A Mrs. Miracle Christmas(5)

    “The agency said that you sounded quite desperate. The instant she discovered I was free to take on a new client, she gave me the referral. I hope I’m not interrupting your dinner.”

“No, no,” Laurel quickly reassured her. “We are all finished.” Laurel offered Mrs. Miracle tea or coffee, which she politely refused.

“You’re an answer to our prayers,” Helen said, still seated in her chair.

“I’m often told that,” Mrs. Miracle said. “But really, being a Caring Angel is my privilege. I enjoy the work.”

Helen could see the relief in her granddaughter’s eyes. She felt dreadful for causing such concern recently for Laurel and Zach and was determined to do everything she could to keep things straight. No more police, and no more getting lost, that was for sure.

In a businesslike fashion, Mrs. Miracle got right to work. “I understand you both have jobs outside of the home, so I brought the paperwork from the agency for you to sign.”

Zach reached for the folder the caregiver handed him.

“No need for you to take time off work to come downtown to meet anyone, as you’ve already been introduced to Caring Angels over the phone. Once the paperwork is signed, I’ll hand it off.”

    “Thank you. That’s thoughtful of you,” Laurel said.

Mrs. Miracle looked toward Helen and winked. They shared a smile, and Helen was left to wonder what the wink was all about. She couldn’t keep from smiling and winking back at her new caretaker.

Zach looked up from the paperwork, his eyes full of surprise and relief. “This is far less expensive than we’d anticipated.”

“It’s the holiday special,” Mrs. Miracle explained. “Oh—and before I forget—I brought you a little something.” She set her basket on the coffee table and removed the red-checkered cloth covering it. “I like to bring a homemade item to my new clients on my first in-home visit. I enjoy baking and have several wonderful holiday recipes.”

Helen leaned forward to peek. “You brought us cookies?”

“These happen to be my personal favorites,” Mrs. Miracle said. “I dare not keep them around, otherwise I’d be tempted to eat the entire batch myself.”

Helen removed a large plate of snickerdoodles.

“Snickerdoodles,” Laurel said, a bit taken aback. “You brought us snickerdoodles? Nana was right. You are an answer to our prayers.”

“Yes, dear. I get that a lot.” With that comment, Mrs. Miracle stood and collected the signed paperwork from Zach. “I don’t mean to rush off, but I need to be on my way. What time would you like me to arrive in the morning?”

    “Is eight too early?” Laurel asked.

“Not in the least.” Walking over to Helen, the caregiver reached down and took Helen’s hand in hers. “We’re going to be the best of friends.”

Helen felt a warmth spread down her arm and into the rest of her body with the tender gesture from Mrs. Miracle. “I believe we will.”

“Now you sleep well, dear, and I’ll see you first thing in the morning. We’ll enjoy getting to know each other tomorrow.”

“I can’t wait.” She’d felt drawn to the caregiver and had liked her immensely after only a few minutes.

Zach walked Mrs. Miracle to the door and saw her out. When he returned, Laurel seemed giddy with relief. “She’s wonderful. I can’t believe how lucky we are to have her, and so soon.”

“She brought cookies. Who does that?” Zach asked.

Helen smiled, seeing that a great burden had been lifted off her granddaughter’s shoulders. Zach had easily been won over, and all it’d taken was a few warm snickerdoodles. Helen wondered why neither of them had asked many questions of this stranger who was now to be her caretaker. It was like this woman had some sort of strange power over them all.

    Helen’s mind was fuzzier with each passing day, and while she did her best to hide it from Laurel and Zach, it was becoming next to impossible. It deeply distressed her that she had mistakenly thought Laurel was still a ten-year-old. Helen feared the day would come when she’d forget her own name. Or that of her beloved granddaughter. Somehow, though, she felt a new sense of optimism rising inside her.

That night she fell deeply asleep, the best night of sleep she’d had in ages.



* * *



—

When Helen awoke the following morning, her granddaughter was dressed and ready to head off to school. Helen rarely saw Zach on weekday mornings, as he’d leave before she got up.

At precisely five minutes to eight, the doorbell rang, and Laurel greeted Mrs. Miracle at the door. The caregiver wore the same full-length coat and scarf, which she promptly removed as she stepped in.

“Good morning, Helen,” she said, with a surprising amount of energy. “It’s a new day, and we’re going to have fun!”

Mrs. Miracle’s enthusiasm filled Helen.

    Turning to Laurel, Mrs. Miracle added, “Don’t you worry about a thing, Laurel. Would you like me to prepare dinner for your family before you arrive home?”

“You prepare meals, too?”

“Oh yes, like I mentioned last night, I enjoy cooking.”