“Aunt Holly!” Gabe raced to her side and Jake followed.
“You’re in a lot of trouble, young man,” she said sternly, hands on her hips.
Gabe hung his head. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, his voice so low she could hardly hear it.
Customers thronged the toy department, several of them carrying the boxes that held the SuperRobot. A line had already formed at the customer service desk, and she noted that a couple of extra sales associates were out on the floor today. Everyone was busy.
“You’ll have to come back to the office with me,” Holly told Gabe. “I’m warning you it won’t be nearly as much fun as it would’ve been with Jonathan and his mother.”
“I know,” he muttered. “Am I grounded?”
“We’ll discuss that once we’re home.”
“Okay, but nothing happened….”
“You mean nothing other than the fact that you nearly gave me a heart attack.”
Jake murmured a quick goodbye and started to leave to help a customer but Mrs. Miracle stopped him. “I’ll take care of them,” she said. “Besides, I believe there was something you wanted to ask Holly?”
“There was?” He looked surprised, wrinkling his brow as if he couldn’t recall any such question.
“The Christmas party,” Mrs. Miracle said under her breath. “You mentioned asking Holly to go with you.”
Jake’s mouth sagged open. “I’d thought about it, but I didn’t realize I’d said it out loud.” Now, instead of looking surprised, he seemed confused. “My father and I usually just make a token appearance.”
“This year is different,” the older woman insisted. “You need to be there for your staff. After all, the toy department’s the busiest of the whole store at Christmastime. And,” she continued sagely, “I predict record sales this year. Your staff needs to know you appreciate them.”
“But…”
“I can’t go,” Holly said, resolving the issue. “There’s no one to watch Gabe.”
“Oh, but there is, my dear,” Mrs. Miracle told her.
Holly frowned. Finding someone to stay with Gabe had always been a problem. She didn’t want to impose on Caroline any more than she already did, especially since her neighbor wouldn’t take any payment. With Jake they’d managed to work around it, which was easy enough, since Jake had mostly come to her apartment.
“I’ll be more than happy to stay with Gabe while the two of you attend the party,” Mrs. Miracle said.
It was generous of her to offer, but Holly couldn’t accept. She shook her head. “You should be at the party yourself, Mrs. Miracle.”
“Oh, heavens, no. After a full day on my feet I’ll look forward to sitting in that comfy blue chair of yours. The one your parents gave you.”
Before she could question how Mrs. Miracle knew about her chair, Jake asked, “Would you like to go to the party with me?” His eyes met hers, and she found herself nodding.
“Yes,” she whispered. “When is it?”
“Wednesday night, after the store closes.”
“Wednesday,” she repeated.
“I’ll pick you up at nine-thirty. I know that’s late but—”
“I’ll be ready.”
“I’ll come over a bit earlier,” Mrs. Miracle added. “The two of you will have a lovely evening.” She spoke with the utmost confidence, as if no other outcome was possible.
Holly and Gabe left a few minutes later, and Jake walked them to the elevator. “I’ll see you Wednesday,” he said as he pressed the button.
“Listen, Jake, you don’t need to do this. I mean, it’s fairly obvious you didn’t intend to ask me and—”
“I’d really like it if you’d come to the party with me,” he said, and she couldn’t doubt his sincerity.
“Then I will,” she murmured. “I’ll look forward to it.”
In the elevator, Holly remembered Mrs. Miracle’s comment. The woman had never been to her apartment and yet somehow she knew about the chair her parents had given her. Furthermore, she seemed to know her address, too.
Oh, well. Gabe had probably told her. He obviously felt comfortable with the older woman and for that Holly could only be grateful.
Thirteen
Cars are not the only thing recalled by their maker.
—Mrs. Miracle
On Wednesday at nine-fifteen, Emily stood at Holly’s door, her large purse draped over one arm and her knitting bag in the other hand. Holly answered, smiling in welcome. She absolutely sparkled. In her fancy black dress and high heels, her hair gathered up and held in place with a jeweled comb, she looked stunning.
“Mrs. Miracle, I can’t thank you enough.” Holly stepped aside so Emily could enter the apartment. “Tonight wouldn’t be possible if not for you.”
“The pleasure’s all mine,” she said. She put down her bags, then unwrapped the knitted scarf from around her neck and removed her heavy wool coat. Holly hung them in the hallway closet as Emily arranged her bags by the chair, prepared to settle down for the evening. The toy department had kept her busy all day and she was eager to get off her feet.
Holly followed her into the small living room. “I feel bad that you won’t be attending the party.”
“Oh, no, my dear.” Emily dismissed her concern. “I’m not a party girl anymore.” She chuckled at her own humor. “Besides, I intend to have a good visit here with my young friend Gabe.”
“He’s been pretty subdued since the episode on Monday. He’s promised to be on his best behavior.”
“Don’t you worry. We’ll have a grand time together.” And they would.
“Hi, Mrs. Miracle.”
She was surprised to see Jake standing on the other side of the room. He’d arrived early, she thought approvingly, and he looked quite debonair in his dark suit and red tie. She’d seen an improvement in his attitude toward Christmas, mostly due to Holly and Gabe. And she had it on excellent authority that it would improve even more before the actual holiday.
“Gabe’s on the computer,” Holly said, pointing at the alcove between the living room and kitchen. “He’s had his dinner and he can stay up until ten tonight.”
Gabe twisted around and waved.
Emily waved back. “I’ll make sure he’s in bed by ten.”
Jake held Holly’s coat and the young woman slipped her arms into the sleeves. “I appreciate your volunteering to watch Gabe,” he said with a smile for Emily.
“As I told Holly, I’m delighted to do it.” She walked over to where Gabe sat at the small desk and put her hand on his shoulder. “Now, you two go. Have fun.”
Holly kissed the top of Gabe’s head. “Be good.”
“I will,” the boy said without taking his eyes from the screen.
Holly and Jake left, and Emily had to grin as she glanced over Gabe’s shoulder at the message he was emailing his father.
From: “Gabe Larson”
To: “Lieutenant Mickey Larson”
Sent: December 22
Subject: Me and Aunt Holly
Hi, Dad,
I made Aunt Holly cry. Instead of going to Jonathan’s house like I was supposed to, I went to see the robot. I was afraid the store would run out before Santa got my Intellytron. Aunt Holly came and picked me up and when we were outside she started to cry. When I asked her why she was crying she said it was because she was happy I was safe.
Are you mad at me? I wish Aunt Holly had gotten mad instead of crying. I felt awful inside and got a tummy ache. She took me back to her office and made me sit quiet all afternoon. But that was okay because I knew I didn’t do the right thing. Her boss is real pretty. I don’t think she’s around kids much because she talked to me like I was in kindergarten or something. I think she’s nice, though.
You said you had a gift coming for me for Christmas. It isn’t here yet. I know I was bad, so you don’t have to send it if you don’t want. I’m sorry I made Aunt Holly cry.
<
br /> Love,
Gabe
Emily sank down in the big comfortable chair, rested her feet on the matching ottoman and took out her knitting. She turned on the television and had just finished the first row when Gabe joined her. He didn’t say anything for a long time, but Emily could see his mind working.
After a while he said, “My dad’s going to be mad at me.”
“It was brave of you to tell him you did something you weren’t supposed to,” she murmured.
Gabe looked away. “I told him he doesn’t need to send me anything for Christmas. He said there was a special gift on the way but it hasn’t come. He probably won’t send it now.”
“Don’t be so sure.” She pulled on the skein of yarn as she continued knitting.
“What if Santa finds out what I did?” His face crumpled in a frown. “Do you think maybe he won’t bring me the robot ’cause I went to Finley’s by myself and I didn’t tell anyone where I was going?”
“Well, now, that remains to be seen, doesn’t it?”
Gabe climbed onto the sofa and rested his head against the arm. “I didn’t think Aunt Holly would be so worried when I didn’t go to Jonathan’s house after school. She got all weird.”
“Weird?”
“Yeah. When we were still at her office, all of a sudden she put her arms around my neck and hugged me really hard. Isn’t that weird?”
Emily shrugged but didn’t answer. “Are you ready for Christmas?” she asked instead.
Gabe nodded. “I made Aunt Holly an origami purse. A Japanese lady came to my school and showed us how to fold them. She said they were purses, but it looks more like a wallet to me, all flat and skinny.” He sighed dejectedly. “I wrapped it up but you can’t really see where the wrapping stops and the gift starts.”
“I bet Holly will really like the purse because you made it yourself,” Emily said with an encouraging smile.
“I made my dad a gift, too. But Aunt Holly and I mailed off his Christmas present a long time ago. They take days and days to get to Afghanistan so we had to go shopping before Thanksgiving and wrap up stuff for my dad. Oh, we mailed him the picture of me and Santa, too. And I made him a key ring. And I sent him nuts. My dad likes cashews. I’ve never seen a cashew in the shell, have you?”
“Why, yes, as a matter of fact I have,” she said conversationally.
Gabe sat up. “What do they look like?”
“Well, a cashew is a rather unusual nut. My goodness, God was so creative with that one. Did you know the cashew is both a fruit and a nut?”
“It is?”
“The fruit part looks like a small apple and it has a big stem.”
The boy’s eyes were wide with curiosity.
“The stem part is the nut, the cashew,” she explained.
“Wow.”
“And they’re delicious,” she said. “Good for you, too,” she couldn’t resist adding.
“What are you doing for Christmas?” Gabe asked.
“I’ve been invited to a party, a big one with lots of celebrating. I’ll be with my friends Shirley, Goodness—”
“Goodness? That’s a funny name.”
“Yes, you’re right. Anyway, the party preparations have already begun. It won’t be long now.”
“Oh.” Gabe looked disappointed.
“Why the sad face?”
“I was going to ask you to come here for Christmas.”
Emily was touched by his invitation. “I know you’ll have a wonderful Christmas with Holly,” she said.
“I invited Aunt Holly’s boss, too.”
She had to make an effort to hide her smile. This was all working out very nicely. Very nicely, indeed.
“Lindy didn’t say she’d come for sure but she might.” He paused. “She said to call her Lindy, not Ms. Lee like Aunt Holly said I should.”
“Well, I hope she comes.”
“Me, too. I think she’s lonely.”
“So do I,” Emily agreed. The boy was very perceptive for his age, she thought.
“I asked her what she wants for Christmas and she said she didn’t know. Can you believe that?”
In Emily’s experience, many people walked through life completely unaware of what they wanted—or needed. “I brought along a book,” she said, changing the subject. “Would you like to read it to me?” She’d put the children’s book with its worn cover on the arm of her chair.
Gabe considered this. “I’m not in school now. Can you read it to me?”
“The way your dad used to when you were little?” she asked.
Gabe nodded eagerly. “I used to sit on his lap and he’d read me stories until I fell asleep.” His face grew sad. “I miss my dad a lot.”
“I know you do.” Emily set aside her knitting. “Would you like to sit in my lap?”
“I’m too big for that,” he insisted.
Emily could see that despite his words he was mulling it over. “You’re not too big,” she assured him.
Indecision showed on his face. Gabe wanted to snuggle with her, yet he hesitated because he was eight now and eight was too old for such things.
“What book did you bring?” he asked.
“It’s a special one your grandma Larson once read to your dad and your aunt Holly.”
“Really? How’d you know that?”
“Oh, I just do. It’s the Christmas story.”
“I like when the angels came to announce the birth of Baby Jesus to the shepherds.”
She closed her eyes for a moment. “It was the most glorious night,” she said. “The sky was bright and clear and—”
“And the angels sang,” Gabe finished enthusiastically. “Angels have beautiful voices, don’t they?”
“Yes, they do,” Emily confirmed. “They make music we know nothing about here on earth…I’m sure,” she added quickly. “Glorious, heavenly music.”
“They do?” He cocked his head to one side.
“You’ll hear it yourself one day, many years from now.”
“What about you? When will you hear it?”
“Soon,” she told him. He climbed into her lap and she held him close. He really was a sweet boy and would become a fine young man like his father. He’d be a wonderful brother to his half brother and half sister, as well—but she was getting ahead of herself.
“Tell me more about the angels,” Gabe implored. “Is my mom an angel now?”
“No, sweetheart. Humans don’t become angels. They’re completely separate beings, although both were created by God.”
“How come you know so much about angels?”
“I read my Bible,” she said, and he seemed to accept her explanation.
“I never knew my mom,” he said somberly. “Dad has pictures of her at the house. I look at her face and she smiles at me but I don’t remember her.”
“But you do understand that she loved you very much, right?”
“Dad said she did, and before she died she made him promise that he’d tell me every night how much she loved me.”
“I know,” she whispered.
“Do you think there are lots of angels in heaven?” Gabe asked.
“Oh, yes, and there are different kinds of angels, too.”
“What kinds are there?”
“Well, they have a variety of different tasks. For instance, Gabriel came to Mary as a messenger. Other angels are warriors.”
“When I get to heaven, I want to meet the warrior angels.”
“And you shall.”
“Do you think I was named after the angel Gabriel?” he asked.
Emily pressed her cheek against the top of his head, inhaling the clean, little-boy scent of his hair. “Now, that’s something you’ll need to ask your father when you see him.”
“Okay, I will.”
“Gabriel had one of the most important tasks ever assigned,” Emily said. “He’s the angel God sent to tell Mary about Baby Jesus.”
He yawned. “Can people see angels?”
<
br /> Emily’s mouth quivered with a smile she couldn’t quite suppress. “Oh, yes, but most people don’t recognize them.”
Gabe lifted his head. “How come?”
“Not all angels show their wings,” she said.
“They don’t?”
“No, some angels look like ordinary people.”
“How come?”
“Well, sometimes God sends angels to earth. But if people saw their wings, they’d get all excited and they’d miss the lesson God wanted to teach them. That’s why angels are often disguised.”
“Are they always disguised?”
“No, some are invisible. Other times they look like ordinary people.”
“Do angels only come to teach people a lesson?”
“No, they come to help, too.”
Gabe yawned again. “How do angels help?”
“Oh, in too many ways to count.”
He thought about that for a while, his eyelids beginning to droop.
“Are you ready for me to read you the story?” Emily asked.
“Sure.” He rested his head against her shoulder as she opened the book. She read for a few minutes before she noticed that Gabe had fallen asleep. And she hadn’t even gotten to the good part.
Fourteen
When you flee temptation, don’t leave a forwarding address.
—Shirley, Goodness and Mercy, friends of Mrs. Miracle
The Christmas party was well under way by the time Holly and Jake arrived. When they entered the gala event, the entire room seemed to go still. Holly kept her arm in Jake’s, self-conscious about being the center of attention.
“Why’s everyone looking at us?” she whispered.
Jake patted her hand reassuringly. “My father and I usually show up toward the end of the party, say a few words and then leave. No one expected me this early.”
He’d mentioned that before. Still, she hadn’t realized his arrival would cause such a stir. Jake immediately began to walk through the room, shaking hands and introducing Holly. At first she tried to keep track of the names, but soon gave up. She was deeply impressed by Jake’s familiarity with the staff.
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