Prologue
Sweet Haven, Texas
“Dear Lord, I really need your help.” A somber little girl prayed aloud her golden head bent and her big sad brown eyes squeezed tightly as she concentrated with all her might over her small steeped hands. “I need help with Papa. Ever since Mama went to Heaven to be with You, Papa’s been different. I need a…” She opened her big brown eyes glancing about the empty old church in hopes she would know what to ask God.
Her eyes studied the small wooden cross high on the wall in front of her wondering why her mother had been called to God’s kingdom last year. But she wasn’t bitter not like her Papa. He was a different papa now that Mama was gone. He wasn’t mean but he was just so sad it made her want to cry. Sweeping the large chamber with one final glance, she noticed something. Something that could solve her dilemma and hopeful get her Papa back again.
“That’s it!” Closing her eyes tight she reached her little chin on her hands, her heart beating frantically, she took a deep breath to steady her. He was just so sad and hurt when Mama left he didn’t seem to care about his children. “Oh Lord, please send my daddy an angel!”
“Who are you talking too, my child?” Father Conner asked softly standing quietly behind her coming to stand behind her in the quiet church. He had only heard the last of her conversion something about an angel but he wasn’t sure why Jerome Hawkins’ daughter was doing here, alone in the old church. The Hawkins’ haven’t been to a sermon since the untimely death of Jerome’s wife, Clara.
“Oh, Father Conner!” Rachel Ann Hawkins gasped as she sharply twisted about from her knelling position before the alter. A guiltily blush colored her cheeks as if she was caught with her hand in the cookie jar. “I came to talk to God, Father. Mama always said when I wanted to talk to God it was best to come to the church.”
“Bless you, child. Your mother was a wonderful woman. I miss her friendship very much.” Father Conner patted Rachel Ann’s golden curls as he past her. “I came here to work on my sermon. Would you like to hear it?”
The church doors slammed opened against the wall as there stood her father. “Rachel Ann Hawkins!” Jerome roared furiously charging up the aisle like an enraged lion. His hand shot out and grabbed her arm hauling her to her feet. His smoldering black eyes savagely racked down his tiny daughter‘s form looking for any injury. “What did I say about wonderin’ off like that? What if something happened to you? What if I never found you again?”
“But Papa, all I wanted to do was talk to God like Mama did.” Huge crocodile tears ran down her pale cheeks watching her father become even angrier with her. “I-I-I’m so-sorry, Papa. I won’t do it again!”
“You can’t always do what you want to do, young lady! Now I missed my pick up at the store. And where the hell is your brother? He was supposed to be watchin' you." His strong arms scooped her up safely wrapping about her trembling body holding her tightly against his thundering heart. He could have so easily lost her! His son was going to answer to him for allowing his baby girl to wander away like she did.
Rachel Ann stubbornly remained mute waiting for the storm to abate. She didn’t want to get her brother in trouble with Papa. Lately, it seemed they were constantly fighting with each other over stupid little things. How she longed to have her loving Papa come back to her and hold her and tell her everything was going to be all right? Where did that Papa go? Did he go with Mama and this mean angry man was the only thing she had left? Not wanting to get her older brother in trouble, she bowed her head hoping for her miracle angel would appear.
“I see you found her and in one piece.” Warren Hawkins sauntered up to them like he didn’t have a care in the world. He studied his baby sister cry dispassionately on their father’s shoulder and envied her that it was al right for her to cry because she was a girl, and the baby of the family. Lord knows how many times he wished he could go to his unfeeling father and cry his grief on his other strong shoulder. But men weren’t allowed to show any sissy emotion like tears or any other weakness in front of others. His emerald green eyes narrowed on his father wishing again he could be held like that then became angry at himself for such an unmanly thought. He was eight years old and that was old enough to be a man.
“Wait until we get home, son.” Jerome snarled hotly reining his boiling temper sharply. He’d be damned to hell if he would chastise his children before Father Conner. He carried his precious daughter from the church and his son somberly followed suit.
“I’d really hope you all would come back to church on Sunday. We miss having you here.” Father Conner’s kind words drifted after them falling on deaf ears. He somehow knew he wouldn’t see Jerome or his children any time soon.
“Oh Lord, what is going to happen to them now? Who is strong enough to save their souls?” Only silence answered his heartfelt prayer as he reluctantly opened his Bible for his sermon on Sunday
Heaven’s Hall
“Angels in training please come to order!” The High Spirit, or most commonly known as Mother Spirit, commanded softly waiting patiently for the young spirits to settle down. Her compassionated pale lavender eyes swept over the gang of heavenly beings trying to located one that would heal a grieving family over a recent loss.
“Angel Amber, where is young Sapphire?” Mother Spirit demanded to know of the second in command for she hadn’t seen the one she knew would be perfect for the upcoming assignment. This was the case that would decide is the young Spirit Sapphire would get her wing and join the ranks of her fellow angels.
“I sent her to fetch the Book. She should be back by now.” Angel Amber said absent mindedly as she turned to the entrance of the Hall a slight scowl marred her smooth brow. “I think I hear her coming, Mother Spirit.”
The racket blasted form the tall arched opened doors and all reeled about to see what it was all about. A young spirit with long pale honey brown hair disarrayed about her slender shoulders stood clutching the big Book that was requested for the meeting.
The other spirits broke into soft laughter like bells chimed on a breeze causing Sapphire’s cheeks to glow rosily in embarrassment. She tried to ignore the rude gloating amongst her sisters spirits as she thrust her chin out proudly and carried the Book to the High Spirit’s alter.
“I’m sorry I’m late, Mother Spirit.” She carefully laid the Book in its cradle on the dais before she quickly took her seat with the others.
“So Saphie, did you meet anyone on your journey?” Spirit Lesley asked spitefully fully knowing that she hadn’t been sent on her final assessment that would gain her wings.
“Lesley, leave her alone! Not every spirit has the good fortune of completing it’s training.” Twinette defended her best friend pausing for a moment to ponder about something then said, “Oh, wait! You haven’t been either, or at least I don’t see your wings!”
“Attention, attention Heavenly sisters. Mother has called this meeting in haste and we cannot afford to delay any longer. Please take your seats.” Angel Amber smiled at her girls satisfied as they quickly settled down again. She was worried about Sapphire and Lesley. It seem of late Lesley was growing to be a dark angel not like Sapphire and the other spirit’s emotions were turning for the worst. She would have to talk to Mother about it.
“As you all well know, the Father received an urgent plea to help a young child’s family through a difficult time. He wanted me to hand pick the spirit for this special case.
“The Father wants us to understand that this project will be vastly difficult and very trying for the most experienced of angels. But, alas I can only pick one that shall truly heal this desperate family.” Mother looked at each spirit in turn settling on Sapphire longer than the others before she cleared her throat to continue.
“I need to see Lesley, Twinette and…Sapphire in my private chambers for their assignments. The rest of you are free to enjoy the glorious day.” Mother nodded to Angel Amber before she retired to her chambers.
Angel Amber cleared the Hall without further ado then showed the three apparitions to Mother’s chambers. “Twinette, you will enter first, then Lesley.” She took Twinette’s trembling hand in hers as they entered the silent chambers.
“I should have been the first to see Mother!” Lesley whined childishly waiting impatiently for her turn with only Sapphire’s company. When would she get to be Mother’s favorite? She was tired of waiting for Sapphire to mess up royally, Nothing that spirit could do would change Mother’s feeling for her! It wasn’t fair!
Sapphire disregard her peer’s repulsive manners too busy fretting over her future. She longed to be just like Mother Spirit for so many years. This mission would decide her future as a heavenly angel. Would she at last get her coveted wings and finally call Heaven her home? Would she finally have the respect of her peers and not their hurtful ridicule?
She didn’t know how long she sat there on the hard wooden bench or how long she prayed, although it felt like what humans called a lifetime before Angel Amber stood in front of her with clasped hands.
“Sapphire it is time,” she smiled reassuringly at the nervous girl spirit knowing exactly how she felt for Angel Amber had been in the same position centuries ago. Amber remembered long ago when she was called for her assignment and she has been so nervous she thought she’d never get her wings, and here she was with her heavenly wings on her back.
“Follow me.”
Sapphire took a deep breath to calm her anxiety as she dutifully trailed behind the beautiful angel hoping her assignment would help someone in need. Saying a quick silent prayer that her knees would support her weight and not buckle beneath her making her look like a foolish clutch.
“Mother, here’s Sapphire as you requested.” Angel Amber announced to the older siren angel then withdrew from the chambers wondering what task Sapphire would be given. It would prove to be interesting to say the least.
“I shall make this short, my dear. You are being sent to Earth to help heal a family’s grief. It is up to you as to how to accomplish this. I see you have completed your angels-in-waiting training. Godspeed.”
“Wait! Is there anything else you can tell me? Please,”
“Only that you will become mortal once again with no memory of your time with us and you’re heart will guide you.”
Then Sapphire felt herself weightlessly falling from the large fluffy clouds like a leaf fluttering down from a tree branch. How was she going to accomplish this vital task set before her? More importantly what family would need her to heal their grief?
Chapter One
“Emma, Papa’s lookin’ for you.” Millicent Retch, her younger spoiled cousin gleefully told her as she came into the old drafty barn. “Are you in here, Emma? I said my papa is lookin’ for you.”
“I am here, Millicent,” a petite sprite with large amethyst eyes and a wild mass of golden brown hair, cautiously stepped from her little room in the back of the barn. She had been all about the property looking for her black kitten with white feet she named Boots. “Have you seen Boots?”
“Papa found that varmint on the porch this morning. He said you are to come to the house right away. I think it’s to punish you for slacking in your chores and your stupid dumb kitty. He’s waitin’ for you in his study.”
Without another word, Emma raced from the barn afraid for her pet and what her uncle wanted from her now. She had finished all her chores early wanting to visit with her precious pet for a few moments. She still found it hard to believe her beloved mother had died when she was a child for she swore she could still feel her love all around her…until she was with her uncle. She was only eight when she came to live with him after mother’s death. Now it was ten years later and not much has changed other than her relatives became more demanding in their needs.
“Where have you been, little trouble maker? Your aunt had to serve her guests refreshments herself. You were supposed to be in the kitchen, Niece.” Uncle Kyle growled from behind his large dark desk too busy reading a contract to glance at her. “What do you have to say for yourself this time? I am getting weary of all you excuses for not getting your work done.”
“Where’s my kitten, uncle? Millicent said you saw her this morn.” She always finished her chores but lately it was getting too much for her to handle alone. Trying to look on the brighter side of life was getting harder and harder. She had hoped her uncle and aunt would learn to love her as she had love them. She prayed to God they would see she needed their love more than their distain.
“What did you say to me, you ungrateful bag of trouble?” Slowly the thick contract was placed on his desk as he turned his attention to his head strong niece. Only when she first came here did she ever dare defy him for she knew what the punishment was for such defiance. However did his dolce sister give birth to such a defiant wench? Must have been from the father whoever he was, damn and blast his soul for saddling him with another mouth to feed! It was left to him to see the girl was raised properly but it galled him to do so.
“I want my kitten, Boots back.” Her slender shoulders were thrust back as her chin notched in stubbornness, knowing what her defiance was going to bring and for once not caring what happened to her if only her kitten was fine. Please Lord, let Boots be all right!
“Let me sure I have this right, niece. You demand to have your little kitty back at this very instant? Do you remember what happens to a certain girl who back talks me? I believe a trip to the barn is in order. What do you think?” His large hand reached for the ever present thick leather belt he had at hand when he talked to her.
“I want my pet back and I don’t care if you beat me. Boots didn’t do anything to you. Millicent said you had Boots this morning and I want to know what you did to her!”
“You…demand?“ he sputtered in disbelief staring at her for the very first time and seeing a beautiful young woman. He felt his boiling blood raced though him settling in his groin. How long has it been since he felt like this? Months? Year? “Let’s go.” He forgot the belt as he cruelly grabbed her upper arm and dragged her to the barn. He would teach her to defy him!
Emma tried to keep calm as the barn doors closed behind them and her uncle’s angry command to his men, “We’re not the be bothered!”
“Yes sir,” one of the cowboys said as he stood guard at the double barn doors. His kept his eyes averted not noticing this time Kyle forgot his belt. The last time someone tried to stop the malicious old bastard he was fired and thrown off the ranch without pay.
“Your mother never gave me this much trouble when she lived with me. She unlike you knew her place. Haven’t I been good to you since you came to live with us? I’ve tried again and again to tech you how to behave as a woman should and you refuse to do so! I guess it’s time for you to learn what’s its like to be a woman, huh? Well I’m more than man enough to teach you, girile.
Emma was alarmed by his uncharacteristic tirade not to mention the sudden tension in him. What was happening? What was he talking about to learn what it means to be a woman? She’s been a woman since she first bleed five years ago.
Suddenly her musings were shattered as Kyle took great delight in taking hold of her frayed shirt and tore the buttons from their moorings spraying them all over the barn’s dirt floor. Her poor shirt listlessly hung open baring her to Kyle hot beady eyes. His busy hand destroyed her thin chemise in short order.
“What are you doing? Stop it! No!” Emma slapped his hand away to no prevail vainly covering her quivering bosom with her arm. “Help, help!” She knew it was useless to cry out but she wasn’t about to allow whatever her uncle wanted from her. Just as he pinned her again the rough barn wall with his legs forced between hers and his sloppy wet kisses tried to take her nipple into his mouth was he yanked off her.
“What the hell…? What are you doing here Father Conner?” Kyle gasped breathlessly his passions weakened his keen mind as he shook his lust from his head. “This is between me and my niece. You have no right to stop me! Get the hell out of here before I have you thrown from my property.”
“Oh’ I’ll leave all right but not without the girl.” The man of the cloth towered forebodingly above them. He couldn’t believe old man Retch was trying to rape his niece and no one tried to stop him. He was on his way here to do visits with the Retch’s but now that wasn’t possible after what he witnessed here. There was no way he could leave the girl here defenseless again this monster.
“What do you mean you’re not leaving without her? She’s none of your concern, man. Just leave before I loss what patience I have left.”
“Come, my child.” The Father held out his large hand to the frightened girl willing her to trust him to keep her safe but her hesitating wasn’t promising either. “Do you really want to stay here?”
Emma grabbed his hand without further thought for indeed she didn’t want to see one more day slaving for these people. She quickly brushed down her shirks and her other hand clutched her shirt closed. It occurred to her that if her relatives were going to change they would have long ago. No, they would continue to work her into an early grave and there were things she wanted to do in her life before it was over.
“I won’t let you have her, Father. Randy, Hoss, Billy get your asses in here right now!” Kyle bellowed loudly as he could gratified when his men showed up running.
“Thank you, but perhaps you should just leave. I’ll be fine.” Emma lied badly for she trembled under his reassuringly arm wrapped about her shoulders. She wouldn’t be able to live with herself should any harm come to her rescuer. No it was better to send him on his way before his foolishness cost him his heath.
These three men were only called when her uncle was unable to defend himself and Emma was suddenly scared for Father Conner. He would be picked apart in no time.
“No you won’t be. Besides you’re a terrible liar, little one.” His amusement colored his voice as he set her behind him ready for whatever was to come. One thing he did know was they would have to kill him before he handed her over to her uncle.
“Uh, boss I’m not goin’ tae rough up a preacher man,” Hoss shifted uneasily looking at his friends to see what they would do and they nodded in agreement. They would do just about anything for money but to harm women, children and preachers went against their code and honor.
“Cowards! I pay you to do as I say, dammit. Fine then, get the man out of here but Emma is to remain here.”
“I’m not leaving her with you a moment longer, Mr. Retch.” Father Conner took Emma’s hand in his own warm one as he started for the gaping open doors. “I will say a prayer for all your souls and I expect to see you all in church come Sunday, boys.”
“Yes sir,” they mumbled in unison shamefaced.
Father Conner helped Emma into his wagon when a weak meow cried out to them. The Father bent down and saw a young kitten crawling to them in a pitiful heap. Gently he scooped up the injured animal giving it to Emma.
“Boots!” She cried happily holding the baby cat to her aching bosom. “What did he do to you, sweetness? You were supposed to stay in the barn where you’d been safe. Oh, look at your poor self.” The kitten was filthy as if she gotten into mud under the house and her soft fur was matted with some blood.
Emma’s heart twisted for her poor pet as she cuddled her closer to her warmth. “Don’t worry my sweet, we are leaving and never coming back.” Please God don’t let her have to ever come back here! She was glad when the wagon left Retch land and headed back towards the church.
She hadn’t been to church since her mother passed away years ago. What would she find there? Her aunt told her it was a shame the church fell to hard times for it was once one of the beautiful places in Sweet Heaven. Too bad it went to ruins she would have loved to see it in all its glory.
“I don’t know how to thank you enough Father Conner. I haven’t any money to give to the church and I want to repay you for going against my uncle. Not many people would dare.”
“That’s good you don’t have money for I have little use for it. But I do need your help.” Father Conner patted her hand reassuringly for in a few minutes they would be at the church. He would need her help with a certain problem he was having with one family.
“What could I do to help you? I only know how to be a servant and I don’t think you need a housekeeper for the church. “
“We’ll get you some clothes from the patrons that donated to the church for others worst off first of all, then after dinner we’ll discuss how you can help me. Indeed God works in mysterious ways, my child.”
True to their word Hoss, Randy and Billy were present at church that Sunday however curiously her uncle, aunt and cousin weren’t and Emma was secretly glad. She wouldn’t want to embarrass Father Conner for all his kindness he shown her over this past week with her uncle causing a scene.
