Mr. Miracle by Debbie Macomber

Author:Debbie Macomber [Macomber, Debbie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-553-39162-6
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2014-10-06T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Harry waited until the very last minute to enter Massey Hall, where the choral group was about to make its Christmas presentation. It’d been his intention to arrive late. The later, the better.

He hadn’t needed to make up an excuse. After speaking with Addie and Danny, he’d returned briefly to his classroom and been waylaid by the custodian.

“Mr. Mills,” the janitor whispered, motioning him over. He leaned against the mop handle, which rested inside a large metal bucket.

Harry knew the man’s name was Jonas from something Celeste had mentioned earlier, although he couldn’t remember exactly what it was she’d told him. Human frailties could be downright frustrating. Memory being one of those.

“Yes,” Harry said, as he approached the other man. “How can I help you?”

“You’re new here, right?”

“I am,” he said, and thrust out his hand. “Harry Mills.”

The other man clasped his hand. “Jonas Spelling.” He looked directly at Harry in an unsettling way as if measuring his words. “I heard you came from a teaching position in Oregon State Community College.”

This was a gray area Celeste had told him was best to avoid. “I did.”

The other man looked him over from head to foot as though Harry was in a police lineup and he was about to make a positive identification. “I have a brother who works at the same college where you taught. He knows everyone and he claims he’s never heard of you.”

Red lights started flashing right before Harry’s eyes. He was not used to having to lie. “I’m sure if your brother checks the records, he’ll find my name.”

“Yes, yes, of course,” Jonas said. “Anyway, that isn’t the reason I wanted to talk to you.” He lowered his voice as though afraid someone might be listening in on their conversation.

Harry made a point of glancing at his wrist, letting the other man know he had commitments. Then, in a flash, Harry remembered what Celeste had told him. Jonas Spelling was a known snoop. Harry had to wonder how it was that he attracted all the oddballs.

“I won’t keep you long,” the janitor promised.

“I appreciate that. I have a concert to attend.” He did his best to sound as official as Dr. Conceito.

“Yes, yes.” The other man hesitated and looked down. “I have a couple concerns I thought you should know about.”

“Concerns?”

“Yes.” Again he lowered his voice and glanced over his shoulder. “It’s about that war vet in your class. The one with the dog.”

“Andrew?” Harry had done his best to draw the reticent student into the class discussion, without success. Andrew sat in the very last seat in the back of the room and kept his head lowered, avoiding eye contact.

“Didn’t know his name,” Jonas continued, whispering now.

“Is there a problem?”

“A potential one. I think the man might be mentally unstable.”

Harry feigned surprise.

“Furthermore, the dog sheds hair. It isn’t a good idea to be bringing a dog into a classroom.”

“I disagree,” Harry said. “I think this class is exactly where Andrew needs to be, and as for the dog, federal law allows service animals into classrooms.

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