Page 44 of Reunion at Mistletoe Lodge
“I’ve jotted down Charlotte's schedule and what I think you need to know.” Barb handed Jackie the notepad. “If you need anything or more information, just write here.” She pointed to the dining table. “Charlotte’s medication is on the table.”
Barb kissed Charlotte and walked out of the bungalow, trying to ignore the need to rush back in and snatch her baby away from Jackie. She knew it was just a bit of separation anxiety and a feeling of guilt for leaving her daughter’s care to someone else. Barb had experienced it a lot when she’d had Oscar and had to leave him at daycare when he was three months old. She’d had bills to pay and had no option but to goto work.
As Barb walked toward the main lodge, she pulled her coat tighter around her as the cold seeped into her. Her head was a little sore, so she reminded herself to ask Emily for some aspirin. As she walked into the lodge, her headache was pushed aside, and Oscar, Rose, and Rory, Rose’s golden retriever, came barrelling toward her.
“Mom!” Oscar rushed into her arms. “Is Charlie okay?”
Barb loved his nickname for his sister. “She’s fine now, love.” Her arms wrapped tightly around him, and she dropped kisses on his sandy blonde head. Her eyes met Rose’s. “Hi, Rosie.” She hugged the beautiful ten-year-old. “How are you, sweetheart?”
“Much better now that I have someone to play with,” Rose told her, grinning when Rory gave a few barks demanding some attention. “Besides Rory.”
Barb patted the dog's head. “Hello, Rory.”
“Can we go to the bungalow?” Oscar asked. “Emily said she was going to send some snacks and movies thereas Rose’s nanny, Jackie, is going to be looking after us and Charlie.”
“You’ll really like Jackie,” Rose assured Barb. “She’s the best, and she has a nephew. He’s great, too.”
“Max?” Barb asked Rose.
“Do you know him?” Rose’s eyes widened.
“No, but I’ve met Jackie,” Barb told her. “She told me that Max was going to be spending the day here with you.”
“That’s cool,” Oscar said, looking at Rose. “Now we can play our games better.”
“Yes,” Rose agreed and rolled her eyes. “It’s no fun trying to play our games when there are just the two of us.”
Barb’s grin grew as she watched the ten-year-olds. It was so refreshing to see kids without some device in their hands. Oscar and Rose loved playing outside and finding things to do in the snow. In Africa, Oscarand his friends would go fishing, play chase, hide and seek, and other games with the kids from the village and his school.
“Jackie said that he’d be here soon,” Barb told Rose as Emily walked in.
“Hey, you,” Emily greeted Barb. “You’re looking a lot better.”
“Thanks to you for sending a fully qualified nurse to nanny my children,” Barb pointed out, laughing. “You also failed to mention that her brother was Doctor Reece.”
“I didn’t have time to.” Emily grinned.
Barb looked at Rose. “Sweetheart, I need to have a word with Oscar.”
“Of course,” Emily picked up the conversation. “Rose and I will go find out if Chef has the snacks ready.”
“Thank you,” Barb said to Emily, leading Oscar into the living room and finding a secluded table to seat them at.
“Is everything okay, Mom?” Oscar asked with a worried frown creasing his young brow.
“I have to speak to you about Zac,” Barb told him.
“Have you found him?” Oscar’s eyes lit up with hope.
“I have,” Barb answered truthfully. “There was an accident, and Zac’s brother, Liam, got hurt. In order to keep him and us safe from whoever hurt his brother, Zac couldn’t contact us.”
“That’s because he’s FBI, Mom,” Oscar pointed out, his eyes shining with understanding and pride for Zac. “We knew the only reason he couldn’t contact us was because he must’ve had a secret assignment.”
Barb swallowed the lump in her throat and fought to keep the tears stinging her eyes at bay. Her little boy had such a big heart and always tried to see the best in people.
“That’s right, sweetheart,”Barb told him.
“Does that mean he’s coming back to us?” Oscar asked excitedly. “I’ve missed him so much.”
