Wings of an Angel

by Shanna Hatfield

  “Not too bad, bro,” Drew said, thumping Drake on the back as they surveyed their handiwork.

  “It still needs something around the bottom,” Drake said, tilting his head to the side.

  “I know what to use,” Drew said. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned with a pale blue T-shirt. He draped it around the jar. Surprisingly, it looked quite similar to the baby blue blanket Charlie Brown’s friend Linus draped around his sad little tree.

  “Perfect!” Drake gave his brother a high five.

  “Hey, this will be fun for Seth and Rhett to see when they come over Friday,” Drew said as he took cheese out of the fridge and started assembling sandwiches for their dinner.

  “Is Rhett planning to come?” Drake asked as he dug a can of soup out of the cupboard and dumped it into a microwave-safe bowl. “I know he’s still mad at me.”

  “Nah. I think he’s mostly mad at himself for not being up-front with Cedar in the first place.” Drew glanced over at him as he added a glob of butter to a frying pan and waited for it to melt before he set in a sandwich. “What about you? You’ve been acting weird, even for you, bro. What’s going on?”

  Drake shook his head, unwilling to admit the truth to anyone, including Drew. “Not a thing. Just a lot of stuff happening at school with Christmas and programs, you know.”

  Drew gave him a long, observant look, but refrained from saying anything as he flipped over the sandwich.

  “Did you hear Seth say…”

  Grateful for his brother’s abrupt change of subject, Drake half-listened as he thought about ways to convince Angela they should be more than friends. Much, much more.

  Chapter Seven

  “What would you like to do today, baby?” Angela asked as she placed their breakfast dishes in the dishwasher.

  Nick hopped down from the counter where he’d been tossing his yo-yo and fisted his little hands at his waist. “Mom! You know I’m going with Sean and Evan today. Remember? You said I could go.”

  Angela nodded her head as she picked up a dishrag and wiped off the counters and stovetop. “I’m sorry, Nick. I completely forgot. Yes, you may still go. What time did we agree to go over?” She reached for her phone but Nick grabbed her hand.

  “Sean’s mommy is going to pick me up. Evan is coming, too. We’re going rollerskating and then out for pizza at that fun place by the mall.”

  Distracted by the holidays and the ache in her heart, and haunted by her past as well as thoughts of Drake, Angela had completely forgotten she’d agreed to allow Nick to go with his friends for a fun day in Portland. Lisa McGregor, Sean’s mother, had assured Angela she didn’t mind taking the boys and promised to have Nick home in time for dinner when they’d discussed plans earlier in the week.

  “It sounds like a great day, honey. You better brush your teeth and comb your hair, and maybe change into a different shirt.” Angela watched Nick race off toward his room. She wondered what she could do to properly thank Lisa for taking on three rambunctious boys for the day. The busy mom might appreciate it if she offered to take a turn watching them during Christmas break. Lisa worked at the bank and her husband managed the hardware store. Neither of them would have any extra time off between Christmas and New Year’s Day. As long as no emergencies popped up, Angela could take the boys for a day and do something with them. Nick had been begging her to go sledding. She could make a day of it and take all three boys. Maybe Drake would like to go along. He’d certainly make the day more fun.

  Stop it! Why did her thoughts always have to wander around to him? Because he’s the best friend you’ve ever had. Drake truly was, even if she hadn’t been much of a friend to him lately.

  The more her attraction to him grew, the more distance she tried to put between them. It wasn’t fair to him, especially when she continued to refuse to admit what was bothering her. She was sure he assumed her unusual behavior stemmed from her grief over her grandmother. That was a small part, but not all of it.

  Angela tossed the dishrag into the sink then rinsed her hands and dried them. A glance at the clock confirmed Lisa would be there soon. “Are you ready, Nick?”

  “Coming, Mom!” Nick yelled before his footsteps thudded down the hallway. He raced into the living room with his hair slicked down and his face shining, both from a scrubbing and the excitement he couldn’t contain. He’d changed into a dark blue sweatshirt with Captain America’s shield screen-printed on the front and a hint of gray from a T-shirt beneath it peeked around the collar.

  “What T-shirt did you pick?” Angela asked, lifting her purse and digging around for her wallet.

  Nick gave her a quelling look and sighed. “Captain America, Mom.”

  “Of course. How did I not know that?” she asked with a hint of sarcasm. She took money from her wallet and folded it up then stuffed it in Nick’s front jeans’ pocket. Before he could protest, she put a dab of glue in the pocket and held it closed with one hand while the other circled around his back.

  “Mom! What are you doing?” Nick tried to squirm free, but she held him steady.

  “I don’t want you to lose the money. The glue will keep it from falling out of your pocket, but if you need it, you can get to it easily enough. Don’t have an attack, Nick.”

  The little boy huffed. “Just don’t glue it to my underwear. One time Timmy Irwin came to school and his mom pinned a note in his pocket, but she got the pin in his underwear and he had an accident ’cause he couldn’t get the pin off.”

  Angela shook her head. “That must have been terrible for Timmy. I promise, the glue is just in your pocket.” She glanced up at Nick and forced herself not to run a hand through the hair he’d carefully combed. Her baby was growing up too fast. “Do you promise to mind Mrs. McGregor?”

  Nick rolled his eyes. “Yes, Mom. And not be loud in the car or mess around with Sean and Evan when we’re supposed to be good. I’ll pay attention when we cross the street and…” Nick rubbed a finger alongside his nose and squinted his eyes, trying to remember all the rules Angela worked so hard to instill in him. “Oh, and I’ll say please and thank you.”

  “Very good, baby.” Angela gave Nick a hug and kissed his cheek. “I hope you have a great time today.”

  “I know I will, Mom. It’s always fun when I get to go to Portland, but I like Faraday, too. Not everywhere has a camel. I’m excited Shep gets to be the sheep in the nativity again this year. Miss Cooke is going to let her donkey be in it, too. Will Lolly like Pete? Lolly likes Shep. Will Mr. Stafford bring his cow again? I like the fuzzy red and white ones best.”

  “I’m sure there will be plenty of animals at the nativity. It’s a few weeks away, anyway.” Angela retrieved Nick’s good coat and made sure he had gloves and a stocking cap as well as a few tissues in the pockets. “Are you ready to tell me what you want for Christmas, Nick?”

  Stubbornly, her son shook his head. “Santa is going to bring it. That’s the only, only thing I want this year. You don’t have to get me anything, Mommy. But a Christmas tree would be good.”

  “I promise I’ll get a tree before Christmas Eve, Nick.” Angela held back a sigh. After setting out most of the decorations, Angela hadn’t been able to open the special box of Granny’s decorations. She just couldn’t handle the pain and memories right now. The same feelings would surface the moment she opened the box of ornaments for the tree since Granny had made most of them.

  Nope. Angela wanted to put off that painful job as long as possible, no matter how much Nick wanted a tree up and decorated.

  “There’s Mrs. McGregor,” Nick said, snatching his coat from her hands and racing toward the door.

  Angela grabbed a few more bills from her wallet and followed him outside.

  “Hi, Lisa!” Angela waved as the woman got out of her minivan and walked around to greet them.

  “Hey, Angela. You have fun plans today?” Lisa asked as she pushed open the door and Sean and Evan looked out, talking excitedly to Nick.

  “Not ye
t. Are you sure you want to do this?” Angela asked as the boys chattered and laughed while she fastened in Nick’s booster seat.

  Lisa smiled. “I don’t mind at all. I figure while they’re skating I can knock out getting my Christmas cards ready to mail. We should be back around four.”

  “That’ll be perfect. If I have an emergency call and won’t be here, I’ll send you a text.” Angela said, giving Nick a hug as he remembered to tell her goodbye. She bent down to kiss him, but he squirmed away and climbed in the van with his friends.

  Lisa exchanged a knowing look with her. “They get so big so fast.”

  “That they do.” Angela watched as Lisa shut the door. “I appreciate you giving me a day to myself. I’d like to return the favor. Maybe after Christmas?”

  “That would be fantastic. Kevin and I will both be working that week so I’ve yet to figure out what to do with Sean while school’s out.” Lisa gave Angela a quick hug. “Just tell me when and he’ll be here.”

  Angela smiled. “I’ll pick a day for sure and let you know.” She handed Lisa the money she’d brought out with her. “Take this for Nick’s skating admission, and lunch, and snacks, and whatever else pops up today.”

  Lisa tried to hand the money back to her, but Angela shook her head. “That boy will eat more than his share, so please keep it.”

  “Fine, but only if I can do the same when you take Sean,” Lisa said.

  “Fair enough.” Angela stepped back from the van. “At least the weather is cooperating today. It isn’t supposed to snow until tomorrow evening.”

  “I know. If the roads were bad this morning, the boys would be out of luck because there is no way I’m driving down or up the mountain when it’s snowing.” Lisa climbed behind the wheel and shut the door.

  “Have a great day!” Angela called and waved before she moved back to the front porch. She watched until the van turned onto the main road then went back inside.

  She hadn’t spent a day alone without work or responsibilities pressing down on her since before Nick was born.

  For a few minutes, she stood in the living room and looked around, as though she was seeing the house for the first time. It really was a nice home, sturdy and well-built. Angela had purchased a new couch when they moved to Faraday, but the other pieces were things that had once belonged to her grandmother.

  The room was a blend of old and new, traditional and modern. Angela smiled. The living room reflected how she so often felt, a blending of past and present. She just needed to let a dash of hope for the future trickle in.

  Then again, that kind of thinking led her straight back to Drake and how much she loved him, wanted to be loved by him. The man clearly saw her as a friend, nothing more. Perhaps he never would return her romantic feelings.

  Her phone chimed, so she took it from her pocket and grinned as his name popped up on the screen.

  “Hey, what’s up?” she asked as she answered the call.

  “Last time I checked, the sky, along with inflation, and maybe the power bill.”

  Angela shook her head at Drake’s teasing. “Seriously, Drake. What’s going on?”

  “A little birdie told me you are footloose and fancy free today. I’m curious if you have plans.”

  Angela wondered who had told Drake that Nick was going to spend the day with his friends. It could have been Nick at school, or one of the many members of the local galloping gossipers. She’d quickly learned life in the tiny town could sometimes be like living in a glass fishbowl where everyone knew everything within five minutes of it happening.

  “Angela?” Drake asked, pulling her from her thoughts.

  “I’m here. Sorry. Yes, Nick went with Sean and Evan today. He is super excited about rollerskating and pizza.”

  Drake chuckled. “I can imagine. The boys were talking about it all day yesterday. I think they even planned to wear matching shirts.”

  “Nick had his Captain America shirt and sweatshirt on when they left. “Angela grinned. “So, to answer your question, I have no plans because, bad mother that I am, I forgot all about him being gone today.”

  “You aren’t a bad mother, Angela. Nick is a very lucky boy to have you. Believe me, I know. I see parents every day and a few truly are bad. You are miles away from that title, my friend.”

  She heard what sounded like a car door shut then her doorbell rang. Maybe Lisa had already endured all she could handle with three rascally boys and was already back with Nick. “Hang on, Drake. Someone is at the door.”

  Angela crossed the living room and pulled open the door to find Drake standing there, leaning against the doorjamb wearing a big smile.

  “Hey, Angel.” The combination of his deep voice and him calling her Angel made her knees quiver.

  “Hey, yourself. What are you doing here?” she asked, stepping aside so he could enter as she stuffed her phone inside her pocket.

  “I’ve heard you mention a few times that you used to love to ski.” Drake grinned and pointed out the window toward the mountain visible through the frosty-edged glass. “And there’s that beautiful mountain with six inches of fresh powder, just begging for us to take advantage of it. Come on, it’ll be fun.” Drake crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m not taking no for an answer unless you can present a compelling argument.”

  “But I… you know I… What if…” Angela couldn’t think up an excuse, especially with Drake standing in front of her looking like he stepped out of a photo shoot for an outdoor clothing company. His hair was tussled, not combed and moussed in an upward swoop like he wore it for school. He had on a pair of navy ski pants with a navy and teal ski jacket. The jacket was open, revealing a form fitting cream-colored thermal shirt that outlined every muscle of his lean, trim form.

  Her mouth went dry and she raised her gaze to his. The colors of the jacket made his eyes even bluer. Mesmerized, she backed away from him, unable to process a single thought except one — she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to spend the day with Drake. Not when he stood like a gift-wrapped present in her living room.

  He grinned. “Can’t think of a reason not to go, can you?”

  “Well, no. Not at the moment,” she admitted.

  Drake turned her around and gave her a slight nudge forward. “Get on your ski duds, lady. I’m taking you to the slopes.”

  “But, Drake. What if…”

  “Go!” He gave her another nudge. “While you change, do I need to feed your critters or anything?”

  “No, everyone already had their breakfast.” Angela glanced back at him before she went into her bedroom. “If you’re hungry, there are a few leftover chocolate chip muffins on the counter.”

  “Thanks. I’ll just help myself.”

  Angela shut her bedroom door and yanked off the baggy sweatshirt and yoga pants she’d pulled on earlier that morning.

  She tugged on a pair of moisture-wicking thermal pants with a matching shirt then exchanged her fuzzy socks for a pair of heavy wool socks. After a few minutes of digging in the back of her closet, she unearthed a pair of ski pants from years ago and pulled them on, hoping they’d fit. They were a little snug, but not uncomfortably so.

  She hurried into the bathroom and jerked out the few pins holding up her messy bun then combed her hair into a ponytail. After brushing her teeth, she nearly poked her eye out as she hastily applied mascara. Before she left the bathroom, she dabbed a bit of perfume behind her ears and on her wrists, then wished she hadn’t. She didn’t want to give Drake the wrong impression. Today was about two friends hanging out and having a good time. Wasn’t it?

  “Friends, friends, friends,” she chanted quietly as she dug out a long scarf and grabbed a sweatshirt that zipped up the front as well as her ski jacket. She no longer had her skis, goggles or ski boots, but she supposed all the equipment could be rented when they reached the slopes.

  “I’m ready to go,” she said, stepping into the kitchen. She tossed the sweatshirt, jacket, and scarf on the counter then re
ached back to pull the band in her ponytail tighter.

  Drake’s gaze zeroed in on her and he choked on the drink of milk he’d just swallowed. He set down the glass and thumped his chest with his fist then turned his face away and coughed.

  “Are you okay?” she asked, hurrying over and patting him on the back.

  “Great,” he wheezed. “Never better.”

  She grinned and moved back. “You are a horrible liar, Drake Miller. Did you inhale some muffin crumbs down the wrong pipe or something?”

  “Something,” he rasped and drained the milk in his glass then filled it half full of water and chugged it down before he turned to face her.

  Angela pulled on the sweatshirt and went to find a pair of gloves in the basket she kept by the back door. She gathered a few essential items from her purse and stowed her phone, wallet, lip balm and gum in her assorted pockets. The mother in her grabbed a few tissues and she stuffed them into her coat pocket then she turned to Drake. “Are you ready to go?”

  “Yes, ma’am, I am.”

  He held open the front door for her then followed her out to his SUV. When she reached for the passenger door, he hurried to open it before she could then offered her a gallant bow. “Your carriage awaits, milady.”

  “Thank you, kind sir.” She took his hand, ignoring the flurry of sensations that erupted from the point of contact and shot up her arm as she climbed inside his vehicle.

  Electric. His touch felt positively electric. Maybe she should feign a sudden headache and run back inside the safety of her house.

  Drake slid behind the wheel and shot her a rakish grin. “You aren’t baling on me now, Angel. We are doing this.”

  Surprised he could read her thoughts so easily, she hoped he hadn’t figured out how enthralled she was with him. If that was the case, he’d probably shove her out the door and never return.