It Started at Christmas...

by Jo McNally

  Amanda reached for her phone, glancing at her watch. It was eleven o’clock. In Hawaii it was, what...five in the morning? He was probably asleep, but he needed to know. She sent a quick text.

  Zachary is at Halcyon.

  Her phone rang almost immediately. She hadn’t heard his voice in a while, and she’d never heard him this furious.

  “What the hell? He’s supposed to be at Beakman Academy. What happened?”

  “Zach ran away. He said they were mean to him.”

  Blake gave a heavy sigh. “Yeah, well, Zach inherited his mother’s flair for drama. How the hell did he get there?”

  “Believe it or not, he took a bus.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “He took a bus. Alone.”

  “A bus. From Connecticut.”

  “When I pointed out how dangerous it was, he basically said, ‘I got here, didn’t I?’”

  Blake barked out a laugh.

  “I know it’s not funny, but damn, that kid’s gonna kill me yet. Let me talk to him.”

  “He’s down at the resort with Bobby. I figured he was hungry.”

  He paused. “Right. Okay, I’ll call Beakman and see what happened. In the meantime, I’ll see if my sister-in-law will come get him.”

  Amanda didn’t hesitate. “He can stay here. I’ll watch him.” There was something about the kid—maybe the loneliness in his eyes, or the defiance—that touched her heart.

  Blake sounded stunned. “You? You’re running a major renovation project. Now you want to be my nephew’s nanny, too?” She was being impulsive, which wasn’t her usual style. But she felt strongly that Zach belonged here. Blake blew out a long breath. “You’ve seriously blown my mind with this call. Zach’s there now, so...sure, if you don’t mind, keep him with you for a couple days. I’ll call the academy to smooth things over.”

  “I’m happy to take care of him. But please reconsider the academy, Blake. Something happened there. And he’s so young.”

  “He’s had a rough year, Amanda. The school gives him the structure he needs.”

  “But—”

  “This is a family matter, and I’ll handle it. Just watch him for a couple of days until I can make some calls. Okay?”

  “Fine.”

  “Thank you. I’ll be in touch.”

  And he was gone. She was now responsible for the safety and well-being of a ten-year-old boy she’d just met.

  Life here at Gallant Lake just kept getting more and more interesting.

  Chapter Eight

  Zach lay down on the old chaise in the living room after he and Bobby returned and fell fast asleep, even with all the work going on around him. When he finally woke, he joined Bobby in sanding the walls. He was reserved, but by the time the workers left, he’d started to relax. He must have started to trust Amanda’s promise that he really was going to stay at Halcyon. At least for now.

  They talked a little over dinner, and he told her how some of the boys in his class had started bullying him, hassling him about having a mom who was a “druggie.” It went from verbal to physical, and Zach was the one who got in trouble when he’d fought back. When it had happened again, he’d decided to leave.

  “My mom told me it was wrong to get mad and fight. She said people should get along. But...” He took another big bite of the brownies she’d baked. “That didn’t work. Uncle Blake said he was here if I needed him, and I figured I did. I knew there was a bus that came this way, and the old lady at the station helped me. I told her my grandma was sick. She had me sit with her until the bus came, then she yelled at the driver to let me sit behind him.”

  Amanda closed her eyes, sending a silent prayer of thanks that a kindhearted stranger made sure Zach stayed safe on his foolhardy journey. She could see he was still tired, so they went upstairs shortly after dinner. She checked the dresser in his room, relieved to find a few clothes that looked like they’d still fit him. Zach’s face fell when he looked at the bed, covered with teddy bears.

  She smiled. “I bet Bobby and I can make this room look a little more grown-up for you. Maybe paint it in the color of a sports team you like?”

  His face brightened. “Can we do pinstripes? For my favorite baseball team?”

  “I’m sure we can come up with something like that.” The suite was the mirror image of Blake’s, with a circular sitting area and fireplace. She looked at the door that opened to the small balcony. A third-floor balcony was a bad idea for a child’s room. She walked over and tried to turn the knob, but the door didn’t even jiggle, as if it was sealed shut.

  Thanks, Madeleine.

  She didn’t actually believe in ghosts, but she’d started blaming, or thanking, the legendary ghost of Halcyon for anything she couldn’t explain in the house—from strange noises at night to curtains that seemed to move without a breeze. Old houses were full of mysteries like that. Like sealed balcony doors.

  “Are you and Uncle Blake going to get married?”

  Amanda started coughing violently, caught off guard by Zach’s unexpected question.

  “No! No.” She caught her breath. “No, Zach. We’re...friends. I work for your uncle.”

  “But you live here.”

  “That’s only temporary, while I oversee the remodeling.” The idea of leaving Gallant Lake made her sad. The fact that she had no idea where she’d live or what she’d do made her anxious. But at least she had some company while she was here—it had been lonely since Blake had left. She grinned at Zach.

  “And now you live here, too. Temporarily, at least.”

  Zach jumped to his feet. “I won’t go back to Beakman! If you try to make me go, I’ll run away again.”

  “Why, Zach?”

  “I hate it there.” He dropped his head. “Last week was parents’ weekend, and no one came. That’s when the other boys started teasing me.”

  “Oh, Zach, I’m so sorry. Your uncle was in Hawaii, so he couldn’t possibly...” It only took one accusing glare from the boy to silence her defense of Blake. Because leaving this kid on his own at a boarding school was indefensible. What was wrong with Blake and his family? Why weren’t they taking better care of Zach?

  “Let’s take things one day at a time, okay, Zach? For now, you’re here with me, and you can help Bobby and me with the house until we figure out the school situation. Maybe you can go to school in Gallant Lake...” She never should have said that aloud, but Zach jumped on it.

  “You mean stay here? For real? Could I ride the school bus? I’ve never ridden a school bus! Would I be here for Christmas?”

  She pulled some pajamas from the dresser. “That’s up to your uncle.” She tossed the pajamas on the bed and gestured toward it. “It’s time for bed. And, Zach?”

  He looked at her with cautious brown eyes. “Yeah?”

  “I promise I’ll talk to your uncle about school, but I want you to promise you won’t run away from here. From me. You’re going to have to trust me, okay? And stay?”

  It was either that or she’d have to sleep outside his door every night to make sure he stayed put. But he nodded.

  “I promise. But I’m not going back.”

  He was asleep within minutes. Amanda sent a text message to Blake from her room.

  Please don’t send him back to Beakman.

  Blake didn’t respond, so she waited. A full day passed, and no reply. She texted again.

  We need to talk. Zach can’t go to Beakman.

  Nothing.

  After a few days of awkward and often one-sided conversations between Zach and her, Zach seemed to have decided that Amanda was not only okay, but was also his guardian angel. Probably because she hadn’t sent him away. He’d hugged her for the first time the day after his arrival. Once she’d recovered from her surprise, she’d hugged him back.

  He seemed to crave hu
man contact. She wasn’t normally a hugger, but she made an exception for Zach. Especially after he told her one night that his mom used to hug him all the time. If he needed her to be a surrogate mom, that was okay with her. For one thing, it meant he was less likely to try to run away. And for another...she found she was getting as much from those hugs as he was.

  They established their ground rules quickly. He had to be sure she always knew where he was. If he went down to the resort, he had to obey Miss Julie and Mr. Jamal. Zach followed Bobby around Halcyon all day, so Bobby put him to work pulling off wallpaper and sanding walls.

  His uncle seemed to have just forgotten about him, but Zach should be in school somewhere. It felt as if no one in the Randall family wanted to give any thought to this lonely little boy. She wondered how his mother died, but she didn’t want to ask him to talk about it. Her own father had died at Christmastime when she was young. Was he seeing a counselor? Did anyone think to get help for him? Her fretfulness over Zach’s well-being shook her to the core. She wanted to look after him the way that no one had when she was young.

  When Blake ignored her third text in three days and a voice mail, she angrily decided to take matters into her own hands. She cared about Zach, even if no one else did. She talked to Julie, who had friends at the local elementary school. Amanda took Zach to the school and they met Bruce Hoffman, a fourth-grade teacher. The principal, Elizabeth Cantore, sat in on the meeting. Zach liked Mr. Hoffman, and Amanda did, too. The teacher’s dark hair was pulled back into a low ponytail. Dressed in chinos and a chambray shirt with Birkenstocks on his bare feet, his eyes were kind and he seemed genuine. An hour later, it was all arranged.

  Zach would attend school as Zachary Lowery to protect his identity. The Randall name was well-known in Gallant Lake, and not in a good way. Even Bruce admitted taking part in protests against the casino, but he vowed he’d never saddle Zach with that. Zach was more excited about riding the school bus than anything else.

  She finally heard from Blake that evening. She was just settling into bed when her phone chirped with a text message.

  I talked to the headmaster at Beakman. They’ve agreed to give him another chance. They’ll send a car for him.

  Her response was almost as swift as the rush of anger she felt.

  That’s a bad decision. Really bad. The worst.

  Her phone rang in her hand. Blake. Finally. He didn’t wait for her greeting, just started right in. “Not that it’s any of your business, but why is it a bad decision?”

  “Well, for one thing, you haven’t even asked why he ran away. They bullied him, Blake. And when he reported it to the headmaster, they didn’t believe him. That’s why I’ve been trying to reach you. He can’t go back there. Please...” Her emotions overwhelmed her, and her voice broke. Blake was quiet for a moment, and was much calmer when he spoke again.

  “I didn’t know that.”

  “Of course not, because you never returned my messages. Do you know why it got so bad? Because none of your family went to the parents’ weekend. He was the only one with no family there, Blake, and the kids picked on him.”

  “Shit. I meant to ask Nathan to go.” He sighed. “I can never seem to do the right thing for him. I don’t know how to do the right thing. I have no idea why Tiffany left him to me of all people...”

  She couldn’t argue that he was making a mess of being Zach’s guardian, but she also felt a stab of pity for him. He sounded lost. “It’s okay, Blake. He’s fine now, and he likes it here in Gallant Lake. I’ve enrolled him in the local school...”

  “Public school is not the answer, Amanda. A good private school will give Zach what he needs. I’ll talk to Beakman and make sure they keep an eye on things, but Randalls don’t go to public schools—”

  “But he wants to go to school here, and he’s really excited about it. Please, Blake...”

  “Of course he wants to. But you can’t just let children do whatever they want. He doesn’t get to make this type of decision for himself. The answer is no.” His voice was firm and businesslike. “I’m headed to Bali tomorrow, so communication will be sketchy, but I’ll have Beakman contact you to let you know when they’ll pick him up. He’ll be fine. Tell him he can come back to Halcyon for Christmas.”

  “But, Blake...”

  “Amanda, I have a meeting to get to. I’m sorry you got caught up in this family mess, and I really am grateful for what you’ve done for the boy. I’ll pay you for your time and trouble. I know he can be difficult.”

  “This isn’t about money!” She didn’t give a damn about his money. “He is not difficult! He’s a kind, loving little boy. He needs a stable home that makes him feel safe. He loves it here at Halcyon. He wants to ride the bus to school with the kids in Gallant Lake...”

  “That is not going to happen. He’ll be fine. I’ll be in touch.” And he was gone.

  She leaned back against the headboard of her bed. What Blake didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him, right? She was going to send Zach to school tomorrow in Gallant Lake as planned, and she’d deal with the Beakman situation somehow. She’d fibbed to get this job, so what was one more little lie? She wasn’t going to let Zach sit home while Blake wasted his time messing about.

  * * *

  A week later, her cousin’s silence on the other end of the phone call spoke volumes.

  “Say something, Nora.” Amanda stared out at the blue waters of the lake from her balcony. It was early October and days were turning cooler, but today the sun was shining bright and warm. Her cousin’s unexpected call seemed like a sign from the universe that she needed to tell someone about the mess she’d gotten herself into. Zach had been going to the local school, and he loved it. But it wouldn’t be long before Blake learned she’d told the headmaster at Beakman Academy that plans had changed and they no longer needed to send a car for Zachary. And once Blake knew, everything was going to come crashing down. She was trapped between doing what was right for Zach and being fair to Blake.

  “Nora?”

  “I don’t even know where to start, Mandy. You kissed this guy, and you actually liked it, then he left, you tore his house apart, and now you’re taking care of his nephew? Alone? The school let you enroll him without being his guardian?”

  “I talked really fast, and Julie may have suggested to the principal that I was his legal guardian before I even got there.” Julie was the only other person who knew she’d lied to allow Zach to stay. Everyone else thought it was Blake’s idea.

  “You’re turning into quite the little grifter, honey. I should be appalled, but I’m honestly impressed.” Amanda wasn’t sure how she felt about this new dishonest side of herself, either. Nora’s Southern accent deepened as her worry did. “But, honey, what happens when Blake finds out? Mel said he’s pretty intense. Doesn’t sound like the type to be amused by any of this. You’re getting attached to this boy, and he could be snatched away from you in the blink of an eye. Are you ready for that? Is Zach? Did you really think this through?” Every word hit home for Amanda because she asked herself the very same questions every night.

  “Clearly not. But I’m in it now. Blake doesn’t see Zach as anything but a burden right now. Maybe when he gets back... I don’t know.” She shook her head and leaned back against the wall of Halcyon, which felt oddly warm on this chilly evening. “The kid is just so lost and lonely.” Amanda closed her eyes and rubbed the bridge of her nose. “I know this could end up being an absolute disaster for everyone. I just have to hope that it’s not.”

  “Have you been talking to Dr. Jackson?”

  Amanda blinked a few times in surprise. “Once. We had a phone session a few weeks ago.”

  Dr. Jackson had been supportive of Amanda taking on the design project at Halcyon, and was thrilled to hear she and Blake had shared a few kisses with no panic attacks. The doctor had been encouraging her for months be more spontaneous, and sh
e, like Nora, thought Gallant Lake was inspiring Amanda’s impulsive side. But Dr. Jackson knew nothing about Zach’s arrival. She may have taken the idea of being spontaneous a little too far.

  Nora broke the silence. “You’re taking a lot of chances, and I worry about all the things that could go wrong. You were already having panic attacks...” Her voice drifted off.

  Tension simmered under Amanda’s skin. Yes, exhaustion was catching up to her. Worrying about Zach, and Blake’s reaction to what she’d done, along with the construction chaos and worrying the protestors might show up at the entrance to Halcyon and hassle Zach—it was all wearing on her.

  “I’m okay.” She had to say it, even if she didn’t believe it. “Really, I am. I appreciate you calling me, Nora.” She stood shakily and brushed away the tears she didn’t realize she’d started to shed. “I have to go. Zach will be home any minute, and he likes it when I meet the bus. Keep me in your prayers, coz.”

  “Every day, girl. Every day.”

  She did her best to put up a brave front for Zach, but the strain wore at her as the days passed. Two nights later, he found her sitting on the floor in the solarium, weeping uncontrollably. He’d curled up at her side, hugged her tight and told her not to cry. Which, of course, made her cry more.

  And nightmares...well, the nightmares were back with a vengeance. The workers were making her edgy, and Bobby had to fire one that week for wearing a T-shirt with a vulgarity on it referring to the casino plans. Bobby told the guy to go change and the man started yelling about “free speech” and how Blake Randall was “killing Gallant Lake.” Bobby fired him on the spot. Did the other workers feel the same hatred for Blake and the resort? The confrontation sent her spiraling into a persistent state of anxiety. Her nerves were frayed. Every passing day added to the amount of trouble she’d be in when Blake discovered Zach was still at Halcyon.

  Maybe it was selfish, but she needed Zach as much as he needed her. Halcyon was different since he’d arrived. Warmer. Brighter. So she pushed herself through each day with a smile and tried to ignore the firestorm that was surely headed her way.