Prologue #2
Akiko sighed. “I hope I can stay long enough for them to adopt me.”
“They won’t throw you out. You don’t do drugs or try to run. You’re safe here.”
Akiko smiled. “I’m starting to believe that.”
Katherine found herself smiling back, because she might be starting to believe it, too. Finally. “Good.”
“Can I ask you a question?”
Katherine stiffened. “You can ask.”
“Why won’t you let them adopt you? The other kids said that Mom and Pop have offered. But they say you refuse. Why?”
Wasn’t that a good question?
“I don’t think…I’m not a nice person. Not like you. Not like Wren was. They just don’t know it yet.”
Akiko looked like she wanted to argue, but she finally just shook her head. “I thought something had happened last week. You almost warmed up to me and then it was like Alaska again. I’m sorry that the detective failed.”
Katherine was, too. “He says he’ll keep trying. I guess we’ll see if he does. Mr. McK and I have been out looking for months, talking to runaway kids on the street in town. We show Wren’s photo and ask if they saw her and if they saw anyone with her, but it’s like her killer is a ghost.”
“Next time you go to town to search, I’ll go with you.”
Katherine’s throat tightened once again. “Why?”
“Because I’d want someone to fight for me like you fight for Wren,” Akiko said simply. “Because I want to help.”
“Thank you.” The words came out as a whisper.
Akiko sighed heavily. “Now I feel like I should get you something, but Christmas has passed. You’ve made me look bad.”
Katherine hesitated, then decided to just ask. “That karate thing you do. Can you show me?”
Akiko smiled brightly. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. I need to know how to protect myself.”
“Everyone should. I’ve been studying with Shihan Ito since I was in kindergarten. I can give you lessons.” She carefully set the carved crane aside. “Let’s start from the beginning.” She offered her hand. “Hello. I’m Akiko Jones.”
Katherine stared at the girl’s hand for a long moment before giving it a brusque shake. “Hi, Akiko. I’m Katherine Matthews, but everyone calls me Kit.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Kit. Let’s get started. I’ll need to touch you sometimes, to show you how to hold your arms or legs. Is that okay?”
Katherine nodded, impressed that Akiko had asked. “Yes, but warn me first.”
“Understood. Okay. Lesson one.”
An hour later, Katherine and Akiko wandered back to the big house only to find Harlan McKittrick sitting on a bench outside. He was wearing a heavy jacket and his cheeks were a little pink from the chill in the air.
He gave them a nod. “Mom’s putting dinner on, Akiko. She said to send you in to help when I saw you.” He winked. “It’s fish and chips night.”
Akiko grinned. “She promised she’d show me how to fry them.” She glanced at Katherine. “See you later?”
“Sure. Thank you for the lesson.”
“Thank you for the crane.” Akiko skipped into the house.
“I noticed that Mrs. McK didn’t ask me to help,” Katherine said wryly.
Harlan’s lips twitched. “You’ve got many talents, Kit. Cooking doesn’t have to be one of them.” He patted the bench beside him and Katherine sat down. “Akiko likes the crane?”
“Loves it.”
“Worth the cash and the chores?”
“Yeah.” Katherine thought she should have paid more. Done more. “Thank you for making it.”
“You’re very welcome. How did the apology go?”
“She forgave me. She’s a lot nicer than I am.”
Harlan frowned. “Don’t say that. You, Kit Matthews, have the biggest heart of anyone here. You just hide it well. One of these days you’re going to realize you don’t have to hide it.”
“Maybe.” She sighed. “I can’t even call you Pop.”
“You will. In time. Or you won’t. Either way, it doesn’t change the way Mom and I feel about you. You’re ours, Kit. Ours to protect. Ours to love.”
Katherine sucked in a breath that burned. “You said that to me before.”
“The day we buried Wren. I remember. I remember everything I’ve ever said to you and everything you’ve ever said to me.
I also said that I was sure of you and that’s still true.
I know apologies aren’t easy for you. I know they make you feel things you don’t want to admit to.
But you did it because you couldn’t let Akiko go on being hurt.
You have a good heart, Kit. And if you don’t believe it yourself, believe me. I will never lie to you.”
“Okay,” she whispered. “It’s…a lot.”
“I know. But I’m here. Always. So is Mom.”
Katherine believed him and that scared her to death. She couldn’t speak and wasn’t sure she’d know what to say if she could. So she sat in silence as Harlan carved and the shadows of evening began to fall.
She was safe here. In this house. With this man and his wife.
A window opened, and Betsy stuck her head out. “Dinner!”
Harlan blew her a kiss, then stood, holding out his hand for Katherine. “Ready to eat?”
She stared at his hand. She somehow knew that if she didn’t accept his hand, he’d still like her. He’d still be nice to her. He wouldn’t throw her out.
That made it easier to accept his gesture. Easier to give him something back.
So she took his hand and let him pull her to her feet. “Thank you. Pop,” she added before she chickened out.
He smiled down at her and she felt…loved. “You’re welcome, Kitty-Cat. Let’s go eat before it’s all gone. That Akiko is a little thing, but she can put away food like crazy.”
Katherine followed Harlan McKittrick into the big house that always smelled like apple pie, fresh laundry, and lemon furniture polish.
It smelled like home.