Wounded Wings (Cupid Chronicles) (13 page)

He tucked his hands into his front pockets. “That’s all right. I’ll cook. Forget it.”

Now he looked like she’d kicked his puppy. “No. I’d just forgotten.” She mentally pulled up her big girl panties. Or her big girl swimsuit, as the case may be. “I’m game.” She stood. “Teach me the ways of Chicken Kiev, Chef. Though I can’t promise I won’t burn it.”

He held out his hand and melted her with a devastating grin. “I won’t let that happen.”

She gripped his hand like a lifeline and let him lead the way into the closet-sized kitchen, where he handed her an apron that was embroidered with the name of some French restaurant.

“Where I used to work,” he explained when he caught her studying the letters.

“Ah.” But she was distracted from further questioning when he opened the fridge and bent to gather up the ingredients for their dinner. If the front view of him was drool-worthy this evening, the rear view was enough to induce cardiac arrest. She averted her eyes and studied the multitude of pots, pans, cooking utensils, and spices he had already lined up. What he lacked in decoration throughout his apartment, he certainly made up for in the kitchen.

“All right, here we go,” he said, placing a package of fresh, organic chicken breast strips, eggs, and butter in front of her.

Here we go, indeed.

She forced a benign smile and eyed the ingredients. What had she gotten herself into? She reached over and grabbed her wine for a big chug of liquid courage.

Eli got right to work, obviously at home in the kitchen. She relaxed some watching his hands as he moved. Strong, supple, very sexy.

He peered up at her as he began to set the chicken out in a neat row. “You know, you’re supposed to be learning.” He smiled. “That means doing something besides hiding behind your glass of wine. Though I’m glad you’re enjoying it.” He tilted his head a fraction to indicate the spices. “Come on. Let’s start simple. We’ll make herb butter with the salt, pepper, parsley, and garlic. Think you can do that?”

She set her glass down and wiped her hands on her jeans. “Sure. Let’s do it.”

His dark eyes sparked with a grin.

Soon, heat was piping through his tiny kitchen and she had to remove her light sweater and work in just the purple top she wore underneath. It wasn’t heavy, but at least it had sleeves.

She stepped back from the stove and yanked her hair back in a hasty ponytail. “Phew, it gets toasty in here.” But, she was feeling a tiny sense of accomplishment. Maybe it had something to do with him letting her beat up the chicken breasts with a mallet to flatten them before they filled them with the herbed butter and dipped them in batter. But, either way, they were browning up beautifully in the oil and the herbs smelled heavenly.

He turned the heat down a notch. “Yes, I’m sorry.”

She flicked a glance to his hand as he expertly flipped the breasts in the pan. “How’s your burn?” It certainly looked nearly healed. She could hardly see any remnants of the pinkened skin anymore.

He glanced at her. “It’s fine. Thank you.”

Something unspoken passed between them before he turned back to the chicken. After a moment, she shook it off. It had to be nothing. They were friends, nothing more. She inched her way back toward the stove, determined to finish helping him with dinner and complete this lesson. Heck, now she’d know how to make Chicken Kiev. Wouldn’t Vi be impressed!

“So,” she hedged, “should I start something else to go with the meat?”

He shook his head. “I’ve already got a green salad made up in the fridge and there’s fresh French bread in the cabinet.”

French bread. Of course. She smiled.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

He finished up the chicken and served them while she set the table and then they ate. She moaned in appreciation at her first bite.

He grinned. “Good?”

She took another bite and nodded. “I’d say my first lesson was a success. Good job, Eli.”

He laughed. “I’m glad you’re happy. It really did turn out delicious. The best batch I’ve had it a long time.”

She took another large bite and closed her eyes in ecstasy. “Mmmm. Wow. We have to do this again. I think I’m in love.”

Suddenly the silence was deafening.

She opened her eyes again and her heart slammed into her throat at the expression on Eli’s face. It was as if he’d seen a ghost—
her
—and she was there to rip the very soul from his body.

Chapter 17

Michael grinned like a fool and pressed the phone closer to his ear. As much as he was relishing this opportunity to work on his own and prove himself, he missed the camaraderie of his brothers and sisters and the news from home.

“Really, Gabriel?” He laughed. His eyes darted to the clock on the wall of his sparse apartment. He didn’t want to be late to work at the diner.

Gabriel’s voice floated across the line. “Yes, I kid you not, Brother. Uriel was knee-deep in it again. But at least he made his match.”

Michael could imagine his leader shaking his head good-naturedly. He sat on his sofa. “And Ariel?” His ex-protégé was just taking on her first solo assignment. “How is she?”

“She’s doing fine. Still a bit, um, colorful and enthusiastic, but her joy is contagious and just what we needed around here in your absence.” He paused as if thinking through is next words. “She went back to work at Gentry’s, you know.”

Michael swallowed. “She did?”

“Yes. Father gave her an assignment next door at the daycare. This way her cover isn’t blown. Plus, she loves visiting with the children when she gets the chance.”

Michael’s heart started beating double-time as he envisioned the humans he’d come to know and love on his past two assignments. Should he ask? Could he? Would it be too much to presume? He opened his mouth, closed it.

Gabriel must’ve read his mind. “Your humans are doing wonderful, Brother. I know you must be curious. Ariel can’t help but keep me updated, though our Love Detail work there is done.”

“Thank you, Gabriel.”

“And,” he continued, “she’s seen fit to keep up with their goings on, so you might as well know, too. If you want to, that is.”

Michael’s heart sang. “Sure. I mean, yes. I would love to know.”

He could just hear the smile in Gabriel’s voice, even though he knew Ariel had earned herself a talking-to over this. He’d have to thank her. “Well, Noble and Braelyn are doing very well in the Hill Country. Noble’s business is thriving and Tristan is very happy in the new school. They’ve also welcomed a new daughter, Autumn Rose, I believe.”

Michael beamed. Another perfect, Heavenly ending.

“And,” Gabriel continued, “Jed and Kyle continue on with business-as-usual at Gentry’s. Little Codi is blossoming into quite a lovely young lady. Very intelligent.” Michael stifled a joyous laugh. Of course, he expected no less. “And they are discussing expanding their family to keep up with Noble. Kyle would like a son, I think.”

Michael wiped at the tears in his eyes. “Thank you, Gabriel. This has been quite an unexpected gift.”

“You’re welcome, Brother. You deserve it.”

Silence descended on the line for a moment. Michael wasn’t sure he deserved it, but he was honored.

“Well, Gabriel, I hate to cut this short, but I must go. I have to get to work.”

“I understand. Is everything going well on your assignment? I’ve been thinking a lot about you and how you’ve been coping with one of our own kind. How is that?”

Difficult. Impossible. “Strange.”

“And you’re sure he doesn’t recognize you?”

“I’m sure. He seems to have lost that ability when he fell. Sad case. He’s such a special soul. Tough job, but I’m working on it. Pray for me, Brother.”

“I will. Stay strong.”

“Always.”

Michael strolled into the diner smiling at the window box of petunias Sharla had planted—he loved spring—and was immediately bombarded by the scents of whatever Elijah was preparing for the day. Something savory. Chili, perhaps?

Then he was bombarded by slender arms around his knees. “Mr. Michael!”

He looked down at the head of soft, gingersnap-brown curls. “Well, Miss Emma. How’s the little princess today?”

She peered up at him with huge eyes that were thankfully full of health and life. “Good. My mommy’s gonna get married to Mr. Scott. I get to wear a pretty dress and be a flower girl.”

He glanced across the diner and caught Maura’s eye. She gave him a shy smile and lifted her left hand to wiggle her ring finger, which was sporting a shiny new bauble. “Well, how exciting,” Michael said loud enough for both of them to hear. “Congratulations.”

Emma giggled and stepped back. “He said I can call him Daddy now.”

“Well, isn’t that special? I’ll bet you’re proud as a peacock. Mr. Scott is a wonderful man and he’s going to be the perfect daddy for you.”

“Emma, honey,” Maura called out. “Come on, leave Mr. Michael alone. He needs to get to work.”

Emma skipped back with a smile, seeming to take him in, as she often did. But she didn’t say more. She hadn’t since that first time she called him out on his glow.

He smiled and wiggled his fingers in a bye-bye motion. “See you later, sweetie.”

“’Kay.”

He moved to the back room and donned his apron and grabbed his tub to begin cleaning the dirty tables that had already begun to accumulate. He called out greetings to the few people he was beginning to get to know.

The Sheriff sitting in a corner booth with Delaney from the hair salon in town, sharing a plate of pancakes.

A group of teenagers he recognized from church, huddled over their cell phones texting.

Sam Fuller sitting alone with coffee and a newspaper. Poor guy appeared so dejected since Miz Vi went to the hospital, though all reports were she was doing well.

New Destiny was really a great little town.

He wondered how things were going with Elijah and Naomi and if any of his dating advice had worked. What a crock that had been. Man, he hoped some of what he’d picked up over the centuries, particularly over his past few assignments, had rubbed off enough for him to give passable advice concerning the fairer sex.

As he settled the last of the dishes from the table into the tub and wiped the crumbs, he glanced toward the kitchen and caught sight of Elijah.

His breath caught and the rag dropped from his grasp.

In the couple of days since he’d last seen him, his friend’s glow had faded to a mere echo of what it used to be.

He should’ve anticipated the change—well, the best you can anticipate something you’ve never dealt with before—but it still saddened him to see something so irrevocable yanking Elijah forevermore from the realm of angeldom.

As if sensing his scrutiny, Elijah glanced up from his task in the kitchen and caught his gaze.

Michael quickly gathered up his tub and made his way back to the sinks. He pressed through the swinging door. “Hey.”

Elijah pivoted back to his huge pot of simmering deliciousness. “Hello.”

Michael was wondering how to broach the dating subject as he started to fill the sink with hot soapy water. Behind him, Elijah began to chop green onions, the pungent smell filling the space along with the chili, making Michael’s stomach grumble.

He glanced out to the full pastry case. Maybe he could sneak a piece of pie on break.

“So . . .” he started, but was interrupted as the diner door opened and Naomi entered, her arms full of her normal morning bakery drop-off.

Then several things seemed to happen at once.

First, Naomi’s gaze immediately honed in on the kitchen window, and she didn’t see Emma barreling straight for her. Michael thought about calling out for her to watch her basket of goodies, but he knew it was no use. She’d never hear him.

Emma smacked into her legs, about toppling her. Naomi righted herself, but not in time to save what appeared to be a banana crème pie from going all down the front of her T-shirt.

Michael’s mouth fell open in shock. Poor Naomi. He glanced over. Elijah hadn’t taken his eyes off of her, the green onions under his knife now minced to mush.

He shook his head. Seriously. Couldn’t these two just get it together and fall in love already?

Elijah made it through the breakfast and lunch rush relatively easily. But by two o’clock when he had a moment alone and was sitting out back feeding his stray friend, his pounding thoughts came crashing back.

I think I’m in love.

No. No. No.
His mind was screaming in rebellion. He could not go there again. Mentally, he was tallying how much money he had saved from his paychecks from the diner and if he had enough to get his car and get out of New Destiny.

His feelings for Naomi were strange and frightening enough without her doing something foolish like fancying herself in love with him.

Oh, God.

After she’d left that night he’d prayed like never before, begging Father for mercy and absolution and a way out of the mess he found himself in. He did not want to hurt her. Far from it. Maybe if Father would direct him toward the one meant for her, he could put these stupid skills he seemed to possess in the love department to use on her behalf and nip any romantic feelings, on either of their part, in the bud.

He was sure that was the answer and he’d never prayed so hard for something in his life.

If only Father was listening.

The door behind him squeaked open and Michael stepped out. The big man perched on the step next to him. “Hey, Eli. How’s it goin’?”

He shielded his eyes against the sun and looked at his new friend. “All right. You?”

“I’m good, man. Good.” He was silent a moment and reached over to pet the dog who’d settled between them. “You know, I’d understand if you tell me it’s none of my business, but you don’t seem yourself today. Is everything really all right? Something happen between you and Naomi?”

He glanced over sharply. “Why would you think that?”

“Well, you acted really weird when she came in for one. And you haven’t said a word since we talked about you and her going on a date.”

Elijah relaxed back against the stair rail and bit the inside of his cheek. He wasn’t sure how much to say. He’d not really had a human friend before and hadn’t confided anything emotional in anyone since his angel days.

“So?” Michael prodded. “Did you ask her out? Did you use my advice?”

Elijah stared down at the toe of his work boots. “Yes.”

Michael scooted forward. “And it didn’t go well, I take it?”

“Oh, it went fine. She’s a lovely girl. We had a good time—”

Michael smiled. “That’s gr—”

“Until the end,” Elijah interrupted him. “But, either way, it could never work.”

The smile slid off Michael’s face. “What? Why not?”

The dog whined a bit and shifted, putting his head on Elijah’s lap. He smoothed the fur between his ears, calming him. “Well, for starters, I’m not staying in town. . .” He hadn’t ruled out just fixing up his car and bolting.

“And?” Michael asked, obviously picking up on the fact that there was something much deeper holding him back.

Elijah swallowed. And? Yes, and what? He was an ex-Love Detail angel forever battered and scarred by love? Forever undeserving?

Yes.

He knew the commandment and he’d broken it anyway. But the allure,
she
, had been worth it. And he’d live out the rest of his existence, whatever there was of it, paying the price.

“Because she deserves someone who can love her fully, with his entire heart and soul.” He peered into Michael’s eyes, willing him to understand. “And that will
never
be me.”