Silent Night, Star-Lit Night (Second Chance at Star Inn)(17)

Angel nodded. “Jude’s daughters both passed away, and the one granddaughter won’t speak to her because she thought Jude tried to help the other granddaughter more, so they’re estranged and there’s no one to step up and take those two children. Jude’s eighty-five years old. Before you know it the county will take those youngsters away. And there’s nothing short of a miracle that will stop them.”

“But they’ll stay together, won’t they?” The baby kicked and stretched inside, reminding Mia that sitting cramped her daughter’s style. “They wouldn’t think of separating a brother and sister. Would they?”

Angel sank down next to her. “Oh, darling, they’d love to keep kids together, but it’s much harder to place them anywhere as a pair. And right now they’re in a tangle of red tape because G-G has custody, but she’s growing weaker by the day. It’s like hope’s gone out of her, worrying herself about what will become of these precious children.”

“I can’t believe someone in the family isn’t stepping up.” Jed scrubbed a hand to his neck and hunched forward, elbows propped on his knees. “That would never happen in my family.”

“Your family is special.”

He turned Mia’s way when she said the words. “You think they are? I think they’re normal. And sometimes a pain.” He grinned to soften the words. “But mostly wonderful.”

Mia exchanged a knowing look with Angel. “There are a lot of dysfunctional and disjointed families like the Barringers. I saw it all the time in the E.R.”

“You did?”

She nodded.

“Then let’s minimize the screen and look at this one problem.” He turned to face Angel more directly again. “How can we help fix this?”

“Short of marrying this woman and adopting those two youngsters as your own, I don’t have an answer to that.” Angel spoke frankly. “In a day or two, you’ll have moved on, but our Jude will be up that hill in the little house she’s owned for nearly sixty years, trying to make ends meet and deal with two little children. Folks help as they can, but the legalities of the situation will win out, eventually. And then it’s out of our hands.”

“There’s no one in town to take them in?”

She grimaced. “Jude’s granddaughter broke the law on a regular basis. While that’s no reflection on Jude, a lot of folks wouldn’t consider bringing a Barringer into their house.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

Angel didn’t disagree. “The good of small towns is how they work together. The bad is that they have long memories. In the end it might be good for the children to get a fresh start where their last name doesn’t mean anything. I expect we’ll have to leave this one in God’s hands, but there . . .” She stood and stepped back, hands up, palms out. “I’m talking too much when you should be resting and relaxing. I’m heading to bed. I’ll see you both in the morning.”

“Good night, Angel. And thank you for this.” Mia picked up her mug of hot chocolate and sipped. “It’s absolutely marvelous.”

“I’m glad.” She slipped away, leaving them in a room full of Christmas and thought.

“I can’t imagine folks just leaving kids to fall into the system.” Fingers entwined beneath his chin, elbows on his knees, Jed rocked his hands in a habit she remembered like it was yesterday.

“You’ve always done that.”

“Done what?” He raised a troubled gaze to hers, and the concern in his eyes made her long to comfort him.

“The hand thing. What you’re doing right now.”

Unaware, he paused, glanced down, and frowned. “I don’t even know I’m doing it.”

“I know. That’s what makes it so cute.”

“I’m cute?” This time when he met her gaze, interest overtook the worry. His dark eyes twinkled at her. “Good to know.” He folded his hands again and leaned forward. “So, Mia O’Loughlin . . . Angel gave you a reprieve before, but she’s gone off to bed now. Tell me. What is it that scares you these days? Because I’d like to help, if I can.”

She’d like that, too, if it were only that easy.

She’d like someone to wipe the slate clean so she could start again, but that was impossible when the thought of dealing with her father’s substance-abuse issues made her want to go anywhere instead of back north to Roslyn. For Grandpa Joe’s sake, she’d do it.

“You know I’ll keep asking.”

She’d predicted as much. “Jed.” She’d wanted a cookie, but this wasn’t a cookie-eating conversation. “Life hands us turns and twists. I’ve had my share this year. And I’m nervous about the future, the unknown. Once I have everything straightened out and decided, I’m sure it will be just fine, but I have to do these things in my own way. My own time.” She stood, and it took some effort to unbend from the comfortable couch. He moved to help her.

She didn’t let him. “I’m fine, really. Just tired. And a little disillusioned with mankind at the moment.”

“The kids’ story. It paints a rough picture, doesn’t it?”

That story and so many others. “I’m beat. I hate to waste all those little sandwiches, but I’m ready for bed.”