Christmas 2011 Trio A. Кейт Хьюит

think about it,” she warned. “Gabriel asked me to keep an eye on the two of you. He knows, as I do, that you aren’t to be trusted.”

      “I wasn’t going to take the cart for a spin or anything,” Mercy protested.

      “But you did think about it.”

      Shirley knew her all too well. “I considered it.” Mercy sighed heavily. “But I’m older and wiser now, and no longer given to flights of fancy.” This thing was almost as good as a golf cart (there’d been that unfortunate incident at the Augusta golf course) but if Shirley wasn’t going to say anything, Mercy certainly wouldn’t, either.

      “You’re not to encourage her,” Shirley warned Goodness.

      “Moi?” The other angel brought her hand to her heart with an expression of pure innocence.

      Shirley claimed the seat on a second cart. “I thought we should confer before we start our assignments,” she said.

      Mercy didn’t know when Shirley had been put in charge or begun sounding so self-important. She obviously saw herself as their boss; this didn’t sit right with Mercy, but she’d do whatever it took to finish her assignment.

      “We each have an important task set before us,” Shirley announced as if standing at a podium and addressing a huge crowd. She tilted her chin upward and spoke in deep, resounding tones. “This is our opportunity to prove ourselves once and for all to Gabriel and—” she paused, seemingly for effect “—to God.”

      “Gabriel and God,” Mercy and Goodness dutifully repeated, their eyes meeting.

      “It is our task,” Shirley continued righteously, “no, our duty, to teach these humans a lesson from our heavenly Father before we answer their prayer requests.”

      “Our duty,” Mercy and Goodness echoed.

      At that point, Shirley deigned to actually face them. “You’ve got that look,” she said.

      “What look?” Mercy demanded.

      “The guilty look that tells me you did something you shouldn’t have.”

      “I haven’t,” Mercy insisted. “Not that it’s any of your business.”

      “I’m working with Beth Fischer,” Goodness said, getting in between the other two. “This isn’t an easy assignment. I could use some advice.”

      “What’s the problem?” Shirley’s tone was, in Mercy’s opinion, more than a bit condescending.

      Goodness frowned meaningfully before she explained. “It appears that Beth’s confidence in her ability to choose a life partner has been badly shaken. She doesn’t trust her heart.”

      “Why is that?” Shirley asked.

      “I don’t know for sure. I’ve been watching and studying Beth, and she’s a wonderful woman. It’s just that … that …” She hesitated. “It’s just that I’m afraid she’s still in love with her ex-husband. How am I supposed to help her get over him and involved with someone else in only one week? It’s impossible.”

      Mercy could understand her friend’s dilemma. “Didn’t you tell me her ex has remarried?”

      “Yes.”

      “Then you need to teach her to let go,” Shirley said unequivocally. “This happens all the time. It’s been almost ten years and she has to move on.”

      “I agree, but it’s going to be difficult to convince Beth of that. Thanks for the advice, though.” To Mercy’s ear, Goodness sounded a little—just a little—sarcastic.

      “I’ll help you,” Shirley said.

      “No,” Goodness returned immediately. “I appreciate the offer, but I can handle Beth on my own. She’ll be in Leavenworth this weekend.”

      “Really?” Shirley moved her hand to her chin in a thoughtful gesture.

      “Her friend Heidi invited her to come here for the Christmas festivities. No town does it better than Leavenworth—or so I’ve heard.”

      “What about your assignment?” Mercy asked, directing the question to Shirley.

      For the first time, the other angel seemed unsettled. “Yes, well, my assignment is deceptively simple—on the outside.”

      “I don’t believe you mentioned whose request you’ve been sent to answer.”

      “It’s a boy named Carter,” Shirley mumbled. “He wants a dog for Christmas.”

      Mercy swallowed a protest. She was dealing with a dying old man who had pressing concerns for his family. Goodness had to guide a young woman with a broken heart. And all Shirley had to do was find a little boy a dog! Talk about easy! Mercy could manage that with one wing tied behind her back.

      “As I explained, my assignment is deceptively simple, but—”

      “Yes, deceptively.” Mercy looked at Goodness. “Listen, I’d love to stay and chat awhile, but I’ve got work to do.”

      “Me, too,” Goodness said.

      “Yes, well, Carter and his sister are in school, so I’ve got a few minutes to spare,” Shirley informed her friends.

      “I’m sure you do,” Mercy said and promptly disappeared. Goodness followed, leaving Shirley sitting alone in the grocery foyer.

      A minute later, Mercy returned, hovering behind Shirley, who hadn’t moved from her position on the motorized grocery cart. Shirley seemed to assume the other two had left the premises, and Mercy let her think that. She studied the cart for a moment. These little numbers were a breeze to operate. Not that Shirley, so righteous and well-behaved, would know that…. With the lightest touch of her finger, Mercy fired the cart’s engine to life.

      Stunned, Shirley glanced around, obviously wondering what had changed and why. Mercy wasn’t about to tell her. The cart took off into the store with Shirley on board.

      Shoppers gasped and leaped out of the way. Several people reached for their cell phones to snap pictures of the runaway cart, careering through the store minus a rider.

      Mercy covered her mouth to hold back a laugh. Goodness joined her, laughing, too. Shirley wasn’t nearly so calm.

      “Mercy!” she screamed. “Help! Do something.”

      “I believe she already did.” Goodness chuckled and disappeared once again. Mercy did, too. Since Shirley had time on her hands, she could use it figuring out how to turn off the cart.

       Seven

      Beth wasn’t imagining it. The relationship between her and Peter had shifted since the night of her mother’s call. That’d been two days ago, and whenever they logged on to the game she lowered her guard a fraction more. So did Peter.

      The biggest difference was that they chatted far more than strictly necessary. And their messaging didn’t concern the game as much as it did each other.

      You’re right on time, I notice, he wrote when she logged on.

      Beth kicked off her shoes as she settled into the chair by her desk. She set aside the soda she was drinking in order to respond. You’re ahead of schedule.

      I was anxious.

      Beth read his words and leaned away from her desk. She wasn’t sure how to decipher that comment. Did Peter mean he was anticipating her arrival? Or was he implying that he was worried she’d be late? It was hard to tell.

      Anxious why? she asked, preferring the direct approach.

      To talk to you.

      Now that they’d reached level forty in World of Warcraft, the option to purchase a mount had been offered to them. It was a