Thanksgiving

Chapter 8

Before I even have a chance to react, Christian walks into the room. "Honey, Taylor is going on his trip. You can put the pink slips away," he says with a grin.
"Good, but Christian - Miss Evelyn knows Grayson," I say pointing to the pictures in our hands.
"Woah, what?" he asks. "Seriously?"
"I don't know him well but before I worked for you I had worked for a daycare for a few years. This boy was in our toddler class when the school closed. I didn't have him - I was in the room with the 5-year olds but I always made time to stop and give the toddlers and babies hugs. I couldn't forget this face," she says pointing at the toddler.
"TAYLOR!" Christian yells, making everyone jump.
"Seriously, Christian - stop that!"
"Sorry," he says with a slight smirk. He is such a child sometimes.
Taylor appears from his office. "Yes, sir?"
"Apparently Miss Evelyn knows our mystery boy," says Christian.
"I don't know anything but that his name is Grayson and he was probably nearing 3 years when I left. I haven't seen him in years," she says.
"Do you remember his last name?" asks Taylor.
"I'm sorry, no," she says.
"Who was the owner of the daycare?" Christian asks.
"Mr. and Mrs. Burns. They closed the daycare and moved to Arizona to retire. Jackie Burns was the woman and her husband was Jack. We always kidded about the similarities in their names," she says fondly.
"Do you suppose she still has records on the children who attended the daycare?" I ask.
"Ma'am, I don't know. I haven't spoken to either one of them since the day the school closed," she says honestly. "I wouldn't even know how to get ahold of them."
"The teachers in the toddler class, would any of them remember him?" asks Taylor.
"I would assume. It's hard to forget their faces. But I don't remember the names of the toddler teachers. The turnaround there was quite high. I never connected with any of them as they were usually really young, and straight out of college and thought they could do what the other teachers couldn't. They learned quickly that toddlers are a whole other animal," she says with a curious smile.
"What was the name of the daycare?" I ask.
"It was called 'Jack and Jill's Daycare'" says Miss Evelyn. "It was in an old house on Central Avenue. Right across the street from your Grey Market, Mrs. Grey."
"What's there now?" I asked curiously.
"I believe it was turned into a duplex or maybe even a triplex," says Miss Evelyn.
"Sir, ma'am," Taylor interrupts. "If you don't mind, I'm going to call Sawyer in now to fill him in on all of these details so I can leave this evening." Christian and I nod silently. "Should I bring anyone else in?" he asks Christian.
"Yes, call Bryan" Christian says flatly.
"Just Bryan?" asks Taylor.
"For now, keep everyone else on standby."
"Yes sir," he says to Christian and then looks at me. He seems kind of pissed off at me. Seriously? I'm making you take a vacation. DEAL. "Ma'am," he nods and turns to leave.
Christian and I both watch him exit the room.
"He's mad at me." I mouth to Christian.
"I know," he mouths back. I roll my eyes and Christian smiles, I guess when he knows it's not at him it's ok.
"Well, Miss Evelyn, kids." I say as I turn to look at my even-gluier children and the puddle of glue that has begun to harden on the table. "I have some work to do in my office. Are you three all ok for a few hours?"
"Yes, we'll be fine!" says Miss Evelyn. "You go work, we'll be busy. Is it ok if we go outside for a walk?"
"NO!" Christian says a little more abruptly than he had probably intended. "My apologies - it's just we're having some security issues and I don't want anyone out in the yard right now. No one is to leave the house without telling myself, Mrs. Grey, Sawyer, or Bryan first."
"Yes sir. We'll be able to find something else to do, I'm sure," she says sounding a little more upset than expected.
"Christian, I believe we have some business to attend to in my office." I pray he gets the hint as I walk out.

My office is my sanctuary. Floor to ceiling bookshelves cover 2 of the walls. Each one packed with my favorites. A third bookshelf on a separate wall houses signed first editions of the books I've been involved in publishing at work. The collection is growing fast. A large oriental rug that covers most of the room is sitting on rustic wood flooring and my desk is an antique editor's desk that I got as a gift from Christian's parents. A 2nd, smaller desk sits facing the bay window overlooking the meadow below. I do a lot of my computer work sitting there. A dark-red leather office chair sits behind the larger desk, and two matching armchairs sit facing it on the other side. Along the wall is a matching couch flanked by mismatched antique end tables each topped with antique Tiffany lamps. An en-suite ensures that I don't even have to leave to use the restroom when I'm working. The smell of leather and citrus scented wood cleaner reminds me of the 'red room of pain' from Escala. I'm not sure if Christian recognizes the scent or not, but many work sessions have turned into play sessions in this room. Thank goodness for good locks on the doors and prime sound proofing.