Nothing Short of a Miracle Read Online Free PDF

apologize, my dear. As I said, we get the same reaction from everyone who sees it for the first time. The house was built in the early 1800s, and this was probably the main meeting room, as most kitchens would have been either downstairs or off in another building. We’ve added the bookshelves and the large window right after we moved in almost twenty-five years ago. It’s our favorite room. Come. Take a look out the window. We have a great view of the lake.”
    Gabriella followed Mr. Hempstead over to the large window and gazed in amazement at the panoramic view of Cayuga Lake. The lake stretched north for miles.
    “No wonder you love this room. The view is fabulous.”
    “You should see the lake when it’s lit up on the Fourth of July during the annual Lights Around the Lake event. It’s spectacular. Anyway, with Helen stuck in a wheelchair now, this is a splendid room for her to spend the day recuperating. Isn’t that right, my dear?” Mr. Hempstead turned toward the fireplace.
    A small woman huddled in an oversized wheelchair, a lap rug tucked over her knees smiled warmly at them. Mrs. Hempstead wheeled her chair out from around one of the high-back chairs. She was dressed in a burgundy sweater, and every single strand of her snow-white hair was styled neatly in place, forming a bob around her delicate, angelic face.
    “I’m pleased to meet you. Excuse me if I don’t get up,” Helen Hempstead said with a warm, welcoming smile.
    Gabriella walked toward Mrs. Hempstead as the woman pushed her wheelchair forward to meet Gabriella halfway.
    “You must be Gabriella Rumsey. I hope you found the place without too much difficulty.”
    Gabriella took the hand Mrs. Hempstead offered only to have Mrs. Hempstead clasp her other hand over top of hers, cupping them. Comforting warmth flowed between them, and Gabriella relaxed. She liked this couple very much. They reminded her of her parents.
    “Have a seat, my dear,” Helen offered. “Come. Sit by the fire. It’s such a windy day today as you can see by the whitecaps on the lake. Now then, why don’t we get started before Ethel comes in with our tea?”
    Gabriella followed Mrs. Hempstead back toward the fireplace and sank into one of the overstuffed chairs. It would be so easy to close her eyes, snuggle into the deep folds of the seat and take a nap. Having a baby in her room made for a few sleepless nights. Instead, she sat up straight on the edge of the chair, and placed her hands in her lap.
    “You don’t have to worry about me,” Mr. Hempstead told her, looking sideways at his wife. “I’m recovered enough to go back to the office on Monday. Been away too long as it is. Just can’t take sitting around here while there are things to be done at the office. Now, Helen on the other hand…”
    “Chadwick, you know you shouldn’t be returning to work so soon,” his wife interrupted. “It won’t hurt you to take another week off to make sure your health isn’t affected. That old stuffy office of yours can wait a little longer.”
    “I’m fine, dear. You just like having me around the house to wait on you and keep you company.” He turned to Gabriella and smiled. “We made up our minds to hire someone to keep Helen company so I can go back to work without a guilty conscience. I’m not good at sitting around all day—even at my age.”
    “I do have Ethel, dear. But you’re right. She is busy enough as it is keeping up with everything now that the holidays are here and our son has come for a visit. I’m usually very active,” she said. “But this hip has set me back making more work for everyone else.”
    Her eyes twinkled, her lips a broad grin defined the fine bone structure of her rosy cheeks. The woman reminded her of Mrs. Claus.
    “I do need someone to help out on occasion and of course, to keep me company while Chadwick is at the office. Now, what can you tell us about yourself?”
    Gabriella looked back and forth between the two during their