With a sigh, he searched in his pocket and found a handkerchief for her to wipe her face.
“Come on now, we’ve got some cleaning to do. Where’s the broom?” Leeman’s smile didn’t reach his eyes, but Aspen didn’t want to spoil the time she had there by crying. The house needed to be fixed, and moping around wouldn’t get the job done.
She stuffed the handkerchief into her shorts pocket and dragged a broom out of the closet.
“Here, catch. We need all the help we can get.”
? ? ?
The next morning was Saturday and Aspen’s body felt stiff, even though it had remained behind in bed. Holding the dream catcher, she waited for the yellow glow to heal her muscles and sighed as soon as the light faded. She was eager to hurry back to Lanta to work on the house later.
After eating the sandwiches her mother had made, she was just about to do laundry when someone knocked on the front door. Miriam was at cheerleading and Stephan was at work, so she wasn’t sure who it could be. Uncle Leeman’s voice was unmistakable and she heard him greet her mother from where she stood upstairs.
Rushing down the staircase, she saw her mother lead him into the living room. He winked at her as he walked behind Norma.
“Mom, who is it?” Aspen asked innocently.
“My name is Leeman Walker.” He stopped to address her. “Your father was my brother. You must be Aspen, you have his eyes.” He held out a hand and she shook it politely.
“This is your uncle, sweetie. He was in Iraq for a long time.”
With a blank face, she followed him into the living room and hovered near her mother. Wearing khaki pants and big black boots, Leeman looked completely out of place in the small living room. He looked like a military soldier, tall and intimidating. Dylan shouldn’t have said a thing. This was not going to end well.
“Please, have a seat.” Norma motioned Leeman to a threadbare couch. The look on Leeman’s face as he studied the room told her he didn’t approve of the surroundings.
“So, Norma, how long has it been since I’ve seen you last?” His huge body settled into the chair but he remained alert, like a watchdog. Aspen sat close to her mother.
“It’s been way too long. Over a decade at least. Is this the first time you’ve come back to town since . . .” Norma’s voice trailed off.
“Yes, since Roman died. He asked me to look after the two of you if anything happened to him, but I must admit, I haven’t had the willpower to face you after his death. I think of him whenever I see you, and it was just too painful to come back.” His cheeks flushed as he spoke. “I know I’ve forgotten my promise, but someone reminded me and I’ve come to find out if you’re okay. I want to know what I can do for the two of you.”
Norma’s back was ramrod straight and she hesitated before answering him. “Thank you, but we’re fine.”
Aspen frowned at her mother.
“I have a house nearby,” Leeman continued. His tanned skin was smooth, and his face was handsome even with his crooked nose. “It’s much too big for me. It’s got plenty of rooms and I have a spare car that you can use. When I left the army, I invested in shares in a newly built power plant. I’ve made quite a bit because of it. I’m on the board of directors now, and have a say in the running of the company. I’d like to hire a housekeeper, Norma.” His steel-blue eyes stared at her. “Tell me that you need a job and it’s yours.”
Norma’s lip trembled. Aspen could see her hands as they shook nervously. Still, she didn’t speak.
“Mom, this is what you’ve been waiting for,” she burst out. This was not the time to keep quiet. Help was finally here, and she wasn’t going to let it slip by.
Norma glanced at her daughter and tugged her short hair nervously. “You don’t know what you’re saying,” she whispered.
“Mom, are you happy living like this?” Aspen waved her hand to point at the room. “Do you think that Dad would be happy if he knew how we’re treated every day? You’re just a slave, and I’m nothing more than a mental punching bag for Stephan.”
A tear slid slowly down Norma’s pale face, and her big eyes shimmered in the dark room. Aspen grabbed her hand. “Mom, you always said you would leave if you could. Well, guess what? Now you can.” She stared into her mother’s face.
Her mom cried openly and Aspen held back a sob. This wasn’t the time to be weak—her mother needed her to be strong.
“Norma, what is it? What’s happened since Roman died?” Leeman stood up and knelt before her, placing his huge hand over hers.
She remained silent, and her petite body trembled.
“Aspen, go pack your bags!” he ordered.
Without being told twice, she jumped up and Leeman took her place on the couch next to her mother. The cushion sagged beneath his bulky figure.
“Norma, I’m here now. Things are going to be okay. I’ve got more money than I’ll ever need, enough to look after you and Aspen forever. You’ll never be scared again.”