Before either of them could say anything more, Inez called from the entrance of the administration building. She hurried to them, pulling the large, wheeled suitcase and child’s backpack Sandra had noticed when she’d arrived that day.
“Thank you for bringing these out to the car.” Eb had popped the back and hurried over to take them from her.
“Well, you have a good weekend, sir.” The older woman glanced at his car. “Let me know if you need me to clear your schedule next week.”
The poor man looked more than a little harried for a second, before he had hisI’m in controlface back in place. Sandra was coming to recognize it for the mask it was.
“I will,” he said. “And thank you again.” Inez shot Sandra a grateful look before heading back toward the office building.
“My car’s one row up.” Sandra pointed to it. “You can follow me to the Wyndham home.”
“I really appreciate your help today.” Eb touched her arm. “I apologize for monopolizing your afternoon and now your evening. Perhaps we’ll have time to go over the Santa Run issues we were supposed to discuss at our meeting.”
“It’s still a few weeks away, so don’t worry about it.” Sandra had to fight the impulse to cover her arm where it still tingled from his touch. She said to the little girl instead, “I’ll see you in a few minutes, Miss Rue.”
The child gave her a glowing smile at the name, and Sandra hurried to her car. As she was buckling her seatbelt, a text message came in from Merry.
Merry
Bring them! Nigel always enjoys new people to talk to.
Sandra sent a quick reply.
Sandra
And little children to watch squabble. But Rue is new to town and could use some friends. She’s four.
Merry’s reply was quick.
Merry
Grace will be thrilled.
Last year, when Walt had shared Ebeneezer Grinchly’s unusual name with the Wyndhams, Sandra had been curious if his names were a family tradition. If it’d been her, she wasn’t sure she’d have kept the first name, not combined with that surname. Kids could be cruel, and the similarity to two Christmas bad guys was just too mean. What parents would choose it on purpose?
There must be some emotional connection attached to them, some private meaning. Whatever it was, the man intrigued her, even more now that Rue had dropped into his life. What he’d told Sandra explained a little about his isolation and standoffishness, but she wanted to know more. She loved a mystery.
“It looks like a regular house,” Eb said as he stepped out of his SUV.
“Yes, it is, though large. There are six bedrooms and three guest cottages. Carlisle uses them for business.”
“And is his grandfather really an earl?”
“Yes, he is, and he owns a castle in England.” Sandra had visited it with Walt and Linda during a filming earlier in the year.
The front door burst opened, and Alex and Grace ran to throw their arms around Sandra. Eb was lifting Rue from the car, and the Carlisle children stopped to stare. Rue ducked her face into Eb’s shoulder.
Grace stepped forward and said with her charming English accent, “Hello. I’m Grace, and this is my brother Alex.”
“We’re planning our scarecrows for this year,” Alex said. “You want to help us?”
Without hesitation, Rue wiggled from her father’s arms and followed the children back into the house.
“See what I mean?” Sandra said to Eb. “They’re nice kids and friendly. I doubt you’ve thought about daycare, but I can recommend the center where the Wyndham children attend. After tonight, Rue will have some friends there already.”
“Good idea. And you’re right.” He pressed his fingers to his temples. “I hadn’t even considered daycare.”
“A year ago, I wouldn’t have either, so I completely understand.” Sandra pointed to the Wyndhams, who stood waiting near the door. “Merry and Carlisle, this is Eb Grinchly.”
