Mr. Miracle (6 page)

Harry wanted to argue, but he knew Celeste was right. He should never have gotten involved, especially on his first day of teaching. His downfall was he’d been touched by the gentle woman’s desire to learn. She couldn’t afford to take the classes, and apparently this wasn’t the first time she’d
been caught standing in the hallway, listening, in order to glean what knowledge she could. From their short conversation, Harry learned that Elaina was a voracious reader who liked to practice her English by reading novels. She had grabbed hold of the Dickens novel he’d given her as if he’d gifted her with a diamond.

“You realize Dr. Conceito will find out about this, don’t you?”

Harry measured his response carefully. “I was thinking that maybe you could make that not happen?” His eyes were wide and hopeful.

“Sorry, Harry, I can’t do that.” To her credit, she did sound regretful.

Harry’s throat tightened, but, wanting to downplay what had happened, he waved his hand. “I don’t think there will be a problem. I can handle the school president.”

“Might I remind you that unless it’s a matter directly related to Addie Folsom or another one of your students, you’re unable to use any spiritual powers to counteract Dr. Conceito? Didn’t I warn you earlier that the man is a force to be reckoned with?” she reminded him.

Swallowing tightly, Harry nodded. “I’ll do what I can to make matters right.”

“Good. Don’t hesitate to come to me with problems. I’ll do what I can to help, but I, too, have limitations. And remember, your time here is probationary. I realize coming to
Earth has been something you’ve been waiting a long time for, but you need to prove yourself if you’re going to stay longer than the time it takes to teach this one class.”

“Got it.” This assignment wasn’t nearly as easy as he’d assumed it would be. He’d viewed Earth from heaven and been intrigued. Now that he was here on the other side, he found it to be quite complicated.

“By the way,” Celeste asked, lowering her voice, “what did you think of Andrew Fairfax’s dog?”

Harry remembered how the shepherd had remained on the floor at the young veteran’s side during the class. “He’s well behaved,” Harry said.

Then he noticed Celeste’s quirky smile and recalled how the animal’s gaze had briefly connected with his own. Harry was quick to make the connection. “He’s one of us, isn’t he?”

Celeste nodded. “Not all angels come in human form, you know.”

“Andrew needs two angels?”

“Some humans require even more.”

Harry had had no idea.

“Things will get better,” she promised. “I feel bad that this first class caused you problems. Focus, Harry. Remember your assignment. You should have been the one to suggest Addie volunteer to help Erich, not me.” She slapped his
back in a comforting gesture. “Now, there’s something more you need to tell me, isn’t there?”

Harry’s eyes widened. “You know about …”

“Oh yes, Harry, I do know. Now, let’s talk.”

He swallowed tightly and held in a sigh. He had the distinct feeling this next issue wouldn’t be so easily resolved.

Harry’s stomach was in knots. This was a matter no one discussed in heaven. He understood that Earth had its limitations, and that he’d have emotions, but no one had mentioned … this. His gut felt like an alien creature had taken up residence. He planted his hand over his abdomen, hoping that would help. Nothing could have prepared him for …

“Harry?” Celeste said gingerly. “You’ve gone pale.”

“Well … after class I had a visitor.”

“Yes, I know. Tell me about it.” Celeste’s look was friendly, inviting him to speak openly.

“Do you know Michelle Heath? I had no idea humans could be so …”

“Attractive,” Celeste supplied.

“Yes, and friendly, very friendly.”

Celeste’s face broke into a huge smile. “Ah, yes. Well, I’m sure it’s not every day she meets an unattached rather handsome man around her own age.”

Harry straightened his shoulders. He hadn’t thought of himself as handsome. The truth was, he hadn’t given much thought to his looks; he’d been handed this body to use as a vehicle, nothing more. It had never occurred to him that how he looked mattered.

Celeste was about to say more when a student approached the coffee stand and ordered a peppermint skinny latte.

Skinny?
Harry didn’t have a clue what that meant, but apparently Celeste did, because she didn’t hesitate. For the next few minutes the barista was busy brewing coffee and steaming milk.

While Celeste was preoccupied with the customer, Harry mentally reviewed the meeting with the French teacher. He’d been a bit shaken following the exchange between the young Hispanic woman and the security guard, which might be why his guard had been down. The classroom was empty and he had been sitting there, reflecting on
what had happened and how he might have handled the situation differently.

Harry had been at his desk wondering what the ramifications would be if Dr. Conceito learned of his intervention in the incident between Elaina and the security guard. Because he was preoccupied and distracted, he didn’t notice that someone was in the room—that was the only excuse he could think of that made sense. He had plenty to worry about, given the way Celeste had warned him to avoid the college president.

When Harry happened to glance up he found this lovely woman poised in the doorway. Her eyes were blue like Venetian glass, and her skin was creamy and soft like cotton. For the longest moment he hadn’t been able to breathe or take his eyes off her. When she spoke, it was in this breathy sort of way that caused his skin to tingle. Right then he heard the tinkling of bells announcing danger; trouble was on the horizon.

All humans were said to struggle against weaknesses. It was all part of living in a fallen world, and Harry, while an angel, was in a human body and prone to all things human … like desire. This was definitely an uncomfortable sensation, unfamiliar and awkward. He’d swallowed tightly and realized he couldn’t make his tongue work. His mouth didn’t seem to want to cooperate, either.

Thankfully, she spoke first. “Welcome,” she said, in a voice that made shivers run down his spine.

Unable to take his eyes off her, Harry managed to come to his feet and stretch out his arm in order to shake her hand and introduce himself. It demanded a monumental effort to remember his name. “Harry Mills.”

She clasped his hand in her own. Hers was warm and soft. “Michelle Heath.” She held on to his hand for a long moment, as if she was unwilling to let it go. “I teach the French class just down the hall,” she told him.

He was so enraptured by her he forgot himself and responded in French. Being well versed in languages was a requirement for placement on Earth. Instantly, she brightened, her eyes nearly melting with appreciation.

The room felt warmer than it had been only moments earlier, substantially warmer. French was a beautiful language, and it flowed back from her lips like melted butter being gently poured over a culinary delight.

Caught in the magic of her spell, Harry found that he was incapable of responding further in either language. All he could manage was a weak grin.

Michelle sighed, as though he’d managed to completely charm her. “Your French is excellent.”

“Ah … really? Thanks.” He stuttered out a response. The tinkling bells he’d heard earlier had taken on the sound
of an urgent fire alarm that insisted he evacuate the building as quickly as possible. To that effect, he reached for his briefcase and stuffed papers inside. He didn’t have a clue what the papers were.

“Oh, are you getting ready to leave?” she asked.

He nodded. That was when he caught a whiff of her perfume. Closing his eyes, he breathed in the scent of roses and mist and something else so potent it sent his senses reeling.

“I won’t keep you,” she was saying.

Harry forced his eyes open.

“I just thought I’d stop by and introduce myself,” she continued, stepping closer to Harry’s desk.

My goodness, she smelled heavenly.
Heaven
, he repeated.
Think of heaven
. It didn’t help. Heaven seemed a very long way away. Unable to stop himself, Harry leaned toward her and sniffed her neck.

Clearly, he’d surprised her, because Michelle released a soft gasp.

Instantly chagrined, Harry tried to explain. “I don’t know what perfume you’re wearing, but it’s very nice.”

She gifted him with one of her smiles. “It’s called Divine.”

“That explains it,” he muttered, and reached for his coat.

Michelle sat on the corner of his desk, letting one leg dangle over the edge. “Harry … before you go.”

“Yes.”

Her eyes went wide and round. “Is there a Mrs. Mills?”

Harry paused, his hand clenching his briefcase handle in a death grip.

“Are you asking if I’m married?”

“Yes.”

Harry didn’t answer right away because he noticed that her eyelashes were especially long. When she blinked they seemed to brush against her cheekbones. “No … I’m unmarried.” A wife, it was decided, would overly complicate his earthly visit. Other angels sometimes came as a couple, man and wife. Harry had been assigned to go solo.

“Surely you’ve been married?” she quizzed, blinking with the question, fluttering those exceptionally long lashes. It was akin to watching a butterfly take flight, and for a couple of uncomfortable seconds Harry was completely mesmerized and dumbstruck.

“Never.” He was anxious to leave and get to Celeste. He needed to discuss the incident involving the security guard. And then … then there was this French teacher.

“You’ve really never been married?” Michelle followed him out of the classroom, sticking close to his side as their footsteps echoed in the hallway toward the exit. “I find that hard to believe.”

Harry hadn’t expected his words to be challenged. He’d assumed no one would question him about such matters. “I assure you it’s the truth.”

Her returning laugh was light and breezy, as if she’d been teasing him all along. “Oh Harry, I believe you. It’s just that I find it hard to imagine that some lucky woman hasn’t snatched you up long before now.”

That was when it hit him, bull’s-eye, square in the middle of his forehead.
This woman was flirting with him
. He’d heard of this when he was up in heaven.

The attraction he felt for her had been instantaneous. And now he realized it was mutual. The fire alarm became a tornado warning. Right away Harry remembered the first and most important rule. Angels don’t get romantically involved with humans. That was strictly taboo.

Once he was outside, the cool evening air hit his face and seemed to free him from the spell he’d fallen under. What Harry hadn’t expected when he’d arrived on Earth was that he’d be tempted. He shook himself in order to clear his head. It didn’t matter how he felt about this highly attractive woman. Michelle Heath was dangerous to his mission. He couldn’t allow her magnetism to distract him from what was most important.

“You heard about the Christmas concert, didn’t you?” she asked, in that same soft voice that fell so sweetly from her lush lips.

“Concert?” Harry’s mouth had gone dry. He’d read the notice but hadn’t given it much thought.

“The college choral group is putting on a holiday performance.
It’s the highlight of the year. They have been practicing for weeks.”

Harry hesitated, afraid of where this was leading. “I … I don’t know.”

“All teachers are required to attend,” she reminded him. “Dr. Conceito is adamant about that.”

Harry could feel a noose tightening around his neck. She was going to ask him to accompany her.

“We could meet in Massey Hall,” she suggested ever so innocently.

Harry cleared his throat. “I’ll have to check my schedule,” he murmured.

“Oh please do.” The entreaty in her voice couldn’t be ignored.

Harry blinked, and could feel himself weakening. “Massey Hall?”

“The performance center, Thursday afternoon at four-thirty.”

“Of course.” His mind frantically searched for a way of extricating himself, and when he spoke, the words shot from his mouth in such a rush it was amazing anyone could understand him. “I’m teaching a class right before the concert. I doubt I could make it to the performance center on time. In fact, I’m sure I’m going to be late. I’d hate the thought of you missing part of the performance because of me.”

“No worries,” she assured him. “I’ll save a seat for you, right next to me.”

This was exactly what Harry didn’t want to hear. “That’d be … wonderful,” he said. They parted, and Harry rushed to seek Celeste’s advice.

“Okay, where were we?” Celeste asked, joining him once again. “Oh yes, you were getting ready to tell me about your meeting with Michelle Heath.”

“Before I do, tell me what you know about her,” he said.

Celeste studied him closely. “She’s been divorced for a long time, with two grown children. Be careful, Harry. Michelle’s lonely and on the prowl.”

Harry nodded hard enough to dislocate his neck. “I thought as much. She stopped by my classroom to introduce herself.”