Mike’s solemn expression cut into Jacob’s heart. “I’ll be back to pick you up as soon as I get home and get my car. Won’t take me five minutes so I should be at your place in less than half an hour.”
“I’ll be ready. As ready as I can be.”
But he wasn’t ready to leave Suzi and Mike. He recalled his mother choosing to leave her two children. How could she have done so willingly? She had told them she loved them. If that was true, why would she abandon them by slitting her wrists for him to find her?
Would he see her to ask her? Did the dead recall their reasons or methods of dying? His interview with Gabriel and Michael had been too brief for him to question them or understand the entire process.
He grabbed a change of clothes for the party. He sat at the kitchen table to wait for Mike. With shaking hands, he held his cell phone and punched the connection to Gabriel.
A roaring wind accompanied Gabriel’s deep voice. “We’re busy here.”
“I’m begging you, respectfully, to let me remain on earth with Suzi Stephens and my brother.”
The angel’s bass voice echoed around the apartment. “You agreed to the terms.”
“But I hadn’t much choice, had I? You sent me back to learn to connect with others on a personal level, and I have. The orphanage is saved. I love the place, the children, Gabriel. Please let me stay here.”
“Not up to me.” The line went dead.
Jacob stared at the phone. Was that a yes or a no? He sent up a prayer to the Almighty.
I’ve learned to love people, to consider their feelings. Give me a chance to use that knowledge to Your end. Let me stay at the Serenity Springs Children’s Home. Lord, please give me more time to make a difference here. Amen.
What was the point? He’d prayed almost constantly every day. If the Lord hadn’t heeded him by now, Jacob was lost.
The toot of a horn brought him out of his reverie and propelled him to the door. Mike waited for him. Katie rode with him, which was probably for the best. Jacob had hoped for time alone with his brother, but doubted he could have resisted spending every minute with Suzi.
Balancing the stack of gifts he’d bought for Missy, Billy, and Henry, he hurried to Mike’s car.
Mike glanced over his shoulder. “You leave anything in the toy store?”
He placed the presents on the back seat then climbed in beside them. “One thing led to another. If I could have carried them, I’d have bought more.”
“I know how you feel,” Katie said. “I have the same compulsion every year. Suzi and I got Billy and Henry’s angels so they’d sort of match since they’re such close friends.”
“That’s a relief. I bought similar items of the same cost, but I had no idea what they were getting from the angel tree.”
Mike met his gaze in the rear-view mirror and grinned. “Um, I might have filled a few of those angels too. Didn’t know any of the kids, just bought what was on the list. I was tempted to add a couple of things but I remembered how we felt when gifts were unfair and I didn’t want to create a problem.”
Jacob leaned forward. “Are there any kids who haven’t been invited to someone’s home for the coming week?”
Kate glanced over her shoulder. “Usually there’s a handful no one chooses to invite. I always want to hug them and spend my salary on them, but I have pesky things like rent and utilities to consider.”
Mike laughed. “Reality always complicates matters. Well, let’s see what we can do this year, shall we?”
They drove to Suzi’s, talking about Christmas present and past. At the Stephens home, Mike helped carry in Jacob’s load of gifts. After they’d shed their coats, they placed the gifts around the tree. Jacob had his present for Suzi in his pocket, a diamond encrusted angel on a delicate silver chain. The angel carried a topaz, Suzi’s birthstone.
He placed the small box on a branch where she couldn’t miss finding her gift in the morning. He’d given Paddy a round-trip flight to Ireland, the country from which her parents had emigrated. According to Suzi, Paddy corresponded with several cousins there who’d invited her to visit.
When Mike and he were kids, they’d longed for a catcher’s mitt but never received one. This year, Jacob had wrapped one and put Mike’s name on the box. Mike would get the reference. Since Katie was sure to become Mike’s wife, Jacob had given her a less expensive necklace similar to Suzi’s.
Still in his pocket, he had a diamond engagement ring. Ever hopeful, he planned to give the ring to her if he survived after midnight. Otherwise, Mike could have the ring to do with as he saw fit. Jacob had spent all of his funds, but he didn’t care.
Snap out of it, Porter. Don’t ruin the evening with your gloomy thoughts.
He grinned at Suzi. “Ready to go to the school?”
She tucked her arm through his. “Not yet. Paddy prepared lunch for us. You need fuel, don’t you?”
Mike rubbed his hands together. “I could use a meal.”
Katie grabbed his arm. “When aren’t you hungry? I don’t understand how you stay trim.”
“Same way Jacob does. We’re active macho men.” He flexed his arm. “That and genetics.”
The meal progressed with laughter and chatter.
Chapter Eighteen
Jacob picked up his sandwich. “This kitchen has a good atmosphere. Like a real family home should be.”
Paddy surprised him with a smile—her third since he’d met her. “It’s been my only home since I was fifteen. I love the place, which is only one reason I’m relieved Suzi Q and I won’t have to move away.”
Suzi patted her housekeeper’s shoulder. “We have to stay together, don’t we, Paddy?”
Jacob asked, “Did the presents from the angel tree get picked up in good order?”
Paddy nodded. “That they did. They’re in the locker room of the gym waiting for Santa. He came by for his costume. When you see him, you’ll believe he’s the real thing. He was excited about his role.”
Suzi leaned near her housekeeper. “Did he seem nice? I wouldn’t want Santa to be rude to the children.”
“Oh, you needn’t worry. The man was a charmer. Turns out he’s Irish, too. We spent an hour talking about relatives.”
Surprise showed on Suzi’s face. “My goodness, Paddy. He must be charming for you to let him remain here that long.”
“You’ll meet him tonight and can judge for yourself. I look forward to watching him with the children. He asked if he could come by sometime and talk more about Ireland.”
Suzi grabbed Paddy’s hand. “Oh, Paddy. That’s wonderful.”
Jacob asked, “How does this work? Does each child get one thing or all the gifts?”
Suzi said, “They each get the whole shebang. The cottage parents have been given an allowance to spend for one gift for each child for Christmas morning. That’s for the children who aren’t invited to stay elsewhere. If the child is going to a home as Missy, Billy, and Henry are here, the money is saved for expenses.”
Katie added, “You know, kids always need things like new shoes or new jeans.”
Mike looked at Jacob, his eyes twinkling. “Especially boys, as I remember. Right, Jacob?”
Jacob set his drink on the table. “Too true. At least we did.”
Eyes wide, Susie asked, “You two knew one another as children?”
Jacob tried to get his foot out of his mouth.
Mike recovered first. “As a matter of fact, we did. We shared the same drab foster home.”
Jacob grimaced. “Survived is more correct. Still, I know a lot of kids were worse off than we were.”
Mike shrugged but his expression said he was less than pleased with where they’d lived. “Yeah, I guess we were lucky but I didn’t think so at the time.”
Katie frowned. “I understand now your comment in the car about receiving different value gifts at Christmas as children.”
Suzi looked at Mike. “So you know Jacob’s brother, don’t you?”
Mike resembled a deer caught in headlights. “Yeah, I did. Um, do remember him.”
Apparently Suzi was unwilling to let the subject go. “I wish he could be here with us.”
Jacob said, “I’m sure he is in spirit. Perhaps another year.”
Mike smiled at those around the table. “Enough about that guy. Let’s talk about this evening. What are Jacob and I responsible for?”
Katie laughed. “Oh, you opened yourself up there. Jacob has to get the bleachers back into the gym. After the party, we load about a gazillion trash bags with wrapping paper and cookie crumbs while Jacob mops up spilled punch.”
Suzi squeezed his hand. “Seeing how happy the children are will make the work worthwhile.”
He grinned at her. “I’m sure you’re right. Being a glutton for punishment, I’m eager for the party. I even brought a change of clothes to wear so I look Christmassy.”
Mike frowned. “Hey, you didn’t tell me you were doing that.”
“Aw, you already look in the spirit. I brought a red tie to wear, too. I almost bought one of those crazy ones with flashing lights.”
Katie met Jacob’s gaze. “Don’t worry, David Gray always wears one like that. The kids love it.”
Paddy stood and passed out slices of apple pie. “We’re having other flavors tomorrow, but I figured you’d like to treat your sweet tooth now since you only had sandwiches.”
Katie patted her abdomen. “Only sandwiches, Paddy? Mine was so thick I could hardly bite into it, plus we had chips on the side. You’ve always been generous when feeding orphans.”
Paddy pretended not to be pleased, but she failed. “Eat up and get out of my kitchen, you four. I’ll have a bite of supper ready for you at five so you don’t fill up on cookies.”
Suzi asked, “Did you send some of your snickerdoodles for the party?”
Paddy fanned herself with her hand. “Good heavens, I made those things until they filled the kitchen. Also made a ton of those Almond Joy cookies someone loves.”
Suzi leaped up and hugged Paddy. “I hope you saved some for tomorrow.”
Paddy swatted her on the rear. “Don’t be selfish, Miss Priss. As a matter of fact, though, I saved plenty of several kinds. The three kids are gonna be here a week, aren’t they? Never knew a kid who didn’t like cookies. Kids of all ages.”
Paddy pointed at Mike and then at Katie. “You two are expected here for breakfast and dinner tomorrow. We’ll eat eightish and at two.”
Mike and Katie spoke at the same time, “Thank you, Paddy.”
After they’d devoured their pie, the four walked to the school. The air carried a bite that chilled Jacob’s nose. He zipped his jacket.
Suzi stared upward. “Do you think it might snow?”
Katie looked at her friend. “Wouldn’t that be something, having tropics and snow in the same week?”
Suzi skipped a few steps. “Since the children don’t have to be driven anywhere, that only leaves you three and Santa to travel. You three could always stay at my place. Only poor Santa would have to brave snowy roads.”
Jacob pulled her to his side. “Don’t forget, he has a sleigh.”
At the gym, Mike helped Jacob move the bleachers back to the gym. They could have used a couple more helpers, but Jacob figured the cottage fathers had their hands full with excited children.
Kate put her hands on each side of her face. “Oh, no, the garland is hidden. We forgot about the bleachers coming back in here.”
Mike grabbed her hand. “I’ll help raise the greenery if you want to supervise.”
Jacob moved the large gilded and red Santa chair to the stage. “I hope the elves remember everyone’s name.”
“They will. The ladies playing elves have been here a long time and know each of the kids. We have to make sure the gifts are sorted by cottage.” She took a clipboard and went to the locker room. After moving two or three bundles, she pronounced them ready.
Jacob lifted the first load into the plywood sleigh painted bright red with green ribbon bows. “You guys do things in a big way, don’t you?”
Suzi checked off something on her clipboard. “You bet we do. We make a big deal out of their birthdays, too. They may live at a children’s home, but they’re getting everything we can give them.”
“How do I keep filling this sleigh?”
She gestured with her pen. “There’s another one back there, behind those shelves. You work them in tandem so there’s only a few seconds’ delay. Katie and I’ll be here to help you.”
“If Katie’s here, that means Mike will be.”
Suzi’s eyes sparkled. “Isn’t it wonderful how they’ve hit it off? She’s such a nice person and he seems to be also. Why didn’t you tell me you and he were in the same foster home?”
“Guess the subject never came up.”
At five, they raced back to grab supper. Paddy served them hearty stew and cornbread muffins before she bundled up and went to the school with them.
The fairy lights remained up inside and out. As soon as they were back at school, Jacob turned them on. He lowered the other gym lights. Santa showed up thirty minutes early and Suzi explained the evening’s procedures. The elves followed close behind him.
Mike stood beside Jacob. “He looks like the real deal, doesn’t he?”
Jacob nodded. “Hope he brings me what I want for Christmas.”
Mike hugged his shoulders. “Me, too. Then we’ll both get our wish.”
“You and Katie growing close?”
Mike met his gaze. “I’ve fallen hard, bro. She’s the one for me. I don’t want to scare her off, but I want to propose soon.”
Jacob grinned. “She doesn’t appear ready to run and hide. I’d say you’re good.”
“We’re staying with you and Suzi through midnight.”
Tears gathered in his eyes and he blinked them back. “Thanks. In case… in case I disappear or fall dead from a heart attack or whatever, please explain to Suzi. Tell her I love her but for her to move on.”
Jacob stared at Mike. “I’d sort of planned to ask you to marry her, but I see you’ve found your soulmate. I’m happy for you both.”
Mike had tears in his eyes. “If… if the worst happens, I’ll make sure Suzi and the children’s home never need anything. You have my word.”
Suzi came up to them. “You two look awfully solemn for a Christmas party.”
Jacob coughed to cover his sniffing. “Just remembering old times. Good to know these kids have a better life. Speaking of, I hear kids coming in now.”
Mike shouted, “Didn’t you say a hundred and ten kids? I’d swear there are at least five hundred in here, all yelling to one another.”
The cookies and punch disappeared quickly. Jacob could only shake his head at the amount on the floor and the bleachers. But, he understood that no one fussed at the children tonight. This was their special time.
Laughing, Suzi walked to the stage and raised her hand. Surprisingly, the children quieted. “I’ll go over the rules because some of you weren’t here last year. When your cottage is called, come and sit on the floor right here in front of the stage.” She pointed down. “Not in that spot of punch, of course. As your name is called and you receive what our important guest has to give you, go back to the bleachers and sit with your cottage parents.”
Jacob hurried out with a mop and cleaned up the spill Suzi had mentioned. Numerous others could wait until later.
“Thank you, Mr. Porter.” Suzi gestured to the two women wearing green elf costumes and standing behind her. “Mrs. Osbourne and Mrs. McDaniel have agreed to help our guest by being his helpers. Who do you think our special guest might be?”
The children yelled, “Santa!”
The man playing Santa came from the locker room waving. “Ho ho ho, Children. Merry Christmas.”
Katie remained in the locker room double checking bags. When Santa was seated, Mike and Jacob pushed the sleigh, which conveniently had casters, beside the stage. Ea
ch child’s wrapped gifts were in a large bag of transparent fabric with the child’s name attached by ribbon at the top.
Mike, Jacob, and Suzi hurried back to make sure the next sleigh was ready. Katie helped them load packages.
Between runs, Jacob asked Suzi, “Where did you get the bags for the gifts?”
“Paddy makes them during the year. Over the years she’s made thousands. While the gifts are at the house, she sorts and bags the gifts. She’s amazing.”
Ten loads didn’t take as long to dispense as Jacob would have imagined. Chaos reigned, but on second glance he noticed that the cottage parents monitored each group.
Suzi announced, “Santa, thank you for making a special trip to see us tonight.”
Santa stood and waved. “Sorry, children, but I have to hurry to the North Pole to deliver the rest of the toys. Be good and I’ll see you next year. Ho ho ho. Merry Christmas.”
Some children waved, some shouted “Goodbye”, and some were entirely absorbed in their gifts and probably didn’t realize Santa had gone.
Paddy held Missy’s hand. “I’m taking the children home. They need a good night’s sleep.”
Suzi hugged each child and promised to check on them when she got home. Then, she followed Santa to the locker room where Jacob and Mike waited.
She handed Santa an envelope. “Thank you for coming, Mr. Sillars. You’re the best Santa we’ve ever had. I hope you’ll return next year.”
“I’ll count on it. I’ll step back there and change into my street clothes. I sure wouldn’t want the kids to spot me walking to a car in costume and me driving away in a car instead of a sleigh.”
Mike took out a couple of hundred dollar bills. “Sir, allow me to supplement your fee for tonight. You look real enough to make me believe.”
Santa looked at the cash and then at Mike. “You’re too kind. I love helping children.”
“That’s the point, Santa. Your enthusiasm shows.”
Jacob added, “You made this a night to remember.”
Katie slipped her arm around Mike’s waist. “Thank you. He was perfect, wasn’t he?”
Chapter Nineteen
Mike helped Katie and Suzie take down decorations. They stored them in boxes inside the sleighs.
Angel For Christmas Page 13
