Angels at Christmas - By Debbie Macomber Page 0,77

to find a pew in the back, where Dean preferred to sit.

"Isn't the altar lovely?" Shirley said with a sigh, pointing toward the poinsettias arranged around the table that held the Advent wreath. All four candles were lit, their flames flickering, little dances of delight.

"I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen Roy propose to Julie with my own eyes," Mercy said contentedly. "I have to tell you, scenes like this always get to me."

"Do they now," Gabriel said from behind them.

Shirley, Goodness and Mercy whirled around to face the Archangel. Goodness held her breath, convinced that Gabriel was going to chastise them for their earthly manipulations. They'd become far more involved in the things of the world than ever before, but surely Gabriel had made allowances on their behalf, knowing the challenge they'd had with Roy.

"Did you see Roy and Julie?" Goodness pointed. The proof of their success was sitting directly below.

"I did," Gabriel said, and nodded approvingly. "I must say you three used some unconventional methods to fulfill your mission. Tell me, what did Roy learn from all this?"

A prayer couldn't be answered unless there was a lesson learned.

"His lesson was about love," Shirley answered. "His mother's love touched him. Her prayers for her son were heard by all of Heaven, and God sent us to show Roy that he could find love."

"Very good," Gabriel said. "But then, you always knew that, didn't you, Shirley?"

The former Guardian Angel nodded. "I did. Anne was such a special child. I knew she'd grow up to be a special woman, and I was right."

"Can you give us a peek into the future?" Mercy asked, crowding between Goodness and Shirley in an effort to gain Gabriel's attention.

"Yes, please." Goodness added her request.

Only a few were granted the privilege of gazing into the future, and Gabriel was one.

"Tell me about Anne," Shirley pleaded.

"Your Anne will continue to paint for a number of productive years."

"Angels?"

"Yes, and landscapes. The fees she earns from the angel paintings will support her far and above what she ever imagined. She'll become well-known for her work. In the years ahead, she'll be recognized as a fine and talented artist. People will pay high prices to own one of Mary Fleming's paintings."

"I'm so pleased," Shirley said happily.

"And to think it all started with you," Goodness said to her. The instant the words were out, she realized what she'd done - alerted Gabriel to the fact that Shirley had appeared to Anne. She clapped both hands over her mouth.

Gabriel, fortunately, didn't seem to notice her slip.

"What about Burton and Aimee?" Mercy asked.

Gabriel's sigh was heavy. "They'll divorce in two years when she leaves him for another man. Burton will be stunned and hurt. He'll become something of a recluse after that. Over time, Roy and his father will reconcile and the greatest joy of his life will be his grandchildren."

"I'm so sorry to hear his marriage to Aimee didn't turn out the way he expected."

"Burton was a man who brokered misery," Gabriel reminded them. "He brought about his own unhappiness."

"He never gave Anne the credit she deserved," Shirley said. "How ironic that because of him, she'll become a famous artist."

"What about Roy and Julie? Will they be happy?" Goodness asked.

"Very much so," Gabriel said, brightening. "Their marriage will be a good one. In the next five years, Julie will give birth to three children, two boys and a girl. All three will be athletic and intelligent. Their daughter, named Anne Darlene after her two grandmothers, will go on to be an Olympic swimmer. The boys will take after their father and eventually assume leadership of Fletcher Enterprises."

"What about Dean?"

"He'll retire soon, and then, at the age of eighty, he'll die peacefully in his sleep."

"So he'll be joining his wife in Heaven twenty Earth-years from now?"

"Yes," Gabriel replied. "Are you satisfied now?"

Shirley, Goodness and Mercy nodded.

"Ready?" he asked. In the distance, Goodness heard the strains of the heavenly choir as the angels gathered together to sing praise to the newborn King. But before she left Earth, Goodness had to know about Anne's mother. She just had to know.

Shirley stepped close to her side. "She was an artist, too, and a wonderful mother. I always had a soft spot in my heart for Anne and wanted to work with her after her mother's death. God had other purposes for me, but He allowed me back into Anne's life for just this short time. I'm very grateful."

So was Goodness.

The strains of the heavenly choir were richer and more distinct as the four of them drew closer. Ah, but this was a special night on Earth, one filled with glory and goodwill toward mankind. A night that came only once a year when God smiled down on those He loved and sent His angels to shout out the glad news.