Thats exactly what were going to do, Quintin said.
Craigs head was still in agony. Despite that, he felt a terrible sense of dread. Inwardly, he cringed, his mind screaming.
He knew that house. He had dropped by often in a different time.
In a different life.
He remembered it so well: set on a little hill, a beautiful house, comfortable and warm, a place where a familya real familygathered and cooked and celebrated the holidays.
How could they have settled on that house? How could the fates be that unfair? It wasnt even right on the road, for Gods sake; they should never even have known it was there as they drove past in the storm.
Weve got to get away from here. Far away, Scooter argued.
Good thought, Craig approved silently.
Far away? Quintin mocked. Youre out of your mind. Just how far do you think we can get in this weather, without a carseeing as someone drove ours into a snowdrift? We need a place to stay. Are you insane? Cant you see? Were not going to get anywhere tonight.
Scooter was silent for a moment, then said, We shouldnt see people tonight.
Dont you mean people shouldnt see us? Quintin asked. He laughed. Like it will make a difference. Whatever we have to do, well do.
In the back, eyes shut again as he pretended he was still unconscious, Craig shuddered inwardly and considered his options. Depending on how he looked at things, they went from few to nonexistent.
Sorrow ripped through him at the thought of the old man they had left behind, followed by a fresh onslaught of dread.
He prayed in silence, trying desperately to think of a way out and cursing fate for his present situation.
How the hell had he ended up here? And tonight of all nights?
Ah, me poor bones, Uncle Paddy moaned when Kat went up to repeat the news that dinner was ready, although he looked quite comfortable, reclining against a stack of pillows on the very nice daybed that sat near the radiator in the guest room. He had been happily watching television, and hed apparently gotten her mother to bring him up some tea and cookies earlier. She suspected he hadnt been in a speck of pain until shed knocked briefly and opened the door to his room.
She stared at him, then set her hands on her hips and slipped into an echo of his accent. Your old bones are just fine, Uncle Patrick. Its no sympathy youll be getting tonight.
Her uncle looked at her indignantlya look hed mastered, she thought.
A few drops of whiskey would be makin em a whole lot better, me fine lass.
Maybe later.
Ive got to be getting down the stairs, he said.
Uncle Paddy, even I know its easier to get down a flight of stairs before taking a shot of whiskey, Jamie said from behind Kat, making her start in surprise. So her little brother had finally left the haven of his room, she thought. He was only sixteen, but already a good three inches taller than she was. He even had an inch on Frazier these days. He was thin, with a lean, intelligent face. He worried that he didnt look tough enough, but he wasnt exactly planning to be a boxer. He was a musician, something that came easily enough in their family. He loved his guitar, and when he played a violin, grown men had been known to weep.
It occurred to her that she hadnt spent a lot of time with him in the last year, and this was a time in his life when he could use some sane guidance from his older siblings. She remembered being sixteen all too well.
The opposite sex. Peer pressure. Drugs. Cigarettes.
Once, shed thought of him almost as her own baby. Even though there were only six years between them, shed been old enough to help out when hed been born. Then again, they hadnt grown up in the usual household. Their home was by Boston Common, the pub closer to the wharf, and theyd all spent plenty of time in that pub. When shed been a teenager, her friends had enjoyed the mistaken belief that she could supply liquor for whatever party they were planning.
She could still remember the pressure, and the pain of finding out that some of her so-called friends lost all interest in her when she wouldnt go along with their illegal plans. It wasnt until shed had her heart seriously broken her first year of college that shed learned to depend on herself for her own happiness. That she could be depressed and work in her parents pub all her life or she could create her own dreams.
Age and experience. She had both, she decided, at the grand age of twenty-two.
She smiled at how self-righteous she sounded in her own mind. Well, maybe she was, but she knew she was never going to make the mistakes her parents had made. She wasnt going to live her life entirely for others. Oh, she meant to have children. And it looked as if Uncle Paddy was around to stay. But she was never going to torture herself over her husbands temper or the bickering that went on around her.
To hell with them all; that would be her motto. God could sort them out later.
But, for the moment, she realized, she was concerned about Jamieand the fact he had been so quick to lock himself away. What had he been up to?
She knew, despite her mothers determination to keep certain situations private between herself and a particular child, that Jamie had gotten himself into some minor trouble up here last year. Luckily for him, a sheriffs deputy had just come to the house and commented on how easily calls could be traced these days.
Youre behaving, right? she said to him now.
Hed been in his room since theyd gotten there. Of course, hed made no secret of the fact that he thought she and Frazier should deal with their father on holidays, seeing as the two of them got to escape back to college after a few days, while he had to deal with his parents on a daily basis.
Jamie just grinned and nodded toward Uncle Paddy, who had taken offense at Jamies last comment and was staring at his youngest nephew with his head held high in indignation.
At my age, a bit of whiskey is medicinal, he announced.
Yeah, whatever, Jamie said irreverently. But the whiskey is downstairs. So grab your cane, and well be your escort.
Kat grinned. Maybe this Christmas would be okay after all, despite its somewhat rocky start.
Come on, Uncle Paddy. Youre not that old, so move it, Jamie said.
There is simply no respect for seniors in this house, Paddy said. The abuse your poor wee mother takes He shook his head.
My mother is neither poor nor wee, Kat retorted. Now come on. Its Christmas, and were going to have fun and be happy.
Yes, dammit. Whether we like it or not, Jamie agreed.
Kat reached for Paddys arm. With a groan, he rose. Ah, me old bones.
Your old palate can have a wee dram the minute we get you down the stairs, Jamie assured him.
Paddy arched a brow. Are ye joinin me then, lad?
Sure, its Christmas.
Yere not of an age.
Like you were? Jamie said, rolling his eyes.
This is America.
So? Jamie said. My parents run a bar. Its not like I havent had a shot now and then.
Paddy let out an oath. Kat knew what it was because shed been told as a child never to learn Gaelic from Uncle Paddy. Luckily, not many people spoke Gaelic, so they seldom knew what he was saying when he was out and about and swearing at the world.
Now he waved a hand at them and headed for the stairs under his own power. The young. No respect, he muttered, then raised his cane and shook it at them.
They both laughed and followed him downstairs.
Skyler had all but the last of the food on the table when Uncle Paddy entered the kitchen and headed straight for the liquor cabinet.
Your beers on the table, she said, her tone slightly sharp. She realized that she was looking over her shoulder, hoping that David hadnt seen Paddy heading straight for the whiskey.
Ill take a beer, too, Jamie said cheerfully, coming in behind Paddy.
Jamie she said warningly.
Its better than the hard stuff, right? Jamie asked.
Actually, I think a beer and a shot have about the same alcohol content, Kat said, following her brother into the kitchen.
What, now our son is heading straight for the liquor, too? David demanded harshly from behind Kat.
His words tightened the knot of tension already forming between Skylers shoulder blades as she remembered the incident with Jamie.
Jeez, Dad, would you lighten up? Jamie demanded.
Great. I knew we should have gone to your family, Frazier murmured to Brenda, as they walked into the middle of the argument.
Take control, Skyler told herself angrily. All your life, you let things go, trying to maintain the peace. Now for once in your life, do something. David, Jamie, please, she said. Its Christmas Eve.
We own a bar, Jamie said. Whats the big deal?
Stop it, Jamie. Stop it now, she said firmly, wondering why family gatherings had to be such a nightmare.
Pub, David corrected irritably. And thats no reason for my kids to be drunks, too.
Yed be referring to me, eh? Paddy demanded.
Take control, Skyler ordered herself. And finally spoke up. Uncle Paddy, you have a drinking problem, and you know it. Jamie, you may have a beer. One. She stared at her husband. Id rather he drink with us than away from us, if hes going to drink. And he is going to drink. Sosit down. Kat, Frazier, Brenda, what would you like to drink?
Just water for me, Brenda said hurriedly.
Of course someone so slim and tiny wouldnt consume a liquid with calories, Skyler thought. Then again, at least the girl had answered on her own. She had been so quiet since her arrival.
She was shy. Not like this group.
Frazier, what will you have?
Ill have a beerif Dad doesnt think it will turn me into an alcoholic.
David stared at his older son, still irritated.
Dont be silly. Your father knows that you dont abuse alcohol.
Yeah. Not like some of those old boozehounds at the pub, Frazier said.
Boozehounds? Those fine fellows put food on your plate, Paddy said.
Including the ones who fall off their bar stools? Frazier asked.
We dont serve drunks, David snapped.
Dads right, Kat said, grinning, We reserve the right not to serve people who are falling off the bar stools.
Even when theyre our relatives, Jamie chimed in.
Jamie Skyler cautioned with a sigh. So much for taking control. David was clearly taking every word seriously, which did not bode well for a pleasant meal.
Mom, what would you like to drink? Kat asked.
Skyler hesitated, shaking her head. Hell. Just give me the whole bottle of whiskey.
To her amazement, there was silence.
Then laughter.
Even Davids lips twitched.
Come on, guys, lets all behave, Kat said. Were driving Mom to drink.
Lets eat, Skyler said with forced cheer. Sit down already.
You want us anywhere in particular? Kat asked, walking up behind her mother and hugging her.
In a chair at the table, thats all, she said, and gave her daughter a little squeeze in return.
Were short a place setting, Kat noted.
No, were not.
Yes, we are. Count, Kat said.
There are six place settings, and five of us andBrenda and Paddy, Skyler said. Im sorry. Ill get another plate.
Ill go find a chair, Kat said. I think theres an extra in the den.
Im so sorry, guys, Skyler said as Kat hurried out.
Thats okay, Mom. You cant count, but we love you anyway, Frazier teased, smiling at her.
She smiled back. And Dad?
His smiled wavered for a moment. We love Dad, too, of course. Although I think he can count.
Cute, Skyler said. Brenda, please sit down and just ignore my family.
Uncle Paddy was staring at her questioningly, and Brenda looked acutely uncomfortable. How the hell had she miscounted? She just hadnt been thinking clearly. Shed been too busy listening in on other peoples conversations. Worrying.
She didnt want arguing. She wanted peace and the whole Norman Rockwell picture.
Im sorry for intruding on your family Christmas Brenda began.
Dont be silly, youre not intruding in the least, and were delighted to have you. Im just getting absentminded in my old age, Skyler said.
Its all those years in a bar, Frazier teased.
Pub, David said.
Beer fumes, Jamie put in.
David groaned exaggeratedly. All right, enough with the pub and the beer. Brenda, you are entirely welcome here. Please sit down.
Please, Skyler echoed. Jamie likes to say that I have adult attention deficiency disorder. Personally, I think it comes from my children, she explained, staring firmly from one of her sons to the other. Lets all sit and enjoy our dinner.
Suddenly the doorbell rang.
Skyler looked at her husband, who looked back at her, his eyebrows arching questioningly. You have more company coming? he asked. His tone, at least, was light. Someones long-lost relative? Stray friend?
She glared at him fiercely. No.
Why would anyone be traveling in this weather? Brenda mused.
So she did speak without being spoken to, Skyler thought, then wanted to kick herself for the unkind thought. But the girl was so quiet most of the time. Probably, her family didnt fight all the time, and she just felt uncomfortable, intimidated.
Someone might have had an accident, Dad, Frazier suggested.
If someone is hurt or stranded, of course they can come in, Skyler said quickly.
What idiot would be out in this weather? David asked.
The bell sounded again.
We could just answer the blasted thing and find out whats going on, Paddy said.
Ill get it, Jamie said.
No. Ill get it, David said firmly. You all just sit.
But no one sat.
David led, Skyler close behind him, everyone else behind her. The swinging door that separated the kitchen from the dining room, which sat to the one side of the entry, thumped as one person after another pushed it on the way through.
The bell rang again.
Hurry, someone might be freezing out there, Skyler said.
And yet, even as she spoke, she felt a strange sense of unease.
Somehow Norman Rockwell seemed to be slipping away.
And shewho took in any stray puppy, who always helped the down and out, animal or humandidnt want David to open the door.