In this joyous and whimsical holiday novel, Debbie Macomber rings in the season with the return of Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy, deliveringlaughs, love, and a charming dose of angelic intervention.
Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy know that an angels work is never done, especially during a time as wondrous as New Years Eve. With an apprentice angel, Will, under their wings, they descend upon Times Square in New York City eager to join in the festivities. And when Will spies two lonely strangers in the crowd, he decides midnight is the perfect time to lend a heavenly helping hand.
Lucie Farrara and Aren Fairchild meet after bumping into each otherseemingly by accidentin Times Square on New Years Eve. They immediately hit it off and find they have a lot in common: Lucie is a burgeoning chef and Aren is a respected food critic. But just as quickly as theyre brought together, another twist of fate tears them apart, leaving Lucie and Aren with no way to reconnect.
A year later, Lucie is the chef of an acclaimed new restaurant and Aren is a successful columnist for a major New York newspaper. For all the time thats passed, the two have not forgotten their one serendipitous eveningand neither have Shirley, Goodness, Mercy, and Will. To reunite the young couple, the angels cook up a brilliant plan: mix true love, a second chance, and a generous sprinkle of mischief to create an unforgettable Christmas miracle.
About the Author
Debbie Macomber, the author of The Inn at Rose Harbor, as well as the Cedar Cove and Blossom Street series, is a leading voice in womens fiction. Five of her novels have scored the #1 slot on the New York Times bestseller list, with three debuting at #1 on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly lists. Debbie Macombers Mrs. Miracle (2009) and Call Me Mrs. Miracle (2010) were Hallmark Channels top-watched movies for the year. This prolific author has more than 160 million copies of her books in print worldwide.
Excerpt. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Chapter One
This is really Earth? Will, the apprentice angel, asked, lying on his stomach on a low-flying cloud with his three mentors. His eyes widened as he gazed down on the crazed activity below.
This is Earth, Mercy informed their young charge with a tinge of pride. For all its problems, Earth was a fascinating place to visit with the tall buildings that butted up against the sky and people milling about with such purpose, most of them unaware of the spiritual world that surrounded them. More times than she could remember Mercy had lost patience with humans. Those who were considered the apex of Gods creations appeared to be slow-witted and spiritually dull. Yet she loved them and treasured her Earthly assignments.
Its New York, Shirley added, resting her chin in her hands as she gazed longingly below. Oh, I do so love this city.
Manhattan, to be more precise, Goodness clarified and ended with a little sigh, indicating that she, too, had missed visiting Earth.
The four hovered near Times Square, watching the clamoring crowds jockeying for space on New Years Eve.
Wills eyes widened as he intently studied the scene taking place in the streets below. Is it always like thisso busy and crowded, I mean?
No, no, this is a special night. The people are gathering together to usher in the New Year. Time was a concept reserved for Earth. In heaven it was much different. Consequently, the time restriction placed on the three Prayer Ambassadors when given Earthly assignments had caused more than one problem.
Did Gabriel want us
Gabriel, Shirley gasped, and quickly cut him off. He doesnt exactly know that weve brought you here. It would probably be best if you didnt mention this short visit to him, okay?
Yes, please, it would be best not to let anyone know weve shown you Earth. It went without saying theyd be in all kinds of trouble if Gabriel learned what theyd been up to.
Gabriel means well but he tends to get a little prickly about these things, Goodness explained to their young charge.
Why is that? Will stared at all three of them.
Well, you see, we . . . the three of us . . . thought we should give you a birds-eye view of Earth and these people God loves so muchstrictly for training purposes. Mercy looked to her friends to expound upon their intentions, which were honorable if not a tad bit sneaky.
This Earthly visitation had been a spur-of-the-moment decision. Mercy had been the one to suggest it. Naturally, Goodness was quick to agree, and after some discussion Shirley had seen the light as well.
Will, an apprentice angel, had been placed under their charge, and given this honor, it was only right that he get a glimpse of the trials and tribulations that awaited him once he started working as a Prayer Ambassador. The job could be a bit tricky, and the more Will understood the idiosyncrasies of humans, the better he would do once given an assignment from Gabriel.
Mercy was certain that under their tutorship, Will would make a fine Prayer Ambassador one day. He was young and enthusiastic, eager to learn about Earth and the role he would play.
As Mercy, who had falsely been labeled a troublemaker, had pointed out, theirs was a duty that required serious dedication. She wasnt alone in believing this. Goodnessoh, poor Goodnesshad gotten something of a reputation, too, and Mercy felt partially to blame, but that was another story entirely. Shirley tended to be a bit more on the straight-and-narrow path and had worked hard to reform her friends. In fact, Shirley, a former Guardian Angel, had done such a marvelous job, Gabriel had offered to let them train the promising young angel who was with them now.
Naturally, it was understood that if the three of them accepted this assignment training Will, then of course there would be no hanky-panky, no tricks, no nothing. All three had agreed. This was a high honor indeed and their intentions were good.
Now here they were, New Years Eve in Times Square, in one of the most amazing cities on Earth. Mercy breathed in deeply, savoring the moment. Bringing Will had been a good excuse, but the fact of the matter was that she had missed visiting Earth. Itd been a good long while since their last assignment, and she missed the razzle-dazzle of the big city.
Isnt Earth just marvelous? Goodness said, her huge wings fluttering with delight. Just look at all those neon lights. Ive always been especially fond of light.
As we all are, Shirley reminded them.
Can we go down there with the people? Will asked.
Absolutely not. Shirleys loud protest was instantaneous.
I dont think it would hurt anything, Goodness countered, her gaze still fixed on the bright lights of the city below.
Will glanced from one to the other.
How will he ever learn about humans if he doesnt have the opportunity to mingle with them? Mercy asked, siding with her dearest friend. Shirley could be such a stickler for rules. Okay, so theyd originally promised not to get anywhere close to humans, but this would be a good teaching moment for Will.
How will he ever learn how to work as a Prayer Ambassador if he doesnt become familiar with humans? Goodness protested.
Shirley wavered. While she might be opinionated on a number of topics, she could be easily swayed, which was the best part of working with her, Mercy felt.
Well . . .
Do we hear the humans prayers? Will asked.
Oh, no, Shirley explained. Only God hears their prayers, and then He talks matters over with Gabriel and then . . .
Then Gabriel passes along those requests to us.
And we assist in answering them.
One of our roles is to help humans realize how much they can do for themselves with Gods help, Goodness clarified.
We try as best we can without interfering in their lives, Shirley added quickly, glaring at Goodness and Mercy.
This was a warning and Mercy recognized it the instant her friend spoke.
But first, and this is the most important part, Goodness emphasized, its our duty to teach these humans a lesson. Then and only then are we able to help them with their troubles.
The real difficulty comes when they dont want to learn. Goodness shook her head because this aspect of the job was often a challenge. Some people seem to want God to step in and do as they ask without making a single contribution to the effort.
It doesnt work like that, Mercy said, although shed done a fair bit of finagling to help these poor witless souls. In theory, answering prayers didnt sound the least bit difficult. Unfortunately, humans were sometimes completely dense.
They can be so stubborn, Goodness said, shaking her head again.
Strong willed, Shirley agreed.
Oh, yes, and once Mercy snapped her mouth closed. It was best not to reveal their past antics for fear it would mislead their young charge into thinking that perhaps he should follow in their footsteps. Gabriel would take exception to that.
Once? Will pressed. What happened?
Never mind, Shirley said, reading the situation perfectly. Some things are best laid to rest and not discussed.
Can I go down and be with the crowd? Will asked again. I wont say anything to Gabriel.
He isnt the only one, Shirley blurted out. I mean, we shouldnt mutter a word of this to anyone in heaven.