A Season of Miracles by Heather Graham Page A

drummed his fingers on the table. Their waitress came by. “Mr. Marston, can I get you another?”
    He looked up. The young woman looked vaguely familiar. She was slim, with a face that appeared a bit worn and prematurely lined, but she had nice eyes, warm eyes.
    â€œDo I know you?” he asked politely.
    â€œNot really, not as I am now.”
    â€œWell, that’s an interesting answer. How do you know my name?”
    â€œI asked if anyone knew who you were the minute you came in.”
    â€œOh?”
    She nodded. “You gave me money when I was about as low as I could get.” She bit her lip. “Cocaine. I had a baby, hit the streets, worked the streets, picked up a drug habit, then got too ugly even to support it. The night you gave me the money, you said you’d like to have a kid one day, too, and you gave me another twenty and…I realized I was lucky, incredibly lucky, to have such a wonderful, healthy little girl. So I went home. And my folks took us both in. My dad is an old customer here, so he got me the job.”
    â€œWow,” he murmured, studying her. “Good for you. Damn good for you.”
    â€œI’d never have done it without you.”
    â€œI think that’s a bit too—”
    â€œI’m not trying to embarrass you or anything. I’m just trying to thank you. Accept my thanks graciously, okay?”
    He laughed. “Okay. You’re welcome. And in return, may I tell you, if I’ve improved your life, you might well be my greatest accomplishment.”
    She flushed. “Well, I don’t know about that. I hear you’re a pretty important man. But if I can ever do anything for you…”
    â€œI’ll let you know. Thanks.”
    â€œThe next beer is on me.”
    â€œThank you.”
    â€œHere comes your friend. Excuse me.”
    She left the table as Daniel returned, but before he slid into the booth, he hesitated, glancing out the window.
    â€œWell, look who’s here,” he murmured.
    Robert half rose, twisting around. Jillian was coming into the pub, followed by Connie Murphy.
    â€œHey, cuz!” Daniel said, summoning them.
    The two women had been talking as they entered, and Robert noticed that Daniel had startled Jillian. For a moment, as she glanced their way, her expression was unmasked.
    She was disturbed that they were there. Had she come here with a purpose in mind, and were they about to destroy it?
    She quickly masked her surprise and walked over to them, Connie in tow.
    â€œSit, ladies, I’ll buy you a beer,” Daniel said.
    Connie slid in next to Daniel, leaving Jillian no choice but to sit next to Robert. She still seemed uncomfortable around him, he noticed, though pleasant. Courteous but cool—was that how she’d decided to behave around him?
    â€œI’ll have a Guinness,” Connie said. “Though I think dark beer makes you fatter.”
    â€œFatter than what?” Daniel queried.
    â€œWell, fatter than whatever you were,” Connie told him.
    The waitress came up behind them with a full tray. She had seen the two women enter, and there were four glasses of Guinness on her tray.
    â€œAll on the house,” she said sweetly, setting the glasses down.
    â€œThanks,” Jillian said. “And to what do we owe—”
    â€œJust a thank-you for your patronage,” the waitress interrupted cheerfully. “We’re always happy to serve the Llewellyn family here.”
    â€œWell, thank you,” Jillian murmured. “Thank you very much.” Her words were genuine. Robert noticed her eyes when she spoke, and the beautiful flecks of pure emerald in them. Her features were all but flawless. She really was a striking woman.
    She didn’t notice his perusal, just sipped her beer, seeming to eye it suspiciously.
    The waitress had walked away. Daniel was telling Connie to remind her husband about the meeting they were having with some