Daddy and Daughters

“Why not just dump the drawers into the case if you’re not going to have them neatly folded?” he asked, watching the jumble of shirts steadily growing in the suitcase.

“When they nap, I’ll fold everything. Right now this keeps them occupied and gives them the feeling they are helping, that they’re participating in this move.”

“Psychology, too?” He raised an eyebrow, studying her.

“Practical, actually. You could help.”

“You’ve got a system going. I think I’ll check out MaryEllen’s things. See if I can find her personal papers and pack them. I’ll have to get someone in to close up this place.”

“Find some things of their mother’s that the children can have when they are older,” Cassandra suggested. “They won’t remember her, poor babies, but it will be nice for them when they’re grown to have something of their mother.”

He heard the wistful note in her voice.

“Do you?” he asked softly. Knowing he was treading on personal ground, he still had to know.

She shook her head. “That’s why I know they’ll appreciate it. We had so little. I don’t know what happened to our things. Social Services came for me, we packed my clothes, and I got to take one doll. That was all.”

“That’s tough.” He remembered his grandfather’s complaining, when his parents died, about having to store furniture and boxes in that shed in the back. Most of it was still there—a link to parents he scarcely remembered.

“It was a long time ago.” She smiled at him, her head tilted slightly.

“I’ll find a few things for the girls. I could have everything shipped to the West Coast,” Jared said, his heart skipping a beat at her smile.

“You’re the boss. But they may not want this furniture. Just mementos.”

Jared shrugged out of his suit jacket, slung it over one shoulder and headed for the living room. He tossed the jacket on the back of the sofa and looked around. The art on the walls was good quality. The figurines and vases would make nice mementos. Had they held special meaning for MaryEllen, or had she chosen them to complement the decor? Odd he knew so little about a woman to whom he’d been married for so long. He crossed the room, then paused by a small antique desk. The drawers contained MaryEllen’s papers—most recent bills, bank statements, address book and other items.