Chapter Three

 

 

Later that same week, Katie walked into her friends’ house with her suitcase in hand. Emily ran toward her. Katie set her luggage down and opened her arms. “Hello precious.” She stood holding the feather light little girl in her arms. “Are you ready to have a fun weekend?”

“Yes. Mommy said we can go to the donut shop.” Her brown eyes grew large. “I love chocolate with sprinkles.”

Renee, her mother, chuckled. “That’s the truth. How about you go and play in your bedroom while Mommy talks with Katie.”

Katie set the child on the floor. “I’ll come find you in a bit.” This weekend was going to be fun. Plus, she was getting paid, which was a bonus as far as she was concerned.

“We can’t thank you enough for watching Emily. We’re only going to play tourists here in Seattle, but I’m so excited. Our hotel is this little boutique place downtown. We haven’t been able to get away for a whole weekend since before she was born.”

“You’re kidding! What about your family?”

Renee waved a hand. “I would never ask my mom. She has no clue what to do with a child. I should know. My sister, Hailey, is only nineteen and lives with my mom, and my brother would be lost. Ray is wonderful for a few hours but an entire weekend?” She shuddered. “He’d run out of things to do with her and beg me to come home early.”

Katie frowned. “I imagine he’d figure it out.”

Renee sobered. “You’re right. He would. Come into the kitchen. I made a list and want to go through it with you.”

“You and your lists.” Ever since she first met Renee, the woman had a list of some sort with her at all times.

“You’ll thank me later when you don’t know which cup is Emily’s favorite or where to find her favorite video or—”

“I get it. Walk me through everything.” For the next thirty minutes she listened as Renee went point by point through a two-page list. What had she gotten herself into? She had no idea taking care of one little girl could be so much work. When she’d watched Emily in the past, it had only been for an hour or two and the list of instructions had been much smaller.

“Questions?”

“When will you be back?” Katie asked.

“Sunday afternoon.” Renee rested a hand on Katie’s arm. “I know I already said it, but thank you. This means so much to us.”

“You’re welcome. After all, what are friends for if not to provide childcare for a romantic getaway?”

“Speaking of which. When are you going to let me set you up on a blind date with my brother? He’s a few years older than you, but I think the two of you would hit it off.”

Time to come clean. She’d known for a while that her friend was Ray’s sister but had never revealed that bit of information. “Actually, Ray and I have known one another for a while. He’s good friends with my best friend’s fiancé.”

Renee squealed. “What? And you never said anything?”

“Hon.” Matt, Renee’s husband walked into the kitchen. “We need to get moving. Traffic is terrible.” He sidled up to his wife and drew her close with an arm wrapped around her waist.

Renee rested her head against his shoulder for a moment then pulled away. “Okay. If you think of any questions, you have our cell numbers.”

“Right. Don’t worry. Emily and I are going to have a great weekend. I thought we might even take the bus to the zoo.”

“Sounds like fun,” Matt said. “Now let’s go.” He tugged on his wife’s hand. “See you Sunday, Katie.” They said good-bye to their daughter, who took their leaving surprisingly well.

Katie found Emily playing dolls in her bedroom. She couldn’t remember being four but imagined she played much the same as this little one. Had her mom played with her? If only she could remember back that far. But those early years were fuzzy. Mom definitely didn’t play later on. In fact, she didn’t like it when Katie played with dolls.

Katie would let Emily play until she got bored then she’d pull out her bag with coloring books and crayons. She’d rented a couple of movies just in case. Although accustomed to kids, the youngest children at the community center were a couple of years older than Emily, so she was a little out of her element as far as entertaining for a long period of time. At least Ray could be called on if she got desperate—point number ten on Renee’s list. Katie chuckled and wondered if Ray was as obsessive about lists as his older sister.

Somehow, she doubted it. Sure, he was stressed about the athletic club right now, and whether he should get married or not, but generally he was confident and grounded. What had possessed her to offer to marry him? If he’d pursued the issue, would she have agreed? It wasn’t like there was a line of men waiting to take her out. Why was that? What was wrong with her that men never waded past the shield of distrust that shrouded her? There had to be someone out there who cared enough to venture past the surface.

“I’m bored,” Emily said as she crawled up beside her on the couch in the family room.

“Hmm.” Katie glanced at the clock on the wall. “It’s seven-thirty and time to get ready for bed. How about you take a bath and brush your teeth? Then I’ll read you a story.” Renee had warned her that Emily fought her when it came to baths. She held her breath, hoping it wouldn’t be an issue tonight.

“Two stories?” Emily grinned.

“Okay. Two, but you need to move fast. Your mom said you needed to be in bed at eight.”

“Okie-dokie.” She raced into the bathroom.

Katie followed, pleased at how easy that had been. Twenty minutes later, Emily was tucked in bed, bright-eyed and awaiting the stories. She picked up the first book Emily had requested, Sammy the Seal. She read the story and before long, Emily’s eyelids drooped.

She yawned. “I love you, Katie.”

“I love you, too, little one. Are you sure you want two stories tonight?”

She nodded and rolled over, closing her eyes.

Katie made it to the second page before Emily was out. Oh to be able to fall asleep that easily.

“Sweet dreams.” She placed a kiss on the child’s head before switching on the nightlight and leaving the room. Emily was one of the sweetest children she’d ever known. Matt and Renee had done a great job raising her. Maybe she’d get the chance to raise a child of her own one-day. But first things first—she needed a man.

 

 

Ray took a moment to compose himself and wipe the tears from his eyes as he stood outside his brother-in-law’s ICU hospital room. He’d come as soon as he’d gotten the call that there’d been an accident. But he only learned moments ago that his sister had been killed instantly. A sob tore though him. He had to get it together. Matt needed him. He took a deep, shuddering breath and let it out slowly. Lord, I need Your help. I’m not strong enough on my own.

He pushed into the room and caught his breath at the sight of Matt connected to various machines he couldn’t name. His black eye was swollen shut and the other looked almost there, too. He cleared his throat. “Hey, buddy.”

“You came.” His voice was weak.

“Of course. I wish I would’ve known sooner. I’d have been here hours ago.”

“I was in surgery.” A tear slid down his face. He didn’t bother to brush it away. “Renee, she—”

“I know.” He blinked back tears. His heart hurt as he sat beside Matt’s hospital bed. This was not supposed to happen. He’d spoken with his sister only yesterday, and now she was dead. In a split second, his sister’s life had been snuffed out thanks to a drunk driver, and his brother-in-law’s prognosis was not good.

Matt looked at him with pleading eyes. “Please take good care of Emily. She loves you nearly as much as us. You’re all she has left.”

Matt never talked about his family. He’d assumed his brother-in-law had parents, but they hadn’t been at his wedding, so maybe he’d assumed wrong. “There’s my mom and Hailey, plus you’re still here. Fight to live, Matt. Your daughter needs you. But I’ll always be there for both of you. I love that munchkin, and you’re not so bad yourself,” he teased, trying to lighten the mood even though all he wanted to do was weep.

“Everything’s in the will.” Matt labored to breath. “Don’t let the state put her in foster care. You’re her guardian.” His final word came out in a whisper. Then alarms went off all around him.

A nurse rushed him. “Sir, you need to step into the hall.”

Ray’s stomach knotted. He moved aside as several other medical staff poured into the room. He stood by, helpless. His throat thickened, and his eyes burned. This could not be real. It had to be a bad dream—no—a nightmare. He slipped from the room as a doctor barked orders. Matt couldn’t die, too. Emily needed him. They both needed him. He couldn’t raise his sweet niece on his own. His family would be little help. He’d already lost so much. His future was unsure. How much grief could one person bear? Matt had to live.

A short time later the doctor walked out and shook his head. “I’m sorry.”

His throat too thick to speak, Ray only nodded and turned away, brushing a hand across his eyes. His hands fisted. It wasn’t fair. In a span of ten hours, he’d lost his sister and his brother-in-law, and his four-year-old niece had become an orphan.

“Ray!” Katie rushed to his side. “I came as fast as I could. How are they? I left Emily with a nurse, so we could talk privately.”

He blinked back tears, cleared his throat, and shook his head. “They didn’t make it.”

She caught her breath. “Oh no. I’m so sorry.” She placed a hand on his arm. Tears welled in her eyes, and she shot a glance toward the nurse’s station.

He followed her gaze, which rested on his four-year-old niece as she visited with one of the nurses. “We need to be strong for Emily.”

Katie nodded. “Of course.” She took a breath and let it out in a puff. “Give me a minute,” her voice broke. “I need to collect myself before facing Emily.” She walked to the end of the hall.

He stood there torn between comforting Katie and going to his niece. Emily had to come first, but he needed Katie’s moral support. He waited until she returned. Her red-rimmed eyes were now dry, but it was obvious she’d been crying.

“Are you ready?” He nodded toward his niece.

“No, but there’s no use prolonging the inevitable. I think we should tell her back at her house though, not here.”

“That’s probably a good idea. Why does she think you’re here?”

“I told her I needed to go visit a friend.”

He nodded. “How’d you get here?”

“The bus.”

“You and Emily will ride with me. Let’s go.”

Ray focused on the road as he drove to his sister’s house. Emily sat in the backseat singing, completely oblivious to how her world was about to change. Katie sat somberly beside him.

He needed to tell his mom and younger sister, too. He was listed as the emergency contact that his sister had on record at the hospital from when she’d given birth to Emily, so he’d been the one notified. How was he supposed to tell everyone about Renee and Matt? Ease into it, or blurt it out like ripping off a bandage? He glanced toward Katie and noticed her eyes were closed. He reached over and took her hand. “You okay?”

She startled and opened her eyes. “No. You?”

“I’ve been better. I don’t know how to do this.”

“You mean uh…deliver bad news?” Clearly, she was choosing her words carefully.

“Yes.”

“I don’t know either. I guess explain what happened. Do you want me there?”

Good question. Although his niece clearly adored her, would asking Katie to stay be fair? Probably not. “Thanks, but I think it’s something I need to do alone.”

“I understand. If you need anything just ask.”

“I can give you a ride home.”

“Not necessary. I’ll grab my stuff and take the bus. That’s how I got there.”

“Is Katie going home?” Emily’s brow puckered and her bottom lip protruded as he looked in his rearview mirror. “What about the zoo?”

Katie shifted to face Emily better. “There’s been a change in plans, sweetie. Your uncle Ray is going to be with you today instead, and I’m going to go home.”

“But I want you, too.”

“Maybe you should stick around after all. The two of you seem to have a connection. That might be helpful later.” He shot a quick glance her way and noticed indecision written on her face. “That is, if you don’t mind.”

“It’s fine. I can stay.”

“Yay! Can we go to the zoo now?”

“No, we can’t. We’re going to Grandma’s.” He tried to sound excited about the prospect, but on a good day, he didn’t enjoy visiting his mom. Now that Katie was sticking around, there was no reason to put off the inevitable any longer.

“Oh,” Emily said.

Katie frowned. “You don’t want to see your grandma?”

“I want to go to the zoo. Maybe Grandma will want to go.” She looked pleased at the idea.

He stayed quiet and changed course. They’d be at his mom and sister’s place in a matter of minutes. It was still early for a Saturday. Hopefully, they’d be up and dressed. Otherwise, Mom would never forgive him for bringing a stranger into her home unannounced, not even under these circumstances.