“The home’s a good place, Mike. These are kids who still have a parent but for various reasons the parent can’t provide for the kids. Still, they’re not eligible for adoption.”
“Not like us, huh?”
He shook his head, wishing he could wipe away the memory of their cold and colorless childhood. “These children appear happy and well-adjusted. To be truthful, there are a couple of tough-sells, but they’ll come around. Suzi’s good at her job as child psychologist. The kids know she genuinely cares.”
Mikes expression turned somber. “We sure never saw a person like her. Just grumpy ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad’ Appleton. How I hated having to call them that when they weren’t much like parents.”
“Nope, it was strictly ‘fend for ourselves’ at their place. At least we stayed together. I was scared spitless we’d be separated and I’d lose touch with you.”
“Me, too. Used to give me nightmares, but you know that. Now I’m afraid that I’ll lose you again at Christmas. At least this time I’ll have a chance to say goodbye.”
Maybe Jacob should call Gabriel and ask his advice. Thoughts of farewell were too painful to consider. Jacob needed time alone to think about what he’d done by coming here. How could a reunion be so painful?
He knew the answer—because being here was temporary. He’d leave Mike in just over three weeks to go through loss again. Coming here had been a bad, bad idea.
He should have never let his brother see him. He’d known Mike would be working at this hour. But, he’d had no suspicion his brother would recognize him if he caught a glimpse of Jacob.
He stood. “Getting late. Guess I’d better get home and hit the sack. You should do the same and rest those baby blues.”
“Still bossy, I see. Before you leave, give me your contact information.”
Jacob pulled out his cell phone and read the number to Mike and gave him his apartment and the school addresses.
“My guess is you’re not in a Lamborghini this time.”
He smiled at his kid brother and shrugged one shoulder. “Ten year old Dodge Ram. Runs like a new truck.”
His brother laughed. “I can’t even picture you in that.”
He clapped Mike on the shoulder. “If I’d listened to you, there wouldn’t have been a crash. I got too cocky and believed my success gave me privileges instead of responsibilities. You were right to caution me.” He pressed the elevator button and the doors opened.
As if desperate, Mike grabbed Jacob’s arm and stepped into the car with him. “Look, I can say you’re a cousin I’ve just located. You can come back to your office, live in your house.”
Sadness clawed at his insides like an angry beast. “You don’t understand. What would be the point when I’m only here until Christmas Eve? Besides, I have an assignment I have to fulfill or I’m toast—and I mean literally.”
Mike shook his head. “No, I can’t lose you again. I won’t.”
“I was wrong to come here. I knew I was bending the rules, but I wanted to see you and make sure you were all right. I should have done so from afar then you’d never have known.”
“I’m thankful you came and I recognized you. I feel ten years younger than I did before I saw you tonight.”
The elevator doors opened and they stepped into the lobby. Conscious of the guard watching them, Jacob said, “Thanks for seeing me, Mr. Richison. I’ll see you again soon.” Jacob pivoted and walked toward the door.
“Goodnight, Wally.” Jacob walked into the cold night air. Seeing his brother had been wonderful, but had he created an irreparable mess?
Chapter Eight
For the first time in months, Suzi woke feeling refreshed after a good night’s sleep. After a quick shower and drying her hair, she chose her nicest slacks and sweater. Casual didn’t have to mean jeans, now did it?
Downstairs, Paddy set out breakfast. “You’re looking bright and cheerful this morning. Nice to see those dark circles fading from under your eyes.”
She took her seat and spread her napkin across her lap. “Yesterday gave me a reprieve that relieved a lot of my stress. I slept like a rock last night.”
Paddy took her seat and led the blessing. “Now, Suzi Q, I don’t want to burst your bubble, but you mustn’t count on that janitor coming through for you. You don’t know if he’s good for his word or if he’s running some sort of con game.”
She smiled lovingly at her friend and housekeeper. “I’m unbelievably encouraged, so don’t rain on my parade, Paddy. In addition to extending our loan, the banker was impressed and made an eight-thousand dollar donation. Now we have cash to use for this gala.”
Paddy pointed with her fork. “Hmm, if more money actually comes in, you make sure this Jacob doesn’t steal the whole kit and caboodle.”
Suzi dug into her scrambled eggs. “You can be assured that I intend to. Although I like him, I haven’t known him that long. So far, he’s been nothing but helpful. Oh, I’ll be late this evening. I’m meeting with the decoration committee after school then Jacob is taking me to dinner.”
“Make sure that’s all he’s taking you for. I agree that he’s charming, but I don’t trust the man.”
Holding back a laugh, Suzi asked, “Paddy, have you ever trusted a man?”
“I’ll have you know I trusted your good grandfather. Mr. Andrew was a man who kept his word and treated folks right.”
Paddy held up a hand in protest. “Not that your father wasn’t polite, mind you, but Mr. Jefferson didn’t have the same heart as your grandfather.”
“I don’t believe anyone could match Granddad for brains and kindness.” She heaved a huge sigh. “Honestly, if I survive past this gala and into January, I’ll be a happy woman. Jacob is being very helpful with the event.”
Her housekeeper narrowed her eyes. “Maybe he wants to line his pockets.”
“Oh, Paddy. I love you, but I swear you are the most skeptical person I know.” She took a last sip of her coffee then stood. “Time for me to go to work.”
Outside, she inhaled the brisk air and strolled to her office. The breeze smelled like snow. She’d love to have snow for Christmas, but definitely not for the gala.
At her office, Suzi hung up her coat and put her gloves and purse away. She anticipated with happiness her dinner date with Jacob. Not that it was a real date, of course. Was it?
Valerie bustled in with a stack of envelopes. “Lots of replies in the mail. I hope they’re from people saying they’ll attend the gala.”
“This is amazing.” Suzi picked up her letter opener and sliced open an envelope. “Yes!”
Quickly she checked the others. “All yeses.” She jumped up and danced Valerie around the office.
Her secretary laughed and pulled away. “Nice to have some positive news for a change. Also nice you found your smile.”
She pressed her hands to her pounding-with-happiness heart. “Have I been terrible?”
“Not at all. You have a lovely smile for business, but then you have this absolutely glorious one that lights your eyes when you’re as genuinely happy as you are now.”
“I can’t overemphasize how relieved I am, Valerie. We may meet our deadline. I don’t want to be the one who fails the children’s home. The children deserve to keep their place.”
Valerie offered a wide smile. “I’m optimistic for the first time in several months. I sensed something was wrong before your father passed. He became almost paranoid about keeping things secret.”
Suzie understood what her secretary meant. “I could tell he was hiding something bad, but when I asked him he denied he was. I suppose he believed he could recover before the home failed.”
Valerie patted her shoulder. “Well, now we may. Obviously, whatever you’re doing has worked.”
Suzi was spared from answering because the phone rang. People were in and out of her office all day. Valerie brought her a sandwich from the cafeteria so Suzi could work through lunch.
When time for the meeting with
the decoration committee arrived, the three teachers joined her in her office. She saw Jacob slip into Valerie’s office but didn’t believe the three teachers spotted him. With the door open, he would be able to hear their discussion.
“Have a seat. I asked you here to touch base about the decorations and to let you know there will be more tables than we’d originally thought.”
Katie Wilson smoothed a hand on her pants leg. “How many more tables?”
“There’ll be thirty-seven. We’re having great response to our invitations.”
Ainsley Carpenter, the art teacher, slumped back in her chair. “Wow, Suzi, that’s more than double what we’d thought.” She glanced at her committee members. “We’ll have to scurry.”
Suzi asked, “What had you planned for the centerpieces?”
Brandi Parker, the music teacher, said, “We thought a small amount of greenery from a Christmas tree lot and we’d place eight inexpensive Christmas tree ornaments in the center, one for each guest to take home if they wish.”
“With red ribbon woven through the greenery and red ribbon hangers for the ornaments,” Katie explained.
Brandi’s enthusiasm showed in her sparkling brown eyes. “The children’s choir will wear short white caroler robes with red bows at their throat.”
Suzi smiled and hoped she sounded diplomatic. “They’ll look adorable and you’re so good at preparing them. I’m hoping to get some professional entertainers to perform after the carolers. Do you plan to decorate the stage area?”
Katie leaned forward. “Nothing except we’ve collected tons of artificial garland to hang on the walls above head height. It’s nice and looks real. Lots of red bows, too. We have a Santa’s workshop ready for the front that David Gray built and Ainsley painted.”
Brandi crossed her arms. “What kind of professional entertainment?”
Suzi hoped the music teacher wasn’t offended. “A group to play something people can dance to. Hopefully, they’ll have a singer. I haven’t quite cemented that arrangement yet.”
Katie’s eyes rounded. “Oh, Suzi, if you haven’t found someone by now, everyone who’s good will be booked.”
“I hope not. Our gala was recently given a nice donation or we wouldn’t have had the funds to pay musicians and a singer. The windfall came late, but perhaps we can still find someone good.”
“Not Bill and Ellie, I hope.” Brandi rolled her eyes. “They would probably play for free, but they’re so hokey.”
Suzi shook her head. “No, popular music, not country western.” Suzi waved a hand. “I know country western is popular, but you understand what I mean. Rhonda with Riata is catering again and she has a dance floor to protect the gym floor. The tables will be covered with white linen and she has those nice covers for the folding chairs. She said she’ll use red and green napkins.”
Ainsley Carpenter smiled. “Thirty-seven tables are exciting but some of them will be taken up by the staff so not all will be paying. Who’s going to be Santa on Christmas Eve?”
“I don’t know.” Suzi chuckled. “Poor Dad fit the suit. I’d like to find someone who knows the kids, but that might not be possible. I want him to look authentic.”
Katie echoed her chuckle. “That suit is so convincing and almost fooled me the first year I was here.”
“Granddad had it custom made. He wanted it to look real, not like those of some department store Santas who wear what looks like red flannel.”
Brandi clapped her hands together. “Wouldn’t it be great if you could find a man who’s grown a white beard?”
“Good idea.” Suzi wrote a note to herself. “I’m sure there’s a place to hire a Santa. We’ve all come to expect Santa to look like the one in a Coca Cola® ad. That’ll be my goal, but that’s for the home Christmas party, not this one.”
Katie, the chairperson of the committee, asked, “So, with the extra tables, does that mean our budget is increased?”
“Oh, yes, I meant to tell you that first thing. As I said, we received a sizable donation and it gives us wiggle room. These decorations have to be first class—not that I think you would come up with anything less. But you must have funds to work with, and I think quadrupling your budget is in order.”
Katie smiled broadly. “You won’t be disappointed, Suzi. This place will look as fancy as the Cowtown Ball in Fort Worth.”
“If you need more money, please let me know. This is way too important to the home not to present a good impression. We may not have corporate sponsors like the Cowtown Ball or the Cattle Baron’s Ball, but we do have many wealthy people attending this year who’ve never been here before. We want to establish our gala as the premiere event of Serenity Springs this season and for years to come.”
Katie leaned forward. “I checked last night and all of our angel cards from the mall tree have been claimed.”
Suzi nodded. “The mall manager called today. I’m so excited. Every child will have a nice Christmas this year.”
The three teachers chatted a few minutes. After they’d left the building, Jacob came into her office.
Her enthusiasm crested like a wave. “Well, what did you think?”
“Sounds like they have things under control. How did their plans impress you?”
“Exciting. Mr. McConnell’s secretary called. We need to go in tomorrow afternoon at three to sign the papers on the new loan.”
“I’d like to see Welwood’s face when he gets the payment from McConnell. Whoa, I’ll bet he’s mad enough to spit.”
“I’ll bet his face turns red and his beady eyes bug out.” She gauged Jacob’s expression. “There’s nothing he can do, is there?”
“Not a thing except gnash his teeth and pull at his dyed hair.”
She almost giggled. What was wrong with her, she wasn’t sixteen? “His hair does appear dyed, doesn’t it? That’s kind of vain and silly for a man, don’t you agree?”
“Guess if you’re an actor in movies or a television star, looking young would be pretty important. Can’t see how that applies to a banker.”
“Katie mentioned something that I’d forgotten. Each of the staff gets two tickets to the gala.”
He frowned. “What number are you talking about?”
“Twenty, but each gets two tickets. That’s almost four tables if they all attend. Of course, the Grays are married so that’s only two instead of four tickets there. I doubt the decorating committee members will ask anyone and I won’t so that’s four more saved.”
“How many cottage couples attend?”
“We’ve never given tickets to the house parents because we didn’t know how to make sure the children were cared for during the event. They’re invited to the Christmas Eve party.”
“I hate to deprive the cottage parents, but you’d be crazy to fill up the tables with free guests when you need people who’ll pay big bucks and donate too.”
“Staff members have to give us a reservation by the tenth and usually only about ten attend. Good heavens, if we were only using fifteen tables, we’d certainly limit our public attendance.”
“You do pay Rhonda, right?”
“Yes, but she gives us a good deal which is probably her cost. And, she’s first class all the way.”
He assessed her outfit. “You look ready, shall we go to dinner now or do you need to go home first?”
She reached for her coat, but he was ahead of her and held the garment for her. “I’m all set. Where are we headed?”
He grinned mischievously. “Lots of places. We’re going entertainment shopping.”
She looped her arm with his. “I anticipate fun. Will there be food involved? I’m starving.”
His eyes crinkled as his grin spread. “Okay, I’ll feed you. Having you perish from hunger would be a shame. Pace yourself so we can eat a bit at each place.”
Her happiness had her lightheaded and lighthearted. “This sounds like a quest. Will there be wizards and dragons to be conquered?”
He opened th
e pickup’s door and helped her onto the seat. “Might be. You can’t tell with a quest, can you? Be prepared.”
When he’d gone around and climbed onto the driver’s side, she said, “As you predicted, we had a huge rush of RSVPs today. Thank you for your help, Jacob.”
“Save two tables for Mike Richison. I ran into him last night and he’s inviting his board members. They’re all well compensated, so maybe you’ll get some good donations from them.”
“Thank you again. I hate this, though. Seems like begging. Technically, it is begging and there’s no way to get around the fact. Frankly, I don’t know how people do this year after year.”
“Some people find fundraising a challenge and are excited to meet their goal.”
“You can be sure I’ll be excited if we meet ours—and I’m beginning to believe we will with your help—but I still hate raising money. I just want to do the job I was trained for and leave paying the bills to someone else.”
“That’s too bad, Suzi, since you’ve had to take over for you father.”
“Plus… I confess I’ve been angry with him for making such a mess of our money. I don’t mean I hate him, because I love and miss him. But if he’d left things the way Granddad had them, I wouldn’t have to do this.”
She turned to face him. “Being mad at a dead man is stupid, but I can’t help the way I feel.”
“For years I was angry with my mom for leaving us. I don’t know why she did. There must have been some pretty gruesome stuff going on in her life.”
She laid her hand on his arm. “Maybe not, Jacob. She could have been clinically depressed and not received the help she needed.”
“I’ll never know.” He scrubbed a hand across his face then turned to her and grinned. “Hey, this is supposed to be a fun evening. No depressing subjects allowed.”
She returned his smile. “That’s a deal.”
Chapter Nine
“Oh, I’ve never been here.” Suzi watched the building ahead as Jacob brought the truck to a stop in front of a jazz club. They’d driven to Fort Worth, a half hour from Serenity Springs.
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