Miracle

by Kimberly Shursen

  She was quiet when she finished her list and handed it Clint. “I think everything’s on there that we’ll need.”

  Clint took hold of her hand. “You’re shaking.”

  “It’s just…” She couldn’t think of what to say. “It’s hard, you know. Being here.” Charlie looked around. “In Winston’s home.”

  “We can sell this place. We can leave now and go home.”

  “No. It’s just that I can feel him here.” She looked up into his eyes. “Watching over us.”

  “Never know.” Clint laid his hand over her cheek. “Stranger things have happened, as we know.”

  After Clint and Mira left for the small town that was only minutes away, Charlie went out the door and down the steps.

  She walked slowly toward the lake, the leaves crunching under her footsteps. “Winston?” she called and then started to sprint.

  When she reached the shoreline, she picked up her pace, praying he’d appear. “Winston,” she called again.

  When a cloudy vision appeared, Charlie stopped. Holding her breath, her heart skipping beats, she said, “Is it really you?”

  “Charlie,” he said calmly. “It’s good to see you.”

  With a bright light encircling him, it was as if a cloud had fallen from the sky with Winston etched inside. He looked younger, healthier. A sense of calm washed over Charlie.

  She had so much to say to him that she didn’t know where to begin. “I want you to know how much I appreciate what you did for Mira.” She walked closer to him. “There’s so much I want to know… so many questions about…” She stopped, puzzled by his grave expression.“What is it?”

  “I don’t have much time.”

  Charlie reached out her hand to him. “Please don’t go. Not yet. I want—”

  “Charlie,” Winston’s image began to fade. “I’ve needed to tell you something.”

  The bubble around him grew paler and paler and, right before he disappeared, Charlie could barely make out his parting words.

  “It’s not over.”

  EPILOGUE

  July, 2018

  CHARLIE SAT ON THE FRONT PORCH anxiously waiting for Mira. Even with the awning and the full branches of leaves protecting her from the sun, the scorching heat was almost unbearable.

  Soon after Mira went to college, she’d met Will. After Will and Mira married, they made their home in Chicago.

  Clint had hopes that Mira would end up with someone who would eventually take over the farm, but Will was a city boy and, in the last two years, had moved quickly up the corporate ladder. Clint softened, however, when Charlie convinced him that they should be grateful that Will not only took care of Mira and their grandson Maverick, but was a good man.

  Charlie used her sandal to push a plastic table in front of her and put up her feet. When Mira called and told her that she was coming, Charlie had gone to the store and bought everything to make Mira’s favorite foods. A peach cobbler was cooling on the kitchen counter, the marinated baby back ribs were ready for Clint to grill, and a spinach salad was chilling.

  Mira tried to get home every couple of months, but it had been closer to four months since she’d been home. Every time Mira came to visit, it felt like Christmas.

  Charlie hoped that Mira was going to tell them she was pregnant again. Her stomach did a somersault thinking about having two beautiful grandchildren to spoil.

  Mira had given Clint the boy that Charlie had always hoped to give him. After Charlie lost their second child, they’d tried for a couple of years to get pregnant, but it wasn’t meant to be. Her mind wandered back to those trying months.

  In the past twenty years, Winston had shown up in Charlie’s dreams a few times, but she’d never spotted him again at the cabin. However, she could still feel his presence.

  When Charlie heard the creak of the front door open, she turned and saw Clint. Just like his father, his hair had turned silver in his late thirties. With his deep farmer’s tan that cut off where his hat met his forehead, and clear blue eyes, the years had been good to him. He was as handsome as when she’d fallen in love with him in high school. “What’s up?”

  “What time did Mira say she’d be here?” Clint asked.

  Charlie leaned over, picked up the Sheffield weekly newspaper next to her chair, and began to fan herself. “Around two.”

  He sat down in a chair next to Charlie. “It’s been a while since we’ve seen her.”

  “And the munchkin,” Charlie added.

  Charlie glanced over at Clint. “Did you put the gate up on the stairs? With Maverick walking, we have to be careful.”

  “Yes, Grandma.”

  “That’s Mayma to you, Buddy.” She smiled. “I like the name my grandson gave me better than Grandma.”

  They chatted for a few minutes before Clint nodded at the red Toyota Highlander that turned into the driveway. “There she is.”

  A rush of excitement took Charlie. She stood and waved. Clint followed her down the steps to the driveway.

  When Mira stepped out of the SUV, Charlie had never seen her look so radiant. When had she added the streaks of blonde highlights in her long, light-brown hair that went halfway down her back? She looked like a model in her cheery yellow sundress, flawless skin, and oversized sunglasses.

  “Hi, Mom and Dad.” Mira flashed a warm smile.

  “Hey, sweetheart.” Clint put his arms around Mira and gave her a squeeze.

  “It’s so good to have you home.” Charlie teasingly pinched her waist. “I need to put some fat on you.”

  “I’m sure that peach cobbler you have waiting for me will do the trick.” Mira grinned. “Right?”

  “Mommy!” Maverick shrieked in a high-pitched voice. He banged on the back window with his pint-sized fist. “What about me?”

  Clint opened the door and unlatched the belt on his car seat. “Hey, big guy.” Clint picked him up.

  “I not big guy.” Maverick said, his round blue eyes wide and his rosebud mouth settling into a pout. “I Mavwick.”

  Charlie rustled his fine, straight hair and kissed his chubby cheek. “And there’s no other Maverick like you.”

  “Tractor.” Maverick wiggled restlessly in Clint’s arms.

  Clint laughed. “I can’t believe he remembered the tractor.”

  “I show him pictures of the farm all the time,” Mira said, “including the tractor so he won’t forget.”

  Clint set him down on the ground and watched Maverick’s short, stubby legs go as fast as they could toward the tractor parked not far from the side of the garage.

  “Duty calls.” Clint started after the infant. “You girls know where I’ll be.”

  “Be careful, Grandpa,” Charlie called after him. She put her arm through Mira’s. “Let me help with your luggage.”

  “Let’s get it later,” Mira answered. “I’m hot and thirsty.”

  “I’m so happy you’re here,” Charlie told her as they walked to house. “I’ve missed you.”

  “I needed to get away.”

  “Get away?” Charlie opened the back door and Mira stepped inside. “Is everything okay?”

  Mira walked across the kitchen floor and opened a cupboard, her backless sandals slapping at her heels.

  “I made raspberry iced tea for you.” Charlie pulled out a chair and sat down at the kitchen table. “It’s in the fridge.”

  Mira took out a glass and filled it with tap water. “Not crazy about raspberries.”

  “Since when?”

  “I’ve heard taste buds change as you grow older,” Mira answered. “I’m kind of spoiled on bottled water, but I know you don’t buy it, so this is fine.”

  Charlie was quiet. She’d never heard Mira say anything like this before.

  “We need to talk.” Mira’s tone sounded serious.

  “Okay.” Something was wrong. Usually when Mira visited they would chat for hours about nothing before talking about anything serious. “That’s what mothers are for.”


  “I’ve filed for divorce,” Mira said flatly after she sat down across from Charlie.

  In shock, it took a couple of seconds before Charlie could respond. “Whoa.” She put up a hand. “What are you talking about?” Mira had never, ever told Charlie there were marital problems. “You and Will are perfect for each other.”

  “Things aren’t always the way they appear to be.” Mira set the glass down on the table, keeping her hand wrapped around it.

  How could their marriage have gone from great to divorce in such a short time? “I don’t understand. When did you start having problems?” Charlie nodded at the door. “And what about Maverick?”

  “I was hoping he could stay here for a while.”

  Charlie’s head was swimming. “Here? You mean without you?” Charlie felt her cheeks grow warm. “Marriage is hard. You can’t just pick up and go whenever…”

  Mira put a hand up. “Stop. I don’t need a lecture.”

  Charlie was trying to keep her emotions in check, but Mira was making no sense. She drew in a deep breath, telling herself to stay calm. “Let’s talk about this later. I can’t… I mean… I think your father needs to be part of this conversation.”

  “I’m not staying.” Mira stood. “I want to leave before Maverick comes back.”

  Charlie lost it, stood up and hit the palm of her hand down on the table. “Just what the hell is going on? Have you met someone else?”

  “Not yet.”

  “What’s wrong with you, Mira?” Charlie’s blood pressure felt as if it was off the charts. “We didn’t raise you to just pick up and go whenever you damn well please.” She tossed an arm toward the door. “And abandon your family.”

  “Maverick will be in good hands.” Mira set her glass in the sink.

  Charlie had to calm down. “Do you think you’re having some sort of a breakdown?”

  Mira was quiet as she casually walked to the door.

  Charlie slapped a hand over her hip. “Tell me you’re not serious.”

  “But I am.” Mira opened the door and stepped outside.

  Her stomach tied in knots, Charlie couldn’t comprehend what the hell was happening. “We’ll work this together.” Anger was getting her nowhere. “Maybe you and Will need to go to a counselor.”

  “I have no desire to sit through counseling sessions for someone to tell me who I am and what I need to do to change,” Mira told Charlie going down the steps. “I like who I am.”

  Mira’s tone was cold; unfeeling. Somehow Charlie had to convince her to stay. Maybe Will abused her and Mira felt ashamed. Charlie had read articles on abuse and sometimes the spouse blamed themselves.

  “You know you can tell me anything,” Charlie told Mira following her, frantic to find a way to get Mira to stay.

  “There’s nothing to tell.” When they reached the car, Mira opened the back door. “I’ve packed some clothes for Maverick.” She took out two bags and a couple of large garbage bags filled with stuffed animals and toys and set them on the ground.

  Charlie put her hands on Mira’s shoulders and stared through Mira’s sunglasses into her eyes. Frustrated, her heart breaking, she said sternly, “Listen to me. You need to come back into the house so we can discuss this rationally.”

  Mira slowly turned her head and looked at one shoulder and then the other. “I’m asking you politely to take your hands off of me.”

  It was the first time in her life that Charlie was angry enough that she wanted to slap Mira. She took her hands off of her shoulders and put her arms down at her sides.

  “Thank you.” Mira opened the driver’s door. “I know what I’m doing.” She slid into the seat and adjusted the skirt of her sundress. “You and Dad raised me to be a strong, independent woman, to figure things out on my own, and I’m doing exactly what you taught me to do.”

  “We didn’t raise you to leave your son.” Charlie was falling apart and trying to think of anything to ask or say so to convince Mira not to leave. “Is Will having an affair?”

  Mira shrugged a shoulder. “Don’t know and don’t care.” Leaving the door open, she started the car.

  “Are you angry with me?” Charlie’s eyes quickly searched the fields for Clint, but she couldn’t find him. “Did I say something that hurt you?”

  “Nope. None of the above.”

  “Does Will know you’re dropping your son off with us?”

  “Yes. He’s fine with it. He’ll give you a call next week.”

  Clint, where are you? He was better at talking sense to Mira. “Aren’t you going to at least talk to your father? Tell him what’s going on?”

  “He’ll just agree with anything you say, you know that. Always has, always will.”

  Feeling light headed, Charlie put a hand on the roof of the car. “Mira, please don’t go,” she pleaded tearfully. “Give it some time and everything will work itself out.”

  “Believe me I’ve given it a lot of time. There are things I’ve always wanted to do and it’s time I start doing them.”

  “What things?” What was Mira talking about? She’d never said anything about wanting more in life than being married and having children. “Where are you go—”

  “It doesn’t matter where I’m going,” she cut Charlie off. After she closed the door, the window went down. “Not to worry.”

  “Worry?” Charlie put a hand over her chest. “You tell me you’re leaving your family, and won’t tell me where you’re going, and I’m not supposed to worry?”

  “In case you haven’t noticed, Mother, I’m all grown up. You can’t do anything to stop me from what I want to do anymore.”

  What the hell was she talking about? She and Clint had never stopped Mira from doing what she wanted, especially after she left home. “Can you at least tell me when you’re coming back?”

  In silence, Mira took her sunglasses off and their eyes met for a few brief seconds before she put them back on.

  Charlie’s knees went weak, her hands began to tremble. No, God, this can’t be happening.

  “A mother knows, right Charlie?”

  Speechless, Charlie watched the car go down the driveway and turn onto the highway.

  She fell to her knees sobbing, remembering the last words Winston said to her.

  It’s not over.

  KIMBERLY SHURSEN holds a BA in education with a background in marketing. She shares her home with her grandson Lukas and two dogs; George and Gracie Burns.

  Shursen also enjoys writing music, with two of her full-blown musicals produced by independent investors

  She is the mother of three sons and “Nana” to five grandchildren.

  Other works include:

  Itsy Bitsy Spider

  Hush

  The Lottery Series:

  Lottery: Book I

  Son of Caleb: Book II

  Caleb’s Lot: Book III, The Final Chapter

  Conviction

  Miracle Book I

  Connect with Kimberly Shursen at:

  Twitter@kimberlyshursen

  Facebook@kimberlyshursenauthor

  www.kimberlyshursen.com

  A note from Kimberly:

  I want to thank everyone who gave me, a new author, a chance. Your emails and reviews are the reasons I continue to write. The best part of being an author is meeting all of you.

  Thank you to Katie French, author of the best-selling, award winning TheBreeders series, who offered encouragement and support as she combed through every chapter of this novel.

  A special thanks to best-selling author Jerilyn Dufresne for helping with editing, along with Pete Boysen and Renee Acard for the final proof reading of Miracle.

  Without the Hush team’s support, my career wouldn’t be near as fun, or near as rewarding.

  I will be forever grateful to Renee Acard, Scott Berry, Joni Millhollin Collins, Authors’ Katie French and Jerilyn Dufresne, Deb Beckman Fountaine, Darcee Lynn Hejda, Tom Helton, Jane Huflies, Madalena Perez Long, Jenee Larsen Rager, Michelle Tracek,
and Jena Jackson-Tycsch.

  And, as in every book,a thank you to all my boys:

  Andy, Anthony, Adam & Lukas