Emily poured water into the pitcher, which she handed to Gabe. Holding it carefully, he walked over to the dining area, which was actually part of the living room. The older woman turned to Holly. “I think there was a misunderstanding between Jake and me,” she said in a low voice. “I’ll clear everything up as soon as I can.”
“Please do,” Holly whispered. She tried to recall her conversation with Jake. He seemed to imply that Emily had sold the robot to someone else. That didn’t seem possible. She’d never do anything to hurt a little boy; Holly was convinced of it.
The fried chicken couldn’t have been better; in fact, it was as good as when her mother had prepared this dish. Holly had wanted tonight’s meal to be memorable for Gabe, and because Mrs. Miracle was with them, it was.
During dinner, Emily entertained them with story after story of various jobs she’d taken through the years. She’d certainly had her share of interesting experiences, working as a waitress, a nanny, a nurse and now a salesperson.
All too soon, it was time to get ready for church. Holly reluctantly stood up from the table.
“Everything was lovely,” Mrs. Miracle told her with a smile of appreciation. “I’ve never had chicken that was more delicious.” She carried her empty dessert plate to the kitchen sink. “And that coconut cake…”
“I liked the sauce best,” Gabe chimed in, putting his plate in the sink, too.
“I loved the salad,” Holly said, and was sincere. “I hope you’ll give me the recipe.”
“Of course. I’ll be happy to write it out for you now if you’ll get me some paper and a pen.”
Holly tore a page from a notebook and grabbed Gabe’s Santa pen; minutes later, Mrs. Miracle handed her the recipe with a flourish. “Here you go.” Then she frowned at her watch. “Oh, my. I hate to run, but I’m afraid I must.”
“No, no, don’t worry,” Holly assured her. “We have to leave for church, anyway. I’m just glad you could be with us this evening. It meant a lot to Gabe and me.”
The older woman bent down and kissed the boy’s cheek. “This is going to be a very special Christmas for you, young man. Just you wait. It’s one you’ll remember your whole life. Someday you’ll tell your grandchildren about the best Christmas of your life.”
“Do you really think so?” Gabe asked, eyes alight with happiness.
She reached for her coat and put it on before she hugged Holly goodbye. “It’s going to be a special Christmas for you, as well, my dear.”
Holly smiled politely. Maybe Mrs. Miracle was right, but it definitely hadn’t started out that way.
Gabe woke at six o’clock Christmas morning. He knocked on Holly’s bedroom door and shouted, “It’s Christmas!” Apparently he suspected she might have forgotten.
Holly opened one eye. Still half-asleep, she sat up and stretched her arms above her head.
“Can we open our presents?” Gabe asked, leaping onto her bed.
“What about breakfast?” she said.
“I’m not hungry. You aren’t, either, are you?” The question had a hopeful lilt, as though any thought of food would be equally irrelevant to her.
“I could eat,” she said.
Gabe’s face fell.
“I could eat…later,” she amended.
His jubilant smile reappeared.
“Shall we see what Santa brought you?” she asked, tossing aside her covers. She threw on her housecoat and accompanied him into the living room, where the gifts beneath the small tree awaited their inspection.
Gabe fell to his knees and began rooting through the packages she’d set out the night before, after he’d gone to sleep. He must’ve known from the size of the wrapped boxes that the robot wasn’t among them. He sat back on his heels. “Santa didn’t get me Intellytron, did he?”
“I don’t know, sweetie. I hear Santa sometimes makes late deliveries.”
“He does?” Hope shone in his face. “When?”
“That I can’t say.” Rather than discuss the subject further, Holly hurried into the kitchen.
While she put on a pot of coffee, Gabe arranged the gifts in two small piles. Most of them had been mailed by Holly’s parents, and Gabe’s didn’t take long to unwrap. He was wonderful, sweetly expressing gratitude and happiness with his few gifts. A number of times Holly had to wipe tears from her eyes.
“I hope you’re not too disappointed,” she said when she could speak. “I know how badly you wanted the robot-and I’m sure Santa has one for you but it might be a little late.”
Gabe looked up from the new video game she’d purchased on her way home from work. “I bet I’ll still get Intellytron. Mrs. Miracle said this was going to be my best Christmas ever, remember? And it wouldn’t be without my robot.” He jumped up and slid his arms around Holly’s neck and gave her a tight hug.
She opened her gifts after that-a book from her parents, plus a calendar and a peasant-style blouse. And the origami purse from Gabe, which brought fresh tears to her eyes.
They had a leisurely breakfast of French toast and then, while Gabe played with his new video game, Holly got the turkey in the oven. The doorbell rang around eleven o’clock.
Jake and his father came in, carrying a large wrapped box between them. Holly’s heartbeat accelerated. It must be Intellytron, although the box actually seemed too big.
“Merry Christmas,” Jake said, and held her close. “Don’t get excited-this isn’t what you think it is,” he whispered in her ear just before he kissed her.
“Merry Christmas, young man,” J.R. said, and shook Gabe’s hand.
“What’s that?” Gabe asked, eyeing the box Jake had set on the carpet.
“Why don’t you open it and see?” J.R. suggested.
Jake stood at Holly’s side with his arm around her waist. “I’m sorry I had to cancel last night,” he said in a low voice.
“It’s fine, don’t worry.”
“Mrs. Miracle came over,” Gabe said as he sat on the floor beside the box.
“Emily Miracle?” Jake frowned. “Did she happen to deliver something?” he asked, his eyes narrowing.
“She brought a Christmas salad for dinner,” Gabe told him, tearing away the ribbon. He looked up. “We didn’t eat it all. Do you want to taste it?” He wrinkled his nose. “For green stuff, it was pretty good.”
“I wouldn’t want to ruin my dinner,” J.R. said, smiling down at him. “Go ahead, young man, and let ’er rip.”
Gabe didn’t need any encouragement. He tore away the wrapping paper. “It’s a train set,” he said. “That was the second thing on my Christmas list, after Intellytron. Can we set it up now?”
“I don’t see why not,” Jake told him and got down on his knees with Gabe. “I wanted one when I was around your age, too.”
“Did you get one?” Gabe asked.
Jake looked at his father, who sat on the sofa, and nodded. “I certainly did, and it was the best train set money could buy.”
Gabe took the engine out of the box. “Wow, this is heavy.”
“Let’s lay out the track first, shall we?”
Holly sat on the sofa next to Jake’s father. “I’m so glad you could have dinner with us.”
“I am, too.” A pained look came over him and he gave a slight shake of his head. “I was sure I’d never want to celebrate Christmas again, but I’ve decided it’s time I released the past and started to prepare for the future.”
“The future?” she repeated uncertainly.
