Mrs. Miracle Page 0,32

hint of mischief. "Not ever, Mr. Webster? Forever is a long, long time."

"Not ever," he assured her, raising his voice slightly.

She laughed once, shortly, as if his answer had amused her and she wasn't able to contain it. "Time will tell, won't it?"

"Time most certainly will." He turned and stalked out of the kitchen and into the garage. He opened his car door before he realized he still had on his pajamas and robe. Not to mention that this was Saturday morning.

Mrs. Merkle left the house an hour later, and Seth was alone with the children. Although he was grateful to have a housekeeper, he couldn't help being curious about Emily Merkle. She certainly had a way about her. She'd taken his restless, spirited children under her wing and within a matter of days had made a marked difference in their behavior and attitude. Not once since her arrival had he received a call from the school or a note from their teacher.

He found it curious, however, the way she'd arrived, without notice. It was almost as if she'd descended from the clouds, using an umbrella as a parachute. Not that she resembled Mary Poppins. No, he definitely viewed her as a Mother Goose.

Once he'd showered and shaved, Seth moved into his den. It certainly wouldn't hurt to contact the employment agency and make a few inquiries about her. It wouldn't hurt to check on her references, either.

Luckily the agency was staffed on Saturdays.

"Hello, this is Seth Webster," he said when Mrs. Ackerman, the agency owner, answered herself.

"Oh, Mr. Webster, I'm so very sorry. I can't imagine what you must think of me."

"Mrs. Ackerman?" Seth couldn't fathom why she should apologize.

"Yes, yes, I realize that you've been waiting several weeks to hear back from me. I can't imagine how you've managed all this time."

"I don't believe I understand."

"A housekeeper. You do still need one, don't you?"

"Ah..." Seth was too stunned to respond.

"I want you to know that I've made inquiries each and every day, but a full-time housekeeper, willing to live in and care for two small children, why, they're few and far between these days."

"But - "

"Not to mention the fact that you've gone through every domestic I have in short order."

"What about Emily Merkle?" he asked. "Didn't you send her?"

"Emily Merkle."

He could hear the rustle of papers in the background. "We don't have anyone by that name listed here. Let me check the computer data file."

He waited a moment. The sound of fingers typing against the computer keys echoed over the telephone line.

"I'm afraid we don't have anyone by that name listed with the agency. Are you sure her name is Merkle?"

"Yes." All of a sudden Seth was sure of nothing.

Exactly who was this woman who'd insinuated herself into his and the children's lives?

Chapter 13

It isn't difficult to make a mountain out of a molehill. Just add a little dirt.

- Mrs. Miracle

It was her responsibility as a Christian, Harriett Foster determined. As an upstanding member of the church, it was her duty to talk with Pastor Lovelace about what was happening between Ruth Darling and Lyle Fawcett.

Even though Harriett played the organ for the eleven o'clock worship service, she had eyes in her head. She could see what was happening. Ruth Darling was flirting with sin, and the worst part of it was that she did so right inside the house of God. Why, a blind man could see that Ruth was making eyes at Lyle Fawcett.

Harriett was worried about Ruth. That was it. Worried. She'd start off by telling Pastor Lovelace how very concerned she was over her dear, dear friend's recent behavior. Her words couldn't be misconstrued as gossip in that case. This had been a matter of prayer for a good while, and she'd felt the need to share her burden.

Harriett checked her reflection in the car window to be sure her hat was fastened securely to her head before she approached the church. She had a perfect excuse for being there on a Saturday. Not that she ever really needed a reason.

Not only was she playing the piano for the Christmas program - the children were due to arrive in another hour - but it took an hour or more at the organ to familiarize herself with the music for the Sunday morning worship service.

It did feel as though the church took advantage of her musical talents. When Harriett talked to Pastor Lovelace, she'd be sure to mention how much of her