A Mrs. Miracle Christmas - Debbie Macomber Page 0,49

joy to see the two reunited. She decided she didn’t need an explanation, as long as they were back together again.

After that point, the two seemed more in love than ever, exchanging tender looks and kisses. Helen noticed the way they made excuses to be close to each other, to hold hands, and to give each other tender, loving touches. Whatever had happened between Laurel and Zach had united them in a way she hadn’t noticed since the early years of their courtship and marriage.

“So, it’s a date. I’ll meet you at the church for the Christmas Eve service,” Mrs. Miracle confirmed. She looked over her shoulder to make sure Laurel remained in the kitchen. “And, Helen? I just wanted you to know that Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy will be joining me.”

“That’s wonderful.” Helen couldn’t be more pleased, but then again, she wasn’t sure she’d recognize them. She almost felt she knew the trio of angels, from everything her friend had shared about her special friends. “Will they be arriving in human form…you know, like normal people?”

“Not all of them.”

This was a puzzling statement. “How will I know who they are?”

“Let me clarify,” Mrs. Miracle added indulgently. “You may not see all of them with your eyes, but you’ll hear them.”

“I’ll hear them?” Again, Helen found that perplexing, wondering if they would have bells on, too. “Will they jingle?”

Mrs. Miracle laughed loud enough for Laurel to stick her head out of the kitchen to see what was going on. “What’s so funny, you two?” she asked.

“Your grandmother.”

“Mrs. Miracle,” Helen exclaimed at the same time.

Laurel grinned and returned to preparing lunch.

Her companion waited until Laurel was out of sight again before adding, “They’ll be singing with the choir, but only one will be visible to the human eye. They love helping choirs out, especially during this time of the year. Afterward, I enjoy listening to the congregation’s comments on the way out of the church. It amuses me every time. People say the craziest things.”

“Oh?”

“Things like ‘The choir has never sounded so good.’ Well, it’s no wonder, right?”

“Right,” Helen agreed.

“Another of my favorites is when someone declares that the choir sounded like it was made up of angels. And then there’s the pessimist, who always finds fault, no matter what. You’ll hear that person saying, ‘It’s a shame the choir doesn’t sound that good every week.’ ”

Helen cupped her mouth to smother her laugh. She’d met gloomy people like that over the years—those who always looked at the glass as half-empty, no matter how big the glass, or how full it was already.

“Do you sing?” Helen asked.

“Some,” Mrs. Miracle admitted, “but not much. God gave me other talents.”

“There’s singing in heaven, isn’t there?” Helen could only imagine how beautiful it must sound.

“Oh yes, but the music is out of this world. You can’t compare it to what you hear on earth. There’s no possible way to describe heaven’s music.”

“I’ll hear it myself one day.”

Mrs. Miracle placed her hand over Helen’s and gave it a gentle squeeze, “Yes, you will.”

After saying her good-byes, Mrs. Miracle collected her coat and purse and left the house. Helen took a short catnap in her favorite chair while Laurel remained in the kitchen. The next thing she knew, Laurel was bringing her lunch.

“I made your recipe for beef barley soup,” she said, setting a bowl on the television tray in front of Helen.

“I didn’t mean to sleep so long, and I don’t like you waiting on me like this,” she protested. “I can come to the table.”

“Stay right where you are,” Laurel insisted. “I know Mrs. Miracle served you lunch every day. I can do the same.”

“Then you need to sit and join me, just as she did. If it’s all right, I think I’ll head over to the senior center this afternoon. Today is bingo and I’m feeling lucky.”

“Of course. I’ll walk over with you.” Laurel brought out a second television tray and sat next to Helen with her own lunch. She blew on the spoon to cool down the hot soup. “You’re going to miss Mrs. Miracle, aren’t you?”

“I am,” Helen admitted. “She hasn’t been with me for long, but she has had a strong impact on us all.”

“Yes, she has,” Laurel agreed, smiling.

* * *

—

Laurel walked the short three blocks to the senior center with her grandmother. When they entered the facility, Helen was greeted by three men, who all vied to be the one to pull out her chair