Family Ties (10 page)

He seemed almost startled by the question then shook his head. “No thanks. I’d better get going. I didn’t intend to take up your whole evening. I just wanted to - .”

“Apology accepted even if it was unnecessary.”

“Good.” He crossed the kitchen and reached for the door. Without turning around he said, “If there’s anything, you know, anything else I can do to help him, would you let me know?”

“Count on it.”

He turned. “Or with the neighbors.”

“Thanks.” The softness of her eyes made everything inside his chest melt.

“Goodnight.” He stepped outside, sliding the door closed behind him.

Andie watched him stride across the deck and disappear down the steps. “You’ve been very kind to us Gray and I know you didn’t ask for my input, so I’ll keep my opinions to myself.” She thought of the haunted look in his eyes when Jamie’d screamed. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t extend the helpful hand of neighborliness to you and hope for the best.”

***

Gray drove his pick-up around the back of the lumber yard to the pile of cedar posts. Putting the truck in park, he grabbed his gloves and got out to help load.

Finished there, he moved the truck to the cedar fencing and began loading boards. Once the fence was finished, he’d fill the pool and test it.

There was only one reason for going to all this trouble, he assured himself. A working pool wouldn’t necessarily increase the value but an empty, unused pool would hurt his property value.

His conversation with Andie last night had nothing to do with it. Especially since he didn’t want her kids bugging him to swim. Or breaking into the pool. Chloe could break into Fort Knox if she wanted to and he wouldn’t take a chance with a pool. He’d build the fence and then when he got closer to selling he’d fill the pool and test it. There’d be little time for the kids to be tempted or take any risks.

In spite of all the mind chatter, he had a funny feeling there might be another reason for all his plans and purchases – reasons he wasn’t willing to admit to himself.

***

At home, Gray began to unload his truck and haul the materials to the backyard, where he stacked them against the garage - there was no point in killing the grass anymore than absolutely necessary.

“What’cha doing?” Chloe asked.

Knowing the question was inevitable, he wasn’t surprised. “I’m unloading my truck.”

“Why?”

He turned to the little face pushing between the boards of the offset fence. “Because I need to get the boards out of my truck.”

“Are you going to build something?”

Hefting another load of cedar slats for the fence he nodded. “Yes.”

“Andie needs help building things.”

“She does?” Her house seemed to have recently been renovated. “What?”

“The front room window.”

“Oh oh. Did somebody break the window?”

When he didn’t hear an answer he turned to the fence. Chloe stood there, sucking her thumb, an unusual stillness hovering around her. He walked over and squatted down to her level. “Was it an accident?”

She shook her head. “No.”

Momentarily confused, Gray realized she must have misunderstood his question. “Were you kids playing in the front yard?”

Another shake set her curls bobbing. Plop, she pulled her thumb out of her mouth. “We was asleep.” And plugged it back in.

Now he was confused. “Who was asleep?”

Thumb out again. “All of us.”

“You were sleeping when the window broke?”

She nodded. “A brick did it.”

“A brick?”

Another nod. “A big one.”

Rising and running all in one movement, Gray took off for the side gate. Hoping he’d misunderstood Chloe, he went searching for Andie. The gate bounced behind him as he rounded the house and stopped in his tracks.

Her picture window was now a big gaping hole.

He took the front stairs in one leap, then pounded on the door, pushing it aside as it opened.

Andie stood inside, shoulders taut, cheeks bruised with exhaustion and strain.

“Are you and the kids okay?” he asked, stepping in and pulling her into his arms. Although Jamie stood right behind her, Gray couldn’t reach the boy.

She nodded, her chin grazing his chest as he folded her close.

“Was anybody hurt?” he asked rubbing up and down her back.

“We’re all fine,” she stammered as she started to shake.

Holding her in the safety of his arms he barely contained his rage. Who would have done something so dangerous? Didn’t they realize she had kids in the house? Someone could have been up for a drink or a trip to the bathroom and been hit with flying glass. Vivid images made him hold her tighter, more afraid than he could ever remember. He felt Jamie settle himself between the two adults. Gray reached down and rubbed his hand over the boy’s hair.

“What happened?”

“We were all asleep. It sounded like an explosion or a gunshot. I jumped out of bed and came running out here.”

He leaned away, checking her over. “Were you cut? Hit by flying glass? What about your feet?”

Andie shook her head. “Nothing. We’re fine. The noise woke us. Scared all of us half to death. Including me.”

He took a quick scan of the room. “Where’s Billy and Bonnie?”

“Billy’s out back with a friend and Bonnie’s staying over at a friend’s.” She took a deep breath. “She’s been so quiet lately; I’m sure something’s bothering her, so I’m kind of glad she wasn’t here.”

She leaned against him. “Other than being scared half to death, we’re all fine.”

Gray looked down at the boy standing as close to them as possible. “Anybody would have been scared Jamie.” His heart gave a strange twist as he tried to reassure the silent child.

“Jamie was very brave, Gray. The brick woke him too, but he stayed in bed and followed directions really well.”

“Good boy.” Gray smiled down at the boy who had one arm wrapped around his leg. “Sometimes the best thing we can do is stay out of the way.” He wrapped his hand around the back of Jamie’s head, pulling him closer, wanting to let him know he’d done okay.

“Chloe cried and cried.” The voice was soft and rusty from disuse, but the words were clear.

Jamie had finally spoken.

Gray felt Andie stiffen in his arms, but held her against him. “Girls do that sometimes. Guys usually take a minute and check things out.”

He felt Jamie nod in agreement against his hip. “Chloe screamed.” His heavy sigh showed what he thought of her reaction.

Gray checked out the living room over Andie’s shoulder. “Did you get the glass cleaned up?”

She looked over her shoulder and nodded. “I vacuumed right away and made sure the kids kept their shoes on all day.”

“Did you call the police?

“First thing. I’m surprised you didn’t hear the sirens. I thought they’d wake the whole neighborhood, except for whoever threw the brick.”

“I had a crazy dream so I stayed up and went to work before dawn.”

He dropped one of his arms and directed the two of them to the kitchen. Who on earth would do something like this? It didn’t make any sense. The street consisted mostly of seniors who were usually delighted to see young families moving back into the district. Besides, a brick in the middle of the night wasn’t likely for this crowd. Most of them had their lights out by ten.

“What did the cops have to say?” Gray gently pushed Andie into the chair he’d pulled out. “Sit.” He knew it had been hours since she’d been terrorized but he still wanted to protect her and the kids. “Tell me everything they said.”

Shrugging, she pulled Jamie close. “Not much. There was a note tied to the brick.”

“Not very original, was it?”

She shook her head. “Somebody doesn’t want....” Andie pointedly tipped her head toward Jamie, then turned back to Gray. “Somebody isn’t happy but he must have the wrong house. There’s nothing here anyone could take exception to.”

There was a lot more she wasn’t saying, but it was probably better to save it for later. No point in going over it with Jamie standing there.

Studying the hole, he asked. “When will the glass guys be here?”

“The insurance company said tomorrow. They told me to cover the hole with plastic and add the cost to the claim.”

“Okay, let’s get some plywood from my garage and board the hole, then go for something to eat.”

He turned back to Andie. “Or have you guys eaten already?”

When Andie shook her head, Gray dropped to his haunches beside Jamie. “Is there something you’d like to have for supper? We could go for pizza. Or burgers.”

Jamie’s eyes lit up, so Gray figured they’d be full of cholesterol before the night was over. “Okay, burgers it is.” He rubbed the lad’s back. “Any chance you can get the other kids?”

Jamie softly shook his head. It seemed he’d used up every ounce of energy he had with the few words he’d spoken.

“No? That’s ok. I’ve got another idea.” He fiddled with the placket on his shirt, then pulled out a mint. “How about a little something to tide you over?”

He looked at the candy, then up at Gray and finally at Andie. When she nodded okay, he gently took the candy, loosened the cellophane then popped it into his mouth.

“Are you sure you want to do this, Gray? Taking kids to a burger joint can be crazy but with all the excitement, these three might create a madhouse.”

He nodded, certain they all needed to get out for the evening. The kids had had enough traumas in their lives without some creep with more muscle than brains terrorizing them.

“Okay, you’ve been warned. Let’s get the hole covered, then I’ll get everyone organized.”

***

It felt strange to be driving the van with a full grown male – one not used to riding with children – filling the passenger seat. Bonnie usually rode there but she was out with her brother. He’d recently re-surfaced and seemed to be trying to create some sort of family relationship.

Glancing in the rearview mirror, she was relieved the kids were on their best behavior. Dining out anywhere was a rare treat in her household – since it was usually more work than it was worth. But she’d been touched by his offer.

Gray had seemed shocked at the vandalism. And protective. She could get used to having someone care about what happened to her. It had been a long time since she’d had anyone to lean on.

Dave had been a focused man who’d always thought her capable of looking after herself. Busy with his own concerns, he’d had neither the time nor the inclination to baby her. Younger and determined to prove herself, it made sense at the time. They’d both been professionals with full calendars. Now she wondered if she’d missed something.

There was no point in speculating, she chided herself, since it all happened a long time ago. She’d received the insurance money and paid for the house and got Bonnie within a few months of his death. She’d grieved in the late hours of the night, since Bonnie had needed her during the day and she’d needed the work of settling the child into her home.

She signaled to turn into the parking spot of the national chain. Once parked, with the keys out of the ignition, the kids started unhooking seat belts and scrambling to open the side door. She caught Gray’s expression and almost laughed. For a big strong man, he seemed close to running. She’d tried to warn him, but he’d been adamant about taking them out.

Pocketing the keys, she opened her door. “Shall we see what’s on the menu?” she asked with a laugh since the menu hadn’t changed in twenty years. “You’ll be fine, Gray. I promise. The kids won’t bite.”

He shook his head and seemed taken aback at her comment. “Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.”

“Where were you?”

A tight smile flickered across his lips. “Doesn’t matter.” Shrugging off his mood, he stepped out of the van. “Come on, dinner’s waiting.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

He was shaking his head as she asked the question. “I’m fine.” He looked toward the kids running toward the restaurant and Jamie waiting at the back of the van. “Come on, we’ve got hungry kids who aren’t going to wait forever.”

***

Gray sat nursing a beer, watching the dark television screen. He rested his forearms on his thighs, rolling the bottle between his hands. Pulling back his shoulders, he tried to ease the tension knotting the muscles across his back.

It was the strangest experience he’d ever had. Sitting in the van, all of a sudden it seemed he was in the back seat. He could remember the excitement of the door opening and all of them jumping out, shouting and trying to be first.

First to what? A burger?

He sorted through the images again and remembered seeing the back of the driver’s seat and then fumbling with the latch on the seat belt. Why would a grown man have a hard time with a seat belt?

He took a pull off the bottle and grimaced. He hated warm beer.

Still confused, he crossed to the kitchen sink and emptied the bottle. Rolling his lips inside, he set it into the case of empties and leaned against the cupboard, his hands gripping the counter behind his hips.