The Trouble With Angels Page 0,104

fail, Goodness. I'm very pleased with how hard you worked."

"I didn't fail?" She lifted her head.

"No. Paul's going to take a year's sabbatical. During this time he's going to write a book."

"On the Gospel of John," Goodness said enthusiastically. She should have guessed as much, should have realized old Gabe had something up his sleeve. No wonder he hadn't complained overly much when she'd rescued Paul's sermon notes from the garbage truck. She'd actually saved the day. He was probably thinking of ways to reward her.

"No." The archangel dashed her hopes with a solitary word. "Paul's book will touch many lives, influence great thinkers of his time, and become a national best-seller."

"He isn't writing about John?"

"No, but the subject is near and dear to his heart. Death."

Frankly, Goodness was disappointed. "Wow, what a downer."

"Trust me, his book will give those grieving such hope that the sting of death will have lost some of its power."

"I suppose that's all right, but I do think he should think about good ol' John. I don't know about you, but I was impressed with his notes."

"Perhaps someday," Gabriel said noncommittally.

Goodness did feel better. She cared deeply about Paul Morris, although she'd never quite forgiven him for missing her one glorious miracle.

"What about Bethany's baby?" Only archangels and a few chosen others were allowed to look into the future, but it seemed to Goodness that they were notoriously selfish with the information.

Gabriel hesitated. "A baby girl."

"Yes." Goodness tightened her fist and then shoved back her elbow in a gesture of elation.

"You were hoping for a girl?"

"Yes." She folded her hands and pleaded with him. "I hope Bobbi Jo's born August tenth."

The beginning of a smile touched the archangel's mouth. "She'll make her arrival a week early, which works out very well because of Joe's wedding."

"Oh, yes, I nearly forgot about Joe and Annie."

"They'll live a long, happy married life, and so will Paul and Leta."

Goodness's eyes grew round. "Get outta here. Leta and Paul Morris?"

"Yes. You accurately read that look. Leta's been sweet on Paul for over a year now. It'll take him another year to work through his grief, write the book I mentioned, and then return to his full ministerial duties at Applegate Christian. Then and only then will he be ready to love again. Leta, as you're well aware, is a patient woman."

Goodness's low spirits shifted. "This really hasn't worked out so poorly then after all."

"No, Goodness, I'm pleased with your efforts with Paul, and other than a few minor shenanigans, you behaved maturely."

"Do you think I might be sent out routinely on prayer requests?" she asked excitedly. "I've learned my lesson, really I have."

"So I can see. But that decision isn't mine to make."

She would have pressed him further if Mercy and Shirley hadn't arrived just then, both breathless, their wings fluttering.

Mercy pressed her hand over her breast. "You wouldn't believe the day I've had. The next time someone mentions the words love and marriage, I'm headed for the nearest storm cloud. You can't begin to imagine what I've had to deal with in the last few days."

"No one promised you a rose garden," Gabriel reminded the prayer ambassador. "From what I understand, matters became quite involved."

"Involved? Is the pope Catholic? First off, Blythe tricked Catherine's grandson into a marriage proposal."

"They know all that," Shirley interrupted impatiently. "Tell us what happened this evening."

"You want me to skip over the very best parts?" Mercy asked, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Do you have a clue of what it took to convince Blythe to admit the truth?"

"You convinced her to tell Catherine the baby wasn't Ted's?" The question came from Gabriel and had the ring of challenge in it.

"Not entirely on my own, mind you," Mercy was quick to add, her eyes avoiding Gabriel's.

"But Blythe did confess the truth?" Goodness wanted to know.

"Yes, and soon afterward Ted proposed to Joy."

"Wonderful." Shirley clapped her hands together.

"Where are they now?"

"The two are spending Christmas Eve with Catherine."

"How sweet," Shirley said with a romantic sigh.

"Perhaps you'd care to explain what old Charles said about a certain angel visiting him," Gabriel said sternly.

"Ah...well..."

"I seemed to hear something about you speaking to Joy Palmer and instructing her to keep a party dress. What was that all about?"

Once again Mercy cast a flustered, helpless look at Gabriel. "I think I might have helped Charles."

"Were you assigned to him?"

"No." Mercy swallowed tightly.

"That's what I thought. Now about the dress?"

"It's the most perfectly beautiful dress you've ever seen. Joy looked absolutely