Page 5 of Unexpected Gifts

“I already told her about Rufus.” Jack plopped himself down at the table. “When are we eating?”

“Very soon,” Grace said. “Will you please set the table for me?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Jack said. “But Sophie should help.”

Sophie withdrew her hand from Rufus and stood. “I’ll get the bowls if you do the silverware.”

“What about napkins?” Jack asked.

“I’ll get them,” his sister replied, with a combination of resignation and indulgence in her voice. “But we should both wash our hands.”

Jack obediently followed her to the sink, where he stood on a short bench to scrub his hands. Sophie waited patiently and then did the same.

Sophie looked after him. Like a little adult. No one should have to grow up at nine years old.

“Grace, are you staying to eat with us?” Sophie opened a cupboard where white bowls were stacked neatly.

“Yes, of course.” Grace caught Abby’s eye, and her meaning was obvious. She would not want to leave the three of them alone just yet. Abby nodded her thanks.

Soon, they were all sitting around the table enjoying Mrs. Hayes’s delicious stew, soaked up with chunks of warmsourdough bread. Rufus lay at Abby’s feet, patiently waiting his turn for supper. Abby had his food and water bowls in the car. She must not forget to feed him after they ate.

The children didn’t speak much, but Grace filled Abby in on some details. Since tomorrow was Thanksgiving, Sophie and Jack were out of school until Monday. They’d attend school for a few more weeks before breaking for the winter holiday.

Dread made the bites of stew heavy in her stomach. She would be alone with them for the long weekend. What would they do? And what was she supposed to do about a Thanksgiving meal? Did they have takeout here?

“We’d love to have you for Thanksgiving supper,” Graced said. “Ramona always came over with the kids for holiday meals.”

“Only since Dad died,” Sophie said, deadpan. “Before that we were a real family and didn’t have to accept charity.”

Grace once again looked over at Abby, and an understanding passed between them. Sophie was hurting and angry.

“We’re still a family,” Jack said. “Mom said we were. Remember?”

Sophie didn’t answer; she simply stabbed a carrot with her fork.

“Should I bring anything?” Abby asked. “Or we, I mean.”

“My mom always made Jell-O salad,” Sophie said. “She knew it was our favorite.”

“But don’t worry about bringing anything,” Grace said. “You’ll have a lot to do tomorrow. What about unpacking and getting settled?”

“Where is she sleeping?” Sophie asked, with more than a hint of hostility in her tone.

“I’ve made up your mother’s bed for her,” Grace said evenly.

“Then it’s no longer Mom’s bed,” Sophie said.

“Will it bother you if I sleep there?” Abby asked. “Because I can sleep on the couch.”

“I don’t care.” Sophie shrugged in a way that told Abby she very much cared.

Who could blame her? Abby was a stranger to her. A stranger taking their mother’s room must feel unbearable. Yet what was Abby to do? She was here. They were stuck with her.

But she would sleep on the couch, at least for tonight.Baby steps,her instincts whispered.

2

LUKE

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