"Angels- 02 - The Trouble With Angels" - читать интересную книгу автора (Macomber Debbie)

УSo I see.Ф Gabriel wasnТt one to reveal much emotion. For one thing, he couldnТt offer them prayer assignments. The truth was, he didnТt trust the trio to stay out of trouble. What had happened the previous year was a prime example of the kind of mischief they got themselves into. Goodness didnТt think Gabriel knew of her little shenanigans, but he did. The prayer ambassador had given in to her penchant for technical things. More than once.

He cringed every time he thought about Goodness giving advice to a human through the screen of a television set. That wasnТt the worst of it, either.

Gabriel had heard plenty about Mercy on the escalators in NordstromТs department store. And Shirley, the one he considered the most responsible, why, even the former guardian angel had become involved in a few escapades of her own.

УWe understand youТre shorthanded again this year.Ф This was Goodness, excited as a child about the possibility of returning to earth.

УThings arenТt as hectic as last year,Ф Gabriel informed the trio, not allowing any emotion to steal into his voice. Despite all the hassles theyТd given him, the archangel had a soft spot when it came to these three.

УThatТs not what we heard,Ф Shirley said. УRumor has it youТre as overworked as ever and in need of a little help from your friends.Ф

УWeТve come to volunteer our services.Ф Mercy stepped forward eagerly, nearly colliding with the table.

УBut weТd like to work in Los Angeles this time,Ф Goodness informed him. УIТm right fond of California, and it seems to me the City of Angels could do with our help.Ф

УBut we must insist upon working together.Ф Mercy crossed her arms as if to say she was making her stand. УRemember what a great job we did last year? You canТt let a golden opportunity like this slip through your fingers.Ф

УYes, I can.Ф Gabriel didnТt feel he could mince words. Weeks after their last venture to earth, he had been left to answer for their tomfoolery.

Goodness and Mercy bounced a shocked look off each other, then glared at him. УYou can?Ф

УKaren Woods?Ф The softly spoken question came from Shirley, who was leaning over the Book of Prayer, her finger poised at GabrielТs most recent entry.

УSheТs a troubled young girl,Ф Gabriel supplied, his heart heavy over the twelve-year-oldТs situation. It would take a prayer ambassador with far more experience than Shirley to work on this request.

УHer parents are divorced, right?Ф

Gabriel nodded.

УKaren loves them both very much,Ф Shirley said under her breath. УSometimes the girl feels like sheТs caught in a vicious tug-of-war between the two. From what I understand, she hasnТt seen her father in over a year.Ф

УThatТs true.Ф Gabriel was beginning to understand. Shirley intuitively knew this information because an Authority much higher than his own had deemed it so. It seemed he was being overruled.

УHer father feels itТs easier on everyone if he doesnТt see Karen as often. He loves her, too, but he hates his ex-wife, and every time he picks up his daughter she finds an excuse to fight with him. Or a reason to report him to her attorney. Maureen Woods has worked overtime to make his life hell.Ф

УYes.Ф

УI want to help,Ф Shirley insisted. УPlease let me.Ф

УThis isnТt an easy request,Ф Gabriel felt obliged to remind the prayer ambassador.

УIТm aware of that.Ф

УWeТll all help,Ф Goodness and Mercy chimed in.

Gabriel was worried about the three of them doing exactly that and feared it wasnТt help theyТd be lending. УNo, you wonТt,Ф he said more heatedly than he intended.

The two leaped back a step at his sharp tone.