Waiting for a Miracle

By Jennifer Wilck

Benjamin Cohen, widowed father of six-year-old Jessie, is doing his best to hold it together through order and routine. The last thing he needs is his matchmaker mother to set him up with her next door neighbor, no matter how attractive she is.

Rachel Schaecter's dream of becoming a foster mother is right within her grasp, until her meddlesome neighbor tries to set her up with her handsome son. What's worse? He's the father of her favorite kindergarten student! She can't afford to let anything come between her and her dream, no matter how gorgeous he may be.

Can these two determined people trust in the miracle of Hanukkah to let love and light into their lives?

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Dec 2, 2019
• ISBN: 9781509229574

Jennifer Wilck

Jennifer Wilck is an award-winning contemporary romance author. Known for writing both Jewish and non-Jewish romances, her books feature damaged heroes, sassy and independent heroines, witty banter and hot chemistry. In the real world, she’s the mother of two amazing daughters and wife of one of the smartest men she knows. She believes humor is the only way to get through the day and does not believe in sharing her chocolate. Find her at https://www.jenniferwilck.com.

Book preview

Inc.

Six-year-old bodies were good at many things—bouncing, hugging, and racing. Rachel was thankful they were also good at hiding her surprise. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine her favorite student, and her student’s father, would be at her neighbor’s house the same night she was invited to celebrate Hanukkah.

She met the hard gaze of Jessie’s father across the room. Eyes narrowed as if he suspected her reasons for being here. His broad shoulders were stiff. His jean-clad muscular legs were spread apart in a solid stance. Square hands fisted at his sides, and one of them held a menorah. Did he plan to throw it or club someone with it?

Giving Jessie a last pat, she rose. With an arm around Jessie, she extended her other hand to her father. Happy Hanukkah.

Ms. Schaecter.

Mr. Cohen.

Oh, please, Harriet said, Such formality between you two. Rachel, this is my son Benny. I mean Benjamin.

Benny. Rachel filed the information away for later, along with his flushed skin at the nickname. Interesting.

And Benjamin, this is my neighbor, Rachel. We’re not at a school event. You can call each other by your first names. Harriet pointed at Jessie, who gripped Rachel’s hand so hard, Rachel’s fingers lost their circulation. Except for you, Harriet added. You have to call her Ms. Schaecter.

Jessie giggled. Yes, Grandma.

Waiting

for a

Miracle

by

Jennifer Wilck

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Waiting for a Miracle

COPYRIGHT © 2019 by Jennifer Wilck

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Sweetheart Rose Edition, 2019

Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-2957-4

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

To Michael, my own miracle

Chapter One

Ms. Schaecter! Ms. Schaecter! Look at my picture!

The six-year-old girl’s voice rose above the cries of the other elementary students who poured out of the school onto the paved, fenced grounds of the four-story, brick Manhattan public-school. It was the last day before the winter vacation, students burst with exhilaration over the prospect of Christmas, Hanukkah, or whatever holiday they celebrated. To use the last thirty minutes of class, Rachel instructed her hyper kindergarten students to draw a picture of what they looked forward to the most over vacation.

Rachel plastered a smile on her weary face as she knelt by her favorite student. The child’s dark curls bounced with excitement. Her breath fogged in the cold air. Jessie, it’s beautiful, she said, admiring the girl’s holiday picture. Tell me more about it.

Three stick figures surrounded a Hanukkah menorah. Each of the eight branches held a multi-colored, lighted candle. The man, woman, and child wore various shades of blue. Bright yellow stars twinkled in the sky.

This is my dad and me and you, she said, her eyes shining.

In September, the first time the little girl included her in a drawing, Rachel argued. She’d worried and mentioned it to Jessie’s father when he attended Back to School Night. He explained his wife died three years ago. Ever since, Rachel sympathized with the child. Jessie continued to include her, and Rachel let it go. Lots of students developed crushes on their teachers. If her father didn’t mind, she wouldn’t say anything.

She hugged Jessie. Have a wonderful vacation and a Happy Hanukkah, sweetheart.

You too, Ms. Schaecter.

The little girl skipped to the bus waiting at the curb outside the school gate, her manic energy reminding Rachel of splattering oil in a pan of frying latkes. As the kids climbed aboard the bus, car horns, revved engines, and messenger bike bells on the busy New York City streets replaced the students’ noisy chatter. She stretched her shoulders as the line of yellow buses departed the school grounds. A cold breeze blew, and she drew her jacket closed against the biting December chill. She smelled snow as she inhaled, as well as exhaust fumes and aromas of roasting peanuts from the vendor on the corner, along with a faint tinge of evergreen from the tree salesman down the block. With another deep breath, she returned to her classroom to close up before vacation.

Much later than Rachel had planned, the kindergarten teacher next door, and her best friend from work, popped into the classroom. Any big plans for break, Kate asked, shrugging into her coat.

Rachel glanced around the room one last time to make sure all was in order. Not at the moment. I want to relax.

The two women walked out of the building together. You okay on your own this break? Because you’re welcome to join us for Christmas if you’d like.

Rachel nodded. You’re sweet, but I’m fine. Really. She and Mark had planned a ski vacation until Rachel broke up with him. For a fleeting moment, she pictured him skiing with his new girlfriend, the one she’d caught him cheating on her with, but she pushed the thought aside. It didn’t matter anymore what he did. He was out of her life. "I decided to play tourist here.