Maggie's Christmas Miracle by Elaine Manders

Author:Elaine Manders [Manders, Elaine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-12-04T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Daniel felt Maggie’s tension as he pressed his palm to the small of her back, guiding her to the doors. She wasn’t a woman easy to trust, but it was time she realized how appreciated she was by this town and be recognized for her good works. Never had he met a woman who felt so unworthy of praise. Or love.

He suspected her low opinion of herself began with her father’s treatment. If the man wasn’t dead, Daniel would have confronted him. As it was, he’d have to convince Maggie she was worth being loved.

“Why are we going in there? It’s not even lighted.”

Daniel ignored her and opened one of the double doors. The place was well-lit and full of people, all of her students as well as most of the town. They shouted “surprise” at her appearance.

She gave Daniel a shocked glance. “What in the world? You set this up.”

“It was a secret, Miss Maggie,” Izzy said. “And I didn’t tell.”

“You kept the secret well, sweetheart,” Daniel said, placing her on the floor. He had to literally push Maggie forward.

Annie hugged Maggie, and cleared her throat. “Miss Maggie, we’re all going to miss you. You’ve taught us so much more than reading, writing, and arithmetic. You taught us to care for each other and do things for ourselves and what’s right and wrong, outside of school, as well as inside.”

She drew in a breath, as Maggie sobbed into a handkerchief. “We couldn’t let you go without giving you something to remember us by,” Annie continued. “Because we’ll never forget you.” After hugging Maggie again, she gave her a small package. The rest of the students came forward, one by one, and piled their gifts into Maggie’s arms.

Maggie’s gaze kept sliding to Daniel’s with a mute appeal. All this attention made her uncomfortable. Then she slipped a glance to Izzy who stood beside him, out of the way, holding onto his coattail, and her eyes softened.

Rachel took all Maggie’s gifts to free up her arms and set them on the display table that held the refreshments of sandwiches, cookies, and hot chocolate.

The mayor raised his arms to gain attention. After a speech of gratitude for the school and town, he handed Maggie an envelope. “This is a little extra to express our appreciation for all you’ve done for Westerfield.”

Maggie shook the mayor’s hand with one of hers and took the envelope with the other. She gave a short, halting speech filled with sobs and sincerity, like she’d rehearsed it but forgotten the words.

After the applause had died down, everyone filled their plates and stood around eating and visiting.

Daniel waited as long as he thought Izzy would hold out, but after they’d eaten and he was assured everyone had time to speak to Maggie, he came up behind her. “If you don’t mind, I think we’d better go. It’s nearly nine o’clock.”

Maggie turned. One look at Izzy resting her head on Daniel’s shoulder, and she pressed her hands to her cheeks in a motion he’d already come to recognize as her what-could-I-have-been-thinking look.

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