needed funds to fulfill her plans. Still she did not answer him. Somehow to say yes felt as if she’d be giving approval to his plan, aligning herself with him rather than the children.
But if she said yes, she could spend time with them, help prepare them for their future and help them find enjoyment in their current situation.
“Yes, I’ll do it. On one condition.” She hesitated. Was she asking the right thing? “You—” she nodded to Wade “—spend time with them, as well.”
Their gazes held as they measured each other. Likely he wondered at her reason even as she wondered at his.
“I’m amenable to that.”
Eddie slapped his knees. “Then it’s settled. Things have a way of working out for the good of everyone.”
Missy wondered what he meant. She couldn’t see how things would work out for the good for Joey and Annie. They’d lost their parents and would soon lose their uncle and go to live with strangers.
None of them had any control over the future. But as she’d told the children, God would never leave them. If she could do one thing in the few days she’d have with them, it would be to make sure they believed that.
In so doing, she’d make certain they enjoyed their time at Eden Valley Ranch—even if it meant she’d have to interact with Wade Snyder to make that happen.
Eddie got to his feet, took the baby and helped Linette to stand. “I think my wife should have a little rest. It’s been a long day.” He led her up the stairs.
Missy watched them go, then glanced about the room. Not long ago this space had been crowded with guests. Now there was only Wade and her. Not that they were really alone. The children were in the next room; Linette and Eddie, Nate and Louise were upstairs. Nevertheless, Missy’s nerves twanged with tension. Would Wade use the quiet to inform her that she had stepped into his business too many times? She knew she had but didn’t regret it.
There was only one thing she meant to change. “I have never expressed my condolences over the loss of your sister and brother-in-law. I’m very sorry. I recently lost my brother, so I share a little knowledge of how you feel.”
“Thank you. I didn’t know you’d lost your brother, though I suppose I should have realized it when Louise said her husband had never met baby Chloe. I didn’t make the connection. I’m sorry for your loss, as well.”
Missy let her gaze find his as she offered her sympathy. It was nothing but a cool, impersonal meeting of the eyes, but at his kind words, something shifted between them. Their circumstances might be different, but the pain and loss were similar and they silently acknowledged it. She felt his sorrow in the depth of her heart, even as her own sense of loss tightened her chest.
Her breath stuttered in and she broke their visual connection. “Do you intend to tell the children of your plans?” she asked, bringing her gaze back to his.
He looked away, his eyes full of uncertainty. “I don’t know how much I should tell them.” He turned back to her. “I don’t want to take away from their enjoyment of Christmas.”
She nodded. “Nor do I. In fact, I’ll do everything in my power to make their stay here enjoyable. Too bad Christmas is over.” In the ensuing silence, she heard a distressing sound. “Is that Annie crying?”
They were both on their feet in an instant and rushed for the kitchen door.
Joey sat with his arm about his little sister. Her sock doll lay on her knees as tears dripped to its face.
Missy knelt before the child. “Honey, what’s wrong?”
Annie sobbed an answer.
Missy could not make out what she said and was about to sit down and pull the child to her lap when Wade beat her to it. He held Annie so tenderly, his face so full of sorrow and concern, that Missy blinked back a few tears of her own. How she wished to help this hurting trio. God, I told the children You would help them and guide them. Let me assist if that’s possible.
She sat beside Wade and rubbed Annie’s back. After a moment the little girl quieted and was able to speak. “Mama made me a doll. I don’t know where it is.” Her crying intensified again.
Missy’s heart twisted and she gave Wade a look of despair. “She’s lost so much.”
“She hasn’t lost her doll.” He shifted Annie to Missy’s arms and strode from the room.
“Where’s he going?” Joey clutched her hand. “Is he leaving?”
“I don’t think so.” Missy was as uncertain as Joey until she reminded herself that Wade had agreed to stay until the children were placed.
He returned in quick order carrying two bulky boxes and two valises. “Your doll is in this stuff. We just have to find it.” He dropped his burdens to the floor.
The children sprang forward and fell upon the baggage as if they’d been returned home from being lost. In a sense, Missy supposed it felt that way. Everything they owned and were familiar with was before them.
Wade pried open the first box and let the children dive into the contents. Blankets, clothing, a pair of woolen mittens were all pulled out. Annie pressed her face into each article and breathed deeply. Joey fingered the fabric and then slipped his hands into the mittens, a look of joy and pain twisting his features.
They emptied the box and sat back. No doll.
Missy carefully repacked the contents while Wade opened the next box. Again he stepped back as the children examined the contents. With a squeal, Annie pulled out a pink sweater and slipped it on. She rubbed her sleeves and smiled through a sheen of tears. “My sweater Mama made me.”
Joey dug further. He didn’t say anything, but it was obvious he was hunting for something. When the box was empty he sat back on his heels. “It’s not there.”
“What are you looking for?” Wade asked.
“Something.” Joey would say no more.
Missy repacked the box, with the children following every move of her hands, as if saying goodbye to each item. As if saying goodbye to their life. A tear dropped to the back of her hand but she wiped it off and continued until everything was back and Wade closed the top on the box.
The two valises sat untouched and the four of them stared at the bags. Would they contain something to comfort the children or would there be only disappointment? Missy didn’t want to face the possibility of the latter. It seemed the children didn’t, either. But Wade pulled one valise closer and folded back the top. “We might as well see what’s here.”
With less enthusiasm than they’d shown previously, the children pulled out items. This bag held boy’s clothing. Missy realized it contained the things Joey needed for the present. Annie sat back and let him remove the contents. He carefully lifted each shirt and each pair of trousers, almost reverently setting them aside. At the bottom of the bag he felt something and grew still, his eyes wide. Slowly, he lifted out a photograph and stared at it. “Mama and Papa.” The words
