28. Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Eight
David and Jane stopped at the church, where they discovered that Jacquelyn had visited earlier and spoken to Pastor Mitchell’s daughter. “At least we know that she was the one who made the phone call. It’s too bad I didn’t answer in time,” David said as they returned to the automobile. After that, they drove to the home. David went to the front door and spoke to Mary while Jane waited.
“My sister hasn’t been back,” he said upon returning to the Rolls-Royce. “I’m very worried. Where could she be? Anyone else could manage, but she doesn’t know anything about the ways of the world.” His face creased with concern. “And it’s so cold out.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Jane asked.
“Just pray.”
She nodded and bowed her head, praying silently. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed David doing the same .
When they finished, he said, “Maybe Mildred will have heard from her. In the meantime, let’s just follow your plan.”
David drove to the back door of the building, where they unloaded presents into the storage room to hide them until Christmas morning. Mary had made sure the girls were nowhere around.
David said, “Mary thought it best to give the girls the gifts after you return from church tomorrow morning. She said if you gave the presents to them beforehand, they’d be too excited to sit still during the service.”
“She’s absolutely right.” As eager as Jane was to see them open their gifts, she knew that getting overly excited often caused some of the girls to misbehave. Making mischief in church would not have reflected well on the Sheridan Girls’ Home.
Mary popped her head in the door. “I brought a change of clothes so you can return home as yourself.”
“Good idea,” Jane said, taking the pile of clothes out of her hands. Mary nodded and left just as quickly as she’d arrived.
Once the Rolls-Royce was emptied and all of the gifts piled near the canned goods, David went to wait in the automobile while she changed clothing. When she came out, she carried the dress, shoes, and coat folded in a pile, which she put in the back seat. “You could keep Jacquelyn’s things, you know,” David said. “She has so much, she probably won’t miss them.”
Jane shook her head. “I would never do that. They don’t belong to me. ”
David started up the engine and drove around to the front of the building. Mary had left the front door unlocked, so they let themselves in. “Hello!” Jane called out as they walked down the hallway. Almost immediately, the thundering of small feet was heard, and in a moment she was surrounded by little girls giving her hugs and crying out with happiness.
“I guess I was missed,” she said with a smile to David. “Girls, this is Mr. Sheridan. He very kindly gave me a ride home. You probably recognize his name because his family so generously provides us with everything we need. Can we all welcome Mr. Sheridan?”
A chorus of voices rang out. “Welcome, Mr. Sheridan!”
Ruth asked Jane, “Did you fix the family emergency?”
“Everything is fine now,” Jane assured her.
“Did you bring back our money?” asked Dorothy.
Sensing Jane’s confusion, Mary interjected, “All of you will be repaid for the loan of your money plus interest, as promised.”
David pulled out his wallet and produced a dollar bill. “Will this cover it?”
“No, sir, it’s too much,” Mary said. “The total was thirty-seven cents.”
“Take it and use the rest to reward the girls’ generosity.” He put the bill into her hand and closed her fingers around it.
“Yes, sir. Thank you.” She turned to the girls. “All of you will get your money back after the holidays. I have to go to the bank to get change.”
David said, “If you don’t mind, I’d like to use your telephone. ”
Mary took in a sharp breath. “I’m sorry, sir, but—”
“I know,” he said, “there’s a lock on it. I believe I can remove it. I need to call home and let them know my sister is still unaccounted for.”
“I’ll stay with the girls,” Jane said. “Go ahead.”
As they walked away, little Hazel wrapped her arms around Jane’s waist. “Miss Shaw, I’m so happy you’re home. Now you can tell us the Christmas story tonight!”
Home. The word warmed Jane’s heart. Right now, there was no place she’d rather spend Christmas than here with all the girls. Jane nodded. “We’ll sing Christmas carols, and before bedtime I’ll tell you the Christmas story. It will be a real celebration.”