The Christmas Kite. Gail Gaymer Martin

question for ya. And by the way, I checked out the zoning board. Looks like the church is a few feet clear of the property restriction limit, so that doesn’t help us one bit.”

      “I’m sorry to hear that.” He’d hoped the board might solve the problem without further action. Now he’d have to give the issue more thought. “Come in,” he said, holding open the screen.

      Otis stepped inside but stayed by the door. “This won’t take a minute.”

      “Sure you don’t want to sit?”

      “No, the wife’s probably wondering where I am. She’s expectin’ me home. I had a question from this woman and son who came by the shop a couple times. First time lookin’ for those cheap kites. I sent her to the gift shop. Anyway, she passed by again and came in. Her boy is a charmer and loves kites.”

      Curious, Jordan’s stomach tightened.

      “She’s lookin’ for a rental. Happened to mention it, and I thought about the apartment above the shop. You have any interest in renting out the place? She’s alone with the boy and could probably use a cheap rental.”

      Jordan stuck his hands in his pockets, trying to decide how to ask the question. “Do you know her name?”

      “Nope. The boy’s name is Mac. He introduced himself to me like a little man. Down syndrome boy, but bright as a new penny.”

      Jordan’s tensed shoulders rose and relaxed as he released a blast of pent-up air. “Can you guess what boy I was helping with the kite a few minutes ago?”

      Otis snapped to attention. “Mac?”

      Jordan nodded.

      “You don’t say.”

      “They’re renting a cabin down the beach. Those rustic ones.”

      “She said they were down the road. Never thought you’d know her. Funny thing, I mentioned your name. She didn’t act like she knew you at all.”

      He shook his head. “We introduced ourselves today.” Curious. She hadn’t shown she recognized his name. He gave a mental shrug. “I met them one day when the boy saw me kite-flying. Then Dooley knocked the woman over on the beach yesterday and we chatted a minute.”

      “You sure know how to win friends and influence people, don’t you.”

      Otis’s words held more truth than he knew. “I don’t seem to have the knack, Otis.”

      He gave a soft chuckle. “So what about the apartment? I haven’t seen it in a long time. Not sure what shape it’s in. I told her to drop by, and I’d let her know.”

      “How about checking it out. I don’t want to rent a firetrap to anyone.”

      “Sure thing. Might even have the missus look it over. You know, from a woman’s point of view.”

      “Do you have a key for the place?”

      “I think so. It should be on the ring.” Otis pulled a set of keys from his pocket and eyed them. “Check this one out if you would. I think that’s it.”

      Jordan took the key and burrowed through a drawer until he found a set of tagged keys. He matched it against the other. “That’s it, Otis.”

      “Good. By the way, I mentioned earlier that I posted the Help Wanted in the window. Nothin’ yet. Darla can work only another week or so. I’ll need at least a part-timer.”

      “Whatever you need, Otis. Run an ad in the paper if you want to.”

      Otis stepped backward, his hand against the screen-door handle. “I’ll check the apartment in the morning.”

      Jordan gave him a nod, and Otis headed back to his car.

      Standing with a full view of the lake, Jordan gazed out at the glinting sun hanging low in the sky. Sparkles of gold and copper bounced on the waves. If he thought Lila’s God really cared one iota for him, he’d believe the Lord was working in his life. Meara and Mac had walked into his walled-up world, and for the first time in years, life seemed tolerable. More than tolerable. He found himself looking down the beach, wishing he’d see Mac’s smiling face and hear Meara’s soft, lilting voice.