Angels Everywhere - Debbie Macomber [0]
for their shining example of God’s love
Contents
A Season of Angels
Acknowledgments
1 The manger was empty.
2 It was a disgrace, a downright disgrace . . .
3 “Timmy,” Jody Potter called . . .
4 Chet never intended to kiss Monica.
5 Shirley loved old white churches . . .
6 “You’re up bright and early,” Lloyd Fischer . . .
7 It must have taken Jody forty-five . . .
8 Monica was in a tizzy.
9 ]ust when everything was straight . . .
10 “Mom, I need another quarter.”
11 “You’re sure you don’t mind?”
12 Monica paced her bedroom, . . .
13 Angels rarely wept.
14 Leah walked into her house . . .
15 Jody swore she didn’t sleep . . .
16 “Hey, man, you don’t look so . . .
17 This wasn’t going to be easy.
18 “You’re back early,” Helen Chandler . . .
19 “You’re my real-life dad?”
Touched by Angels
Acknowledgments
1 The young man wore a staple in one ear.
2 “Hannah who?”
3 “Jenny, wake up.”
4 “I’d like everyone to take out . . .
5 “Gabriel handed you an assignment . . .
6 Jenny didn’t want to do it.
7 This meeting with Joshua was so . . .
8 “Suzie, can I see you after class?”
9 Hannah had no intention of staying . . .
10 “Aren’t you going to help Jenny?”
11 “Are you sure you’re up to this?”
12 Emilio followed Roberto around . . .
13 Hannah returned home from an errand . . .
14 Emilio was absent from school . . .
15 Trey didn’t dislike New York.
16 Jenny didn’t know what to think about Trey.
17 Talking to Carl proved to be so . . .
18 From inside his office Joshua . . .
About the Author
Praise and Acclaim
Books by Debbie Macomber
Copyright
About the Publisher
Acknowledgments
Writing A Season of Angels has been an incredible experience. Needless to say I had lots of help, some in the most unexpected places.
First and foremost my heartfelt appreciation goes to Bonnie Ballew for the photograph of the real, living angel she gave me as an office-warming gift. That was the beginning.
Next in line are Irene Goodman, Karen Solem, and Carolyn Marino, who strongly believed in this project, and gave me the chance to write my angel book.
To my good friends Linda Lael Miller and Jo Ann Algermissen, who lent me confidence when I needed it most. My husband, Wayne, deserves a medal for his patience. I forced him to listen to each segment of each chapter countless times until I got it right.
A writer couldn’t have a better support system.
Lastly Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy deserve to be thanked. They presented themselves, full-blown for my inspection, anxious for me to tell the world Someone out there cares.
One
The manger was empty. Leah Lundberg walked past the nativity scene Providence Hospital put out every year, stopped, and stared. The north wind cut through her like a boning knife as Leah studied the ramshackle stable, her heart heavy, her life more so.
The blue of Mary’s gown had long since faded, she noted. Joseph, leaning heavily against his staff, was slightly off-balance, and looked as if he’d topple in a stiff wind. There seemed to be one less lamb this year and one of the donkey’s ears was missing. It was a small wonder the structure remained upright with the weight of the angel, yellow now instead of golden, nailed to the top. Triumphantly, she blew her chipped horn, proclaiming the glorious news of the Savior’s birth.
The hospital had reconstructed the Christmas scene every Advent for the last fifty years, long before Leah was born, long before she realized an entire lifetime of tears could be stored within a single tattered soul.
It was ironic that a woman who toiled as a nurse day after day on a maternity ward would be childless herself. Her work with laboring mothers was her gift, they said, her special talent. Women specifically requested that she be with them for the birthing of their children.
For whatever reason, Leah had been granted the touch, a gentle hand, and a sympathetic heart. Birthing mothers claimed she was inspiring, encouraging,