by Carol Voss
At dinner last night, Hope hadn’t been as excited as Joey was about their staying here, but she’d seemed okay with it. Had she just been hesitant to object? Or had she changed her mind?
Alyssa needed to talk to Ben about his daughter’s concerns. Perhaps she and her boys would be moving to Eau Claire after all.
* * *
Coop looked up from the large roast he was searing to see Alyssa, standing in the early-morning light with the baby in her arms. A beautiful picture. But the pinched tension around her eyes caught his attention. “Sleep well?”
“You agreed to let me cook.”
“Wait a minute. Not breakfast, remember?”
She looked startled to realize he had guests.
“You remember Max and Liz Chandler, the EMTs the other night?” Coop reminded.
“Of course. Thank you so much for your help.”
“You’re very welcome,” Max and Liz said in unison.
“Where’s Joey?” Alyssa asked.
“He and Digger and Hope are building a snowman,” Coop answered. “He ate a quick breakfast first, though.”
“Hope told me. Doesn’t she have to leave soon for school?”
Definitely an edge in her voice. The stress of the past few days must be catching up to her. “School’s closed. Everything’s closed. We had two feet of snow last night. We’re officially snowed in.”
“Oh. It seems too early for that much snow.”
“It happens. More often than you might think.” Coop turned the large roast and smiled at the baby. “Morning, Robbie.”
The little guy gave him a sober stare.
“He’s not sure about me yet. I remember Hope at that age. Wouldn’t let anybody near her but her mother.” He poured a mug of coffee and set it on the island for Alyssa. Maybe a jolt of caffeine would help her feel better.
She shook her head. “Please don’t wait on me, okay?”
He frowned. She really was tense this morning.
Max raised his coffee mug to greet Alyssa. “We lost power, so we rode our snowmobile over. Coop’s good enough to share his generator.”
“We seldom lose power in town, but we did this time.” Liz climbed off her stool and chucked Robbie on the cheek. “He looks the picture of health.”
“He’s doing fine.” Alyssa laid him in his carrier on the table and strapped him in.
“We don’t have many fires,” Liz went on. “I wish the ones we did have all turned out as well as yours. Coop says you and the boys will be staying with him while Tony gets your cottage ready.”
“Yes.” Alyssa threw a glance Coop’s way.
He hoped she wasn’t worrying they’d think she was a charity case. Where had she gotten that idea anyway? No question in his mind, asking her to stay had been the right thing to do. It had been the only thing under the circumstances. “Hungry?”
“You’re waiting on me again.” Looking as grumpy as she sounded, Alyssa settled on a stool at the counter and reached for the coffee he’d put there.
He couldn’t wait for her to drink it. Caffeine always helped. “Well, breakfast’s in the warming oven whenever you’re ready for it.”
Maybe, while they were talking about food... “I’ll be very grateful if you give Hope some pointers on cooking. I’ve tried, but she says I’m too bossy.”
Her eyebrows arched, and she let out a little laugh. “Too bossy?”
“She could have a point about that, Coop,” Max said with a grin. “I mean you do seem to think you can single-handedly fix any problem the Reclamation Committee—”
“Okay, okay.” Coop smiled at Alyssa, hoping she didn’t see him as a total dictator. “It would really help me out.”
“I’d love to teach her a few simple recipes. But have you run the idea by her?”
“She’ll love it.”
Alyssa frowned. “Maybe you should ask her first.”
What was the problem?
“She’s right, Coop,” Liz said. “Hope’s twelve. By that age, Jess and Clarissa expected to be consulted about things.”
“It made for a much happier home,” Max chipped in.
He’d heard enough from Max. Coop removed the large roast from the heat and placed it in the oven. “If Hope wants something, she isn’t shy about telling me.”
“Provided she knows what she wants.” Max contributed. “One day, the twins were blurting out whatever came into their minds. Seemed like overnight, they turned into silent land mines. If I hadn’t had Liz to guide me, I would have been lost.”
“Land mines? Thanks, Max. That makes me feel a lot better.”
Everybody laughed.
“Liz, I thought you looked familiar,” Alyssa said. “I just put it together. I remember playing with Jessie and Clarissa in the summers.”
Liz nodded. “You had a great time together.”
“Yes, we did.” Alyssa turned to Coop. “May I talk with you for a few minutes?”
“Sure.” Maybe she’d tell him what was bothering her. He glanced at Liz and Max. “Help yourselves to more coffee.”
Alyssa led the way into the great room and crossed to the fireplace before she turned to face him. “I don’t think Hope is happy about our staying with you.”
“Are you kidding? She was fine with it at supper last night.”
“Everything seemed all right then.” She frowned. “But this morning she came to my room. After we got to know each other a bit, she warned me not to hurt you.”
What? If Hope was concerned, why hadn’t she talked to him instead of Alyssa? “I’m sorry. I’ll talk to her.”
“I don’t want her to be unhappy about our being here.”
He shook his head. “I don’t think she is.”
“I can look for a place in Eau Claire tomorrow.”
“There’s no need to remake that decision. I’ll talk to Hope as soon as I get a chance. She’ll be fine.”
Roaring snowmobiles and shouts erupted outside.
“Sounds like the others are arriving,” Coop said.
“Others?”
Oops. He hadn’t told her. “Everybody’s snowed in and without power, some with no generators to stay warm. So we decided to hold an impromptu Reclamation Committee meeting. Will you join us?”
The look of surprise on her face told him a houseful of people might not be the best way to welcome her. But there wasn’t much he could do to change the weather. On the plus side, she could use some cheering up. And she’d never meet a friendlier bunch of people.
* * *
The last thing Alyssa was up for this morning was a social event. She walked into the kitchen beside Ben and settled on a stool next to Liz.
It looked as if she and the boys would be staying here, at least for now. Who knew what might change after Ben talked to his daughter?
She liked that he’d asked her to teach Hope to cook, as long as it was okay with Hope. Definitely not a sure thing, but maybe Ben would work it out with his daughter.
Clearly she wouldn’t be spending a productive day organizing and cleaning as she’d planned. Instead, she’d be meeting new people. She could do that. After all, this was Ben’s home. And it was up to her to go with the flow and look for ways to help out. The back door opened, closed.
“We’re here,” a woman’s voice announced from the laundry room. Cheeks rosy, a woman who looked a lot like a chunkier version of EMT Liz walked in, followed by a heavyset man with mirth written all over him.
“Oh, look at the darling baby.” The woman paused to admire Robbie, then continued her march into the kitchen. “Coop, you must have been plowing all night by the looks of the neighborhood.”
“Several of us were out there having fun,” Ben said. “It is the first snow of the season. Plowing
snow next March or April? A whole different story. Alyssa, meet Lou and Harold. Lou is the force of nature I told you about. She’s also Liz’s sister. And her husband Harold is the troublemaker in the group,” Ben joked.
“Troublemaker?” Harold feigned chagrin. “Don’t believe him for a minute.”
Alyssa smiled. “Glad to meet you.”
“Welcome to Rainbow Lake,” Harold said.
“We met Joey outside. He’s adorable.” Lou stuck her hand out to shake Alyssa’s firmly, then strode behind the center island, took two mugs from the cupboard and poured coffee.
Alyssa could have offered her coffee, but Lou seemed to know her way around Ben’s kitchen a lot better than Alyssa did.
Harold grasped one of the coffees from his wife. “Joey and Hope are building a family of snowmen out there. I expect a visit soon for carrots and charcoal to give their family personality.”
Alyssa was sure Harold’s blue eyes actually twinkled.
“I hear there’s a party going on.” Tony’s deep voice boomed from the laundry room.
“About time the Stefanos got here,” EMT Max said. “We’ve already made all the decisions without you.”
“Then we can get down to eating right away.” Tony strode into the room, a large roaster in his hands.
Lou the force bustled to take the roaster from him. “Let me put that in one of Coop’s fancy ovens to keep it hot. Smells like your nonna’s spaghetti and meatballs.”
“Good nose,” Tony affirmed. “Alyssa, meet my lovely wife, Maggie, and our Christmas bundle of joy.” Tony beamed at the petite, very pregnant redhead as if he couldn’t be prouder or more in love.
“Christmas can’t come soon enough.” Maggie patted her round belly. “Nice to meet you, Alyssa.”
“You, too, Maggie. Your mums are beautiful.” Alyssa motioned to the vase of flowers on the island.
“So glad you like them,” Maggie said.
But hadn’t Tony mentioned a daughter? “Is Christa outside?”
“We wish,” Maggie said sadly.
Tony put his arm around his wife. “Christa lives with her adoptive mother much of the time. Thankfully, we were reunited with our daughter just last year.”
Alyssa was thrilled for the couple. “What an amazing day that must have been.”
“Happiest day of our lives.” Giving Maggie a squeeze, Tony waved an all-encompassing hand at two people filing into the room. “My grandmother, Stella Stefano. And the last shall be first, Pastor Nick.”
Smiling, Alyssa raised her hand to the twosome who also carried food. Stately Stella Stefano, the older Italian woman who had frightened her a little when she was a child. And Pastor Nick, an athletic-looking man who seemed too young to be a pastor.
Hopefully, her system to remember her father’s and husband’s political supporters would help her keep track of who everybody was. EMT Liz and Max; Lou the force and troublemaker Harold; pregnant Maggie and Tony; stately Stella Stefano and of course, Pastor Nick.
A few others arrived, people chatting as they drifted into Ben’s living room. Alyssa asked EMT Liz to keep an eye on Robbie and ducked outside to check on Joey. Exclaiming over the snow family he and Hope were building, she was surprised how much the temperature had dropped since last night.
She hurried into the warm kitchen filled with smells of delicious, homemade cooking as Zebadiah Krentz and his old house popped into mind. “Ben, do you think Zebadiah Krentz has a generator?”
“Probably. He’s been through a lot of winters here.”
“I saw a phone on his counter. How can I get his number?”
“He hasn’t answered his phone in years,” Lou said.
“He pulled me out of the ditch last night when I slid off the road. I can’t help worrying about him.”
“I’ll run over there and make sure he’s safe.” Ben strode for the laundry room. “Lou, go ahead with the meeting. I won’t be long.”
“I’ll go.” Alyssa followed him. She certainly hadn’t meant to give him something else to do.
He was already putting on his jacket. “The plows probably haven’t gotten to his road yet. My truck can handle it. Be right back.” He hurried out the door.
She pressed her fingers to her forehead. Just in case Ben didn’t have enough to do, she’d just given him something else? Of course, if Zebadiah didn’t have heat, it would be worth it.
She took Robbie upstairs to feed him and put him down for his nap, then walked into the kitchen just as Ben strode in from the laundry room. “You’re back.”
“Stubborn old coot wouldn’t come to the door. I saw his curtain move, so I know he could have answered.”
“I didn’t mean to give you another job.”
“I’m glad you thought about him. But we can’t help him if he won’t let me in. You joining the meeting? We could use a fresh perspective.”
She didn’t know if she’d have anything to contribute, but she owed it to Ben to try. She walked into the living room with him.
Hope and Joey played on the computer in one corner of the room, a tired Digger sprawled at her son’s feet. Everybody else lounged in a group around Lou the force writing on a pad on the couch.
“Coop, any more businesses to contribute since the mailing?” a man in the back asked.
“Afraid not.” Ben grabbed a chair and offered it to Alyssa.
“Thanks,” she murmured, his thoughtfulness making her feel a little self-conscious.
“Must we go back to the same people who helped us buy the building?” stately Stella asked.
“They have a stake in finishing the project, too,” EMT Max asserted. “But we need a broader base. Who else can we go to?”
People shook their heads. Nobody seemed to have an answer.
“Have you checked into getting government assistance for nonprofits?” Alyssa asked tentatively.
“You mean through HUD or TIF extensions?” Tony asked.
She nodded.
Tony frowned. “I’ve searched high and low for help for nonprofits, but we don’t meet all of the criteria. So I haven’t been able to find help we qualify for.”
Alyssa tried to think of possible private funding sources.
“Do you think people would get more involved if they got something for their money?” Ben asked.
Maggie frowned. “Like what?”
Again, people shook their heads with no answer.
Alyssa couldn’t help being curious. “What did you do to raise funds to buy the Burkhalter Building in the first place?”
“We held several fund drives over the years, asking area churches and businesses and townsfolk to contribute to our cause,” Lou the force explained. “We finally ended up with enough contributions to buy the Burkhalter Building. The problem is, we need more money to get the apartments ready to rent out.”
“Have you considered doing a major fund-raiser?” Alyssa asked.
“Fund-raisers take time and are a lot of work,” troublemaker Harold chipped in.
“Yes,” Alyssa agreed, “but a fund-raiser would give people who have never thought about the housing shortage the opportunity to get involved.”
“That’s good.” Ben rubbed his jaw. “So our need is their opportunity to help.”
He was definitely on the same wavelength as she was. “Isn’t it?”
The group thought about it with furrowed brows.
“Problem is, I need supplies while building is slow for the winter,” Tony reminded. “A fund-raiser would take time and planning we can’t afford.”
“Yeah,” troublemaker Harold said. “If we wait too long, Tony will be back in his busy season.”
“Christmas isn’t far away,” EMT Liz offered. “Many women don’t have time to bake these days. Maybe they�
�d appreciate a bake sale?”
“We could throw in a silent auction along with the bake sale,” Lou suggested. “I’m nearly finished with the quilt I’m working on.”
“I can make some kids’ toys,” Max said. “The ones Sarah sells for me at her gift shop bring in more than you might imagine.”
Ben looked as if he was adding the ideas up in his head and could see the money still wasn’t there.
And he was right. But Alyssa had something to contribute after all: experience and insights. “These are great ideas, but they involve products that take time to make. What about adding the things you’ve mentioned to something bigger? Maybe a tour of the historical homes in the area?”
“I think that might appeal to people in the upscale neighborhoods,” Maggie said.
“I don’t know,” Lou said. “Most historic homes aren’t in the best shape, and people who live in them are quite elderly. I doubt they’d feel comfortable letting strangers wander through.”
“What about one newly restored Victorian?” Stella Stefano asked. “If Anthony and Maggie agree, I would be proud to have people tour our home.”
Maggie beamed at the older woman. “That’s a wonderful idea, Stella.”
“It will appeal to everybody,” Liz interjected. “Even people who know the Stefanos and the history of their home are probably curious to see the inside.”
“What about a horse-drawn sleigh ride from town to the Stefano Victorian?” Harold ventured.
“A sleigh ride would be phenomenal,” Alyssa said. “I’ve never been on one.”
“I could go wild with Christmas decor,” Maggie said. “We could sell holiday centerpieces and floral arrangements and include others in the silent auction along with Lou’s quilt and Max’s wooden toys.”
“Don’t get too carried away,” Tony cautioned. “You do have to get a nursery ready before Christmas. And deliver a baby.”
“That’s true,” Maggie admitted. “Alyssa, how soon do you think we could get a fund-raiser together? Obviously, the sooner the better for me.”
“People step up planning for Christmas right after Thanksgiving,” Alyssa answered. “If you get advertising out immediately, the Saturday after Thanksgiving would be perfect.”