The Trouble with Angels (Angels Everywhere #2)(41)

Joe and Annie set about decorating the fireplace just the way Barbara had. Four hand-knit stockings hung from the mantel the same way they had for more than twenty years.

Paul had wanted to remove Barbara’s knit stocking the year before, but the kids had insisted they put it up. Their mother was as much a part of their family now as she had been before her death.

Paul hadn’t had the strength to argue with them then, and he felt even less inclined to argue this year. It hurt to see the colorful red stocking hanging next to his own.

A swell of sadness all but paralyzed him.

"Where should we put the nativity scene?” Joe asked him.

The words came at Paul as if from a great distance and were barely discernible. He couldn’t stop looking at the stocking and remembering all the happy Christmases he’d spent with Barbara at his side. How empty the holiday seemed now. How lonely his life was without her. Even with his children at his side, busily going about cheering him up, nothing felt right. He doubted that it ever would again.

Decorations wouldn’t replace his wife.

Presents wouldn’t lessen the ache in his heart.

A stocking, hung with loving hands on a fireplace mantel, wouldn’t repair the giant hole left in his life with her passing.

"Dad?” Joe said, and this time his voice was more distinct.

"Sorry,” Paul said, turning to look at his son. Joe and Annie held the figurines from the nativity scene that had been handed down to him from his mother many years earlier. "Yes?”

"Where do you want us to put these? Same place as before?”

Paul motioned toward the television. "Yes. On top of the television will be fine.”

On the pretense of retrieving something from the attic, Paul left his children in the living room. He walked up the stairs, and the old wood creaked as 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.”