by Mary Carter
“I need to make my Christmas presents,” Brittany said.
“Now there’s something we could do,” Hope said. “We could all make each other’s presents this year.”
“Great,” Josh said. “Just another way to ruin Christmas.” Tears came to Hope’s eyes, but she quickly hid them.
“What is it you would rather have for Christmas?” Austin asked Josh.
“A faithful mother,” he replied.
“You told him?” Charlie said. Up until now she had been helping Brittany sort through the gift she brought her, a jewelry-making kit. It was actually quite an appropriate present for Brittany. It was still so weird to think of Faith being with another woman, but in another way it all seemed to fit. They heard the sound of a car horn. Faith leaned in and whispered in Charlie’s ear. A strange buzzing sound soon rang out.
“Someone is at the gate,” Austin said.
“Dad!” Josh said.
“It could be Grandma Carla,” Joy said. At the mention of her mother, Hope’s head snapped to the outside window. Roger wasn’t anywhere in sight. They had to tell Joy about Roger, then confront Yvette before Blizzard Carla barreled through.
“Stephen’s coming?” Charlie said. The panic was obvious in her voice.
“We have to get you out of here,” Faith said.
Josh suddenly lasered in on Charlie while Austin went to see who was at the gate. “What did you say your name was?”
“Ms. Gates,” Faith interrupted. “You can call her Ms. Gates.” Charlie tried to smile, but she looked slightly deranged. Josh’s eyes narrowed, but then he tossed it off and made a beeline out the door.
“Coat, coat, coat,” Faith yelled after him.
“Faith,” Hope said. “We have to talk.”
“Kind of busy right now,” Faith said. “Thanks to you.”
“It’s not my fault.”
“I told you I didn’t want them to go sledding.”
“We need to talk in private.”
Faith shook her head. “You’re always trying to control things,” she said.
“Me?” Hope said. “Me?”
“Who else?”
“Uh, hello pot, it’s me, kettle.”
“Whatever.”
Austin stepped up. He kept his voice firm but low. “We’re concerned about Josh,” he said.
“Excuse me?” Faith’s eyes flashed. She was furious. “Just what the hell gives you the right to say that to me?”
“What’s going on out here?” Yvette emerged from the bedroom. Poor woman. Their arrival had brought nothing but stress.
“Austin works at a suicide prevention center,” Hope said.
“So?” Faith said.
“That’s what I meant by we’re concerned about Josh,” Austin said.
Faith’s mouth clamped shut at first. “He told you?” She closed her eyes. “I’m surprised. He said he didn’t mean it. The cuts weren’t deep enough to do any real damage.”
“He tried to kill himself,” Hope said. So that’s what the “hide the knives” comment had been about after all.
“Isn’t that what you’re referring to?”
“He called Austin’s hotline,” Hope said. “Just a few days ago.”
“What?” Anger was back in Faith’s voice. “And you’re just telling me now?”
“He actually called my cell or I wouldn’t have been able to tell you at all. Even now I’m betraying a confidence. But I thought you should know.”
“Of course I should know. I’m his mother.”
“I don’t think he’s in the planning stage, or at least I didn’t—but I had no idea he’d attempted it before.”
“There’s something else,” Hope said.
“You’d better tell me everything.”
“He purposefully rammed into our sled.”
“What?” Faith headed for the door. “He’s not getting away with this.”
“Wait,” Hope said. “I don’t think he meant to hurt anyone. But he was being a bit reckless.”
“I’ll handle it,” Faith said.
“Let’s think everything through,” Austin said.
“Here you are again, telling me how to parent my own son.”
“I had a brother,” Austin said. “He committed suicide when he was just a year older than Josh.”
Faith stared at him. “I’m sorry,” she said.
“I’m not trying to tell you how to parent. But I do think this is a critical time. I think you and your husband need to figure out a plan, and have a united front.”
Faith nodded. “I’m going to see if that’s him at the gate,” she said. Faith left. Charlie was soon at Hope’s side.
“If that’s Stephen I should leave,” she said.
Hope turned to Charlie. “I’m not trying to be rude. You seem very nice. And thank you for the cookies. So good. But I think you should leave either way. It’s just not a good time.”
“I think I’ll let Faith tell me when she wants me to leave,” Charlie said.
“Aunt Hope?” Brittany called. Hope hurried over to Brittany.
“I’m sorry you had to hear that,” Hope said. “I was trying to get your mom somewhere private.”
“I’m glad you told her. I’ve been worried about him too. I don’t want to lose my brother.” Brittany began to sob.
Hope tried to comfort Brittany. She put her arms around her and made soothing noises. Austin plugged in the tree and put on Bing Crosby. Hope glanced over to see what Yvette was doing. She’d almost forgotten she’d come into the room. She was nowhere to be seen. Had she gone back to bed? Hope wouldn’t blame her. She’d like to go back to bed. Charlie was planted at the kitchen island; so much for getting out of here. The gate swung open and a red car pulled in.
“That’s Dad!” Brittany said.
“Would you like to become acquainted with the back door?” Hope said to Charlie.
“I can give you a ride back to your hotel,” Austin said. Charlie nodded, slipped off the stool, and headed for the back door.
“He’ll find out she was here anyway,” Hope said. “Let her stay. I think today we should get all secrets out in the open.”
“What secrets?” Yvette barked from behind.
Charlie is Faith’s lover, Josh is suicidal, and Roger is our father, Hope wanted to shout.
“Yes, what secrets?” Joy said. She and Harrison had just come in the back door. Hope hadn’t even heard them leave.
“Where have you been?” Hope said.
“Nowhere,” Joy said. She said it fast.
A little too fast.
CHAPTER 32
Hope studied Joy. She definitely looked guilty. Like she’d been caught doing something. A dozen instances of Joy sporting that look flashed through Hope’s mind. Sneaking into the fridge late at night. Getting into the presents before Christmas. The first time the cops caught her shoplifting and brought her home in the cruiser. What was she up to now? “Did you see Roger while you were out there?” Hope asked.
“Why are you suddenly fixated on Roger?” Joy asked.
“What about Roger?” Yvette said.
“You know what we all need?” Harrison said. “A snowball fight. What do you say, Mrs. G?”
“You’d be surprised,” Yvette said. “I still have two good arms.” The door opened and Stephen walked in, Josh literally hanging on his coattails.
“Hello, everyone,” Stephen said. Hope was struck by what a handsome man he was. Young-looking for his age, with all his hair. He’d find someone else, she thought. This was going to be the hardest on the kids.
“Dad!” Brittany yelled.
“Pumpkin,” Stephen said. He dumped his suitcase and headed over to Brittany, Josh still on his tail. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m so sorry.”
“She’s okay,” Josh said.
“I’m okay,” Brittany echoed.
“I think she likes it,” Josh said.
“Not really,” Brittany said.
“Well, we’re going to spoil you,” S
tephen said. “Who wants cookies?”
“Me!” Brittany said.
“They haven’t even had dinner,” Faith said.
“Cookies for dinner,” Stephen said. He kissed Brittany, ruffled her hair, then approached Yvette and introduced himself.
“I’m sorry my granddaughter is leaving you,” Yvette said after they shook hands. “You seem like a nice man.”
Hope could tell Stephen was taken aback by the comment, but he managed to smile. “We’ll get through it.” He glanced at Charlie sitting at the kitchen island. “I’m sorry. You are?” Charlie stood still, wide-eyed, as if no one would be able to see her if she didn’t move a muscle. Then, her eyes slid to Faith.
“That’s Hope’s friend, Jackie,” Faith said haltingly, just like someone improvising on the spot would do. “From the shelter.”
“Hello, Hope’s friend Jackie,” Stephen said.
“I thought you said her name was Charlotte,” Josh said. “And you’re the one who brought her here—she’s your friend.” Maybe Josh was actually the healthiest of all of them; at least he was the one speaking the truth.
“Charlotte?” Stephen said. “You’re Charlotte?” He over-pronounced her name, then turned to Faith with a withering look, then glanced at Charlie again. “I didn’t recognize you.” His look clearly finished the sentence. With your clothes on.
“I’m sorry,” Faith said. “She just showed up. I swear.”
“It’s true,” Charlie said. “I did. But I’m here now and everyone knows.”
“Great,” Stephen said. “That’s just great.”
“Everyone knows what?” Josh said.
“That she’s my friend,” Faith said. “Everyone knows she’s my friend.”
“Why was it a secret in the first place?” Josh asked. “Why did you tell Dad she was Hope’s friend?”
“I just didn’t want him to think I was spending time with my friend and ignoring you guys,” Faith said.
“You’re spending time on your phone and ignoring us,” Josh said.
“Well, we’re all here now, so why don’t we do something fun?” Hope said.
“We’re inviting the whole town here for a big Christmas celebration,” Brittany said. “I wish I could show you the whole place.”
“I can get the carriage out,” Austin said. “Pull you around in it.”
“I won’t be too heavy?” Brittany said.
“We could pull you around in a sled,” Josh said.
“You won’t be too heavy at all,” Austin said.
“Would you like that, Dad?” Brittany said.
“She has to leave,” Stephen said, pointing at Charlie.
“Fine,” Charlie said. “I’ll go back to the hotel.”
“No,” Stephen said. “You’ll crawl back to wherever it is you came from.”
“Stephen!” Faith cried.
“What’s going on?” Josh said.
“You can’t tell me where to go,” Charlie said.
“Let’s get the carriage and get Brittany and Josh out of here,” Hope said.
“Brittany, Josh?” Austin said. “Would you like to see my cabin?”
“Yes,” Brittany said.
Josh shrugged, which in his book was a resounding yes.
“You two will have to help me pull the carriage,” Austin said. “You up for that?”
“I’m going to the cabin to give Roger his dinner,” Yvette said.
Joy and Harrison snuck a look at each other, then dashed up the stairs the minute Yvette was out the door. A few seconds later they all heard Joy’s bedroom door slam.
“We’ll let you three have some privacy,” Hope said, glancing at Faith, Charlie, and Stephen.
“You guys are weird,” Josh said. He really wasn’t putting it together and for that Hope was grateful. “Totally weird,” Josh added.
“I’d hardly call that a newsflash,” Hope said.
* * *
The carriage was a two-seater with giant wheels. Austin held Brittany in his arms while Josh and Hope dragged it out into the snow. Then Austin laid Brittany in the seat while Hope and Josh held the metal posts that would have attached to a cart led by a horse. “Just a sec,” Austin said. He went back into the barn, then came out carrying a box.
“What’s that?” Brittany asked.
“My place doesn’t have any Christmas decorations,” Austin said. “I thought you guys could help remedy that.” Brittany clapped her hands, Josh rolled his eyes.
“Why don’t you get in next to Brittany,” Austin said to Josh. “Hope and I will pull first.”
“Are you strong enough?” Josh asked Hope, raising an eyebrow.
“We’re going to find out,” Hope said. Austin winked and Josh took a seat next to Brittany. Austin and Hope each picked up a handle and then began to pull the carriage toward Austin’s house.
“Mush!” Josh said.
“Hush,” Hope answered. Brittany’s laughter rang out through the darkening sky. Even with a broken leg she was the cheeriest of them all. Pulling the carriage took a lot of concentration, and halfway there Hope was sweating through her down coat. Now this was a workout. Soon they were crossing onto Austin’s property. Once they passed through a small section of trees, Hope could see the cabin just ahead. It was about the size of Roger’s cabin.
“Looks small,” Josh said.
“It will be easy to decorate,” Austin said.
“Why doesn’t my father like Charlotte?” Josh said.
“I like her,” Brittany said. “She’s nice. And pretty.”
Hope ignored the question. What could she say? Because she’s named after a spider and your father is an arachnophobe . . . ? She wasn’t going to be the one to out her sister to her children.
Austin kept quiet too. “We made it,” he said as they came alongside the cabin. Hope set her side of the carriage down, her arms were killing her. Austin dropped his side just as the kids were starting to slide across the seat.
“Sorry,” Hope said.
Austin laughed. “Let me unlock and open the door and then I’ll come get you,” he said to Brittany. Josh hopped off the sled and picked up the box of Christmas decorations. Austin unlocked his cabin and flipped on a light. Despite its small size, it was very tidy and well decorated. He had a leather sofa and chair facing a rustic slate coffee table, a red wood burning stove, stainless-steel appliances, a pine table in the kitchen painted green with matching chairs, and a tan shag throw rug in the living room. Lastly there was a nook with a computer and chair. The door to the bedroom was closed. He hurried out after Brittany as Josh and Hope took in the space. When he returned he laid her out on the sofa.
“You can tell us where to put everything,” he said with a wink. He closed the door and immediately set to building a fire in the stove.
“This smells better than Roger’s cabin,” Josh said. Austin laughed and set the box of decorations on the coffee table in front of Brittany. She pulled out a string of lights first.
“Where shall we put these?” Austin asked. Brittany pointed to the set of windows across from the sofa, facing the property. “Perfect,” Austin said.
“We need a little tree,” Brittany said.
“A Charlie Brown tree,” Josh said.
“I love Charlie Brown trees,” Austin said. He handed one side of the lights to Josh and headed for the windows. “Can you bring me a chair?” he asked Hope. She removed one of the kitchen chairs and brought it to him. Austin positioned it near the window, stood, and looped his side of the lights over a nail.
“Why do you have a nail there?” Josh said.
“There’s one on your side too,” Austin said. “Failed curtain project.” He slid the chair over to Josh. Josh stood and even though he had to stand on tiptoe and reach, he managed to loop his side above the window as well. It hung halfway down. Austin removed a brown extension cord from a drawer in the kitchen, then plugged in the lights. They lit up immediately, twinkling against the top portions of the wind
owpane.
“Beautiful,” Brittany said.
“She’s easily amused,” Josh said.
“Then I am too,” Hope said. “It is beautiful.” She wondered if Austin had ever decorated his cabin for Christmas before now. Given what she knew about his brother, the answer was probably a resounding no. He was doing this for the kids. He was a good man. She hoped it wouldn’t be too painful for him.
Austin grinned. “What’s next?” he said to Brittany. She reached in the box and began pulling out items. A big red bow, a pinecone wreath, and a pair of ceramic chipmunks wearing Santa outfits. Hope spotted a radio on the kitchen counter.
“Do you mind?” she asked Austin, as she pointed at it.
“You read my mind,” he said. “I could also make popcorn, and I think I have a few sodas.”
“Popcorn!” Brittany said.
He winked, turned the radio on, and fiddled with it until he found Christmas tunes, then took a large pot out from the cabinets. “Can you guys handle the rest of the decorating?”
“Thanks to all these nails you have in the walls, we’re set,” Hope said. She tied the bow to the pinecone wreath and found a nail hanging on the door. It was so simple, but it really did bring the place to life. Josh was holding a chipmunk in each hand.
“Where do you want these?” he said to Brittany. She squinted and began concentrating on every inch of the cabin. Hope was prepared for Josh to lose his patience, but to her relief, he gave Brittany time and space to decide.
“One near the woodstove,” she said. Josh nodded and placed a chipmunk near the woodstove.
“The other on the kitchen counter next to the toaster,” she said. Josh followed suit. Brittany found a silver rope of tinsel in the box.
“Uh-oh,” Austin said. “Now we’re getting crazy.”
“ ’Tis the season for crazy,” Hope said.
Josh put the tinsel around Brittany’s neck. “You’re the Queen of Christmas,” he said. She giggled.
“I like it there,” Austin said. “As long as you take it with you.” He winked at Brittany, then poured oil into the pot and turned the burner up. Next he pulled a tin toward him and opened it, revealing popcorn kernels filled to the brim.
“Nice,” Hope said. He grinned. God, she loved his smile. Just like the landscape of Leavenworth, Washington, Austin Rhodes had such a pure and natural essence about him. Simple, yet powerful. A girl could get used to both—the place and most definitely the person. How many bachelors keep popcorn in a tin? She loved it.