Miracles in Disguise (The Trampled Rose Series) Read Online Free PDF

position in New York to come to a small town she had no ties to.
    He wondered why he was even wondering…and why he enjoyed watching her get so agitated. Chuckling as he remembered how she had spouted out all those big words when she was flustered at breakfast. But then an image of her tears this morning stopped him. Though she had tried to hide it, he knew they weren't from the spicy food.
    She’s probably just trying to get used to small town life. And small town folk can be awful nosy. And you didn’t do anything to make it easy on her. He decided to invite her to church. Maybe she would feel more comfortable as she got to know how great the people were here.
    When he returned to the classroom awhile later, he overheard Mr. Shirley say in a hushed voice, “Lisa told me about your situation, and I assure you, you will be safe here.”
    Kristina’s face paled at the man’s words. Whatever she was hiding, or hiding from, clearly frightened her. Why are you hiding, my little porcelain doll?
    Kristina turned as she saw him enter. They stared at each other for a moment, her eyes filled with questions about how much he had heard.
    Mr. Shirley broke the silence, “Well, I will leave you two to go about your errands. Again, Ms. Talbot, it is an honor to have you on board.”
    Kristina murmured her thanks, so engrossed in their own thoughts she barely notice Mr. Shirley leave the classroom. “Well, I guess we’d better get going too,” she said.
    “Yeah, your car is ready. I can take you there after we drop by Mrs. Rose’s house if you’d like?”
    “That would be great.”
    As the two stepped outside, a car came careening into the parking lot. An elderly woman nearly missed hitting Nathan’s truck as she parked next to them. Nathan rushed to open the door, half out of courtesy and half out of caution, afraid the woman would leave a dent in his truck.
    “Nathan McKinley, I sincerely hope you were heading in my direction. Is this little thing my replacement?” Gesturing to Kristina, the woman said, “I heard she was here, and you were parading her all over this town. You should have brought her by to see me.” The woman came and sized her up. Kristina smiled at the peculiar woman, who went on, “Well, you are a little one, but I hope there's some grit in that pretty smile of yours. Those kids are good kids, but they can run over you like a drunk after happy hour.”
    The elderly woman was just a few inches shorter than Nathan, and possessed the shoulders of a quarter back, though they were stooped with age. Her gravelly voice was deep and commanded authority, even though her words and actions belied her sanity.
    “Kristina, this is Mrs. Rose.” Nathan explained as Kristina held out her hand.
    Instead of shaking it, Mrs. Rose slapped a notebook in it. “Nice to meet you sugar. Here is my lesson plan.” Kristina opened her mouth to speak, but Mrs. Rose interrupted. “Now, little bit, I don’t doubt your capacity to teach them, but these kids can smell fear and a push-over. You’ve got to be tough. Make sure you have on your steel underwear that first day, or otherwise, they will have your butt for breakfast.”
    Mrs. Rose turned and started to walk back to her car, but paused and said over her shoulder, “And don’t think that pepper spray is going to help you in class.”
    She patted Nathan affectionately on the cheek, who stood holding the door open for her.
    Nathan smiled at the woman, who responded by yelling, "I got a pig in the oven, boy, out of my way!”
    Kristina stared wide-eyed at the woman’s retreating car. It was a while before her eyes returned to Nathan. He placed a finger under her chin and closed her gaping mouth. “Well, 'little one’” he said, imitating Mrs. Rose’s gruff voice, “Are you ready to head back to New York?"
    Kristina’s brows drew together in a question as she asked, “Why, because your English teacher is a little eccentric? It would take more than that to scare me