Paul leveled his gaze on Annabelle. “How old are you?”
“Eight.”
“I was the oldest in my family too,” Paul said. “That can be a lot of responsibility. You remind me so much of my daughter when she was your age. Have you ever ridden a horse?”
“No sir.”
“Ever patted his soft nose?”
“No sir.”
“I can’t wait to introduce you to my very best friend.” He shifted his gaze to Jimmy, the second-oldest child. “You too, young man.” Paul straightened. “And I have chickens who lay more eggs than I know what to do with. I bet you all could gather eggs for me once in a while.”
“Okay!” the kids said, looking to Jack for approval.
“Sounds like home. These kids know how to collect eggs. We had a few chickens at our house. They flew the coop when the fire started, but I reckon they’ll happen back, eventually.”
“Yes. I’m sure they will. You all go on with your tour.” Paul backed up and took a seat at the long table. “I just wanted to welcome you myself.”
“Thank you.”
Sheila showed them around the rest of the place, and the older kids all climbed into the bunk beds.
“Mom, look! It’s so pretty.” Annabelle was delighted when she recognized her own name and the painted ladybugs on the front of the chest Doris had brought over.
“This is amazing. It’s too much.”
“No, it’s barely a start and we realize that,” Tucker said. “But it’s a soft place to land while you figure everything out.”
Nelle banged a metal spoon against a pot. “Y’all come get this breakfast. I’m putting it on the table before my gravy turns to wallpaper paste.”
The older kids moved to the table to eat, while Diane moved the baby to a high chair to feed him while the other adults took plates to the couch and pew in the living area.
Just about everyone who had helped set everything up had shown up by now, and there was really no better way to turn this little chapel into a home than to enjoy fellowship with neighbors and friends.
The tentative, nervous air that had filled the place when the family first walked in had quickly lifted. Children chased each other around the Christmas tree, and one of the kids had already crawled into one of the bunk beds to take a nap.
“We’re going to be okay,” Sheila heard Diane whisper to Jack, which choked her up.
Jack and his coworker ate, and then Jack said his goodbyes. “I’ve got to get to work. My boss was kind enough to surprise me by letting this guy bring me here for this, but I need to get to work. Kids, I’ll see you tonight.” The older children ran over and lined up in a row to give kisses. He blew a kiss to Diane as he walked out.
“Oh my gosh, my heart absolutely aches for them. I’m so glad we were able to do this,” Natalie said to Sheila.
“I know.”
Tucker walked over to Sheila and Natalie. “You ladies have really done something here.”
“Happy to do it,” Sheila said.
“Not exactly how you planned to spend your Christmas vacation, I guess,” he said to Sheila.
“Better than I could have imagined.”
“Good. Good to hear.” Tucker leaned in. “Jack told me that their insurance deductible is twenty thousand dollars.”
“Oh gosh. So many people are doing those high-deductible policies to keep the prices down.” She’d promised Diane she wouldn’t say anything, so she didn’t. Had Jack asked Tucker to keep it quiet too? “Do they have the money?”
“No, not even close.” Tucker grimaced. “Who has that kind of cash lying around? Not many folks around here.”
