Touched by Angels Page 0,36

prayer request to me."

"What do you mean?"

"Think about it," Goodness said, crossing her arms. "Ruth Morganstern prayed that Hannah would make a good marriage."

"Yes," Shirley agreed impatiently.

"It was as clear as the feathers in our wings that Carl was about to ask for Hannah's hand in marriage. Both Hannah's parents are nuts about Carl, and his family about her."

"So?"

Goodness had a hard time believing that her fellow prayer ambassador could be so thickheaded. "Don't you see?"

"Obviously not."

"Well," Goodness said with a sorry lack of patience, "Gabriel assumed the assignment would be a snap. An engagement to Carl was in the cards already. Really all that was required was for me to stand back and let it happen. Once Hannah was formally engaged to Carl I was supposed to pretend it was all my doing and promptly return to heaven, the assignment complete."

"Hannah is formally engaged to Carl," Shirley reminded her.

Shirley was missing her point entirely. "That's true, but Gabriel doesn't know that."

"In other words," Shirley said, walking circles around Goodness as she mulled over the situation, "you think this job is another one of Gabriel's little token assignments."

Goodness folded her arms and nodded with a good deal of ceremony. "I do indeed, and frankly I'm insulted."

"You mean like the chess set for Craig?"

Goodness nodded. "Exactly."

This information seemed to fluster her friend. "My oh my, I don't know what to think."

"Well, I do," Goodness returned with a hint of self-righteousness. "It was clear to me from the first that Carl Rabinsky isn't the right husband for Hannah. In good conscience I can't idly stand by and let her marry the wrong man."

"What are you going to do?" Shirley asked, and then crunched up her face as if she were afraid of the answer.

Goodness relaxed and smiled. "I'm not sure yet, but I do know one thing."

"What's that?"

"She's not going to marry Carl."

Sunday morning Brynn quietly slipped inside the pew at St. Philip's, crossed herself, and knelt on the padded kneeler. She closed her eyes and bowed her head, fully intending to pray. But it wasn't thoughts of God that filled her mind. Instead she found herself mulling over the night before with the church youth group and Roberto Alcantara.

Every time Brynn remembered the dance in which they'd shared the duty as chaperones, a warm, expectant feeling stole over her. It had all started innocently enough when they'd first danced together. No one seemed to want to be the first couple on the floor, so Roberto, stiffly, had asked her. She knew from the way his lips tightened that he wasn't keen on being her partner. Taking it personally, she'd glared back at him, letting it be known that she didn't relish his company, either.

Yet from that shaky beginning, something fragile and exciting had blossomed. As the music started, Roberto had held her awkwardly in his arms, his body rigid, as if to avoid touching her.

Then gradually, as they'd warmed to the rhythm of the music, he'd relaxed. Because he had, she had too. Slowly, almost without being aware of what was happening, she'd found herself tucked securely in Roberto's arms. It amazed her how well they performed together, how easy his steps were to follow. Anyone looking at them would have assumed they were longtime partners. Halfway through the dance Roberto had smiled, and she'd shyly returned the gesture. Then he'd tucked his head close to hers, and they'd continued to sway gracefully across the polished gym floor.

From that point forward in the evening, Brynn had looked for an excuse to dance with Roberto a second time. Unfortunately their duties had prevented them from spending any more time together. The teenage dance had gone on until almost midnight, and the high schoolers couldn't have kept them apart more had they plotted to do so.

From the silent messages Roberto had sent her way, from the quick exchanges of eye contact, she'd realized that he was as eager to be with her as she was with him.

After the dance, Roberto had walked her to her car. At first they'd been shy with each other, not knowing what to say. But gradually that had changed, and they'd chatted freely. Brynn was certain Roberto had meant to ask her for a date, but before he'd had a chance, a fight had broken out between two boys. In his frustration, Roberto had closed his eyes and forcefully released his breath. Brynn had felt the regret in him as he'd turned away and hurried toward the scuffle.

Long