"How"d we do?" Jason asked, his face bright with happiness, his aluminum angel wings flapping behind him.
Emily clasped her hands together. "You were wonderful, both of you." She was going to miss these two munchkins. This happened every time she got involved with children. She"d go and leave behind a piece of her heart.
"Grandma and Grandpa are in the front row, sitting next to Reba"s sister and her family."
"So I saw." Emily placed her hands over their shoulders and steered them back to where they could remove the angel costumes. "I have something to tell you both. Something important." She sat them down and then did so herself. This was the most difficult part. "I"m afraid I"ll be leaving shortly."
Jason"s face crumpled. "No way."
"You can"t," Judd cried, his dark eyes imploring her.
She"d expected the protests, would have been offended if they hadn"t put up some fuss. The human side of her had deep concern for her employers.
"Now, now, it has to be this way, and really, it won"t be so bad. The agency is sending over another housekeeper, but she"s only temporary."
"Why can"t you stay?"
"Because the agency needs me elsewhere," she explained patiently.
"Tell them you won"t go."
"We need you with us."
"I"m afraid I can"t do that, but you needn"t concern yourself because-"
"But we want you, not some other housekeeper."
"They might send Mrs. Hampston back," Judd muttered, folding his arms over his chest and pouting.
Emily laughed softly. "As I said, you won"t be needing one for long since your dad"s going to be marrying shortly." Oh dear, she"d done it again, spilled the proverbial beans. This time she feared she was going to hear about it from the powers above.
"Dad"s going to marry Reba?" Jason"s eyes grew as round as bowling b.a.l.l.s. "Wow. When?"
"This will be our secret, all right?" Emily said, doing her best to cover her small faux pas.
Both of the children nodded.
"Soon you"ll forget all about me," she said, wanting to rea.s.sure them. She"d be upset if they did, but that was beside the point.
"Never," Judd insisted.
"Is Reba going to have any babies?" Jason asked.
Oh, dear, she"d gotten herself into a fine kettle of fish. "I believe that is highly possible."
"Girls or boys?"
"One of each," she said, and then pressed a finger to her lips. "Remember, this is our little secret."
"My lips are sealed." Jason pantomimed zipping closed his mouth. Judd did, too.
"We"re going to miss you," Judd said, bowing his head. "Are you sure you have to go?"
"Very sure."
Soon the sound of applause was the cue to send the children back on stage for the final curtain call. Judd and Jason hurried out with their friends to sing a rousing version of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."
Emily Merkle stood in the wings and smiled at her young charges. It was time to move on. Mission accomplished.
Acknowledgments
Working on Mrs. Miracle Mrs. Miracle has been an incredible experience. The woman has a mind of her own. She"s bossy, sa.s.sy, and opinionated. The first thing she did was teach me a few lessons on the virtue of patience. This book was written with her standing over my shoulder, harping at me to straighten up and get the story right. I would have apreciated it if her priorities had been more along the lines of getting the book in on time! For those of you who loved Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy, be warned. Mrs. Miracle is her own woman and doesn"t wish to be confused with those three troublemakers. has been an incredible experience. The woman has a mind of her own. She"s bossy, sa.s.sy, and opinionated. The first thing she did was teach me a few lessons on the virtue of patience. This book was written with her standing over my shoulder, harping at me to straighten up and get the story right. I would have apreciated it if her priorities had been more along the lines of getting the book in on time! For those of you who loved Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy, be warned. Mrs. Miracle is her own woman and doesn"t wish to be confused with those three troublemakers.
As it is with every book, a number of people deserve a mention. My grat.i.tude, as always, to my editor, Carolyn Marino, who suggested I do a book with miracles. My agent, Irene Goodman, for her excellent navigation skills along the twisting, rut-filled road of publishing. To my ever-patient husband and family. They learned long ago that it was perfectly normal for me to walk around talking to people they couldn"t see. "This is my mom," my son, Dale, said recently, and then added in a lowered voice, as if this should explain everything: "She writes books." To Susan Wiggs, Christina Dodd, Susan Macias, Jeane Renick, Susan Sizemore, Sharon Sala, and the other "Harpies" for their friendship and unfailing support. is my mom," my son, Dale, said recently, and then added in a lowered voice, as if this should explain everything: "She writes books." To Susan Wiggs, Christina Dodd, Susan Macias, Jeane Renick, Susan Sizemore, Sharon Sala, and the other "Harpies" for their friendship and unfailing support.
For all of those who"ve written me to ask about the fate of Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy, let me a.s.sure you all is well. They"re on sabbatical for now, raising havoc in the heavenly realm and bugging me. Who knows, they just might be called back into action someday. I"ll keep you tuned. Thank you for your wonderful letters. You can reach me at P.O. Box 1458, Port Orchard, WA98366.
About the Author
With 60 million books in print, DEBBIE MACOMBER is a New York Times New York Times bestselling author who believes in angels, the power of love, and Christmas. A talented writer and public speaker, Debbie lives with her husband in Port Orchard, WA, and winters in Fort Pierce, FL. bestselling author who believes in angels, the power of love, and Christmas. A talented writer and public speaker, Debbie lives with her husband in Port Orchard, WA, and winters in Fort Pierce, FL.
By Debbie Macomber
MRS. MIRACLE
ANGELS EVERYWHERE
CHRISTMAS ANGELS
MRS. MIRACLE
SOONER OR LATER
TOUCHED BY ANGELS
SOMEDAY SOON
THE TROUBLE WITH ANGELS
ONE NIGHT
A SEASON OF ANGELS
MORNING COMES SOFTLY