at the counter makes a tactful remark about Gavin spending so much time, alone, at Peg's hat shop where she has adjoining living quarters. He's often seen going there after hours, with the curtains closed. Anya is offended. Gavin would never...But when they enter the hat shop, something's wrong. Normally, Effie loves to spend time with Peg, the only person who can make her laugh. But Peg's not laughing today. To Anya's dismay, Gavin is sitting on Peg's bed, her head on his shoulder as she cries over her butcher man dumping her after he found out about her sordid past. Tenderly, he touches her face, wiping her tears before he sees Anya and they sit up, looking guilty.
Not much is said on the drive home. Anya doesn't want to repeat what the snobby bookshop woman told her while Gavin doesn't want to tell Anya the reason he was comforting Peg. After what she witnessed today, it's clear their marriage is in trouble. 
Back at the house, the tension bursts wide open and they argue until they realize Effie is very upset, rocking and moaning with emotion. Anya glares at Gavin as she comforts her. They go to bed without anything being resolved. Anya makes up a bed on the floor and is about to lie down when Gavin picks her up and deposits her in their bed. He'll take the floor. Neither can fall asleep until the early morning hours.
Gavin is sitting with a cup of coffee gone cold when Peg comes knocking, softly. He admits her and they talk. Peg took his advice, she's not wearing so much heavy makeup and is dressed more conservatively. She's been thinking about what he said, to go talk to her butcher and clear up the issues between them. She's also here to tell Gavin now that he's married, their relationship must change. She correctly guesses that Anya is angry at Gavin who confirms it. Peg doesn't blame her. Gavin and Anya need to have a long talk and she and Gavin can never spend time alone behind a closed door again, never mind they'd never do anything inappropriate. Marriage changes everything.
Peg sees herself out just as Anya comes bursting into the kitchen. She heard the whole conversation. She understands and all is forgiven and, guess what, she's pregnant!  

Chapter 16     the mark

Now that they've kissed and made up, time to make another trip into town to let Peg know Anya is her friend again and to let Effie tell Peg, who is funny, the good news-Anya will have a baby. Peg is happy for them. Gavin leaves to run an errand. Peg serves tea and shortbread to her guests. Anya observes Peg and Effie together. Effie laughs and Anya makes a startling discovery: when Effie smiles (which is rare) she looks like Gavin.
That night, Anya has Gavin follow her into the parlor so she can show him something and prove her theory. Luckily Effie is a sound sleeper as Anya unties Effie's nightgown to expose her left shoulder with the purple birthmark and explain its significance. Gavin can't believe it! 
It takes several hours for either of them to fall asleep. Gavin keeps going over it in his mind. How could he be the Earl and Jinny's love child? Was the Earl drunk? Did Jinny somehow trick him into sleeping with her? He recalls the Earl's surprise that night seeing the birthmark on his shoulder. James and Jinny were both good people but there's no doubt James MacBrier is Gavin's father. 
A few nights later, Anya wakes Gavin from his troubled sleep. He dreamed something was calling out to him for help, as if it were the voice of Brierley itself. He knows he must acknowledge his birthright.
The last piece of the puzzle finally falls into place when, one day, Gavin injures himself in the stable. Anya helps him remove his shirt and is tending his wound when Effie walks into the kitchen, sees Gavin's purple birthmark and screams. Anya rushes to comfort her while Effie keeps repeating "Bad mark," and something about a baby. With a little more probing, Effie tells them what she saw the day Gavin and Cedric were born. She was there, like a fly on the wall, when Lady Margaret gave birth to her son which Una quickly removed because the baby had a "bad mark" like Effie's. Later Una switched the babies. Effie seems very relieved unburdening herself with the terrible secret she's carried for years. Nanny switched babies! Gavin and Cedric were switched at birth. Mystery solved!
Gavin would like nothing more than to strangle Una. Jinny would be heartbroken seeing how her son turned out. Nature vs Nurture arguments notwithstanding. So Gavin really is the legal heir to Brierley and the true Earl.

Chapter 17     Return to Brierley

Later that day, Gavin goes for a walk and doesn't return until after Anya has served dinner. He's been doing some deep thinking and has come to the conclusion they must return to Brierley and reveal the truth, expose Una and dethrone Cedric by opening that mysterious safe to determine who is the rightful Brierley heir. Gavin is twenty-seven years old, his birth mother needs to know. Anya is not happy about it, taking her place at Brierley with Gavin as "Lady Anya" when she used to scrub floors there is just too weird, but she finally agrees.
They talk to Peg who concurs with their decision. She'll be happy to keep Effie during their overnight trip. Effie doesn't mind either. She's glad to be Gavin's sister. Gavin likes to tease her now about being his "little sister" because, physically, he's bigger but Effie, with her special talent for remembering details, can rattle off the months and years of both their births: Effie was born July, 1779. Gavin, May, 1782. She is the big sister. 
Gavin has prayed about this. Una is the root of all the evil at Brierley and he's the only one who can make things right. Tomorrow morning, they leave to confront their enemies. Peg arrives to get them ready. All hope Gavin's life won't be endangered by this visit. Anya and Gavin agree, they will leave it all in God's hands.

Chapter 18     the ally

Alighting from their carriage, Gavin and Anya give their card to the maid who shows them into the drawing room (Clearly the author has never seen Downton Abbey, that's the butler's job!) where Gavin helps himself to a brandy. Lady Margaret and Una enter, incredulous about this presumptuous, impertinent young man, waltzing into their home, proclaiming himself the Earl of Brierley. Who does Gavin think he is? Gavin responds by sharing what Effie told him about Una switching babies the day he and Cedric were born. At first, Lady Margaret won't believe it, until she recalls that day, remembering how Una took her dark haired, James look-alike baby, with the evil mark, then, several hours later, placed a tiny, blonde haired one (Una gave Jinny herbs inducing early labor so she could make the switch) in her arms, insisting this was her baby. 
"To the devil with her!" Lady Margaret cries.
Gavin unbuttons his shirt to reveal his birthmark and Una's fate is sealed. Lady Margaret orders Una to get out. She's fired! Then turns to Gavin to beg forgiveness. Family reunion time.  Lucky for all, Cedric is away (drinking and gambling) and won't be home until tomorrow. Lady Margaret gives orders to the servants to lay extra places for luncheon and to see to her guest's accommodations for spending the night.
As they enjoy their haggis, (are they eating it on a dare?) Margaret is also relieved to know Effie is safe and well. She'd like Effie sent for immediately. This is a family reunion after all. Gavin would like the safe opened before Cedric returns. Gavin and Anya share the story of how they met. Margaret deeply regrets her part in sending a man to take care of Gavin. She didn't know. They assure her all is forgiven. 
The meal is interrupted by disturbing news. Una was just found dead in her room. Suicide. Slit her throat. Lady Margaret is surprisingly blasé about it. The woman who'd been her nurse since birth, constant companion since the death of her parents and first husband and she simply orders the body taken care of and the police notified. That's all. Una won't be missed. While they're on the subject of family, Lady Margaret would also like to start making arrangements immediately for Gavin to have his name legally changed to MacBrier. He can take over Cedric's responsibilities as Earl. Starting now. Cedric is disinherited.
After freshening up and taking a nap, Gavin and Anya join their new mother for dinner but the pleasant atmosphere is ruined when Cedric saunters in. He wastes no time insulting everyone at the table. Anya slaps him. Margaret tells him the rumor he heard is true. Due to an unfortunate mistake, Gavin is the true Earl of Brierley, show him your birthmark, Gavin. But Cedric won't be going quietly, like Una. This isn't over yet. 

Chapter 19     The Earl of Brierley

Cedric takes a seat at the table and they discuss the issue. Gavin is ready to play the martyr and let Cedric keep his wealth and title while Margaret is ready to throw Cedric out; he'll be well compensated, of course. Cedric accuses Gavin of lying, suggests Gavin can have Brierley...if he can have Anya. That's out of the question, of course. Cedric stands up and leaves, promising he'll be back for round two.
A servant pops in to announce Peg and Miss Effie have arrived. Lady Margaret has them brought in where they are warmly welcomed. Effie shrinks away from her stepmother's outstretched arms and superficial emotion (and who could blame her) while everyone reassures her, Lady Margaret is everyone's friend now. Gavin suggests they retire to the library and open the safe which, as Lady Margaret shows them, is actually located in the Earl's long-unused office, just beyond that room. She removes a painting to reveal a hidden wall safe. Gavin fits the Earl's ring into the lock, turns it while pushing down on the handle and, with a soft creak, the safe door swings open. All that's inside is a jeweled dagger, point down in a single piece of folded parchment. The three torn pages from the Earl's journal are nestled alongside.
Gavin reads the journal pages first, dated Aug, 1798 where the Earl recorded his astonishment finding Jinny and her illegitimate son here at Brierley all this time, how he passed on his entire family treasure to the lad who is, without a doubt, his own blood son. He rightly guesses Una is behind all this and intends to make it right. (Too bad he never did)
The third page is the Earl's hastily written last will and testament decreeing Gavin as the sole heir to everything he has.
Suddenly, Margaret remembers. On the night the Earl was murdered, she heard Una and the Earl arguing in the other room, but refused to believe Una was the one who murdered him in his sleep. Apparently, she did.
Cedric enters just in time to learn the identity of the murderer. Arrogant and cocky, he insults everyone in the room, again, calling Lady Margaret a hypocrite for never mourning the Earl's death until today, reminding Anya he'd take her over Brierely any day before turning to Peg to make her an offer as well. He stopped by Strathnell for a drink in the pub and learned all about Peg's reputation; she's his kind of woman. At that, Gavin delivers a blow to Cedric who produces a knife which he holds to Gavin's throat, pinning him to the wall, threatening him.
Peg jumps in, knocking the knife away. Gavin punches Cedric before he can attack Peg and Cedric moans as he collapses to the floor, apparently knocked out. All breathe a sigh of relief. Gavin turns to take something from the open safe before Cedric, revealing his bluff, leaps up, recovered knife in hand, to stab Gavin in the back near his shoulder. The women scream. Gavin knocks Cedric away and they face each other. Cedric sneers Gavin doesn't have the guts to follow through with his threat to kill him. Cedric lunges. Gavin falls to his knees but as Cedric rolls off him, Gavin reveals the jeweled dagger from the safe, now bloodied. Cedric chokes out his disbelief that Gavin would really do it before he dies.
Gavin and Anya rush towards each other. Margaret asks, now the paper in the safe is exposed, what does it say? Gavin reads the Earl's handwriting, that the true treasure of Brierley, the Earl's last wish, was to find and obtain peace within the walls of Brierley. Looks like his wish finally came true.

Brierley has a new arrival! A baby has just been born. Gavin rushes out of the room to make the happy announcement to his mother, Lady Margaret. It's a boy! Margaret is honored to share in their joy, her first grandson. He looks just like Gavin.
Peg married her butcher, Mr. Morgan, and both live here at Brierley with important positions: Peg is Effie's special caretaker while Mr. Morgan is the official overseer of all the tenants who farm the land. The people come bearing gifts for this is a day of celebration. Gavin brushes a lock of Anya's hair off her forehead, the radiant new mother to the new heir of Brierley. Under Gavin MacBrier's stewardship, there is peace, prosperity and hope for the future as everyone will be living happily ever after.  

THE END