Angel Be Good

Angel Be Good

Kathy Carmichael

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2009 by Kathy Carmichael

Published by MacGowan Press on Smashwords

All characters in this book are fictitious,
and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely
coincidental.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal
enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to
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respecting the hard work of this author.

http://www.KathyCarmichael.com

"
Angel Be Good
is another
heartwarming and funny tale from romance's latest and
ever-so-talented romantic comedy author. Kathy Carmichael makes you
laugh and makes you cry and always leaves you satisfied."

~ Trish Jensen, bestselling author of
Stuck With You

Miracles still happen in modern day New
York when "Scrooge" (Nathaniel Danvers) meets
Heaven Can Wait
(Daphne), who has been sent to give
him one last chance at redemption.
Angel Be
Good
captures the essence of the classic Charles
Dickens'
A Christmas Carol
and offers a
touch of humor and romance. A perfect holiday feel-good
read.

What Reviewers Are Saying:

"This is without a doubt one of the sweetest
renditions of
A Christmas Carol
I've ever read. I thoroughly
enjoyed each and every page."

~ Kathy Boswell, Managing Editor,
TheBestReviews.com

"
Angel Be Good
is a read to fill your
heart with warmth, and is filled with emotional scenes that have
you laughing as well as bring tears to your eyes. Don't miss the
inspirational message hidden between the lines of this romantic
comedy."

~ Carol Carter, Reviewer, Romance Reviews
Today

About Kathy Carmichael's
Hot Flash
:

*Starred Review* "The road to true love has
many twists and turns, and Jill stumbles across all of them in
Carmichael's delightful romantic comedy."

~ Shelley Mosley, American Library
Association's
Booklist
magazine

"Laughter Guaranteed!"

~ Sandra Hill, New York Times Bestselling
Author

About Kathy Carmichael's
Diary of a Confessions Queen
:

"Sprightly humor and eccentric characters
invigorate this chick lit cozy . . ."

~
Publishers Weekly

"This is a story for readers who love layers
of kick-ass humor in a cozy mystery. It's a winner for Carmichael
and her distinctive style."

~ Wil A. Emerson,
Crime and Suspense
Mag.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Epilogue

DEDICATION

Writing this book was a work of love because
during the time I wrote it, my stepfather, Leonard Nohr was dying
of cancer. Angel Be Good is dedicated to his memory and to my
beloved kitty, Lisa. They were my cheerleaders and I miss them both
daily. May we be reunited one day.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I'd like to convey my deep sense of
gratitude to Teresa Kanago, who held my hand while I wrote this
story; my son, Andrew, who came up with a solution to a tough plot
problem; Ross Bennett, computer geek god, who, in memory of Chloe,
performed all things techno to make this book a reality; and to
Sharyn Cerniglia, who generously donated her editorial services in
memory of her beloved Golden Retriever, Cassie.

I'm extremely thankful for having wonderful
people like you in my life. Thank you.

~~~~

Life is eternal; and love is immortal; and
death is only a horizon;

and a horizon is nothing save the limit of
our sight.

~ A Commendatory Prayer,
Rossiter
Worthington Raymond

Prologue

"I told you I'm not supposed to be dead,"
said Daphne as she ruffled the itchy white feathers now adorning
her back. It wasn't enough that they took her life prematurely,
they had to torture her with bulky wings, a gown made of gauze so
thin she'd catch her death, and too-tight golden slippers.

"I'm afraid the Angelic Council made a
slight miscalculation," said Leonard soothingly.

"So, what is the Angelic Council going to do
about it?" Although she was thoroughly angry, she held her punches.
Leonard wasn't anything like her previous conception of an
angel.

Leonard was tall, only slightly bent, and
gaunt enough to be blown away by the slightest gust of wind. His
face was creased, aged, yet his bright blue eyes shone with
childlike benevolence and love. Even if he weren't an angel, she'd
never be able to be truly furious with someone like him. Perhaps
that was why the Angelic Council had sent him? He'd said it wasn't
his usual heavenly job.

"Do?"

"Yeah. I want to go back. I had plans, plans
to fall in love, marry and have kids. And thanks to this
miscalculation, I'm not going to have a full complete life? I don't
think so. Unless there's a fellow for me up here in heaven?"

"Oh my, oh my, oh my." Leonard was in an
absolute dither. Although Daphne had never actually used the word
before, she recognized it when someone did it. Leonard dithered.
"We can't have that."

"I was afraid it'd be out of the question."
She was losing all patience. "Look, Leonard, the Council made a
mistake. Tell them to fix it. I'm entitled to be sent back."

"I'll see what I can do." Leonard smiled and
patted her arm. "Never worry. You're in heaven. Everyone is happy
here. Once your angelic status is finalized, I'm sure you'll find
everything most satisfactory."

"Leonard, I know you mean well, but I'm not
happy and I won't be happy unless I get my life back. I'm not ready
to be an angel. I told you, I want a full and complete life. I want
to experience romantic love. Just because I stepped between a
lieutenant and the shrapnel he deserved, I can see no reason to
punish me for it, all because the Council didn't expect it. I want
my life!"

"Becalm yourself, Daphne. How was the
Council to know you'd interfere and risk your life for that
lieutenant?"

It was everything Daphne could do not to
yank the poor messenger by his heavenly robes. "Because that's the
kind of woman I am and you'd think heaven would know that. What
kind of heaven is this if the angels don't know the mortals they're
supposed to be helping?"

Leonard's eyes dropped with remorse. "I'll
consult the Council."

"Please, do that. And, Leonard?" Daphne
fluttered her lashes, remembering belatedly that honey draws the
most flies. "While you're at it, I know if you put your wonderful
mind to it, you'd be able to procure me some cream for this rash.
These da . . . er, dratted feathers are killing me."

"I'll do my humble best."

"Thank you." He seemed inclined to stick
around. She waved her arms. "Scram!"

In less time than it took her to completely
survey the pearly gates, Leonard returned with a beaming smile on
his aged face.

"Good news, child."

She breathed a sigh of relief. She'd almost
panicked wondering what the Post's hardest-hitting ace reporter
could find to keep herself busy up here in all these clouds.
"They're sending me back?"

"Oh, yes. You don't know how fortunate you
are. There have only been two previous cases I can recollect . . .
and with each of them," he lowered his voice to a whisper, "there
were extenuating circumstances."

"You don't say."

He nodded. "Otherwise, the poor ones who've
joined us too hastily have happily made do with the bounty offered
by our Heavenly Host and remained among his flock of newer angels.
Are you sure you don't wish to reconsider? The choice is
yours."

"I want to go back. But wait a sec." Her
reporter instinct kicked in. "How many other cases have there been
and who were they?" Not to mention when, where and why.

"Oh, my. Shouldn't we be on our way rather
than standing here discussing the others?"

"Why did they make an exception for me? What
were the extenuating circumstances?"

"Isn't it enough," Leonard asked, "that they
did make an exception? You will be going back."

Daphne narrowed her eyes, fully aware he'd
avoided her question. But so what. She was getting what she
wanted.

"What happens now?"

"Let's see. I regret having to do this,
Daphne, but since you choose to return to earth, I must remove your
wings." Leonard snapped his fingers.

"Gee. I'm really going to miss them." Right,
she added silently. Like a GI would miss K rations.

She heard a tinkling of bells. Her wings
transformed into a flock of doves. "Isn't it time for you to snap
those fingers and send me back?"

Leonard tapped his forehead. "Oh, my! I
nearly forgot one small favor the Council requested. You won't mind
it, I'm certain, since it involves the lieutenant whom you
saved."

"That lieutenant was a jackass. I didn't
save him on purpose, I reacted. It just happened."

"Exactly,” Leonard said. “Since you were
willing to risk your life for him, the Council beseeches you to
help save the immortal soul of his son."

"What?" She interrupted him. "I hadn't
realized he had a kid. Why do you need my help, anyway? Seems to
me, you're the angel."

"That's the gist of our problem. Nathaniel
Danvers doesn't believe—ergo, we cannot reach him. However, since
you are human, you'll be able to do what we cannot: connect with
him on a physical plane. After all, he can see and hear you."

This was not what she wanted to hear. "How
old is this child?"

Leonard coughed, then mumbled, "Thirty."

Could she have heard him correctly? "There's
got to be some mistake. The lieutenant can't be over thirty-five
himself."

"I'm afraid you won't be returning to your
own time. You'll be going into the future."

That did it. She grabbed his robes and
pulled him close enough for their noses to rub. "I thought you said
I get to go back."

Leonard bobbed his head up and down. "You
do! You do! You get to go back, complete your life and even have
children if you wish. The Council's only aim is to make you
happy."

Daphne dropped him. She wasn't one to shoot
the messenger. After all, it wasn't Leonard's fault. Besides, her
assignment to cover the emotional angle on the police action in
Vietnam had been less than comfortable. It had been frightening.
Many of the men serving there, boys really, had been as scared as
she. Uncle Sam had some explaining to do. But she really wouldn't
mind not going back to that madness. The future had to be
better.

She gritted her teeth. If it was a choice of
the future or sticking around with the wings to drive her bananas,
the future it was. "Tell me more."

"Nathaniel's mother died when he was six.
He's now matured into something of a miser."

"That's just groovy. I can't believe you
want me to reform some establishment tightwad." She shook her head.
"This has got to be a nightmare."

"I regret to say it, but it's all too
real."

"And what makes you think I can help where
angels failed?"

Leonard smiled. "The Council wouldn't send
you if they didn't think you'd succeed or that he isn't redeemable.
There's something there and I'm sure you'll find it."

"You call this a small favor? My
ass–ignment."

"There are also a few rules you must
understand. First, your body is only temporary."

"Temporary?" Daphne sputtered. "The more I
hear the less I like it. Why do I have a feeling you and your
Council are leading me down the Yellow Brick Road?"

"It is rather hard to believe," assured
Leonard. "But you've been out of your body too long for the Council
to be able to do anything more. You'll have all Christmas evening
to perform the favor and by dawn, you'll start your new life."

"You promise? I get my life? I won't come
back here?"

His brow wrinkled. "If you don't enter your
new body in time, your current one will evaporate. Since it's never
happened before, I'm unsure what would happen to your soul."

He waved his hand. "However, I don't
anticipate that eventuality."

She wouldn't let anything stop her from
taking up her life. "And if I fail? If I can't help Danvers'
son?"