The Christmas Children (13 page)

 

“This must be our day for company,” Carissa said, when the doorbell sounded at about noon.

A police cruiser stood in the driveway, and Paul opened the door for the chief of police.

Stomping his feet to get rid of the snow on his boots, Justin said, “Hiya! I have some news for you about the children.”

“Come in. Got time to have a sandwich with us?”

“Sounds good to me. I worked all night and I'm finally heading home for some shut-eye.”

Justin shrugged out of his heavy coat and laid it over the back of a chair.

“Is it good news or bad?” Carissa asked as she poured a cup of coffee for him.

“Not bad,” he said, settling into a kitchen chair. “And for the good of everybody concerned, I think we'd better keep this information to the three of us until we decide what we want to do about it. If I tell one other person, including Belva, the news will be all over town by nightfall.”

Paul set lunch meat, cheese and mayonnaise on the table. Carissa took a bowl of grapes and a loaf of bread from the refrigerator.

While they made their individual sandwiches, Justin said, “There was a message on the Internet last night about three missing children in Aberdeen, Vermont. The profiles sounded a lot like our Christmas children, so I telephoned the sheriff there. We had a long chat. There's no doubt we're dealing with the same kids.”

A wave of disappointment spread through Carissa. Had she actually been hoping that the children couldn't be traced?

“Have they told us the truth?” Paul asked.

“Pretty much so, it seems. Their family name is Garner. Their mother was sick for several years and died about three months ago. The father hasn't been seen for several years. I gathered from the sheriff that the neighbors had been taking care of them for months.”

“Is their family looking for them?”

“The sheriff said that a local preacher and one aunt had initiated the search. The kids are from a poor family. The extended family members aren't necessarily heartless, but none of them can afford to take in three children.”

Carissa pushed back her plate. She'd lost her appetite. Her mouth was dry, and she swallowed with difficulty. “So, what do we do now?”

“The sheriff is going to contact the local welfare service, which has been supporting the Garners for several years. I told him of Yuletide's desire to include the children in our Christmas plans and that they are in good care. He thinks there won't be any demands to have them returned to their hometown before Christmas. They'll probably be put in foster care, though it's unlikely they'll find one family that will take all the children.”

“So they'll be pushed from pillar to post?” Carissa said.

“More'n likely,” Justin agreed.

“Shouldn't we tell the children what you've learned?” Carissa asked.

“That's up to you. I thought the kids should hear it from you rather than from somebody else.” Justin stood, yawning. “I'm headin' for home, folks. I'll keep you posted on what I hear. Thanks for lunch.”

While Paul chatted with Justin as he put on his coat and left the house, Carissa put away the food and placed their dirty dishes and silverware in the
dishwasher. She went into the great room and absently picked up items that belonged to the children: Lauren's bear from the fireplace ledge, a book on football that Alex had been reading the night before and one of Julie's mittens lying on the couch.

When Paul returned he didn't interrupt her musings, but went into his bedroom to prepare for the afternoon's ordeal with Jennifer. Carissa was staring out the glass doors when he returned. He'd changed into a pair of gray sweats, and he sat on the couch to pull on his snow boots.

“I don't know whether I feel better or worse now that we've learned more about the kids,” he said.

Carissa sat beside him. “I feel worse. There just doesn't seem to be a happy ending for them, unless I adopt them.”

Impulsively, he laid his hand over hers—conscious, and relieved, that she didn't rebuff his touch. “No, Carissa, that isn't the answer. Haven't you seen enough already to know it wouldn't work? Where would you live? Would you take them back to Florida with you? It's too much for you to take on Lauren's physical problems, Julie's tantrums and Alex's stealing.”

She looked at him quickly.

“Yes, he took ten dollars out of that billfold I planted in the basement. I hadn't seen any need to bother you with the knowledge.”

“But don't you think they'd change a lot if they had the security of a home?”

“I'm not thinking about anyone but you. You've worked hard, and now that you're financially secure enough to retire, you ought to have a life of your own.”

“But a life doing what? That's one reason I started thinking about finding Christmas. I didn't have anything else to do.”

“Trust me, Carissa—this isn't the answer. You can find many worthwhile things to do without becoming a mother.”

“You think I'm too old to do it,” she accused.

“I don't think you're too old to do anything you want to. I'm not as old as you, and I wouldn't want to take on the single parenthood of three kids. I admit I've become attached to them, and I'd help you with them if I could. But in a few weeks, I'll be thousands of miles away.”

He couldn't read her expression, but he didn't think he'd convinced her. “At least promise me that you won't make a hasty decision about this. Who knows—maybe their father will show up.”

She looked at the clock. “You only have ten minutes to get into town.”

Carissa didn't seem a bit disturbed about his association with Jennifer, so apparently Carissa wasn't experiencing the same feelings for him that had started infiltrating his mind and heart when he was with her.

“I'll meet you at the school by three o'clock,” she said as he left the house.

Carissa seldom had any time alone anymore, so she took advantage of the peaceful moment to read the Bible. For years, Carissa had devoted all of her energy to making a success of Cara's Fashions, to the neglect of her spiritual nature. But since the pressures of business had been lifted from her shoulders, she'd tried to read the Bible every day. She was pleasantly surprised to find out how much she remembered of the spiritual truths she'd learned from the Bible as a child.

When she'd received such a large payment for her business, she'd recalled the Scripture verse, “As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people.” She'd pondered a long time about how she could do this, until she heard about an organization that was devoted to helping abandoned children. She'd felt that she should share some of what she'd gained, to help children who'd had the same misfortune she'd had.

Now, as she sat, Bible in hand, considering the Garner children, the story of Queen Esther came to mind. Esther, a Jewish slave girl, had become queen in the Persian Empire. Esther may have thought that she'd reached the pinnacle of success and that her life from then on would be one of ease. Yet, when her countrymen were on the verge of extinction, Esther had been told, “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”

Right from the first, Carissa had thought it strange that she'd been inspired to look for the meaning of
Christmas in a town she'd never seen, among people she didn't know. God's spirit was everywhere. Couldn't she have found the Christmas spirit in Florida? She didn't need to travel a thousand miles to find new meaning for her life.

Yet it seemed right for her to be in Yuletide, New York, in this house with Paul and the children. Had she, like Queen Esther, been brought to this locality for a specific purpose? During the few times she'd contemplated adopting the children, she'd always thought of doing it with Paul at her side. It seemed obvious that he had no inclination in that direction. And she could understand that he had a job to do. With Paul's cooperation she believed they could set up a happy home life for the Garner children. But where? Naomi would be returning to New York in a few weeks. They couldn't live in this house, which was too small for five people, anyway. Besides, soon after Christmas, Paul would return to Europe.

Could she handle the adoption alone? But would she
be
alone? If God had brought her to Yuletide because the Garner kids were here, wouldn't He be with her through parenthood as helper and guide? Queen Esther had had the prayer support of God's people to accomplish her goals. The local Yuletide church members had already demonstrated their willingness to help feed and clothe the children. She was sure that any church congregation anywhere would offer the same loving support.

But Paul had asked her to use caution, and she
would. She'd seldom acted on impulse, but since making the hasty decision to travel to Yuletide, she'd been jumping into troubled waters with both feet. Which way should she jump now?

P
aul also felt the need for extra strength as he drove into Yuletide. He prayed for help in keeping his guard up against Jennifer's wiles. It wasn't his nature to be rude to anyone, but during this skating performance, he must keep their relationship on a strictly impersonal level.

He knew his task wouldn't be an easy one when Jennifer showed up at the skating rink wearing tights that looked as if she'd been poured into them.

“Oh, why are you wearing sweats? You'd be more comfortable in tights,” she said, tapping him playfully on the shoulder.

“I'm not wearing tights until we're ready to perform. Besides, I
am
comfortable.” He tied on the rented skates. “All I intend to do today is to learn how much endurance I have. I haven't been on skates for several months. You can explain what routine
you have in mind, but we can't skate as partners today.”

Lifting first one leg and then the other, Paul tottered for a few moments before his body movements adjusted to the sensitive balance necessary for skating. Only a few other skaters were on the ice, and he spent several minutes circling the rink. He leaned forward, lifting his left leg and stretching it behind him, his arms extended in a straight line from his shoulders.

As always, he thrilled to the feel of the cold air drifting past his face as he glided across the smooth surface. Confident that he hadn't lost much of his agility, Paul tried a two-foot spin. With his feet slightly more than shoulder-width apart, he put his weight over his left thigh, his left toe gripping the ice. With his right arm pressed behind him, he positioned his left arm across his body, fingertips pointed behind him. He bent both knees equally, and with his arms held taut, he snapped his arms around and to the front, stretched his knees, straightened both legs, planted both blades on the ice, initiating the spin. He was pleased that he experienced only a slight dizziness, and decided he could probably do a creditable job of skating for the exhibition.

He glided across the glistening ice several more times, then experimented with cutting figure eights on the smooth surface. He tried several rotation jumps, and while he considered his movements clumsy, at least he didn't fall.

All during the practice session, he was aware of Jennifer. How could he help it when she circled him dozens of times? Her body was as youthful and glamorous as it had been when she was a teenager. When they made eye contact, she gave him a tantalizing smile as if to remind him of other times they'd performed together.

After a half hour, Paul's heartbeat was more rapid than he would have liked, so he skated to the side and sat on a bench. Jennifer executed a graceful waltz jump directly in front of him, then joined him.

“You haven't lost much of your grace,” Jennifer said admiringly.

He rubbed his legs and went through a few stretches. “Maybe, but my muscles didn't appreciate the exercise.” Hoping to hasten Jennifer's departure, he said, “I'll be here tomorrow at the same time, and we can work on our act. What routine are you considering?”

“Nothing too difficult. The last time we performed together, we skated to the music of ‘The Tennessee Waltz.' For old times' sake, it would be fun to do that again. What do you think?”

“That's okay.” He started to remove his skates, and Jennifer hovered over him.

“Then, how about going into Saratoga Springs with me now to choose our costumes? I have to make arrangements for the spotlights that have to be set up for the presentation, too. You could help with that.”

Paul didn't want to spend any time alone with Jen
nifer, but several people were involved in various activities around the rink, so Paul indicated the bench beside him. “Sit down, please.”

She sat close to him, her thighs grazing his. The contact was distasteful to Paul, but he didn't move.

“I told you earlier that I have other commitments this evening, and I intend to keep them. Before we go any further, I want to make one thing clear to you. Jennifer, I agreed to this performance because I want to see Yuletide glow with Christmas again. But I have no interest whatsoever in a relationship with you.”

Her lips curled ironically. “You flatter yourself, Paul.”

“Perhaps, but how else can I interpret it? You put me on the spot in front of the celebration committee. I had little choice but to accept your challenge.”

“So you haven't forgiven me for breaking our engagement?” she said, her shoulders drooping pathetically.

“I don't know whether or not I have. But that's beside the point—it's in the past and I want it to stay there.”

“You're making a mountain out of a molehill. I was so pleased to see you again that I thought it would be nice to skate together. Our practice sessions will be more pleasant if we're friends.”

“No, Jennifer, I don't want to be your friend. You use your friends. We're acquaintances, nothing more.”

“Have you fallen in love with Carissa Whitmore?” she demanded.

“I've known Carissa less than a month—it's a little soon to be in love with her. We've committed to take care of the children until after Christmas. That will take all of my time.”

“Have fun, then,” Jennifer said, and resumed skating. He didn't give her a backward glance as he turned in his skates, asked that they be reserved for him until after the exhibition, and left the rink. He doubted that Jennifer would give up so easily.

 

After they visited a department store and bought boots for the children, Paul suggested, “Anybody interested in eating out tonight? You're probably tired of my cooking, and I know
I
am. There's a special on hamburgers and fries at the café.”

“Yeah!” Alex said, giving Paul a high-five. “The coach gave us a good workout in the gym today.”

Julie grabbed Paul's hand. “The pastor said they're gonna make us do something in the parade.”

Paul's eyes questioned Carissa as they got into the SUV.

“The pastor mentioned it to me,” she said. “They want the children to be the town's guests and ride on a special float during the Christmas parade next week.”

“That sounds like quite an honor,” Paul said. “You want to be sure you deserve it.”

He sensed rather than saw the suspicious glance Alex gave him.

 

Apparently the Garner children hadn't had many opportunities to eat in restaurants, but they were delighted to be able to order exactly what they wanted. Carissa asked Lauren to drink water instead of a soda, but otherwise, each child chose his or her food. When Alex ordered both french fries and onion rings, Carissa glanced questioningly in Paul's direction. He shrugged.

Carolers were singing along the streets of Yuletide when their meal was finished, and Carissa and her temporary family listened as the music faded into the distance. Paul and the children sang as she drove them home.

Once they were back, while the children went to their rooms with their belongings, Paul stepped near Carissa. “Are we going to tell them what we learned this morning?” he asked quietly.

She nibbled uncertainly on her lower lip. “I've been worrying about it all day, but I think we should. I'm tired of just thinking of them as ‘the children.' We know their last name now, and I think we should use it. We're in the clear legally, since Justin has reported their whereabouts and gotten permission for them to stay here through the holidays.”

Lauren brought a book downstairs with her and sat beside Carissa on the couch. Alex turned on the sports channel and was soon engrossed in a hockey
game. Julie nestled down beside Paul, and he started reading a story to her.

“I read a book like this in my other school,” Lauren said as she leafed through the pages.

Paul and Carissa exchanged glances, and taking a deep breath, he said smoothly, “Did you attend a big school in Aberdeen, Vermont?”

Julie apparently didn't notice the import of his question, but Carissa felt Lauren tense beside her. A dark, angry expression spread across Alex's face, and he stared at Paul. Obviously very disturbed, he turned off the television, his interest in sports interrupted.

“So you've been snooping around behind our backs?” he snarled.

Lauren started sobbing, and Carissa enveloped her in a tight hug. Paul's body stiffened, and he opened his mouth, no doubt intending a sharp retort, but Carissa shook her head.

“We did not snoop around,” she said. “Chief Townsend received a bulletin yesterday that three children, with the last name of Garner, are missing from Aberdeen, Vermont. The children's first names were the same as yours, so he knew it was you.”

“What'd he do about it, besides blabbing to you?”

“He did what he had to do,” Paul said, trying to stifle the harsh words he wanted to say. “He contacted the authorities in your town and told them where you were.”

“And I suppose they're sending someone to pick us up,” Alex said bitterly.

“No. Justin told them we were taking care of you, and guaranteed your safety, which has been approved by the authorities in your area. There won't be any changes until after the first of the year.”

“And then what?” Alex demanded.

“I don't know,” Paul said, “but I wouldn't advise you to keep stealing money so you can run away again.”

A hangdog expression replaced the anger on Alex's face, and he turned away.

“If the people of Yuletide have honored you by giving you a special place in the parade,” Paul continued, “the least you can do is stop stealing from them.”

Lauren's sobbing ceased, and she lifted a moist face. “Alex! You promised Mommy you wouldn't steal no more!”

“You'd have gone hungry more than once if I hadn't,” her brother retorted without remorse.

“Stealing is never justified,” Paul said sternly. “And I speak for Carissa, as well as myself—if you want any further help from us, you'll stop taking things that don't belong to you. I understand that you want to accumulate some cash to take care of your sisters when you're not with us anymore. But if you get caught stealing, you'll be in so much trouble that you won't be able to help anyone, not even yourself.”

A look of despair spread over Alex's face, and
Carissa wanted to comfort him, but she knew Paul's method was needed now.

“You must return the money you took from the school to the pastor tomorrow. And I want the money you took from my wallet.”

Alex reached into his rear pocket and took out a worn wallet. He passed over two five-dollar bills and a twenty. Paul felt like a heel for taking the money, but the boy
had
to stop stealing.

“The twenty is what I took from the school. Will you give it to the pastor?”

“No. If you're man enough to look after your sisters and mother, you're man enough to own up to what you've done.”

Alex took the twenty and replaced it in his wallet.

“Now I know it isn't easy to be without money, and the three of you have been doing lots of work around here by bringing in wood and helping in the kitchen. I intend to give you an allowance for each week.” He reached into his own wallet, replaced one of the fives, and took out some dollar bills. He handed the five back to Alex.

“Since you've done more work than your sisters, I'll give you five dollars a week. The girls will get two dollars each.”

Alex turned the money over and over in his hand, and Carissa thought he was on the verge of tears.

“I'm sorry,” he whispered, “but Mom told me to look after the girls. I'm not old enough to get a job, and I didn't know how else to do it.”

Paul couldn't imagine why his mother had placed such a burden on Alex, but he supposed the poor woman was frantic, knowing she was dying and leaving her family without any help.

“If you're caught stealing, then who'll look after your sisters?” Paul asked.

Alex dropped his head into his hands, and Paul went to him and pulled him into his arms. Alex buried his face in Paul's shirt, his shoulders shaking with sobs. Julie slipped out of the chair and ran to grab Paul around the legs. He dropped his left hand to her head, while still holding Alex in the circle of his right arm.

Hardly conscious that she was speaking, Carissa said, “Stop all of this! I'm going to adopt you.”

Three tear-striped faces lifted and stared at her.

“Carissa!” Paul said. “You shouldn't promise that.”

Alex ignored his comment. “All three of us?”

“Yes. Legally, I don't know that I can adopt you, but I'll at least apply to be your guardian. It will take a long time, but perhaps I can be your foster parent until we see what we can do.”

“Uncle Paul, too?” Julie asked.

Paul cast an angry look toward Carissa, as if to say,
Now see what you've done!
“Julie, I have to go back to my job after Christmas,” he said.

Already Carissa was regretting her rash promise, but she couldn't stand the grief and fear these kids were obviously feeling. If she could do something to
help them, for her own peace of mind, she had to do it. She was sorry that Paul was angry with her. Did he think she was trying to manipulate him into staying in Yuletide?

It would be so much easier if they could have joint custody of the children. She recognized how expertly he'd handled Alex tonight. She might be able to meet the girls' needs, but would she fail with Alex? She didn't know much about child psychology, but she believed Alex needed a father figure in his life. Paul had proven that he could provide that. Perhaps she shouldn't have promised. What if she made a worse mess of their lives than they'd had before?

She wasn't up to a confrontation with Paul tonight, so she said, “Girls, it's time for showers. I'll read a Christmas story to you before you go to sleep.”

With a meaningful glance, Paul said, “Come down after the girls are in bed.”