Daniel and the Angel Read Online Free PDF Page A

you were."
    "I suppose that's true. Now I must think of a miracle," Lilli said thoughtfully.
    "Actually, that's not necessary."
    "Why?"
    "Saint Peter's decision was based on a more specific sort of miracle."
    Another chance. She had one last chance. Lilli gripped the edge of the pew and leaned forward. "Anything. I'll do anything, Florie, if it means I can go back."
    "That's good."
    "So. Tell me. What's the miracle?"
    "It's a lesson. You have to teach a mortal to give from his heart."
    She thought about that for a moment, then remembered the kindhearted German woman who'd given her the soup. There were people like her, many of them, in a place like New York City. She looked up at Florie and grinned. "I can do that."
    Florie was suddenly quiet.
    Lilli looked at her. "You look as if there's more to this specific miracle."
    "There is."
    Lilli waited. Florie looked uneasy.
    "I'm not going to like it, am I?"
    Florie shook her head.
    "Why?"
    "Saint Peter has picked the mortal."
    "From your tone, I suspect it might be easier to convert the Devil than teach this person a lesson."
    "You can do it, Lilli. I know you can."
    "Who is my miracle?"
    Florie stared at her bare toes. "The financier D.L. Stewart."
    Lilli's mouth dropped open. "Mr. I-Buy-the-World-and-Money-Is-My-Life Stewart?"
    Florie nodded.
    She groaned and stared at the altar. "You were right. This is the worst punishment yet."
    "He can't be that bad."
    Lilli snorted.
    "Besides, look at the reward. It's the only chance you'll have. I pleaded and begged for you. Please, Lilli, just try."
    She looked up to Heaven, then took a deep breath and raised her chin a notch. "I'll try. But this is truly difficult. I was joking when I said converting the Devil would be easier, but Florie," she said, sighing, "that's exactly what Saint Peter has asked me to do."
     
    It took him a day and a half to find her.
    He sat in his carriage, parked at the curb, and he watched her standing in front of the church doors. From her manner, she looked as if her burden had only increased, tenfold. Her shoulders weren't squared with determination, and in one gloved hand, her red hat dangled as if it were forgotten. She had the bewildered look of a bird that had fallen from its nest.
    Then she saw him. Her face drained of color for the briefest of moments.
    He walked up the steps toward her.
    She swung her hat on her head and spent a long time tying the ribbons, looking everywhere but at him.
    "Lillian." He tipped his hat.
    "Mr. Stewart." She raised her chin and took a step.
    One could have heard the rip a block away.
    She froze, and her eyes grew wide as silver dollars. She looked over her shoulder.
    He peered past her. Her dress was caught in the church doors. "Allow me." He opened the door and released her dress.
    "Thank you." Nose purposely and humorously high, she descended the steps, her ripped hem dragging like a train behind her.
    He watched her, biting back the sudden and foreign urge to smile. He moved to her side, his pace identical with hers.
    She said nothing.
    "Nice weather," he commented.
    "If you like snow."
    "I do."
    "So do I."
    He stopped at his carriage and opened the door.
    She gave him a puzzled look.
    "Get in."
    "No, thank you."
    "I wasn't asking."
    "I could tell."
    He took a deep breath, then gritted, "May I offer you a lift?"
    "No. I wouldn't want to keep you. Time is money."
    He said nothing but got inside and sat down, feeling suddenly disarmed. He pinned her with a stare meant to make her feel as uncomfortable as he did. To his surprise, something interesting passed between them: a challenge.
    After a moment, she turned and sauntered away.
    He tapped on the driver's box. "Follow alongside her, Benny."
    The carriage moved right next to her, maintaining a slow pace that matched her stride perfectly.
    She never made eye contact.
    He slipped open the window and settled back against the carriage seat. "I've been looking for you."
    "Why? No one for sale today?"
    He wouldn't rise to