Miracles in the Making

by Adrienne Davenport

  Candy rubbed her eyes, adjusting her view to the light sparkling through her window, to the truth she allowed herself to forget. With a little amused laugh at her own absurdity, she stumbled to her feet. Dreams were for children weren’t they? To dare to believe otherwise was an adventure in itself. Right now, the idea of breakfast was escapade enough.

  Chapter Eight

  She always enjoyed a good challenge, no matter how grueling the climb. Marie settled on the deep maroon carpet covering the floor at the foot of her bed. While she sat, she pondered the intricate task that lay before her and her sister, casually whistling an airy tune. Right now easy was about the last word in her register, but, as was often the case, that didn’t seem to have much effect. Plucking a slinky orange tank from a hanger, she tossed it into her case, busily preparing for her upcoming trip to the lodge. Why not resolve two matters at once? As for that rogue of a man, she didn’t have the first whim where to begin. If any luck would grace her sister would have a better grasp. A good many hours before that, on their way from Candy’s, Lacy threatened to happen by. That ought to be any time. Already the clock read four in the afternoon. Work only ran another hour or two.

  That was the days that Lacy had it, owner of some pretty little flower arrangement store. Everyone knew well enough that she loved it. It allowed her to do what she wanted. At the same time, she never failed to spend time with that partner of hers. She’d loved Markus more than life itself.

  The man may not have been much; opting to fly out as soon as the best opportunity rose, but boy did he manage to make her happy. No one could really say what exactly had been the official cause of all that disorder. Anyone would say the pair had been right for each other. As for herself, the clothing store she worked for suited her just fine. She could be close to what she wanted on the days that work called her and yet retain the freedom she liked on those days it did not. Giving her watch a brisk tap with one finger, she grew increasingly anxious of the passing time. Nearly five and no sign of her sister—a sudden thump on her bedroom door forced her to vault.

  “Damnit!” she complained to the walls around her seconds before Lacy sauntered in.

  “Evening to you,” Lacy greeted, her spritely smile adding to her customary cheer.

  Marie unconsciously tapped her red suitcase. “If you were going to knock, you could have done so on the outer door. Perhaps then you might not have about killed me.”

  “Had I done so, would you ‘ave heard me?” Lacy’s lips widened, revealing perfect white teeth.

  Rolling her eyes at the friendly jibe, Marie pointed to the dramatic carpet. “Sit down if you like. I could use a hand.”

  “That looks to me like you have everything under control, but if you say so.” As Lacy sank to the floor, her miles of auburn waves, free of any restraint, dusted her pearl-colored winter sweater. The natural blonde and brown highlights that streaked through perfectly harmonized with the other color. She was like a scene from a fairy story. Once in a while, Marie felt a little jealous, but those occasions were rare. Giving the lid to her first case an inadvertently strong snap, she sent it soaring into one corner. “That thing wasn’t the issue,” she explained, getting down to business. “You recall our little visit?”

  Lacy furrowed her brow. “That depends—which one did you have in mind?”

  “Last night, our evening with Candy. Today I was thinking that over as I was packing. I hoped you could give me a hand.”

  “I know about as much as you do,” Lacy flatly replied.

  Both girls fell into silence, neither one sure how to react. After a frustrated huff, Lacy indicated, “It’d help if we knew where to start. Good Lord knows we don’t know where to find that friend of hers. Unless you have some idea I’d say we’re at a complete loss.”

  “Well,” Marie told her, her expression growing spry. “I did have some notion of where the man might be. It was the rest that little predicament of hers that had me fishing.”

  Lacy’s mouth fell open. “You’re a hell of a lot luckier than I am. How on Earth could you have the first clue? This place is big as an ocean! I wasn’t about to admit it at the time, seeing as depressed as the girl was to begin with. Our sis, bless her, was right about that though.”

  Marie off-handedly shrugged her shoulders. “I suppose that’s true enough, but if you want to mull it over, luck was the bigger factor. It was the other day as I was working, I saw the man happen by down the walk. Speaking with some business owner or another, he has a store along the same strand. It was clear he was looking for work and didn’t care what so long as he got it. Said he’d be back around. Now, I just have to cross my fingers. Anyway, I was thinking if I can get his attention, maybe I can get him to see where I’m coming from.”

  “That’s if,” Lacy noted without a hitch.

  “Yes, that’s true enough. All the reason I could use a hand. I don’t know if the man will want to listen. You have anything in mind? By some chance, maybe you’ll talk to him. Boys never shy from a conversation with you, probably because you’re the prettier of us. It’s no joke; that’s always been the case.” Marie waited for her sister to object, holding her breath for the result.

  Instead, Lacy sniggered as she mulled over the concept. This did nothing for Marie’s raw nerves, but it was much better than a direct no. Suddenly Lacy choked back her laughter, forcing herself in line. “The whole idea is foolish. We are a foolish for thinking it over, but it’s also about the last chance we have. What were you thinking?”

  Her fingers unconsciously tapping her leg as if it were an aging piano, Marie came to a jarring halt. As she did, her hand slapped at her skin. Forcing from her a startled screech, the blunder momentarily shook her balance.

  “That was your own fault,” Lacy observed. “For another thing, you’ve yet to answer me about that little exchange.”

  “It’d help if I could speak, that hurt like the devil! Spare me some time will you!”

  Now Lacy’s fingers began an untidy beat against her skin. “How much time was on your mind? If you hadn’t noticed, a good hour has already passed. I would like dinner at some point in time.”

  “If that’s your chief concern, I’ll feed you!” With a hearty snap of her fingers, Marie darted her thumb towards the undersized kitchen located near the front of her house.

  On the verge of accepting the offer, Lacy settled back into place. “That doesn’t afford me an answer.”

  “You know more about the male mind then I ever will. If you must know however, were it me, I’d start by explaining your lack of intent to bite.”

  “I don’t see what good that’ll do, but if you insist.”

  “I told you, you wouldn’t care for my opinion.” Using the bed for leverage, Marie pitched herself from the ground. “Explain to him how much she misses him. You know she’ll never do it, even given the chance. Invite him up to the family home. We both know what a wonderful present it’d make, just keep the whole mess between you and me.”

  Lacy scrambled up after her. “Again, may I remind you, that doesn’t help with that perilous if.”

  Now Marie chuckled. “You’re about as optimistic as Candy.”

  “Have I any reason to be?”

  “Okay, okay; just help me out, will you?”

  Lacy gave her sister a wily grin. “I never said I wouldn’t, just that we are both insane to try. So, what about that dinner? I do have two boys to consider you know. Right now the two hooligans are busy harassing their grandma, but I can’t say how long that will last.”

  Marie pictured her nephews, rolling over each other and sending pillows sailing from a couch. Her smile extended. “I’ve got plenty of choices to pick from; you ought to know that by now. Just follow me. I’ll pour us a glass of wine to go with.” Agreeing on their direction, the siblings rambled out of the room.

  Halfway to the lit
tle kitchen, Lacy glanced to her sister. “The more I think it over, the better that wine sounds. Do you have a red?”

  Chapter Nine

  Noel dusted his jacket—the one bought with the few dollars he earned from working at Candy’s shop. After the way they had parted, he knew she would no longer give him a job. The woman wanted nothing to do with him, she firmly enough expressed her feelings on that.

  Above him, a clock struck the hour, the heavy sound rumbling through the air. Almost two days had passed since he last spoke to the owner of an ice cream parlor about a job. Now it was the day just prior to Christmas Eve of Christmas and he had yet to hear solid news. If he was going to be stuck here, he’d just as well put himself to good use.

  Skidding to a stop before the charmingly detailed parlor, he surveyed the area around him. This time, women with their children, along with the occasional tourist, were the only people to cross his vision. About to step into the parlor, he was distracted by a woman all dressed in pink—from her fuzzy wool sweater down to her dark rosy shoes. She resembled a print from a magazine. Her wave was tall and resilient, making her easily noticeable against her surrounding thickly blanketed in white. Noel sent her a smile, on the brink of turning around.

  “Noel! Noel!” Lacy shouted; her delicate female voice raised as loud as it would go.

  Noel paused in mid-motion, squinting against the snow. The charmer did strike him as familiar, but not enough that he could be sure.

  “Noel!”

  This time he didn’t doubt it. Turning on his heel, he headed in the opposite direction. So much for confirming a job. He chuckled as the thought hit. Halfway to where the woman stood, it was easy enough to recognize her unique characteristics. Why would the girl want to see him, much less speak his name? “Lacy, how good to see you. I must say I am a little taken aback.”

  Somewhat short on breath, Lacy ceased with the animated flagging of her arm that originally caught his attention. “How are you doing?” Her voice was tempered to a sweet note, and her lips curled ever so gently.

  Immediately he became more suspicious; nonetheless, he forced himself to remain. Keeping to a safe distance, he informed her, “I’m getting along.”

  “You always were good at that,” Lacy dared.

  For some reason, that faintly eased Noel’s tension. “A good thing it is by the look. Have something on your mind then, or were you just hoping for an easy hello?”

  Lacy mentally crossed her fingers. “Would it be all that bad if I did?”

  “I’d like to know what it is.” The strain that had started to leave him, returned with a terrible internal jolt.

  Tiny strands of her golden hair escaped from the band holding them, feathering Lacy’s cheek. She dismissed them in favor of the conversation at hand. Permitting herself a deep gulp of the chilled winter wind, she dove straight in.

  Pretending to be moderately oblivious to events around her, she began where she thought best. “I suppose I have no say truly; it all depends on where everything sits with you and my sister. I understand life is not perfect after all, but Marie and I are aware, one had a penchant for the other. Can’t say for certain now with events playing out the way they did. Putting all that aside, Marie and I wonder if you’d like to join us for Christmas. Marie’s the one who suggested it. She works just down the way. I was quick to agree. You were such a wonderful sort the last time we crossed, and we had no idea what you are doing for the holiday. Only a friendly offer; up to you of course.”

  Flickers of warning lit inside Noel. Part of him begged to agree, pressed at him to do so, nonetheless past attempts to do so had long since taught him better. “So sorry,” he told her kindly. “I’d love to take part, but I just don’t know if I’ll be able.”

  Lacy’s summer-like eyes clouded over. “Well, if you happen to change your mind, the lodge is up along Galena Mountain—a blue house with white trim. Our family’s been there awhile. A few centuries old it is—the locals can tell you where to find us.”

  Noel mulled this over. Then, with a fleeting, “Thanks,” returned his attention to his reason for coming here.

  * * * *

  As fortune would have it, Noel got the job. Pleased with this personal victory, he ambled down the lane. More at ease with himself than he had been in many hours, he let his riotous thoughts stir. Again, he thought of what his Gabriel had told him, and then he thought back to Candy. An ache throbbed in his heart—brutal and relentless. That yearning swirling inside of him slowly grew. What began as a discreet scraping matured into a vicious rip, as if his heart bled. At last, he gave into the yearning, silently admitting to himself that truth he’d tried so hard to avoid. He loved the girl—enough to forsake life all around him, enough to forsake anything more.

  Chapter Ten

  For well over an hour. A handsome young man rambling along the Chicago streets, his head lost in the clouds and his heart a cataclysmic upheaval. With a wise dip of his head, Gabriel looked to his partner.

  “The boy has learned his lesson. Anyone can see that truth. He is ready to return to his position—but, do you think it will make him happy?”

  Beside him, an angel twisted to face him, his ruffled brown hair dusting about with of the remaining breeze. His gaze traveled far below them. The tiniest edge of a smile quirked his lips at one edge. “If you are sure you want my opinion…I don’t see how it could be the right decision. It’s obvious the boy shifted his course, whether he knows as much or not.”

  Frustrated, Gabriel scratched at the thick mass of curls swirling atop his head. For once, he had no positive inspiration on how to handle the problem before him. Such trouble seldom struck him. Most times, when it did, he easily steered it away. Then again, he never before found such trouble so close to home.

  “Any ideas?” he wondered.

  Daniel dared a short, brisk laugh. “I did have one or two; pardon me, if you’re willing.”

  Rapping his foot Against the cotton-like shell of the clouds, he readily asked his partner, “Would you like to explain a little further?”

  “All right then.” Daniel relaxed to the ground. “I don’t know how you feel about the concept, but what would you have to say about allowing the boy the choice? So close to Christmas already, it would make for a good gift. Were we to perform the task on the Eve prior, this would allow him and his girl Christmas Day. At least, one of the pair would like to think of it that way.”

  Gabriel’s delayed reaction indicated he was pleased. “You think the youngling would appreciate this sort of offer?” he inquired, already mentally confirming his decision.

  “Christmas Eve is what you had in mind?”

  “I would like to think it’d be the most reasonable time. Do we have ourselves an agreement?” Daniel continued to watch his friend as he moved along the city streets, happy to believe he’d found satisfaction at some time in his life.

  Gabriel’s foot ceased its knocking and along with it the rushing pulse, that had been causing the winds to dance. “I only have one question for you…will you make this precipitate delivery or will I?”

  “I hadn’t altogether considered that end of things. This is the first time I’ve stopped to consider the option. Why not the two of us together?”

  “Very well then, that’s the way it shall be handled.” The glow returned to Gabriel’s face. “Don’t get too comfortable, you know as well as I do, when you’re waiting for something how time tends to fly.”

  “I’m no longer a student,” the second angel responded, his expression matching in satisfaction.

  On most days, he would have been sure to offer a firm reprimand for the second angel’s behavior, but today he restrained. Daniel had been a great help, Gabriel silently added, He was still being exactly that, and more.

  Chapter Eleven

  Noel sipped at his coffee until the cup was half dr
y, never noticing that it’d long since gone cool. Looking around the bistro he chose for his morning reprieve, he soaked up the pungent Tuscan design pervading each surface. From the deep toned walls, some red and some dark granite stones, to the prettily twisted black wire chairs. “Ellie’s Bistro” the sign read. All green and yellow with lettering painted in screaming red, it was easy enough to see. At the time, it had seemed like the perfect place to find peace. If that were all he allowed to him, especially on such a special day, he’d be wise to accept the small blessing.

  His searching eyes tumbled up to the ceiling, lined with strong wooden beams. In between each of these solid wood arms, mythical scenes painted the surface, some fairies and others spritely little elves. It was the third one of these that chained his attention—a stately castle surrounded by rolling waves of jade countryside. Offset by a wall of creamy mountains, each one accumulating to a sharp point in the perfect finishing detail. A detail that tugged at his mind.

  They reminded him of other mountains, ones he learned of not so very long ago, and of the girl, he would find if he went in search of her. Shoving aside the cup, he slapped a five-dollar bill down for the waitress and scooted away from his chair. It may have taken awhile but, for once, he knew his own mind. Not that he had the first idea where to start, a car being a practical move. Convinced of his intention, Noel stormed from the French doors at the bistro’s face, snatching a city paper from a small counter near the doors as he passed.

  Flipping past many wrinkled pages, he opened it to one with a heavily wrinkled side. Skimming the crowded surface, he searched for any shot at a car, whatever was closest to his current location more like then not. Many times, he shook his head, before landing on a possible chance. Four streets over, it said, Danny’s Sales and Rentals-and it was open today. His hopes raised high enough of course, he didn’t have much to work with.