A Mrs. Miracle Christmas(9)

“Let me know if you need help with dinner,” Nana said cheerfully, as she settled back into her favorite chair to watch the early-evening news. “We set the table already.”

Laurel pulled the roast out of the oven and set it on top of the stove. Zach was due home anytime now. She hadn’t expected Mrs. Miracle’s willingness to cook for the family, and having the meal ready was a real treat.

    Soon, Laurel heard Zach cheerfully greeting Nana. After dispensing with his coat and bag, he joined Laurel in the kitchen. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he pulled her close and kissed her. It was more than a peck on the cheek—it was a kiss generally reserved for times when they were alone.

“Wow,” she whispered when he released her. “You must have had a really good day at the office.”

“I had a great day.”

“Did you get a promotion? A raise?”

“None of the above,” he said. “No real reason, I suppose, other than I was busy, and the hours flew by. You know I love my job, and any day I can come home to my beautiful wife, I feel lucky.” He reached into the pan on the stove and pinched off a piece of the tender meat.

“Be careful, that’s hot,” Laurel warned.

“I see that,” he said, licking his fingertips. “Wow, that’s good. How did the first day go with Nana and the home companion?”

“I came home to a different grandmother than I’ve seen in quite some time: She was working on a knitting project, wanting to share every detail of her day with me, and even interested in watching the evening news. But we need to talk,” Laurel said, lowering her voice. She didn’t want her grandmother to overhear their conversation.

    “What’s up?”

“It’s Nana.”

“But I thought you just said she had a great day. What’s wrong?”

Laurel drew in a breath and whispered, “Nana believes her new caretaker is an angel.”

“Well, yes, she’s a Caring—”

“A real angel,” Laurel interrupted, “as in the heavenly type…one sent from God.”

“Oh.” Zach’s eyes enlarged. “She actually said this?”

Nodding, Laurel explained. “The minute Mrs. Miracle left, Nana was fairly bursting to share the news with me. I haven’t seen her this excited since we told her we’d decided to move in with her.”

Zach walked from one end of the kitchen to the other, and then back again, needing time to process this latest development in Helen’s mental decline.

“How did you respond?” he asked.

“What could I say?” Laurel said, gesturing helplessly with her hands. “I didn’t want to argue with her. This worries me, Zach.”

“Yes,” he agreed, “that is troublesome.”

“What should we do?”

    Her husband held her look for several seconds. “Why say anything? If Nana wants to believe her caretaker is a real angel, then let her. I don’t see how it will do any harm.”

Laurel wasn’t as sure. “You don’t?”

“Really, Laurel, think about it. Minutes ago, you told me how well Nana did today. It’s like she’s back to her old self. In my opinion, if she wants to believe her caregiver is an angel in human form, then what good would it do to try to convince her otherwise?”

He was probably right, and she slowly nodded.

“Okay,” Laurel said, “we’ll go along with her on this and let her believe what she wants.”

Sure enough, as soon as the three sat down for dinner, Nana started in about angels.

“Gabriel sent Mrs. Miracle to us,” she said, looking at Zach. “I suppose Laurel told you everything?”

Zach winked at Laurel. “She might have mentioned it.”

“Oh good. You can imagine how surprised I was to learn this. And there’s more.”

“More?”

“Yes,” she said excitedly. “She’s come as an answer to my prayer, but there’s no need to go into that just now.”

“Did she give you specific details?” Zach asked.

“Not yet, but I’m sure she will.”

Laurel watched as Zach went along with her grandmother’s story. She could tell he was amused, but not to the point of making fun of her nana. Zach had loved Helen from the minute he met her, and they shared a special bond.

    “I can’t wait to hear more,” he replied, sharing a smile with Laurel.

Helen had a hearty appetite, which was unlike her these days. Laurel and Zach were pleasantly surprised.

“I had such a wonderful day,” Nana said with a sigh. “It was so good to hear about my brother.”

“Uncle James?” Laurel asked.

Nana passed the cooked carrots and potatoes on to Laurel and continued her story. “Mrs. Miracle told me he’s doing well in heaven. That’s reassuring. My brother was such a prankster.”

“Yes, Nana,” Laurel said, the smile fading from her face. This was getting to be more than just her grandmother believing that her caregiver came from heaven.

“Mrs. Miracle knew all about him.”

“Did she, now?” Zach said, sharing a concerned glance with Laurel.