White Chocolate Moments Page 5

  "You're taking Arcie shopping on Tuesday?" Sam asked of Violet after all had been explained.

  "Yes:'

  "I thought that was going to be your new day off:'

  "It still is. Using your money to shop for Arcie isn't work:'

  Sam couldn't hold his smile. He would never fire Violet--there would never be a need--and she knew it.

  "Where are you going?" he finally asked.

  "Where do you think?"

  "Michigan Avenue," Sam said dryly. "And I suppose I'm paying for lunch too?"

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  Violet only smiled at him, and this time he didn't try to hold back. His head went back as he laughed, knowing that if his housekeeper asked for the moon, especially concerning Arcineh, he would rope it and hand it to her.

  Not for the first time, Violet noticed that Arcineh had great style. She enjoyed the new trends of the day, but the clothing that fit her best was that of classic styling and lines. Isabella had been just that way, and Violet wasn't surprised to find Arcineh in the same mode.

  "Do you like this color?" Arcineh asked about halfway through the morning, her hand on a dark gray-blue blouse.

  "It's not the best one for you. Do you like it?"

  "I was thinking of you."

  "Me?" Violet blinked. "We're not shopping for me:'

  "But we could:"

  Violet eyed her. "Is that your subtle way of telling me my wardrobe needs help?"

  "No:' Arcineh answered honestly. "But you have a date on Friday night, and I wondered if you might want something new:' "How do you know about Friday night?"

  "I know a lot of things:' Arcineh said evasively.

  Violet shook her head in wonder. "I am going out Friday night, but he's an old friend, and I have no desire to turn his head:'

  Arcineh smiled at her tone, but Violet wouldn't look at her for fear of laughing and encouraging her.

  "Now:' the older woman said as she tried to take back some control, "are you done shopping?"

  "Not even close:'

  "Well, then, let's put my dating life aside and get back to business:'

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  Arcineh did not argue. She wanted to know more about this friend of Violet's, but knew it was going to have to wait. She still had scores of ideas on her mind for shopping.

  "What did you find?"

  Sam had made his way to Arcineh's room after work, knowing that if he didn't distract himself, he was going to need a drink. He'd missed his son that day in the most painful way. While most of Trevor's business dealings had been passed on to other managers, Trevor's account with the Faribault Corporation had needed Sam's personal attention. All day Sam had been forced to read his son's handwriting and business notes. Trevor had even recorded some things on his small tape player, and hearing his voice was almost more than Sam could take. Right now he was willing to do anything to block out the pain. The only thing that kept him from the liquor cabinet was his granddaughter's presence in the house.

  "Almost everything I need! Do you want to see?"

  "Yes, I do." Sam sat on the bed, and Arcineh ran for the spacious walk-in closet. When the eleven-year-old emerged, she was utterly charming in baggy jeans, a deceptively simple top, and Keds tennis shoes in navy canvas.

  Sam enjoyed the fashion show, and his praise to Arcineh was genuine. She had looked great in everything, and so much like Isabella that Sam wondered if he was going to survive.

  "Are you all right?" Arcineh asked before she changed from her last outfit.

  "Yes:' Sam lied convincingly. "Why?"

  "You look a little sad:"

  Arcineh had sat next to him, and Sam put an arm around her. She leaned against him, and it struck her how little they hugged. Her parents had hugged and kissed her every day, but Sam usually

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  only hugged her when she was upset. Arcineh wished for it to be different and, in a mature moment, knew she could make an effort to change it.

  This decided, she suddenly hugged him. Sam seemed a bit surprised, but just for a moment. The grandfather hugged her right back, and they remained this way until Violet called them to dinner.

  The Rowan family visited on the weekend before Labor Day. Traffic on Labor Day weekend was predictably horrific, so they came up early for one last trip before settling into a new school year. Austin was entering his freshman year in high school, and Quinn was going into grade eight. Arcineh was a seventh grader.

  Arcineh was looking forward to the weekend visit, but since Quinn's birthday she had held back just a bit. Quinn had become mercurial at times, and Arcineh was weary of being burned. However, Quinn showed up in fine spirits and didn't even try to gain Sam's attention.

  Arcineh watched her throughout the weekend, not knowing what to think beyond deciding that becoming a teen was not worth it. Trevor and Isabella had not been moody people, and neither was Daisy. Arcineh found the behavior odd and trying. So much so, in fact, that when Quinn mentioned her reserve, she was ready to say what was on her mind.

  "Are you all right?" Quinn asked late in the visit--the Rowans would be leaving in an hour and the girls were having a quiet moment in Arcineh's room.

  "Yes:' Arcineh said, not intending to elaborate.

  "You've been acting a little funny all weekend."

  Arcineh weighed her options and plunged in. "I'm trying not to get you upset."

  "Why would I be upset?" Quinn frowned.

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  "That's what I've asked myself the last few times we've been together, and since I don't have an answer, I don't know how to avoid it." "What is that supposed to mean?"

  Arcineh sighed and didn't try to answer. Quinn demanded an answer, but Arcineh was already in trouble and opted for silence. Quinn left the room in tears, and Arcineh didn't bother to follow.

  What Arcineh didn't bank on was her aunt's presence just moments later. She was already red in the face, and Arcineh had no idea what she'd done.

  "What did you say to Quinn?" Tiffany demanded.

  Arcineh stared at her, wishing she'd kept her mouth shut. "Answer me, Arcineh!"

  "What's going on?" Jeremy said, coming on them suddenly. Unbeknownst to Arcineh, her eyes pleaded with those of her uncle.

  "I'm trying to find out why Quinn is crying," Tiffany snapped. "I know Arcineh said something."

  "Tiffany," Jeremy began, and his wife turned on him.

  "Don't you take that tone with me!"

  Arcineh watched in amazement as the two began to fight. From the side of her bed, Arcineh stared at their flushed faces and listened to their angry words. She caught movement at the door but couldn't take her eyes from the arguing couple. Not until her grandfather walked into the room did Arcineh shift her gaze.

  "Jeremy, Tiffany:' he said quietly. "Stop."

  These words had a unique effect on each person. Jeremy stopped altogether and exited the room, but Tiffany only shifted her attack to her father.

  "He always takes Arcie's side!"

  "Arcie's side against whom?" her father asked.

  "Arcie said something to upset Quinn, and all Jeremy can do is defend her."

  This was the last thing Sam wanted right now, but he made himself turn to Arcineh.

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  "What did you say to Quinn?"

  "Only that I don't know what I do that upsets her," the child whispered, "and that's why I've been a little quiet:'

  The face that accompanied this announcement was so pale that not even Tiffany could ignore it. The little girl had curled into a protective ball near the footboard of her bed.

  All Tiffany's anger drained away then, and she left without speaking. Sam continued to look at Arcineh, not sure what to say. The silence seemed to stretch between them for a long time when only seconds had passed.

  "They're leaving soon," Sam eventually said.

  Arcineh only nodded.

  "Quinn is sensitive he added as an afterthought, and then because he felt a need to rescue the little girl who lived with him, he said, "Y
ou don't have to come down if you don't want to:'

  Again Arcineh only nodded and stayed on her bed when he left. She hoped it would be a long time before they visited again.

  The start of school was welcome. Arcineh had had regular physical therapy over the summer and some visits from friends, but as a whole, it had been long and a bit lonely. Violet's nearness was a great comfort, and when her grandfather wasn't working, they enjoyed one another's company, but for the first time ever, Arcineh was happy to have the school year begin.

  She became even happier when a boy, just a year older than her, moved into her class. His name was Landon Rybeck III; he was from New York state; and his father had moved to Chicago for business. He was, in Arcineh's and Daisy's opinions, the cutest boy in the school, and he seemed to have eyes for Arcineh.

  "What if he sits by you at lunch?" Daisy asked at the end of the week.

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  "He won't:'

  "Why not?"

  "He just won't:'

  "Arcie, he's from New York:' Daisy said knowingly. "East Coast boys are different:'

  The comment made Arcineh laugh. When Daisy joined her, they got shushed in the library, but at lunchtime, Daisy proved to be right. Even though Arcineh was sitting with both Daisy and Bryn, Landon sought her out and asked if he could sit down.

  "Sure Arcineh agreed, hoping he couldn't see how hard her heart was pounding.

  "R.C., right?"

  "Yes:'

  "What do the R and C stand for?"

  Arcineh was opening her mouth to answer when he cut in. "Don't tell me--let me guess. Rachel Catherine?"

  Arcineh laughed, and he knew he was wrong.

  "Okay, how about Renee Crystal?"

  Arcineh was still giggling, and Landon was in his element. Rena, Rita, and Rose came out of his mouth, as did Callie, Corrie, and Connie. Not until he threw his hands in the air, did Arcineh find enough air to stop laughing and speak.

  "They're not initials:' she explained. "Arcie is short for Arcineh." "Arcineh?" he repeated.

  "It's Armenian. My mother was Armenian:'

  "What's your full name?" Landon asked with such charm that Arcineh almost told him, but she remembered just in time that she didn't like the sound of her full name.

  "What's your full name?" she countered.

  "You probably already know:' Landon's voice was dry. "I know you're a third:'

  "Then you also know that my family has a complete lack of imagination. Three generations and that's the best they can do:'

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  Again Arcineh laughed. Daisy and Bryn had done their own share of laughing, and Landon was clearly entertaining them all. But his eyes continued to stray back to Arcineh's face.

  Lunch ended much too swiftly by Arcineh's standards. With Daisy and Bryn trailing them, talking behind their hands all the while, Arcineh and Landon walked together back to class. By the end of the school day they had decided to work on a project together, and Arcineh's heart was over the moon.

  "What have you found out?" Sam asked of Mason, long after both men should have left the office downtown.

  "The houses in that neighborhood are not selling very well just now. It would probably be best to wait until spring," Mason answered. What he wanted to say was that it was too soon. He didn't feel that selling Arcineh's home should happen this close to her loss, but he knew better than to add this.

  Silence fell over the room. Mason was weary and wanted to go home. He'd come into the office at 6:30 that morning, and it was now after 9:00. His commute was only 20 minutes, but he still wanted to leave now and climb into bed. It had been a long week.

  "Let's leave it for now," Sam said, standing. He didn't speak on the subject again, leaving Mason to surmise that he was done for the day, but gathered his effects and started toward the elevator.

  By the time Sam got home, it was closing in on 10:00. The house was dark and quiet. Coming in at this hour was not all that unusual for Sam--he was married to his work--but since Trevor and Isabella's death, he'd curtailed some of his regular habits. He realized he should have at least called and talked to Arcineh, but he hadn't thought about it until just this moment.

  He was climbing the stairs, more than ready for bed, when he realized he needed to give Violet a raise. He'd asked her to take on a

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  great responsibility with Arcineh in the house and had yet to compensate her. Sam was still running numbers in his head when he entered his bedroom, turned on the light, and found Arcineh smack in the middle of his king-sized bed. She didn't so much as move a muscle, not even with the light on, and Sam laughed a bit. Not until he'd gone into the bathroom and made some noise did Arcineh stir.

  "Hey, you," Sam spoke softly when he came back to the bed and found her trying to sit up. "Did you have a bad dream?"

  "No." Her voice was croaky with sleep. "I just missed you:'

  "Why didn't you go down and see Violet?"

  "She had a date Arcineh said around a huge yawn. All fatigue fell away from Sam. He watched in silence as Arcineh crawled from the bed and began moving toward the door. Her "Goodnight, Grandpa: was soft, but Sam heard it because he was right on her trail.

  He saw her into bed and then sat down on the edge of the queen- sized mattress. Arcineh was back asleep in seconds, but Sam sat still and tried to remember the evening. He thought he had talked to Violet but then realized he'd planned on it but not called. However, it still surprised Sam that Violet would leave before he'd made an appearance.

  Sam eventually left Arcineh's room and headed down to see if Violet was home. Her car was not there and her apartment off the kitchen was dark and quiet. From a dating standpoint, it was still early, and Sam did not want to stay up. He took himself off to bed, knowing he'd dropped the ball on this one and was fully to blame, but also knowing that not overreacting would be easier after some sleep.

  "You got home when?" Violet asked for the second time. "Nearly 10:00:'

  "But I left at 7:00:'

  "Why did you?"

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  "We had tickets for a show. We had to be there at seven-thirty. Carlee assured me you'd get the message--which you did:' Violet answered, repeating what Sam had told her. "But then Arcie was so positive you'd be home on time that I left." The older woman stopped, still horrified by what had happened. "I can't believe it. What if there had been a fire or a break-in?"

  Sam visibly shuddered at the idea and knew it was time to talk to his granddaughter. He was on the verge of going for her when she made an appearance in the kitchen. She was not at her best in the morning, and she looked as she always did, fuzzy and adorable.

  "Are you awake?" Sam said, just holding back from his interrogation.

  "A little:'

  "We need to talk about last night:'

  "What about it?" Arcineh said, her voice sounding utterly normal.

  "Didn't you find it odd, Arcie, that you'd been left alone?" Violet asked, her voice already tense,

  "Well:' Arcineh paused, thinking about this. "I did think Grandpa would be home sooner, but then he wasn't, so I just hung out:' "Why didn't you call me?" Sam asked.

  "I don't have your number:'

  The adults looked at each other, wondering if this could be possible, and realized with fresh guilt and surprise that it was completely true.

  "What did you do all evening?" Violet, who was the first to find her voice, asked.

  Arcineh shrugged before saying, "I listened to music and watched TV"

  "Weren't you scared?" This came from Sam.

  "A little. That's why I got in your bed:'

  Suddenly desperate to touch her, Sam went and put his arms around her.

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  "I'm sorry:' he said quietly. "I got the message that Vi would be gone and then forgot. I'm very sorry, Arcie."

  "It's okay" She smiled up at him, hugging him back. "I got to eat anything I wanted."

  The adults laughed a little, and Arcineh thought all was well, but she missed the loo
k that passed between Sam and Violet, the one that said this would never happen again.

  Sam woke up four nights later to screams down the hall. It had been in his mind to shut his door again, but something held him off. He now sprang from his bed and ran to Arcineh's room to find her sobbing uncontrollably.

  Sam touched her and called her name, but Arcineh continued to yell "No, no:' and cry into her arms. Sam rubbed her back until she calmed, turning the light on at some point and finding Arcineh's eyes open, her body still shuddering from the images in her mind.

  "Do you want something to drink?" Sam asked.

  "Maybe some water."

  Sam went to Arcineh's bathroom and came back with a full glass. Arcineh sat up enough to sip it and then lay looking up at Sam. "Can you talk about it?"

  "It was so real:'

  "What was real?"

  "My parents were alive, and the house was on fire. I couldn't do anything."

  Sam rubbed her arm a little, just waiting for her to talk if she wanted.

  "And Landon was there:' Arcineh said with wonder. "He didn't even know my parents."

  "Do I know Landon?"

  "He's a boy at school that I like."

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  "Does he like you too?"

  Arcineh's head moved on the pillow. "We're doing a project together:'

  "On what?"

  Arcineh's mouth quirked before saying, "The Great Chicago Fire:'

  Sam's smile was very gentle as he reached to stroke down her smooth cheek.

  "Grandpa, are my parents in heaven?"

  "What did they teach you about that, Arcie?" Sam asked, having wondered when this question would surface.

  "We never talked much about God and all of that. I'm not sure there is a God:'

  "Neither am I, honey. I think all the heaven and hell we have is right here, and I know that the love your parents had for you and for each other made this heaven for them:'

  Arcineh smiled in such relief that Sam's heartbeat became even again. He didn't believe in God, and even though it was hard to imagine his son lying dead in the grave, it was easier than trying to believe in some fairyland where a superior being ruled at his whim.

  "Can you sleep now?" Sam asked, hoping she would not want to talk about God again. He might not be able to hide his cynicism, and he wanted her to decide for herself what she believed.