“Did Jake promise to come tomorrow?”
“He’ll be here.”
“But he said he’d come for dinner tonight, too-and he didn’t.”
“We’ll have a wonderful time this evening, just the two of us.” She slipped her arm around his small frame and squeezed gently.
Gabe didn’t seem too sure of that. “Can I email my dad?”
“Of course.” Holly would come up with ways to keep them both occupied until it was time to walk to church for the Christmas Eve service. They could watch a Christmas movie; Gabe might enjoy The Bishop’s Wife, Holly’s favorite, or A Christmas Carol with Alastair Sim as the ultimate Scrooge. Still cheering herself up, she headed into her kitchen to start frying the chicken, which had been marinating in buttermilk since six that morning. They’d have turkey tomorrow, but tonight she’d make the meal she associated with her mother…with comfort.
Gabe leaped up from the sofa and hurried into the kitchen. “Can we invite Mrs. Miracle for dinner?” he asked excitedly.
“Oh, Gabe, I wish we’d thought of that sooner.”
“I like Mrs. Miracle.”
“I like her, too.” The older woman had never mentioned whether she had family in the area, which made Holly wonder if she was spending this evening by herself.
Gabe returned to writing his email. “Dad’s surprise didn’t come, did it?” he said in a pensive voice.
Holly suddenly realized it hadn’t. This complicated everything. Not only wouldn’t she be able to give her nephew the only toy he’d requested for Christmas, but the gift his father had mailed hadn’t arrived, either.
“He might be mad at me for going into the city by myself,” Gabe murmured.
“Oh, sweetie, I’m positive that’s not it.”
Before she could finish her reassurances, the doorbell chimed. Hoping, despite everything, that it was Jake, Holly answered the door, still wearing her apron. To her astonishment, Emily Miracle was standing in the hall.
“I hope you don’t mind me dropping in unexpectedly like this.”
“Mrs. Miracle! Mrs. Miracle!” Gabe rushed to the door. “We were just talking about you.” He grabbed her free hand and tugged her into the apartment. “Can you stay for dinner? Aunt Holly’s making fried chicken and there’s corn and mashed potatoes and cake, too. You can stay, can’t you? Jake said he was coming and now he can’t.”
“Oh, dear,” Emily said, laughing softly. “I suppose I could. I came by to bring you my Christmas salad. It’s a family favorite and I wanted to share it with you.”
“That’s so nice of you, Emily,” Holly said, adding a place setting to the table. Her mood instantly lightened.
“Jake said he’d come,” Gabe pouted.
“He’s doing something important,” Holly reminded her nephew.
“I’m sure he is,” Emily said, giving Holly a covered ceramic bowl and removing her coat. “It isn’t like Jake to cancel at the last moment without a good reason. He’s a very responsible young man-in his personal life and in business, too. He’ll do his father proud.” She held out her hands for the bowl.
“You mean does his father proud,” Holly corrected, passing it back. She had every confidence that Jake would one day step up to the helm at Finley’s, but that was sometime in the future. Jake seemed to think it might take as long as five years, and he said that suited him fine.
“Yes, that’s what I mean. I’ve enjoyed working with him this Christmas season.” Emily made her way into the kitchen and put her salad in the refrigerator.
“Can you come to church with us?” Gabe asked, following her. “It’s Christmas Eve, and there’s a special program and singing, too.”
“I’d like that very much, but unfortunately I already have other plans.”
“We’re grateful you could have dinner with us,” Holly said. She waited until Gabe had left the room before she asked Emily about the robot.
“Do you have any idea what happened to the you-know-what Jake put aside?” She spoke guardedly because the apartment was small and she wanted to ensure that Gabe didn’t hear anything that would upset him.
Mrs. Miracle was about to answer when he dashed into the kitchen again.
Grasping the situation, she immediately distracted him. “Do you want to help me fill the water glasses?” she asked.
“Okay,” Gabe agreed.
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.”