Tags:
Fiction,
General,
Romance,
Family,
Love Stories,
Christmas stories,
Christmas,
Angels,
Body; Mind & Spirit,
Angels & Spirit Guides,
Prayers,
Gabriel (Archangel)
Joyce had resorted to prayer in order to find her a husband.
Beth loved her sister and she treasured little James and Bella, her nephew and niece, but Angela hadnât done her any favors by marrying the exemplary Brian and then quickly producing two perfect grandchildren.
Trying to forget her woes, she logged back on to the game and was pleased to see that her partner was still online. She joined Peter and soon afterward he sent her a message.
Howâd the conversation with your mother go?
Okay. She wished she hadnât mentioned that sheâd be talking to her family. She was more concerned with what had happened while she was Away From the Keyboard. Did I miss anything exciting when I was AFK?
Yeah. I teamed up with level 41 Dwarf Warrior and defeated the last two Warmongers to complete the Crushridge quest.
Beth sat up straighter. Wow. Great going.
You shouldâve been here. I started pounding my chest.
You Tarzan? she joked.
Only if youâre Jane, came his reply.
Beth read the line a second time. He almost seemed to be flirting with her. Nah, he was just teasing, which they often did, bantering back and forth and congratulating each other. It would be easy to misread his intentions, and she didnât want to make more of this than warranted.
When she didnât respond to his comment, they returned to the game. Only later, when sheâd logged off and headed for the shower, did Beth pause to reconsider.
If Peter had been flirting, and that was a huge if, perhaps she should make an effort to learn more about him.
Beth turned on the shower. These were the thoughts of a desperate woman, she told herself grimly. Signs of someone whoâd sunk to a new lowâfinding a date for Christmas Day through an online computer game.
4
G abriel gazed at Joyce Fischerâs prayer request, which had appeared in the Book of Prayers a few days earlier. The book rested on his desk, spread open, filling up almost as quickly as he could make assignments. Joyce had prayed countless times that her daughter would finally meet the right man. Gabriel shook his head as he tapped his finger against the page. It would help if Beth was amenable to a new relationship. After her divorce, Joyce Fischerâs daughter had completely closed herself off from men; this Peter, however, might be an interesting prospect.
âGabriel?â He heard the timid voice of Goodness behind him. Gabriel knew the minute heâd assigned Mercy to Harry Alderwoodâs request, Mercyâs usual companions wouldnât be far behind. It would be just like Shirley and Goodness to want a piece of the action, too. Far be it from them to remain in heaven while Mercy got an assignment on earth.
âAbout Beth?â Goodness pressed.
The Prayer Ambassador regarded him with imploring eyes. Eyes so blue they seemed to glow. Gabriel wasnât surprised to discover that Goodness had been reading over his shoulder. Apparently she was interested in the Beth Fischer assignment.
âWhat about her?â Gabriel asked, ignoring the plea in her eyes.
âShe could use some help, donât you think?â
âAll humans have fallen short,â Gabriel explained, and while it was true, he took no pleasure in saying so.
âWhich is why God assigned us to help.â
He couldnât disagree with that.
âWhatâs going on with Beth?â Goodness asked, stepping closer to Gabrielâs desk and eyeing the huge Book of Prayers.
The archangel stepped aside so Goodness could read Joyce Fischerâs entire request. He pictured Joyce in St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, kneeling by the altar rail and lighting a candle as she bowed her head and prayed for her daughter. Although Joyce had referred to grandchildren, the real desire of her heart was to see Beth happy. Joyce believed that a relationship, a marriage and family, was the way to make that happen for her daughter. Gabriel felt reasonably sure she was