The Orphans' Blessing

by Lorraine Beatty

  Sophie’s heart skipped a beat. Like avoiding her sister, her family? She filed that comment aside to examine later.

  Rachel chatted a few minutes longer, then left leaving Sophie with renewed hope. She had a financial resource to tap into and people to call upon to help. How could Zach say no now?

  A glance at the clock Saturday morning reminded her that Zach would be home in a few hours. She was nervous about bringing up the closet conversation, but she’d vowed to stand her ground. It was too important to the children. She hadn’t told the kids what she’d discovered but she’d reassured them that she was still looking into things.

  The week had gone by quickly and with few glitches. The children were all cooperative and helpful. DJ had even spoken out loud more this week. Linney had introduced her to all of their Barbie dolls and Katie had set her books aside in favor of asking questions about her mother.

  Sophie had found comfort in talking about her sister with the kids. Being in her home hadn’t proved to be as difficult as she’d expected. Yet there’d been moments when she’d remember she was sleeping in her room, or when she looked at the children and her heart would grieve. So many years lost. She hoped eventually to understand why Maddie had cut Sophie out of her life.

  She took her seat on the sofa as the children wandered in after cleaning up the kitchen. Katie sat beside her with a book in her hand, snuggling close. DJ turned on the TV and Linney stretched out on the floor to watch with him, using Lumpy as a pillow.

  For the first time in her life Sophie understood the meaning of the word content. She closed her eyes, willing the feeling to penetrate deep into her being so she could remember it forever, because she was only here temporarily.

  Zach had called as often as possible during the week, and Hank had stopped by each day to check on them. Her main concern now was whether Zach would allow her to remain in the house or ask her to return to the inn. She hoped not because she liked being part of this family.

  Unfortunately, it didn’t matter what she thought. Zach had the final say. He was the kids’ legal guardian. The old sense of disconnection washed through her but she tamped it down with memories of the time she’d had with the children this week. She smiled remembering the giggles they’d shared when they’d played a silly board game, and the evening on the front porch in the rain talking about Madeline.

  * * *

  Zach parked his car in front of the garage and shut down the engine, glancing at the house. What would he find after being away for a week? When they’d spoken on the phone, the kids had promised him they were enjoying being with Aunt Sophie, and she had assured him everything was going smoothly. In addition, Hank had confirmed all was well.

  As he stepped into the family room, the sound of the TV was all he heard. Everything looked normal. The kids were in their usual spots, with the exception of Sophie who was snuggled up with Katie on the couch.

  The sight brought an unexpected warmth into his chest. She looked comfortable and at home, but that was probably because she looked like her sister and he’d seen this domestic picture before, whenever he’d come to visit. But Sophie wasn’t her sister. Madeline’s home was always full of activity and excitement. Sophie’s presence exuded a quiet peacefulness.

  He exhaled a sigh of relief. Everything was just as he’d left it. “I’m home.”

  Linney jumped up and ran over to him. “Uncle Zach! I missed you.”

  He smiled and picked her up in his arms. He’d missed them, too. More than ever.

  DJ glanced over his shoulder, pulling his attention from the TV briefly. “Hey, Uncle Z.”

  Katie leaned forward on the sofa and waved. “We’re glad you’re back.” She grinned, glancing at Sophie.

  Something in her expression worried him. Maybe he had cause for concern after all. “I’m glad to be back.”

  Sophie met his gaze, a welcome light in her hazel eyes. “I hope you had a good week.”

  He took a seat in the leather recliner. “So everything go okay while I was gone?”

  DJ shrugged. Linney smiled and explained how she and Sophie had played board games, and Katie launched into a list of things she’d learned about her mother.

  Zach relaxed, sinking into the warm comfort of being surrounded by his family again. As much as he hated leaving his job with Sandler Oil, he knew it was the right thing to do. He needed to be with his kids. They needed him.

  To be honest, this last hitch had forced him to face a few truths. A fierce Gulf storm had made his last trip to the oil rig platform the most harrowing of his career. With a full load of souls on board his helicopter and a packed cargo hold, the winds had fought against him. It was the first time he’d actually doubted his ability and made him realize that he had more than himself to think about now.

  Unfortunately, flying was all he knew how to do.

  Zach was mindlessly watching TV later that evening when Sophie approached him.

  “Do you have a minute? I’d like to discuss something with you.”

  He’d learned long ago that when a woman wanted to talk, it usually meant trouble. “If it’s about you staying here at the house, that’s up to you. I’ll be flying a few charters for Hank and giving flying lessons at the airfield. So I’ll still need someone to watch the kids.”

  “All right. I don’t mind staying on for a while, but are you really going to continue flying?”

  “It’s what I do. What I’ve always done.”

  “Yes, but don’t you think it’s a bit risky now? If something happened to you, these children would have no one.”

  Zach refused to get into an argument about it with her. “What did you want to talk to me about?”

  Sophie bit her lip and her hazel eyes clouded. He knew it. Something had happened while he was gone.

  She sat on the edge of the sofa, her hands clasped together. “The children approached me about the closet project.”

  Zach exhaled sharply. “I thought we had that all settled.”

  Sophie nodded. “But I’ve been looking into Maddie’s files and—”

  The woman had some nerve. “Who gave you permission to do that?”

  “The children, actually. DJ gave me Maddie’s laptop with all her information.”

  He started to protest but she held up her hand.

  “Please hear me out before you start shouting.”

  “I don’t shout,” he said loudly. When he realized the irony, he felt his cheeks heat.

  “Madeline had everything ready to go on the closet,” Sophie explained. “She was going to start as soon as she got back from their trip.”

  Zach’s heart dropped. Only she never came back.

  Sophie cleared her throat and continued. “All that’s left to do is to prepare the building. She even had a list of volunteers lined up.”

  He lowered the footrest with a quick kick. Sophie flinched but he didn’t care. This was no concern of hers. “Maybe so, but that still leaves the cost of remodeling and that’s not in my budget right now.”

  “What if I could provide the money for the building?”

  “Absolutely not. I’m not accepting any donations from you. This is a family matter.”

  Even though he’d been hurtful, Sophie pressed on. “Not my money. Maddie’s. Money left to her from the sale of our parents’ house. It’s been sitting in an account collecting interest all this time and it’s more than enough to pay off the mortgage.”

  Zach shook his head. “It doesn’t change anything. I still don’t have the time to dedicate to this project. I have to work, and right now I’m unemployed. Besides, we don’t know what Madeline wanted to do with that closet.”

  “But we do. She had it all outlined, down to a detailed floor plan for every hanging rack, fixture and bench.”

  Zach stood, shaking his head. “Sophie, I appreciate you wanting to help the kid
s. I do, too, but this is not a good time for this.”

  He saw her chin lift the same way Maddie’s had when she’d made up her mind about something. Dean had always told him once his wife’s chin went up he might as well jump on the train or be run over.

  “Really? I think it’s the perfect time. Working on this closet, finishing their mother’s dream, could be the thing that helps them come to terms with their grief. It’s something tangible and hands-on they can do.”

  “The kids are dealing just fine.”

  “I disagree.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “They are all hurting and lost. This could make the difference. Think of what’s best for the children, Zach.”

  Zach shook his head. “I am thinking of what’s best for them. Taking on a project this size is too much for them right now.”

  “No, you’re not.” DJ came toward his uncle. “You’re only thinking about you. You think we’re just kids so we don’t know anything, but we do. It was important to our mom. I wish she was here instead of you!”

  DJ marched out the back door, slamming it behind him. Zach sighed. “I’d better go talk to him.”

  He stepped outside to find DJ sitting on the back porch steps, shoulders hunched and head bowed. Zach sent up a prayer for divine guidance. He had no idea how to talk to the boy.

  He eased down beside his nephew, waiting.

  DJ stared straight ahead for several moments, then finally he said, “I was supposed to go to work with Dad this summer. He’d been teaching me carpentry and how to use some of his power tools. We were going to start by working on Mom’s store.”

  Zach’s chest tightened. “I didn’t know that.”

  “You don’t know much.”

  The rude tone in DJ’s voice would normally earn him a stern reprimand, but Zach sensed this was something he needed to let slide. “You’re right. I don’t know much about being a dad or taking care of three kids by myself or even how to keep the family together. That’s why I can’t afford any big projects like the clothes closet until I understand more about how to take care of you and your sisters.”

  “The closet was important to Mom and Dad. It’s important to us. Why won’t you let us finish it? Aunt Sophie said she would help. She cares about us and what we want, but you don’t. You only care about your dumb flying. Dad always said so.” DJ stood and went back inside.

  It wasn’t the first time Zach had been accused of being single-minded. His parents had continually pushed him to expand his interests. His former fiancée, Elaine, had broken off their engagement three years ago because she said he loved flying more than her. He hadn’t been able to tell her otherwise.

  He got up, intending to check on DJ. Zach knew he’d hide in his room, don his headphones and fume for a while, but he’d get over it. Wouldn’t he? Or was this closet thing bigger than Zach realized?

  The truth chased him all through the night, robbing him of sleep. The kids’ request couldn’t be ignored or dismissed any longer. DJ had made him see how important it was to the three of them. Now he had to swallow another huge chunk of pride and agree to the project.

  Sophie would be happy. She was taking over and he didn’t like it one bit. For now he’d focus on what the kids wanted and let Sophie come along for the ride. He hated to admit it but this project might be good for the kids. Sophie was probably right. Lord knew they needed help and Zach was failing miserably.

  Chapter Four

  The July heat was already intense at nine in the morning Monday when Sophie and the family arrived at the old bus station Maddie had bought for the clothes closet. Getting used to the humid Mississippi weather would take some time.

  Sophie waited while Zach unlocked the door, admiring the historic architecture. The station, with its art deco design, would be the perfect setting for the closet. The exterior glazed bricks were a sky blue shade with curved corners and glass block windows. A large canopy jutting out from the side once offered protection from the elements for passengers. The only thing missing was the large sign identifying it as the bus station. Her heart raced at the thought of working in this 1920s building. It wasn’t a huge structure but was definitely the perfect size for the clothes closet.

  The children pushed past Zach, eager to see inside. Sophie stepped over the threshold, glancing around the large empty space. Up until now the closet had been an abstract concept. The reality sent a chill through her. Somehow she had to make the dream come true for her sister and the children.

  The responsibility settled heavily on her shoulders, unleashing all her insecurities as she moved farther inside. The building had ended life as a station years ago. Madeline had noted that it had been divided into two offices for a time, then remodeled into a travel agency, but had stood empty for over a decade now.

  The space was dim, dusty and filled with odd debris. Sophie walked slowly through the wide space that had probably been the waiting area of the bus station. A long wooden bench divided with armrests sat against the back wall, along with several cabinets of varying sizes. On the far left wall, the ticket counter remained intact, its wire cage fronts and mouse holes standing ready to pass tickets to eager travelers.

  She could hear the kids as they explored the old building. Zach had wandered off on his own.

  She turned and started toward the opposite end of the old structure, her imagination soaring. She could see why her sister fell in love with this place. All the plans and drawings Madeline had gathered started to come to life. Still, Sophie had to wonder how long it would take to turn this rundown space into a functioning store.

  Katie dashed past, a big smile on her face. “Isn’t this the coolest place?”

  Zach followed right behind, a frown on his brow. “If you say so.”

  DJ glanced up. “What are we supposed to build here?”

  “Beats me.”

  Clearly Zach wasn’t feeling the excitement about the building. “I know exactly what has to be done,” Sophie reassured her nephew. “Maddie had it all drawn out.”

  Zach exhaled a skeptical breath as he turned to face Sophie. “If you ask me, this place needs to be leveled.”

  “Oh no. It’s perfect. I can see why Maddie chose it.”

  Zach scowled. “You have a very vivid imagination.”

  She laughed and the sound echoed around the empty space. “No imagination needed.” She lifted the roll of blueprints she’d brought along. “I know exactly what Maddie wanted. It’s all here in blue and white.”

  She moved to a small table and brushed off the dirt and dust. Unrolling the large paper, she placed her small purse in one corner to hold it flat. “See, the checkout counter will be right back there, this area will be the women’s dressing rooms, the men’s will be back there and the large area will be clothes racks. The other corner will be an office and a small break room. That back room will be for collecting and organizing the clothes.”

  Zach came over and leaned in to study the plans. “These are professionally done. That’ll make the remodel easier. The plumbers and electricians will be grateful.”

  Sophie smiled and glanced around the space. “I can’t wait to see Maddie’s dream come true. It’s going to be wonderful.”

  She met Zach’s gaze, her breath disappearing from her lungs. His dark eyes were warm and kind. Not filled with his usual defensive glare. It softened his angular features, and gave his stern mouth an intriguing tilt. Even the ever present scowl on his forehead had softened. If she hadn’t known better, she’d mistake the light in his eyes for attraction. But that was ridiculous.

  When he continued to stare, she grew concerned. “Is something wrong, Zach? Is the project too big? Maybe we can rework it here and there. Scale it down.”

  “No. It’s fine. As far as I can tell from one glance.”

  Relief mixed with excitement washed through her. “When do you think we can get started?”
>
  “Like I said, I’ll have to look things over, calculate materials, contact a few people. We might be able to start by the end of the week.”

  “Not tomorrow?”

  “Hardly. Besides, I have to teach at the flight school the next few days.”

  Sophie fought her disappointment. She didn’t want to waste a moment. “I’ll be glad to get things started if you’ll tell me what needs to be done.”

  Zach shook his head. “You’ve done enough. Now it’s up to me.” He rolled up the blueprints and slipped them back into the tube.

  She didn’t like his dismissive tone. “Please don’t shut me out. I’m supposed to be managing all of this. Remember?”

  “Would you like a nightly debriefing?”

  She ignored the sarcasm in his voice. “That would be wonderful. You can tell me what needs to be done, I’ll handle it during the day and we can go over everything each night at dinner. That way the kids can be kept in the loop, too. It’s their project after all. Thanks, Zach.”

  His scowl was back. “I’m going to look around a bit more. Give a shout when you’re ready to leave.”

  Watching him walk away, her concern grew over how their partnership would play out. She had a bad feeling that communication with Zach would be a challenge. How would Maddie have handled this situation? She would have stood up for herself, which is what Sophie would have to do if she was going to make her sister’s dream a reality.

  * * *

  Zach’s mind shifted like a revolving kaleidoscope. Somehow she’d solved one problem by producing the blueprints and created two others by reminding him she and the kids were planning on being involved. Just when he thought he’d regained control, it was yanked from his grasp.

  “This is a big project, pal. You might need some help.”