Free Nothing Short of a Miracle by Carol Henry Page A

part of the family, she didn’t expect to be included in all the holiday hoopla. Besides, she’d be too busy taking care of Helen. And Nina.
    She discovered, however, that Helen had other plans when she and Ethel met her at the door.
    “Welcome, my dear. Come in, come in.” Helen said. “Ethel and I will relieve you of that darling girl while you go upstairs to supervise the unpacking and get settled.”
    “I’m grateful for this opportunity, Mrs. Hempstead, especially this time of year.”
    “Don’t mention it, my dear. We’re glad to have you. And remember, call me Helen. Now, hand over that precious bundle.”
    Once Nina was ensconced in Helen’s lap, Ethel maneuvered the wheelchair, and the three of them headed toward the library. Gabriella wondered, not for the first time, whether Helen hired her for her services or because of Nina. Regardless, Helen’s welcome had been genuine, and warm.
    Gabriella’s spirits lifted.
    “We’ll have tea in half an hour,” Ethel called over her shoulder. “That should give you plenty of time to sort things out.”
    “Don’t you worry a bit about this small bundle, Ethel and I will take good care of Nina until you come down.” Helen waved her hand over her shoulder, dismissing Gabriella. “Take your time.”
    Sean and Dennis passed her in the hall and headed up the stairs. Their arms were full of the last of the boxes. There was nothing left for Gabriella to do but follow. Chad was nowhere in sight, for which Gabriella was relieved. With any luck he would keep right on avoiding her.
    The bedroom was decorated in various shades of rich lavenders and pinks. A white-canopied queen-sized bed covered in chintz and strewn with plump, matching pillows took up one side of the room. To the left of the window, in the corner, was a small crib that looked as if the family had owned it for years—now freshly made up, ready for Nina. The baby motif of pinks and blues with baby blocks and teddy bears, giraffes, and other cuddly animals coordinated with the crib pads, sheets and blankets. Someone had even put a musical mobile over the crib.
    A touch of melancholy washed over her. She sank down on the edge of the bed. Her sister would have adored the setup. Touched by the Hempstead’s kindness, Gabriella had a hard time holding back the tears. She pinched her thumb and forefinger over the bridge of her nose and took a deep breath.
    “Who was the hot looking babe back at your apartment?” Dennis asked.
    She stood and held the door for him as he carted a heavy box into the room and deposited his load on the floor.
    “She a friend of yours?”
    So much for Dennis being interested in her.
    “My college roommate, Mindy. Sorry, I should have introduced you. Unfortunately, she’s finishing up her exams on Monday and leaving town on Tuesday.”
    “Just my luck.”
    “You don’t have any luck, Den, so shut your trap,” Sean groused. “Get your butt moving and help me with this box before I drop it on your toes.”
    “Yeah, right. You’re just jealous you’re not single and can’t look.”
    “I can look all I want. I just can’t touch.”
    “Keep that in mind,” Chad said, stepping out of one of the closed doors to the left of the landing. “You’ve got your hands full with your wife. Who just happens to be my sister.”
    Chad’s tone was more lighthearted than Gabriella had witnessed earlier. Maybe his mother was right and he wasn’t always so grumpy.
    “Thanks for helping,” she called to Dennis and Sean as they left the room.
    Chad lingered in the doorway.
    “I know you don’t want me here. Believe me, it wasn’t what I wanted either. Sometimes you’re forced to do things you don’t want to do.”
    “Right. Fair warning. Don’t become too attached to my parents, nor let them become too attached to you. They’ll only be hurt when you leave. And one more thing. About Dennis. He’s on the rebound so don’t get any ideas. He’s a good friend. I don’t want to