The Problem Child (Emerson Pass Historicals 4)

“Someday, in the very far future,” Papa said. “Far, far away.”

“When I do, I want him to be just like Viktor,” Delphia said.

“Me too,” Addie said. “Someone strong, brave, and good.”

He was all those things. I smiled with pride, as if I’d had anything to do with making him.

Soon, Viktor returned with his skates. Papa urged the horses onward. Fiona started singing “Jingle Bells” and encouraged us all to join her. Viktor and I held hands under a wool blanket. Although glad for gloves and our heavy coats, I still wished I was barehanded so I could feel his skin against mine. Regardless, I sighed with contentment and breathed in his woodsy scent.

Everything was covered in white except for a few trees that had managed to shake their limbs free of snow. Overhead, the sky was overcast. Snow might fall again by later today. I hoped not. I didn’t want anything to ruin our Thanksgiving supper.

When we arrived in town, people had already gathered at the pond. Lights were strung in a crisscross over the ice. My uncle Clive’s sausage cart was out, with one of their workers selling hot dogs to hungry skaters. Mrs. Johnson, as was tradition, was serving popcorn from her new machine. The moment I jumped from the sleigh the buttery, salty scent made me wish for a bag.

Li met us as we crossed over to where crowds of people mingled near the ice. He carried his violin case; Fiona had her guitar. They would play together under the gazebo while she sang. Fiona’s face turned even more radiant at the sight of him. A pang of worry interrupted my happy mood. I’d put it aside for now. Today was a good day. No time to worry about her or Flynn.

“I’ll see you all later,” Fiona said. Without a backward glance, she and Li left together, chatting already about which songs they would start with. They did look right together, both so earnest and gifted and pure. Would it be possible to keep them apart? Would Papa want to, or would he grant them permission? That is, if Li felt the same way as Fiona.

Mama and Papa went off to meet up with Aunt Annabelle and Clive. Delphia ran ahead to gather with some of her friends from school, but Addie lingered behind with us.

“What do you think, Miss Addie?” Viktor asked. “Are you going to skate today?”

“My legs are weak,” Addie said. “What if I can’t even get around once? What if I fall and everyone laughs at me?”

“We’ll go with you,” I said. “Viktor will take a side, and I’ll take the other. If you feel weak, you can lean on us.”

“You don’t mind?” Addie asked.

“I’d be honored to skate with not one but two of the lovely Barnes sisters,” Viktor said.

A cloud passed over Addie’s face, but she didn’t say anything. Did she think she was the only Barnes daughter without beauty? If only she could see her future. Now that she was on the mend, she would bloom like a rose in the years to come.

We all attached our skates and went out to the ice. My legs were strong from all my training with Viktor and the subsequent jumps. I ached to take off at full speed but held back for Addie’s sake. We each took one of her hands and we started out in the same direction as everyone else. I never knew why, but we always skated counterclockwise. We had since the very first time the pond became a community gathering place.

On the far end, a group of boys were racing one another.

“Do you see that?” I asked Viktor. “Not one girl.”

“I think you’re mistaken,” Viktor said. “I see a little blue hat.”

It was Delphia, smaller than anyone, about to race a much larger boy. Another of the children shouted, “Go,” and the two broke out across the ice. Delphia didn’t have a chance. Still, she was fast for being tiny. At least she was in the race.

“That’s my girl,” I said under my breath as we rounded the corner.

“She reminds me of someone.” Viktor’s eyes sparked at me over Addie’s head.

“I can’t think who,” I said.

“Do you love me as much as Delphia?” Addie asked in a quiet voice.

“Me?” I asked, surprised.

“Yes, you.” She glanced up at me.

“Of course I do, goose. I love all my sisters the same, which is as big as the Colorado sky. Why would you ask such a thing?”

“I don’t know.” Addie ducked her head and continued to glide over the ice with slow, deliberate movements.

She did know. Addie thought because Delphia and I shared a temperament and had common interests that I cared for her more.

A memory came to me. Before Mama had arrived into our lives, Papa had always seemed to dote on Fiona, carrying her around and kissing her chubby cheeks. I’d thought he didn’t love me as much as her. I figured it was because of all my naughty ways. Thinking I was second best had made me feel helpless and horribly jealous. Looking back, I could see that Papa loved all of us, but Fiona had been an infant when our mother died. He’d been left alone to care for a small baby. He’d probably felt alone and frightened. “Just because she and I are more alike than you and me doesn’t mean I love her more or less than you.”

“You’re always calling her your girl,” Addie said. “I’d like to be your girl.”

“You’re both my girls,” I said. “My baby sisters. Do you know how pleased Fiona and I were when you were born?”

“You weren’t jealous of us?” Addie asked. “I would’ve been.”

“Not me. I was almost eight when you arrived, so I was excited. Fiona was a tad envious though.” I smiled at the memory. Fiona had been almost six when Addie had arrived. “She’d been the baby all her life, so when you came along it was a shock for her.”

“I can’t imagine Fiona being jealous,” Viktor said. “She’s serene all the time. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her flustered.”

“She was Papa’s princess. That’s what he always called her, so when suddenly he started paying attention to the new baby, poor Fiona had a hard time adjusting. Fortunately, she was able to go to school around then, which she loved. Mama suggested she start playing the piano. Cleverly, she thought Fiona needed something to do while she was with the new baby. She hired a piano teacher to come to the house a few times a week. Mrs. Fudd.” I shuddered at the memory of the elderly piano teacher. She’d had a mole on her chin from which thick silver hair sprung. “She was scary. I was glad they didn’t make me take lessons. Fiona took to it right away, though. Even back then she used to practice for hours.”

“Fate,” Viktor said.

“I guess so,” I said.

“Was I cute?” Addie asked.