Debbie Macomber - Call Me Mrs. Miracle

Holly picked up a pastrami on rye at the deli and two coffees, and walked to Finley’s; that was all they really had time for. Now that she’d been assured of her Christmas bonus, Holly had resumed the luxury of buying lunch. When she arrived at the store, white bag in hand, Jake was busy with a customer.

Mrs. Miracle saw her and came over to greet Holly. “My dear, what’s wrong?”

Once again Holly was surprised at how readable she must be. “I’m on an impossible mission,” she said.

“And what’s that?” the older woman asked.

Holly explained. As soon as she’d finished, Mrs. Miracle smiled. “I believe I can help you.”

“You can?” she asked excitedly.

“Yes, a friend of mine just opened a small restaurant in the Village. She’s still getting herself established, but she’d certainly be capable of handling this party. What are you planning to serve? Sandwiches? Appetizers? Cookies? That sort of thing?”

“The party will be in the early afternoon, so small sandwiches and cookies would be perfect. It doesn’t have to be elaborate.” At this point she’d accept almost anything.

“I’ll get you my friend’s number.”

“Yes, please, and, Mrs. Miracle, thank you so much.”

“No problem, my dear. None whatsoever.” The older woman beamed her a smile. “By the way, I’ve set up a table in the back of the storeroom for you and Jake to have your lunch.”

“How thoughtful.”

“You go on back and Jake’ll be along any minute. Meanwhile, I’ll get you that phone number.”

“Thanks,” she said again. “Could you tell me your friend’s name?”

“It’s Wendy,” she said. “Now don’t you worry about a thing, you hear?”

Feeling deeply relieved, Holly went to the storeroom. Sure enough, Mrs. Miracle had set up a card table, complete with a white tablecloth and a small poinsettia in the middle. Holly put down the sandwich, plus a couple of pickles and the two cups of coffee.

Jake came in a few minutes later, looking harassed. He kissed her, then took his place. “It’s crazy out there,” he said, slumping in his chair.

“I can tell.” She noticed that the rest of the staff was diligently avoiding the storeroom, no doubt under orders from Mrs. Miracle.

He reached for his half of the massive sandwich. “I sold the last of the robots this morning.”

“That’s wonderful!”

“It is and it isn’t,” he said between bites. “I wish I’d ordered another hundred. We could’ve sold those, as well. Now we have to turn people away. I hate disappointing anyone.”

“Is there any other store in town with inventory?”

“Nope, and believe me, I’ve checked. Another shipment is due in a week after Christmas but by then it’ll be too late.”

Holly hated to bring up the subject of Gabe’s Intellytron, but she needed Jake’s reassurance that the one he’d set aside hadn’t been sold in the robot-buying frenzy. “You still have Gabe’s, don’t you?”

Still chewing on his sandwich, Jake nodded. “Mrs. Miracle wrapped it herself. It’s sitting right over there.” He pointed to a counter across from her. The large, brightly decorated package rested in one corner.

“I’m so grateful you did this for me,” she told him. Meeting Jake had been one of the greatest blessings of the year-in so many ways.

“Thank Mrs. Miracle, too,” he said. “She wasn’t even supposed to be in today, but she ended up staying to help us out.”

The few minutes they’d grabbed flew by much too quickly. Jake stood, kissed her again, and they left the storeroom together. As they stepped onto the floor, Mrs. Miracle handed her a slip of paper. “The name of the restaurant is Heavenly Delights and here’s the number.”

“Heavenly Delights,” Holly repeated. “I’ll give your friend a call as soon as I’m back at my desk.”

“You do that.”

Holly tucked the paper in her coat pocket and nearly danced all the way to the office. With a little help from Mrs. Miracle, she’d be able to pull off a miracle of her own-she’d organize this Christmas party, regardless of the difficulties and challenges.

Once at her desk, Holly reached for the phone and called the number Mrs. Miracle had written down for her.

“Hello.” A woman answered on the third ring.

“Hello,” Holly returned brightly. “Is this Wendy?”

“Yes. And you are?”

“I’m Holly Larson, and I’m phoning on behalf of Lindy Lee.”

“Lindy Lee, the designer?” Wendy sounded impressed.

“Yes,” Holly answered. “I know I’m probably calling at the worst time, but I felt I should contact you as soon as possible.” She assumed the restaurant would be busy with the lunch crowd.

“No, no, this is fine.”

“I was given your phone number by Emily Miracle.”

“Who?”

“Oh, sorry. Her badge says Miracle, but that’s a mistake. Rather than cause a fuss, she asked that we call her Mrs. Miracle, although that’s not actually her name. I apologize, but I can’t remember what it is. I’m so accustomed to calling her Mrs. Miracle.” Holly hoped she wasn’t rambling.

“Go on,” Wendy urged without commenting on all the confusion about names.

“Long story short, she suggested I call you about catering Lindy Lee’s Christmas party for her employees.”

“She did?”

“Yes… She highly recommended you and the restaurant.”

“What restaurant?”

“Heavenly Delights,” 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.”