A Season of Miracles (31 page)

“Gracie, get out,” she said wearily. Then her breath caught when she saw Gracie produce a gun. She stiffened in the midst of her bubbles, so much suddenly so clear.

“Gracie!”

The door burst open. Robert was there.

“She's got a gun!” Jillian shouted.

Robert made a flying leap.

Gracie fired.

 

“A miracle,” Sister Catherine told Jillian on Christmas Day, shaking her head in disbelief.

“A miracle,” Jillian echoed. “Can you imagine what a clever woman she was? She killed the cat, then hid the poison in Daniel's desk, knowing I would never seriously suspect him of anything, even if the poison were found and somehow connected to Jeeves's death. She figured I would go riding, and even that I would insist on Robert taking Crystal again, so she rigged the saddle. She knew where the shoot was going to be in Florida, so she hired a couple of local college kids to weaken the branch. They thought it was for a movie stunt. The sledding accident was more like grasping at straws, but she planned that, as well. It was a long shot that might have worked. Anyone is welcome to use any of the cars in the garage, so Gracie drove down the road and ran into the fence herself. When we were all fooling around, she managed to see to it that I was the one heading toward the break in the fence. She couldn't be sure that a car would speed by, but I might have been seriously hurt or killed anyway. And then there was the fire,” Jillian finished softly.

“Which Robert saved you from…but what about the bullet?”

“Robert hit Gracie's arm, ruining her aim. The bullet hit the tub, ricocheted, then hit Gracie. They say she'll be fine, though, so she can stand trial.”

Connie came running out of the dining room then, smiling. “The bird is on the table. Time for Christmas dinner.”

“Sister,” Jillian said, “we'd all love it if you would say grace. I have to warn you, though. We usually all put in a few words, a thank-you from each family member for what the year has brought. It's a tradition. But it would be wonderful if you would begin for us.”

A few minutes later, Sister Catherine did just that. “Thank you, Lord, for the food that we are about to eat. Thank you for gathering us together here today. Thank you for second chances—”

“Thank you for this Christmas,” Jillian said, interrupting first, and far earlier than she had intended.

“Thank you for our daughter,” Eileen said softly, smiling down at the little hand wrapped in hers. Sister Catherine had brought Jenny, who had taken to Eileen and Gary immediately. The adoption would not take long.

“Thank you, God, for my family,” Douglas said. “And,” he added with a wink, “my new almost-blushing bride.”

“Thanks for watching out for my cousin,” Griff said gruffly.

“Thanks for protecting us all from harm,” Daniel said, feeling guilty for not realizing the depth—and danger—of Gracie's obsession with him.

“Thanks for the really great girl I know you're going to find for me this year,” Theo said. He smiled at Sister Catherine. “You sure you're wedded to the Church?”

“I'm afraid so. However, if I weren't…” She gave him a teasing grin.

Jillian spoke again. “Thank you,” she said, looking heavenward. “And thank you, Milo, wherever you are. I don't think you'll be coming back now. And, God, thank you so much for Robert. For my life. For
our
lives. Thank you very, very much—”

“For miracles,” Robert said.

And then he kissed her.