LITMIR.BIZ

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Holly said. Wendy must own more than one. “The location in the Village.”

      “Heavenly Delights,” Wendy gasped, then started to laugh. “Heavenly Delights?”

      “Yes.” Holly’s spirits took a sharp dive; nevertheless, she forged ahead. “I’m wondering if you could work us into your schedule.”

      “Oh, dear.”

      Holly’s spirits sank even further. “You can’t do it?”

      “I didn’t say that.”

      Her emotions went from hopeful to disheartened and back again. “Then you could?”

      “I … I don’t know what to say.” The woman seemed completely overwhelmed.

      Yes, I can do it would certainly make Holly’s day, but the words weren’t immediately forthcoming.

      “Unfortunately, the party’s scheduled for tomorrow afternoon—Christmas Eve.” Holly suspected that, by then, practically everyone in the restaurant business would be closing down and heading home to their families. As an incentive, she mentioned the amount she could offer. The catering would take up most of the budget, with a little left over for decorations.

      “That sounds fair,” Wendy said.

      “Would you be able to accommodate us?” she asked hopefully. “We’re talking about forty people, give or take.” “I …”

      Holly closed her eyes, fearing the worst.

      “I think I could. However, there’s something you should know.”

      “What’s that?”

      “First, I can’t imagine who this Mrs. Miracle is.”

      “As I said, that isn’t her real name. But I can find out for you, if you like.”

      “No, it doesn’t matter. What I wanted to tell you is that I don’t have a restaurant.”

      “No restaurant?” Holly’s mouth went dry.

      “The thing is, I’ve been talking with my daughter about opening one. She’s attending culinary school. I’ve been praying about it, too. However, a lot of problems stand in the way—one of which is money.” “Oh.”

      “When I applied for a loan, the bank officer asked me what we intended to call the restaurant. Lucie and I have gone over dozens of names and nothing felt right. Our specialty would be desserts…. I like the name Heavenly Delights. If you don’t mind, I’ll borrow it.”

      “I … That’s the name Mrs. Miracle gave me.”

      “Well, if she doesn’t mind, we’ll definitely use it.” She paused. “Maybe I know her, but right now I can’t figure out who she is.”

      “Um, so if you don’t have a restaurant yet, you can’t cater the event?”

      “I can’t,” Wendy agreed. “But perhaps Lucie and her friends from culinary school could.”

      “Really?” Holly asked excitedly.

      “Give me your number and I’ll call her to see if we can make this happen.”

      “Great!”

      Holly fidgeted until Wendy called back five minutes later. “We’ll do it,” Wendy told her. “Lucie talked to several of her colleagues and they’re all interested. I can promise you’ll love their menu. Lucie’s already working on it.”

      “Fabulous. Thank you! Oh, thank you so much.” Her relief was so great that she felt like weeping.

      She disconnected just as Lindy returned from lunch.

      “The party’s all set,” Holly said happily.

      “Really?” She’d impressed Lindy Lee, which was no small feat.

      “Christmas Eve from two to four.” Her employer nodded. “Good job, Holly.” Holly closed her eyes and basked in the glow of Lindy Lee’s approval.

      Chapter Seventeen

       We don’t change God’s message. His message changes us. —Mrs. Miracle

      Jake glanced at his watch and felt a surge of relief. Five-thirty on Christmas Eve; in half an hour, the store would close its doors for the season.

      Finley’s would open again on the twenty-sixth for the year-end frenzy. He felt good that toy sales for this quarter were twenty percent higher than the previous year. He attributed the boost in revenue to Intellytron the SuperRobot. Jake felt vindicated that his hunch had been proven right. He’d be proud to take these latest figures to his father. While the robot alone didn’t explain the increase, the fact that it was available at Finley’s had brought new customers into the store.

      Holly was occupied with her boss and the Christmas party, which she’d arranged for Lindy Lee at the last moment. The poor girl had worked herself into a nervous state to pull off the event, and Jake was confident that the afternoon had gone well. He knew Holly had obsessed over each and every detail.

      No doubt exhausted, she’d go home to her Brooklyn apartment as soon as she was finished with the cleanup. Jake would come by later that evening to spend time with her and Gabe. The three of them would enjoy a quiet dinner and then attend Christmas Eve services at her church.

      It felt strangely luxurious not to be rushing away from the city with his father, although Jake was saddened that he hadn’t been able to convince J.R. to join them on Christmas Day.

      His cell chirped, and even before he looked, Jake knew it was Holly.

      “Hi,” he said. “How’d the party go?”

      “Great! Wonderful. Even Lindy Lee was pleased. The caterers did a fabulous job, above and beyond my expectations. Wendy told me that Heavenly Delights plans to specialize in desserts and they should. Everything was spectacular.”

      “I’m glad.”

      “Don’t forget to bring over Gabe’s gift tonight,” she said in a tired voice. As he’d expected, Holly was worn out.

      “Sure thing.”

      “We’ll hide it in my bedroom until he goes to sleep, and then we can put it under the tree. That way it’ll be the first thing he sees Christmas morning.”

      “Sounds like a plan.”

      “I’ll distract him when you arrive so you can shove it in my closet.”

      “Okay.”

      She hesitated. “Are you sure you can’t talk your father into coming for Christmas dinner?”

      “I don’t think so, Holly. He isn’t ready to give up his … vacation.” He nearly choked on the word.

      “Ask him again, would you?” she said softly.

      “I will,” he agreed with some reluctance, knowing it wouldn’t have any effect.

      “And thank Mrs. Miracle for me. She saved the day with this recommendation.”

      “Of course. Although I believe she’s already left.”

      “She’ll be back, won’t she?”

      “As seasonal help, she’ll stay on until the end of January when we finish inventory.” The older woman had been a real success in the department. She’d reassured parents and entertained their kids. If she was interested, Jake would like to offer her full-time employment.

      He ended his conversation with Holly and went into the storeroom to pick up Gabe’s robot.

      He stopped short. The package that had lain on the counter, the package so beautifully wrapped by Mrs. Miracle, was missing.

      Gone.

      “Karen,”

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