September Wind (34 page)

             
“
I thought we’d come to an understanding.”

             
She wasn’t sure if he was still referring to the water incident, or if it was about her late night walk.

             
“
Here, just when I thought I had you…” A look of chagrin unbalanced him. “Well,” he continued, leaning to shuffle papers around the coffee table, “what I meant was, feeling I could count on you to do what was expected. Instead, you blatantly disobey my rules and go off where you don’t belong. Maybe you don’t realize the kind of a bind you’re in. The implications you’ll face for going out and shooting off your mouth.”

             
It seemed to her that his anger the previous day had a lot to do with fear, not only to put the fear in her, but fear that he might lose control of her. She wondered what he was trying to hide. It was obvious it had something to do with the scene at the kitchen door.

             
“
Mr. Schillings, I’m not in cahoots with Gabriel and Erwin if that’s what you’re referring to. I have no idea what they were talking about. And if I did, I have no one to shoot my mouth off to.”

             
“
But, you see, I don’t know that. Especially after that letter you tried to send off.” He fumbled for another cigarette and lit up. “Although, I suppose I should inform you that either the guy moved or you had the wrong address to begin with. I happen to have a close friend who works at the Post Office, and the address you used belongs to a Siscolly. So, young lady, I hope you finally realize that you really don’t have anyone else you can count on, but me.”

She watched him puff on his cigarette, blowing out smoke and reaching to tap off loose ashes. It was curious how he could act so normal one minute, and then so coldhearted and calculating the next, so impossible to predict.

              “
Oh, and by the way, young lady, I’ve been putting aside the one twenty-five a month for taking care of the children. You’ll get it when you’ve successfully completed your assignment here.”

             
She had already resigned herself to the fact he was holding the money to keep from losing control over her, and it just seemed wrong to acknowledge him. Yet, she had to play along. “Thank you, Mr. Schillings.”

             
Something struck him and he chuckled. “Here I thought you were just this poor homeless orphan. But it turns out this poor homeless orphan was in the midst of quite some pickle.” He chuckled again, and then gave her one of those icy stares. “You must feel such a sense of relief that I’m keeping you here even after everything I’ve come to learn about you.”

             
She thought there was something oddly rotten about him for relishing the idea that she was a criminal on the run, practically making fun of her for it.

             
Maybe now was the time to wage a war; war in a sense that if she was going to be stuck here because he wouldn’t give her money to leave, then she was going to search every clue, and use every possible means to help the children. She wasn’t done searching for Samuel Dimsmoore yet, far from it, but for now, she had a plan.               She smiled, seeing herself in one of Nancy Drew’s mystery novels. It made her feel tingly all of a sudden, made her feel brave and want to throw caution to the wind.

She would start by adopting some of her boss’s techniques and set the groundwork that had already begun in her mind weeks ago. She would start with just a touch of sweetness, yet to the point.

              “
I see what you’ve done for the children. Really they have... they have a lot more than most kids would ever even hope for.”

             
His mouth turned slightly.

             
“
And don’t think I’m not grateful to have a home.” She motioned, looking around the room. “And such a beauty at that… especially after that incident back in Illinois. I mean, we both know what I did. But, did you know that I had to protect myself from him?”

             
“
That’s not what the police say.”

             
“
Well, it’s true Mr. Schillings, it’s true.”

             
He looked at her strangely as if he might believe her. Although she couldn’t tell for sure.

             
“
Listen, Emily, if it became public knowledge that I’m harboring a fugitive, I could be in a world of trouble. So you must understand why I have to be so cautious.”

She wanted to ask him if he knew so much about her, why she was taking care of his children. But her objective was to make him trust her. “I see what you’re saying, Mr. Schillings, and I agree with you. But... do you remember the night you offered me this job? You said you wanted me to keep the children content? Well, I want you to know, that’s always been my goal. Actually I’ve been planning to have a talk with you about them.”

              “
Oh? About what?”

             
“
Things that... I don’t think should be ignored. See, I’m aware of how busy you are trying to provide for your family. Your free time is limited, I know that. I mean, that’s why I’m here, right?” She hurried on before he could stop her. “But I’m seeing a problem. I’ve heard them talk, I’ve noticed signs, and I’ve witnessed enough things that have me very concerned. My point is that the children are missing something in their lives and…”

             
“
Missing? What could they possibly be missing?”

             
“
They miss their mother for one, and they miss their friends. But it’s not just that. Maybe this doesn’t alarm you at the moment, but they’re growing up, they’re changing. And soon, well, even now, they’re starting to look for new ground to conquer. If something doesn’t change, they’re going to start... well, you know what happens when children start going through different stages in their lives.”

She could see he was pondering her statement, and gave it time to sink in. “You see, I’m trying to do my job in the best way possible. And, uhm, I’m sorry for taking Nathan down to the water, but I promise nothing like that will ever happen again.”

              “…
I guess only time will tell if you’re being straight with me.” He thought a moment longer, narrowing his eyes. “But don’t ever think you can fool me.”

             
He stood and went to the fireplace, tapping his fingers on the mantel, seeming frustrated.

             
“
Pearl’s anxious to leave,” he said. “I’ve already got a cook lined up. But the important thing is that since I travel so much I need someone here at all times. Otto is fine in his place, but the children unnerve him.” He lifted a cigarette from a box and tapped it out. “I need someone that’ll keep the rascals content, so they won’t… Well, like you said, you know how kids are.” He lit up and took a puff, leaning back against the mantle. “The point is to have someone here that I can trust.”

             
If he meant trust her to make sure the children were safe, yes he really could count on her. But if he meant trust her to never go against his wishes, she didn’t think so.

             
It seemed he wasn’t so sure about her either. “Well, we’ll see,” he said. Then he looked at her long and hard until she was completely intimidated. That seemed to please him.

             
There wasn’t much else to say after that and she stood to leave. “So, uhm… guess I’ll be on my way, then.”

             
He nodded, and she headed across the room, feeling his eyes on her as she left the library.

             
She wanted to let the children know that she was back, and popped her head in the classroom.

             
“
I thought you left,” Maria whispered.

             
“
Sorry for bothering you, Miss Hutchen, but do you mind if I have a minute with the children?”

             
“
Oh. Well... I guess a quick minute won’t hurt.”

             
The children rushed out into the hallway, nearly knocking her over in their excitement.

             
“
I’m so happy you’re here,” Maria said. “We missed you already. But... how come you’re back? Are you staying?”

             
“
Yes, yes I’m staying, for a while anyway. And listen to this. I had a talk with your father and I think you might see some changes around here.”

             
Maria looked skeptical. “Are you sure? How’d this happen so fast anyway?”

             
“
It’s a little complicated, but I believe it’ll happen. Hey, he listened to me—sort of. You know how he is.”

             
“
Yeah, we know,” Maria said, still a little cynical. “So what did you talk about?”

             
“
Mostly me trying to convince him that you guys need some excitement.” Emily smiled. “I more or less told him that if you don’t get some attention and a little change around here, that you’re going to rebel. Not in those words, but he knew what I meant.”

             
Maria giggled. “I can’t believe this.”

             
“
Do you know what rebel means?” Emily asked Nathan.

             
“
Mmm. Do something we’re not supposed to?”

             
“
Close enough. Anyway, he seemed interested in what I had to say. He’s not even holding the water thing against me. And I think maybe some good will come out of that whole fiasco.”

             
Now they both looked skeptical, brows lifting, eyes twirling.

             
“
Really, kids, something’ll happen, I’m sure of it.” She looked up as Miss Hutchens popped her head out the door and motioned to the children.

             
Emily left them to their studies, knowing that things weren’t exactly ideal yet, but now at least there was some hope.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

It was only four days before Christmas and Emily had been trying to catch up with Bruce to see when he would chop down the tree. Pearl had already left for the holidays and Otto said he hadn’t seen Bruce. So, when she went to the library, she was surprised to find three gifts and a note from him.

              He didn’t say where he was going, but she assumed it was home for Christmas. She had noticed a replacement driver, although he wasn’t exactly the friendly sort she felt comfortable asking favors from. Now it was up to her to make sure the children got their tree. It had been cool out the last few days, and so she gathered up the children’s jackets and waited outside their classroom.

             
“
What’s this for?” Maria asked.

             
Nathan grabbed his jacket, digging his arms into the sleeves. “A walk doe-doe, whaddaya think.”

             
“
Not just a walk, kids. We’re going to chop down a Christmas tree.”

             
Nathan squealed and headed up the hallway full speed. “I’ll show you where the axe is.”

             
“
We’ll have to keep an eye on him,” Maria said, sounding so mature Emily had to laugh.

             
She grabbed the little girl’s hand and they started after him. “Nathan, don’t you dare touch that axe!”

             
After they found the perfect tree, they set it up in the family room, hung the decorations, and then went to the kitchen to make hot chocolate and cookies.

             
The woman taking over for Pearl was making pies.

“
Hi, Helen,” Emily said. “Mind if we make some cookies and hot chocolate?”

             
“
Oh... well, sure. That’ll save me some time. Gabriel, that poor girl, was helping out, but she wasn’t feeling well so I sent her home. Say, Emily, I was wondering where you want me to set up Christmas dinner?”

             
“
Where we always have it,” Maria said, pointing in the direction of the formal dining room. She lowered her eyes. “At least, we used to when... Mommy was here.”

Emily didn’t have the best memories of that room, but it seemed to be a special place for the children. “What a great idea, Maria,” she said in spite of wishing to never step in there again.

              Helen was much better to work with than Pearl, and Emily kept a conversation going, trying to figure out how far she could trust her. Yet, as soon as she started getting too personal, the woman quickly changed her tune and nearly stopped talking all together.

* * * *

When Christmas Eve arrived, Emily and the children decided to change into warm pajamas, bring down blankets and spend the night in front of the fireplace. They were sitting on the floor, listening to a radio station that carried Christmas music when Donald walked in. They hadn’t known he was home and were all equally surprised.

Donald looked nervous standing over them with two large packages, one in each arm and two smaller ones on top.
              “Here’s a couple of presents,” he said to the children. “These two on top are from Uncle Bud.” Emily went over and grabbed the smaller ones, while he bent awkwardly, placing the others beside the tree.

He stood for a moment, looking as if he might bolt, but then took a chair. “Nice decorations,” he said stiffly. It was an uncomfortable moment with him trying to make a normal conversation.

“Emily helped us chop down the tree,” Nathan said on his knees now, grinning so wide you could see his back teeth.

             
“
We made some treats,” Maria said. She jumped up, took the plate of various desserts from the coffee table and brought it to him.

             
He stared at the selection, and it appeared he would turn her down, but then he picked up a sugar cookie.

             
“
My favorite too,” Maria said, taking one herself as she returned the plate, and took seat.

             
He nodded, holding it over his free hand so no crumbs would fall on his dress pants.

             
“
I... I remember how my mother used to decorate a tree with popcorn and candy canes.” His voice came unexpectedly and everyone waited for his next words. “The year... uhm,” he cleared his throat, “before she died, she bought me a bicycle. It was black, and shiny…” He stopped suddenly, a red shade spreading across his face.

             
Emily wondered if there was some hope for him, if he’d turned a new leaf. Grandmother Rezell once told her that there was a little good in everyone. Maybe this was it for him. At least he was making an effort.

             
Then, just like that, he stood. “Well, I’m meeting someone,” he said, moving swiftly to the door.

Maria sat up and watched him walk away. “Merry Christmas, Father.”

              He stopped at the steps and turned back. The cookie sat like an orphan in his hands. Emily thought of the moment in the same way she pictured her grandfather in church, awkward, and wondering how he got there. “Merry Christmas.”

             
They watched him disappear, and then turned without a word back to the fire.

             
Silent Night played in the background for some time before anyone spoke.

             
“
You know he loves you,” Emily said. She wasn’t sure why she said that, except for the first time she thought that probably somewhere inside that crustiness he did. The problem was that he loved himself much more.

             
Maria nodded. “Probably so.”

             
Nathan kept his eyes on the present his father left, and Emily couldn’t resist. “So, you wanna open your father’s present tonight?”

             
Nathan dashed for the tree before she could change her mind. He shoved Maria’s over to her, and then pulled his to where he’d been sitting.

             
“
Opening presents already?” Otto said as he walked in carrying gifts.

             
Maria jumped up, took the gifts out of his hands, and set them under the tree. “We’re just opening the ones from Father,” she said, returning to her spot on the floor.

             
Nathan had his hands ready, waiting for Emily’s okay. “Us three made you a couple of plaques,” he told Otto.

             
Emily chuckled and handed Otto his present. “Might as well join in. Go on, kids, start opening.”

             
Nathan dug his fingernails into the wrapping and had his present open before Maria took the ribbon off hers. When he saw what it was, he leaped to his knees. “I got my train. Yippee! Remember, Mommy always promised me one of these?”

Maria looked over. “Yep, it’s a Lionel, all right, just like she said.”

              Nathan was pulling out the cars and railroad tracks from the box as Maria lifted the lid off a large square container. “Uuh... a new playhouse. Just what I wanted. Oh, Emily, can you help me put it together?”

             
“
Of course. But we’ll do it up in your room, otherwise it’ll be too bulky to carry up.”

             
Otto held up his plaques, looking them over. “You made them yourselves, huh? You sure did a good job. Thank you.”

             
Nathan looked up from his track building. “We put hooks in the back if you want to hang them.”

             
“
Oh, yes, I see,” Otto said, turning them around. “And I’ve got the perfect spot to hang them.”

             
Helen came in with ham sandwiches, and a plate of sliced vegetables and dip. Otto sat back, looking pleased at the three sitting by the fire, talking and listening to Christmas music. Later, after he left, the three curled up in their blankets.

“Emily,” Maria said as
Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer
began to play, “this is the best, don’t you think?”

“Yep, it really is. I think it’s the best Christmas I’ve had for... uhm, thirteen years.”

              “
Well, it’s my best since Mommy was here.”

             
Nathan yawned, pulling his blanket up under his chin. “Mine’s even better since I got the train she promised.”

* * * *

Emily woke before the others. She stoked the fire, and then went to the kitchen to make a light breakfast. When she returned with a tray, the children were sitting with their presents piled around them.

             
Their excitement reminded her of how she felt when her grandmother used to walk in the kitchen early Christmas morning, already dressed for the day of turkey and pies, always with a gleam in her eyes when she saw her granddaughter sitting by the tree with her gifts set around her. After she died there was an attempt to keep the Christmas trend alive, but it finally dwindled into a present left by the fireplace that she knew came from Steven. Sometimes, he would help her find a tree, but if not, she would go herself. And then on Christmas Day Aunt Francine came to help with dinner. It was never the same as when Grandmother was there, but still, once the tree was up and decorated, the cookies and pies were made, even the men perked up.

             
Emily placed the tray on the coffee table.

After making an attempt at breakfast, they opened gifts, and then, washed and dressed, bundled up for a walk, each of them talking about their favorite memories of Christmas. The children had never seen snowfall before, and loved Emily’s story of how she built a Santa Claus snowman with red hat and all in a spot where she could see it from her bedroom window. She told them when the sky cleared, moonlight glittered off its silver button and its spoon-mouth smiled up at her in the same way each year.

Later, as they dressed for dinner, Emily wondered if Donald would be there, waiting for them.

             
As they entered the formal dining room, she noticed only three places were set. She watched for the children’s reaction when it was apparent their father wasn’t joining them, but they didn’t seem to notice.