Iris may not know if she liked the woman yet, but at least she knew the lady had good taste.
“Yes, ma’am.” Payton beamed. “Firefighter Payton Taylor at your service.”
“Oh, my,” Roberta mumbled softly, before turning to Cole. “And you are?”
Lily sidled up beside Cole, hooked her arm through his and smiled broadly. “Taken.”
“Nice to meet you.” Cole extended his free hand before waving at Lily. “Have you met my fiancée?”
Roberta nodded and for the first time since the scramble of people began gathering, noticed Emily and Gavin at either side of their uncle hanging tightly to his legs. “I see you have gained new appendages.”
To her credit, the woman sank to the ground, resting her weight on her pristine and pricey leather shoes. Red soles and all. Iris still couldn’t decide if she liked her or not. The shoes were a waste, the squatting was a plus. The smile was still to be determined.
“You probably don’t remember me,” Roberta said softly.
Both children tightened their grips on their uncle as his hands fell protectively on their shoulders.
“I’m your dad’s sister.”
Neither child responded.
Roberta seemed to wobble slightly, her smile faltering. “Well.” She appeared to consider saying something else before sighing and pushing to her feet.
“I guess it’s been a while,” Eric said.
“Mm,” she nodded, glancing around at the mad rush of activity.
All around them, folks were still laughing and shouting and scurrying about as Lucy and others brought out tables and chairs and set up for what Iris knew was going to be a fun-filled afternoon of food and games. Maybe.
“I seem to have come on a big day,” she said, easing her sunglasses from the top of her head onto the bridge of her nose. “But I would like to discuss something important with you. Could you spare a minute?”
Eric looked down at the two children and then up. “Now isn’t really a good time.”
“It really is important,” she repeated.
“Did you show your uncle what we made for him?” Grams came floating up to them.
Emily shook her head, but Gavin kept his eyes on his newly discovered aunt.
“In that case, come along. We’ll bring it to him. And I believe someone mentioned something about extra ice cream too.” Smiling, Grams held out her hand.
“Go on with Grams.” Eric nudged the children forward. “I’ll join you for the winners’ ice cream in a few minutes.”
Slowly, Emily eased her hold on her uncle and accepted Grams’ proffered hand. Gavin followed his sister and the three walked away, Grams leaning forward sharing secrets as they walked. For just a minute Iris remembered being a little girl, walking with her Grams to pick berries, her grandmother sharing some innocuous little secret and Iris feeling like the favorite granddaughter. Grams had a way of making each of them feel they were special. Iris had no doubt she was doing that now with Emily and Gavin.
“Grams?” Roberta enunciated slowly.
“She’s my grandmother,” Iris answered. “The children are very fond of her.”
“I see.” Roberta watched the trio disappear into the house then spun around. “Is there some place private we can go?”
“We should see if Lucy needs any help.” Lily steered Cole toward the folding tables on the Point.
“Good idea.” Cindy smiled and hooked her arm through Payton’s. “Come on, big boy.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere,” the playful fireman replied.
As much as she wanted to stick around, Iris eased back a step. “I’ll see if Grams needs any help.”
“No.” Eric snatched her arm. “Stay.”
Feeling the heat and strength of his grip, she glanced quickly from his hand up to his eyes, the intensity of his gaze held her in place.
“Please,” he whispered.
Iris gave a single affirming dip of her chin. She didn’t know what was going to happen, but right now, she would have agreed to march into hell and back with this man.
***
“Can we at least sit somewhere?” the woman asked.
“Of course. Sorry.” Eric looked around and taking hold of Iris’s hand, strolled across the way to a picnic table under a thatch of trees. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew he’d have to deal with Richard’s family sooner or later but he’d expected it to be later. At least until he had a better handle on things. Important things like where would he live? Where would the kids go to school? How would he deal with work absences? Never mind trivial things like learning to cook balanced meals, appropriate bedtime stories, and the myriad of details he still didn’t know enough about to even know he didn’t know.
“The children looked happy.” She slid into the seat. “At least until I tried to talk to them.”
“They’ve been through a lot.” He eased onto the bench beside Iris, but didn’t let go of her hand. When he reached for her, he was delighted when her fingers curled around his. In such a short time, she’d become an important part of his new world. From the minute she’d ordered him to sit on the boat he’d known that whatever came to pass, he wanted Iris to be a part of it.
“They have.” Her gaze dropped to her folded hands. “Richard changed after he married Adele.” She lifted her eyes to meet his. “Just a little at first. Simple things. So subtle I almost didn’t notice. He was just a tad more… thoughtful. But when Emily was born and I saw Richard changing diapers,” she smothered a chuckle, “I knew the brother I grew up with was gone.”
Had the man really changed? Eric hadn’t noticed. Or maybe he didn’t give the guy a chance. Last year when they’d gone on a family vacation both Richard and Adele had invited him to join them. He’d been flying from one end of the world to the other and simply couldn’t make the dates work. Maybe he should have tried harder.
“Anyhow, we had a chance to chat when they returned home from vacationing here at the lake last year. Richard seemed to have a new appreciation for the American perspective. It came as a bit of a surprise to hear they were considering relocating to this part of the world. Under the circumstances it made sense for them to appoint you as guardian.”
“So you knew?” He remembered his sister talking to him about it, but he hadn’t really taken it to heart. After all, no one expects to lose their younger sister before her children had time to grow up.
“I knew. So did my sister.”
He nodded. It made sense that Richard would tell his family. Things like that weren’t usually secrets. “You didn’t come all this way to tell me that, did you? Or are you just here to see if I’m totally screwing up?”
“No. Well, not really.”
“No or not really?”
“No.” Roberta straightened her spine, not that she’d done anything close to slouching. “Your sister had a great deal of faith in you, but it’s nice to see for myself that the children are comfortable with you.”
“You didn’t expect that?”
She shrugged. “Let’s just say none of us saw the children as often as we could have.”
There was no point in arguing with her, they both knew she was right.
“Have you made any plans?”
“We’re still working things out.”
“You have a one bedroom apartment. What are you going to do about that?”
“I’m considering my options.” And he was. That much was the truth. Still, he didn’t know if he liked that she knew that about him.
“And school? Emily is missing classes, isn’t she?”
“Gavin is preschool age, he’s fine. According to the records the solicitor sent me, Emily is considerably ahead of the average first grader here in the US, she’ll have no problem taking time off now and starting second grade on schedule.”
Roberta nodded. “I’m not surprised. Not only is she a smart kid, but that’s something our father always harped on. Why would any of us want to study in the USA w
hen the British education is so far ahead.”
He’d learned all about that in the two hour long conversation with the solicitor. “We have good schools here too.”
“I’m sure you do.” She reached for the handbag at her side and pulled out a tin box of mints, then held it out to them.
“No thank you,” Eric said first, then Iris shook her head.
“You’ve been hard to get a hold of.” She dropped the tin back in her bag. “My brother’s solicitor finally gave up your location. The authorities are ready to release Richard and Adele’s bodies.”
In an odd sort of way, despite having her children here with him, he’d managed to fool himself into thinking of his sister as living her life as usual, merely out of sight, but not really gone. Reality punched him in the chest. Hard. “I see.”
“They were unable to reach you.”
“Phone service is sketchy here.” He should have thought of that. Followed up.
“My parents want them buried in the family crypt.” She looked out to the water and back. “Do you have a problem with that?”
“No.” They’d chosen England to be their home. That was fine with him.
“That makes things at least a little easier.”
For the first time since this woman walked up to him, the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. “Easier?”
Roberta squeezed her eyes shut a moment and then quickly blurted out, “My parents also want the children to be raised in England. With them.”
If his chest hurt a moment ago, it was nothing compared to the pain stabbing his heart at the thought of losing Emily and Gavin. Not even Iris squeezing his hand in support helped ease the shock. One more thing for him to figure out. And fast.
Chapter Sixteen
“They’re still talking.” Cindy peered through the blinds. “What do you suppose she wants?”
“I’d rather not speculate.” Grams put the lid on the ice cream container. “And lower your voice. I don’t want the children to hear you.”
Cindy reached for the refills on the children’s ice cream. “I’ll take those to them.”
“Does the General know Richard’s sister is here?” Lily asked.
Grams shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“Well, maybe one of us should go tell him.” Lucy glanced at her phone then pulled a covered plate from the fridge.
“How much more food are you going to put out?” Lily pointed to the plate.
“Oh this?” Lucy did a terrible job of feigning innocence.
“Uh oh.” Cindy looked to her cousin. After all these years her matchmaking radar could read Lucy’s expressions like the proverbial open book.
“Lucy?” Grams asked.
“It’s just a little snack for the guest in the Hickory cabin.”
“We have a guest in the Hickory?” Cindy wasn’t a part of the day to day business at Hart House, but usually everyone had an idea of all the guests and usually had managed to cross paths at some point. “Recent arrival?”
Grams shook her head. “He’s been here for over a week.”
“Is he ill?” Lily asked.
Lucy cleared her throat. She didn’t look any more convincing that she wasn’t up to something. “No, he’s fine.”
The phone in Lucy’s pocket sounded and she turned her back to the room. “Hello… Yes. Everyone is here. Don’t forget the pie. That’ll be perfect. See you soon.”
“Who will we see soon?” Grams asked.
“Thelma.” Lucy flashed a satisfied smile and set the dish on the counter.
Hands on her hips, Lily turned to Lucy. “Since when does Thelma bring pie?”
“Oh, well. Uh,” Lucy stammered.
Uh oh. None of them had to be a genius to know whatever Lucy was up to had to do with one of the Merry Widows and the guest in the Hickory cabin. She didn’t know if she should simply thank her lucky stars that Lucy wasn’t trying to match one of them up with some loser, or to run and warn the poor unsuspecting guest that he was about to be Lucy’s next target.
***
Iris didn’t like the sound of any of this. All she could do was try to reassure Eric with her presence and keep her mouth closed. She really had no place getting involved, but was very glad he’d wanted her to stay.
“Not going to happen,” Eric answered without skipping a beat. “Nothing you say or do will convince me to give those children up.”
“I’m not trying to.”
A couple of teens who’d arrived with Callie came running up to them. “Hot dogs are ready. Burgers will be ready in five.” And just like that they tore off toward the house.
“Interesting place,” Roberta mumbled, turning back to face Eric. “We read about quaint little towns in sweet novels, or catch a glimpse in a Norman Rockwell picture, but I can’t believe places like this really exist.”
“Would anyone like something to drink?” Another teen came up with a case in his hands containing chilled cans of soda. “There’s beer for the adults if you’d like one.”
Roberta took a diet cola and scanned the remainder of the case. “Thank you.”
“I’ll have one too.” Iris smiled at the teen. “And if you have a chance, bring us a couple of glasses.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The teen bobbed his hand and took off back in the direction he came from, crossing paths with Louise Franklin who waved a stack of cups at him.
Iris pushed to her feet. “I’d better go get the cups. Be right back.”
“Good idea,” Eric said.
Too bad she hadn’t managed to crawl out from the table before Louise hurried up to them. “The youth of today. They think everyone drinks out of a can or bottle.”
“Thank you.” Roberta accepted the proffered glass.
“I’m Louise Franklin. I don’t believe we’ve met.”
“This is Emily and Gavin’s aunt,” Eric explained.
Louise’s smile slipped. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you,” Roberta said again.
The three remained perfectly silent and to Louise’s credit, rather than push through digging for gossip, she retreated a step. “I was just on my way to check if Lucy needs any help in the house.”
Iris nodded and waited for the older woman to be out of ear shot. “That was a close call.”
“Close call?” Roberta poured her drink into the glass.
“Small towns are quaint and picturesque but everyone is also sure to know everyone’s business. And if they don’t they want to know.”
“Ah, I see.” Roberta set the can down. “But I don’t believe you do. I’m not here to convince you to give the children to my parents.”
“You’re not?” Eric said.
“No. I’m here to warn you. Mum and Dad have been advised to obtain an American lawyer to defend their position.” She took a quick sip. “They’re in New York as we speak.”
“Do you have a lawyer?” Iris asked him. One of the perks of the circles her family, as well as the families she worked for, ran with was connections. Off the top of her head two prominent names came to mind for good family lawyers.
Eric shook his head. “I do have a buddy.”
“You’ll need a good one.” Roberta toyed with the can. “They’re going to emphasize that as a single man who travels for a living, you’re not equipped to offer the best environment for the kids.”
“That’s bu…nk.”
She had to give him credit, she would have said exactly what she was thinking.
Roberta put her hands up palm out. “You don’t have to convince me. Anyone related to Adele has to be at least a little capable—”
“More than a little,” Iris defended without thinking.
“All I had to see was the way the kids clung to you earlier to know my brother made the right choice. Heaven knows,” she smiled, “if Melissa or I got them they’d wind up neurotic power shoppers.”
Iris glanced down at the woman’s shoes. She’d known a few power shoppe
rs in her day and there was one thing she was very sure of. She would help Eric any way she could to avoid another generation of Hughes power shoppers. Anything.
***
“Let me see if I understand correctly, you flew all this way to warn me your parents are hiring a lawyer to sue for custody of my niece and nephew.” Eric wasn’t quite sure he believed this woman yet, but he couldn’t figure out why she would lie.
“More than that. Melissa and I want to make sure you keep custody.”
“And how do you expect to do that?”
“Well, we don’t honestly know yet. We’ve spent the last week reasoning with them, nagging them, and briefly considered tying them up and throwing away the key.”
So at least one person in the Hughes family had a sense of humor.
“I would have told you all this over the phone but you—”
“Are hard to reach. Yes.”
“So.” She slung her legs over the bench and stood. “I’ll let you get back to your celebration. Shall we talk tomorrow and come up with a plan?”
Eric pushed to his feet. “Yes. Thank you.”
Stiletto heels and all, she glided easily across the grassy yard and up the hill. They probably taught her and her sister to walk with a book on their head.
“What do you think?” Iris asked.
“I don’t know. I can’t think of any reason she would come and warn me if she were not sincere. How would tipping me off help her parents?”
“I’ve been wondering the same thing.”
“Do you think she’s right?” He shifted to face her. “Will my job and marital status work against me?”
Iris shook her head. “I can’t imagine that it would. Today single parents adopt children all the time. Fathers are awarded children over the mother all the time. I think to go against the parents’ requests, they’d have to prove you’re grossly incompetent.”
“I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“That’s not true. You’ve got a few things to learn, but you’re not incompetent.”
One side of his mouth tipped up in a weak smile. “You may be biased.”
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