The Trouble With Angels Page 0,46

he moved slowly from one step to the next.

For several moments he stood at the top of the stairs, not knowing which way to turn or why he was there. Leaning against the wall, he sagged downward until he sat on the top step. That was where Bethany found him a few minutes later.

"Dad," she said, frowning as she stood at the foot of the stairs. She stared up at him, and it seemed she didn't know what to say. "What are you doing there?"

He looked around, hoping to come up with an answer that would satisfy her. But he couldn't think of one. "I came up here for something and then forgot what I was here for. Have you ever done that?" He laughed to make light of his odd behavior.

"Joe and I wanted to talk to you."

"Talk to me," Paul repeated. He stood and walked down the stairs. "This sounds serious."

He discovered Joe and Annie sitting together on the sofa, holding hands. Eric stood beside the fireplace, and it seemed to Paul he looked uncomfortable. His son-in-law's gaze skittered away from his.

"Sit down," Bethany said, and gestured to his recliner.

Paul sat, and his daughter followed suit. Eric came and stood behind his wife.

"We're worried about you," Bethany began.

"Worried?" Paul laughed it off. "Whatever for?"

"You're not yourself," Joe said. "I noticed it right away."

Paul wanted to tell his son that springing the news of his engagement on him hadn't helped matters. But he bit back the words that would only do harm. "I'm fine," he insisted brightly.

"I think you might be suffering from depression," Bethany said, and her voice shook as she said the words. "Nothing's been the same since Mom died. Not with you. Not with anyone."

"Depression..." Paul said the word slowly, as if giving it his careful consideration. Then he shook his head. "I don't think so. I've been in the ministry for years, and I've done my share of counseling. I know the symptoms."

"But..."

Paul raised his hand to stop Joe from speaking. "If anything, I need a vacation. A few days away from the duties and responsibilities of the church. I may drive up the coast, visit an old friend or two."

Bethany and Joe exchanged glances. Paul smiled broadly at his children, looking to reassure them. "I'm perfectly all right," he said, making sure his voice was firm and confident.

"You're sure?" Bethany asked. She leaned back and stared up at her husband as if seeking his advice. Eric squeezed her hand, and that seemed to reassure her.

Joe looked to his older sister and seemed agreeable to accepting whatever she thought.

"I'm positive," Paul said, and then rubbed his palms together enthusiastically. "Now, did I hear someone mention popcorn earlier?"

"They don't believe him, do they?" Goodness cried, so flabbergasted that she wanted to stand up and argue with Bethany and Joe. Not that it would do any good. If she could appear in her full glory and splendor in front of Reverend Paul Morris and not have him so much as notice, then marching into his living room wouldn't help, either.

Resting on the banister, she viewed the scene taking place in the living room with a disparaging eye.

"It looks to me like Paul's two children swallowed his story hook, line, and sinker." Shirley sat on the top step, the very place Paul had been only a few moments earlier.

"How can they be so blind?" Mercy demanded. She cast Goodness a sympathetic look. "This case is by far the most difficult any of us have ever been assigned."

"I so desperately want to help Paul," Goodness said.

"What about your miracle idea?" Shirley asked.

"Scratch that." Goodness hoped her friends would leave the matter at that. She'd rarely felt more foolish.

"Scratch a miracle?"

Unfortunately, Goodness's response had only succeeded in rousing Mercy's interest.

"All right, Goodness, you'd better tell us what happened."

"Nothing much."

"You didn't think of a miracle for Pastor Paul?" Shirley asked.

Goodness's nod revealed her reluctance to discuss the subject. "It didn't work."

"The miracle?" the other two asked in astonishment.

"No. Oh, I might as well tell you what I did," she muttered. There wasn't any way she was going to salvage her pride in this. "I revealed myself to Reverend Morris, full of God's glory. Only..." Even now she could barely make herself say the words.

"Only...," Shirley prompted.

"Only he didn't notice me."

"Didn't notice you?" This came in whispered disbelief from Mercy. "How is that possible?"

"I don't know," Goodness confessed.

Her friends gathered at her side. "While you two attended the basketball game, I