Holiday for a Hero (Heroes at Heart Book 9) Page 6

  Jaxon piped up, “And shook your finger at him. You don’t even do that with me!”

  “That was the greatest!” Zeke enthused, his smile wide.

  “I’m so sorry you boys had to witness that.”

  “Miss Ethel,” Rafe said, his voice soft. “You can’t keep all the bad stuff away from us.”

  “Sometimes you have to show force,” Cael said, shifting slightly.

  “No one’s ever done that for me,” Asher whispered, his eyes wide. “No one’s ever fought for me before.”

  Her breath hitched, and she opened her arms, welcoming him as he flung himself into her embrace. She settled her gaze over their concerned faces. “I always wanted to show you boys that remaining calm and talking was the best way to handle every situation that arises.”

  “‘Anybody can become angry—that’s easy; but to be angry with the right person, and to the right degree, and at the right time, and for the right purpose, and in the right way—that is not within everybody’s power and is not easy.’ Miss Ethel, you’ve never taken the easy road,” Zander said.

  Her lips curved into a smile as she stared up at Zander. “Aristotle, I believe.”

  His grin met hers, as did the other boys’. “Aristotle… and me.”

  As the tension left the room, she looked toward the door and saw George standing nearby. Once more, he’d sent help when she was most in need, and her heart swelled. Mouthing ‘thank you’, she watched him nod, cast his gaze over the boys, and wink just before he drifted away.

  7

  Four Years Later

  The years passed far too quickly. Ethel still felt young at heart thanks to her wonderful boys, but she noticed new twinges nowadays, pains that didn’t use to bother her.

  When people discovered she had eight boys, all now teenagers, they clucked with amazement, shook their heads as though she’d lost her mind, or attempted to pour accolades on her. She cared for none of their reactions.

  This evening, the house was unusually quiet, but as soon as the boys returned from the church Christmas party, the rooms would once again be filled with laughter. Over the years, she’d continued baking cookies for the party, this year giving them to the boys, glad that they had wanted to go.

  She poured a cup of tea and walked into the living room, settling into her chair. The area underneath the tree was filled with presents. The next day, each of the boys would choose one of their gifts that they had been given, and they would all take them to one of the shelters. Smiling, it was a tradition that had been suggested by Zander years before.

  As she sipped her tea, her gaze traveled about the room, noting it seemed so much like it had for the past thirty years. Volumes of well-read books lined the bookshelves but now were intermingled with silver picture frames containing photographs of all the boys. Seeing one where they were lined up with their arms around each other celebrating a baseball win, her heart warmed. George had been right. Excellent coaches had provided instruction, guidance, and lessons to each of them and they excelled in a variety of sports.

  With a loving home, comfortable beds, and full bellies, they’d each grown beyond her expectations. She chuckled as she wondered over all the meals she’d cooked for the eight boys throughout the years.

  George had also been right about her ability to guide them to manhood. She had given them respect and taught them how to respect her in return, which they each did in abundance. Making sure they knew the way to treat others, she’d seen the evidence over the years of the kind of men they were becoming. Loyal. Kindhearted. Willing to fight for what was right and stand up for others.

  Her thoughts turned to Zander and his decision to join the Army six months after he graduated from high school. She winced at the thought, remembering George having done the same. Opening her eyes, she smiled as she saw George move into the room and once again stand by the Christmas tree.

  He looked over and met her smile. “I didn’t mean to startle you, my dear. But your thoughts were so close to the surface, reminding me of days gone by.”

  I was just thinking about when you were in the Army,” she said. “I was absolutely sure my heart would break until you came back to me.”

  “My, my, that was a lifetime ago, wasn’t it?” A knowing smile graced his face. “I know you’ll miss Zander horribly.”

  She swallowed past the lump that appeared in her throat as tears pricked her eyes. “I can’t imagine my life without him in it.” Her heart squeezed. “But then, I couldn’t have imagined my life without you.”

  “Oh, my dear Ethel, he’ll always be with you.”

  She nodded, understanding the words he was saying, but she’d lived through something George had not—she’d been forced to live through the agonizing pain when someone you love is physically taken from you. With watery eyes, she looked at him and said, “I discovered I was strong enough to open my heart and home to my boys. I’m not sure I’m strong enough to let them go. I did that once with you. I don’t want to do it again.”

  “Ah, the plight of every parent.”

  He sighed, and she was sure she felt his breath brushing across her face. The air rushed from her lungs as she hastened to say, “Oh, my dear, here I am complaining, and yet I’ve been given what you have not. The gift that slipped through our fingers together has been mine to carry and love.”

  His gaze was so intent that she could swear it was real. He reached over, and she imagined his fingers touched hers. “But I did have this. I did get to be a father with you. Not in the way we thought. Not in the way we’d hoped for and prayed for. Not in the way that most people would understand or imagine. But throughout these many years, I’ve walked with you. Because of you, I’ve been given the greatest gift of all. It started with your love but continued when you never believed that death could separate us. You continued to allow me to come into your life. So yes, my sweet girl, you’ve allowed me to be a father.”

  Tears slid down her cheeks, but she smiled. “Between you, me, and God, we’ve managed just fine, haven’t we?”

  “We’ve more than managed. Many children have felt your hand on their life, but our eight boys have had their lives completely changed. But all parents at some time have to realize that while their work is never done, they must send their children out into the world.”

  “But what if they need me?”

  “You’re not going anywhere. They’ll come back to you. Trust in the power of love.”

  The sound of a car door closing startled her, and she glanced at the clock, shocked that an hour had passed. Looking over, she could no longer see George in the room, but she smiled. His presence was always with her. She barely had a chance to stand before the front door opened and eight smiling, exuberant, talking boys poured into the vestibule. The sight sent a thrill through her, one she hoped she never forgot. The day was coming when the house would be still and silent, so she wanted to treasure each moment that it was filled with laughter and love, talking and teasing, learning and living. “Oh, my, it sounds like the party was fun!”

  As always, the boys offered her a hug as they entered the house. And she returned it in kind, patting their backs as she had when they were much younger.

  “Your cookies were the first to go, Miss Ethel,” Jayden said.

  Jaxon offered his opinion. “That’s because they’re always better than anyone else’s cookies.”

  “I agree!” Cael said, patting his stomach, giving evidence that he had eaten plenty.

  “How would you know? You couldn’t keep your eyes off of CarolAnn,” Rafe laughed, wrapping his arms around an imaginary girl and swaying to the music coming from the radio.

  “Yeah, well I didn’t see the mistletoe that someone hung up. I noticed you didn’t miss it. Not once,” Cael retorted.

  Zeke grinned. “Yeah, Rafe. How many different girls did you manage to get under the mistletoe?”

  Puffing out his chest, Rafe quipped, “Too much goodness to go around for just one girl.”

  Zand
er rolled his eyes and moved into the living room, the other boys following.

  “Well, how about I make some hot chocolate, or are you all completely full?” she asked. Glancing around at their wide-eyed expressions, a bubble of laughter erupted. “What a silly question! I’ve never known you boys to be completely filled up!”

  “I’ll help you, Miss Ethel,” Cas said.

  “Me, too,” Asher added.

  With their assistance, it didn’t take long for Asher to carry in a large tray filled with mugs of hot chocolate and place it on the coffee table. Once she’d sat in her chair, the boys settled around… three on the sofa, two in the other chairs, and three on the floor, leaning back against the other furniture. The conversation was lively, continuing about who they saw, who they danced with, who was flirting. She could not help but smile as she listened to them reaffirming that they were, indeed, good young men. After a while, a calm silence ensued as they continued to sip their drinks.

  Her quiet, contemplative Zander finally spoke. “This will be the last Christmas we’ll all be together.”

  The air in her lungs stuttered to a halt, and she tried to steady her breath as she looked around at the shocked and anguished faces in front of her. Oh, I’ve been so focused on my own grief as my children slowly move off into the world, but I forgot about their own fears. With all eyes on her, she nodded slowly.

  “Each of you is keenly aware of how life changes. Sometimes in the blink of an eye. Sometimes more slowly. Life doesn’t stay the same, and nor do we. But I’ll tell you what lasts, my dear boys. Love. And family. Each of you will go out into the world to find your own place, but always remember, your home here will always welcome you back.”

  Tears shone in their eyes, and she was glad she’d taught them to not be ashamed of their emotions. “Let’s finish our celebration with a story. Zander, since you’ll be away next year, you may choose.”

  It did not surprise her when he chose the same story to read that he had many years before… The Girl and the Winter Whirlwinds. And just as every time he told the tale, they all thought of how their ragtag family so resembled the characters all working together to save the spring.

  The time had long since passed when she tucked the boys into bed at night, but she still managed to have a word with each one individually. She had started the habit with Zander, knowing that night was when his fears came out and she’d wanted to allay them. The habit became tradition, and the tradition became embedded in their very fiber.

  Tonight, as they silently read in bed, she moved to Cas. “I saw you with Bianca earlier today in the yard. I know she’s a lonely little girl, and it’s very sweet of you to spend time with her.” Bianca was a younger girl who had moved across the street with her father after her mother had died.

  Shrugging, he said, “It’s little enough that I can do for her. She’s pretty cool.” He smiled and added, “She likes my carvings.”

  “Then she has excellent taste,” Ethel remarked. She bent, kissed his forehead, and whispered, “You were the last to come to me, and will be the last to leave. But never think for a moment that you are the last in my heart, my precious woodcarver.” A slow smile spread across his face, and she patted his arm.

  Standing, she looked at Zeke. His long hair was pulled back into a ponytail. She could not help but reach out and touch the thick tresses. He ducked his head slightly, and she smiled. “You were so afraid that your style would offend me. You forget that back in my day, many young men had long hair.”

  “Hippies, right?”

  Laughter erupted as she nodded. “Yes, hippies.”

  He held his gaze and asked, “I can’t imagine your George having long hair.”

  “Don’t be so sure. While his hair would not have been long enough to pull back into a ponytail, it certainly dusted the bottom of his collar at one time.” She thought back to the first time she saw him. “Ah, but he was a handsome man.”

  “Were you worried about him? When he joined the military?”

  She remained silent, not wanting to offer a hasty reply. Instead, she asked one of her own. “Are you worried about Zander?”

  His struggle was evident behind his eyes. His brow furrowed as he said, “Zander was the first to reach out to me. I was so… angry… all the time. I was angry about coming here. The other guys were bigger than me, but I was already thinking about how I could take them on.” He snorted. “I would’ve so failed.”

  “Zander as well as the others became the big brothers you needed.”

  His head moved up and down slowly. “Yeah. I’m going to miss him. And I’m worried.”

  “And one day you will follow him.”

  His gaze jerked to hers and did not waver as they silently took measure of each other. “Yes.”

  She tried not to sigh, but her breath came out in a rush. Nodding in little jerks, she said, “I told you that your name, Ezekiel, means strength. And Kemp means warrior or champion. You have always been a strong champion, my sweet Zeke. And wherever you go, whatever you do, you will protect.”

  She patted his leg, and with a whispered ‘good night’ moved to the other side of the room. Asher lounged in his bed, his long legs stretched out in front of him, his large book propped open. His gaze was intense as she approached. “You look like a young man with something on his mind.”

  “I was thinking about the Marines. I know Zander’s going into the Army, and I’ve got years to decide, but…” his voice trailed off.

  She sat on the edge of his bed and said, “Each of you came to me needing a sense of family. I’ve certainly made it no secret that I did as well. And I knew that there were things your older brothers could teach, help with, guide. But I hope I always gave you a sense of individuality. You are unique. And your choices will be unique, also.”

  Asher was not quick to smile, but when he did it always caused her heart to stutter with joy. And right now, while it was not a huge grin, his lips curved upward. “You always taught me that unique was not bad.”

  “Absolutely, unique is not a bad thing.”

  “I used to think it was just your nice way of saying that it was okay if I was ugly.”

  She swatted his leg, and he laughed. “Oh, you! You were never ugly. You looked into the mirror and saw what others had taunted. But you, my dear, sweet boy, are absolutely beautiful.”

  He blushed, and the tips of his ears turned bright red. “I’m not sure that beautiful is the right word to describe a future Marine, Miss Ethel.”

  “More’s the pity,” she quipped, her eyes twinkling. As their mirth settled, she added, “If the Marines are still calling to you when you’re a senior, then you’ll know the path to take. And whatever path that is, I’ll be right here waiting for you to return.”

  His arms encircled her, and she felt him pat her back the way she always had his. “Good night, my dear.”

  She walked across the hall to the other large room, moving to Jaxon in his top bunk.

  “I had something I wanted to ask you,” he said, hesitation in his eyes, something she was not used to from him.

  “Certainly. You can talk to me about anything.”

  “I’ve looked to see what the requirements are to be a volunteer for the rescue squad. I just didn’t know how you’d feel about that since it’s a volunteer position.”

  Cocking her head to the side, curiosity snaked through her. “Why do you think I’d have a problem with that?”

  “Because it’s volunteer… not paid. I know Zander, Cael, and Rafe have part-time jobs after school. But I really want to see what it would be like to be on the rescue squad. But I figure with my school load, I could squeeze in a part-time job along with being a volunteer.”

  “Jaxon, honey, I always wanted my boys to learn the value of an honest job. But I never meant to imply that it had to be a paid position while you were still in high school. I would be thrilled for you to volunteer your time for something so worthwhile.”

  His shoulders heaved as he sig
hed in relief. “Really?”

  Nodding, she prodded, “Tell me about it.”

  He sat up straighter, his eyes now bright with interest. “As part of their Junior Program, I can respond with them to emergency calls and learn to provide basic medical services. I’ll become certified in CPR and then can take classes and training to be an EMT.”

  “Oh, my!” she exclaimed, surprised and yet pleased at what he’d be able to do. “Jaxon, I think that sounds amazing.”

  “Plus I’ve already looked, and I’d be able to do that after high school when I joined the military.”

  “I’m very impressed with how you’ve looked into this.”

  He grinned. “I’m not the only one. Jayden’s been doing the same thing, too.”

  She glanced into the bottom bunk and saw Jayden listening closely to their conversation. “And what have you discovered?”

  “I really want to be a mechanic,” he said, his hesitation mirroring the earlier reaction from his twin. “I know you said we can go to college if we want to, but I really like working with my hands and tinkering with engines. The last time you took the van in to be worked on, I talked to the man who runs the shop. He said when I’m old enough, if I want a part-time job just helping out, I could have it.”

  “And is that something you’d like to do in the military as well?”

  His lips curved into a smile. “Absolutely. Then I can get all the training and be paid at the same time!”

  “Well, I think you two are planning your futures perfectly. I’m very proud of you.”

  “You always quoted from Roy Bennett. ‘Don’t just learn, experience’.”

  Laughing, she reached out with both hands and clutched theirs, giving a squeeze. “You’re right. And remember… ‘Don’t just dream, do. Don’t just exist, live.’”

  The bunk on the other side of the large room was empty, Rafe and Cael camping out in Zander’s room talking. Even though the door was open, she knocked on the frame anyway, always careful with their privacy. The three young men looked up and smiled, and Rafe jumped up from the end of the bed, allowing her a chance to relax while he sat on the floor. “I don’t want to interrupt,” she said.