CHAPTER 6

He started walking again, his eyes less frantic, his steps more determined. He could feel himself being led straight to her, and that knowledge calmed him. Whatever had happened, he would be able to make it right just as soon as he found her. The crowds seemed to part in front of him as he walked down the sidewalk. Up ahead he spotted a sign for the post office. Of course. She had wanted to mail the card to Paul. That’s where she was. He sped up again, feeling that her fear hadn’t subsided at all.

There she was, in front of the post office, sitting on a bench and flanked by an elderly couple who were bending over and speaking to her. What had happened? Whatever it was, he didn’t think that the kindly looking man and woman were the cause of her fright.

"Monica?" he said as he stepped up in front of her. Her head had been down, but she lifted her eyes at the sound of his voice.

"Andrew!"

"Are you the young man she’s been waiting for?" It was the elderly man who spoke as he looked the angel up and down. He was clearly sizing Andrew up and determining whether he was trustworthy.

"Yes, yes I am. What happened?"

"We found her huddled over there by the post box," the woman answered. "I thought she’d fainted or something, but her eyes were wide open so we just brought her over here and gave her some water."

"She said she was waiting for someone named Andrew… that must be you." The man still seemed slightly hesitant to leave the little angel in someone else’s care.

"It’s okay, Albert… I’ll be fine now," Monica said. She still seemed somewhat overwhelmed.

"Well if you’re sure. You know, you don’t have to go with him if you don’t want to. Jane and I have a house right up the street…"

Despite the situation, Andrew found himself smiling inwardly. Albert’s instant protectiveness was sweet, but knowing Monica, not completely unexpected.

"I’m sure. But thank you for waiting with me," Monica answered.

Jane saw the look in Andrew’s eyes and she knew that Monica was in good hands. "C’mon, Albert. Let’s leave the two of them alone." She tugged at her husband’s hand and the man slowly backed away.

"You take care of that little lady," Albert said over his shoulder as he followed his wife’s lead.

"I will sir. I promise." He watched the couple walk further down the sidewalk and disappear into the crowd and then he turned to face Monica again.

Her face was drained of color, but he couldn’t see any marks on her. It was strange how that brought such relief. Five years ago he wouldn’t have even thought of such a possibility, but now finding her in a crumpled heap on the ground had been his greatest fear. Seeing with his own two eyes that she was at least safely in one piece helped to bring his racing heart under control. He sat down heavily on the bench next to her and gently took hold of her hand.

"What happened?" he asked quietly. "When I came back to the shop you were gone."

"Not here, Andrew. I want to go back to the house."

He nodded, having half expected that. "All right. Are you ready to walk to the car?" His words held additional meaning. He was not going to let her out of his sight.

"I’m ready," was all she said, and then she rose, only slightly unsteadily, to her feet.

Thankfully the car was only half a block away, and by the time they reached it Monica was feeling much better. Just being near Andrew had served to help calm her down. He opened her door for her and waited until she was settled before crossing to the other side and climbing in. Five minutes later they were on the open road outside the town.

"Was it Faith’s father?" Andrew said lowly. He had already run through the possibilities in his mind and that seemed by far the most likely.

"Yes."

"What happened, Angel? What did he say?"

Monica shook her head as she gathered her thoughts together, hearing his voice replay in her head. "I think I really was right about him, Andrew," she said worriedly. "He said he saw me in the woods. He said he’s seen Faith there and she won’t let him catch her." She turned her frightened eyes towards Andrew. "There’s something wrong with him, Andrew. Something that scares me. He grabbed my arm, and he said he’d find me if I ever got lost again."

"He grabbed you? Did he hurt you?" As usual, thoughts of her safety were the first to spring to his mind.

"No… that’s just it… he didn’t hurt me and he didn’t say anything angry or mean… but his eyes, Andrew… they looked right through me…"

She was trembling again, and he reached over and placed a steady hand on her knee. "Well he’s gone now, and you can trust me… you’re not going to be getting lost in those woods again anytime soon. Not if I have anything to say about it."

She smiled wearily, and covered his hand with her own. "I’m sorry for causing such a scene," she said on a sigh. "I just… I guess it’s been a long time since I felt that scared," she continued slowly.

"I know. I felt it too, Monica. That’s how I found you… you were calling out to me in your heart. And you didn’t cause any scene. I think that Albert was actually pretty pleased to be able to help you."

She let out a little laugh at that. "Yes, they were both so sweet." She looked over at Andrew, her eyes suddenly very clear and serious. "Proof that there are more good people out there than bad."

"Very true… but I don’t think you ever doubted that."

She nodded thoughtfully. "No… not this time… not this time."

She fell silent once more and he glanced over at her again, "Are you sure you are all right?" He was annoyed with himself for ever having left the pottery shop as all of this could have been avoided.

Monica looked up at him, her eyes holding remorse, "I’m sorry about earlier. I wanted to talk to you, I did, but it felt so wrong…"

She wasn’t surprised that with those words, he pulled the car over to the side of the road and threw it into park so he could give her his full attention, "Since when should talking to me feel wrong? Have I done something to-."

"No!" She exclaimed, knowing he had misunderstood what she was trying to tell him, "It had nothing to do with you, not really. It’s me, Andrew. I’ve worked so hard to put it all behind me; all the things that happened when we had Paul, but things are starting to happen again. I dreamed about McArthur last night and I hadn’t in such a long time and it made me feel…disappointed in myself that I haven’t done as well as I thought I had."

His distressed expression softened instantly as he listened to her words, "Angel," He replied softly, moving a hand to stroke her cheek, "You have done remarkably well all things considered. You met a man yesterday who frightened you, so it is no wonder you had a nightmare about the first human who ever did that to you. You have no reason to feel disappointed in yourself and every reason to be proud of what you have accomplished with God’s help."

"Do you really think so?" Her trusting brown eyes looked into his as if searching for a little more reassurance.

"I know so, Monica. You have come so far, but don’t force yourself to forget as that will happen all on its own eventually. Not that it will ever completely go away, but it will fade more and more with time," He smiled at her, the warmth of it filling every part of her soul, "You’re a wonderful angel and don’t you forget it. One who can speak God’s truth to an assignment and change another man’s heart at the same time. You just keep being yourself, and the Father will guide you to where you need to go."

She felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes at his reference to David and Paul and she felt the ache of missing the agent in her heart once again, "You always understand," she remarked with a wry grin.

"Years of practice," He winked as he put the caddy back in drive and they continued on their journey home.

The remainder of the drive was pleasant albeit quiet and Monica found her thoughts going back and forth between Faith’s father and Paul. Paul knew the minds of evil people and she longed for his insight now. She was still trying to talk herself out of the fact that the man was indeed evil and she briefly entertained the thought that perhaps Faith’s disappearance had taken a toll on him mentally. He had certainly meant her no harm today and he had made no threats against her. It was also increasingly obvious that he was looking for his daughter, both by showing her picture in town as well as by searching for her in the woods. Traumatic events could certainly cause disorders or detachments of the mind, in humans as well as in angels, and she realized that she had no idea as to how Faith had vanished in the first place.

With no facts on which to base her thoughts, her imagination ran wild for the remainder of the journey, going over every possible scenario that the man could have witnessed when his daughter had been taken. She convinced herself that she wasn’t doubting herself, she had simply not considered this possibility before and it was best that an angel explore all her options in order to make an educated decision about someone’s persona.

Monica was still trying to sell herself on this idea as she led the way into the house, and started for the kitchen for something to drink when Andrew’s voice stopped her and she turned back to face him. She was certain he was going to question her on what she was thinking about and she wasn’t quite prepared to share it yet, until she had finished thinking it through.

"You never showed me your mug."

The little angel gazed down at the bag she had carried in, suddenly feeling that her depiction on the mug was probably a rather sad attempt, but she handed him the bag wordlessly. She knew that Andrew would be kind, but she was trying to steel herself against any wrong guesses he would make.

He unwrapped the mug from the paper carefully, as if he was holding something precious and she watched as his eyes took in every aspect of her little creation. He then looked up at her and smiled, "It’s a beautiful sunrise, angel."

Monica blinked back tears as she smiled, before silently going to him and hugging him tightly. Yes, he always understood.