The Problem Child (Emerson Pass Historicals 4)

My stomach turnedover as I walked to the foyer and opened the door for my future in-laws. Their faces were drawn and eyes dull. They looked as if they had aged ten years since last I saw them.

“Viktor, how good of you to stay,” Mrs. Barnes said.

“Here, let me help you with your coat,” I said.

She turned so that I might slip it from her shoulders. Lord Barnes opened the closet and seemed to freeze there, as if he were not sure why he’d opened it and for what purpose it served.

“Allow me, sir.” I turned to hang both coats.

“Mama? Papa?” Fiona asked from the doorway. She and Cym clutched each other as if bracing for a storm. “How is he?”

“They got the bullet out of him,” Lord Barnes said. “Theo’s war experience as a medic was very helpful. He’s lost a lot of blood.”

“But Theo is optimistic. They patched him up and stopped the bleeding. The bullet missed his heart by quite a bit.” Mrs. Barnes tapped her upper chest. “It lodged itself there near the shoulder area but by a miracle didn’t hit a bone either.” Mrs. Barnes leaned heavily against her husband and wrung her hands. “There’s nothing else we could do there. We took Shannon back to their house. She wanted to be there in the morning for Pearl.”

“How is Shannon?” Cym asked.

Mrs. Barnes eyes filled. “Devastated. Heartbroken.”

“About all of it.” Lord Barnes seemed to remember he still wore his hat and took it off, then handed it to me. “Thank you, Viktor. I can’t seem to think what to do next or where my hat goes.”

“Not a problem, sir,” I said.

“Please, go up to bed,” Fiona said. “We’ll stay up and answer the phone if anyone calls.”

“We will, thank you, girls. And you too, Viktor.” Mama took Papa’s hand and led him up the stairs.

The three of stared at one another for a good three seconds. “What now?” Fiona asked.

“We wait,” I said.

“Viktor, you should go home,” Cym said. “Sleep in your own bed. Come back in the morning.”

“It’s practically morning now,” I said. The thought of my bed was enticing. However, what if they needed me? What if the men came back? An awful thought occurred to me. What if they’d meant to kill Flynn and when they hadn’t succeeded, would they come back here and try for another family member? What lengths would these people go to to control the liquor distribution? “I’m staying. You two go upstairs to bed. I’ll keep watch. If the phone rings, I’ll answer it.”

They yawned in unison.

I pointed to the stairway. “Up, now, please.”

“Viktor,” Cym said through another yawn. “I never knew you were so bossy.”

“Me either,” Fiona said.

Cym kissed my cheek. “Thank you for being here. We couldn’t have gotten through this night without you.”

“It’s true.” Fiona touched the sleeve of my jacket. “Thank you.”

“You could have gotten through it without me,” I said. “You’re both strong and sensible. However, I’m glad to have been of service.”

Cym kissed my cheek again and then the two of them walked up the stairs together, brown curls shining under the light as if to remind me that beauty existed in the world despite the tragedy we’d all witnessed.

As it turned out,the phone didn’t ring in the early hours of that dreadful morning. Around dawn, I fell asleep on the couch with the Agatha Christie novel on my chest. What seemed like minutes later, the scent of coffee woke me. I opened one eye to see Delphia’s big blue eyes staring at me.

“Viktor, wake up. I’ve exciting news. Theo was here. He says Flynn’s better.”

I sat up and swept a hand over my face. My teeth felt woolly, and a terrible taste in my mouth had me yearning for a toothbrush. “Better? How much better?”

“He’s awake and he talked.” Delphia smiled and clasped her hands together. “We’re all very happy. Mama stopped sniffling.”

I sighed with relief. “Thank the good Lord.”

“Mama said to ask you if you'd like breakfast. We're all in there having some. Not Cym and Fi, though. They're still sleeping.”

“We were up late last night,” I said.

“I’m aware of your bravery. Papa said you’re very courageous and loyal to stay up all night. I want a steady beau like you when I get bigger. Do you think you could find me one?”

“When the time comes, I'll do my very best.”

Delphia hurled herself at me for a spontaneous hug. “Thank you. He’s to be handsome, wise, and good, too.” Her brows knit together. “Should you write those down so you don’t forget?”

“I’ll remember. Especially if I’m to choose the man for you. He must be all that and more.”