The Trouble with Angels (Angels Everywhere #2)(11)

It wasn’t like Catherine to make judgments about others, especially people she barely knew. But in her heart she couldn’t picture her grandson married to Blythe Holmes. The two simply didn’t seem right for each other.

She was an old woman, Catherine reminded herself, and knew little of romantic relationships these days. She could very well be wrong. One thing was certain: she refused to interfere in her grandson’s life.

Her thoughts restless, Catherine stood. Whenever she needed to think over something important, she generally slipped into the chapel. Tucked in a back corner of the building, the chapel had been built many years earlier in memory of a valiant World War II chaplain who’d died on the beaches of Normandy.

Not wanting to meet anyone and be sidetracked, Catherine took the stairs and silently entered the empty room.

She sat in the back pew for several moments, gathering her thoughts. When she’d composed herself inwardly, she bowed her head.

The prayer came directly from her heart. She remembered the day her grandson had been born and what a special gift he was to her. That he should enter the service and become an Airborne Ranger seemed almost fitting in light of the grandfather who’d served as a Ranger before him.

"Father,” she whispered, "my prayer is a simple one. All I ask is that Ted marry the right woman.”

There was much more that she wished to add. Instructions. Advice. But she left those words unsaid. After a few moments, she stood and quietly returned to her room.

"That’s Catherine,” Gabriel said, staring down upon the earthly scene below.

Mercy was intrigued. The archangel had claimed she’d like Catherine, and Mercy had, immediately. "What a dear, sweet woman she is.”

Gabriel nodded. "Catherine Goodwin has a heart after God’s own.”

"What about Blythe Holmes?” Mercy was anxious to learn what she could about the younger woman. "Is she the right wife for Ted?”

Gabriel folded his massive wings against his back. "I don’t have the answer to that. But I’m sure within a short amount of time you’ll discover that for yourself.”

"You know who I think he should marry.”

"Who?” Gabriel’s head bent back with surprise.

"Well, we just met her for a moment or two, but I think Joy Palmer—”

"Joy Palmer?” Gabriel said loudly enough to ruffle Mercy’s delicate feathers. Sometimes the archangel forgot how much larger he was than a mere prayer ambassador.

"I realize we only just met her, but didn’t you notice how gentle and caring she is toward Catherine and the other residents at Wilshire Grove?”

Gabriel studied Mercy for a lengthy, uncomfortable moment. "Yes, but that doesn’t mean she’d make Ted Griffin a good wife.”

"Catherine likes her,” Mercy felt obliged to remind him.

"She’s also fond of Emily, Thelma, Lucille, and the other ladies on the library committee, but I don’t see you matchmaking Ted with any of them.”

"That would be ridiculous,” Mercy said, not understanding Gabriel’s lack of insight. All this should have been obvious to him. "Those women aren’t anywhere close to Ted’s age. Joy Palmer is a mere five years younger.”

Gabriel crossed his arms as if to say he’d like nothing better than to end their conversation.

"Furthermore, I saw the look that came into Joy’s eyes when Ted first arrived. It’s clear to me that you’re simply not that well versed in the area of human romance.”

"And you are?”

"I know a little about romance,” Mercy admitted. "Enough to know interested when I see it, and Joy was definitely interested.”

"I won’t have you pulling any of your funny business. Understand?”

Mercy put on her most injured look. "I wouldn’t dream of doing a—”

"Yes, you would,” Gabriel interrupted testily. "I’m telling you right now, I won’t put up with any of it.”

"Haven’t I given you my word of honor?”

"A lot of good that did me last year,” Gabriel mumbled under his breath. Then, with little fanfare, he lifted his massive arms, parting the thick clouds, and ushered them back into the prayer room.

Both Shirley and Goodness were waiting for her.

"Well?” Goodness asked.

"Gabriel was right,” Mercy said, almost breathless, she was so eager to tell her friends everything she’d found out about Catherine Goodwin. She could handle this prayer request with one wing tied behind her back! "I’m really pleased to work with such a wonderful older woman.”

"Just wait until I tell you what I learned,” Shirley said, slumping onto a chair and raising her feet onto the ottoman. Both her arms dangled over the sides as if it demanded too much energy to lift them. "I’m afraid I’m going to need help. Lots and lots of help.”

"You’ve got it,” Goodness assured her. "Really, Shirley, this is the beauty of the three of us working together.”

"We’re a team.”

"A team,” Gabriel repeated as if the idea of the three of them assigned to the same city should have been outlawed.

"Lighten up, Gabe,” Goodness said, and pressed her hand against her hip. "We’re going to be so good you won’t even know we’re on assignment.”