Debbie looked at Kate. If ever there was murder in a woman's eyes, it was in Debbie's.
“A few days ago I got a call from my bank. They said I was overdrawn by forty-three thousand dollars. Then I received a certified letter from our mortgage holder. They were about to foreclose on our house. All my credit cards are on hold.”
“Why didn't you tell me this?” Don asked.
“Oh, you're too damned drunk to understand anything. When did you start caring anyway?” Debbie tossed at her husband.
“Please, all of you, let's stop arguing. Aunt Kate, can you tell me why I'm here?” Emily asked.
“Just a moment, Emily. Coleman, would you please have your secretary show the videographer and the court reporter in.”
After the two newcomers entered and got themselves set up, Kate looked at Debbie. “You want to do the honors?”
“Emily, all those years ago”âDebbie looked at both of her daughters, but her eyes rested on Saraâ“Alex did not molest Sara.” Silence, except for the sounds of the video camera shooting and the court reporter taking down what was being said.
“But you said”âSara cried out before she was cut off by her mother.
“Forget what I said and keep quiet. For once, Sara, keep your flapping jaws shut!”
Emily looked at her mother, then at Sara. “Then . . . Uncle Alex died . . . ohmygod!” She started to cry. Kate walked over and gave her a tissue.
“Debbie?” Coleman urged.
“Emily, I need you to listen. I want you to hear what I have to say. You're a grown woman now, you have a life of your own, but dear old Aunt Kate here, in all those years while she dropped off the face of the earth, Kate Rocket had a plan.
“Debbie, either you come out and say it or I will. I've waited too long to hear this, there's no need to make it any worse for Emily than it's going to be,” Kate admonished.
“Okay, here it is. Pure and simple. Twenty-four years ago I had a one-night stand with good old Alex Rocket. You, my dearest daughter, are the result!”
Emily observed her mother and father. “But, Dad, did you know?”
Kate thought Emily was taking the news remarkably well.
“Yes, Em, I knew. But only after Alex was in jail, though I had suspected for a long time I was not the man who had fathered you. But I still loved you no matter who your biological father was. That never changed, even after I found out who that man was. You were a great daughter.” Don wrapped his arms around her. “You still are. It's me that's been such a waste. I've let your mother dictate to me for too many years. I was always too busy trying to climb to the top. I wanted to be somebody. Somebody like Alex. I've failed miserably, Emily. All I can ask is that you forgive me.” Don's shoulders shook with sobs.
No one in the room said anything. There were no words left to say.
“Then why are we here? Why do we have to have these”âEmily pointed to the court reporter and the videographerâ“people here, recording our every word?”
“You can thank Aunt Kate for arranging this.”
“Is this true?” Emily questioned.
“Yes, I'm afraid it is. I've waited so long to clear Alex's name. He was so ashamed when the charges were brought against him. He worried more about me than himself. What would this do to Kate? He always wrote that he was sorry. He had nothing to be sorry for! He died because of a lie!
“In exchange for Sara's coming clean, I've agreed to help your mother clear up her banking problems, clear up her mortgage problems, and clear up the problems with her credit cards. And in turn, I get to remove the stain from Alex's name. I hope to air this on the six o'clock news tonight!”
“That wasn't part of our deal!”
“No, you're right, it wasn't. Did you really believe having Sara confess was enough? All of the people who loved and cared for Alex have the right to know he didn't die in prison as some dirty child molester!”
“So now you want to drag my family through the mud? Is that what you want, Kate, an eye for an eye?” Debbie screamed at her. The veins were bulging in her face. “Because if this tape is made public, you will have ruined me and my family!”
“I know. Now, perhaps, you'll know what it feels like. Don, is there something you want to say? I know Coleman spoke with you this morning. He didn't tell me what you wanted to say, only that you'd like a chance to get a few things off your chest. Do you still want to go through with it?” Kate asked.
“Yes. Sara, I'm sorry if this hurts you. We've shoved your problems under the rug far too long. I told your mother you needed help all those years ago. She supposedly took care of it, and I led myself to believe that she had. I know better. It wasn't just you that needed the help. Debbie, you were instrumental in bringing the charges against Alex. When I thought you were having heart-to-heart talks with Sara, you were telling her things to say! How could you? Alex was my best friend! Not only did you sleep with him, but as far as I'm concerned, you killed him, too!”
More silence. Even Sara was at a loss for words.
“Sara, you were a child when this happened. I don't hold you fully responsible, but you knew better. You knew early on that Emily was Uncle Alex's child. And you wanted to see him suffer just as much as your mother did, didn't you!”
“I did what Mommy told me to do, that's all. Iâ”
“Other than jealousy,” Don interrupted, “I'll never know or understand what motivated you, Debbie, but one thing I do understand for the first time in my life. I will never allow you to control me again. You've ruined Sara, and for that we are both going to have to get her help. The second I leave this room, I'm going home. I am leaving, and I never want to see your lying, conniving face again! Do you understand?”
“Whatever, Don. You're such a drunk. Now, Kate, you've got what you wanted? How about doing what you promised?”
After the court reporter and the cameraman left, Kate went over to Coleman's computer. She had already replaced the money, cleaned up everything in Debbie's accounts. For show, she had told Coleman she needed these few minutes of glory. Since she had admitted nothing to anyone but the Winters, and she knew full well that neither Emily nor Don would ever testify against her, no matter what Debbie did, she wasn't concerned about being brought to justice for her criminal activity.
Emily said nothing to Kate, but Kate knew she would come around. Don apologized again. Debbie and Sara were bickering before they were out of the room.
With the transcript of relevant portions of the meeting in the court reporter's capable hands and the video available for airing by the anchors of the six o'clock news in Naples, as well as Asheville and surrounding areas, Kate felt she had accomplished what she'd set out to do all those years agoâruin the Winters family, or at least half of that family.
As a bonus, Alex's reputation would be restored, and she could get on with her life. The rest would take care of itself.
Kate looked at Coleman. “What do you think about making dinner for a hardworking girl?”
“Only if she'll kiss the cook!”
Kate welcomed Coleman into her arms.
Epilogue
One year later ...
Christmas Eve
Â
S
nowflakes as big as dinner plates rained down in the darkened sky. Opalescent starlight hid behind clouds. The moon peered out from the top of the Black Mountains in the distance. The cabin sat on the side of the mountain, smoke billowing from its chimney.
Inside, the cabin was full of laughter and cheer. Heavenly scents of baking cookies wafted through the cool night air. Emily Winter thought it resembled a scene from a Norman Rockwell painting.
She hoped she was still welcome. It had been a long time, but she was ready to forgive Aunt Kate. She hesitated before knocking. This wasn't her home, this was Coleman's. He might not want her here after all. Aunt Kate had sent her dozens of letters inviting her to the mountains. In each letter she'd asked her to spend the holidays with them, and Emily decided that she wanted to share this special holiday with someone she truly loved and who loved her in return.
Well, here she was. Do or die. She tapped on the door. She heard laughter and a baby crying.
A baby? Odd, Aunt Kate never mentioned anything in any of her letters about one of her friends having a baby.
She knocked harder a second time.
The door swung open as she was about to knock again. “Emily!”
“In the flesh.”
Coleman opened the door, “Come in, you'll freeze your butt off out there. Let me take your coat.”
Emily knew Aunt Kate and Coleman had married in June. She was happy for them.
Emily stepped inside. The cabin looked like something from a fairy tale. A Christmas tree, at least fifteen feet tall, stood in the corner. Red, green, blue, and every color under the rainbow sparkled from the glow of the lights. A gold star shone as bright as the fire in the stone fireplace at the opposite end of the room. This is how Christmas at Aunt Kate's had always appeared in her dreams.
Red sofas and dark green chairs were scattered all about the giant room. People were grouped in small circles. Young and old. Bing Crosby singing “White Christmas” played softly in the background. Tears filled her eyes at the scene. Uncle Alexâher dadâwould've liked this.
Coleman took her coat as she observed the festivities. “It's kind of a Christmas party, wedding reception, and baby shower all rolled into one.”
Emily smiled. “That sounds wonderful. Now, where can I find Aunt Kate? Oh, wait, let me guess. She's in the kitchen?”
“Where else? Go on in and surprise her. This will be her best present yet,” Coleman encouraged.
Emily followed the scent of baking cookies to the kitchen. She watched the merriment. This was what she wanted, only with three kids and ten dogs. She saw a golden redâcolored retriever curled up in a corner, its tail wagging ninety miles a minute.
She took a step, then another before she stopped. Aunt Kate was pulling trays from a huge oven. Three other women were filling baskets with the cookies as fast as they could take them off the cookie sheets.
Unaware of who she was, one of the women invited her to grab a basket. Emily did as instructed. Aunt Kate replaced one cookie sheet with another before she saw Emily standing next to her in the cookie assembly line. “Emily? It's really you!”
She grabbed her and hugged her, then pushed her away in order to look at her. “You are so pretty, Emily. You look like an angel.”
“It's okay to say I look like Uncle Alex. I know I do.”
“Oh, Emily, this is the best holiday of my life! When did you get here?”
“Just a few minutes ago. Coleman let me in.”
“Sit, sit. You don't have to work. We're baking cookies for the dogs at the local shelters. Just don't take a bite. I don't think this recipe is meant for human consumption.”
“Is Gertie here?”
“She's around here somewhere. I practically had to drag her here. She refused to leave the kennel, unless Laurenâshe's worked for Gertie since high schoolâagreed to come and stay at the house.”
“Sounds like Gertie, stubborn as ever.”
“Who said I was stubborn?” Gertie entered the kitchen. “Emily? Why, I'll be a monkey's uncle. Kate didn't tell me you were coming. My Lord, you've gotten so . . . grown-up and so pretty. Looks just like Alex. Come here and let me hug you.” The two embraced. Gertie's eyes filled with tears.
“This is the best gift an old coot like me could have. Kate, why didn't you tell me the girl would be here?”
Emily looked at Kate.
“It was a surprise, Gertie. For everyone.”
Emily mouthed
thank you
to Kate.
“So, does she know about the little princess?” Gertie asked Kate.
Kate gave Gertie a shut-your-trap look. Emily had seen them at it before.
“What little princess are you talking about?”
“Emily, come upstairs, and I'll show you.”
Kate took the young woman she loved so much like a daughter and led her upstairs to a loft that overlooked the great room below.
“This is so neat. I would stay up here all the time if this were my room.” Emily leaned over and peered at the holiday festivities below.
“It's a great cabin. Coleman and I, we plan to live here full-time. Maybe next year. It's taking him a little bit longer to retire than he thought. The wheels of justice do grind slowly.” Kate smiled.
“How long since you've seen your family?” Emily looked sad suddenly, and Kate was sorry she'd brought up the topic.
“It's over a year. I haven't been back since that day in Coleman's office. I just never fit in with them, Aunt Kate. I know that sounds terrible. They're my family. They're just different. I did get a letter from Dad. He hasn't had a drink in over a year. I'm proud of him.”
“And you should be. He didn't always have an easy row to hoe.” Kate felt bad for Don, but was glad he'd gotten the help he needed.
“They're still not divorced. Dad doesn't know why Mom won't sign the papers, but he said he was moving on. He likes living in New York again. I guess he's working at a new engineering firm. He seems happy.
“The last I heard, Mother had been forced to close her agency, sell the house, and has moved somewhere in Georgia, where she's bought herself a diner. Sara's married to that druggie creep, and no one knows where she's got to.
“What did you want to tell me, Aunt Kate? I know you brought me up here for a reason.”
“Yes, I did. Wait here. I'll be right back.”
Kate left and came back in a matter of minutes. She carried a small bundle in her arms. “This is what I wanted to show you.” Kate fumbled with the bundle in her arms. She pulled the blanket aside to reveal a tiny face.
“Oh my! She's so pretty, Aunt Kate.”
“I think so. She's a very good baby, aren't you?” Kate nuzzled the nose of the small infant inside the blankets.
“So who does she belong to? I thought I heard a baby crying when I knocked on the door.”
Cooing noises came from the infant. Kate and Emily laughed. “She'll be talking before you know it. Emily, this little girl is mine and Coleman's.” Kate paused, giving her time to absorb the news.
“How? You never said you were pregnant in all those letters. Well, you look fantastic! What did you name this little sweet pea?” Emily took the infant from Kate.
“We named her Alexandra Suzanne.”
“That's a mouthful, but beautiful.” Emily continued to kiss and tickle the baby.
“Emily, I did not give birth to Alexandra. We adopted her.”
“Well, that explains your figure. I think that's wonderful. I know you and Uncle Alex always wanted a child of your own. How old is she?” Emily asked.
“Three months. Her biological mother was the daughter of one of Coleman's clients. The infant was placed for private adoption after the mother died in childbirth. We named her Alexandra Suzanne because Suzanne was Coleman's first wife, and we both thought Alexandra was a good name, sort of in honor of Alex.”
“I think this is wonderful, Aunt Kate. Life sometimes throws you lemons, and boy did you ever whip them into lemonade!” When Emily hugged Kate, Alexandra Suzanne cried, and they both laughed.
“We're going to add a very special ornament to the tree in a minute. I'd like for you to do the honors. Follow me.”
Downstairs the guests were standing around the tree. Each had an ornament to place. Wedding ornaments, baby ornaments, and silly ornaments were hung all over the tree.
Kate handed the baby to Coleman. She clapped her hands to get everyone's attention.
“I have a very special ornament to place on the tree. It's been many years since it hung from a branch. Tonight is a very special night for me. I've got the child I've always dreamed of and a husband who cooks.” Everyone laughed. “And I have Emily, who has always been like a daughter to me. I would like to give you the honor of placing my own very special ornament on the tree.”
Kate took a small box and removed the tissue paper in which the ornament was wrapped. Her and Alex's very first Christmas ornamentâtheir wedding picture etched in the crystal star and those memorable words. She handed the ornament to Alex's daughter.
Tears flowed as Emily hung her father's ornament on the tree. When she finished, there was slow applause, then everyone shouting “Merry Christmas” to one another.
“There is one more thing.” Kate took a present the size of a shirt box and gave it to Emily. “This is for you. From Alex.”
There wasn't a dry eye in the room as they watched Emily open her present.
She removed the paper slowly, taking her time so as not to tear it. She took out a stack of papers held together with a red ribbon. She removed the ribbon, then scanned the papers.
“This is the deed to the kennel!”
“Merry Christmas, Emily!” Kate whispered. Later, after all the guests had left and the night was quiet, Kate stepped outside into the cold winter air.
She removed the top of the container she carried. She stood high on the mountain, on land that she loved. With tears in her eyes, she released the ashes that she'd carried for so long.
“You're home now, Alex. Truly home.”