Stolen Miracles Read Online Free PDF

scar…” She took his fingers and pressed them to her hairline. “The baby came in the midst of this. I had no other family and my mother-in-law had power of attorney. She was battling cancer, and she didn’t think I would emerge for the coma…” Rebecca waved her hand as the darkness crept back. “She did what she thought was best at the time. I don’t want to talk about it now.”
    “OK.” Cole’s fingers wandered from the scar to slip down her cheek. He smoothed a thumb across her jaw, collecting a stray tear. He remembered a time, once before, when he’d consoled her. “Forget I asked. It’s OK. Are you better now?”
    “Physically, yes. But, emotionally…” His touch opened a well of emotions Rebecca thought had run dry. Warmth swelled in her chest. “I will only be better when I finally find her again.
    “I understand.”
    Two small words that meant so much. The warmth spread to Rebecca’s belly and coursed up her spine. The nape of her neck tingled, and she was thankful for the wealth of hair that covered skin that was surely flaming. She cleared her throat and plastered on a smile, though her nerves were a mass of tangled circuits. “What do you think?” She turned the sketch pad so he could see her drawing. “How about something like this?”
    “That’s amazing.” Cole leaned in for a better view. She caught a whiff of his aftershave—clean and spicy with a hint of evergreen. It set off a wave of longing that had her nerves humming. “It’s in the shape of a book with puzzle pieces scattered and…are those fruit snacks mounded in the corner, and a cat?”
    “Yes.”
    “It’s brilliant.” Cole’s smile warmed her and helped to knit her heart back together. “Kimmy will love it.”
    “We can add her favorite colors.”
    “Purple and pink.”
    “And use real fruit snacks.”
    His gaze held hers, and Rebecca wondered if he knew what she was feeling. The mischief in his tone told her his next words held double meaning. “That will work.”
    She lifted a hand to her flaming cheek. “And you’ll have to describe Buttercup. I’m not sure what he looks like.”
    “He’s a calico, with gray and tan markings and white splotches on all four paws.” Cole took the sketch, his hand brushing hers. Rebecca’s pulse skittered as he handed it to the clerk. “Can you make this?”
    “We can make anything.”
    “With all the colors and lots of chocolate?”
    “Sure.” The clerk fetched an order pad, and as she raced back to them. Rebecca wondered if she’d felt the temperature rise in the room. “Just tell me exactly what you want and when you want it.”
     
     
     
     

5
     
    “I’m home.” Cole tossed his suit jacket over the arm of the couch as he stepped into the living room. Cartoons raced across the TV screen. Kimmy’s favorite doll lay on the floor along with a flurry of scattered Legos and a partially completed puzzle. He navigated a path through the toys. “Where’s my little princess?”
    “Daddy!” Kimmy scrambled through the doorway to greet him. “Oh, I missed you.”
    “And I missed you, too.” Cole knelt to catch her as she rushed to his arms. Her cotton nightgown billowed and her hair, damp from a bath, was a shock of copper curls that proved impossible to tame. The sweet scent of strawberry shampoo filled his nose. “What have you been eating?”
    “Aunt Patty let me help her make pudding.” Kimmy wiped a dab of congealed chocolate from her mouth with the back of her hand. “We saved some for you.”
    “Sounds yummy. Thanks.” He planted a kiss on her forehead. “How was your day?”
    “Good, Daddy. How was yours? Did you get all the bad guys?”
    “Almost. Tomorrow I’ll get the rest.” He tapped her nose. “Where is Aunt Patty?”
    “Cleaning the kitchen. I was helpin’ her wash the dishes.”
    As if on cue, Patty came to the doorway. Her chestnut hair was pulled back with a silver butterfly clip and her T-shirt, stretched taut over the