Home with My Sisters (24 page)

“We'd better find Josh,” Austin said. He sounded worried. Was the storm worse than Hope thought? She called his name again, and then Austin's voice shouted it out.

“You sound really worried,” Hope said. “Is the weather that dangerous?”

“Not yet,” Austin said. “But it's a big piece of property. Easy to get lost in the woods.”

“Josh really isn't the type to wander away,” Hope said.

“Are you sure he's not in the house?”

“I didn't look under beds, but pretty sure.”

“We can go to Roger's cabin. He knows these woods better than anyone.”

“I was going to call you next, invite you to dinner,” Hope said as they trudged toward Roger's cabin.

“There's no light on,” Hope said. “Where could he be?”

“The door is ajar,” Austin said. Hope squinted and sure enough she could see the door to Roger's cabin was indeed open a few inches.

CHAPTER 25

Hope and Austin stood in front of the cabin door. “I hope Josh isn't sneaking around in there,” Hope said.

“Roger?” Austin called. “Are you in there?”

“Josh?” Hope called.

Austin stepped closest to the doorway and snuck his hand around. A few seconds later the cabin was lit up. Once Hope's eyes adjusted she could see into a small kitchen with a card table. Josh was standing by the fridge. He'd whirled around and was staring at them with a stricken look plastered on his face.

“Josh!” Hope said. “What are you doing in here?” The cabin was sparse. A rocking chair was positioned by a small wood-burning stove, a ratty sofa faced the windows, and a coffee table bridged the gap between the two. Dishes were piled in the sink. Hope wondered if Yvette was the one who usually washed them. Other than that there was no personality to the cabin. No photographs on the fridge, no knickknacks that Hope could see, no bookshelf filled with books. It made her a little sad. Who was Roger? What was it like to be him?

“Is Roger here?” Austin said. Josh shook his head no. “This is private property, let's go.” Josh skittered toward them and the minute he was out the door, Austin switched off the light. “Was the door open like this?” Austin said.

“Yes,” Josh said. “I swear.”

“We can't just leave it open,” Austin said. He closed it.

“Do you think he's in there?” Hope said.

“He's not,” Josh said. “He's in the barn.”

“Why would he leave the door open?” Hope said.

“I think he wanted me to go in and look around,” Josh said.

“Why would he want you to do that?”

“How should I know?” Josh snapped.

Hope stopped, as she realized she sounded like her sister when she squabbled with him. She was supposed to be the fun aunt. “Dinner's ready. Let's get inside.”

Josh shrugged, then shoved his hands into his pockets and headed for the house. “Grandma wants you to call her,” he said.

“Carla?” Hope said.

“I don't have to call her that,” Josh said.

“When did you talk to her?”

“I dunno. A little bit ago. She only wanted to talk to you. Said it was urgent.”

“Is she stuck in Cuba? She'd drive Castro to distraction.” Hope laughed.

“They didn't go to Cuba.”

“Oh,” Hope said. “Did she say why?”

“Some Bohemian disappeared.”

“What?”

“And there's going to be a revolution.”

“Okay.” Her mother was a piece of work. What was she up to now? “I take it she was drinking?”
Or was she smoking something?

Josh shrugged. “She wants you to call her.”

“And we're talking about?” Austin said.

“My mother.”

“You call your mother Carla?”

“Says it all, doesn't it?”

“I think she was freaked out by Roger,” Josh said. “That's why I was looking in his cabin.”

“Why? What did you tell her about Roger?”

“I told her we might have to share the property with him.”

“Ah,” Hope said. “Mystery solved.” She shook her head. Her mother was like Joy when it came to wanting something for nothing.

“She wants to buy a yacht so we can all sail to Cuba for Christmas next year.”

“Of course she does.” They were passing the barn. Hope stopped.

“You said Roger is in the barn?”

“Are you going to tell him?” There was a tinge of panic in Josh's voice.

“I'm going to invite him to dinner.”

“But are you going to tell him?”

“Did you take anything?”

“No.”

“Are you ever going to do that again?”

“No.”

“Then I won't tell him.”

“Thank you.”

“He deserves his privacy. And Grandma had no right saying anything about him at all.”

“She didn't say anything. Not really.”

“Why don't you two go to the house. I'll look for Roger in the barn.”

“We're in this together,” Austin said. “We'll all have a quick peek.”

“Why is he in the barn anyway?” Josh asked.

Hope entered the barn. There was a single bulb hanging from the ceiling emitting a soft glow. Her eyes took in bales of hay lining the dirt floor, the wooden planks making up the walls, the stalls, a shovel propped in a corner, and several parked tractors. There was a hayloft with more hay. So far no sign of Roger.

“Were there ever animals in here?” Hope asked.

“Oh yes,” Austin said. “Rupert kept some of the horses here. The ones that pulled the sleighs in town.”

“What happened to them?”

“He arranged for them to be adopted by another horse farmer,” Austin said. “He knew Yvette wouldn't be able to handle them.”

“He sounds like he really loved her,” Hope said.

“I think he had a hard life growing up. His first wife died in a car accident. I think he felt Yvette was a kindred soul.”

Because her only son died in a car accident.
“It must be tough having your job,” Hope said. “You must hear a ton of sad stories.”

“I do,” Austin said. “I hear a lot of stories.”

“But you're not allowed to tell us because they're all private, right?” Josh asked.

“Right,” Austin said. “They're all private. Anybody can call anytime and not worry.”

Suddenly a bell jingled. The three of them halted.

“What was that?” Josh asked.

“Santa Claus?” Hope said.

“Funny,” Josh said.

Austin looked up at the ceiling and laughed. Hope looked up to see what was so funny. Mistletoe hung directly above them.

“What's that?” Josh said. Austin and Hope locked eyes. A jolt of electricity ran through her. He gave a little smile.

“Somebody is playing matchmaker,” he said. Hope had a sudden and awful thought. She wished Josh wasn't right behind them. Would they have kissed if he wasn't?

“Roger,” Hope said, calling out to the dark recesses of the barn. “I want you to come into the house for dinner. Please?” Silence greeted them. “Ring the bell if you'll come,” she added. Again, silence.

“It's cold,” Austin said. “Let's get inside.”

“Do you want me to bring you a plate then? Bring it to your cabin?” Hope asked. A second later came the ring of the bell. Hope smiled. At least he wanted to eat. They exited the barn.

“Race you to the house,” Austin said to Josh. Josh sprinted ahead. Austin started forward, then suddenly whirled around and latched his arm around Hope's waist. He pulled her into him and kissed her. It was a passionate kiss, and it didn't take long before she was kissing him back. Warmth shot through her entire body. When he let go, they were both out of breath.

“It's bad luck to ignore mistletoe,” he said with a wolfish grin. Then before she could reply he took off across the snow, trying to beat Josh to the house.

CHAPTER 26

Dinner began as a quiet affair. In addition to the roast chicken they had mashed sweet potatoes and a green bean casserole. They didn't fight or burn anything and Harrison, who was thrilled to discover Yvette owned a bread maker, impressed all of them with homemade bread. Turns out he had gone to culinary school and hoped to open his own restaurant someday. The bread practically melted in your mouth. “You should sell loaves of this at the coffee shop,” Faith said, practically humming into the bread. “I'd drive to Seattle for this.” Everyone was at the table on time except for one. Hope eyed the empty place setting, wishing Roger had changed his mind and joined them. She'd bring him a plate as soon as they were done.

“I can't remember the last time this table was filled with people,” Yvette said, looking them each in the eye as if thanking them. The lights of the Christmas tree were on and Bing Crosby was playing in the background.

“How did you and Rupert meet?” Hope asked. She was still thinking about that kiss with Austin. And trying not to look at him across the table. Every time she even thought about him, a smile threatened to break out. She watched as Yvette's face relaxed and a smile came upon her face as well.

“In a pub downtown,” she said. “Isn't that cliché?”

“Totally,” Joy said.

“Did he have some smooth moves?” Harrison teased.

“He had a horse and carriage outfit, a sledding outfit, and a log house on twenty acres,” Yvette said.

“Those are some smooth moves all right,” Harrison said with a wink.

“Tell us more about his Christmas antics,” Hope said.

“What antics?” Brittany said.

“Skating, a light show, caroling, roasting marshmallows over the fire pit. You name it, he did it,” Yvette said. The more she spoke, the younger she appeared. A smile even slipped out before sneaking back in.

“Did you enjoy it?” Faith asked.

“I never thought I'd like strangers crawling all over the property,” Yvette said. “But Rupert loved it so much that, yes, I'd have to say eventually it brought me joy too.”

“Dad would have loved him,” Faith said.

“Oh, he did,” Yvette said.

Hope stared at Yvette, waiting to see if she understood what she just said. Was she starting to go senile?

Faith cleared her throat. “Dad never met Rupert,” she said softly.

Yvette frowned. “Is that right?” she said.

“He passed away long before you two ever met,” Faith said.

“I'm on a lot of medications,” Yvette said.

“It's okay,” Hope said. “I bet you've imagined them meeting a thousand times. And Dad definitely would have loved anyone who was just as crazy about Christmas as he was.”

Yvette nodded, and her fork shook as she brought it up to her mouth. She'd probably be more coherent if she stopped drinking the whiskey, but if Hope were faced with dying by the new year she'd probably be doing the same.

Yvette was coming around to the idea of Christmas, and she even lit up when she mentioned the celebrations from when Rupert was alive. They should have one more Christmas like that. For Yvette. They should have at least three days that the property was open to the public again. They could come and skate, and sing, and roast chestnuts in the fire pit, and enjoy all the lights and decorations. Hope felt herself smiling as she imagined it. She looked up to find Austin staring at her, and soon he raised an eyebrow. He wanted to know what was making her smile. She gave a little nod and hoped he'd interpret it as
I'll tell you later
.

“Why did you set a place for Roger when he said he wasn't coming?” Joy asked, looking at Yvette.

“I'm the one who set his place at the table,” Hope said. “I was hoping he'd change his mind.”

“It's not good to force him,” Yvette said.

Hope didn't want an argument. “I wasn't,” she said. “Just encouraging.”

“I'm surprised you didn't set a place for Mr. Jingles,” Faith said.

“Poor guy,” Hope said. “I'll have to bring him some scraps when I take Roger his plate.”

“Have you ever considered putting Roger in an assisted care facility?” Joy asked. Hope couldn't believe what she'd just heard. Joy didn't regularly use phrases like
assisted care facility.
That meant she'd been talking to someone. Of course she had. She still wanted nothing more than to sell the property.

Yvette's face immediately hardened. Joy might be scheming, but she wasn't thinking ahead on this one.

“You won't be inheriting any of this property,” Yvette said.

“Because I asked a question?” Joy's mouth hung open.

“I made my wishes very clear,” Yvette said. “I'm not even in the ground and you're trying to defy them.”

“It was a simple question. We're not nurses. I only want to know if you've considered other places for Roger.”

“This is his home,” Yvette said. “It's where he will stay.”

“Why don't you just leave the entire place to him then?” Joy said.

“What are you doing?” Faith asked Joy.

“Order in the court,” Joy said to Harrison.

“Excuse me?” Faith said.

“You're like a judge, always trying to direct us,” Joy said.

“No fighting,” Josh said.

“Josh is right,” Hope said. “Let's just eat. Try to enjoy the meal. You know. Like normal people.”

“It was a mistake inviting you girls here,” Yvette said.

“What?” Hope said. That hurt. And here she'd almost started warming up to Yvette. Was starting to like her even.

Yvette continued. “If it weren't for Roger you wouldn't still be here.”

“Here we go with Roger again,” Joy said.

“I have an idea,” Hope said.

“I bet it's good,” Brittany said. Her eyes lit up. Why couldn't everyone be that sweet?

Hope threw Brittany an appreciative smile before continuing. “We've all been tense. Very Scrooge-like around here. Except for the kids.” She smiled at them again. Josh hadn't exactly been cheery, but she didn't want to single him out.

“What are you driving at?” Faith said. Faith didn't like any idea that wasn't hers.

“Christmas is about giving. It's about love and sharing. Let's pay tribute to Dad, and Rupert.”

“How?” Yvette said.

“Why?” Joy said under her breath.

“What did we talk about?” Harrison said to Joy. “No picking fights until after we finish dessert.”

“What is this brilliant idea?” Faith asked.

“I think we should open the property up to the public for Christmas again.”

“Yeah, right,” Joy said.

“I mean it,” Hope said. “Skating, Christmas lights, hot cocoa, Christmas carols. We could invite the whole town!” She looked around the table. Most mouths were open. “Like it used to be,” she added. “It's a shame to have all those decorations on the lawn and use up all that electricity and not share the joy.”
Besides, none of you appreciate it anyway.
One by one those at the table glanced at Yvette to see her reaction.

“It wouldn't be the same without Rupert,” Yvette said.

“You're right,” Hope said. “It would be different. But we'd all be giving back. And since none of us seem capable of just enjoying each other's company—why wouldn't we do it?”

“I think it's a great idea,” Austin said. “In fact a lot of my coworkers could use an evening skate. We've been trying to think of a place to celebrate. Downtown gets way too crowded.”

“That's perfect!” Hope said. “We'll invite your coworkers and the people who live here year-round and work at the shops. Give them a break from the tourists too.”

“We're tourists,” Faith said.

“Skating, Christmas carolers, roasting chestnuts,” Hope said. “It could be so sweet. We can put up even more decorations and start a toy drive for children in need.”

“Can we, Mom?” Brittany said.

Faith pushed back her plate. Hope noticed that she'd left a bit of everything except for the vegetables. Those were all gone. She glanced at her own plate. She hadn't touched the veggies. It was like all the food had fallen off a cliff, leaving the veggies stranded on a porcelain deserted island. She jabbed her fork into the greens.
Coming to save you,
she thought to herself as she started to force them in. She wasn't sure if it was her, or Faith, but one of them was not normal. Totally not normal.

“Are we going to have the town over for Christmas, Mom?” Brittany piped up again.

“I don't have any say in this,” Faith said.

Yvette leaned forward. “If we're going to do this, then you all have to agree.”

Faith turned to her. “A few days ago you didn't even want to celebrate Christmas. Are you really considering this?”

“I like the idea of my last Christmas being in tribute to Rupert,” Yvette said. “I think that would be a nice way to go out.”

Faith shrugged. Joy shrugged.

“It's settled then,” Hope said.

“I can start spreading the word,” Austin said. “I know the right folks in town.”

“This is so exciting,” Hope said.

Josh got up from the table. “Where are you going?” Faith said.

“I'm calling Dad,” Josh said. “If the whole town is coming for Christmas, then he is too.”

“Pass the wine,” Faith said.

“It's gone,” Joy said.

“Pass the whiskey,” Faith said.

“Granny has it,” Joy said. The girls all looked at their grandmother.

“Blood only goes so far,” Yvette said.

* * *

Hope and Austin headed for Roger's cabin with a plate piled with food. “That was a great idea,” Austin said. “I think Yvette really liked it.”

“My sisters didn't seem too keen,” Hope said.

“They'll come around. I truly think that when you start doing for others, you can't help but open up, become a happier person.”

“Now that would be a Christmas miracle,” Hope said.

“Do you think Josh's father will come here for Christmas?”

“I don't think so. They're actually having some issues. Waiting until after the holiday to resolve them.”

“I thought as much.” Austin stopped. “Listen. I'm in a bit of a pickle here.”

“What is it?”

“I just think it might be a good idea if Josh's father comes for Christmas. It might cheer him up.”

Hope frowned. “That's your pickle?”

“Yes, it's a pickle because it's none of my business. But he seems troubled.”

“And you work with troubled people so you would know,” Hope said.

“Exactly,” Austin said. “I think he could use some support.”

“I'll talk to Faith.”

“Thank you.” He seemed to hesitate.

“Is there more?”

“Would you mind not mentioning me when you have that conversation with Faith?”

Hope laughed. “Afraid of her, are you?”

Austin laughed and nodded. “Terrified.”

“Mum's the word.”

“Thank you.”

He seemed genuinely relieved. In some ways he reminded Hope of a grown-up male version of Brittany. There didn't seem to be a mean bone in his body. She couldn't help thinking that if she had stayed with Michael and he were here with her that he wouldn't have cared less about inviting the town for Christmas. In fact he probably would have been annoyed. If it wasn't for him, or about him, he wasn't interested. Hope would take Austin any day. “Are you always more concerned about other people than you are yourself?”

Austin smiled. “It gets boring thinking of yourself all the time.”

“Don't I know it,” Hope said. They were a few feet from the cabin. The lights were on inside. Mr. Jingles was in the cabin curled up at Roger's feet by the sofa. “So that's where he's been all the time,” Hope said. Roger bent down and patted Mr. Jingles on the head.

“Maybe that's the reason for his improvement,” Austin said. “Canine therapy.”

“If I lived here, I'd have a dozen dogs running around,” Hope said. “Don't repeat that to Faith.”

Austin laughed. Then stopped. “Are you seriously considering living here?” His voice was lower, huskier. He sounded like he loved the idea.

“I am,” Hope said. “But I don't think my sisters are going to let that happen.”

“Let me know if there's anything I can do,” Austin said. He held her gaze. Her stomach gave a flip. They were at the door of the cabin. Mr. Jingles barked and made a beeline for the door.

“He's switched sides already,” Hope said. She knocked. Soon the door opened. Roger took the plate, gave her a nod, and then closed the door. Hope didn't even have a chance to say anything. A few seconds later the curtain on the window closest to the door came down. Then the other window. They had been officially sealed out.

“At least he took the plate,” Austin said. They began to walk back to the house.

“How would you like to go into town with me tomorrow?”

“To start planning the Christmas extravaganza?”

“If that's more agreeable than a date, absolutely.” He kept a smile on his face as he held eye contact. She felt her cheeks heat up.

“Are they mutually exclusive?” she asked.

“Not at all,” he said, linking arms with her as they walked. “I love to mix romance with planning extravaganzas.”