Page 29 of Ultimate Freedom

“She needs us now though. It’ll be at least another week before she’s healed and well enough to leave.”

Before either could move, they heard Nito bark a warning and then a strange vehicle appeared in front of the cabin. Demiwent to the door and sent the wolf away, giving the woman safe passage inside.

“Are you Demi Fedora?”

“Yes. Please… come in where it’s warm. It’s freezing out there.”

The woman stared at the boy and then continued. “I’m Mrs. Stanch from the Department of Health and Human Services in Terrace. There’s been a report that a child called Charlie Welch recently lost his mother and is now a ward of the government.” Once the middle-aged, heavyset woman stepped into the warmth, Demi closed the door behind her. Startled by the unexpected visitor, she still remembered her manners. “This is Charlie Welch. Can I take your coat?”

From the corner of her eye, Demi watched Charlie seem to shrivel in place. As he stared at the newcomer, his terrified expression shocked her. She turned to her guest.

Shivering, the woman seemed to melt a little when she glanced around at the decorations, smelled the bread baking, and let the warmth from the glowing fireplace thaw her tone.

Demi put the coat on the hook by the others and answered the earlier question. “Yes, I’m Demi Fedora.”

“You should have brought him to us within seventy-two hours of him being orphaned. Didn’t the sheriff explain?”

“Not really. Once he knew that Charlie would be coming home with me, he seemed satisfied for the boy’s safety. You must realize that Ms. Welch passed away just before the New Year’s celebrations and normal activities pretty much stopped for the holidays.” Demi ignored the defensive feeling of wanting to rip the woman’s face off and became the hostess.

Her belief that a person using honey rather than vinegar had seemed to work for her in the past, so she followed that plan. “Can I get you a cup of tea or hot chocolate, Mrs. Stanch? Maybe coffee. You’ve had a long drive, and you must be tired.”

She gestured for the woman to go to the table where the remnants of their lunch still rested, and then motioned for Charlie to help her clear it away.

Glad to see that the boy understood her silent request, she let him clean off the table while she added a few logs to the fire. Turning, she watched as he carried the dishes to the sink and began to run the water, ready to wash them. Fumbling, he took the last load and accidentally knocked the dishes against the cabinet. Two of the plates shattered on the floor.

His pale expression of abject fear brought her rushing to him. ‘Hey, bud, glad you dropped those. They’re starting to get cracks in them and were about to be dumped soon anyway. The dustpan and broom’s in the linen closet by your room.” She pointed at the right door.

Not paying any attention to the newcomer, she gave the boy an encouraging smile as he rushed to do her bidding. Clear to anyone who knew him that Charlie was close to collapsing, she helped him clean up the shards, making sure he didn’t cut himself.

Her patient nods of reassurance worked, and he cleaned up the mess, watching her face to be sure she wasn’t mad. When he saw her wink and grin, his fear visibly diminished, and he went back to washing the dishes.

Demi filled the kettle and began a conversation with her guest. “Were the driving conditions very bad, Mrs. Stanch?”

“Yes. The worst part is driving from the highway into your road. I had to stay in the grooves, or I was afraid I’d get stuck.”

“I’m sorry. We haven’t been very conscientious about plowing. My truck gets through easy, but a car would be difficult. Glen promised he’d come out sometime today. He has a plow on the front of his heavy vehicle, and it clears up the road well.”

Demi took the boiling kettle off the burner and repeated her earlier question. “What would you like to drink? We had milk with breakfast, but we usually have a hot drink about now.”

“Whatever you make is fine. I like them all.”

“Good. How about you, Charlie? Are you ready for a hot chocolate or would you rather have mint tea?”

“I don’t mind either.” The boy answered, his voice wobbling but he refused to turn her way. She sensed his unease, and as she went to make the drinks, she squeezed his shoulder showing her understanding.

“Would you mind if I used your washroom? It’s been a long drive.”

“Of course, you can.” Demi pointed to the far open doorway just past the lit Christmas tree and watched the woman toddle off in that direction. Then she turned to see Charlie staring at the departing back, abject misery on his face. “She’s gonna take me away.”

“I’ll sic Nito on her first.”

“What? Demi….” Charlie began to grin, his face lit with absolute joy.

“You’re staying here. With me. Where you belong. That’s if you want to.”

“More than anything.”

“Good. Now, let’s let the nice lady see what great people we are.”

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