****
Zach was relieved there weren't too many angel paintings in the museum as they moved from the 1916 building to the new building. He couldn't believe how huge the place was. Leah quietly looked at the paintings, while he walked by her side. He noticed she didn't linger in the room with the painting of Cupid and Psyche. A flush came over her cheeks before she quickly moved on. Zach merely shrugged.
****
"What was your favorite part?" Zach asked. His voice broke through music on the radio.
"The Tiffany lamps."
"I liked the landscape in the 19th Century American painting room"
"The one with the sunset?"
"That's the one."
"It's a nice painting."
Her guardian angel rode quietly in the backseat. She hadn't said a word to Zach all day. Probably because I didn't speak to her first. He wasn't sure what to say to her anyway. Also, he'd have to explain to Leah to whom he was talking.
Traffic going south on 77 was smooth, despite the construction. The signs for Akron/Canton soon appeared.
Zach pulled into Leah's driveway. "That was great how you saved that kid."
He ran his hand through his hair. "It was no big deal." He wished she hadn't mentioned that. Most mortals don't notice things. She did.
"Will I see you at my birthday dinner tonight?" she asked with hope in her eyes.
"I don't know." He wanted to go. The last thing he wanted to do today was disappoint her. He was getting too close to her.
She touched his hand. "Please come." Leah got out of the car without another word.
That was it. His heart melted. He had to go tonight.
****
Leah pulled into the restaurant parking lot. Part of her didn't want to go in. She wished she knew if Zach was going to be here. He acted strange after he saved the boy and refused to speak of it. She wondered if her eyes were playing tricks on her and if it really was nothing at all.
The hostess approached.
"Table for the Blanco family, please."
The hostess nodded and walked her toward a table.
Balloons were tied to each chair. A large colorful 'happy birthday' balloon was in the middle of the table.
"Happy Birthday." Her mother stepped up to greet her. "Do you like it?"
She felt heat rise to her cheeks. "You didn't have to go to the trouble."
"It's not every day you turn thirty. Or are you planning to be forever twenty-nine?"
Everyone at the table laughed.
Leah sighed. I really didn't want to be fussed over. She looked at Norman, the man who raised her. Last night's dream filled her mind. She wondered what type of father Timon would've been if that crazy dream was true. Norman was a good man and a good father. She felt like she was betraying him by wondering if it was true what Timon said. She couldn't explain away the earrings.
Zach walked toward her and smiled. He looked handsome in a dark blue shirt and jeans.
Leah's heart leapt at the sight of him. She hugged him and kissed his lips. "I didn't think you were coming."
"I never said that," he replied in a matter of fact tone.
No, you just gave the impression you weren't going to come. I'm not going to argue with anyone tonight. It's my birthday, after all. She smiled. "I'm glad you're here."
"Oh Leah." Tabitha strolled over with a drink in her hand. "There's someone else here who wants to see you."
Leah turned around. She felt Zach stiffened at her side. So much for no arguing.
Torr stepped forward. "Happy Birthday."
Leah held up her hand to stop him from embracing her. She didn't want to be rude. But she couldn't help wondering how he knew it was her birthday or how he got invited to the party. I should've known my sister had a hand in this. I thought she wasn't going to interfere anymore. "I didn't know you were here."
"Torr and I were waiting at the bar."
Leah grabbed a chair.
"Allow me." Zach helped her with her chair before sitting down beside her.
****
Dinner was nice. Everyone made polite conversation. Leah was surprised Torr behaved himself. Zach sat beside her. She could tell he was trying to ignore Torr. But failed. A cake was brought out. The waiters and waitresses sang "Happy Birthday" along with her family and guests at the table. She nibbled at her cake.
"Thirty is a big event," Torr said.
Zach glared at him.
Tabitha laughed. "I thought sixteen; twenty-one, and forty were big events."
"Every birthday is a big event," Leah's mother said.
Leah pushed her empty dessert plate away from her. "Excuse me a minute." She rose from the table and walked to the ladies' room. Torr was standing a few feet from the door when she came out. Her hand went to her chest. "You startled me. Do you always hang outside the ladies' room?"
"No, I wanted to see you alone. I get the feeling Zach doesn't like me."
"What gave you that idea?" Leah asked in a sarcastic tone. She noticed the dagger looks the two men had been exchanging all evening. Don't play dumb with me. You knew that a long time ago.
"Your mother and her husband like me," Torr replied.
Husband? "Torr, you're not for me."
"You won't give me a chance. I'm a charming guy." He leaned forward and kissed her lips.
Leah stepped back in a daze. Her lips burned for a minute. It was like she was outside on a hot summer's day without lip balm or lipstick on. She looked around. The lobby was empty. Zach was nowhere to be seen.
"Come on, let's get out of here." He closed the space between them. "I'll show you a real party."
"I've got to work tomorrow."
He smirked. "You're the boss. Call off."
"It's my business. I can't close or call off on a whim."
His gaze turned serious. "You have more power than you can image. I can show you how to use that power. You haven't let me near you for more than ten minutes."
"You've had dinner here."
"I wasn't alone with you." His breath was on her ear. "That's what my birthday wish would be."
"It's not your birthday. I'm the one who gets a birthday wish, not you."
"What would you like?"
Leah wasn't about to tell him that she wanted to know if her crazy dream was true. She felt a presence. They were the only ones standing there. Then, the presence was gone.
****
Leah's guardian angel ran through the restaurant. "Zach, come quick. Torr has Leah cornered by the powder room."
He rose to his feet. "Excuse me a moment," he said to Leah's family and friends at the table.
Leah's mother gazed at him. "Would you mind helping Leah by taking these presents out to her car?"
"Of course," he replied. That was the perfect excuse he needed to go find her.
Rosemarie looked at him. "Hurry up."
He resisted the urge to scowl at her as he picked up some presents and followed her.
Zach came around the corner with his arms full of wrapped packages. "There you are, Leah. Your mother asked me to help you take this to your car."
The sight of Torr that close to Leah made him ill. He fought the urge not to kick that demon's butt, then and there. It wasn't possible to battle him here in front of the mortals. Tabitha had fallen under the demon's spell. Now, it looked like Leah was falling too. Her gaze shifted up and she jumped back from Torr. "Thank you." She fished the car keys out of her purse.
Rosemarie relaxed and gave a "thumbs up."
Torr looked at him, before returning his gaze to her. "Think about my offer." He walked out of the restaurant.
Zach raised an eyebrow. Concern filled him. He followed Leah to her car. "What offer?" But he had a bad feeling of what was going on.
She opened her trunk and shook her head. "I don't know. Torr was talking nonsense."
He wished he had the gift to read minds. "What did he say?"
"Something about power. I don't know what he meant. It soun
ded crazy."
Zach's face twisted as he placed the presents in the trunk. "He's a very dangerous man."
She touched his face. "Don't worry. I'm not interested in him."
"It's not that." He racked his hand through his hair. "I can't explain it here."
"I don't trust him."
"You shouldn't."
Leah leaned forward and kissed his lips. "Thank you for coming tonight. It meant a lot to me."
Zach smiled. "You're welcome." He pulled a small jewelry box out of his coat pocket. "I got you a present."
"Thank you." She opened the black velvet box to reveal an oval shaped turquoise necklace. "It's beautiful." She immediately put it on.
At least I managed to make her happy. "Leah, would you…" The question died on his lips. Her family came out of the restaurant and were walking right toward her. They gathered around her in the parking lot. Everyone seemed to be talking at once. They took turns hugging her and wishing her a "happy birthday." Zach stood a few paces away and watched. He felt like an outsider. Was that how guardian angels felt?
Zach wanted to speak to her more after they departed. She seemed tired from the long day. Being in the mortal world for this long was tiring him out. Hopefully tomorrow be soon enough to tell her.
Chapter Ten
Leah grabbed a cup of coffee from the counter. Ulrich didn't give her any trouble about it, unlike Tabitha. Leah was relieved her sister had the day off. How she wished the younger woman had another day off. Yesterday was eventful, especially dinner. Why did she have to bring Torr? Leah drank her coffee. Forget about him and the strange things he said. Today was a new day and there was a business to run. Her mood turned cheerful when Zach arrived at the bookstore around the usual time. Grabbing a cup of coffee from the counter, she walked over to him. "Hi." She fidgeted with the necklace he gave her.
"Morning." He gently kissed her lips. "The necklace looks lovely on you."
They sat down across from each other.
She felt heat rise to her face. "Thank you."
He sipped his coffee. "Now that you're a year older, do you feel any different?"
Leah regarded him for a moment. That's an odd question. "Should I?" She chuckled. "I hope I don't look older."
"Don't worry. You don't." He caressed her cheek. "You're beautiful." He stared into her green eyes. "Would you like to have dinner with me tonight at my place?"
She blinked. "You cook?"
He chuckled. "No, but I know this great Italian place I can order from."
"I'll be there." The bell over the door jiggled. Customers walked in.
"I better let you get back to work. Let me quickly give you the address." He wrote down the address on a mini-notebook she presented.
She couldn't wait for tonight. There was no other man whose company she enjoyed being in.
Zach handed her back the notebook. "See you tonight." He leaned over and kissed her lips. She watched him walk out of the bookstore. A customer stood over by the information desk. My job calls. She rose to her feet and walked over to the desk.
****
Zach placed the silverware next to the simple plates that came out of the kitchen cabinet.
His sister appeared beside him. "Is tonight finally going to be the night you tell her?"
"Yes." He studied the place settings. "I wish I had something not as simple." I should've gone to the City of Clouds and got the fine china plates from the family home.
She laughed. "Since when do you worry about dishes?"
"Mom and Grandma always have fancy plates for special occasions."
"And this qualifies?"
"It's not every day Leah learns that she could be an angel."
"Are you sure you're not going to ask her something else?"
His jaw dropped. The doorbell rang, saving him from answering her.
"Good luck. I'm out of here," Saffron said before she disappeared.
Zach strode to the door and opened it. It was too soon to think about proposing. He couldn't do that anyway until she was officially an angel with her wing necklace. Leah wore a blue blouse with a black skirt. The outfit was dressier than she wore at the shop today. He greeted her with a kiss. "Please, come in."
She glanced around as she entered. "Nice place."
The walls were painted in white with blue striped trim. A few modern-day paintings of angels hung on the wall. He never paid attention to the furnishings until now. Usually, his lodgings on Earth were just places to sleep. His home was in the City of Clouds. "I'm renting it from a relative." That was sort of the truth. Angels were a family. He walked over to the mahogany wood dining-room table. The delicate chandelier sparkled overhead. He dimmed the lights slightly before helping her with her chair.
She sat down in front of plate with a salad bowl. "This is nice."
He sat down across from her. "Would you like some wine?"
She nodded.
He poured red wine into both of their glasses. "How was the shop today?"
"Busy, but thankfully uneventful."
"No visits from Torr?"
She speared a grape tomato with her fork. "No."
They ate their salads. Zach had a feeling Torr was biding his time. Zach served the spaghetti. He decided to wait until after dinner to tell her. They talked about non-important things. His nervousness built as the dinner came to an end.
****
Leah watched Zach rise to his feet and clear the plates from the table.
She followed him into the kitchen. "I can help you with the dishes if you want."
"No need. There's a dishwasher." He loaded the plates. "You're the guest here. Go on back to the living room. I'll join you in a minute."
She walked into the living room and sat down on the couch.
He came out of the kitchen. There was an oddness to him that she couldn't put her finger on. "That was a nice dinner," she said.
"Glad you enjoyed it." Zach sat down next to her. "There's something I must tell you." He gently took her hand. "The man who raised you isn't your father. Your real father was the angel Timon McCloud. He fell in love with your mother, a mortal. It's forbidden for an angel of his rank to marry a mortal. He was planning to anyway."
It felt like déjà vu for Leah. Her crazy dream came back to her. How could he have known? For a moment, she stared at him in disbelief. This can't be happening. I finally met a great guy and he's telling me the man I've thought of as Father isn't my father.
"I know this is difficult to believe."
She snorted. "You could say that again."
"Come here a minute." Zach took her hand and led her back to the kitchen. He put the plug in the sink. Water ran into it. He waved his hand over the water. A vision of a younger version of her mother with the man from her dream appeared. They walked hand in hand and seemed to be in love. Leah gasped as she gazed into the water.
"That's Timon McCloud."
"How did you do that?" she asked. "How do you know his name?"
"It's a gift I have." He shrugged. "All angels know who Timon McCloud is."
"Is it true he didn't survive some battle with angels and demons?"
"It's hard to explain. He can't come back to the mortal realm after that very important battle. How did you know?"
She felt her knees growing weak. "He visited me in a dream. I didn't think it was real."
He helped her back to the living room couch. "It is real. I'm an angel. It's my mission to teach you about your powers."
She blinked. "What?" So much for him wanting to date me. This was getting weirder by the minute. Timon didn't tell me about someone teaching me.
Zach unfastened the angel-wing necklace from his neck. "These are identification tags for angels." He flipped it around for her to see his name written in fancy script. "Demons have ones like this, but theirs are in the shape of bat wings. Torr is a demon."
That was the strange black and silver I saw hiding from under his shirt. "I knew there was something strange about hi
m."
"He has been sent to get you to use your powers for evil and turn you into a demon." He fastened his necklace back on. "You have the potential to be an angel. In the end, the choice is yours."
"Doesn't having an angel father and a mortal mother make me half mortal?"
He shook his head. "That won't matter when you choose to be good. Your father's blood is strong in you. You'll be a full angel."
Her hand went to her forehead. All of this information was giving her a headache. "This is all so confusing."
"It'll all work out."
She looked at him. "What exactly are you?"
"I'm a Nephilim angel. I don't live in Heaven. Your father does. I live in the City of Clouds. This house was set up so I can live on Earth to help you."
A bad feeling grew in her stomach. "Did you only ask me out because of your mission?"
He gently took her hands in his. "No, I really like you. I could be falling in love with you. That has never happened to me before."
"Can you love a mortal?"
He turned away. "You're not exactly a mortal. Right now, you're in the middle of deciding to be good or evil."
Leah hung her head. What a way to avoid the question. He's holding back something. She was starting to fall for this guy too. All of this sounded crazy. "Can't I choose to give up my powers? Whatever that is?"
Angels in Turquoise Skies Page 6
