“So you teach writing and English, Guthrie does math, and Shelley is the botanist in the group. What about Aunt Agnes?” Calla asked as she sat down to have tea with Julia.

“She’s the family historian so she handles history classes. Lady Mae teaches about proper etiquette for boys and girls. Heather is responsible for literature classes, while I share my writing techniques. As for the men—Cearnach handles pet care. Duncan is the weapons instructor and trains in everything from archery to swordsmanship. Ethan and his brothers teach about bovine care, and Guthrie covers math topics, including showing the little ones how to identify bills and coins, and the older ones money management. You missed the class he offered this morning, but he has a class with the older ones again on Friday morning, if you want to drop by and listen in.”

“Actually, I made it to his morning class on earning and saving money, and it got me thinking. I was wondering if the kids could be involved in some kind of a craft bazaar so they could earn money for Christmas. Rather than their parents giving them money to buy gifts, they could earn their own. Then when they went shopping, the value of the money would mean so much more to them.”

“I love it! A whole bunch of us are great with crafts. I’m certain we can even get a lot of the adults to help supervise and spread the word about the bazaar to all the kids in the pack. Maybe even have a food booth like they do at Renaissance fairs in the States.”

“I know Ian doesn’t like to have outsiders visit the castle, but what if we opened it up to everyone? We could charge a small fee to see some of the castle and its grounds since it’s never open to the public. Do something really special for a weekend before Christmas. We’ve already decorated everything.”

Julia took a deep breath. “Guthrie wanted to do something like that to help make money after the theft of the pack’s investments, but Ian said no. He had fits just having the human film crew here for the production of that Highland movie, though the MacNeill clan needed the money. Even so, he wouldn’t agree to opening up the castle to the public. But if we were using the funds for some worthy cause, maybe Ian would agree.”

This was going to be the best Christmas ever, Calla thought. If they could pull it off.

***

Later that afternoon, Ian called Guthrie into his office. “Have a seat, why don’t you?” Ian said.

Guthrie sat down and wondered what this was all about. He wasn’t used to his brother calling him into his office continually like this, unless he really needed to discuss something in private that was of the utmost importance.

Ian looked eager to share some bit of good news. Had someone found a way to put Baird off for good? That’s the news Guthrie would love to hear.

“Julia asked me to allow a Christmas bazaar to help fund college tuition for the kids in the clan.”

Guthrie couldn’t believe she’d asked.

“She wants to open the castle to the public for a special Christmas viewing, since we’re going all out decorating and celebrating the holiday this year,” Ian continued, as if this was an everyday occurrence and he had no problem with it.

“You said nay, aye?” Guthrie said.

Ian cleared his throat and leaned back in his chair. “You know how I hate opening the castle up to outsiders.”

“Aye. Which is why you said nay, right?” Guthrie asked, folding his arms slightly defensively, since all his ideas about doing something like that after they lost money in a scam investing scheme had met with Ian’s strong disapproval. Guthrie thought it was a great concept, but how did Julia sway Ian this time?

“After Calla sat in on your class, during which you were teaching kids how to be responsible with money and savings, she came up with the idea and shared it with Julia. She said if it hadn’t been for what you were teaching our children, she wouldn’t have thought of it.”

Guthrie was surprised to hear Calla would say that, since she hadn’t arrived in time to hear his lecture!

“Many of the adults would be eager to participate,” Ian continued. “If Cearnach still wants to, he can sell some of his sgian dubhs—since the hand-carved handles are so popular. Duncan could teach swordsmanship, at a price. Some of the men might be willing to set up archery competitions for a small entry fee to participants. We could have Ethan and his brothers give hayrides, like riding in Santa’s sleigh or some such thing.”

Guthrie smiled. “You are serious?”

“Aye, Brother. Just agree to it because I’m not in the habit of groveling, and then you can be in charge of it all.”

Guthrie couldn’t believe this was his brother, his pack leader, speaking. Aye, he was all for it. But since Calla had suggested it, shouldn’t it be her show to run? She was great at setting up parties. And he didn’t want her to think he had taken over something that was her idea. “Me? I thought Calla—”

“Nay, she will help coordinate some of the activities for the children, and Cearnach, being second in charge, can help to manage some, but you will be responsible overall for everything to do with the money—how it will be spent, advertising the affair, collecting money, and setting it aside for the tuition fund.” Ian waited, then smirked. “Don’t look so shocked, Guthrie.”

“Is that all?”

“Aye.” Ian frowned. “You will do it, won’t you?”

Guthrie smiled. “Of course, just like I wanted to before, except I’d never considered quite this grand an affair. I’ll keep you informed about the expenses and the like.”