Mrs. Miracle (23 page)

S
eth sat down at the church piano, poised his fingers over the yellowed ivory keyboard, and hesitated. He had studied the music, and the notes rang loud and clear in his head long before his fingers struck the keys. The first song, “Joy to the World,” was one of his favorites, one he’d often played during the holidays because Pamela had loved it, too.

The last time he’d played the carol had been the Christmas before the accident, while his wife had sung the solo in front of the church.

He forced the memory from his mind and pressed his fingers upon the keys. Convinced his talent would be rusty following a four-year sab
batical, he’d arrived two hours early to practice. The music flowed. From his heart and from his soul. Joy mingled with sadness, and to his wonder, the joy drowned out the sorrow. It was as though he’d sat and practiced hours every one of those days away from the piano.

He wasn’t the only one who noticed. Reba stepped out from behind the painted manger scene, paused, and stared. The joyous notes filled the church, resounding through the building, amplified until the music swelled and echoed like a chorus of angels.

“Oh, Seth,” she whispered when he’d finished, awe in her voice. “That was lovely. I don’t know when I’ve heard the carol played more beautifully.”

Her praise embarrassed him, and he fumbled with the sheet music. “You’ll be able to cue me, won’t you?”

“Of course.” She walked to the far edge of the stage. “I’ll be standing here. Emily and a couple of other volunteers are seeing to everything backstage. They’ll get the children where they’re supposed to be. The others are seeing to the costumes and everything else backstage. My job is to cue you when to play and usher the actors and actresses on and off the stage.”

Seth ran his fingers up and down the scales, marveling in the sense of freedom and joy he experienced. If not for practical reasons, he would have sat at the piano all day. What Reba had said
about him letting go of his grief was true. He felt as if the shackles had lifted from his heart, and his spirit soared in jubilation.

“I don’t know how to thank you,” Reba said when he’d finished.

He grinned. “I’ll think of something,” he said, and then lowered his voice. “Preferably something that involves leather and lace.”

She smiled and lingered, then walked around the piano. Although they hadn’t known each other long, he was beginning to understand and appreciate her. Something was on her mind. He also knew that she’d tell him in her own good time.

“My sister’s coming this evening,” she said shyly.

Seth noticed the slight tremble in her voice.

“What you said hit home.”

He regretted that now, because he’d spoken in anger. “It wasn’t my place to berate you, and you were right: it was a prime example of the pot calling the kettle black.”

“Vicki and I talked half the night; she didn’t make any excuses for what happened, but I know in my heart that John seduced her. She’s changed so much, and she says I have, too.” Her eyes misted. “Thank you for giving my sister back to me.”

He reached for her hand and raised it to his lips. “Don’t credit me with that. You’re the one responsible.”

“But I never would have gone to see her if it hadn’t been for you. I was terribly afraid.”

“It was a courageous thing to do after all this time.”

“Ironically, going to see Vicki wasn’t what frightened me,” she said. “Losing you was.” This last confession was followed by a noticeable gasp, as though she’d said more than she intended. “You were the first man who didn’t run to hide at my obvious emotional problems.”

“Two wounded souls reaching out to help one another,” he added. “My guess is that we were brought together for a specific purpose.”

“The Christmas program,” she suggested tentatively, moving to stand behind him. She looped her arms around his neck.

“For the pageant? Perhaps, but I have the distinct notion that we were meant to be together for a lifetime. You’ve brought sunshine into my shade-filled existence.” He wasn’t a poet, and he didn’t know the words to express all that was in his heart. Of one thing he was confident: they were meant to be together. God had brought this incredible woman into his life. He was grateful for the years he’d had with Pamela and the two children she’d borne him. He loved her and always would, but the love he felt for his dead wife was different. Loving Reba took nothing away from Pamela. Having loved Pamela increased his ability to reveal his devotion to Reba.

He brought his hands back onto the keyboard. A smile came to his heart.

Judd readjusted the belt and sword and squared his shoulders as he raced off the stage and back to Emily’s side.

“How’d we do?” Jason asked, his face bright with happiness, his aluminum angel wings flapping behind him.

Emily clasped her hands together. “You were wonderful, both of you.” She was going to miss these two munchkins. This happened every time she got involved with children. She’d go and leave behind a piece of her heart.

“Grandma and Grandpa are in the front row, sitting next to Reba’s sister and her family.”

“So I saw.” Emily placed her hands over their shoulders and steered them back to where they could remove the angel costumes. “I have something to tell you both. Something important.” She sat them down and then did so herself. This was the most difficult part. “I’m afraid I’ll be leaving shortly.”

Jason’s face crumpled. “No way.”

“You can’t,” Judd cried, his dark eyes imploring her.

She’d expected the protests, would have been offended if they hadn’t put up some fuss. The human side of her had deep concern for her employers.

“Now, now, it has to be this way, and really, it won’t be so bad. The agency is sending over another housekeeper, but she’s only temporary.”

“Why can’t you stay?”

“Because the agency needs me elsewhere,” she explained patiently.

“Tell them you won’t go.”

“We need you with us.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that, but you needn’t concern yourself because—”

“But we want you, not some other housekeeper.”

“They might send Mrs. Hampston back,” Judd muttered, folding his arms over his chest and pouting.

Emily laughed softly. “As I said, you won’t be needing one for long since your dad’s going to be marrying shortly.” Oh dear, she’d done it again, spilled the proverbial beans. This time she feared she was going to hear about it from the powers above.

“Dad’s going to marry Reba?” Jason’s eyes grew as round as bowling balls. “Wow. When?”

“This will be our secret, all right?” Emily said, doing her best to cover her small faux pas.

Both of the children nodded.

“Soon you’ll forget all about me,” she said, wanting to reassure them. She’d be upset if they did, but that was beside the point.

“Never,” Judd insisted.

“Is Reba going to have any babies?” Jason asked.

Oh, dear, she’d gotten herself into a fine kettle of fish. “I believe that is highly possible.”

“Girls or boys?”

“One of each,” she said, and then pressed a finger to her lips. “Remember, this is our little secret.”

“My lips are sealed.” Jason pantomimed zipping closed his mouth. Judd did, too.

“We’re going to miss you,” Judd said, bowing his head. “Are you sure you have to go?”

“Very sure.”

Soon the sound of applause was the cue to send the children back on stage for the final curtain call. Judd and Jason hurried out with their friends to sing a rousing version of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

Emily Merkle stood in the wings and smiled at her young charges. It was time to move on. Mission accomplished.