LITMIR.BIZ

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paused, gathered his thoughts and then began speaking. “Your husband—you remember he went to college after finishing high school?”

      “I’m afraid I don’t remember anything,” Gemma told him. “Just pretend we never met before and tell me what you think I need to know about, um, Kurt.”

      “All right.” Hornby cleared his throat. “He told me he was uncertain about his next step and went to college to try to figure things out. While he was there he met a woman, Anna, a law student in her final year, who became a good friend. Kurt learned she was pregnant and desperate to finish school. She felt she had no way to raise a child and adoption was out because she couldn’t pay for a delay in her education. She intended to have an abortion.”

      “I see.” So the stepchild must be the Alexa he’s talking about. But why would my husband...?

      “Kurt was totally against abortion. He said he tried desperately to talk Anna out of it, but she would not be swayed. She saw no other option.” Hornby paused for breath, then continued. “To be brief, Kurt persuaded her to marry him, insisting he’d support her until the child was born and continue to work to ensure the child was cared for while Anna finished her schooling. Nothing romantic about it, Kurt said. His whole concern was for the child. Anna finally agreed to marry him on condition he told no one about their arrangement.”

      “Where was I during all this?” Gemma asked, struggling to absorb the information.

      “Overseas, at language school,” Jake said immediately. His face reddened at the surprised looks from the aunts. “I remember that’s where you went after high school.”

      “You are correct, Jake. Gemma spent time mastering languages in Europe,” Margaret agreed somberly.

      Mr. Hornby cleared his throat.

      “Please go on.” A sudden chill made Gemma shiver. Now what?

      “When the child, Alexa, was born, Kurt took care of her. He loved her, but he hated the secrecy of not being able to share her with his family. So after Anna graduated, Kurt came home one weekend to tell his parents the truth. When he returned, Anna and her child were gone.” Mr. Hornby took off his glasses and polished them on his handkerchief.

      “Gone where?” Gemma realized she was perched on the edge of her lawn chair. “And how do I fit in?”

      “Anna later called Kurt to explain that she’d arranged for them to divorce. She had a new job and wanted a fresh start for herself and Alexa, and for Kurt. Anna was adamant that Kurt belonged with you. She’d always known he loved you.” Mr. Hornby managed a smile.

      “Easy for you to say,” she muttered, a little embarrassed. It didn’t seem like the lawyer was talking about anyone she knew.

      “Mrs. Andrews, Kurt told me he loved you dearly and that there’d only ever been friendship between him and Anna.” The lawyer’s hard face softened. “But little Alexa had stolen a piece of his heart. Kurt had no legal or biological claim to her, of course. Still, he felt that if ever she needed him, as his mother had needed him, there should be funds available for her. That’s why he set up her trust fund. His request was that if he was not able, you should manage the fund for Alexa. Kurt had great faith in your ability to protect her.” He held up the letter. “This is his explanation to you about the matter.”

      “But why didn’t he just tell me himself? Why did he keep it a secret?” Gemma’s head ached as the knowledge whirled round and round inside it. The letter in her hand felt heavy, full of problems, and she already had too many of those. “What am I supposed to do with this fund? Make sure it’s invested properly—something like that?” She glanced at Jake for help, but he appeared as puzzled as she felt. “I don’t know anything about investing or trust funds.”

      Something clicked in her brain, like her words weren’t quite true. But she didn’t understand how that could be. And suddenly this world of everything unknown felt like it was closing in on her.

      “May I say something, dear?” Tillie’s soft voice broke through Gemma’s confusion. “Margaret and I knew about Alexa. Kurt’s parents confided in us.”

      “That was one of the reasons for the disagreement,” Margaret chimed in.

      “What disagreement?” Gemma read disapproval on the ladies’ faces.

      “My dear, you came home to announce your elopement and we were very happy for both of you.” Margaret’s smile eased some of the tension gripping Gemma.

      “But when we asked your husband privately if he’d told you about Alexa, he insisted that he wanted you to meet the child first so you could bond, but Anna and Alexa were away that weekend.” Sadness edged Tillie’s words. “We disagreed with Kurt’s decision. We felt he should have explained about the child before you agreed to marry him. I’m afraid it caused a bit of a rift between us and him.”

      “He certainly should have told me the truth before we got married,” Gemma said, feeling indignant for Kurt’s wife. Wait, that was her! “But since he didn’t, it’s a moot point.”

      Everyone was watching her, including Jake. She shifted uncomfortably, waiting for someone to speak. When they didn’t, she blurted out her thoughts.

      “So what now? Am I supposed to do something about Alexa? Is she okay? And what in the world could I do anyway? I haven’t even got a job.” Worried and muddled, Gemma fumed. “I can’t help myself, let alone a child.”

      “May I suggest something, Gem?” Jake’s smile somehow calmed her. “Maybe you could find out about Alexa, make sure she and her mom are all right. At least then you’d have peace of mind.”

      “I guess I could do that,” she agreed, then frowned. “What do I do after that?”

      “If Alexa doesn’t need Kurt’s money, you could ensure it’s wisely invested and then leave it to grow until she does need it,” he said with a shrug.

      “That sounds advisable,” the lawyer agreed.

      “Yes,” Tillie said, though she was frowning. She looked at her sister.

      “It does sound good. Only, Alexa and her mom aren’t all right,” Margaret blurted.

      “How do you know that?” Jake studied the sisters with narrowed eyes.

      “We’ve kept tabs on them. Kurt and Gemma were away so much, you see.” Margaret cleared her throat. “We felt it our duty to watch over the child.”

      “And so?” Gemma replied automatically. She felt so confused and muddled and her headache was back.

      “I’m sorry to tell you that Anna was accidentally killed three days ago in a drive-by shooting.” Tillie’s sad voice was hushed.

      “The day of the earthquake,” Gemma whispered, aghast.

      “Yes.” Margaret sighed. “Apparently Anna had a will that named Kurt as Alexa’s guardian in the event of her own death. Because there are no other relatives and Kurt was unreachable, Anna’s daughter, Alexa, was placed in foster care. We’ve been praying and praying for a way to help the child.”

      “Yes,” Margaret exclaimed. “And now you’re home, Gemma. A true answer to prayer.”

      “Me?” Gemma blinked. She glanced sideways at Jake and found no help in his shrug. So she studied her aunts. “I’m an answer to prayer? What am I supposed to do?”

      “We have no idea, dear,” Tillie said, her smile sweet.

      “Not yet. But we’ll think of something,” Margaret said confidently. “We always do.” She rose. “Or you will. Oh, dear, look at the time. I’m so sorry, Gemmie, but Tillie and I must leave. We have an appointment in Chokecherry Hollow that we simply cannot cancel, but it shouldn’t take too long.”

      “My dear girl,” Tillie said, rising and moving close to pat her shoulder.

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