The Four Gifts of the King Page 5

  “I think we can give Dad all the time he needs, Merideth,” Reed shot back.

  “Look—this is not about Dad. I loved him as much as any of you, and I’ll miss him every day, but I mean, really, the stares and the disapproving sighs…I don’t have to take this.”

  Apparently, Alex had had enough. “I don’t like it either, but this is Dad’s funeral. We will take whatever we must and sit there and pay our deepest respects to him.”

  Anna began to cry again. Reed held her hand, and his voice softened. “Hang in there, sis. I know how much you’ll miss him. I’ll miss him, too.”

  Merideth stared out the window. Alex looked straight ahead, his features emotionless. “So will I…more than you know.”

  Walter remained silent. He would have his moment, but not now.

  The graveside service was brief. Molly had provided four long-stemmed red roses, one for each of the children to place on the casket. A picture of their mother nestled amidst the flowers.

  Walter watched as the simple casket was lowered into the ground while the church soloist sang “Be Thou My Vision.”

  Sam’s favorite song.

  Walter pulled a handkerchief from his suit pocket and dabbed at his eyes. Cathy Blake moved next to him and hooked her arm in his, patting his arm. Together they watched as Sam and Lori’s four children stood, their arms around each other, watching their father being laid to rest. At least now they allowed themselves tears.

  Cleansing tears. A good place to start, given what awaited them.

  The February sky gave up one short burst of late-afternoon sun before turning to dusk as the graveside service ended. Alex stood with his three siblings in a last tribute. Then they joined the procession of the fifty or so gathered for the burial. Alex lagged behind, lost in his conflicting emotions.

  Walter caught up with him. “Alex, how are you doing, son?”

  How was he supposed to answer that? I’m sad. I’m confused. I’m angry. I’m filled with guilt. How did one say all that? “I’ll be okay. Just a lot to deal with.”

  “Why don’t the four of you go back to the house and get comfortable? Some women from the church brought dinner by. It should be warming in the oven when you arrive. I’ll be there around seven.”

  They walked on in silence; then Alex turned to the man he’d known all his life. “Walter, I don’t know what to expect. None of us do. I mean, is there something we should…? Do we need to be prepared to…?”

  “Nothing at all. Your father has prepared everything. He just wanted you to be together, and you are. That’s all he asked for. Oh, and we’ll meet in the living room. That’s important.”

  Alex nodded, shook hands with Walt, and watched him go to join Frolic. How was he supposed to prepare for this? He kept pushing his guilt down so it wouldn’t overwhelm him. The return to the church, the house, even the smells of Harvest churned up in him both deep longing and searing pain. He longed to jump in his car and drive away. Yet the thought of leaving this place behind haunted him even more.

  I feel like I’m balancing on the wall between devastation and salvation. God help me.

  The thoughts tore at him as he joined the others in the limo for the ride back to the house.

  Merideth leaned toward him. “Did Walt say anything about what happens now?”

  “He told us to get comfortable and have dinner. He’ll be by around seven.” No help there.

  Reed rubbed his hand on the window to clear a hole in the glaze of moisture.

  Through the hole his brother created, Alex watched the town pass by.

  “I can’t figure why we had to stay through to tomorrow evening,” Reed muttered. “How can an estate settlement take so long? I’m not critical, just wondering.”

  Anna had regained her composure. “Do you think Dad’s secret is for real? I mean, it sounds so incredible. I know he wouldn’t mislead us, but, well, it’s just incredible.”

  “Frankly, I’m skeptical.” Merideth crossed her arms, hugging herself. “I’m not doubting Dad or his sincerity, but I just think we shouldn’t get our hopes up.”

  Reed’s brows arched. “Hopes up for what? All we know is that Dad called each one of us, told us that when he died there would be an inheritance for each of us, that it would be life-changing and that we had to promise not to say anything to anyone. Who knows what he meant by that? I mean…you know Dad. It could mean anything.”

  Anna frowned. “But, Reed, Dad wouldn’t have said life-changing unless it was, you know, something extraordinary. Dad didn’t throw words like that around lightly.”

  Alex resisted shaking his head. She was almost pleading for them to agree with her.

  “Alex, what do you think he meant?”

  He tried not to let his frustration show. “Honestly, Anna, I have no idea. But we’re here, and you can bet Walter will be on time, so we’ll know in an hour or so.”

  An hour. An hour until he found out how his life was going to change. Whatever his dad meant, it was something he looked forward to. If there was one thing he needed…

  It was a change.

  Alex cracked the front door, and the aroma of roasted chicken and fresh baked bread rolled over him. He heard cupboards shutting and silverware rattling, and he was the first down the hall and into the kitchen.

  “Hello?”

  A tall, rather plump older lady looked up and threw her hands into the air. “Alex, oh, and all of you. Come in, come in. I’m just leaving, but I’m glad to have caught you.” It was Bernice Baxter, head of the Lady’s Auxiliary at Resurrection. She was known countywide for her cooking.

  “Hello, Bernice. Wow, that smells amazing.”

  His siblings joined them in the kitchen, peering at the food.

  Bernice fidgeted with the top of the honey pot and then placed it on the table. “Oh, I’m so glad. We just wanted you all to have a nice meal tonight. Well, hello, Anna, Merideth, Reed. It was a lovely service. Didn’t you think so?”

  They all nodded, but Alex could tell their focus right now was the wonderful fragrances filling the kitchen.

  Alex took off his topcoat and lay it on a chair. “Bernice, this is very gracious of you. Thank you so much. What can we help you with?”

  “Oh, nothing at all, dear. The table is set; the bread is cooling on the counter. There’s fresh salad in the fridge, all ready to serve. And my honey mustard chicken is just finished in the oven. There’s a stir-fry of fresh veggies on the stove. They just need a stir. Let’s see, chocolate coconut pie is also in the fridge, and, oh, yes, Gladys Merton sent along a couple dozen of her chocolate delight cookies. You know, for bedtime.”

  A couple dozen?

  Everyone thanked her, but before they could say more she grabbed her coat and was headed out the door. She stopped short and turned back. “It’s so wonderful to have you kids all back here at the house. Just so wonderful.”

  With that, she turned and hurried out.

  It was wonderful, not that Alex could figure out why. He just allowed himself to enjoy it for the moment.

  Reed opened the oven door and let the smell burst into the kitchen. “This is awesome, and I’m starving. Let’s get to it.”

  A half-hour later they’d feasted on the food and even managed to keep the conversation skimming along the surface of their lives.

  Reed talked about his growing business, but that was fine with Alex. It was good to get caught up on his brother’s life. “So you have five coffee stands now? That must be giving you a strong cash flow.”

  Reed grimaced and let out a short grunt. “Well, let’s just say cash is certainly flowing. I need more of it to stick around.”

  Merideth turned to Reed. “You’ve got to control your spending, business and personal. You’re still a startup, even after three years.”

  Alex shook his head. She sounded like she was giving some kind of business lecture.

  To his credit, Reed didn’t call her on it. He just shrugged. “I know, I know. But I do love what I’m do
ing. Next month I’m going down to the Virgin Islands on a sailboat cruise.”

  A cruise? Alex caught his sisters’ glances. Yes, they caught the irony as well.

  Reed grinned. “Hey, it’s research for coffee beans.”

  They all burst out laughing.

  Merideth talked about her marketing work. If there was one thing his sister relished, it was the opportunity to tout her success.

  “We’re setting records almost every month. In April I’ll be in Paris to land a new fashion design client, then Hong Kong in July. We’re really on a roll.”

  And on and on it went. She’d climbed the ladder in such a short time that she was now a vice president of Seattle’s premier marketing firm.

  How many bodies did you leave in your wake as you advanced, Mer?

  Anna looked across at her sister. “So how are you doing?”

  Merideth’s expression grew even more distant. “To be honest, it’s taking all I can give it. It’s such a cutthroat business.”

  Reed grinned. “Sounds perfect for you.”

  Alex tensed, waiting for Merideth’s response. But she let it pass. Almost.

  “I’ll admit, I do enjoy it. You don’t have to be mean”—she shot a look at Reed—“just shrewd…and a little brash.”

  Alex nodded. “It sounds a lot like the real estate business. Shrewd and brash, yup, that pretty much nails it.”

  Anna scooped up wedges of pie and slid them onto four plates. “So, Alex, how is the market? Are you doing well?”

  His turn on the hot seat, apparently. “Well enough. Holding our own and waiting for real estate to turn around. But I’ve had a good quarter, so I can’t complain.” With any luck, that would satisfy them.

  Reed leaned close. “Any women in your life?”

  Or not. Leave it to Reed to ask something like that. “No. A few dates here and there, but nothing serious. I’m too busy for relationships. You know how it is. How about you, Mr. Playboy?”

  Reed put both hands out. “Hey, you know I’m not the serious relationship kind. I’m a happy bachelor, and I intend to keep it that way, at least until I get this business off the ground.” He turned to Merideth and Anna, waggling his brows. “Sooo…how about you two? Any men in your life that your brothers need to know about?”

  Anna put her fork down, wiped her mouth with her napkin, and looked up with a slight gleam in her eye.

  Alex blinked. It was the first time since they’d arrived that Anna didn’t look…burdened.

  “Well, actually, I was dating a man for several months. Kevin and I were getting somewhat serious—.” She looked down, and Alex’s heart hurt as he watched whatever weight his sister was carrying settle over her again. When she spoke again, her tone was subdued.

  “But then he took a job in Alaska. We tried the long-distance thing, but we just finally drifted apart.”

  Alex smiled his encouragement. “Anna, I’m so glad you’re dating. You’ll find the right guy.”

  “Darned lucky guy, too.”

  Alex nodded at Reed’s comment, and Anna smiled. “Thank you, Reed. Well, I’ll just trust God and see what happens. For now, I’m fiddling away at the restaurant until something else comes along.”

  Alex resisted every urge in his body to challenge her choices. What had happened to his slender, beautiful sister? What changed her into this sad, fragile creature? Why did she let herself go like this? Whatever happened, her physical appearance now matched her mental state.

  Reed pushed on Merideth’s arm. “How about you, Mer. Any men in your life?”

  Merideth shot him a comical half-smile. “Hundreds, just not any romantic ones.” She gathered up her dishes as if to brush away any seriousness to the question. “I’m like you, way too busy to think about a relationship. It may come, and it may not. I’m not losing any sleep over it.”

  As the conversation went on, Alex leaned back in his chair, watching his brother and sisters.

  It was sad, really.

  Their parents gave them such a great model for a healthy marriage, and yet…none of them was in a serious relationship. They were all so busy, finding…

  What, exactly?

  Success?

  Alex got up to refill his coffee, half listening as the stories his siblings were sharing shifted to their years growing up together. There was the usual posturing, mixed with occasional teasing and even laughter.

  He returned to his seat and sipped his coffee. When was the last time they were all together, eating and laughing around this wonderful old table? When was the last time he’d seen his siblings this relaxed? A pang struck deep, and Alex had to look down.

  Had they missed more than they knew? Had they turned their backs on so much of what made them who they were?

  The mantel clock chimed 6:30 p.m., and Alex looked up. Walter. He’d be here soon. “Hey, troops, we need to clean up and get changed before seven.”

  Everyone assumed a duty. Anna washed, Reed dried, Merideth put things away, and Alex assembled the prodigious leftovers and found places for everything in the refrigerator.

  “The last time I had Bernice’s honey mustard chicken”—soapsuds flew around as Anna gestured—“was at Grace Graffenberger’s funeral. It must be the official funeral food.”

  “I’d forgotten that Grace died,” Merideth said. “That’s been what, six years ago?”

  Anna looked up at the ceiling, probably doing the math in her head. “Seven, I think. It was breast cancer. Poor Walter. He’s been such a friend to this family. Did you know that he and Dad worked out at the YMCA every Saturday? I mean they golfed together, fished together, and had a men’s Bible study every time Walt came to town. First he lost Grace, now Dad. I wonder how he’s doing.”

  Good question. Alex looked at his watch. “We’ll find out soon. We’ve got about twenty minutes. Let’s finish up and get ready. I don’t know if this will be a quick deal or take all evening, so let’s get comfortable.”

  chapter

  Five

  Walter pulled his topcoat tight around his neck as a north wind picked up and blew snow flurries up Orchard Avenue. He stopped to check his watch.

  6:58 p.m.

  He turned up the walkway to the Roberts home. As he approached the front door the sound of the children’s voices, the glow of lights from almost every window, and the fragrance of Bernice Baxter’s honey chicken brought a smile.

  How great to see life back in the house.

  Lord, we have prepared for this moment for months. I have no idea how they’ll respond. But I pray that You honor Sam and Lori’s heart tonight. Fill this house with Your Spirit, and help me carry out this task as Your servant.

  He heard the mantel clock in the house begin to chime seven times.

  This is for you, Sam.

  Walter no sooner knocked at the door than Reed opened it.

  “Hello, Walter, come in and get out of that weather. Is it snowing?”

  Walter smiled at Sam’s youngest son as he shook light flakes off his topcoat. “Just started. It’s not supposed to turn into much, so your flight back tomorrow shouldn’t be a problem. And the roads should be fine as well.”

  Reed hung Walter’s coat up, and they walked together down the hall.

  “We’re all in here. We just finished the feast that Bernice Baxter made for us. What a spread! You should’ve joined us.”

  “Thanks. I had a meal with some friends, but I always hate missing one of Bernice’s dinners.”

  Walter followed Reed into the living room and surveyed the scene. This had always been Lori’s favorite room. She and Sam worked hard to make it a place that drew people in. Every chair beckoned you to lose yourself in its arms. The walls were textured and painted in rich greens and rusts. The lighting was warm and relaxing. The main wall boasted an oversized rock fireplace fixed with a dark cherry wood mantel. And everywhere there were quilts. Lori was a master quilter. Small, framed, ornate quilt squares hung on walls and stood on bookshelves and end tables. The la
rge leather couch had no less than three large quilts spread out on it, including one that had been Merideth’s favorite since she was a child. The two rockers next to the fireplace each had one rolled up neatly on the seat.

  And then there were pictures. Too many to count. Family vacations, reunions, sports events, proms, Christmases, Thanksgivings, and so on. Walter could still see Sam walking along peering at each one then telling a story he was sure Walt had never heard.

  Alex was tending a reluctant fire. Anna had settled into one of the rockers, unrolling her mother’s quilt and wrapping herself in it. Merideth was on the couch under her comforter, sipping a glass of red wine.

  She held up the glass. “You don’t mind, do you, Walter? I know Dad never had alcohol in the house, but we thought a little wine might not be a bad thing for a night like this.”

  Walter smiled and nodded. “Actually, I would like something to drink as well. Tea, if you have it. With honey?”

  Merideth left the room and a few minutes later returned with a steaming cup of Earl Grey accompanied by the honey pot and a spoon.

  Reed settled into the other rocker, and with the fire starting to crackle to life, Alex joined Merideth on the couch. Two chairs remained empty.

  Lori’s and Sam’s.

  Walter chose Lori’s chair, a deep burgundy La-Z-Boy that sat between the couch and the fireplace. Straight across from it was Sam’s worn leather recliner.

  The empty chair filled the room with an eerie sense of Sam’s continued presence. Walter gave the quiet moment space to breathe.

  This is perfect. Absolutely perfect. Now for the Spirit to move.

  Walter sipped his tea. None of the children spoke. They just waited. He could feel their tension and anticipation mixed with anxiety. He paused, looked at each one and then sipped again.

  Finally, Walter set his tea down and opened his briefcase to pull out a fat envelope. He closed the briefcase and eased open the envelope with a bit of dramatic flair. Fishing a set of reading glasses from his breast pocket, he laid the document on the table at enough of an angle so that no one but he could read it. He cleared his throat and began.