Mr. Miracle by Debbie Macomber Page A

more like an hour. This was crazy. What did she care if Erich reunited with his ex?
    Forcing herself away from the window, she returned to the kitchen and placed dirty dishes in the dishwasher. When she finished, she hurried back to the dining room window. Ashley’s car was still there.
    For reasons Addie didn’t want to examine, she was angry, pacing the house, walking aimlessly from room to room. By the sheer force of her will she refused to look out the window again.
    Thirty minutes passed, and when she could stand it no longer, Addie looked again. The other woman’s car was gone. While she stood at the window, another vehicle pulled in to the same space so recently vacated.
    It wasn’t the nurse then, either, unless Carrie Hoffert Welsh had taken up a medical profession. She didn’t look like any nurse Addie had ever seen, dressed in a red hooded coat. It seemed Erich had an entire parade of women at his beck and call.
    Addie watched as Carrie stood on the front porch with a basket draped over her arm. She suspected Little Red Riding Hood had lovingly prepared chicken soup for poor, disabled Erich.
    Addie pulled herself up short. Oh crap, she sounded as though she was jealous. Of Ashley and Carrie? Unbelievable! She refused to even consider such a thing.
    Determined to push aside her less-than-kind thoughts, Addie returned to her book, although her thoughts wandered away from the page. More than once she had to force herself to refocus.
    About fifteen minutes later her doorbell rang. She was surprised to find Carrie on the other side of the door.
    “Carrie,” she said, as though it was a complete shock to see the girl from her high school class. Well, actually, it was a surprise to see her at the door. “Come in, please.” She invited her into the house.
    “Addie, hello. It’s been way too long; you look great.” Carrie’s smile was warm and sincere.
    “You, too,” she managed, and genuinely meant it. She remembered Carrie being a good, caring person, and it wouldn’t surprise her if Erich had maintained their friendship through high school and college.
    “Dave told me about Erich’s accident, and so I brought him some Christmas cookies. He told me you’re looking after him, and I thought I’d just pop over to say hi—it’s been a long time. I hear you are helping so your two mothers can go on a cruise. That’s really thoughtful of you, Addie. How’s he holding up?”
    Before Addie could answer, Carrie continued, “He put on a brave front, but I could see this is difficult for him.”
    It’d be difficult for anyone, but Addie refrained from saying so. “Erich is doing about as well as can be expected,” she said.
    “It’s really kind of you to help him and give your mother and his the opportunity to travel.”
    “It’s the least I can do.” It wasn’t necessary to explain that it’d taken a gentle shove from a barista and a classic-literature instructor to convince her to take on the task. Needless to say, the only reason she’d agreed was for her mother’s sake. She hadn’t exactly gone into this with a pristine attitude.
    “If I’d been thinking, I could have brought Erich chicken soup instead of cookies,” Carrie continued.
    “You’re the thoughtful one,” Addie said. “I’m sure he’ll enjoy the cookies.”
    “I hope so. It’s good to see you, Addie. Erich tells me you’re in school. That’s great. I better get to work or I’ll be late. Merry Christmas,” she said, and started for the door.
    “Merry Christmas,” Addie returned.
    Addie’s spirits lifted as she walked Carrie to the front door and watched her drive away.
    She waited until the visiting nurse had come and gone before she stopped by Erich’s again. It was close enough tonoon to think about preparing his lunch. She heated up tomato soup out of a can and brought it over to him, along with a grilled cheese sandwich.
    She knocked once and then let herself into the house. Erich had changed clothes and