Someone to Watch Over Me

Chapter One

Sarah Denison woke with a start only to realize her nightmare was all too real. Once she awoke, she knew it wouldn’t get any better.

She rolled her head to the side and noted the time. It was the middle of the night. With a soul-weary sigh, she allowed her eyes to close again. In the state between wakefulness and sleep, Sarah remembered.

Police cars pulled up in front of her home. The grim-faced officers said her daughter, Nicole, had been placed in protective custody after witnessing the murder of her beloved husband, Peter. She was forced to pack in a matter of minutes and leave their home. Two policemen escorted them to a safe house in the forest. She wasn’t told where.

Sarah rolled all the way over to her side, bringing her knees up and hugging her pillow close to her chest. She bit her lip to hold back the tears gathering in her eyes.

Here they were, five months later, still waiting to discover who murdered Peter. The waiting would not be so hard if her daughter would open up to her once more. If only Nicole would speak again.

Would this nightmare never end?

Sarah lost the fight as silent tears slipped down her cheeks to soak into her hair. She cried long into the night. Her sleep would be slow in coming.

~*~

From the start this assignment progressed unlike anything David could remember experiencing as an angel. Throughout the many millennia, since the dawn of his existence, he remained obedient and confident in his place in Heaven.

Lately, though, he found himself confused and frightened. To his knowledge, David knew of no other angel—besides Lucifer—who questioned God’s plan regarding his own creation. David questioned it now.

After so many years, David discovered his weakness: A desire to feel, truly feel, the human love of another. Angels, like him, anticipated their duties to mankind. Yet, something within his heart began to slowly change. Could he be falling in love? Was this the emotion tugging at his heart? Could this be the explanation for the turmoil he felt with each new dawn?

David’s eyes traveled down to the frightened, yet loving woman who slept soundly, her midnight tears spent.

Sarah. His mind spoke her name as a caress.

Sarah’s chestnut hair lay across her pillow in tempting disarray. Bright green eyes, closed in healing sleep, drove his heart to madness whenever she smiled. Sarah Denison epitomized life. She radiated joy. Her beauty encompassed every part of her body, spirit and soul.

As the months of his assignment expired, he watched her joy of living fight daily with a powerful need to simply give up and submit to despair. Sarah’s surface emotions remained calm and pleasant. Inside, her soul ached. The daily temptation was great to ease her deeply-etched sorrow, but he knew it to be a forbidden path.

A fierce need to offer some form of comfort compelled him, a demand so intense he could not ignore it. Without thought, David reached out to touch the softness of Sarah’s cheek. Seeing his strong immortal fingers against the soft velvet of her skin snapped his focus back where it belonged. He snatched his hand away before the warmth of her touch could tempt him further.

Shaking his head slightly, he closed his eyes, blocking her image from view. With a frustrated sigh, her beautiful face appeared in his mind’s eye. David wasn’t afraid of Sarah as a woman, but did confess she made him feel a surprising vulnerability. The need to protect her in a personal way caused his heart to feel guilt and shame.

David opened his eyes but forced them to turn away from Sarah. Retreating with haste into the dimension meant for angelic creatures, where mortal eyes could not see, he levitated from the floor. His shoulder-length auburn hair and white sarong whipped wildly. He was still within the room but set apart so he could observe without being seen.

David took in a controlled breath, letting it out slowly. I must beware of these feelings. They could bring pain to others as well.

His gaze shifted to Sarah’s seven-year-old daughter. Nicole Denison was his latest assignment. Her coloring mirrored Sarah’s, soft brown hair and eyes that must have come from her father. They were a startling clear blue, reminiscent of a bright, summer sky.

David drew nearer, his brow knit in speculation. The child refused to sleep anywhere other than her mother’s side. Since witnessing the brutal murder of her father five months ago, Nicole refused to speak. Nor would she smile, even when her mother tried so tirelessly to encourage it.

Sarah’s tearful broken prayer was the reason he’d been sent. He was to remain Nicole’s Guardian until her crisis was resolved. Once his assignment was complete, he would be expected to leave his charges behind...as he had done before.

Yet, how could he leave them? To stay would be disobedient. And he refused to go against God’s wishes. He’d never given the Lord a reason to discipline him. He vowed he wouldn’t now, even though his feelings for mother and daughter grew day by day.

The ache in his chest sent him from the bedroom in the secluded cabin. He remained close by, though, in case he was needed. The night wind beckoned and he left his dimension behind. Seconds later his feet soundlessly touched the damp ground as the warm, evening breeze ruffled his hair.

David closed his eyes and breathed in the scents of the night. The honeysuckle growing nearby released the strongest smell, yet the trees and grass bore a unique fragrance all their own. He loved it all. God created a beautiful planet for mankind, more beautiful than any of the others throughout the universe. Oh, how he longed to experience it more, one day as a mortal man.

His brow knit in confusion and David opened his eyes. He looked down upon the long, unfamiliar sarong he wore. Guardian. It felt strange to be called by that name. This assignment was unfamiliar. His normal duties leaned more toward protecting men or women in positions of power. Such was the role of an Avenging angel. Previously, when he still bore the honorable title, he wanted so much more. Even in the beginning, before Adam and Eve were cast out.

Regardless of the consequences, he dreamed of a different love and harbored an earnest longing to be a physical and permanent part of the lives of Sarah and Nicole Denison. Although he longed to be human, he would always remember this time with Sarah and little Nicole—no matter what happened.

Shame filled his heart and David lowered his head and closed his eyes once more. The scolding he issued himself was fierce and uncompromising. He cared for Sarah and Nicole in a way strictly forbidden by angelic law. Even though these rebellious new feelings grew with each hour he spent in their presence, he would not allow himself to sin. David would not follow the same path as Lucifer. There must be another way.

Desperate eyes rose to the heavens, the stars brilliantly lit against the twilight sky. David thrust his arms open wide. What am I to do? This love I feel is unexplainable. It is simply impossible! His voice echoed into the night and David wondered why there was no heavenly response.

Perhaps he knew the answer already, he thought as his arms slowly lowered to his sides. Neither woman nor child had physically seen him. The love he felt for mother and daughter was blessedly one-sided. He alone suffered.

A small cry from within the cabin caught his attention. David flew with lightning speed to their bedside. His chest tightened painfully when he saw Nicole’s frantic eye movements as she slept. Another whimper of distress escaped her lips. He may not have a human soul, but he possessed a heart. Right now it hurt painfully. This need to connect with Nicole could not be overcome. He must do something to ease her pain.

Ever so gently, David touched the child’s warm forehead. He saw her dreams and cringed. Sadness filled his heart at the loss of her innocence and trust. Nicole dwelt in constant fear. She never left her mother’s side, even when her mortal protectors were close by.

Reaching deep into Nicole’s mind, he emptied it of the nightmares caused by her father’s murder. Her eye movements ceased and her breathing calmed. Using his angelic influence, he chose a memory within Nicole’s mind of happier times when she was younger and her father still alive.

Nicole smiled gently in her sleep and David’s heart warmed with pleasure. With the completion of this assignment, when the murderer was brought to earthly justice, how would David find the strength of will to turn away and leave these two precious people behind?

How, Lord? How? David whispered into the quiet of the room. Not anticipating an answer from his master, he turned on his heel, away from the bed. Once he reached the room’s only window, he lifted an edge of the dark blue drapes and stared blindly into the night. Searching for a way.

~*~

Nicole awoke, opening her eyes to slits when she heard a soft, sad voice. Her eyes focused and remained on the strong man looking through the window. He was very tall. She wasn’t afraid of him. He wore a beautiful white robe wrapped around his waist that glowed like her nightlight and a thick gold belt. Even though he didn’t move, the gold in the belt winked at her, making her smile. Nicole’s eyes widened at the huge white, glowing wings on his back. He must be my Guardian angel. Nicole felt safe for the first time in many months.

As if her stare caused a noise within the quiet of the room, the angel turned his head toward the bed. His eyes opened wide for a second, as if surprised. Then with a sigh, he smiled. Nicole echoed the gesture and a comforting peace put her heart and mind at rest.

Sleep, he commanded in a deep, yet softly compelling voice.

Without question or argument, Nicole closed her eyes and obeyed.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

He will command his angels concerning you to

guard you in all your ways.

Psalm 91:11

Chapter Two

Sarah jerked upright in bed, searching quickly for her daughter. When she didn’t find her on the bed, she panicked.

Blinking the sleep from her eyes, she searched the room with haste. Within seconds she located her little girl. Nicole stood silent and motionless off to the side of their bedroom window, her back and head resting against the sunken edge of its frame. Her head sat tilted slightly to one side, watching the sunrise. Wasn’t she? Even from here, Sarah could see her searching the grounds outside. Yet, there was no sign of fear on Nicole’s face.

Sarah’s eyes narrowed, taking a closer look at her daughter’s face, though mostly in profile. Her eyes widened in shock. Nicole was smiling. Not the open, carefree grin she once wore but a smile of contentment, of inner peace. Dare she hope..?

Nicole, honey?

Nicole turned and met her with calm eyes, another shock to her system. Usually Nicole’s eyes reflected fear or, at the very least, unease whenever someone spoke to her. Sometimes, even when Sarah spoke. More than anything else she’d faced, seeing fear in Nicole broke Sarah’s heart.

Her daughter’s smile grew as she left the window and crawled up on the bed to deliver a welcoming hug. Sarah bit back the tears threatening her eyes as Nicole hugged her with such ferocity.

There was so much pain and sadness. So much death.

Sarah tweaked Nicole’s nose causing her to giggle slightly. Sarah appreciated the reward. This morning’s show of affection answered one of many prayers she sent up over the last several months. Nicole was slowly emerging from her protective shell. Sarah wondered what happened to release the fear Nicole had lived with for so long.

Instantly, she felt it again, a third presence when she and her daughter were alone. Or were they? Her brow wrinkled with intense concentration. Reaching out with a mother’s sixth sense, her head tilted at an angle. The presence didn’t feel evil. Her spirit would’ve known right away. She’d felt this presence for several months now, as if she and Nicole were being constantly watched and protected—loved.

Months ago, when they first arrived at the cabin, Sarah felt hunted every time she turned a corner. This seemed completely different. The sensation felt warm, like an inner warmth traveling through every part of her body and soul.

Sarah shook her head to clear it. Maybe these feelings were from the Holy Spirit, to ease her pain. It would explain so much.

Or maybe this feeling came from something, or someone, else. She couldn’t shake the idea from her mind.

Deciding to temporarily dismiss those confusing feelings, she grasped Nicole’s hand and took care of necessities in the bathroom.

Moments after they finished dressing in the small bedroom, one of the two policemen knocked on their door.

Come in. Sarah wrapped her arm around Nicole’s shoulder and waited.

Louis peeked around the door and gave the girls a friendly wolf whistle. Only you two gorgeous ladies could look this good so early in the morning.

Tease, Sarah admonished with a friendly smile.

Louis Felding, a handsome man in his late thirties, stood less than six feet with a thick swatch of brown hair, streaked lightly with silver. Although average height, his muscular build and trim waist proved he was a fit man. Kind, brown eyes smiled at Sarah, unusual for a worldly cop. He never failed to be patient and funny and Sarah truly appreciated the attention he gave them, especially to little Nicole. Over the months Louis became a good and reliable friend.

Nicole wrapped herself around her mother’s waist. Sarah looked down sadly. The newly won smile her daughter wore only seconds ago disappeared from her face as she hid behind her mother’s body. Sarah understood it wasn’t Louis’ fault, but she still couldn’t bear seeing her daughter return to a stony silence.

Poor Louis wanted so much to befriend Nicole and received only silence and distrust in return. At least he tries, she told herself.

The other officer assigned to protect them, Jimmy Hamlin, hardly ever spoke to herself or Nicole. From what she could tell, he spoke only with Louis, and not very often. He seemed to forever be checking the grounds. Well, what did she know of police procedures? After all, he was being paid to protect Nicole and herself until the murderer could be found. His lack of kindness or attention should make no real difference. As long as Nicole remained safe, nothing else truly mattered.

Louis came closer at a non-threatening pace then lowered himself to one knee. When he reached Nicole’s eye level, he winked and smiled engagingly.

How about some sunshine, Nicole? Would you like to play for a while outside with your mother?

Nicole raised emotionless eyes to her mother who smiled and nodded her approval of the idea. Nicole nodded once, released her mother’s waist and returned to stare through the window as if searching for something.

Louis stood. Keeping his voice low, he leaned close to Sarah. Give me ten minutes to take a look around outside then I’ll come get you.

Okay. And Louis, she called before he could turn away completely. Thank you for trying so hard with Nicole. Believe it or not, I think she’s beginning to respond to our attempts to make her speak again.

I hope so. Not just for reasons regarding the case. It’s unhealthy and unnatural for a child not to run and play. And smile, he added with a frown when he looked over to the solemn child by the window.

Because she needed to tell someone, she admitted quietly, She did this morning, Louis. Smile, I mean. For the first time since all of this began. I don’t know why, but whatever the reason, I’m grateful.

Beyond the human realm, David listened to the adult’s conversation while hovering close to Nicole’s side. His heart warmed at Sarah’s words. It didn’t matter if she didn’t know he was the reason for Nicole’s smile. And this he knew for a fact, though he didn’t mean to be seen by the child. Only Nicole’s improvement and Sarah’s joy of the situation mattered.

He watched the protector, Louis, nod his thanks to Sarah and leave. A minute later he could be seen through the window searching the wooded area surrounding the small four-room cabin.

Louis searched outside and at the edge of the forest for any suspicious-looking tracks. He turned his back to the cabin, in case anyone looked out the window and checked the ammo in his magazine before popping it back into his Colt .45 ACP. He and Jimmy requested extra ammo for their handguns before being sent to the cabin to guard Nicole and Sarah.

Running a hand through his hair, Louis wondered exactly how much longer they’d be stuck at this cabin. Nearly five months of waiting for Nicole to speak or information regarding her father’s murderer to surface took its toll on Louis’ nerves. After the murder they brought in Vincent Moretti for questioning since Nicole’s father was murdered in his warehouse. Forty-eight hours later they were forced to release him when they found no evidence after a thorough sweep.

When Louis thought of Moretti, his gut hurt. That was a bad sign. It meant something or someone was dirty. This was his case and Jimmy agreed they should hide the girls and not tell a soul their location. At this point, Louis didn’t know who to trust.

The Captain’s unit had been working this case for all these months and they were no closer to finding the murderer. Louis vowed if something major didn’t show up regarding this case in the next week, he’d put a call in to Captain Biggs and find out what the hell was going on with the case. They couldn’t go on like this indefinitely.

Finishing his sweep of the grounds, he jogged back to the cabin.

Louis swung the door open in a grand gesture then rubbed his hands together. All right, ladies. Time for a breath of fresh air.

He led the way to a semi-clear and open area, fifty feet from the house. They found only two toys at the cabin, a football and a Barbie doll. He held the football with both hands, preparing to throw it. He would try once more and see if Nicole would play.

Okay, Nicole! Think you can catch it?

Sarah looked down. Her daughter stood motionless and close to her side, her expression closed. Sarah would once more be her daughter’s hands.

Sarah sighed deeply, moving Nicole in front of her body. Help Mommy catch the ball, honey. Here we go. She motioned to Louis.

David watched from the air over Louis’ shoulder as Nicole closed herself off from everyone. She didn’t even blink when the ball soared her way. It was as if she didn’t really care whether the ball hit her or not. Sarah caught the ball easily and returned the toss.

This must end. Nicole would eventually become physically ill if she didn’t overcome the fear she kept deep inside. She needed to smile and relax. She needed to be a child again.

David knew the law. He was to remain unseen unless absolutely necessary. He glanced down at little Nicole and defended this decision. It was necessary, for Nicole’s health and peace of mind.

Permitting himself to be seen by Nicole alone, he waited for her recognition. She did so instantly. Her smile was a welcome sight.

Louis waited for Nicole to show some sign of life when, suddenly, she did! He straightened in stunned silence, his mouth hanging open.

What? Sarah asked fearfully then followed his eyes down to Nicole. She gasped in surprise.

David raised out-stretched arms toward Nicole, showing her what to do. Play, he commanded gently and smiled. With a single nod, David motioned to Louis.

Nicole bobbed her head up and down eagerly and raised her arms in obedience. She bestowed on Louis her first smile.

Louis beamed with happiness. Great, kiddo! Now, here it comes!

Sarah blinked through her happy tears at her daughter who easily caught the football. The Lord gave my child back to me.

In a flash, Sarah felt a familiar presence. A warm sensation traveled up her spine. Not Louis—someone else. The sensation didn’t frighten her. Sarah felt strangely comforted. It reached out to soothe her tired soul and she felt contentment for the first time in ages.

A warm breeze reached out to caress her cheeks and blew through her hair, drawing it backward. Sarah closed her eyes and sighed. The warm touch of the gentle wind felt good against her skin, as if caressed. How she loved warm, breezy days. Sometimes she closed her eyes when the wind rushed over her and pretended to fly.

David felt the breath of Sarah’s sigh leave her body and he watched her eyes close in pleasure. It was uncanny how wonderful he felt by pleasing Sarah. The simplest things made her smile, such as the angelic breath from his body—a breeze to mortals—or the whispery touch of his hand against her cheek. His expression of love and devotion she believed to be a part of nature. If only Sarah knew the truth...

Heads up, Sarah! Louis called before launching the football her way. She caught it at the last second then laughed.

Sarah withheld tears of joy at the incredible sound of Nicole’s answering laughter. It was a day for miracles.

~*~

I want the child found, the cruel, passionless voice spoke into the phone. I don’t care about the woman, she saw nothing. The man subconsciously tightened his grip on the cheap, untraceable flip phone in his powerful hand, his patience running thin.

"You have the resources at your disposal and I expect results. I pay you too well to come up empty-handed. I’ll give you one more week then I want an answer to the child’s location. If I don’t get the information by then I’ll be visiting your immediate family. At your funeral," the man bit out through gritted teeth. Taking a deep, calming breath, he gently pressed the END button on the cell phone to disconnect…instead of throwing it across the room. He absolutely despised people who could not keep their cool in desperate circumstances. It was uncouth.

He glanced down at the phone in his hand and smirked. Considering how many criminal activities he was behind, using a smart phone – with a built-in GPS and traceable database – was not a smart move. He’d decided long ago it would be wise to keep a cheap flip phone for more…delicate calls.

He looked leisurely around the room at the expensive furnishings and felt pride at what he’d accumulated over the last decade. Not many men with his humble beginnings could claim such a fortune before the age of forty.

The expensive leather chair squeaked as he leaned forward to stand. The thick carpet cushioned his Italian leather shoes when he walked over to the dual windows behind his desk.

Beyond this mansion, men on his payroll guarded these grounds, his warehouses across the country and sat in high government positions. A crooked twist of his lips formed a menacing smile. All of them were nothing more than a pack of trained dogs who would obey his every command. The feeling of power exhilarated him, rivaling a sexual high.

His contact in the police department was being paid an outrageous sum of money for information on the location of Nicole Denison. For such payment he demanded immediate results. He expected it from anyone who worked for him.

His smile faded. Time was running out. The authorities and their investigation were entirely too close for his peace of mind. With the child properly disposed of, there wouldn’t be a witness to Peter Denison’s murder.

Such a shame…the innocent man had the worst of timing, coming upon the meeting by accident. Yet, after overhearing part of the