Mrs. Miracle Page 0,3

a substantial raise," Seth said, attempting to sound contrite and appreciative and failing, he feared, on both counts.

Mrs. Hampston hesitated, then cocked her chin and gave him a look of mild disgust, as if she'd been deeply insulted by the mere suggestion that she could be seduced with money.

"I'd appreciate it if you'd stay until after the holidays," he added, growing more desperate.

"Mr. Webster, apparently you didn't understand me. When I said I'd reached this decision, I wasn't looking for you to change my mind. I refuse to be bribed."

"Bribed." Seth did his best to sound confused.

"Exactly."

If her nose got any closer to the ceiling, she'd be in serious danger of have a bird roost on it.

"I can't tell you how sorry I am." Seth sincerely hoped he sounded regretful, but he doubted he'd be any more successful in pulling the wool over this woman's eyes than he was with his own children.

"I'm afraid I don't share your regrets. Of all the positions I've held in my fifteen-year history of domestic service, I can never remember having to deal with a worse pair of undisciplined children. I understood when I accepted the position that the twins were considered a handful, but this is ridiculous."

"They're only six."

"Exactly. Six going on thirteen. I don't have a moment's peace from dawn to dusk. Those two are constantly underfoot. They're savages, I tell you. Savages."

"I've already explained to the kids that goldfish can't live in Jell-O," Seth said. "I realize it was a shock to open the refrigerator and find the goldfish bowl filled with lemon Jell-O and three small fish."

"The problem with the goldfish was the tip of the iceberg," she responded, and grimaced.

"Okay, okay, so maybe those water bazookas weren't such a good idea. I didn't think they'd turn them on you." By sheer willpower, Seth managed to squelch a smile. One gloriously sunny autumn afternoon, he had been washing the car while the twins raced across kingdom come, soaking each other with their fancy water guns. When Mrs. Hampston stepped onto the porch Judd and Jason had guilelessly turned their weapons on her. To put it mildly, the housekeeper had not been amused. To Seth's way of thinking, a little water never hurt anyone.

"It isn't the Jell-O incident or the water bazookas. It isn't even having to routinely dig little green army men out of the bathtub drain. It's you."

"Me?" Seth demanded defensively. He'd bent over backward to keep the peace with Mrs. Hampston, and now she was accusing him!

"You know absolutely nothing about being a father."

Seth's mouth snapped shut. Like all good military strategists, she attacked his weakest point. He had no argument.

"The twins are your children, Mr. Webster, not your friends, and not cute pets. They need a firm, guiding hand. As far as I can see, you're no example for them. None whatsoever. Swearing is one thing, but to put it bluntly, you're a slob."

Seth knew she was right. He was an absentminded professor, his head filled with work, the kids, and everything else. He didn't mean to be untidy, it just happened that way. He constantly lost and found himself. Mundane things like remembering to fill up the car with gas escaped him. The other morning, to her disgust, Mrs. Hampston had found his shoes in the refrigerator. Seth vaguely recalled putting them there.

"If you'd be willing to give me another chance..."

"I've already assured you I won't."

"Yes, but finding another housekeeper might prove difficult just now."

"I'm sure it will be, but that isn't my problem."

Seth leaned against the door, wondering where to turn to next. Mrs. Hampston had been his last hope. The agency didn't have anyone else to send. He didn't know what he would do, where he would turn.

"Frankly, Mr. Webster," the woman stated smugly, "it isn't a housekeeper you need, it's a miracle."

Chapter 2

The best way to get even is to forget.

- Mrs. Miracle

"Reba, there's a call for you on line one."

Reba Maxwell's gaze remained fixed on the parking lot outside the strip mall where her travel agency was located. She saw him again, the mystery man who'd dominated her thoughts for weeks. The one who made her smile. Half the time she wondered if he knew where he was. He'd climb out of the car and then stare at the storefront as though attempting to remember what he was supposed to buy.

She knew nothing about him. Not his name. Or if he was married. Where he worked or lived. Nothing. He