18 Truths (23 page)

I thought about lying, but figured the less I did of that, the better. “I just didn’t go. Nate and I officially broke up, so Grace is definitely his sole responsibility now.”

He nodded his head and took a step closer. “I’m sorry to hear that. I guess my little meteor shower wasn’t enough?”

Tears sprung to my eyes before I could help myself.

“Hey, don’t cry. It’ll be okay.”

“No, it won’t, but thanks for saying that.”

He put his arm around me and immediately, I felt warm and fuzzy inside. “We could go watch Mel Gibon’s
The Passion of the Christ
in the rec room. That’ll cheer you up.”

“What? How would that help?” The words burst out of my mouth as a shout before I could remember to compose myself in front of my boss.

Riel laughed. “You’d be surprised. Nothing ever seems quite as bad after sitting down for 127 minutes to watch Hollywood’s interpretation of the final hours and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.”

I let out a long sigh. “You’re probably right, but I don’t think I can handle any more suffering right now.”

“How about horseback riding then?”

I raised my eyebrows. “Horse riding? I dunno. I…”

Oh, crap. I couldn’t exactly feign busyness, because then he’d ask about my plans.

“Um, I haven’t been riding in a long time. I’m not sure if I remember how.”

“Tsk, tsk. That’s the downfall of being a teen in this world today. You’re all too busy to enjoy the simpler things life has to offer.” He scooped me up in his arms. “No matter. It’s just like riding a bike.” He eyed the backpack on my shoulder. “Are you bringing that with?”

I shrugged. “I guess so.”

A few minutes later, I hung my bag on a hook in the barn while Riel filled a bucket of water for the horses to drink before our ride. “Will this be safe if I leave it here?”

Riel grabbed a brush, then started grooming the horse, gesturing for me to do the same to mine. “Why? Are you hiding drugs in there you’re worried about?” He grinned over the back of the horse.

I tried to smile back, but it wavered, as I thought about Riel’s fingerprint in my bag, more dangerous than any illegal substance. After grooming the horse, my gaze settled on my watch. Nine thirty. I took a deep breath, swallowed hard, pushed down the thoughts of all I had to do today, and picked up a saddle pad.

A half hour later, I looked toward a short fence on the trail and tightened my fingers on the reins. “Guess it’s time to turn around.”

“Nonsense! We just started. You just have to jump over the obstacles in your way.”

“Says the angel with powerful wings. I guess you don’t ever need to worry about falling.”

“Not in the sense you’re talking about,” he mumbled.

His horse’s white ears flickered at his comment, like he was more puzzled than me by his words.

I steered my horse toward the fence, and she threw her head back in excitement. “Easy, girl,” I told her, patting her neck. “Any pointers for me? I’ve never jumped before.”

“There’s a first time for everything. Just hold on tight, keep your eyes on the prize, and have faith, knowing the horse can lead you to safety.”

Certainly, there had to be an analogy about God and me in that sentence, but I still didn’t feel confident about my jump.

“Here, watch me first.” Riel nudged his calves into the horse’s sides, urging him into a gallop. A brilliant smile lit his face as he rose up in the saddle, his black hair streaming behind him and the air rippling his robe.

I squinted in the sun-streaked sky, determined to learn his techniques of flying without literally flying. The whole process was breathtaking to behold.

“See, easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy,” he said from the other side.

After a curt nod, I squeezed my legs and felt the horse’s muscles gather as she lifted into the air, as graceful as Riel flying, and I could feel him watching me. There was a moment of suspense, where I wondered if we’d clear the obstacle, before we landed safely on the other side.

“Good girl,” I whispered, caressing her neck. This time, I smiled genuinely at Riel.

As our two horses met, he said, “You’re safe now.” His tone implied we weren’t just talking about clearing fences.

“Am I?”

Riel flicked his reins, trotting down the trail, and I did the same. “I know you’re having a hard time coming to terms with leaving your life behind. But you can have so much more here. I hope you’ll let me show you that.”

We rode in silence for a moment. “It might take me a long time to realize that truth, but I am grateful for your help.”

Riel looked at me, and his horse moved him closer. “My pleasure. You’re amazing, Olga, whether you realize it or not. You have great instincts. You’ll make a gifted spirit guide one day. I could see you taking over Judy’s position when she retires.”

I shook my head. “I don’t think I could ever be even half as good as Dr. Judy. I still have a lot to learn. I couldn’t help Grace at all.”

“You can’t think negatively,” Riel reprimanded quickly. “No good ever comes of it.”

I nodded. “Okay, well, do you have any tips for thinking positively then?”

He moved close enough that his horse stretched his neck out to nuzzle my horse affectionately, and his leg brushed mine. I’d literally been ‘touched by an angel’ a few times now. Usually, his touch brought some much needed comfort, but today I couldn’t really feel anything. My body was numb and his eyes—the way he looked at me—confused me.

“Yes, spend more time with me.”

My eyes focused on his, searching for the motive behind his comment. “Ya know, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you were hitting on me.” I couldn’t believe I just said that aloud.

He laughed. “Well, an angel getting involved with humans in that way is frowned upon by our Creator, but not unheard of.”

“Have you ever… been involved with a human?”

We were both silent for a moment, nothing but the sound of hooves along the path. “No, but I’ve known other angels who crossed the line. The consequences are, well, should be avoided at all costs. But as I’m sure you know, sometimes you can’t help who you fall in love with.” He cleared his throat. “So, why did you and your lover boy breakup?”

“Lover boy? For real, Riel?”

He smirked. “How long have you been waiting to say that to me?”

I exhaled a breath. “Pretty much since the day we met.”

We both laughed. I wanted to check his face because his heavenly beauty was magnified when he laughed, but I could feel him watching me again, so I didn’t.

What’s going on here? He’s my boss! He’s an angel for Pete’s sake!

“Yes, for real, I want to know why you and Nate decided to end things.”

“We just couldn’t… see eye to eye on some issues right now.” My voice was barely a whisper. Admitting the truth hurt too much.

I felt Riel studying me, but I kept my gaze straight ahead.

“Do you think this split is permanent or more like a break?”

The effort of even thinking of an answer drained me. “I don’t know. I mean, I never even thought breaking up was a possibility. So yeah, the split feels permanent, but I hope one day he’ll see things my way.”

I thought I heard the seed of a sigh in his exhale. Turning my head, I looked at him now, bits of sunshine dotting his skin, making me want to reach out and touch his stunning complexion.

“Come on, Riel, what are you thinking? I know you have a quip remark in there somewhere.”

He bit his lip for a second. “You’re right. You know me so well already. I was just thinking you sound like a typical girl for once, thinking you’re the one who’s right and he’s wrong.”

“Be careful,” I warned him, although I knew I couldn’t do anything to hurt him.

“No, I’m quite sure you
are
right, given what I know of Nate.”

“Go easy on Nate. He’s got a good heart.” The words came out dryly, unsure of why I defended him when he left me hanging so easily.

Patches of clouds blocked the sunlight, and everything turned a shade darker as we cantered on, including Riel’s talkative mood. After a few minutes of silence, he pointed to a trail off to the right. “That leads to another headquarters.”

I raised my eyebrows. “There’s another headquarters?”

He nodded. “About five miles down there’s a creek you have to cross, then the trail leads up to a ridge. The building sits on top of the hill. Two other angels are in charge there.”

My mind flashed to Michael and Gabriel, the two names Dr. Judy mentioned seeing on the piece of paper when under hypnosis. Suddenly, I felt like I knew too much information, and I wanted to turn around.

Luckily, from directly above came the sound of wings beating the air. Ash called down to Riel, telling him he needed him back at headquarters.

Riel sighed. “Give me your hand.”

“My hand?”

“Yes, that petite little thing with five fingers attached to your wrist.”

I switched the crop over to my right hand and held out my left. Obedience had always been my strong suit, but I wouldn’t be able to claim that for much longer.

Riel’s hand around mine felt strangely warm and right. A moment later, we popped into the barn. “You can teleport with animals, too?”

He smiled. “See, being friends with me has its advantages. Can you put away the horses?”

I nodded. “Yeah, no problem.”

Hopping off, he brushed some dirt off his robe. “You want to have dinner tonight?”

I eyed my backpack. “Um, I can’t. I have other plans.”

“Another time then. Just remember, I’m always here for you.”

Another second later, he disappeared as I grimaced.

I had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that he’d renege on that promise soon.

“I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love
will have the final word in reality.”
—Martin Luther King, Jr.

crouched near the pristine wall of headquarters diagonally across from the storage facility. Peering around the corner, I held a pair of binoculars to my eyes and spotted the guard pacing back and forth in front of the entrance. The guard didn’t look too intimidating, dressed in what looked like a choir robe, similar to but not as fancy as Riel’s, and carrying a stun gun. I sighed before slipping back into hiding, then reached into my bag for my parka. I thought I might need the extra pockets the jacket provided. My pulse pounded in my ears as I slid my arms through the holes. I felt like I could run a marathon. Finally, I was being proactive and tackling my guilt and worry head-on.

I adjusted my backpack on my shoulders and moved my braid from front to back.

“All right, deep breath,” I told myself. Conner’s salvation was just a hundred yards away. Thirty more seconds, and I’d swallow the invisibility pill Sam gave me and break every rule in the book.

Out of nowhere, Nate strolled from… I didn’t catch from where.
Had he been hiding some place, too
? I guessed he hadn’t gone to school after all. Although it was afternoon now, so maybe he’d just gotten back. I wanted to call after him, for him to meet my eyes. Maybe he’d already forgiven all the inexcusable things I’d said yesterday. Maybe he came to help me. I watched him climb a tree to the left of the storage unit and yank out some papers stashed in the back waistband of his pants. Standing on the branch, he shouted at what must’ve been his highest decibel.