The Way You Look Tonight by Carlene Thompson Page A

disappeared for such a long time without leaving any word concerning his destination, Deborah called Evan Kincaid.
    â€˜Hi, Deborah. What can I do for you?’ Evan asked jauntily.
    â€˜I seem to have lost my husband,’ she said, fighting to keep her voice even and pleasant. ‘The kids are waiting on him to help with the model train. Have you seen him?’
    â€˜No. Not today. How long has he been gone?’
    â€˜I don’t know. The children and I went to the mall. We left around one o’clock and he wasn’t here when we got back a little after six. I get the feeling he hasn’t been here for quite a while. There are no dirty dishes in the sink – not even a glass. And the dog was desperate to be let out.’
    â€˜Didn’t he leave a note?’
    â€˜No, but then he rarely does.’
    Deborah heard Barbara in the background asking what was wrong. Evan put his hand over the mouthpiece as he told her Deborah was looking for Steve. ‘I haven’t seen him,’ Evan said, returning to her, and Deborah sensed a cautious note in his voice. ‘Maybe he’s Christmas shopping.’
    â€˜He did say he had an appointment concerning Christmas.’
    â€˜What kind of appointment?’
    â€˜I haven’t the faintest idea, especially since he said he already had his shopping done, although I don’t know where he hid his presents.’
    â€˜Probably Pete’s. He has lots of room.’
    A beat of silence passed and Deborah suddenly felt a quiver of anxiety. ‘Evan, something’s been bothering Steve for the past couple of days. Do you know what it is?’
    â€˜I…well, I’ve noticed he’s not quite himself.’
    â€˜But you don’t know what’s wrong?’
    Evan took a deep breath. ‘Deborah, I’m sure Steve just went out to do some errand – maybe to buy something special for Christmas – and he’s running late.’
    His voice rang false. What is wrong with him? Deborah thought, her anxiety growing. She felt sure Evan knew something, but he wasn’t any more communicative than Steve had been earlier.
    â€˜You’ll let me know when he gets in, won’t you?’ Evan asked. There it was again, Deborah thought. Evan wouldn’t be so concerned unless he believed something was wrong.
    She wanted to ask more questions, but for some reason Evan wasn’t talking, so she gave up. ‘Sure, Evan. Tell Barbara hello for me. And thanks.’
    â€˜For what? I wasn’t much help. But you take care and keep your doors and windows locked. Around Christmas there’s always a lot of breaking and entering.’
    Evan had always been friendly, but never overly concerned or protective. Apprehension fluttered through Deborah. ‘Evan, what is going on?’ she asked, thoroughly frustrated.
    â€˜Nothing. Just give me a call in a little while,’ he said briskly. ‘If Steve’s not back, Barb and I’ll come over and keep you company.’
    Deborah hung up the phone and looked out the window, more troubled than she had been before she called Evan. A heavy cloud cover obliterated the stars and moon. Only the dusk-to-dawn light broke the utter darkness. Then, to her dismay, the light blinked a couple of times and went out. She gasped before reminding herself that the light had been blinking for weeks. The bulb was going and should have been replaced long before this. Still, its dying at this particular time, when she had such a creeping, uneasy feeling about Steve, seemed ominous. But she was not a superstitious woman. The light going out had nothing to do with Steve.
    â€˜Did Evan know where Daddy is?’ Brian asked, making her jump as his young voice piped up behind her.
    â€˜No, honey, he didn’t. I think we should go ahead and start unpacking the train. Then when Daddy gets here, we’ll have everything ready.’
    But by 8.15, when all the train cars, tracks,