On Monday she’d gone Christmas shopping with him, and on Tuesday she’d been to the house for dinner. Mrs. Merkle had done herself proud with a fried chicken succulent enough to tempt the Colonel.
Jason answered when he rang the house. “Hi, Daddy.”
“Hello, sweetheart, is Mrs. Merkle there?”
“Yup.” He heard Jason drop the phone, the sound of the receiver clanging in his ear. He returned breathless a moment later. “Mrs. Miracle’s real busy getting the extra bedroom all cleaned up,” his son told him. “Who’s coming?”
“Ask Mrs. Miracle,” he suggested, frowning.
“Mr. Webster, I’m sorry to keep you waiting.” The housekeeper came on the line, breathing hard.
“I’m calling to let you know I’ll be picking up the children’s grandmother at the airport this afternoon.” He waited, half expecting his housekeeper to explain why Sharon was arriving a full week early and without Jerry. If anyone knew, it would be Mrs. Merkle. The woman apparently possessed some form of telepathy.
“Ah, I wondered.”
“Sharon phoned the house?”
“No.”
“Then how’d you know she was coming?”
“I didn’t,” she answered cheerfully. “It never hurts to have the spare room freshened up now and again. I had a few extra minutes this afternoon and decided to give it the once-over. How fortuitous in light of Mrs. Palmer’s unexpected arrival.”
“I don’t know if it’d be a good idea to say anything to the twins just yet,” Seth cautioned, wondering how much he should say. “My mother-in-law seems to be feeling a bit under the weather.”
A short pause followed his announcement. “Do you need me to drop the kids off at practice at the church, then?”
Seth had forgotten all about that. “Yes, please, if it isn’t too much of a problem.”
“None at all. I’ll stay and visit with the women’s group as well and leave the house to you and Mrs. Palmer.”
“I appreciate it,” Seth murmured, trying to think if there was anything else he’d forgotten.
“I’ll put two dinners to warm in the oven. Don’t you worry, Mr. Webster, everything is going to work out just fine.”
She spoke as if she knew more about the situation than Seth did himself. “Good,” he muttered, hoping she was right. He didn’t know what was wrong between Sharon and Jerry or if he was reading more into the matter than he should. Perhaps Jerry was ill… No, that couldn’t be it. Sharon would be the first one to stand at his side through any health problems. She’d sounded shaken to the core, rattled and shocked. Seth certainly hoped he knew what to say in order to help.
A glance at the wall clock told him he barely had time to call Reba. He dialed and, while he waited for someone to answer, stood and slipped into his suit jacket.
“Reba, please,” he said when her assistant answered.
“Seth?” She was on the line a moment later.
“I’m afraid I won’t be able to see you tonight.” As he said the words he realized he was more disappointed than he’d thought. Perhaps a bit of a break was for the best with them. It wouldn’t take much to become accustomed to spending time with Reba each and every day. She was fast becoming addictive. A good kind of addictive. She made him feel again, dream again, hope again.
“Is something wrong?”
He explained the situation with Sharon, hoping Reba might have some insights to give him. “Mrs. Merkle is driving the kids to practice. I hope all Sharon needs is some time away.”
“I’m sure you’re right. And don’t worry, I can give you the price quotes any time.”
He wasn’t worried, but he’d been looking forward to seeing her all day. Every now and again he found himself staring at the time, mentally tabulating how long it’d be before he’d be with her. He wanted to suggest she stop off at the house after church, but he couldn’t. Not knowing what was happening between his in-laws was one thing, but Reba was sure to be physically and emotionally exhausted after her time with the kids. From what he understood she’d already received her share of bad news.
The baby Jesus had come down with a bad cold, and one of the shepherds had broken his leg. This was terrific news as far as Judd was concerned, since he preferred that role over being an angel.
“I’ve got to scoot,” Seth told her with regret, and then, because this brief conversation wouldn’t be enough to see him through until he could be with her again, he added, “Can I call you later?”