Page 39 of Unexpected Gifts

“Where did you hear that?” Abby asked, aghast.

“I heard Grace telling Luke. Does it make you mad that you had to come here?”

Abby took in a deep breath, choosing her words carefully. It was important she be truthful with the girl but also kind. “I’m not mad. I could never be mad at you guys or your mom for asking me to care for you and Jack. That said, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit how scary it is and how out of place I feel here. I’m doing my best, but I’m going to make a lot of mistakes.”

“Mom says as long as we do our best, then she’s proud of us.”

“I couldn’t agree more. And, please, remember, we’re in it together. Whatever you need, I’ll be here. Please, keep talking to me, okay? You can tell me anything. Or ask anything.”

Sophie’s expression told her there was one thing she wanted—to have her mother back. That, sadly, Abby couldn’t give her, even though she wished for it as fervently as Sophie.

“I have ballet class on Saturdays at one,” Sophie said. “Did you know that?”

“I did not. Did your mom keep a calendar anywhere? With your activities listed?”

“No. She just knew them.”

Of course, she did. And Abby most certainly did not. “Right. Okay. How about you tell me everything you remember about your schedule, and I’ll write it all down? When we’re in town today, we can pop into the drugstore or wherever and get a calendar, and we’ll write everything in there and hang it here in the kitchen. That way, I know what to expect.”

“Sure.” Sophie’s brow wrinkled, and she muttered under her breath as if surprised, “That’s a really good idea.”

Ah, a win at last.

“Thank you. I wasn’t the smartest in my classes at school, but I made up for it by being very organized. I write everything down on a calendar, and every morning, I take a look to make sure I remember what I’m supposed to do that day.”

For the next ten minutes, Sophie walked Abby through each day of the week. Sundays church started at eleven. Monday through Friday, they had to be at the bus stop at five after eight, and it brought them home at a quarter after three.

“Did Grace meet you at the bus stop?”

“Yes. Except Fridays. Mom didn’t work that day.”

Abby wrote everything down and made a mental note to put it all in her digital calendar later.

Jack came bouncing in with Rufus behind him but without a bag in his hand. Abby was almost afraid to ask the whereabouts of the bag, but Jack told her he’d tied it and put the whole thing in the garbage in the garage.

“Well done.” She lifted her hand to high-five him.

Rufus sat on his haunches, looking pleased with himself.

“We have to be in town for my interview at eleven,” Abby said. “Can you guys be ready by then? I thought we could stop by and see Santa on the way home.” Grace had told her that Santa would be at the country store for the holidays.

Both young faces lit up at the idea.

“Do you know what you’re going to ask Santa for?” Abby poured a small amount of bran flakes into a bowl, suddenly ravenous.

“Not yet,” Sophie said.

“I want a bike. So, I don’t have to ride Sophie’s old bike. It’s purple and has flowers on the basket.” Jack shuddered. “So embarrassing.”

A bike. She could buy a bike. Maybe there was even a place in town?

She took a good look at the children. They, like her, were still in their jammies. It was nearing nine, so they would need to go upstairs and get ready. “Okay, let’s get ourselves together. Sophie, gather up what you need for ballet. Jack, I want you to wash your hands and face, comb your hair, and get dressed in something warm. I’m going to shower and put myself together. Be ready to go at half past ten, okay?”

They nodded and trotted up the stairs with Rufus on their heels. They really were such good children. Obedient and kind. Obviously intelligent. Ramona had done such a good job with them. Now, it was up to her not to mess it up.

She went upstairs to get ready for her interview, praying that it went well and she would soon be gainfully employed.

Over the phone, Doc Ford had sounded casual and friendly. Nevertheless, Abby dressed in black slacks and a turtleneck sweater paired with a suit jacket for the interview, wanting to appear professional. She pulled her hair into a low ponytail and plucked her lucky earrings out of the jewelry box—dangling dragonflies that her mother had given her the last Christmas before she died. Abby wore them to every special occasion.

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