WEDNESDAY MORNING ALLISON WENT FOR a walk down at Lake Sammamish State Park, and when she got back to her car she found a text message on her phone that made her smile. Micah Taylor.
Hi, Allison, Micah Taylor here. Can you call me as soon as you get this? Thanks!
She slipped her Bluetooth over her ear and dialed Micah as she left the parking lot. He wasn’t there. She left a message. As she reached the 405 freeway three minutes later, her phone buzzed. Micah calling back.
“Micah.”
“Hey, Allison. How are things?”
“Life has been extremely interesting.”
“Oh?”
“I’ll tell you and Sarah next time we get together.” She pulled onto the freeway. “What can I do for you?”
“I have a question.”
“Sure.”
“A mutual friend of ours says you might be looking for work.”
“Our mutual friend is right.”
“Do you remember us talking about my working with Hale & Sons?”
“Yes.”
“Truth is, we’re going into a full-on partnership with them. We weren’t sure it was going to happen when Sarah and I saw you last month, so I couldn’t say much, but we just finalized things.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah. It’s a major wow. You know what that means, right?”
“You’re going to start building homes together. But not normal ones. You’re going to build the type that your home was. And is.”
“Exactly,” Micah said. “Remember my friend Rick, the mechanic? He’ll be our main client. At least three-quarters of our jobs will come from him. And Rick’s plans are aggressive.”
“A mechanic has that kind of money to invest in homes?”
“It’s a long story. Remind me to tell you sometime. The point is, we’ll need a full-time architect to keep up. Are you interested?”
“Highly.”
“There is one condition. Actually two.”
“Okay.” Allison took her exit and slowed as she came to the end of the off-ramp. “Hit me.”
“Did I say two? I meant three.”
In the background she heard Sarah say, “Give me the phone. Let me tell her without you stringing her along.”
Micah laughed and said, “Sarah says hi and that she can’t wait to see you again.”
“Micah!” Allison heard Sarah shout.
“Condition one: You have to come to Cannon Beach four times a year for company planning and meetings and playing at the beach and in the ocean.”
“Done.”
“Condition two: Bring your brother and mom with you at least once a year.”
“Done.”
“Condition three: You come on as a partner in the company. I’ll send you the paperwork tonight.”
“Partner?”
“It’s the only way we’ll do it. And there’s a nice signing bonus that will give you some relief from your current financial situation.”
Allison swallowed hard. “I know you’re serious.”
“Yes. We are. And nothing happens till all paperwork is signed.”
“How do you see divvying up the company?”
“Hale & Sons gets thirty percent. Sarah and I get thirty percent. You get thirty percent, and the remaining ten percent we give back.”
“You’re being extremely generous to me.”
“It’s fair, and believe me, you’ll earn it.”
Allison went silent and Micah did as well. Finally she spoke. “You barely know me.”
“Our mutual friend speaks extremely highly of you.”
“Richard.”
“Yes.”
“He’s not really a cop, is he?”
“He probably was at one time.” Allison heard a smile in Micah’s voice. “But now? No, he’s not.”
“And at times he probably goes by other forms of the name Richard. Like Rick maybe?”
“Yes.” Now Micah was laughing. “That he does.”
Allison called her mom and told her things were going to be okay.
“Really?”
“Yes, Mom. I promise. I’ll tell you all about it when I get home, okay?”
She hung up, and a few minutes later her phone buzzed. Even before she looked at caller ID, she had a feeling who it was. She was right. Richard.
“I was hoping to talk to you today.”
“Is that right?” he said.
“Yes. Some things have happened that I’d like to talk about. And I want you to meet my brother. He’s back from Alaska.”
“I’d like that.”
“What about tomorrow?”
“Good day for me. Anytime.”
“Parker’s going to meet me at The Vogue at ten thirty, but I’d like a few minutes with you alone first.”
“Sure. Ten fifteen?”
“Perfect.”
Allison and Richard arrived at the same time, and he held the front door of The Vogue open for her.
“Thank you.”
They both ordered white-chocolate mochas and wandered to the back of the coffee shop to find a seat. They settled at the same table where Richard and Alister had sat the day Allison first saw the journal.
“An appropriate spot, don’t you think?” Allison asked.
“Why do you say that?” Richard took a drink and studied her over the top of his coffee cup.
“Because this was the spot where it began, and this is the spot I suspect it’s going to end.”
“End?”
“Yes. This chapter anyway.” Allison let her sadness creep into her smile. “But before we get to all that, I want to tell you what’s happened since we last talked.”
“I’d love to hear all about it.”
She told Richard about standing up to Derrek and her reunion with Parker and how rich and confirming that was, and about the job offer from Micah and Sarah.
“And I spoke to the dry bones. They came alive. I’m beginning to remember who I am.”
“I’m happy for you, Allison. Truly.”
“Thank you, Richard, for everything you’ve done and been for me.”
Richard gazed at her with eyes radiating compassion. He offered a smile that spoke of great delight, then reached into the bag at his feet. Instantly she knew what was inside. Allison closed her eyes till she heard him slide a package across the table in front of her.
She opened her eyes and softly laid her fingers on top of it. “You know, don’t you?”
“What?”
“That the words in the journal are gone. That my time is up.”
“Yes.” He glanced at the package in front of her. “I thought I’d get you a new one.”
She opened the package and picked up her new journal. The Tree of Life was etched into this journal, just like the one she’d borrowed for a while. But the light brown leather of this journal was new. In time it would grow old and beautiful with nicks and scrapes and the oils from her hands. And she would fill it with words of truth and authenticity.
Allison put it back in the package. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
She reached into a small bag at her feet and brought out the Seraph Journal and set it in front of Rick. “It’s hard to let it go, but it’s right.”
“Why’s that?”
“It was my final crutch.” She took his hands and squeezed. “I had to know who I was from the inside out. The journal told me who I was—and it had to, that’s what I needed—but in the end I have to know my worth regardless of anything else.”
Richard’s eyes grew kinder, if that were possible, and he gave a nod.
“Thank you.” She wrapped her hands around her cup and brought it to her lips. The coffee tasted richer, fuller, if that was the right word. Rich, full of life, as full as the rest of her life had become.
“You’re welcome, Warrior Allison.”
She laughed and they sat in silence for a time.
“I know who you truly are.”
“Oh?” A smile poked out from the corners of Richard’s mouth. “Did you talk with Micah and Sarah about me?”
“Yes. Sort of. Enough.”
“So you know what I am.”
“I figured it out. I’m not sure I believe it, but I do believe it at the same time. Does that make any sense?”
“Completely.” Richard sat back and folded his hands across his stomach.
“And from what Micah said, his friend Rick is going to be the one hiring our new company to build homes.”
“That’s true.”
“Richard. Rick.” Allison smiled and slid her finger around the rim of her cup. “It was right in front of me the whole time. I should have figured it out sooner.”
Richard just smiled.
“So which name do I call you?”
“Whichever one you like.”
“Okay.” She took a sip of her drink and peered at him. “If you’re going to be our major client, then you’ll be in my life for a while longer.”
“Indeed I will.”
“I got the paperwork from Micah for the partnership. The salary is far beyond what I expected.” Allison looked down at her cup and tapped her fingers on the sides. “I’ll be able to pay off the rest of Mom’s debt within eighteen months, even with the crazy interest we’re paying on the loan. If Parker gets a job, which I’m guessing he will, it could be even sooner.”
She went silent and looked down.
“Is there a problem?”
“Where will all the money come from to pay for the homes and my salary?”
“I’m not married. I don’t sleep. I have a good head for business. And I’ve been around for more than a few years. So I’ve built up a sizable bank account.” Richard paused and grinned like a little boy. “You can’t imagine what the four of us are going to do together with that money.”
“I can try.” Allison leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “I don’t know if that’s allowed, but I don’t care.”
Allison glanced around the shop, seeing all the people oblivious to the being that sat among them.
“What would happen if I stood right now and shouted out who you are?”
“Feel free to try it.” Richard laughed. “Most people would glance at you, then look away. Others would tell their companions you’re crazy.”
“But you could do a miracle to prove yourself to them.”
“I could.” Richard laughed. “I’ve often thought that. But it wouldn’t convince them. People believe what they choose to believe. Most of those in here would explain it away. It’s a choice to believe, no matter what that belief is, and while many people believe in angels, finding one sitting in their favorite coffee shop would test the limits of their faith.”
“But you’re not just an angel, are you? You’re one of seven Seraphs.”
“Yes.” Richard’s face grew solemn. “I am.”
“One angel for each journal.”
“Yes.”
Allison sat back, stunned, grateful, astounded that she’d been chosen.
“Why me, Richard?”
“Why not you?”
“But there are only seven journals. With billions of people on this planet, how—”
“You think journals are the only way God can reach into a person’s life?” Richard grinned.
“I suppose not.”
“Sometimes he uses things even smaller than a journal. Sometimes bigger things, like a house.” Richard winked.
“Like with Micah.”
Richard only smiled.
Allison took another sip of her drink and spun through her memories of Richard.
“And do you think I’m walking alongside only one person at a time?”
“Again, I suppose you aren’t.”
Richard smiled the smile of a father.
Allison looked down at the journal. As she ran her fingers lightly over its surface, her heart filled with the images of how it had changed her life. Allison’s gaze flitted back and forth between the journal and Richard. She laid her hand flat on the cover and said, “What happens now?”
“You already know.”
“It’s my turn, isn’t it?”
“Yes. It is.”
“Do I have to give it to someone in here?” She glanced around the shop. “Someone eavesdropping on our conversation, like I did to you and Alister ages back?”
“No, no. Anywhere you like. Anyone you like.” Richard leaned in. “Simply listen. He’ll speak to you, lead you to the right person.”
They both took sips of their drinks and savored the moment of shared silence the way only true friends can.
Parker arrived a few minutes later. She watched her brother as he ordered his drink, then stood at the counter waiting for it to be made. She kept her eyes on him as she spoke to Richard.
“My brother is a good man. I wish he could have you in his life at some point like I’ve had.”
A moment later Parker slipped some bills into the tip jar and scanned the room for her. They caught each other’s eyes after a few seconds, and Parker started to stride toward her and Richard. But after a few yards he came to a dead stop, his eyes wide. He stood that way for more than ten seconds before slowly shuffling toward them, giving tiny shakes of his head as he approached. When he reached their table, Parker plopped into the chair next to Allison and stared at Richard with a look of utter bewilderment.
Richard leaned forward and said, “It’s great to see you, Parker.”
Allison’s brain skipped a beat. Richard’s grin went wide, and Allison could tell he was fighting to keep from laughing. She glanced back and forth between Parker and Richard. “How do you two know each—”
“Wow, it’s so cool to see you.” Parker lurched forward, his eyes full of confusion. “But what are you doing here, Abe? How do you know my sister?”
“Abe? Like from your boat?” Allison said to Parker, then turned to Richard and sputtered, “He just called you Abe.”
“Yes.” Richard smiled. “He did.”
In unison she and Parker stared at each other and stammered, “How do you two know each other?”
They pointed at each other and said, “Jinx!”
Allison joined Parker in a brief bit of laughter, then sobered as she took in what this all meant. She’d wished Richard could be in Parker’s life? Wish granted. For the past two and a half months, that’s exactly where he’d been. He’d just told her he could walk with more than one person at a time. Proof now sat next to her in the form of her brother. The absurdity and wonder of it all coursed through her like a flash flood, and she burst into laughter.
Richard nodded and smiled wide.
“What’s so funny?” Parker asked. “Will one of you tell me what’s going on?”
“Yes,” Richard said. “Allison will tell you. Unfortunately, I must go.”
“Go?” Parker shook his head. “I just got here. We gotta catch up. You gotta tell me what you’re doing here.”
“You’re right, we do need to catch up.” Richard stood, and Parker joined him a second later. “Don’t worry. We’ll connect. Soon. After you talk to Allison about me, I’m sure you’re going to have a few questions. I’ll call you in a few days and we’ll talk through it.”
He wrapped Parker in a massive hug and didn’t let go for a long time. “I love ya, Parker. Stay true. Know your worth. Know who you truly are, yes?”
Parker nodded as the two men released each other, and Richard peered deep into his eyes. “You’re such a good man, Parker.”
Then he said to Allison, “I’ll let you explain it to him if that’s all right.”
She nodded. Richard gave each of them a wink, turned, and strode across the floor of The Vogue and out the front door.
Parker whirled to face Allison. “Tell me.”
Allison took her brother’s hands and grinned. “Richard, or Abraham, or Abe, or Rick, or whatever we want to call him . . . is an angel.”