A Mrs. Miracle Christmas - Debbie Macomber Page 0,4

school day, Laurel hurried home without staying to do her normal paperwork, afraid to leave her grandmother alone any longer than necessary. To add to her list of things to be done that evening, Laurel had intended to bake cookies for the small party the staff was throwing for the main-office secretary’s birthday. A week earlier, Laurel had bragged about her grandmother’s recipe for snickerdoodles, and she’d been volunteered.

When Laurel came through the door, she found Nana sitting in her favorite chair, watching a rerun of Antiques Roadshow, with her fingers busily knitting. As a matter of habit, her grandmother usually picked up her needles and yarn at least once a day, but as of late, she was making little to no progress on any particular project. Helen looked up and smiled. Laurel noticed that she looked better than she had the previous day.

“You’re home from school already?” Nana asked, surprised at Laurel’s earlier arrival time.

Hanging up her coat, she sat down near her grandmother, pleased to see that she was looking more like herself. “What are you working on?”

Her grandmother stared down at the yarn for a long moment.

“Hmm, let me think. It doesn’t come to mind right away, but don’t you just love the yarn?”

Laurel patted her hand. “Don’t worry, Nana. It’s not important. The yarn is gorgeous, and so soft.”

* * *

—

Zach returned home a little more than an hour and a half later, and together, the three sat down for dinner. Just as Laurel was about to take her last bite from her meal, the doorbell chimed. Zach looked at Laurel and she at him.

She shrugged in response. “I’m not expecting anyone. Are you?”

“Nope. I’ll get it.” Zach slid back his chair and headed to the front door.

Laurel watched from the kitchen. An older woman stood on the other side of the threshold. She was dressed in a full-length wool coat with a thick scarf wrapped around her neck. She carried a basket on her arm and had a wide smile on her face.

“Good evening,” she greeted cheerfully. “I’m Mrs. Miracle.”

“Mrs. Miracle,” Zach repeated, sounding puzzled. “How may I help you?”

“I believe I’m here to help you. I understand you put in a request for a Caring Angel.”

CHAPTER TWO

“Caring Angels sent you?” Laurel asked, coming out of the kitchen after she had overheard the initial exchange. “When I called earlier, I was told no one was available.”

“The office hadn’t been informed that I was free to accept another assignment. When I heard your situation was urgent, I came as quickly as I could. I trust I haven’t arrived at a bad time?”

“No, of course not. Please come in.” Looking relieved and grateful, Laurel quickly brought the older woman into the house.

Helen sat quietly, observing the arrival of this stranger. She sensed an immediate connection to this woman who had entered her home, yet she couldn’t understand why. It appeared that she and this Mrs. Miracle weren’t far apart in age. Somehow, though she couldn’t explain it, Helen instinctively knew that this woman had a warm heart, and that the two of them would get along famously.

“The agency said that you sounded quite desperate. The instant she discovered I was free to take on a new client, she gave me the referral. I hope I’m not interrupting your dinner.”

“No, no,” Laurel quickly reassured her. “We are all finished.” Laurel offered Mrs. Miracle tea or coffee, which she politely refused.

“You’re an answer to our prayers,” Helen said, still seated in her chair.

“I’m often told that,” Mrs. Miracle said. “But really, being a Caring Angel is my privilege. I enjoy the work.”

Helen could see the relief in her granddaughter’s eyes. She felt dreadful for causing such concern recently for Laurel and Zach and was determined to do everything she could to keep things straight. No more police, and no more getting lost, that was for sure.

In a businesslike fashion, Mrs. Miracle got right to work. “I understand you both have jobs outside of the home, so I brought the paperwork from the agency for you to sign.”

Zach reached for the folder the caregiver handed him.

“No need for you to take time off work to come downtown to meet anyone, as you’ve already been introduced to Caring Angels over the phone. Once the paperwork is signed, I’ll hand it off.”

“Thank you. That’s thoughtful of you,” Laurel said.

Mrs. Miracle looked toward Helen and winked. They shared a smile, and Helen was left to wonder what the wink