Nothing Short of a Miracle Read Online Free PDF Page B

obvious loving married-couple banter. She smiled, liking them even more, and wondered if they would terminate the interview once they found out she was a single parent.
    Regardless of whether she had a chance at this position or not, Gabriella needed to be honest. She gave them a brief run down on her situation. About to tell them about Nina, Ethel entered the room maneuvering a teacart loaded with a heaping platter of pumpkin muffins and a steaming pot of tea with one hand. In the other, she tugged a small bassinet-type carriage on wheels behind her. Gabriella marveled at her ease at dealing with both at the same time. She caught the strong aroma of ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg and her taste buds started to water.
    Mrs. Hempstead spotted Nina.
    “A baby! Oh, my, Chadwick… a tiny baby,” she clapped her hands together in front of her chest. “Why, you didn’t say you had an infant with you.” Mrs. Hempstead scolded and beamed at the same time, all but clapping her hands together. “We just love babies, don’t we Chadwick?”
    For a moment, Mrs. Hempstead looked to be on the verge of tears; she was so excited—truly overcome with joy.
    “Thought you might be ready for your wee-one,” Ethel said, lifting Nina from the bassinette. “She’s been a real good baby, she has.”
    “Well, you just bring her right on over here to me,” Mrs. Hempstead said. “Do you mind if I hold her? I just love to hold sleeping babies. Chadwick, I think this is going to work out just fine. Just fine, indeed.”
    Mrs. Hempstead didn’t wait for Gabriella’s permission to hold the once-again sleeping infant. Ethel, with careful but firm movements, placed Nina in Mrs. Hempstead’s waiting arms. The petite woman, clearly in her element, cuddled the tiny baby who snuggled in her warm welcoming arms.
    “Having a baby in the house again is going to be wonderful,” Mrs. Hempstead cooed.
    Gabriella wasn’t sure what had just happened. Had she just been offered the position?
    “I thought we’d never have another baby in the house, dear.” She looked at her husband. “You know how Chad feels about marriage.”
    Mr. Hempstead stood shaking his head at his wife, not saying a thing. His smile, however, showed his amusement. And his love for his wife sparkled in his smiling eyes.
    Helen Hempstead’s eyes were glued to the sleeping baby in her lap. “This is so wonderful, my dear. You can move in this weekend, can’t you?” She turned to Gabriella, her eyes pleading.
    Move in? Was Mrs. Hempstead asking her to move in with them? This was way beyond her expectations. She hadn’t contemplated a live-in position. Especially, having Nina. But it would solve a major problem she hadn’t wrestled with yet. Her roommates were going home for winter break. She and Nina could stay with Mr. and Mrs. Hempstead and not be alone during the holidays.
    “Now, Helen. Don’t get yourself all worked up over this baby. It’s only to be a temporary situation. Besides, there’s Sheila and Sean’s new baby, Devon.”
    “I know. I know. But they live clear the other side of town, and since I’ve been in this darn contraption I don’t get out and about as much as I’d like.” The wheelchair-bound woman turned to Gabriella. “I have several grandchildren, and Sheila and Sean just had a new baby boy, but they don’t come over much at the moment so I can get my fill of that sweet baby boy. And my girls don’t bring my grandchildren to visit because they’re afraid the kids will get underfoot and become a nuisance since I broke my hip. But with you here, I’m sure things will change.”
    Gabriella didn’t know how her being there would change things, but she liked Mrs. Hempstead. And it didn’t look as if the job was beyond her capabilities.
    Mr. Hempstead rolled his eyes at his wife and continued to shake his head.
    “Gabriella, you’ll have to excuse my wife. She is besotted with babies, even if they aren’t family. As you can see by the