Angels at the Table (Angels Everywhere #7)(46)

Once the subway arrived at her stop, Lucie walked up the steps to the Manhattan sidewalk. The city was crazy busy with shoppers darting from store to store. Everyone seemed to be in a terrible rush.

“Is it always like this on Christmas Eve?” Will asked, darting around the bustling crowds and doing his best to stay out of their way.

“Always,” Shirley insisted. “Sometimes it’s even worse.”

“Busier than this?” Will appeared to find that hard to believe.

“Oh, yes, I remember the year—”

“Where’s Lucie going now?” Will interrupted.

Mercy knew he felt responsible for the mix-up in timing for Lucie and Aren to meet and wanted more than anything to make matters right. She couldn’t allow Will to intervene, though. Gabriel had been quite specific. Lucie and Aren had to work this out themselves, which made a reconciliation all the more difficult. Both were prideful and stubborn.

“Is she really going to ignore Aren over Christmas?” Will demanded.

“She’s ignored him to this point,” Goodness reminded them.

“She didn’t even send him a Christmas card.”

“Nothing,” Mercy confirmed.

“Did Aren send her a card?” Shirley asked. “It wouldn’t have hurt him any to make an effort.”

“I agree, he should have done something,” Will said. “Don’t you just want to shake these humans? They’re impossible.”

“My dear young charge, you have only seen the tip of the iceberg when it comes to dealing with humans.”

“The what?”

“Never mind.” Goodness patted Will’s upper arm. “One day we’ll show you the Arctic.”

“Is that close to New York?”

“It’s a bit farther north,” Mercy explained.

“Are humans there as stubborn as they are here?”

“Oh, yes, humans are the same everywhere.”

“Amazing. And God still loves them?”

“It’s hard to comprehend, but He does. It’s really incredible when you think about how slow-witted they are.”

“Where’s Lucie headed now?” Will asked, frantically following her into a store.

“Oh, this is one of my favorite spots in the whole world.”

“What is it?” Will cried, jumping on the escalator behind Lucie.

“It’s a bookstore,” Mercy answered and grabbed Shirley by the belt in order to keep her away from the children’s section.

Shirley sighed with disappointment. “I wasn’t going to get into any trouble.”

“Maybe so, but I’m playing it safe just in case.”

“What is Lucie looking for?” Will asked, staying close on the chef’s heels.

“I imagine she’s searching for a special book to give as a present,” Goodness supplied. “This is a bookstore, you realize.”

“A very big one with lots of people.” Shirley darted out of the way.

“Look, Lucie found a quiet corner and is sitting down.”

“I’ll join her,” Shirley insisted. “Running around like this is wearing me out.”

“I think we’re all a little frazzled.”

“You are all working overly hard, don’t you think?”

At the sound of Gabriel’s booming voice the four angels jumped and whirled around. “And in addition you’re looking guilty.” His voice rumbled so much it was a wonder the walls didn’t tremble. “Is there something the four of you wish to tell me?”

Will, acting braver than Mercy had ever seen him, stepped forward. “We need to do something and fast.”

“You mean you want to intervene?”

“Yes, I feel responsible for Lucie and Aren. I introduced them when they weren’t scheduled to meet and now everything has gone awry and they’re separated and miserable.”

Gabriel sadly shook his head. “It’s not up to us. The lesson both Aren and Lucie need to learn is about pride and stubbornness. If they can’t resolve this minor life issue then their relationship is already doomed. Love is about acceptance and generosity of spirit, and frankly I don’t see that in either of them.”

“I do,” Will challenged. “Look at what Lucie and her mother did for the homeless.”

“And look at how willing Aren was to pitch in and help,” Goodness added.

“He was wonderful with the children,” Shirley reminded Gabriel.

“Yes, now that you mention it, he was.”

“See, there is hope for Lucie and Aren,” Will insisted. “If only you’d allow us to—”

“No.” Gabriel raised his finger, stopping Will from speaking further. “Intervention is out of the question.”

He left them then and Mercy watched as young Will’s shoulders sagged with disappointment. Glancing over her shoulder, Mercy lowered her voice. “I don’t mean to cause problems, but I think I might have an idea.”

“Does it involve Lucie and Aren?” Will asked with hopeful expectation.

She cocked her head to one side and lowered her voice.

“Indirectly.”

Goodness perked up right away. “Now, this sounds promising.”