LEAVING NICOLE AND Sharon huddled around the fireplace, Emma took her phone into her cold kitchen to pick up Ruby’s call.
“Are you okay over there?” Ruby asked. “We don’t lose power very often, but we’ve got a woodstove in the kitchen. You’re welcome to join us. Mike’s standing right here. He’s happy to come get you.”
“As a matter of fact, I’ve got three guests for breakfast,” she said, reminding Ruby about Sharon’s visit. “At the moment, Parker is scrambling eggs on the propane stove he had handy. Nicole and Sharon are playing a cutthroat game of Scrabble. And I’m just taking it all in.”
Ruby’s laugh came from deep in her throat. “And here we worried about poor Em in the power outage. Sounds like you’re having a fine time.”
“You’re welcome to join us. Jason can pitch a tent in the living room and pretend he’s on a camping trip. I’ll be bringing out the hot dogs and marshmallows later.”
“Ooh, sounds good. But as tempting as that is, I wouldn’t crash your party.”
“By the way, Sharon’s terrific. The three of them seem right at home here.”
“Like that surprises me? It’s easy to feel that way in your house. You have a fun day. With any luck, the power will be on soon.” In a stage whisper, Ruby added, “Details later.”
“You bet, Rubes,” Emma promised. “As it stands now, Sharon is supposed to start driving home tomorrow morning. Parker says the roads should be okay by then.”
“Mike is staying in touch with the power company, so I’ll keep you posted with my insider info.”
Laughing, they ended the call at the same time Parker came inside from the patio with a pan of scrambled eggs. Nic entered the kitchen and Emma pulled out paper plates and the box of goodies from Sweet Comforts.
Nic bounced around the kitchen in her thick socks to see if she could help out. Emma was sure that for Nic the storm and the blackout were all part of the fun of Grandma Sharon’s visit. Emma smiled to herself. She wouldn’t disagree.
“Why don’t you clear the coffee table, Nic? We’ll sit around it on pillows.”
“Definitely a paper plate day.” Nicole took the pan from her dad and started spooning eggs onto the plates. “Lucky us, Dad,” she said. “Emma’s got jelly donuts.”
“I’m glad you’re having fun, honey,” he said dryly. “I am, too, as long as it doesn’t last too long.”
“We’ve never lost power for more than four or five hours. Half a day tops,” Emma said.
“I’ll need to add an item to the budget I’m submitting to the board,” Parker said when Nicole left. “We need a generator. There’s an ancient one stuck in one of the storage buildings, but probably not safe anymore. I can also beef up the insulation in the cabins and work buildings.”
“I always meant to put a woodstove in the office,” Emma said. “I can sleep in there if I need to. I just never got around to it.”
“So far, Mom and Nic are happy around your fireplace.” He paused. “I’ll install a woodstove for you this winter, Em.”
Em…she liked the sound of it when he said it.
“Oops. I don’t know why I suddenly called you that.”
“That’s okay. It’s allowed. Trust me, I like it.” How silly to feel her cheeks warming.
“Good,” he said, keeping his voice low.
“As for the woodstove, you’ve got yourself a deal,” Emma said. “Today is a gentle warning of storms to come.”
Parker pointed to the blanket of unbroken snow from the patio to the woods. “It’s so quiet out there now that the wind has stopped. But last night, I took a quick trip down to the pier. I was thinking how much you’d have enjoyed it.”
“Oh, yeah.” She so easily put herself in the picture. “I feel a lot like Nicole this morning. She’s enjoying all this like we’re having a little adventure. What could be better?”
He chuckled. “It’s not just Nic. I’m enjoying it, too.”
“Well, wait until you all see what we’re having for lunch,” Emma said, raising her eyebrows up and down to feign a mysterious expression. “I had some things in a little freezer in the basement just for this kind of occasion.”
The morning passed quickly. While Parker plowed the driveway, Nic and Sharon dug out one of Emma’s jigsaw puzzles.
“Ooh, the Chicago skyline. You picked a hard one,” Emma said, as she cleared the coffee table to make way for the puzzle.
“Okay, Grandma,” Nic said. “We have our challenge, so get to work on those edges.”
Sharon laughed. “That’s what I used to say to you. Gotta start with the edges.”
“You take this puzzle thing pretty seriously,” Emma said after watching them pull out blue water and blue sky and toss pieces into piles, stopping only for what Nicole called sidebars to speculate whether a particular piece was the sky or the lake.
“Definitely part of a building,” Emma said when Nic held up two pieces. “Trust me. Ruby and I put together this one last winter after she and Mike got married and he was running for mayor. We appointed ourselves co-chairs of his campaign and my house was the headquarters.” Emma chuckled. “We worked pretty hard, too, but whenever she came over, we always spent a few minutes adding to this puzzle. We called it decompressing.”
“You should meet that family next time you come to visit, Grandma,” Nicole said. “They’ll have their new baby by then. I’ve watched their little boy a couple of times.”
“Parker told me about them,” Sharon said, “and your Thanksgiving at their house.”
“Speaking of Parker, he’s been out plowing a long time.” Emma said.
“I’m sure he wants it thoroughly cleared for you,” Sharon said. “But I hope he comes in soon. I’ve got a lot on my mind and want to tell him about it—well, I want all of you to hear my idea.”
“Nothing bad, I hope,” Nicole said, straightening up as if she’d been put on alert.
“Nope, it’s good stuff. I’ll tell you when your dad comes back.”
Nicole’s eyes got big. “You’ve been keeping secrets?”
“Maybe just little ones.”
“They better be,” Nic warned as she got to her feet. “I should be helping Dad.”
“You don’t have to do anything,” Emma said.
“Dad will want to make sure your stairs are safe.” She stepped into her boots and hurried to get into her coat and pull her wool hat on.
“Whoosh,” Sharon said with a sweeping gesture when the door closed. “And she’s gone. She always did move like the wind.”
“You know how to make a granddaughter curious,” Emma kidded.
Sharon stared at the puzzle pieces she held in her palm. “Yesterday, during our walk you said something about having a new life, and I guess I’m ready for one, too.”
“Well, I won’t pry,” Emma assured her. “But you’ve got Nic jumping out of her skin.”
“I didn’t mean to spark that much intrigue.”
Emma took a couple of seconds to gather her thoughts before she spoke. “I hope this comes out the way I want it to, but the more I see of Nicole, the less she seems like other girls her age.”
Sharon gave her a quizzical look.
“Parker tells me she can be moody, even a little morose. But from what I’ve seen she doesn’t avoid being around Parker. She doesn’t rebel or look for reasons to be mad at her dad. I mean, she loves having the studio, don’t get me wrong.” Emma shrugged. “Even Parker said she perked up a lot when she got her bakery job. Her boss, Star, is like a friend. She might tease her dad, but she doesn’t treat him like the enemy.”
“Nicole doesn’t have much room for that, I guess.” Sharon’s grimace was fleeting, but Emma didn’t miss it. “When you’re eighteen, it’s easier to be huffy about getting away from home when you take it for granted. If you’re not sure where home is, you’re not so likely to act like you’re planning a prison break.”
Whoa. No mincing words. “You would know best about Nicole.”
“If Nicole was one of the high school seniors I counseled,” Sharon said, “I’d note that at the start of senior year, she was all set to move to the Rocky Mountains after graduation and start college there. But by the end of senior year, she was alone with her dad, who didn’t have a job. Her mom was gone, presumably for good. She got late admission to Neville University.”
Emma lifted her hands in a helpless gesture. “Of course. She isn’t sure where home is, except that it’s with her dad.”
“That’s why I’m concerned about how Jackie is doing. I’m afraid she’s confusing Nic.”
“Since I don’t know the particulars, I’m only rooting for the best for Nicole. If it’s any comfort to you, everyone around here likes her a lot. Talk about spirited.”
“I used to say she brightened up everything around her.”
“Like today,” Emma said, touched in a way she couldn’t explain.
“What’s that I hear?” Sharon asked, amused. “A couple of people stomping snow off their boots.”
“I’m ready to collect my fee,” Parker joked when he came inside behind Nicole. “I heard something about fun food. And I’ve worked up an appetite.”
“Kids’ lunch, coming right up.” Emma added another log to the fire before she went into the kitchen and gathered the thawed-out hot dogs and buns and mustard she’d hidden in the kitchen. She called for Nicole to carry in the food on a tray. She followed with the long forks and a tablecloth tucked under her arm.
“Now, when was the last time you cooked hot dogs over a fire and toasted marshmallows for dessert?” she asked, spreading the cloth in front of the hearth. She gestured for everyone to gather around.
“You weren’t kidding about a stash of food in your freezer,” Parker said, arranging pillows for his mom to sit. “I can’t think of a better occasion for this lunch.”
“The house is going to smell so good,” Emma said, as she speared hot dogs on the forks and handed them out, while Nic took charge of warming the buns. “We have plenty, so eat all you want.”
“These were meant for Jason?” Parker asked as he rotated the fork close to the flames.
“And for a situation like this,” Emma said, positioning her fork. “Since I’ll be watching Jason when Ruby has the baby and when she first comes home, I decided I better get ready.”
“I can help watch Jason, too,” Nicole said, “you know, in case you need to be at the sanctuary.”
“He’s a lucky little kid,” Sharon said. “Everybody wants a chance to take care of him.”
“And his dog, Grandma. You watch Jason, you get Peach as a bonus.” Like her dad, Nicole put her fork practically in the flames. “This is taking way too long.”
“I know,” Sharon said twirling her fork. “It’s so hard to wait.”
Parker shook his head in a teasing way and made them both laugh. He examined his hot dog, which was almost on fire. Way too crispy for Emma’s taste. He slid the hot dog off the fork and into the bun and took a bite. “Ah, food fresh off the fire. This is the best power outage ever.” His voice was serious, but his face gave away his humor.
“For me, too, Dad. Much better than in North Carolina when everything flooded and we’d lose power.” Nic made a face. “Sometimes for a couple of days.”
“Flooding could get brutal in thunderstorms there,” Parker said. “We had generators at the rescue center, but the battery lamp will be good enough when I go and check the crow.”
“The lamps are okay for now,” Emma said, “but not for long.” Her vision now matched the kind of center Parker was ready to run. Thinking of the owl off in the woods and now the crow with cuts and missing feathers made her want that to happen much faster than the board planned. This outage was already lasting longer than any in Emma’s memory.
When they’d all finished their first hot dog, they took their time roasting their second. Nicole took charge of clearing everything away and bringing fresh forks and the bag of marshmallows. Everything seemed to slow down as they moved on to dessert. Nicole threaded two marshmallows on the fork and toasted them until they were medium brown and passed them to Sharon. “Just the way you like them, Grandma.”
Then Nicole fixed a fork for Parker and one for Emma. “Cook ’em to suit yourself. I like mine burnt black, you know, until it’s nothing more than a soft lump of hot sugar and charcoal,” Nic made two exactly that way and then licked the remains of the sticky marshmallows off her mouth.
Emma burst out laughing. “Now, that’s the best description of a well-done toasted marshmallow I’ve ever heard.”
Since Parker was struggling with a gooey blob himself he nodded his agreement.
“Hey, Grandma, we haven’t forgotten about your news. Can we toast marshmallows and talk at the same time?”
“What news?” Parker asked.
“My news,” Sharon replied.
“I had a feeling something was up with you. So?”
“I’m thinking about retiring from the school system. No surprise there. But I’m not ready to stop working altogether, not really. I’m taking a job with a college over in Moline. It’s not far from here.”
“Nice,” Nic said, drawing out the word.
Sharon took Parker and Nicole through the real reason for her trip to the conference and the job interview that was part of it. “The university is right on the Mississippi River. I’d be teaching future high school counselors.”
“You’d be closer to us, Grandma.” She glanced at Parker. “Well, for as long as Dad is here.”
“I have no plans to leave,” Parker interjected. “I mean, yes, I have a one-year contract, but if they like me I could stay on.”
Emma couldn’t ignore her relief over how quickly he spoke up.
“They’ll want him back, Grandma.” Nic spoke slowly. “The people here like him…a lot.”
“And that would never come as a surprise to me, now would it,” Sharon said.
“Enough, enough, you two.” Parker turned to his mom. “When did you come up with this idea?”
“I’ve been mulling it over for a while. I want something different. I like to work. I’m not interested in slowing down. I view this as my second career.” Her face took on a dreamy look when she described the apartment she could rent with a view of the river. “A growing city, or so they tell me.”
“You’ve made a decision, haven’t you?” Parker said. “Did you already sign a lease?”
A knowing look passed between Parker and Sharon. Emma had to laugh to herself.
“Not yet. But if I take the job, I can move in June.”
“So, you’re going home to think about it. For what? Maybe five minutes?” Nic said. “Sounds to me like you’ve made up your mind.”
Emma had purposely stayed quiet, but for some reason Sharon drew her in. “They’re onto me. Want to add your two cents?”
Not a chance. “That’s okay. I’ll sit back and watch your decision pretty much unfold right in front of my fireplace on a cold day in December.” Emma grinned. “And you’ll always have a place to stay when you visit here.”
“A place with hot dogs and marshmallows stashed in secret underground freezers,” Nicole added, giggling.
Parker wagged a finger. “And it usually has heat.”
As if his words were a practiced cue, recessed lighting came on over the fireplace at the same time the furnace cycled on.
“And soon will again,” Parker said. “Well, I suppose I better check on the bird.”
“I’d like a peek at your crow when you show me around the sanctuary,” Sharon said. “I always liked crows.”
“Me, too,” Emma said.
“The bird is one of the stops on the tour, ma’am,” Parker said, doffing an imaginary hat. “With any luck he’ll add a remark or two about your move.”
A little shiver of pleasure surprised Emma as she took in the uncomplicated love between them. It was almost too easy to march into the family picture, no fanfare needed. On the other hand, she was just as happy not to be part of their plans for the afternoon.
She started to unfold her legs so she could stand and maneuvered her body to get on both knees and go from there. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Parker take a quick half step in her direction, but then hesitate. Of course, he’d think twice. Why risk a repeat of Thanksgiving? Smiling up at him, she held out her hand. He stepped forward and grasped it and in one quick motion lifted her to her feet. As she mouthed her thanks, she enjoyed his warm fingers giving her hand a quick squeeze.
* * *
“BE HONEST, PARKER? What do you think of my move?” His mom hung on to the railing and kicked snow off the edge of the plank.
“Are you kidding? It’s the kind of change you’ve wanted since Dad died. You’ve not changed your life that much in the six or seven years since. Nic is your biggest fan and she’s loving your plan.”
Parker kicked the snow off his side of the plank as they strolled deeper into the woods. The day had passed quickly at Emma’s house. Now the sunlight was fading. Parker felt better driving Nic to her job, even though the streets were okay. Nic wasn’t used to driving in snow, not after growing up on the North Carolina coast.
“I’m her biggest fan in the way only a grandma can be. She’s an adult now, but any move of mine, no matter where, isn’t going to have much impact in her life.”
“I don’t know about that,” Parker said.
“Oh, yes, you do,” Sharon said as she brushed away snow from the top of the railing. “Emma said something interesting about Nicole. Pointing out that she’s not an especially rebellious girl.”
“It’s true, she never really was.”
“A lot of that is about you,” Sharon said. “That’s my professional opinion. I see it every day. Girls who are good with their dads tend not to rebel so much. And that’s you and Nic.”
“So far, so good.”
Sharon stopped walking and held up three fingers. “Since I’ve been here she hasn’t stopped talking about the three incredible women she’s met.” She laughed. “She thinks Ruby is exciting and fun. She’s in awe of her boss, Star, who’s not all that much older. And don’t get me started on how much she admires your boss, Emma.”
“Emma is not my boss.”
Sharon thrust out her hand so her palm almost touched his chest. “Sorry, sorry. I was joking. Why so touchy? You told me she’s the donor who covers your salary.”
“It’s true I wouldn’t have a job without her funding.” He swiped more snow off the boardwalk, angry at his own defensiveness. “But this place would still be a bunch of boarded-up buildings if a lot of people hadn’t wanted changes. The board is my boss.” Softening his voice he added, “But you’re right about Star and Ruby. And Emma, for sure.”
“Who is very fond of your daughter.”
“Look, Mom. I didn’t mean to snap at you, but I like Emma. As Nic would say, I like her like her.” He laughed self-consciously. “She’s around here a lot, learning about rescuing these creatures. We have a good time. If she was my boss for real, it could complicate things.”
“I know. It’s just…oh, never mind. Forget I said anything.”
“What are you getting at, Mom?”
She flicked her hand dismissively. “Oh, nothing, not really.”
“You’re trying to bring up Jackie, aren’t you?”
“I don’t know what to think, Parker.” She clapped her gloved hands and sent the accumulated snow flying. “Nic worries about her mom. Now she’s torn. I think she’s rooting for you and Emma to get together.”
“Oh, come on, Mom. She teases. You know she kids around. But she’s wrapped up in her own world. I don’t think she gives it that much thought…”
“Ha! How much thought does it take to watch you and Emma together. Do you think you hide your feelings for her?”
“Only from myself, apparently.”
“Now your face is turning beet red. See? I’m right.”
“It’s complicated,” Parker said. “I didn’t expect to be drawn to someone so soon after, you know, Jackie walked away. I’ve been preoccupied with Nic…” he sighed in frustration “…and making a new start, even more for Nic than for me.”
His mom stopped and looked into his face. “This is what I think. I bet if you said the word, Jackie would come back.”
His stomach did a back flip. “First, I doubt that’s true, Mom, but I’m not saying the word anyway.”
“Just make sure Nic knows that—now,” Sharon said. “Because it wasn’t clear to me you were over Jackie. I thought you’d welcome the chance to try again.”
“At one time, yes, I thought we could fix it. Work on it, you know, like you and Dad did. Was that so odd?” he asked impatiently. “I took our marriage seriously.”
“So, there’s no mystery why your daughter would not only worry about her mom, but read between the lines of her texts and phone conversations. Is she happy with Ben? Does she want to move down here, with or without him? Does she want to come back to you?”
“Those questions might be more in Nic’s mind than in Jackie’s,” Parker said. “But it was a bad time. The marriage ending, the job falling through, and then feeling forced into taking this one.”
Sharon stopped and gazed at the long stretch of boardwalk ahead and the pieces of it visible throughout the expanse of woods. “You’ve started rescuing birds.”
“Yes. It’s one reason I can see a future here.”
“I’ll enjoy being closer. You and Nic were onto me. I have made up my mind.” She tucked her arm through his. “It’s time for my new life.”
He laughed. “Good. I’m beginning to enjoy my fresh start much more than I thought I would.”
“I know that. I wonder if Emma does.”
Good question. “She’s like you, Mom, she doesn’t miss much.”
“I like her already.”