by Kathi Daley
“We feel the same way. We have a lot of family and friends, so I’m not sure small will work, but I’m definitely thinking simple.”
“It sounds like you have the beginnings of a plan.” The woman looked around the room, located her son, and waved him over. “We should get going. Congratulations again.”
I thanked her and moved on to the next parent who seemed to be lacking a flyer. Once the kids had all been delivered to their parents, Cody and I cleaned up and headed, along with Ebenezer, to my cabin. I filled him in on what I knew of the warehouse situation as we drove.
Cody being the smart and wonderful man he is jumped right in with an idea. “I think the first thing we need to do is find out exactly who’s living in the building and what their situation is. There may be people who have a place to go if provided with the means to get there, and others who have a long-term plan and only require short-term housing. I think I can work out a deal with the motor lodge for short-term housing if needed. We’ll drive out there first thing in the morning and figure out what’s what.”
“Okay, that sounds great.” I glanced at Ebenezer, who was sitting on the seat between us. “I should go talk to Balthazar as well. He owns several apartment buildings. Maybe he’d be willing to help out if he has vacancies.”
“We can see him tomorrow after we visit the warehouse.”
“Don’t you have that guy coming from the ad agency tomorrow?” I asked.
Cody grimaced. “I do; I almost forgot. He isn’t coming until eleven, though, so we can still visit the warehouse in the morning. We can see Balthazar the following day, or you can catch the morning ferry and go on your own tomorrow.”
“I’ll go alone. Ebenezer can come with me. If Rich is serious about having everyone out by Monday we don’t have time to waste.”
“You should let Finn know what’s going on too,” Cody said, referring to my brother-in-law, who happened to be the island’s resident deputy. “If Sinclair plans to use force to get the squatters out Finn can ensure that things are handled legally and without violence.”
“Good idea. I’ll call him when we get to the cabin.” I glanced out the window at the still-falling snow. “I know we talked about going out for dinner on the way home, but I think we should head back before the roads get bad. I’ve got some soup left over from last night and another loaf of bread in the freezer.”
“Sounds good. I want to pop in to check on Mr. Parsons. I’ll drop you and Ebenezer off at your place, check on him, and then come back to the cabin.”
It did my heart good to see how much Cody cared for the elderly man he shared a space with. There’d been a time when Mr. Parsons was a bit of a grump, but ever since Cody had remodeled and moved into the third floor of his huge oceanfront mansion, Mr. Parsons had let go of his anxiety, and almost everyone agreed he was a changed man.
After Cody dropped Ebenezer and me off I took my dog Max out for a quick run, then got our houseguest set up with kitty food and a cat box. When both animals were fed and settled I called Finn. He didn’t answer his cell, so I tried the house.
“Oh, hey, Siobhan,” I greeted my sister when she answered the phone. “I’m looking for Finn, but he didn’t answer his cell.”
“He’s out on a call. There’s a pretty bad accident along the west shore.”
“Oh no. I’m so sorry to hear that. Were there injuries?”
“I don’t know,” Siobhan said. “I haven’t heard. I hope not.”
“Yeah, me too. I love the snow, but there’s always an increase in auto accidents when the roads are icy.”
“People don’t want to slow down.”
“So, how’s the packing going?” I asked. Finn and Siobhan had sold Finn’s house and bought a larger one together.
“It’s been hectic. This place closes in just a few days and we need to be completely moved out by the end of the weekend.”
“Don’t overdo,” I warned my pregnant sister.
“I’m trying not to, but everything is going so fast. It’s a bit overwhelming, and to make matters worse, there seems to be a problem with the house we’re buying.”
I frowned. “Problem? What sort of problem?”
“It seems the woman who’s selling it is getting cold feet. To be honest, I’ve been wondering if that house was the right one for us anyway. It only has three bedrooms, and Finn thinks we should have four. Part of me hopes the sale falls through so we can look for a larger place, but part of me is panicked because we have to be out of here and will have to figure out somewhere to go until we find something else.”
“Can you put off the people moving into this house?”
“Not really,” Siobhan answered. “The couple is moving here from the East Coast. I’d hate to mess them up. We’re thinking about just putting our stuff into storage and seeing if we can stay with Maggie for a while.”
Our Aunt Maggie lived in the main house on the property where I had my little cabin on the beach. “I’m sure she’d love to have you. Mom and Cassie are there while the condo is being worked on and Danny is there for the winter, but Maggie has a ton of guest rooms.”
“She’s always said we’re welcome to stay there whenever we need to. I have to get back to packing, but I can pass a message on to Finn when he gets back if you want to fill me in.”
I explained to Siobhan, who also happened to be the mayor of Madrona Island, that there was a new man in town intent on kicking a group of homeless people out onto the street with almost no notice. She of course was appalled, especially when she heard one of the squatters might be pregnant. Being pregnant herself, she was extra sensitive to the needs of women in the same condition.
“I understand he needs to have the building vacated to renovate. And I understand it’s his building and he has the right to expect he can do with it as he pleases. But to kick a bunch of people out into the snow so close to Christmas seems heartless.”
“I agree,” I said. “I overheard him on the phone and it sounded like he was willing to resort to any means necessary to get the people out. I don’t know for a fact that he’d use violence, but that was the vibe I was picking up. Cody and I are going over to the warehouse tomorrow morning to see exactly what the situation is and how many people will be displaced.”
“That sounds like a good idea. I’ll fill Finn in when he gets home. I’m not saying squatters don’t need to be moved, but let’s see if we can find them an alternative place to wait out the winter.”
I hung up with Siobhan and tossed a log on the fire, then put the soup in a pan to heat. I defrosted the bread in the microwave and popped it into the oven to brown. The lights on the tree Cody and I had decorated reflected off the snowy window, giving the entire cabin a warm, cozy feeling. I’d just turned on some carols when Cody pulled into the drive. I hoped he’d be able to stay over tonight, but he didn’t like to leave Mr. Parsons alone more often than he needed to. At some point we were going to have to discuss living arrangements after we married, but for now we were taking it slow and letting things develop naturally.
“Is Mr. Parsons okay?” I asked as Cody entered through the side door.
“He’s watching old movies with Francine.” Francine Rivers owned a third of the peninsula where Cody and I resided. When the founding fathers of the island divided it up, one section went to Francine’s family, one to Mr. Parsons’s, and the last to the Harts. Aunt Maggie lived in the big house on the property, and I lived in the summer cabin, which was right on the water and perfect for just me. Once Cody and I were married I’d probably need to move into Mr. Parsons’s house with him.
“Can you stay over?” I asked.
Cody nodded. “I’ll check on Mr. Parsons in the morning before we head over to the warehouse. Did you get hold of Finn?”
“He’s out on a call, but I spoke to Siobhan and she’ll fill him in when he gets home.”
“Great. Let’s eat. I’m starving.”
We settled in with our soup and hot bread in front of the cra
ckling fire. We didn’t get a lot of snow on Madrona Island, but every year I found myself wishing for Christmas snow. We’d been lucky and had had December snow several years in a row. It really added to the Christmassy feel I’d learned to embrace when I was a child.
“Did you ever find out what was going on with your mom’s condo?” Cody asked.
“She said the pipes are shot and they need to completely replumb the whole place. She has to be out for a month, so she and Cassie have moved in with Maggie for the time being.”
“Wow, that’s tough.”
I shrugged. “I guess. I don’t think Maggie minds, despite the fact that Danny has moved in for the winter and now it seems Finn and Siobhan need a place to stay as well.”
“I thought they were moving into their new house.”
“It looks like it might fall out of escrow and their house is ready to close. It’ll be a bit crowded, but Maggie’s house is big, and she never minds having the various members of the Hart family staying with her when they need to.”
It really did seem the entire Hart clan, other than my oldest brother, Aiden, had lived with Maggie at one time or another. Danny owned a whale-watch boat he lived on, but every now and again he leased it out for the winter and bunked with Maggie to save money during the off-season. Siobhan had lived with Maggie after returning to Madrona Island from Seattle, and I lived with her in the big house before we renovated the cabin. This was the second time my mom and my youngest sister, Cassie, had stayed with Maggie in recent years, and I imagined it wouldn’t be the last. I was just finishing my soup when my phone rang. It was Siobhan.
“Did you talk to Finn?”
“Finn isn’t back yet. He’s at the hospital.”
My heart skipped a beat. “Is he hurt?”
“He’s with Aiden. Aiden was involved in the accident Finn responded to.”
I put my hand to my mouth, fighting back panic. “Is he—?”
“He’s going to be okay. He was driving home from the north shore and hit a patch of ice. His car slid off the road and rolled twice, but the airbag deployed and he was buckled in, so he wasn’t seriously injured. Finn said not to come down. They have him sedated and he’s resting. Finn’s going to get all the details from the doctor and he’ll fill us in when he sees us.”
“Cody and I will come over to your place.”
“No, don’t come here, go to Maggie’s. Mom, Cassie, and Danny are already there. I’m heading over as well. Finn said he’d meet us there.”
When we arrived at Maggie’s, the others were all sitting around discussing the situation. “Have you heard anything?” Mom asked as soon as we walked in.
“No. I just spoke to Siobhan and she said to come here. Finn will be joining us as soon as he’s able to.”
“I know Siobhan said to stay put, but I feel like we should be at the hospital,” Danny said.
“There isn’t anything we can do. Finn said Aiden is sedated and resting comfortably. With the weather the way it is, waiting really is the best choice.”
The room fell silent. I understood that. We didn’t know anything, so we couldn’t talk about what had happened, and it seemed sort of strange to make chitchat. I hoped Siobhan got here soon. Of all the Harts, she seemed to be the best at knowing exactly what to say. Fortunately, we didn’t have long to wait; she arrived shortly after Cody and I did.
“I spoke to Finn again,” she began. “Aiden’s going to be fine. His car is pretty much totaled, but he managed to come away with nothing more serious than a broken leg and a sprained wrist.”
“So nothing life threatening?” Mom asked.
“Nothing life threatening,” Siobhan confirmed. “Finn said Aiden will be released tomorrow, as long as he has somewhere to go where he can get help.”
“He’ll come here,” Maggie spoke up. “I have plenty of room, and there will be lots of folks to help out.”
“I thought you’d feel that way and so did Finn, so he arranged to have the hospital call him when Aiden’s ready to be released. He’ll pick him up and bring him here.”
I could feel the tension in the room dissipate as everyone began to discuss which room to put Aiden in. We all agreed it should be one of the rooms on the first floor with its own bath. I had a feeling poor Aiden was going to be mothered to death with Mom and Maggie both here, but he’d been on his own for a while now, so perhaps he wouldn’t mind.
Chapter 2
Thursday, December 14
When Cody and I arrived at the warehouse we found twelve people living inside. My heart ached for these people who had been forced to live in such a cold and dismal place. The group had built a small fire in the center and set up individual sleeping areas around it. The space was somewhat stuffy, but there were air vents along the roofline that took care of most of the smoke.
We explained we weren’t there to hassle them but to help them find alternate housing because the new owner was going to kick them out. I could see by the looks on their faces that they were leery of us, but they seemed willing to listen, so Cody began to outline a plan to help everyone relocate and, hopefully, get a new start in life.
Two of the men, who both appeared middle-aged and street-worn, said they didn’t need help from anyone, although they wouldn’t mind a few bucks to see them through. It seemed obvious they’d lived on the streets for a long time and did so by choice, so Cody gave them each forty dollars. Once they had what I suspected would be drinking money, they gathered their things and headed out.
Which left ten.
“You know they’re just going to convert that cash into alcohol,” one of the women pointed out.
“I suspect they will,” Cody answered. “But the cash was a gift, and how they use it is up to them. How about you? What’s your situation?”
She looked hesitant but finally answered. “I lost my job a few months ago and couldn’t pay my rent, so I got kicked out. I’ve been looking, but there are no jobs on the island. I’m a hard worker who’s used to taking care of myself. I don’t need a handout; I need a job. What I really need is for someone to look past the stringy hair and dirty clothes and take a chance on me.”
Cody took out a notepad and pen. “Sounds reasonable. What’s your name?”
“Isabelle,” the dark-haired, dark-eyed woman answered.
“Okay, Isabelle, if I could find you a job and housing somewhere other than Madrona Island, would you take it?”
“I would.”
Cody looked directly at her, as if trying to size her up and form his own opinion. “Can you give me an idea of the sort of jobs you’re qualified for?”
Isabelle crossed her arms over her chest. “I’ve waited tables in the past. I’m a good cook and I’m good with kids. I’d love to work in a child care center, but there’s no way anyone is going to let someone like me around a bunch of kids.”
“Do you have a criminal record?”
Isabelle shook her head. “Not so much as a parking ticket. And I don’t drink or do drugs. I just had a run of bad luck.”
Cody smiled and gave her one of the vouchers we’d arranged for prior to arriving at the warehouse. “Give me a couple of days to see what I can find for you. In the meantime, I’ve rented you a room at the Madrona Motor Inn through the weekend. If you’re willing to hang out there for a few days, I think I can come through with a job and temporary housing.”
Her entire face lit up. “Really? That’s great. I haven’t had a shower in a month. Thank you so much.”
“Cait and I are more than happy to help.” Cody turned and glanced at Danny, who’d brought his truck and come to help us. “Danny will give you a ride to the motor inn, if you want to get your stuff together. The motor inn has a laundromat, and I’ve arranged for you to be supplied with tokens for the machines.”
“Thank you again. You’re so kind.”
Isabelle followed Danny out to his truck, which left nine.
“How about us?” asked a man who looked like he’d lost his last dr
op of hope. “Me, my wife, and our four kids, have been on the street since the fishing tours shut down for the winter. We need a new start and would be willing to relocate.”
Cody turned to him. “Like I said to Isabelle, I’ll need a few days, but if you don’t mind squeezing the family into a room with two queen beds plus a portable bed for a few days, I have a room at the motor inn for you as well. What’s your name?”
“Sam.”
“Okay, Sam. Tell me a bit about yourself.”
“I came to the island to work on a fishing charter. My youngest has been sick, so even though I made okay money we weren’t able to put anything away for the off-season. We got behind on our rent and the landlord told me he had to find a tenant who could pay. I’ve been looking for a job, but there hasn’t been anything I’m qualified to do right now.”
“And what are you qualified for?” Cody asked.
“Other than the fishing boat, I’ve worked construction and padded my income with some handyman work. I’ve worked in a warehouse and as a dishwasher. I can work a forklift and will work any hours.”
Cody handed Sam a voucher. “I’ll see what I can do. Get your stuff together and I’ll have Danny take you over to the motor inn as soon as he gets back from dropping off Isabelle.”
And then there were three.
“So, what’s your story?” Cody asked a kid who looked to be no older than eighteen or nineteen.
At first I thought he was going to refuse to answer. He seemed to have a chip on his shoulder, and I wasn’t certain he’d be open to Cody’s brand of disciplined and organized help. I half-expected him to say something rude and leave, but instead he began to speak. “My name is Bobby. I got into some trouble and my parents kicked me out. Got a temp job on a fishing boat that traveled between here and Alaska, but the job’s over, so here I am.”
“How did you like working on the fishing boat?” Cody asked him.
The kid shrugged. “It was okay but not really my thing. What I’d really like to do is head down to San Francisco. I feel like I would fit in there, if you know what I mean.”