Caleb paced the floor of his living room, flipping his cell phone open and closed every few minutes. He checked the time. His watch said seven o’clock in the evening, two minutes later than when he checked it two minutes ago. Stir-crazy didn’t even begin to explain how freaked out he was at this point. He’d been waiting it seemed like hours, though it had only been one since he’d left Gabriel his dire plea for protection. Had he gotten his message? Maybe his voicemail isn’t working. Not likely. Maybe he’s in a dead zone for cell service. Not likely, either. Maybe I should just chill out.Did he remember to lock the front door to his apartment? He didn’t know. So he rushed over to check. He’d locked it, thank goodness. He slunk over to his only window in the apartment and peered out from behind the frayed window blinds, watching for anyone he knew skulking around outside. Not a soul was around, but that didn’t mean anything

The dams broke and tears streamed down her face. Gabriel reached into his pocket and pulled out a linen hanky. A bit old-fashioned, he knew, but it was always there when he needed it. He handed it to her and she dabbed gingerly at her face.“I’m sorry. This has been happening ever since I woke up in the hospital.” She blew her nose.“That's okay, I completely understand.”“Caleb told me you offered him a job as personal assistant if he did real good with some jobs for you. I hope he's doing okay.” She paused, shuffling her feet. ”Do you think you might have an opening for a secretary or something like that? I took typing in high school and was the top in my class. I'm done with Manny, too. I've gotta get my life together, and working for you would help me do that.”“I'm glad to hear that. I believe I can find a suitable job for you at my company.” The worry lines and wrinkles that had taken

Ancient GaulRaphael charged into the Temple of Sirona. “Where is she? Where is my wife?” He asked anyone and everyone who would listen, but no one seemed to know and shook their heads solemnly. “Aiden,” he called to one of the guards.“Yes?”“Something’s wrong. I haven’t been able to sense Sirona all day. Now, tell me where she is, man. Tell me so I can see her and know she’s all right.”“I can’t tell you something I don’t know myself.” Aiden worried the short beard on his chin. “We’ve been looking for her since after midnight when she fooled us into thinking she slept. She’s wanted to free herself of the guards for hundreds of years now, even though she knows we are here to protect her gift at all costs. Looks like she finally succeeded. Everyone who can is looking for her, I promise.”Raphael glanced around at the hordes of followers bringing the day’s offerings to the temple, and a sudden chill ran up his spine. He unfurled his wings and took flight, praying he’d find her safe som

She’d been pulling wicked long hours during the spring and the beginning of the summer without a break. After long days in the Jeep, she’d go and sit with her father in the nursing home; feeding him dinner, making one-sided small talk, and assuring herself of the excellent care by the staff. She’d cut back on both, but it didn’t help. Now, with Jared coming home with such an extravagant gift for her…. Well, she hoped everything was on the up and up. Deep down, though, she knew better. But what could she do? While driving up the winding path to the house, she let her mind wander back through memories of her childhood. She and her brother had played their own special tag game of roadrunner and coyote in the desert landscape surrounding the house. At twilight, while watching the sun set on many an evening, she’d often tell her dad that when she grew up, she was going to ride people around showing them the beauty of the land. She’d promised to live in that very home with her husband, five

Sedona, ArizonaPresent“Well, I hope you all enjoyed your Spiritual Enlightenment tour. May you find yourselves refreshed, re-energized, and on your way to spiritual contentment. Please come back and join us anytime you need to recharge your batteries,” Serena chirped, dying to recharge her own.“Oh, thank you so much, Serena.” One of the ladies in the group gave her a hug and stepped back. “We had a wonderful experience and can’t wait to bring our friends next time! Good-bye!”She smiled and walked into the lobby of her office. Callie sat at the reception desk, talking on the phone. “Yo, Serena! A delivery came for you this morning. It’s in the office on your desk.” She immediately went back to her phone conversation.A delivery? I’m not expecting anything, am I? My birthday is a good six months away, but maybe…could it possibly be…?Running a