Christopher Scanlan - The Holly Wreath Man

Copyright 2005 by Christopher Scanlan and Katharine Fair. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of reprints in the context of reviews. For information, write Andrews McMeel Publishing, an Andrews McMeel Universal company, 1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

E-ISBN: 978-0-7407-8782-9

Library of Congress Control Number: 2005921392

www.andrewsmcmeel.com

Book design by Diane Marsh

Cover design by Leah Lococo

Cover letterpress by Ross MacDonald

Photography by Shaughnessy/Ketner

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J eff Hendersons life was full, too full. And at the moment, it was full of trouble. Stacks of computer printouts covered every inch of his desk. It would take another two days of number crunching to finish the marketing report.

It was due tomorrow morning. He put up his RABID DOG: DO NOT ENTER sign, shut the office door, and hunkered down in front of the computer.

When the door opened a crack, and a hand waving a white hankie reached in, he had to smile.

What is it, Cheryl?

Sorry. His assistant winced. Its your wife. She said its an emergency.

Jeff felt his heart race. Maybe Rachel wanted him back? He took a deep breath and picked up the phone. Careful, he told himself.

Hey, he said. Whats up?

The kids arent with you, are they?

There was panic in Rachels voice.

What? he said. Of course not.

Well, they didnt come home from school. The bus drove by without even stopping. I figured they missed it again; you know how Katie dawdles. But when they didnt call... She caught her breath.

Now wait a sec. What about band practice?

Thats Monday, Jeff.

He clenched the receiver. Forgetting the kids schedules had been one of Rachels major complaints to their marriage counselor. Gosh, he backpedaled. Is it Tuesday already?

I dropped them at the car riders circle this morning, but the office has them marked absent. Jeff, Im scared.

Jeffs gaze caught the spreadsheet on his monitor. He knew what she wanted from him, but an invisible chain bound him to his desk. Have you called their friends?

Of course. No one has seen them. Ive called the police.

What?

You have to come home, Jeff. Now.

He saved the computer file and grabbed his coat.

Ill be back, he told Cheryl. Can you print out whats on my screen?

Is everything okay?

Sure.

Do you want me to ask Susan to finish the report? Susan was the newest member of the marketing research team, a bright, young MBA eager to pitch in, and, Jeff feared, claim his turf.

No, no. I wont be long.

On the interstate, speeding toward his house, it struck him: Rachel had said home. Ever since he had moved into a furnished studio apartment, Jeff always knocked on the front door when he picked up the kids. But today he let himself in with his key. From the living room, he heard Rachel call, Were in here.

I was just telling your wife I wouldnt be too worried, the police officer said. Nine times out of ten, kids are off at the mall, or at a friends house.

Theyre only ten and twelve, Rachel said.

Theyre skipping school younger and younger, maam. Even the good ones, the officer said, flipping the page in her notebook. Lets see, what about family problems? Any, uh, issues between you two, or you and the kids?

We separated this summer, Rachel said.

Jeff glanced at Rachels left hand. When had she stopped wearing her wedding band? Will and Katie seem fine about it, he said.

The cop looked at Rachel. They werent happy about Thanksgiving, she said.

I was going to take the kids to my mothers farm, Jeff told the officer. Something came up at work.

They were very excited about the trip, Rachel said.

I had a deadline, Jeff said. They understood.

They were very disappointed, Rachel countered. Especially Will.

Come on, thats not fair, Jeff said, looking Rachel in the eye for the first time. Will told me himself he thought hed be bored out of his mind.

What do you think hes going to say, Jeff? He was crushed.

The officer tapped the notebook against her chin. Could they have gone there?

Jeff shook his head. Just a minute, Rachel said, and walked out of the room.

Where does your mother live, Mr. Henderson?

Tennyson, Jeff said. Its a small town, about five hours west of the city. No, its too far. He looked at his watch: He was running out of time.

Jeff! Rachel stood at the top of the stairs, holding the piggy bank they had given Will last Christmas.

Its empty, she said.

C ome on, Mom. Pick up, Jeff said into the receiver as he listened to the phone ring again and again.

He imagined his mother drying her hands on the red-checked dish towel draped over the refrigerator handle, checking the gas burners on the stove, then walking through the dining room and into the front hall where a new phone rested on the oval table where a black rotary model had sat for forty years.

I get her a portable so she can carry it with her, he said to the police officer. So what does she do? She leaves it in the cradle. Thats it; Im buying her a phone for every roomand one for the barn, too. Ah, finally! Mom, are the kids there?

Jeff gave a thumbs-up. Rachel sighed in relief, and the cop folded her notebook. But Jeffs mouth tightened as he listened.

Why didnt you call to let us know? We were scared to death. Rachel called the police, he said. No, Mom, we didnt put them on the bus. Let me talk to Will. He lowered the receiver and thanked the police officer. Rachel saw her to the door.

What do you mean he doesnt want to talk to me? You tell him hes in big trouble if he doesnt get to the phone. Rachel tapped Jeff on the shoulder, and held out her hand. He gave her the phone, and smelled her hairs lemony scent.

Knowing her kids were safe transformed Rachel. She chatted with Jeffs mother, her tone changing only slightly when Will got on the phone.

It always amazed Jeff how Rachel was able to control her temper, even when the children pulled a stunt like this. Will talked to her because he knew his mother wouldnt jump down his throat.

Jeff held out his hand, and motioned for the phone; he would try her approach.

Its okay, son. Im not mad. I love you, and Im glad you and your sister are safe, he said. No, I dont know what were going to do yet, but your mother and I will figure out something. Tell Katie I love her.