The 12 Quilts of Christmas

by Arlene Sachitano

  “Perfect.” He leaned in for a kiss. “Like you.”

  Marcia was alone in the barn, sweeping and picking up debris left from people grooming their horses. She leaned her broom against a stall as they walked up to her.

  “If you’re looking for Luke, he’s in the arena with Emily. Usually when people are in the therapy program, we spend a few sessions having them groom the horse, walk the horse on a lead, feed the horse, and generally get used to being around them. Depending on how nervous they are, this is a longer or shorter process. We take things slow with the riding process, too. Luke and Major bonded so quickly, when he asked if he could start riding, I said okay. I hope that’s all right with you.”

  “That’s great,” Harriet said. “How’s he doing?”

  Marcia smiled.

  “Like a duck to water is the appropriate expression, I think. Go see for yourself.”

  James grabbed Harriet’s hand as she started to head for the arena.

  “How have things been going here?” he asked Marcia. “Security-wise.”

  She reclaimed her broom and leaned on it.

  “No one who shouldn’t be here has been near Becky. The cameras in the barn haven’t shown anything. We put a camera out at the end of the driveway to see if anyone comes in but doesn’t drive all the way to the barn. The security company suggested we do that in case someone parks and then comes in on foot.”

  “Has it shown anything?” Harriet asked.

  “Yes, and no. No one has driven in that doesn’t belong, but there’s a gray BMW sedan that drives by more often than seems normal. Whatever normal is.”

  Harriet stiffened.

  “Can you see who’s driving?”

  Marci began sweeping.

  “Tinted windows. The security people don’t think it’s significant, but if you live out here, you know. No one who doesn’t live on this road drives by that often. And I recognize all the neighbor’s rigs.”

  Harriet glanced down the aisle.

  “How’s Becky doing?”

  “You can go see for yourself. She’s none the worse for the wear, and she’s liking her improved diet.”

  James led the way to Becky’s stall, pulling a bag with two carrots from his coat pocket. She whinnied and came to the front of her stall, hanging her head over the half-door.

  “Okay, you can take it from here,” he said and handed the carrots to Harriet.

  “It’s easy, just watch how I hold the carrot. She’s going to bite it in half when you first give it to her. Hold the second half flat in your hand so she can use her lips to get it into her mouth.” She demonstrated with the first carrot and handed the second carrot to James.”

  “Here goes nothing,” he muttered.

  Becky chomped the carrot loudly, and James smiled when her lips tickled his palm picking up the second half. Harriet patted him on the back.

  “See, that wasn’t so hard. We’ll make a cowboy out of you yet.”

  “I think I might be one of those people who has to hang around the horse a few times before I try riding.”

  She put her arm around him and gave him a hug.

  “But, see, you’re talking about when you ride, not if you try it. I’ll take that as a good sign.”

  “Yeah, well, we’ll see. This might be a Harriet and Luke thing, not a James and Harriet and Luke thing.”

  “Let’s not make any decisions about that yet. You never know.”

  When they reached the arena, Harriet stepped up on aluminum bleacher seats at the side of the ring and sat down. James slid onto the cold seat beside her. Luke and Emily were riding side-by-side on the far side of the ring.

  Luke caught sight of them and steered Major across the arena, stopping in front of them.

  “Hi,” he said. “I hope it’s okay I’m riding.”

  “Of course it is,” Harriet assured him. “If you’re comfortable with it, we’re comfortable. Just be sure you listen to Marcia and Emily. He’s a big horse, and you need to pay attention to the safety rules.”

  “Don’t worry. I am.”

  Emily rode up behind him on a much smaller black horse.

  “I’m keeping an eye on him. He’s learning really fast.”

  “Just because he learns quick, he still needs to be told everything. Don’t assume he knows anything.”

  Luke blushed at this.

  “She’s telling me everything, believe me.”

  “Okay, take another few turns around the arena so we can see how you’re doing, and then we need to go deliver presents,” she told him.

  She watched him ride off, and when he was out of earshot, James leaned over and bumped her with his shoulder.

  “So, how’s he really doing?”

  Harriet answered without taking her eyes off Luke.

  “He looks good. He’s holding his hands nice and low, and he’s not putting too much pressure on Major’s mouth. His balance seems good.”

  “I don’t know anything about riding, but he’s so athletic, I suspect he could pick up any sport and do it well,” James said proudly.

  Harriet laughed.

  “I’m sure it’s all because you feed him so well.”

  “I wasn’t going to brag, but he does look better since I’ve been feeding him.” He tried to keep a straight face, but he, too, started laughing.

  Luke and Major came around the ring again, followed by Emily.

  “Are you guys laughing at me?”

  Harriet reached out and patted Major’s thick neck.

  “No, you’re looking very good. James was just saying your riding skill was due to his excellent cooking.”

  Luke smiled. “I’m sure it helped.”

  Emily looked confused.

  “James has a restaurant on Smuggler’s Cove,” Luke explained. “He’s a really good cook.”

  The girl’s eyes widened.

  “We went there for my mom’s birthday. It was…” She struggled to find the right word.

  “I hope fabulous is the word you’re looking for,” James said.

  Her face burned red.

  “It was beyond fabulous. My mom said it was the best birthday dinner she’d ever had.”

  James smiled. “Now you’re going to have me blushing.”

  Harriet stood up.

  “Okay, we better end this love fest and get moving. I’m going to check on Becky again while you put Major away.”

  James stood beside Harriet in front of Becky’s stall.

  “I’m glad Luke is enjoying this horse stuff so much.” He glanced up at the newly installed security camera across the aisle. “But I have to say, I’m really nervous about him coming out here while someone is trying to steal a horse that may or may not even belong to us, not to mention may be connected to the murders downtown.”

  Becky nuzzled Harriet’s chest, and she rubbed the mare’s nose.

  “If it would make you feel better, I can come with him.”

  James smiled and stepped behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.

  “I know you’ve taken care of yourself most of your life, but these are dangerous people. I don’t know why they want Becky, but if they are the same people who killed Daniel and William and Valery, they won’t let you and Luke stand in their way.

  “That gray sedan you told me about, the one that keeps appearing where you are, just might prove they aren’t done yet. I know you like Detective Morse, but she and the FPPD aren’t making any headway on any of these crimes, as far as I can see.”

  “So, what are you saying?”

  James stepped back and ran his hands through his hair.

  “I don’t know. Luke is really starting to blossom since he’s been coming here. I don’t want to take that away from him, but I can’t come out here with you as often as he wants to be here; and besides, I’m sure he doesn’t want us hanging around him as he tries to woo Emily.”

  Luke led Major into the barn and cross-tied him in the open area just beyond Becky’s stall.

&nb
sp; “You guys look serious,” he said as he lifted off the saddle and carried it past them to the tack room. “Something going on?” he asked on his return trip.

  Harriet picked up a brush and started grooming the big horse.

  “James is worried about the gray car. We’ve seen it on our street a few times.”

  “It’s probably nothing,” James said. “I’m just a little paranoid with everything that’s been going on in town.”

  Luke patted Major’s neck.

  “I can take care of myself. Besides, this one makes a good guard dog.”

  James blew out a breath.

  “I hope it won’t come to that.”

  CHAPTER 26

  It turned out Luke’s half-brother lived in a complex of newly renovated low-cost housing units. Luke looked around as James parked the car.

  “Wow, Arinda’s come up in the world.”

  Harriet got out and handed Luke the bag with the wrapped scooter in it; she and James carried the other packages.

  “According to your social worker, Arinda lives in unit Twelve-D.”

  They located the appropriate door on the second floor of the third building. Luke knocked, and when no one answered, he knocked again. Arinda Washington finally answered, a baby on her hip and a shy toddler hiding behind her leg.

  “Oh, it’s you.” She blew a strand of over-bleached blond hair from her face. “I told your social worker I still don’t have room for you, so if that’s what you’re here for, forget it.”

  Luke’s face burned red. He stood in the open doorway, unsure what to do.

  Harriet stepped past him and held her hand out.

  “I’m Harriet Truman, and this is my husband James. We’re Luke’s parents now.”

  Harriet could almost see the wheels spinning in Arinda’s head. Now that the woman had established they weren’t asking her to take Luke, she was pretty sure Arinda was trying to figure out what she might get out of their visit.

  “Luke wanted to bring a Christmas present to his brother.”

  Arinda led them into a small living room. She set the baby down in a worn portable crib and scooped a mass of celebrity gossip magazines off the sofa and into a pile on the floor.

  “Ta’Shawn,” she screeched. “Luke’s here.”

  Harriet looked around the apartment while they waited for Luke’s brother to appear. None of them made a move to sit down on the stained and lumpy sofa. The carpet still looked new, although it was accumulating stains, but overall it appeared Arinda was attempting to keep the place clean.

  After a second summons from Arinda, Ta’Shawn appeared in the hallway. A cheap set of earphones hung around his neck. His eyes got big when he saw Luke.

  “Luke?”

  “Hey, little bro,” Luke said with a grin. He held out his arms and after a brief hesitation, Ta’Shawn ran into them.

  “Hey, I’ve missed you,” Luke said. “Are you okay?”

  Ta’Shawn looked at Arinda, but she turned her back and went out on a small balcony to smoke.

  “Things are a little better since we got into this apartment. It came with strings. To keep living here, you have to be working a program so you can get a job. Mom doesn’t like that part. She got pregnant again, so she gets more time. She has to keep taking classes, but then she gets a year after the new baby is born before she has to get a job.”

  “Who’s the dad?”

  Ta’Shawn shrugged.

  “Otherwise, are things okay? Are you getting enough to eat?”

  “Yeah, we get SNAP and boxes of stuff from some food place. It’s been a little tight since Grandpa disappeared.

  Luke looked confused.

  “What grandpa?”

  “He’s not really our grandpa,”

  “I know—your grandfathers are in jail.”

  “I guess Joe lived with Mom’s mom when she was little. He lives in the homeless camp, but he’d bring us food and diapers for the baby. I think he got some sort of check for something. Anyway, he hasn’t been around. He went to get us a Christmas tree and never came back.” Tears filled the boy’s eyes.

  Luke rubbed his brother’s back.

  “I’m really sorry,” he said. “Hey, I brought you a present.” He handed Ta’Shawn his Christmas present.

  “Can I open it now?”

  Luke looked to Harriet. “You probably should ask Arinda.”

  Ta’Shawn went out to the patio while Harriet picked through the wrapped presents she and James still had in their shopping bags, choosing several that were appropriate for a toddler and a baby. She set them on the coffee table, and James put the bags by the apartment door.

  “She said I can open it,” Ta’Shawn said as he came back in, followed by Arinda.

  “What’s this?” Arinda asked, pointing at the wrapped packages on the table.

  Harriet picked them up.

  “We brought presents for the other kids.”

  “You think I can’t take care of my own kids?”

  “Not at all,” Harriet said. “We just thought since Luke was bringing something for Ta’Shawn, we could bring something for the little ones. He told us you had younger children.”

  “Mom…” Ta’Shawn whined, dragging out her name.

  “I suppose it’s okay.”

  Harriet handed her the present for the baby and gave the other one to the toddler, a girl of about two with frizzy dark-blonde hair. The girl squealed when she tore into her package, revealing a baby doll. Arinda quickly opened the baby’s present, a round object that had large buttons in primary colors that lit up when you pressed them, announcing their color before playing a song.

  “Thank you,” Arinda said quietly. “This was very nice of you.”

  “This is the coolest present ever,” Ta’Shawn announced to the room. He looked at his mom. “Can I go outside?”

  “Sure, honey,” she said, and he ran for the door, holding his scooter.

  “Hey,” Luke said. “Put on a jacket.” He grabbed a small sweatshirt from a peg by the door and followed Ta’Shawn out the door.

  An awkward silence followed.

  “Ta’Shawn was telling us his grandpa is missing.” Harriet said.

  The baby started crying, and Arinda dug a pacifier from under a magazine on the table and popped it into the child’s mouth.

  “I’m not sure you call it ‘missing’ when someone is homeless. He may have moved south for the winter. He does that sometimes. Usually, he tells us before he goes, though.”

  “Ta’Shawn said his name is Joe,” Harriet said.

  “That’s right. Joe Smith. The people at the camp call him Smokey Joe.”

  Harriet looked at James.

  “What?” Arinda asked. “Do you know something?”

  “No.” Harriet answered. “We deliver food to the camp at Fogg Park sometimes. The people there are looking for him, too. They said they’ve seen activity at his campsite, but no one has seen him.”

  Arinda looked worried.

  “It’s not like him to not stay in touch. He helps me out a little. Especially with the kids at the holidays. If he’s not going to be here, he usually sends me a little money to buy their gifts with.”

  Harriet tried to focus on the idea that Arinda was worried about him, and not that she was worried about her source of income drying up.

  “If I hear anything, I’ll let you know.”

  “Do you know why people call him ‘Smokey’?” James asked.

  “My mom told me he was firebug. He used to set stuff on fire for people. She met him when he was on probation, and he told her he’d changed his ways.”

  Right, Harriet thought. Setting fires didn’t seem like the sort of habit one just decided to give up one day.

  James made eye contact with her, and she gave a slight nod.

  “We better get going,” he said to Arinda. “You have a Merry Christmas.”

  “Thanks,” she muttered.

  “Do you guys mind if we make a small stop on the way home?”
Harriet asked when they were back in the car.

  James put the car in reverse and backed out of their parking spot.

  “If you’re thinking we should go by the homeless camp and see if Smokey Joe has turned up, I’m with you. If we swing back by the house, we can pick up some of the leftover tea sandwiches and desserts I brought home. I was going to take them over there tomorrow anyway.”

  Harriet smiled at him.

  “Perfect.”

  The denizens of the homeless camp were all gathered around a roaring fire in the common area of the camp.

  “Merry Christmas,” Joyce called out when James came into view, followed by Luke and Harriet.

  “Merry Christmas to you,” James answered and held up the tray of holiday treats. “I brought you a little snack.”

  Joyce peeked under the foil lid when he set it down.

  “Ah, tea cakes. I’ll put the kettle on.”

  James took a disposable platter from the pan and began arranging the sandwiches and treats on it.

  “Have you had any luck finding Smokey Joe?” Harriet asked when Joyce had returned from filling the kettle. Joyce stirred the fire and then put the kettle on a grate over the coals.

  “I’ve not seen him, but then I haven’t gone looking, either.” Joyce looked for Max among the gathered group. “Max, have you been to Joe’s campsite?” she asked him.

  Max got up and came over.

  “What’s your interest in Joe?”

  She explained his relationship to Luke’s half-brother’s family.

  “They’re pretty worried. Arinda said he never leaves the area without telling her.”

  Max absently drew a circle with the toe of his muddy boot.

  “I’m getting concerned myself. I went up to his camp this morning. He’s been there. At least, someone’s been there. His flannel shirt was there. Joe wore that shirt every day. He was like a kid with a blanket. When he washed it, he stood in front of the washer and dryer until it was clean again and he could put it on.”

  “That does seem suspicious,” Harriet said.

  Joyce poured hot water into teacups for people who wanted it. She held the pot up to Harriet. Harriet shook her head.

  “I agree,” Joyce said when she’d finished serving tea. “I can’t imagine Joe without his shirt on, but on the other hand, he is living outdoors, and in our lifestyle, it can be a lot harder to keep track of your possessions.”