His Holiday Family by Margaret Daley Page A

about hurricanes. I don’t want to be here. Why did we move here?”
    Kathleen knelt in front of her son and clasped his arms. “Honey, you’ll be all right. We are preparing for it. This town has gone through hurricanes before, and it is fine. It has been here for almost two hundred years. It will be here for another two hundred.”
    â€œDon’t be a scaredy-cat,” Jared said from the doorway into the garage.
    â€œCome here, Jared.” Kathleen waved her hand toward him. When he approached warily, she took his hand. “We are a family, and we stick together, especially through trying times like this. I told Kip and now I’ll tell you, Jared. We can’t fight a hurricane and each other. I depend on you two for your help and cooperation.”
    Jared squared his shoulders and thrust out his chin. “I’ll protect you. I’m not scared, Mom.”
    Kip yanked free from Kathleen and stormed toward the exit. “I’m not, either.”
    Jared opened his mouth to reply to his brother. Kathleen put two fingers over his lips. “Shh. Not a word. This may seem like an adventure to you, but it’s a serious situation that could be dangerous. Like climbing up to the roof. Look what happened when you did that.”
    â€œIt’s starting to rain again.” Gideon came into the garage, hauling part of a wooden lounge chair while Kip had the other end. “This is the last of the furniture. Let’s get to your mom’s and see what needs to be done there.”
    Kathleen rose. “That’s a good idea. I want to get there before Nana decides to climb the ladder and close her hurricane shutters on the second floor.”
    â€œI can do that.” Eagerness lit Jared’s face.
    Suddenly, Kathleen pictured her young son with a cast on each arm. “No more climbing for you for a while.”
    Kip stepped forward, his chest thrust out. “I’ll do it.”
    â€œNo. I’m going to.” Kathleen headed into the house to get her purse. “You two go and get into the car.”
    Gideon followed her inside. “I’ll meet you at your mom’s.”
    She snatched her handbag from the kitchen counter and started out to the garage. Gideon touched her arm, the feel of his fingers momentarily grazing her skin, stopping her.
    â€œEverything will be all right. We had a storm the first year I was here. A lot of wind and rain, but the town came through it.”
    â€œI hope so. I’m on the team that reports to the hospital right after the storm passes. I hate leaving my boys even then, but at least they’ll be with Mom.”
    â€œI hate that I can’t be out there helping, but my captain told me in no uncertain terms when I called him this morning not to come. Then he went on to give me his brief lecture on being injured. But it’s hard standing on the sidelines watching others do what you feel you should.”
    â€œIf you don’t take care of yourself, you’ll hurt yourself even more. Cracked ribs and a broken arm take time to heal.”
    He smiled. “I’ve never been a good patient.”
    â€œI’m used to that.”
    He strode toward the door. “We’d better go before it really starts raining. The few showers we’ve had are nothing compared to what will be coming soon.”
    â€œI’ll follow you to Mom’s.”
    In the car, Kathleen switched on the engine and backed out onto the street as Gideon climbed into his Jeep. Sprinkles fell onto the windshield. Silence ruled in the car. Glares were exchanged between her sons in the backseat. She clasped the steering wheel in such a tight grip, her knuckles whitened. The day had only begun. Before it ended, they would be drenched in water and hammered with wind.
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    â€œMom, please get down from there. I can do that.” Kathleen raced toward her mother, who was on the ladder against the house.
    Ruth perched on one of the