His Holiday Family by Margaret Daley

here?”
    â€œI don’t know. I might go to Mom’s.”
    â€œI think that would be better. If there is a big storm surge, this house could be flooded. It’s nearer the beach than your mom’s.”
    â€œThen that’s where we’ll be.”
    Gideon stared down at his cast. “If it wasn’t for this, I’d be at the fire station.” Frustration edged his voice.
    â€œI’m on the B team at the hospital. I work post-hurricane. I’ll contact work tomorrow morning and see when they want me to come in. There’s so much to be done. This house isn’t prepared.”
    He took her hand. “Get a good night’s sleep, and I’ll come over and help tomorrow morning first thing.”
    â€œOnly if you’ll let me help you.”
    â€œI have hurricane shutters, which will cut down on what I have to do. Let’s get your house and your mom’s prepared first. There shouldn’t be too much to do with mine.”
    â€œI’ll have breakfast ready at 6:30. At least let me feed you before you work.”
    He squeezed her hand then dropped it and turned toward the steps. “You’ve got yourself a date. See you at 6:30.”
    Kathleen stood on her porch and watched him stroll down her sidewalk, hop into his Jeep and leave. As his taillights disappeared down the street, she peered up at the sky. Roiling clouds obscured the moon. It had begun.
    Â 
    The next morning, using the electric screwdriver that Gideon brought, Kathleen secured a large board over the picture window in the living room while Gideon held it in place for her. When she finished with the last screw, she descended the ladder and stepped back. “I hope that will hold.”
    â€œYou’ve done what you can.” He hoisted the ladder with his good arm and moved toward the detached garage behind the house.
    Kathleen followed Gideon toward the backyard where Jared and Kip were hauling the patio items to the garage to store them. She passed several smaller windows she and Gideon had taped in the past hour since they had eaten breakfast.
    â€œYou haven’t done your share of the work. I’vebeen carrying all the heavy stuff,” Kip yelled from the backyard.
    Rounding the side of the house, Kathleen found Jared and Kip playing tug-of-war with a seat cushion. She slowed and shook her head. “I guess I should be thankful this hasn’t happened before this. Kip still hasn’t forgiven Jared for the homework last night.”
    â€œI seem to remember Zach and I fighting over nothing at times,” Gideon said with a chuckle. “He used to love to bug me.”
    â€œI got this first. You take the table.” Jared jerked the cushion toward him.
    Kip let go of it. “Fine. Take it.”
    Jared staggered back and fell on his bottom into a puddle of water left by the rain during the night.
    Stomping to the table, Kip lifted it and headed for the garage. When he saw Kathleen, his mouth pressed together in a thin line.
    â€œMom, did you see him?” Jared scampered to his feet and turned his back to her, showing her his jeans soaking wet with muddy water. “Look at this.”
    Kathleen inspected the dark clouds surging over them. “Jared, go in and change. Kip, you can help us finish clearing the patio.”
    â€œJared doesn’t have to work?” Kip disappeared into the garage.
    â€œI’m counting to ten before I answer that one,” Kathleen said to Gideon then trailed her son into the garage. She covered the space between them and blocked his path. “This is not a time for fighting. We have to get this house, Nana’s and then Gideon’s ready for the hurricane that will be here soon. If you two don’t want to be grounded for the rest of your life, you’ll work together and be civil with each other.”
    Tears welled into Kip’s eyes. “I’m scared. I’ve listened to what they’ve said