A Family for Easter

by Lee Tobin McClain

  The men greeted her and one of them lifted an eyebrow and grinned, then said to Eduardo, “I see why you liked this place.”

  Eduardo opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Fiona gave the man a wide vacuous smile. “Tim! I remember you. I’ve done some of the food banks with your wife.”

  “Right.” The man’s expression changed to bland friendliness.

  “I’m Tony,” said another man. “Pleased to meet you. I’d shake your hand, but mine’s pretty dirty. I think I’ve seen you at the soccer field.”

  “That’s right, you’re Hailey and Kaylee’s dad, aren’t you?” The presence of another parent eased her discomfort.

  “Hey, you guys letting me do all the work? How’s that fair?” A young woman, pretty and muscular and dressed in Hinton groundskeeper garb, put down a box and marched over. “That’s what you get, working with a bunch of guys,” she said to Fiona with mock-disgust. “I’m Angie, and I’m guessing you and I could finish this move-in in half the time while these guys stand around shooting the breeze.” She gave Eduardo a friendly nudge.

  Fiona’s senses went on high alert. Was Angie Eduardo’s girlfriend?

  And what business was that of Fiona’s? Why did she care?

  Angie grabbed the other two men’s arms. “Come on, I don’t know about you, but he’s paying me by the hour. And not to stand around.”

  “Fine, fine.” The others grumbled and left.

  Which left her alone with Eduardo.

  “Sorry about Tim,” he said.

  “I know him. It’s not your fault. Look, how about if your kids come play at our house? They’d be out of your hair, and my kids would love it.”

  “That would be a huge help,” he said gratefully. “Just while we’re moving the big stuff. But, Fiona,” he added as she started to turn, “I don’t expect you to babysit my kids on a regular basis. It’s a nice offer for today, but in the future, I’ll either return the favor or keep the kids over here. That’s not part of the contract.”

  “Um, okay.” She felt unaccountably hurt. Was that what this was? A contract?

  * * *

  Late in the afternoon, Eduardo stretched as he watched the truck drive away. Between his friends and his coworkers, they’d finished the move on schedule. Not only that, but the beds were all set up and the furniture in place. Someone had even unpacked some of his kitchen boxes so there were dishes, pots and silverware ready to use. He sent up a prayer of thanks for the good people in his life.

  Fiona being one of them now. She’d kept his kids busy and happy all day, fed them lunch and snacks, shown them kids’ room decorating ideas on her computer. He had to be careful not to take advantage of her kindness, because she was obviously a caregiver to the core and great with kids. He grabbed his phone and called for pizza, enough for all of them.

  Forty-five minutes later, he texted Fiona.

  Pizza’s on me. Come on over and bring your kids.

  The kids consumed the pizza in record time, and the older four ran upstairs for the great task of room arrangement. Eduardo got the TV set up, and Fiona settled Maya and Poppy in front of a movie.

  It was all very homey and too, too comfortable. Having Fiona and her kids here made Eduardo realize how lonely he’d been.

  The problem was that in his loneliness there was the dangerous possibility he’d lead this wonderful woman on, make her think he was interested in a relationship when he wasn’t. Or shouldn’t be, anyway. He cast about for something to talk about, something serious and businesslike and impersonal.

  It didn’t take long for him to think of a safe topic. “Stay here,” he said, “I found something in one of the closets.”

  A moment later he was back at the dining room table with a box in hand. “This was on the shelf in the room you said you were using for an office. Up high, pushed back. I took a peek and realized it might be important. Don’t worry, I didn’t read anything.”

  Fiona reached for the box with an expression of extreme distaste. “Is that what I think it is?” she murmured as she opened the lid.

  Inside was a mess of receipts and envelopes and papers. “Ugh,” she said as she shuffled through the papers aimlessly, then closed the lid. “Thanks for finding it.”

  “Sounds like you’d rather it had stayed lost.”

  “No,” she said, “it’s a good reminder, in case I ever get serious about starting another business. I can just pull this out and all those ideas will go away.”

  “That’s from your business?” Eduardo tried to keep any kind of judgment out of his voice, but in truth, the jumble of paperwork horrified him. He thought of his own carefully organized spreadsheets, his neatly labeled file folders, the app he used to keep track of small receipts.

  “Yeah.” She sighed. “I... Well, like I mentioned, I’m not too great at math. Or at being organized. So I kept putting off getting the money side of things straightened out. That was one of the factors that led to the dog-walking business failing.”

  He nodded. “A lot of people hire a bookkeeper if numbers aren’t their thing.”

  “I tried. She quit!” Fiona rolled her eyes. “I had too many kids, too much going on. I got overwhelmed and botched the details.”

  “Don’t get down on yourself,” he said, putting a hand over hers. “It’s hard enough running a business with two kids, and I can’t imagine doing it with four.” Then, when his hand wanted to squeeze hers tighter, he pulled it back. None of that, he told himself sternly.

  “Mama?” Poppy came over and leaned against Fiona’s leg, and Fiona pulled her up onto her lap.

  “How’s it going, kiddo? Where’s Maya?”

  “She went upstairs.” Poppy stuck her thumb in her mouth, which seemed like a young thing for a three-year-old to do. But she was awfully cute. And she provided a good distraction, wiping the sadness off Fiona’s face.

  “I remember when Sofia was that age,” he said. “And then Diego. They grow up so fast.”

  “I know. I want to cling on to my baby as long as I can. But she’s getting big.” As proof of that, Poppy wiggled hard to get down and started to slide to the floor.

  Eduardo reached over and caught her, hands around her upper arms. “Careful there, young lady,” he said, steadying her.

  She wiggled away and grabbed Fiona’s leg, looking back fearfully at Eduardo.

  “I’m sorry.” He looked from Poppy to Fiona. “I didn’t realize...”

  “She’s not much used to men, that’s all.” She pulled Poppy up onto her lap. “Mr. Delgado is a very nice man.”

  Poppy shook her head. “Not nice.”

  Oh, great. Now Fiona would think there was something wrong with him. Because kids and dogs always know, right?

  Fiona tapped Poppy’s lips gently and shook her head. “We use kind words,” she said and then reached out to Eduardo and patted his forearm. “She wasn’t around her father much at all, and... Well, we were in a lot of turmoil shortly after she was born. It’s had its impact.”

  “I understand. Diego went through a phase where he was nervous around strangers.”

  “I thought she’d have outgrown it by now.” Fiona looked out the window, seeming to see something disturbing through the deepening twilight. Absently, she stroked Poppy’s head until it rested against her chest. The little girl’s eyes were barely able to stay open.

  Eduardo wanted nothing more than to comfort Fiona, but that wasn’t his place...was it?

  He’d been fortunate enough to have a good marriage, with a wonderful woman. But he hadn’t been able to keep her safe.

  Yes, it had been bad timing. When the small landscaper he’d been working for had gone bankrupt, the minimal medical coverage he’d had for his family had been gone. It had taken time to get replacement coverage. To get a new job, too, what with a sick wife and two little kids. Once he’d finally
found work, his new job had provided great benefits, even covering Elizabeth’s preexisting condition. But the three-month gap had meant spotty treatment at a crucial stage of Elizabeth’s illness, and although a couple of doctors had told him it wouldn’t have made a difference, he knew better.

  He’d never forget the feeling: three pairs of eyes looking to him for protection and help he couldn’t give.

  He’d vowed after Elizabeth died that he would never marry again, never have more kids. His job was to take care of his own kids, raise them to adulthood in safety and security. Not to take on additional responsibilities he wouldn’t be able to fulfill.

  The fact that Fiona had her own money, could afford all the insurance and medical help she needed, didn’t change one thing. Because challenges weren’t only financial. There were all kinds of ways a man was supposed to take care of his family, and his confidence in his ability to do so had been broken.

  He coughed and took a swig of soda, trying to wash away the depressing thoughts.

  Fiona shifted the now-dozing Poppy to a more comfortable position and stroked her hair. “Sorry about that,” she said.

  “Sorry for what?”

  “For spacing out on you. I got a little distracted, thinking about the past.”

  “Me, too,” he admitted.

  “Good thoughts?” She shifted Poppy against her shoulder. The little girl’s eyes kept closing.

  He shrugged. “Mostly. I had a wonderful marriage, but...”

  “But what?”

  “But I made mistakes.” He looked into those caring eyes and felt a terrible urge to reveal everything. He even opened his mouth to do it, but he stopped himself.

  “We all make mistakes,” she said, glancing down at Poppy and then back at Eduardo. “I was a fool not to see what was going on with my husband. Maybe you’ve heard that he had a whole other family.”

  “I did hear that.” He shook his head. “Must have been rotten.”

  “And we didn’t find out until after he died. Do you know how frustrating that is?” Poppy raised her head, and Fiona bit her lip and started rocking and soothing her again. “There’s no one to be mad at. No way for me to ask him all the questions I have. I’ll never understand why he did what he did.”

  “Stinks.” Again, Eduardo felt the urge to comfort her, to go over and put his arms around her. But aside from the fact that it would totally freak out little Poppy, it would be the mistake of starting something he couldn’t finish.

  “And you’re not supposed to speak ill of the dead,” she continued. “And anyway, I don’t want the kids to grow up thinking there’s something wrong with them because of what their father did. They already hear enough gossip and negativity from other kids.”

  “Even here in Rescue River?”

  She leveled her hand and rocked it slightly back and forth in a so-so gesture. “A little. Not so much as back in Illinois, of course. And I hope that as we become more and more established in the community, people will judge us on the merits of what we are now, rather than on our history.”

  “I think they will. I, for one, already do.”

  Their eyes met and held just a second too long. Eduardo couldn’t look away from that gorgeous face, disturbed with memories from the past.

  She broke eye contact first. “Yeah, well, you’re getting to see the worst of me. You can see firsthand the mess I made of my business.” She looked down at the box of receipts. “And you can see me in my Saturday finest.”

  Fiona in her old jeans and T-shirt still looked incredible.

  “Anyway,” she said, touching his arm in a friendly way that burned right through him, “thanks for the pizza. I’m glad you guys are going to be living here.”

  “Speaking of living here, I’d better pull my home together and get my kids ready for bed.” He stood, knowing it was abrupt and rude to push a guest out this way, but it was better than the alternative of pulling her into his arms, tiny sleeping darling and all.

  * * *

  On Monday morning, after getting the kids on the bus and dropping Poppy off at preschool—literally kicking and screaming—Fiona led Miss Minnie Falcon up the stairs of her porch and leaned her folding walker against the railing.

  “Thank you for coming over,” she said as she offered the older woman a comfortable rocking chair. “I needed the company.”

  “I could see that.” Miss Minnie looked around appreciatively. “My, you have a lovely home, dear.”

  Fiona surveyed her sunny porch, satisfied that it was a bright, comfortable spot for people to gather. At the bottom of the steps, crocuses bloomed purple and gold. Chirping birds in the nearby apple trees created a lively chorus. “I’ll get you some tea,” she said and headed inside.

  She hadn’t been kidding about needing the company, not only because she worried about Poppy’s separation anxiety but because Eduardo’s truck was still in the driveway of the carriage house. She didn’t know why he hadn’t gone to work, but he was the last person she wanted to see.

  They’d gotten a little too close on the day he’d moved in, or at least, it had felt like closeness to her. Apparently, he hadn’t liked it, because he’d sent her and the kids away with an abruptness that wasn’t like him. It had hurt, but she’d understood. Just because they were living on the same grounds didn’t mean they should share every moment together. It was best not to get the kids into that pattern. So, yesterday, she’d hurried her kids out after church without even greeting Eduardo and his kids, and they’d done a day trip to a nearby nature reserve.

  Now she finished making tea, put lemon and sugar on a tray and carried the lot out to the porch. Miss Minnie smiled as Fiona poured her a cup. “Now, this is nice,” she said. “I’ve come to like living at the Senior Towers, but there are times when it’s good to be in a real home.”

  “I was feeling blue when I ran into you at the church. You probably heard Poppy screaming. It’s tough to walk away, even though everyone says preschool is good for her.”

  “The church preschool is wonderful,” Miss Minnie declared. “And she’s your fourth child. Surely, you know she’s going to be okay.”

  Fiona stirred sugar into her own tea. “Poppy is different from the others. She’s shy. Anxious.”

  “She’ll grow out of it.” Miss Minnie rocked gently. “You give her plenty of love. Opportunities to socialize, like the church preschool, are just what she needs.”

  “Do you think? She just started last month, three days per week. It’s a battle to go every time, but the teachers say she settles down within fifteen minutes.” Fiona shook her head. “My others were all eager to go to school and see their friends. Still are.”

  “Any idea why she’s different?” The older woman studied her over the rim of her teacup, eyes piercing.

  “It’s my fault.” Fiona sighed. “She must’ve picked up on my anxiety. I should have seen the signs sooner, but I was...going through a tough time.” She picked up her tea and sipped it. “You probably know all about my family’s history. Seems like everyone in Rescue River does.”

  Miss Minnie put down her cup with a little clatter. “Rise above it, young lady! You did nothing wrong.”

  “I suppose,” Fiona said. “Still, after three years, I feel like an idiot for what happened.”

  “Because you were misled by a man?” Miss Minnie made a pfft sound. “We’ve all been there.”

  That surprised Fiona. “You, too?”

  “Oh, my, yes.” Miss Minnie rocked and looked out toward the road. “I thought I knew someone,” she said, “and I didn’t. My fiancé, to be exact.”

  “You were engaged?” Fiona was surprised, because Miss Minnie seemed like a confirmed and happy spinster.

  Miss Minnie nodded but didn’t offer more details. “We can all be fooled by love.”

  Seeing that she wanted to change the subject, Fiona
obliged. “I’m bad at choosing. The last date I went on was a mess.” She told Miss Minnie the story of her date with Henry and, to her surprise, she was able to make it funny enough that Miss Minnie laughed...and then Fiona did, too.

  “Oh, my, the stories we get at the Senior Matchmakers. To say nothing of our own stories.” Miss Minnie’s face wrinkled with amusement. “Lou Ann Miller and her love triangle are the stuff of many a legend here in Rescue River.”

  The idea of the elders still going through romantic shenanigans gave Fiona an odd sort of hope. Maybe, when her kids were grown and she’d truly gotten over her past, she’d find love...or at least, have fun looking for it. “What about you?” she asked the older woman. “Any chance that you and Mr. Love might take your friendship to the next level?”

  A blush crept up Miss Minnie’s papery cheek and she waved a hand. “It would be so ridiculous at my age. To get engaged. To get married!”

  “You volunteer at church and you started a business just last year,” Fiona pointed out. “Age doesn’t stop you in any other area. Why should it stop you from falling in love?”

  “Oh, well.” Miss Minnie rocked faster, her cheeks still pink.

  “Nice to see you ladies taking advantage of this fine morning!” The deep male voice thrummed along Fiona’s nerve endings as Eduardo approached and put down the bag of fertilizer he was carrying, wiping his forehead with a bandanna.

  “I’m surprised you’re not at work.” Then Fiona felt her cheeks warm. She didn’t want Eduardo to think she was keeping track of his movements.

  Miss Minnie’s sharp, observant eyes flashed from one face to the other. “Yes, indeed. Mr. Sam Hinton can barely run Hinton Enterprises without you from what I hear.”

  Eduardo’s already-tan skin went a shade darker. “Not the case. I keep the outside of the property running so Sam can do the hard stuff inside. And the folks on my shift are pretty well trained. They get along just fine when I’m not there to supervise.”