The Orphans' Blessing Read online

  The tremor in her voice filled him with shame. He knew better than to judge others without knowing all the facts. “I wasn’t aware of that. Maddie never talked about her past.”

  An awkward silence hovered between them. “The burgers are done,” he said finally. “Why don’t you get the kids?”

  She nodded and went inside.

  The meal passed pleasantly enough, except Zach found it hard to concentrate on his food. The girls were happily chatting with their aunt, who was obviously enjoying them, as well. Her smile was brilliant and the sparkle in her hazel eyes shone like a beacon. Giggles filled the air from all three of them. He didn’t understand what was so amusing. It had to be a girl thing. But even DJ had shed his headphones and had added to the conversation.

  Very puzzling. And irritating. What was it about this woman that made people gravitate to her?

  He stood, suddenly filled with irritation and not understanding why. He began to clear off the table and the kids took the hint. They carried their dishes inside. Sophie brought up the rear. He sensed she wanted to talk.

  “I should be going,” she said. “I need to pack up a few things if I’m going to stay here while you’re gone.”

  Her light fragrance swirled around him again. “Right.” He took a step away.

  “Thanks for lunch. I’ll be back tomorrow and you can fill me in on what needs to be done while you’re gone.”

  Zach opened his mouth to respond, but the kids walked in with serious expressions on their faces. “What is it?” he asked.

  “We want a family meeting,” DJ said, his arms crossed over his chest. Katie nodded, setting her hands on her hips.

  Not what he’d expected. He’d continued his brother’s practice of holding a family gathering whenever the children needed to discuss something. So far it had worked well, but with Sophie in the picture, he wasn’t in the mood to play mediator. “Okay, we’ll have one right before bedtime tonight.”

  Linney tilted her head back and emitted a whine. “No. It has to be now. It’s ’peritive.”

  He saw Sophie lower her head to hide a smile. “’Peritive, huh?”

  Linney nodded. “We have to talk right now.”

  Sophie started to move. “I’ll leave you to your meeting.”

  Katie spoke up. “No, we want you to be in the meeting, too.”

  “Me? Why?”

  “’Cause you’re our aunt.”

  Linney smiled up at her. “We love you.”

  Zach set his jaw. The last thing he wanted was for this stranger to sit in on their family meetings, but he knew he was outnumbered. Might as well give in or the pestering would go on forever. Besides, what would it hurt for her to see how things were done around here? “Fine. Family meeting called to order.”

  He motioned Sophie toward the family room. He followed behind, noticing again how much she resembled her sister, as if someone had sculpted a smaller, more delicate version of Madeline. Maddie had always worn her hair short but Sophie’s light brown hair floated in waves just brushing her shoulders.

  The children took their usual places for meetings. Linney and Katie sat at each end of the sofa, Zach in the middle, DJ settled on the coffee table. He was the usual spokesman. Zach waited while the boy gathered his thoughts.

  “Mom’s birthday is coming up and we want to do something to make it special.”

  Zach heard Sophie inhale sharply. Obviously, she was as stunned as he was. He wasn’t sure what the children had in mind—perhaps a memorial of some kind, like planting a tree in her name. “All right. What’s your idea?”

  “Well, it’s about the clothes closet.”

  Zach blinked. DJ’s revelation landed with a thud in his chest. Madeline had been eager to start a community clothing store for the needy in town. She’d been deep into planning when the accident happened. She’d even purchased an old building to house the place. He’d kept up the payments on it simply because he wasn’t ready to deal with putting it on the market.

  He couldn’t imagine what these kiddos had in mind. Surely the project died with their mother. “That’s a very nice idea but I’m not sure—”

  “We’re sure,” DJ spoke up. “She loved working at the church closet. That’s why she wanted to make her own.”

  Linney nodded. “She had a store and everything.”

  “I know, but it’s a big job.”

  Katie nodded. “We’ll all help.”

  “The closet costs money and someone has to be in charge,” Zach pointed out. “Your mom hadn’t even started the remodel on the building, and I don’t have time to take on that kind of job. It’s a very nice idea but it’s not practical.”

  Sophie cleared her throat. “I don’t think I understand what a closet is?”

  Zach leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “It’s a charity program where clothes are collected and then redistributed to those in need. Madeline ran the church community closet which was mainly for women reentering the workforce. She loved it, but thought it should be bigger so she bought the old bus station and planned to expand the charity. She was very passionate about it.”

  Sophie bit her lip. “Madeline was always thinking about others.”

  There was an odd tone in her voice that piqued Zach’s curiosity. There was much more to the surprise sister’s story and he wanted to know what it was.

  Katie tugged on Zach’s sleeve. “Please, Uncle Zach. We want to finish it. We want it to be Mom’s birthday present. She really, really wanted to open the closet.”

  “I know, kids, but you have no idea what’s involved. Someone has to be in charge, someone with experience setting up a charity like this. Not to mention the remodeling. Your dad was going to do that.”

  “Couldn’t you do that? You used to work with Grandpa on the construction stuff. Dad said so.”

  “That was a long time ago. I’m not a skilled carpenter like your dad was. We’d have to hire a contractor and that’s expensive.”

  The disappointment on the kid’s faces broke his heart. Linney started to cry.

  “But we want to do something special for Mommy. We miss her so much.” Tears fell down Katie’s face.

  Zach reached for the girls, pulling them close. “I know, but it’s not possible right now. Maybe next year.”

  DJ stood. “I knew you’d say no. You just don’t get it.”

  Zach rubbed his jaw. He’d promised he would do anything for the kids but this was out of the question.

  “I’ll do it. I’ll take over the project.”

  Zach stared at Sophie in disbelief. What was she thinking? Before he could refuse her offer, the kids erupted in joy.

  “Thanks, Aunt Sophie.” Linney scooted off the sofa and reached out for a hug, Katie clapped her hands, and DJ grinned and made a fist. “Cool.”

  Horrified, Zach tried to quell the outburst. “Hold on there. I haven’t agreed to anything.” Three voices rose in protest. He held up his hands to quiet them. He looked at Sophie, trying to ignore the disappointment in her hazel eyes.

  “I appreciate the offer, Sophie, but the answer is no.” He faced the kids. “I understand you want to see your mother’s dream come true, and I’m very proud of you for such a nice idea, but it’s not simply a matter of opening a store and filling it with clothes.”

  DJ frowned. “Why not?”

  Zach set his hands on his hips. “It’s a big job and your mom had only started to organize the closet. We have no idea what she had in mind.”

  “Yes, we do.” DJ pointed to the desk near the back window. “She had all the plans on her computer. She talked about it all the time.”

  Zach rubbed his brow. “Maybe so, but there’s the matter of money. We can’t afford to complete the closet, and I don’t have the time.”

  Katie tugged on his sleeve. “But we can help. It’s summer. W
e have plenty of time.”

  Sophie took a step toward him. “Zach, I really don’t mind taking on a project like this. I actually have some experience in the area. I manage my aunt’s small business.”

  Zach didn’t appreciate being ganged up on, and he wasn’t about to enlist the help of a relative who was basically a stranger. It was bad enough she was watching the kids this week. “Thank you, but it’s out of the question.” He stood. “This meeting is over. Maybe we can have a special meal on your mom’s birthday. A cookout or maybe we’ll drive down to the coast and spend the day at the beach.”

  Three very disappointed and angry faces stared back at him before they slowly left the room. Zach turned to Sophie, whose face revealed her own disappointment.

  “That was the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard,” she said softly.

  “What did you think you were doing?”

  She blinked, a flush appearing in her cheeks. “I just wanted to help, it’s obviously important to them to honor their mother this way.”

  “Maybe so, but you have no idea what’s involved and neither do they.”

  “Do you? Shouldn’t we at least look into it? Maybe it wouldn’t be that difficult to complete the project.”

  “Out of the question. Besides, I’m sure you’re anxious to get back to wherever it is you came from.”

  “Ohio. And I’m in no hurry at all. In fact I planned on staying here for several weeks. I wanted plenty of time to get to know the children.”

  Zach had reached the end of his patience. Showing up on his doorstep out of the blue didn’t make her family. He tried his best to get control of his mounting frustration. “To be blunt, you’re making things harder for me.”

  “By offering to help?”

  “Yes.” He set his hands on his hips. “I make a decision and you encourage them to ignore me and give them what they want. Ultimately I’m responsible for them. Sometimes that means making hard decisions.”

  “I want to make them happy.”

  He’d been touched by the children’s suggestion and he hated to dash their dream, but he had to be sensible. “I feel bad, too. I wish I could grant the kids’ requests. But it’s out of the question.”

  Sophie tugged her hair behind her ear. “It’s obvious the children aren’t handling their grief well and working on this project could be a way to direct that in a more productive way.”

  The woman had her nerve. “They’re dealing with their grief just fine.”

  “Really?” She crossed her arms over her chest. “DJ is sullen and angry. Katie is in denial, and Linney is like a little lost soul.”

  “Just what are you accusing me of?”

  “I think you’re a man who has no idea how to deal with three grieving children. And maybe a man who resents losing his carefree single life.”

  She’d hit the nail on the head and he didn’t like it one bit. He was totally inadequate to raise his brother’s children. Fear of failing them loomed over him every moment. It took all his strength to keep his comments to himself. “Thank you for your candor, but since you’re a stranger here, I’ll chalk your observations up to ignorance.”

  He knew by the look on her face he’d gone too far. This was the children’s aunt. For their sake, he shouldn’t alienate her.

  She stiffened and reached for her purse. “I should go. Thank you for the cookout. It’s been a long time since I had a grilled burger.”

  He lightened his tone. “Don’t people grill up there in Ohio?”

  “Yes, but I live alone and it’s no fun to grill for one.”

  Zach kicked himself mentally. He understood only too well about being alone. He would have to remember that they were both new to this aunt and uncle thing. Her even more so than him. She’d just found out about Maddie’s kids. He followed her to the door.

  Katie and Linney saw them and ran to their aunt. Linney grabbed Sophie’s hand and squeezed it against her little cheek. “Can’t you stay longer?”

  Sophie rested a hand on her head. “I’ll be back in the morning. I’m going to be staying with you for a week, remember?”

  “Come back for breakfast. Uncle Zach makes the bestest waffles ever.”

  Zach grinned at the compliment. At least he was doing something right.

  “Sounds good to me. I love waffles.”

  DJ spoke up suddenly. “We use real maple syrup, too.”

  Sophie smiled at him over her shoulder. “Wonderful. That’s my favorite. It must run in the family.” She winked at him and the boy actually smiled back. First one Zach had seen in days.

  After a round of hugs and a few kisses from the girls, Sophie left and Zach took the first calm breath he’d had all day.

  What had the woman been thinking, offering to spearhead the closet project? It was ridiculous. One thing was very clear. He didn’t want the kids getting too attached to the surprise aunt because they’d be hurt when she left. They didn’t need any more loss in their lives.

  “I just love her.” Katie spoke in a breathless tone before plopping onto the sofa with a dreamy expression.

  “I’m happy ’cause now I have an aunt and an uncle,” Linney declared before she skipped off outside. DJ, as usual, had retreated to his room.

  The sudden silence allowed a flood of uneasy thoughts into Zach’s mind. Why was being a parent so difficult? He wished he could go back to being the favorite uncle. The guy who swooped in once in a while and delivered presents and took them to the beach. Now he was more like their parent, and the fun stuff would be Sophie’s job now.

  Somehow he’d find a way to make up to the kids for turning down their idea. After all, he was partly to blame for the accident that took their parents. If he’d flown them home like he was supposed to, they wouldn’t have been driving and there wouldn’t have been an accident. Being named as guardian had been a blessing and afforded him a chance at redemption.

  He’d devote his life to his brother’s kids, and maybe in time he could forgive himself for his mistake.

  * * *

  Sophie pulled up at the house the next morning, unable to keep from smiling. She would be spending the entire week with her nieces and nephew. The thought gave her more joy than she’d known in a long time.

  The idea was even sweeter since she wouldn’t have to deal with Zach. He was overly protective of the children and she suspected he was resentful of how quickly she had bonded with them. She’d pegged him as self-centered and too quick to squash the children’s ideas.

  That was probably unfair. Zach had been hit with an unexpected relative and a surprise request from the children all at the same time. To be honest, she shouldn’t have offered to take on the closet project without discussing it with him first. She’d almost retracted her statement, then she’d looked at the children’s faces. They wanted to honor their mother and—she soon realized—so did she. Completing her sister’s dream would be a way to reconnect and bridge the gap for all the lost years. Perhaps she wasn’t the only one being selfish.

  The front door opened before she could knock and Linney smiled up at her.

  “I didn’t think you’d ever get here.”

  Katie ran and hugged her the moment she entered the kitchen and Lumpy nuzzled her hand again, begging for some love.

  “It smells good in here.” The aroma of bacon and coffee fueled Sophie’s appetite. She settled at the large kitchen island where Zach was mixing the batter.

  “Mommy and Daddy used to fix us waffles all the time.”

  Sophie gave Linney a hug. “When we were young, your mommy and I used to make them on weekends.”

  Zach’s phone rang and he picked it up, his expression tightening. “I have to take this.”

  He walked off, unaware of the dejected faces of the children.

  Linney pouted, resting her chin on her fists. “He’ll talk forever and we’ll
never get our breakfast. I’m hungry.”

  “Me, too.” Sophie stood and picked up the bowl of batter and opened the waffle iron. “Let’s get started. I’m sure Uncle Zach won’t mind.” Within minutes Sophie was filling three plates with hot waffles and basking in the smiles of her family.

  Zach entered the room and stopped in his tracks. “You started without me.”

  DJ stabbed another bite of waffle. “We were hungry.”

  Linney nodded and smiled. “And look! Aunt Sophie showed us how to put strawberry preserves on them. It’s yummy.”

  Lines formed on his forehead. “I thought you liked real maple syrup.”

  Katie nodded. “But this is good, too.”

  Sophie could tell he was troubled about something more than syrup. She decided to bide her time until they could talk privately. She suspected that it wouldn’t work to her advantage to be too inquisitive. Zach would only clam up and retreat.

  Becoming part of her sister’s family was harder than she’d expected.

  * * *

  Zach leaned against the kitchen counter, draining the last of his coffee from a mug with a picture of a brown Lab on the side. His house felt off-kilter this morning. It had taken him weeks to find a comfortable routine with the kids and the surprise aunt had shuffled it around in only twenty-four hours. She’d been dragged off by the girls after breakfast, leaving him alone and feeling like the kid who wasn’t picked for the ball team.

  A tapping on the back door drew his attention as Hank entered, a big smile on his craggy face. Zach wasn’t surprised. His part-time boss usually showed up when there were waffles to be had. He motioned for his friend to come in, nodding toward the remaining stack of waffles.

  Hank helped himself to a cup of coffee and took a plate from the cupboard. “I didn’t expect the new aunt to be so pretty.”