Arms of an Angel

by Linda Boulanger

  * * * * *

  “What time is it?” Claire asked as they neared her building.

  Garrett looked at his watch, both seemed oblivious to the clock in the car dash. “A little before 5:00. Why?”

  “Keep going. I want you to meet someone. The old artist I was telling you about.”

  Garrett looked skeptical.

  Please, Claire thought, let me run with my dream. Please don’t begin to tell me all the reasons it can’t be done. Don’t dash my hopes. Please…

  Garrett shrugged. “You sure he won’t mind? Does he close at 5:00?”

  “For us he’ll be open, and it’s only a couple blocks down.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek.

  “What’s that for?” he chuckled.

  “For not saying no. For letting me dream.”

  “It’s a nice dream, Claire. I like the idea of dreaming it with you.”

  She beamed, elated as she’d never been in her life. Acceptance was a wonderful feeling.

  “Garrett! Stop. Pull in there.” She pointed to an empty parking space. They almost missed it.

  “Claire.” He grabbed her arm before she could bound out of the car. “We walk forward as a team, okay? To make our lives work together we have to do that. It doesn’t mean we’ll always agree, but we have to be willing to see the other’s side in all matters. Don’t ever be afraid to bring them up. I need you to remember, you have to believe your ideas and dreams are just as important as mine. That may mean altering course from time to time. You’ve got a lot of good inside there.” He pointed to her head and heart. “Let me help you out, and you do the same for me.”

  She nodded then kissed him. “I love you, Garrett.” It was the first time she could ever remember saying these words to a man. She was glad he was that man.

  Garrett’s attention was caught by the sign turning on the shop door. “Looks like someone’s closing up shop.”

  Claire turned to see Old Joe walking away from the door. “Oh!” She pushed out of the car and hustled to the door and began to knock. “Joe! It’s Claire,” Garrett heard her call. Seconds later the door opened and the pudgy old man embraced the slender young woman. Claire looked back and motioned for Garrett to follow.

  “So you have brought your angel to meet me?” he ventured.

  “Of course, Joe. But what makes you think he’s the angel?”

  “Two angels go together.” He pointed back and forth between the two of them. “And the old man from your building brought the paintings. They all sold today! Quickly too. Though I pulled two thinking he must have grabbed them by mistake. Let me get them.” He shuffled off to bring back the paintings. He laid them on the table before the couple, first the one of Garrett with his angel wings. Garrett laughed in delight.

  “I look pretty good in all white,” he joked. “Amazing work, Claire. Subject aside. I’m impressed. And the other?” he asked Joe. He was eager to see more.

  Claire gasped as he laid the painting of the little girl before them. Garrett touched the child’s features then looked at Claire who looked at the painting with tears in her eyes.

  “Many years ago, I told Old Joe that was a portrait of my little girl. I didn’t realize until now how much she looks like Chloe,” Claire whispered. “My heart knew…” She looked up at Joe and he nodded, though he had no idea who Chloe was. He simply agreed that there are things the heart knows long before we do.

  They filled him in on their lives; their plans to marry, Chloe, the dream…Joe was honored to have been chosen to be a part. The couple left with the assurance they’d return soon with details.

  “Thanks for being there for her,” Garrett whispered to Joe as they clasped arms upon their departure.

  “It was mutual. We needed each other. She was my earthly angel. She saved me from uncertainty. I merely pushed her to perfect her talent and let her know somebody cared.”

  * * * * *

  Three months later Claire and Garrett pulled up in front of Garrett’s parent’s home. Margarette laughed as an overly excited Claire bound from the car. Her attempt at country attire still looked like high-dollar fashion with her tight jeans tucked inside her red western boots, upscale black and red plaid shirt tied at the waist with a red lace camisole peaking from the neckline.

  “Nice piggy tails,” she teased her almost daughter-in-law as they embraced

  “Thanks,” Claire laughed. “Someday I’ll get it right.”

  “Oh I hope not, my dear. You’re perfect just the way you are,” Margarette told her and they hugged again.

  James and Chloe came around from the back. She was elated to see her daddy and Claire.

  “Not Saturday,” she told them.

  “Nope. But we have a surprise.” She scooped Chloe up and hugged her tightly.

  Margarette raised her brows and looked to Claire’s left hand.

  “No, we didn’t get married secretly,” Claire laughed.

  “In the car. Quickly,” Garrett commanded. They were surprised to see a seat for Chloe already in the back. Claire and Margarette climbed in on either side of her.

  “We’ll need it eventually,” Claire looked almost apologetic.

  “And what a joyous day that will be,” Margarette said. “Children should be raised by their parents and spoiled mercilessly by their grandparents - which cannot be done properly when they live under the same roof.” The two women laughed. Claire was as thankful for Margarette as she was for Garrett. She eavesdropped on the conversation between James and Garrett, barely able to suppress her excitement when she heard James mention the stables.

  “Yes, I heard,” Garrett answered vaguely when his dad said it had sold. He glanced in the mirror at Claire. “You’re as bad as a child at Christmas,” he told her reflection.

  “I didn’t say anything!” She giggled.

  “What are you two up to?” Margarette looked from her son to Claire then to Chloe and shrugged as they all laughed.

  Garrett eased the car into the stables’ driveway. The iron gates were already open and they could see several work crews milling about in various places on the property.

  “Should we be here?” James asked though he received no answer as Garrett got out of the car.

  “Help me. Will you, Dad?” Garrett said before shutting his door. James glanced back at Claire who was trying without success to contain an ear to ear smile.

  “Go. Go!” she said. She unbuckled Chloe and motioned for Margarette to get out as well.

  Garrett worked at the rope that held the heavy tarp in place over the new sign. It slipped free to reveal the barely dried painting of the barns and horses in the meadow. The name stood out distinctly in the blue sky. “Welcome to O’Bryan Meadows,” it read. “A place where dreams are allowed to grow.”

  “What is this?” James asked.

  “It’s going to be a place where we bring kids that need a little help in understanding they truly do make a difference; a place where they can explore passions like art and horseback riding, cooking, all sorts of things beyond the uppity professions their parents are trying to force them into,” Claire blurted out, her voice rising in excitement. “My daddy’s name and money may not have helped me, but there’s no reason it can’t help others…rich kids without hope - like I was,” she added quietly. She turned to James. “We were hoping you might oversee the stables.”

  James looked from Claire to Garrett. “This old place has been a dream of mine for years. I never could figure it out in my mind how it could pay for itself… or even how to pay for it in the first place.” They all laughed. He looked over the place then at the sign. “You two have really thought this through? You know what you’re getting into?”

  Claire, wrapped in Garrett’s arms, looked up at him. “I don’t know about Garrett but I don’t have a clue. I know we’ve enlisted the help of a lot of people who are considered experts. And I know a couple of old gents who see these kids day in and day out…they’re already working on a list of those who need our help.�
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  “We’re buying the old Miller place too,” Garrett added. “We won’t be taking Chloe too far away. Looks like we’ll be working together in a roundabout sort of way.” He told his dad. “I know it’s not quite as good as owning it yourself, but…”

  “Nope,” he interrupted. “It’s better. What a great way to use this place. You’re an angel, Claire.”

  She was already shaking her head before his words faded. “No! But I’ve had my share to help me along the way.” She looked up at Garrett and he kissed her. “I want others to have that same opportunity.”

  “Horses!” Chloe squealed pointing to a nearby pasture.

  “Yes Chloe. Our horses. Want to go and see?” Garrett asked her. She nodded her head and squealed again. “Come on, Grandpa,” Garrett said to his father. “Let’s go check out your charges.” He kissed Claire’s head and handed her the car keys before trekking off with his dad and Chloe to see the horses.

  Claire looked at the keys and bit her lower lip, “Margarette, I don’t know how to drive,” she said in a quiet, monotone voice. Living most of her life in the city, she’d never needed to learn.

  “Guess you’d best learn if you’re planning to live out here. No time like the present to learn, my dear,” she chuckled and climbed into the passenger side of the car.

  “Uh, Garrett. Has Claire ever driven a car before,” James asked.

  “I… huh, I don’t know. Why?” He straightened from the squatted position he’d used to look through the fence with Chloe.

  “Well, I’m pretty sure your future wife’s getting her first driving lesson.” James inclined his head toward the car that kept easing forward and then stopping only to begin again.

  Garrett’s brows came down toward his eyes.

  “Daddy’s mad?” Chloe’s voice was filled with childish concern.

  “No. No, Baby. I’m not.” He smiled to assure her. “Just realizing there’s a lot about a beautiful lady with a huge heart that I really don’t know.”

  James chuckled. “You may never know all about her, son. That’s part of the beauty of women. They’re like a sweet, special surprise that reveals itself little by little each and every day.”

  The two men embraced and began to walk toward the main building that would house the social activities of the operations. Claire and Margarette had safely arrived and were waiting inside.

  Garrett hugged Claire as they walked in, suddenly, overwhelmingly grateful Donna had canceled and Mr. Ballard had mistakenly given his table away. He realized that sometimes in life it seemed as if you were losing when, in fact, you were being positioned to win bigger than you could ever imagine possible. He knew life with Claire would be filled with the unexpected. His future wife was, undeniably, a delightful package, both inside and out. He smiled down at her, relishing the thoughts of those promised surprises unfolding day by day. A lucky break…or fate? Either way, Garrett knew he was right where he was supposed to be - encircled in hope found only within the arms of an earthly angel.

  * * * * *

  A Note From The Author

  I’ve come across a lot of people I would call earthly angels because of the way they have touched my life. It would take a book to list them all, though I would like to highlight two, in particular, who have been a source of strength and ever-present: My dear friend, Patrick Sipperly; an author in his own right and gentleman extraordinaire. You know how much your friendship and encouragement means to me. Laura Miller, aka Jaimey Grant, an angel with an edge, who has kept me going and growing. Your talent as both author and artist is beyond compare and our shared love of your Lord Heartless has been most delightful. Revealing him will be delicious! Angel? Could that word be used to describe him? I think his heart is not so dark as it may seem. Perhaps we all play the part of an earthly angel at some point in our lives… Perhaps we all need to check our wings!

  * * * * *

  Enjoy an Excerpt

  A Marriage of Necessity

  by

  Linda Boulanger

  Coming Soon to TreasureLine Books

  35 year old Terry Calloway looked out the window for probably the 18th time that morning. She wasn’t quite sure what she was looking for. Her visitors weren’t due to arrive for at least another 30 minutes, if they arrived at all. This time she paused as she pulled back the curtains; the vibrant serenity of the day catching her attention. Vibrant serenity? Was that an oxymoron? Could those words walk side-by-side? They had in her life once upon a time. She thought back to a day when all seemed as bright as the day that swirled outside her window. She’d felt so peaceful then, as if the world belonged to her. She thought of her dreams, her desires, including a husband that loved her and a large family.

  Without thought she tucked her sandy blonde hair behind her ears and began to rub her bared arms as a shiver ran up her spine. She wasn’t cold. She always kept the apartment at a comfortable temperature. She had ever since…

  No, she thought. I’m not going to think about that today. Yet how could she keep it from her mind? It was the very thing that had led her to this crazy meeting. Wrong choices. Please God, she thought, please don’t let me make another one, and especially for the wrong reason.

  On the other side of town, 44 year old Mark Reid was struggling to retain his composure as his younger brother filled him in on an absurd plan he’d hatched. Mark fought distractions as he listened. His mind ordered all the things he needed to get done before his mother returned with his 5 children. He didn’t have time for lunacy, not when he was battling the challenges of keeping his family ship afloat.

  “You know, Brad, if I had the money for a live-in nanny, don’t you think I’d have hired one by now? Sara’s been gone for almost a year. Look around, brother! It’s obvious I can’t keep up with all this. I do need help and desperately. But, hello! Taking care of 5 kids doesn’t exactly come cheap!” Mark ran a hand through his disheveled, dark hair that showed only the slightest signs of aging with a few wispy grays at the temples.

  Brad stared at him in disbelief. “Have you been listening to me? She doesn’t need to be someone’s nanny. She needs something permanent and you and your kids need someone that’s going to stay. I’m not talking about you hiring her. I’m talking about you marrying her.”

  Now it was Mark’s turn to stare. “Brad! You’re an absolute idiot. Now why on earth would I marry some woman I’ve never even met?” Mark’s jaw worked in a familiar manner that told Brad his older brother was beyond irritation. If they’d been kids still, Mark would have already jumped on him and allowed his frustrations to flow out through his fists. Brad was glad he was now the bigger of the two brothers.

  “No, Mark. I’m not an idiot. But you are if you think you can continue with things the way they are. You’ve admitted you can’t.” The younger man remained calm, waiting for his older brother to come around. Mark didn’t leave and he didn’t pummel him. Brad took that as a good sign and continued. “Mom said she’d told you she’s scheduled her knee surgery. She’s put it off for you for as long as she can. Brother, you’ve got six weeks before everything falls squarely into your lap alone. You’ve got to do something and fast.”

  Mark took a deep breath as reality slapped him in the face. He felt that familiar fist in his gut, the one he’d felt near-continuously ever since they’d found out Sara was sick. He put his hand over his eyes, squeezing his temples to stop the throbbing as he thought. Sara, Sara…why? She’d been their anchor, their captain, their figurehead spiriting them along. Their whole lives had been built around her, by her. She’d taken care of everything…and now she was gone. Mark was left to try to carry the family on his own; a job he was ill-equipped to handle. He did need help. He needed it desperately and he needed it now. He looked at his brother. Hopeful blue-gray eyes looked back.

  “Marriage, Brad? People don’t just get married…it’s like the middle ages. Surely she hasn’t agreed to such a thing? Marriage?” he asked again as his mind tried to search for alternatives.
Maybe she would exchange room and board for helping out or he could find some way to pay her something to come in and help. He knew that wasn’t possible. He’d tried to find the extra. There had to be a way...

  “Well, we both know you can’t afford to pay her. You need something permanent. There’re tax issues, gossiping neighbors, and…” Brad had kind of left out one little element that had been the true motivation behind Terry even considering what he was proposing, “she kind of has to be married before she turns 36 or she loses her inheritance. Now it’s not huge, mind you, but still she has no interest in seeing it get shoved into someone else’s pocket.”

  So that was the answer. It wasn’t that there was necessarily anything wrong with her that would cause her to potentially agree to take on someone else’s brood of five, although that in itself might qualify her for the asylum. He needed help. She didn’t want to lose her inheritance. Was that enough for a marriage?

  “Just come and meet her Mark. Please? For your kids and for her…” Brad pleaded.

  The two brothers stared at one another for a couple of silent minutes. Mark looked around at all he needed to do knowing he couldn’t possibly get it done anyway. “All right, but this is insane, brother. Insane!” Mark blurted out at last causing Brad to leap to his feet and pull his brother into a rough hug.

  Thus Mark found himself in the passenger seat of his brother’s car going to a place where it would be determined if a modern-day marriage of necessity could be arranged. As they drove to her little apartment for Mark to meet her for the first time, he questioned his brother as to what might be wrong with Terry Calloway that she couldn’t find anyone else to marry her, especially if there was money involved. Better yet, why would she want to marry a guy with five children? They overwhelmed him. Think of what they would do to someone who was unaccustomed to kids.