Mrs. Miracle Page 0,16

to shout into the mouthpiece. A couple of minutes passed before Seth came on the line.

"Sharon, are you still there?"

"What's going on?"

He apparently thought she was asking about the twins. "Sorry, the kids were squabbling - "

"I mean with the housekeeper."

"Not to worry, I've got someone new."

Sharon was relieved. "That's good."

"No need to concern yourself. Everything's coming along nicely. No more mishaps, this one fits right in."

"I'm glad to hear it, but do you need - " She stopped herself in time from asking if he needed her. She had decided that when the twins moved back to Seattle, she'd wouldn't rush to the rescue the minute something went awry.

"Everything's fine, you don't need to worry. Mrs. Miracle stepped in as if she'd been with me from the beginning."

"Mrs. Miracle?"

"Her name's actually Merkle, but the kids call her Mrs. Miracle."

"Does she know about Jason's - " Again she stopped herself from speaking. She wasn't the one responsible for the twins any longer. Matters were well in hand with Seth, and he'd see to it that the children's needs were met. Then she cast a glance toward Jerry and sat up a bit straighter. It irritated her that he would tell her she couldn't see the children over Christmas. "Have you made any plans for the holidays, Seth?"

"Not yet. If you're thinking of paying a visit, the kids and I would love it."

"You're sure?" The relief was evident in her voice. She noticed Jerry glancing her way, but she ignored him.

"Positive. Judd and Jason would be thrilled. They're involved in the church Christmas pageant and would love it if you and Jerry could be there to see them. I won't say anything to the kids, of course, not until your plans are definite, but we'd love to have you."

Even from where she was standing, Sharon could see her husband's shoulders tense.

Hearing Seth's enthusiasm, Sharon felt the faint stirring of her own. It wouldn't be Christmas without Judd and Jason. Despite Jerry's protests, she fully intended to spend the holidays with her grandchildren. Their sons, Clay and Neal, had both made other plans and wouldn't be home. Sharon could see no reason to spend the day alone. Christmas was an empty holiday without children; she and Jerry hadn't celebrated the season alone in years. Only when the boys or the grandchildren were with them had they bought each other presents or done much of anything. The thought of remaining in California when she could be with her precious grandchildren was intolerable.

"I'll make the arrangements, then, as soon as I can," she said into the phone.

"Wonderful."

They must have talked ten minutes more before she replaced the telephone receiver. She released a soft sigh of satisfaction, but not because she'd decided to ignore her husband's wishes. If the truth be known, she'd rather not defy Jerry. But it would take a lot more than her husband to stand between her and her grandchildren, no matter how many years they'd been married.

"I wish you hadn't said anything about Christmas," Jerry said, his words stiff and tight with anger.

"Why? It's time to make the flight arrangements. Past time, really."

"I told you that I didn't think it was a good idea to visit the kids."

"And I disagree. I miss them. They're as much a part of me as my own children." She stopped short of reminding him that Judd and Jason felt as much like her own children as the ones she'd borne herself. Surely he could understand that.

"I want you to call Seth back and tell him - "

"I most certainly will not!" Sharon cried, too outraged even to let him finish. With her housecoat flowing behind her like the train of a wedding dress, she swept out of the bedroom.

She stood in the kitchen and looked around her, eyes narrowing at the sight. Jerry had cooked his own breakfast all right, and he'd used every frying pan in the house to do it. Her spotlessly clean kitchen resembled a construction site. The travel brochures for the Panama cruise littered the round oak table.

Jerry followed her, his face red and his eyes hot. She rarely went against her husband, but she was standing her ground now. He walked toward the phone.

"Who are you phoning?"

"Seth." He lifted the receiver from the hook.

"If you call Seth, I'll refuse to take that ridiculous cruise with you."

Jerry's eyes widened with shock. "Ridiculous cruise?"

"It was never my idea to sail through the Panama Canal. I wanted to go to Hong Kong,