“Will I have a chance to meet with your brother as well?” Micah made every effort to stabilize his voice, but it was futile. His words trembled and were steeped in longing—pleading. He didn’t want to sound desperate—but hewas.Desperate for hismiracle…to hold it in his hands, hisheart,and know without a doubt that it wouldn’t be taken from him, that it wasn’t a cruel joke being played on him, after all.
Seth’s eyes misted. “Of course.” His eyes darted to Mark then back to Micah. “My father spoke fondly of the little diner where he met you.”
Micah nodded. “The one just down past the park.”
“I’ll have my brother meet you there in a couple hours,” Seth said quietly. “If that works for you.”
“Yes,” Micah whispered, fighting the shakes within. “I’ll be there.”
Seth nodded and exhaled softly. “I’m sorry that I had to bring sad news so close to Christmas.” He swallowed thickly. “I hope it hasn’t ruined your holidays.”
“It wasn’t all sad,” Micah told him quietly. “Reconciling with his kids was what Sal wanted most. I will miss him dearly, but it fills my heart with joy that he got his miracle before he left this life.”
His emotions rising, Seth nodded, tears in his eyes. “Everything he spoke about you…was true.” The young man hesitated then stepped forward and hugged Micah, a tremor running through him. “Thank you for all you did for him…and for us.”
Micah tentatively wrapped his arms around him and hugged him tight. “He had a profound effect on my life,” he whispered. “I’ll never forget him.”
When Seth said his final goodbyes, Micah walked with him out to the porch. Seth paused at the top of the steps and glanced behind him at the closed front door. “So, uh…you and Mark…you’re…?”
“Just friends,” Micah murmured.
Relief spread across Seth’s face and he smiled. A soft gleam sparkled in his eyes. “Good to know.”
Good to know you’re only his brother, Micah thought but kept it to himself, the relief and excitement of that little fact overwhelming his senses.
He returned inside to Nick, Wendy, and Mark—each of whom stared at him with different expressions. Mark couldn’t contain himself and suddenly laughed out loud, startling them all. Baby Mary flinched in her mother’s arms and Eli, who sat beside his mom, grinned curiously.
“Oh. My.God. Impossible,you say.” Mark pointed at him, about to jump out of his skin with excitement. “Never see him again, huh?” He laughed again and threw his arms around Micah, practically knocking him off balance. “God’s just playing a cruel joke on you, is he?” He grabbed Micah’s face and kissed him on the mouth and grinned. “Wow—this is like…so awesome.I can’t even freakingbelieve it.”
Micah just stared at him, blinking, a silly grin on his face; he was having one hell of a time believing it, too…but somehow—he did.
“Uh…” Nick held up a finger. “Could someonepleasetell me what in the world is going on?”
Mark turned around, his face glowing. “You arenotgoing to believe this.” He looked at Micah. “May I be the one to tell them?Please?”
Micah laughed. “Be my guest.”
∞∞∞
Graham O’Brien stood at the motel window and watched as his brother parked the car and climbed out. He should have gone with him. It was their father’s dying wish that they connect with Micah Rose in person. When he and Seth had flown out, it had been Graham’s express intention to meet the man. There was much he’d wanted to say to him.
Then the airport incident happened and…
“Hey.” Seth came through the door, a grocery bag in one arm. He shut the door behind him and tossed the car keys on the short counter in the small kitchen area. “How’d it go over at the house?”
Graham moved away from the window. “There isn’t much there,” he mumbled. “But the house is in good condition. Shouldn’t have a problem selling it.” He stood in the middle of the floor, body tense and anxious. “How did it go with you?”
“Good.” Seth placed the bag on the counter and began removing the items.
“And?”
“Micah was everything dad said he was.” He glanced at Graham. “He’s a very pleasant man.”
Graham returned to the window. “I should have gone with you.”
Seth cleared his throat and nodded as he continued to empty the contents of the bag. “Youreallyshould have.”
Sighing, Graham whispered, “I wanted to, but…”
