Horatio & Josie: Happy Christmas

Chapter 1

Thanksgiving Day – November 22

"Did you have a nice Thanksgiving, Auntie? Did Mr. Horatio make dinner? He said he could cook a turkey." Liam sounded doubtful as his young voice echoed in the eerie stillness of the house. Jo gripped her phone tightly, swallowing the lump in her throat before she could answer her nephew.

"He was working today, Liam." In spite of the heaviness in her heart, a ghost of a smile flitted across her face. "Mr. Horatio knows his way around a kitchen. I've no doubt he could cook a delicious turkey. How was your dinner this afternoon?"

"Not great, Auntie." Liam's voice lowered and Jo imagined he had moved somewhere out of earshot of the adults. "We had to have the dark turkey and the stuffing had nuts and fruit in it. There was orange mashed potatoes with marshmallows and something with carrots in green jello. Kieran and I mostly ate rolls and white mashed potatoes," he finished dejectedly and Jo felt the lump rise up in her throat again. Swallowing hard, she tried to sound upbeat.

"Your dad's parents have their own traditional Thanksgiving foods, Liam. It can be difficult to try things that aren't exactly like what you are familiar with back at home. Surely there was pie for desert? Apple or pumpkin maybe?"

"NO! It was something with meat in it." Liam sighed. "And there wasn't any whip cream. We want to come home Auntie. It's boring here. Grandma and Grandpa won't let us do anything. Aiden cries and gets his way and me and Kieran get yelled at for laughing at You Tube videos, before they take away our electronics."

"I'm sorry to hear that Liam. It has been an adjustment for your grandparents to have all three of you boys there for a week I'm sure. I hope you are being on your best behavior as much as you can?" Her nephew mumbled something that sounded like a yes. "Good, now it's only a few more days. I will meet you at the airport in Minnesota on Sunday afternoon. I have to fly home from Florida on Saturday. I imagine Roxie and Jezebel will be happy to see both of you when you get home."

"I miss them Auntie. Grandma just has a mean old cat here. It hisses and spits at us when no one is looking and then runs away when Grandma walks into the room. She keeps saying we are being mean to it, but we're not!" Liam's voice shook a little and Jo decided it was time to end the call before they were both in tears.

"Hang in there for a few more days, Liam. I know it wasn't the Thanksgiving we have in Minnesota. I appreciate you and your brother helping out by spending time with your dad's parents while I am down here putting things in order. I miss you both very much. I think we deserve a Thanksgiving dinner next week when we are all back home. Take care now. I love you."

"I love you too Auntie." Jo had to blink back the tears as she heard her nephew's voice shake with emotion. It got stronger after a moment. "Do you think Mr. Horatio can come up to Minnesota for our Thanksgiving? You said he had to work today."

"Er, I don't think so Liam, but I will ask him." Jo sighed. Several minutes later, with the phone call ended, she allowed herself to slide down to the floor, staring unseeingly out the patio doors into the gathering darkness of the Miami night. The light from the kitchen illuminated the deck. A movement across the deck caught Jo's attention. 'What was that?' she wondered. It was low to the deck, maybe only 12 inches off the ground. She went to the door, moving slowly, not wanting to find out the intruder on the deck was something slithery and slimey. She stared out into the darkness and searched the lighted section of the porch but all remained quiet. Her legs felt heavy and she slid slowly to the floor. Her phone began blinking and vibrating several minutes later, but Jo was staring out into the darkness, lost in memories of happier times.

"Josie, are the tables set?"

"Yes, Aunt Florence. Do I HAVE to sit at the kids table?" Josie asked, looking meaningfully at her aunt. Pots bubbled on the stove, steaming the kitchen windows and patio doors as the heavenly smell of roasted turkey wafted through the crowded kitchen. "I'm almost 14! Can't you squeeze me in next to Daddy? Or you at the end of the table? I can be your go-fer."

"That's sweet of you Josie, but you are the oldest at the kids table and I need you to keep the peace. Now," her aunt handed her several trivets for the tables, "be a dear and set these out at the big table. Why don't you help me with whipping the cream for our pie after dinner?"

"Homemade whipped cream?" Jo smiled. "Does that mean I get a beater or … maybe both?"

"If you can keep your brother from blowing milk through his nose and generally not causing a ruckus during dinner, you can have both beaters and lick out the bowl to boot! If you see your Uncle Fred in the other room, let him know his presence is requested in the kitchen to carve up this turkey so we can eat!"

Horatio parked his car in front of the low rambler. His gaze lingered on the little black Capri in the driveway. He hadn't forgotten how Jo had turned away from him to hide the tears ready to fall the day she had traded her little sports car for the more practical minivan.

"I'm sorry Jo," Horatio whispered as he gathered her close in a hug that allowed her to hide her face in his shoulder while she blinked away the tears. He felt her nod and take several deep breaths, before pushing herself away from him.

"Thank you Horatio," she whispered, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "It's silly, I know. The minivan will be so much more practical. Besides, it should be down here in Miami where someone who loves the sun can drive it with the top off all year long. It's a totally impractical car for Minnesota." Horatio had felt an irrational anger rise up in him as he watched Jo sign the papers to turn the car over to the dealership in return for the much-used minivan she was buying to get herself and the dogs back to Minnesota.

"You shouldn't have to give up everything you love, Josie." Her blue eyes flew up to his. "Let me talk to a few lawyers I know. There must be a way to bring the boys down to Miami while your sister and brother-in-law sort out their lives. You and the boys can stay with me." For just the tiniest moment hope had flared in him as her eyes widened in surprise. But it left just as quickly.

"No Horatio. That's very … sweet … of you. I'll figure something out. It's … just a car after all."

The house looked empty and silent. The flowerpots which had been filled with brightly colored blooms earlier in the year seemed forlorn turned upside down and tucked away behind the low bushes. His eyes automatically went to the curtains in the wide front window. They were still and the only sound of barking came from somewhere down the street. Was it only some 18 months ago that he had pulled up here one lonely Sunday afternoon looking for the mysterious woman he had met on the darkened beach the night before?

As he walked up to the front door, Horatio looked up and down the quiet block. Most people had finished their holiday dinners and were resting up for the unofficial Black Friday holiday. Opening the squeaking screen door, he rapped lightly on the wooden door. An eerie silence was the only answer. No barking, no skittering of nails on the wooden floor, not even the telltale thuds of front feet smacking against the window frame in the large front window. Thirty seconds went by and only silence. Horatio rapped on the door again and carefully tried the doorknob. It turned easily in his hand and he pushed it open slowly.

"Jo?" There was no answer, but a single light was on in the kitchen. Horatio slipped quietly through the cold semi-darkness of the once crowded living room. As he turned the corner and peered into the kitchen, he saw a pair of legs stretched out on the floor. Feeling as though he'd been punched in the stomach, Horatio was at her side in two strides. Kneeling beside her still form, he ran his hands over her quickly, looking for any signs of trauma. "Jo! Sweetheart," he reached for her hand, "look at me Josie." Her eyelids fluttered at his touch, but remained closed.

"Sweetheart, are you ok? Come on, Josie. Open your eyes for me." He gave in to the desire to gently move the hair from her forehead. He felt her tremble at his touch and slid his hand away quickly.

"Horatio?" Jo opened her eyes slowly, looking into worried blue eyes. "Why, … why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be working? You should have called." Distractedly she looked around the nearby floor for her phone. Her searching hand found it and she glanced down, noticing the list of unanswered calls.

"I am sorry Horatio," Jo's voice was just above a whisper. "I … I missed your call, er … calls. You didn't have to come after me," she finished reproachfully, trying to slip her hand from his. He refused to let it go however and she looked into that blue gaze once more. "What … what do you want from me, Horatio?" Jo's shoulders slumped forward tiredly.

"I want to take you home, Sweetheart," he said softly. "This is no place for you to be on a holiday. I am going to help you up and we'll lock up for the night. It's getting late." Without giving her time to demur, Horatio took her other hand and slowly stood, helping her up with him.

"Oh!" Jo found herself reaching for him as her legs refused to hold her. As she fell against him, Horatio gave in to the desire to hold her close for a few moments. "Sweetheart, you don't have to do this alone." Jo took a deep breath, drinking in the wonderful scent of his aftershave and taking some comfort in the soothing motion of his hand stroking her hair.

"It's not that simple, Lieutenant," she sighed. "You know it. I … don't want to think about it anymore today … er tonight." Jo pushed herself away from him, moving to the patio doors. "I'll lock up here and find my shoes and my keys. I can follow you back to your house."

"No Josie. I'll put your car in the garage and you are riding home with me." His tone brooked no argument. Jo told herself she was too tired and sad to care. Horatio had no sooner left the kitchen, when a slight scratching sound could be heard in the quiet kitchen. Jo searched the kitchen but found nothing that could be the culprit. Clicking off the light switch five minutes later, Jo never noticed the glowing eyes peering through the glass at the bottom of the door. Fifteen minutes later, the little Capri safely stowed in the garage for the night, Jo leaned her head against the seat as her eyes focused on Horatio's long fingers confidently steer the car through the traffic of Thanksgiving night deal-shoppers. The aroma of smoked turkey and stuffing tickled her nose.

"You didn't have to pick up dinner Horatio. I would be happy with a peanut butter sandwich and a long, hot shower." Their eyes met in the dimly lit interior of the car for a moment as they waited at a red light.

"Alexx insisted I stop by her house for a take-out order." He turned back to the road as the light turned green. "So we shall have a holiday dinner and afterwards you shall have your shower. But, before either of us turns in for the night, we are going to come to an understanding as far as you working through your Aunt's things alone in that house."

"Yes sir," Jo whispered smartly before turning away to stare unseeingly out the window.

TBC