North Country Mom

“Orchids? Here?” Jack suspected she was joking, but Alicia didn’t smile.

“Yes, here, though they rely on special fungi on the ground instead of growing in trees like in the tropics. The only thing is the paintings aren’t framed. I wonder...” She wasted only a moment before stepping into the hallway and motioning for him to follow. “Can we use those frames?” she asked, indicating an arrangement on the wall.

His beautiful lodge looked as if it had been ransacked. But if Jack had to choose between it and Giselle there was no contest. Still...

“We couldn’t buy some frames locally?”

“That kind of thing is shipped in,” she said. “Takes time.”

Jack gave in. “Go get your watercolors while I take those down.”

“I’ll be right back.” Alicia grinned. “You’re such a dad,” she teased, smiling at him.

She left and Jack sat down on the poofy chair, which now looked absolutely perfect with its pale green throw. He let his eyes wander through the room. It was perfect for Giselle. His gaze rested on the black desk beneath the window that waited for her to spread out her homework. His girl loved black furniture. He’d refused to buy it before, but somehow Alicia had made it an integral part of this retreat.

How had she known? Was it a female thing or did she have some knowledge of young girls? Who was Alicia Featherstone? Jack’s brain hummed with questions. She was so different from the career women he’d known in Vancouver. He definitely wanted to know more about her.

Alicia burst into the room, breathless, with Eli trailing her, carrying the art.

“I brought along a couple of other things I thought might help give a Northern flavor. You don’t have to keep them if you don’t want.” Alicia set a sculpture on the bedside table. “This brown bear is made completely of acorn husks applied to wood with local seeds.”

“Giselle will love it. It looks like intricate work.” He scanned the attached card, which told about the significance of brown bears in Native culture.

“This is a soapstone carving of a seal, a polar bear’s idea of a gourmet dinner.” She set it on the desk. “And this is a wampum belt. The Cree once used these to record family events. Giselle seemed quite interested in Native culture. I thought she could make the belt tell her story.” She laid it over the back of the desk chair.

Amazed that Alicia had considered such detail, Jack could only watch as Eli framed the watercolors and hung them on the wall.

“Somehow this room looks exactly like her,” Jack said with satisfaction when Alicia set the hot-pink phone on the desk. “I think Giselle will like this. A lot.”

“I hope so.” Alicia waved a hand as Eli left to return to the store. “I hope I haven’t ruined your hotel. And if she doesn’t like it, I’m happy to take back my stuff. I just—”

Was she nervous?

“Alicia.” Jack reached out and smoothed the furrow on her forehead, marveling that she already felt like a good friend. At least she would have felt like that if she hadn’t jerked back from his touch. He pretended not to notice. “I don’t know how you did it, but my daughter is going to be ecstatic over this room. I can’t thank you enough.”

She looked at him a long time before the worry faded from her eyes and the twinkle returned. She chuckled.

“Be warned. When we get going on the sod house, you’ll probably wish you’d never asked for my help.”

If this room got his girl back home, Jack doubted he’d ever regret asking Alicia anything. Alicia Featherstone was a wonder woman.

He felt bemused by the many facets of this amazing woman. Business owner, haircutter, room decorator. He could hardly wait to find out what else Alicia could do. Her Native beauty was refreshing and stunning yet she seemed totally unaware of it. That intrigued him.

Though his brain sent up a warning, Jack ignored it. Friendship wasn’t off-limits and he had a hunch Alicia could become a good friend.

More than that he would not allow.

* * *

“I’m glad you could join us for dinner, Alicia,” Laurel said as she took a seat beside her. “You know you’re always welcome at Lives.”

“Thanks. I’m glad, too,” Alicia told her with a grin. “I didn’t have time to get to the grocery store so my fridge is bare. This is way better than anything I’d make.” She smiled at Giselle, who’d been watching her closely ever since she and Jack had arrived with Eli.

“I’ll say grace and then we can eat.” Laurel began to pray.

During the meal, Alicia was glad for the busy chatter of the boys talking about their day. That took away some of her nervousness about sitting next to Jack. With Giselle glaring at her dad and Jack mostly silent, there was an underlying tension in the room, but only to those in the know. Otherwise, it felt just like a family meal. Kids laughing, talking—she’d always wanted that at her dinner table.

“It’s getting warmer and lighter every day, Alicia.” Eli’s gray eyes glowed. “We should be able to start on the sod house soon.” He was part Cree and anything to do with his mother’s culture intrigued him, which was why he’d asked to work in Alicia’s store.

“Do you have a start date, Alicia?” Laurel rose to get some more juice. “Who do you have lined up to help you?”

Alicia couldn’t read her face, but she heard a hint underlying the woman’s words that made her glance at Jack. He, too, stared at Laurel.

“Pastor Rick will help. He helps with everything around Churchill,” Matt, the oldest of the boys, said.

“Yeah, and Kyle, though having him bring his new baby around the job site would be weird.” Rod, one of the first boys to come to the program, snickered. “Being a new dad has him tied in knots.”

Adam, Garret and Bennie were new to Lives and eager to hear more details.

“Jack has agreed to help us, too.” Alicia thought Laurel’s smile bloomed a little too widely. “He’s going to get more information from the library for us,” she continued uneasily. “We also have to wait for town council to determine which land they’ll donate for us to build on. They’re taking their time.”

“So when can we start?” Rod pressed.

“If everything comes together, I plan on starting right after you guys finish school,” Alicia told them. “If that works for you, Jack,” she added.

The hotelier shrugged. “Should be okay.”

“Great.” He could have shown some enthusiasm, Alicia thought. She faced the boys. “Make sure you study hard. I don’t want anyone to have to miss the fun because of summer school.”

“You have summer school here, too?” Giselle asked in surprise.

The boys outdid each other trying to explain that their school was just like any other, and they made it clear that they intended to avoid summer school at all costs. Alicia chuckled, smothering her laughter when Jack’s frown deepened into a glower because Eli smiled at Giselle and she smiled back.

“See? She’s not your baby anymore,” Alicia murmured.

Jack did not appreciate her humor. When the meal was over and the kitchen restored to order, he turned to Giselle. “We need to go home now,” he said in a flat tone.

“I told you, I won’t stay in that room.” Giselle crossed her arms over her chest, her face frozen in a glare of mutiny. “It’s like a playpen.”

No doubt sensing tension, Laurel ushered the boys out of the room. Alicia tried to leave, too, but Jack’s hand on her arm stopped her.

“Please wait,” he said.

Alicia jerked away then nodded.

“Sorry.” Jack gave her an odd look then turned to his daughter. “You may not stay here, Giselle. Your aunt doesn’t have any extra room.” Jack endured her icy glare with no reaction. Alicia applauded his fortitude. Lesser men would have weakened.

“It’s time to go home,” he said quietly.

“Home?” Scorn laced his daughter’s voice.

“Yes. The lodge is our home now,” he said with firmness. “I have something I want to show you, honey,” he added in a softer tone.

“I don’t think I want another surprise today.” Despite her bravado, Giselle’s bottom lip trembled.

Jack wrapped an arm around her shoulder and hugged her to his side.

“Give it a chance, please?” He lifted her chin. “I know your life right now isn’t what you thought, but it doesn’t have to be all bad.”

Alicia’s heart ached for the bereft twosome. Giselle wanted, needed her mom. Jack was doing everything he could to make her transition easier. She admired him for that. Silently she whispered a prayer for them while her brain cheered, Come on, Giselle. He loves you so much. Give a little.

“Please?” Jack murmured after pressing a kiss against her hair.

Giselle inhaled, then nodded. “Okay.”

“Excellent.” Jack beamed. He lifted her in the air and whirled her in a circle, as he’d probably done ever since she was little. “I love you, sweet pea.”

“I love you, too.” When he set her down, Giselle leaned back to study him. “But I still want you to find out who my birth parents are.”

Giselle might be adopted, but in the girl’s dark eyes Alicia saw the same dogged implacability as her father showed.

Jack remained silent. His gaze swung to Alicia. She smiled, trying to mentally encourage him. He glanced back at his daughter.

“Okay, I’ll make some more inquiries,” he said at last. “But you—”

“I know. I won’t get my hopes up. I’ll try to be patient and I’ll try not to be disappointed if things don’t turn out as I hope.” She straightened her shoulders. “I’m ready.”

“Good.” He shepherded them out to the car.

Alicia felt like a fifth wheel, but since she had no other way to get home, she got in the car, in the front seat beside Jack because Giselle insisted.

“Where’d you get this car?” she asked. “I don’t think I’ve seen it around town before.”

“You haven’t. I had it shipped in,” Jack said, his face closing up.

“It was my mom’s car,” Giselle murmured.

“Oh.” Now Alicia really felt in the way. She waited until they reached town before she spoke. “You can drop me off here,” she said. “I’ll walk the rest of the way.”

“No. You have to come.” Jack flicked a look to the backseat. “Alicia and I have a surprise for you, honey.”

“You and Alicia?” Giselle frowned.

“Well, I guess it’s mostly Alicia’s surprise.” Jack pulled up beside his hotel, got out and came around to open Alicia’s door. “Come on. Let’s show her.”

“I’m not very good with surprises,” Giselle said. Her face reddened. “I guess you already know that.”

“I’m not sure—” Alicia wanted to escape. But Jack gazed at her, a plea in his eyes. When a man looked at you like that, what could you do?

“Come on, Giselle,” she said, twining her arm with the girl’s. “Let’s go look.”

Jack led the way into the hotel. He paused in front of her bedroom door.

“This is for you. Because I love you. With Alicia’s help.” He pushed open the door.

Giselle’s face transformed from dread to wonder. She gave a squeal then rushed inside, bounding from one thing to another.

Relieved, Alicia turned to smile at Jack.

“I guess she thinks it’s okay,” she murmured.

Thank you, he mouthed.

Such a silly thing, but her heart thrummed with delight.

“It’s perfect. I can’t wait to have a sleepover.” Giselle danced from one foot to the other.

“A girls’ sleepover,” Jack added.

Alicia looked at Giselle and they groaned together. Giselle hugged her.

“How did you know my favorite color is green?” she asked.

“This.” Alicia pointed to the tiny emerald ring on her pinkie finger. “And this.” She touched a green clip in Giselle’s hair. “And this.” Her fingers brushed the green scarf looped around her neck.

“Daddy gave them to me.” Giselle tipped her head to one side. “How did you know to do all this? Are you a designer or something?”

“Nothing like that.” Alicia snuck a look at Jack and let out a pent up breath. He was smiling. “I just thought about what I’d like if I were your age and had a room like this.”

“Good thinking.” Giselle wrapped her arm around her father’s waist and looked at him adoringly. “It’s absolutely perfect, isn’t it, Daddy?”

Daddy. The two of them are a family.

She stood there, watching father and daughter bond, deeply touched by their precious reuniting. Her part had been small, but a tiny thrill coursed through Alicia that she’d been able to help bring them together, to re-create the bond that joined them.

If only she had someone to cling to, someone to love. As she watched Giselle and Jack, the ache in her heart grew. Because of him she had no family. Because of him she was missing everything about her son. He’d ruined her life.

Though a silent prayer helped suppress her pain, it didn’t stop her heart from constricting or her throat from closing with emotion. All she could think about was escaping before they noticed and she spoiled their reunion.

“I have to go,” she said, and wheeled toward the door.

“Alicia?” Giselle called. Alicia half turned to face her. “Thank you very much for helping my dad with this. I appreciate it a lot.” Her thin arms wrapped around Alicia’s neck, enveloping her in another hug.

“Welcome to Churchill. I think you and your father are going to love it here.” For a moment Alicia hugged her back. Then she eased herself free and hurried away. She thought she heard Jack call her name, but she ignored it and kept walking, desperate to be alone, to get away from the cloying constriction of emotions that returned whenever she remembered that day and all she’d lost.

Once in her apartment, Alicia sat in front of her electric fireplace, craving the heat it gave off. Though it had felt warm outside earlier, her soul was icy cold, her spirit crushed, her heart broken.

It was his fault Alicia hadn’t realized the implications that would follow from giving her child to another. Never to hear Mom, never to be hugged, never to know the soft touch of a child’s lips against her skin. Giselle’s embrace forced her to realize she’d given all that away.

Alicia had been trying to do the right thing, but somehow, until now, she’d never fully appreciated all that Mr. Parcet’s actions had cost her. Not until she’d seen Jack and Giselle strengthening the bonds that held their family together.

I’m so alone, her heart whispered. There’s no one to love me, to care for me. She thought of her son, growing up, changing, learning to love.

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