Nothing Short of a Miracle Read Free Page A

breath. Then let him have it.
    “I have a real baby in the back of my car. The damage to my baby could have been a lot worse than that imaginary dent on your bucket of tin.” Anger surged through her at his offended expression. “You crashed into me . Not the other way ’round. I was the responsible one. I obeyed the rules of the road. I stopped for a red light. I am in the right. Not you.”
    She let out an exasperated sigh and continued to poke her finger at his chest. “You, sir, were following too close, weren’t paying attention, and rammed into me. The least you could do is ask if I’m hurt or if the baby is okay.”
    He abruptly turned and opened the back door where Nina was strapped into her car seat.
    “Stop!” Gabriella screamed. “What do you think you’re doing? Don’t you touch my baby. You’re a stranger for God’s sake. Get back.”
    Gabriella flew at him, pushed him aside with a strength she didn’t know she possessed. He bumped his head on the doorframe. His hat tilted sideways. Good. He deserved having some sense knocked into his head. His stunned expression would be comical if the situation wasn’t so serious. She hoped he ended up with a knot the size of Texas on his handsome head.
    Gabriella’s chest rose and fell to the rapid beat of her heart beneath her coat now flapping in the cold winter wind. What a crappy day. She didn’t need any more problems dumped in her lap. And didn’t need this man taking liberties when it came to Nina.
    She leaned in to check on her niece. And it hit her like a ton of bricks. She’d referred to Nina as her baby.
    Oh, my God. It’s true. Nina is mine , now. Good Lord. I’m a mother.
    Gabriella had a sudden urge to lift Nina out of the car and cuddle her up against her chest. Is this what motherhood feels like? Warm? Protective? The sensation was totally unfamiliar, yet extraordinarily satisfying—it was like nothing Gabriella had ever before experienced. She was high with happiness. She’d had Nina for several weeks and as much as she’d cared for and loved the infant, this was the first time she’d truly wanted to keep Nina as her own despite any trials she had to go through—for as long as it took.
    “Look, lady,” he said, interrupting her contemplations, “I just wanted to make sure the baby was okay.”
    He rubbed his head. She didn’t feel a bit sorry for his pain.
    “What kind of a mother do you think I am? Of course I made sure she was okay before I got out of the car. Now. Move. Away. From. My. Baby. ”
    He didn’t go far, but it was far enough. Gabriella slipped back in front of him and leaned in to check on Nina-who was now awake, and puckered up ready to cry.
    “There, there, sweetie. You’re okay now,” she whispered in Nina’s ear, giving her an affectionate kiss on the cheek. The baby’s lower lip trembled then turned into a smile. Gabriella patted her cheek, tucked the blanket up around her neck, then as quiet as possible shut the door to keep out the cold.
    A gust of wind blew Gabriella’s hair across her face. She brushed it behind her ears, then thrust her cold hands back in her pockets. She shivered, tugged her coat tighter. A glance at the tall, good-looking man found him still rubbing his head.
    She skirted around him and his car, careful not to touch his gleaming Mustang for fear he might accuse her of scratching his baby’s new paint job. Ignoring him, she slid into the driver’s seat and before she could shut the door, strong fingers gripped her wrist preventing her from closing it.
    “Here,” he placed a handful of bills in her palm. “This should cover any damage or inconvenience you’ve suffered. No need to get the police or insurance people involved. From the look of your vehicle, I’d say you don’t carry collision any longer, anyway.”
    “What…?” Gabriella stuttered, looking down, her hand now full of twenty-dollar bills. Her stomach churned. If she wasn’t in such desperate need of money