ONE

 

I’d always dreamed of lying on the beach wrapped in the arms of my Prince Charming as waves lapped over our bodies.

This wasn’t that dream.

In mine, I woke up like a beached whale, flat on my back, hands pressing on my chest. As soon as they lifted, a mouth covered mine, blasting air into my lungs. Coughing, I felt hands roll me onto my side, and I spewed salt water like a geyser. Dry heaves quickly followed. This is no dream. It’s a nightmare.

Gritty sand scraped my cheek as more water dribbled from my mouth. Why am I here?

“Is pretty lady okay?” asked a child.

“She will be,” a deep voice said. “She has to be.”

“Get the hell off me.” My voice was muffled from being used like a cookie press. “Or else.”

The child laughed and clapped her hands. “Sounds like Mommy!”

Then, other voices, rising and falling in dissonance. Oh joy, nothing like showing your best side to a crowd. The man moved back. Sand flew onto my wet arms adding to my discomfort. “Sorry about that.”

I struggled to sit up. Hands helped me. Blinding sun pierced my eyes. For a moment, all I could see were outlines, not actual people. For all I knew they were from Mars. Yes, there’s intelligent life on Mars.

The man I’d heard stood to one side, hiding the sun from direct view. Next to him was a small girl with light brown hair, a heart-shaped face, and violet eyes. They were the same color as mine.

“Thank you,” I said, more out habit than any other reason.

Once everyone knew I was fine, the group dissipated. You know, there’s a funny thing about crowds, and I’ve watched them from the floor of the Roman Coliseum to the funeral pyres in Salem, people only stick around when they think you’re going to croak. Once they know you’ll live, who cares?

He stared at me strangely. “Do you know who you are?”

“Of course I do. I’m…I’m Miranda.” And I realized that was all I knew.

Once again the little girl clapped her hands while jumping up and down. “Randee, Randee, Randee,” she sang.

“Yes, sweetie, she has the same name as you.” The man held his hand out and smiled. “Let’s get you up.”

I grabbed hold of him, used his weight as leverage and stood, this time really looking at my savior. Since we were on eye level with each other, I gauged I was about his height, around five feet-ten inches. His hair was jet black, and he had navy eyes.

“Name’s Josh Landon. This,” he gestured to the little girl, “is Miranda Walker. We call her Randee.”

Just then, the life guard reached us. “Thanks man.” He shook Josh’s hand. “I’ve never seen such fast swimming.”

“I did a lot of it in the service,” he said. “You instinctively fall back on your training when someone’s life depends upon you.”

The life guard turned to me. “I’ve called an ambulance to take you to the hospital and get you checked out.”

“Cancel it.” I shook my head. “I’ll be okay, really.” As soon as I figure out who and where I am.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Randee!” an older woman screamed, running down the beach toward us. Short with a full-figure, she looked like a gypsy, dressed in a long peasant skirt and top. She reminded me a lot of Clarice. Clarice? Who the hell was she?

Upon reaching me, the woman gathered me in her arms and hugged me hard. Then she stood back, her eyes wide with fear. “I’ve never seen a rogue wave like that one. In fact, if it weren’t insane, I’d say it targeted you.” She turned to Josh. “Thank you, young man. If it weren’t for you, Randee’d be dead.”

Something in me knew that’s what I’d planned to be. Then I stopped. No, that wasn’t me. But it was. What was going on?

Cobwebs spun throughout my brain, and I only saw bits and pieces through the woven threads. Stunned, I started to sink to the ground. Josh caught me, grabbing me under my right arm. “We need to get you in the shade.” Little Randee skipped alongside him.

“Here, let me help.” The woman in the peasant skirt grasped my waist. She could grab my upper arm since the top of her head just barely hit my armpit.

“Over here, young man.” They dragged me to a large beach umbrella and two sand chairs. I sank into one of them. “Thank you,” she said. “I’m sorry. What did you say your name is?”

“Josh Landon.”

“Mine’s Hazel Peterson.” She stuck out her hand to shake his. “I’m Randee’s next door neighbor.”

Josh arched his eyebrow as he turned in my direction. “Do your friends call you Randee, too?”

“Apparently, but I prefer Miranda.”

“Nice meeting you.” He smiled. “I’ve got to get little Randee home.” He pointed down the beach. “My friends and I are staying in a mansion down a ways, ocean side. It’s called Mystic Dream. It has a big sign hanging from a post out front with its name carved on it. You’d really like my friends. They’re a lot like you. Stop by sometime.”

Well, that was a cryptic comment if I ever heard one. Almost like he was talking in code. “Maybe I will.” I watched him leave as Hazel plopped down in the other beach chair. “Nice looking man. He looks like a good prospect now that you’ve gotten rid of that rat, Bill Bennett.”

“He has a daughter,” I said, pointing out the obvious. “Probably married. Besides, he’s too young. Besides, why at eighty-two do I even need a prospect, especially one that’s a youngster?”

Hazel laughed and then hee-hawed, slapping her knee. “That’s a good one, Randee. Seems near drowning is playing havoc with your mind. You know damned well, you’re in your mid thirties.” Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t tell me Bennett so trashed your self-confidence you need me to compliment you.”

“No, of course not.” I sat there and didn’t say another word. When I’d gone to sleep last night my name was Miranda Phillips; and I was an eighty-two year old widow scraping by. So, when had I changed bodies and why was it a surprise? Ms. C ran a tighter ship than this; accidents of this magnitude didn’t just happen.

“Where am I?”

Hazel frowned. “Neptune Beach, Florida.” She shook her head.

“It’s still September, isn’t it?”

“Yes, dear. You arrived here two days ago and will stay through March as you do every year.” She flashed a worried look at me. “You are staying, aren’t you? I mean this Bennett mess hasn’t got you changing your mind about—”

“Of course not.” I smiled weakly. “Don’t mind me. The old noggin’s been knocked around a little too much.” Not to mention there’d been an angel FUBAR of epic proportions.

* * * *

 

Later that afternoon, Hazel drove me home. “I’m glad we went to the beach together. That way there’s no car to worry about, besides, I feel much better knowing you’re not driving with a possible concussion.”

You and me both. In my last life, which literally felt like yesterday, I’d given up driving for more than two years because of macular degeneration. Good news, Miranda, you’re no longer eighty-two and you can see!

“Of course, you could have taken a taxi.” She chuckled. “It’s not like you’re destitute.”

Also nice to know I’m not on a fixed income. “So, where’s the condo?”

She turned toward me and sat back straight in her seat. “Goodness, that wave really did knock more out of you than your breath. You don’t live in a condo. Not by any stretch of the imagination. Not that you don’t own several apartment buildings and the land under even more high rise condos.”

I wisely kept quiet after Hazel dropped that bit of news. We pulled up a long driveway just off the beach, dunes and natural rock gardens surrounded us. Rounding a bend in the road stood the mansion, complete with circular drive and a huge cascading fountain in the center of the turn about.

The solid stone house looked like a Scottish castle nestled next to a cliff overlooking the Atlantic. Except there’re no cliffs in Florida, given it’s at sea level or a few feet above. Instead, it backed onto a pristine beach with a long boardwalk to the sea. “Welcome home to Angel Wave,” she said.

I couldn’t speak, which is saying a lot for me. In all of my other lives of assuming a human body I normally have been like a jabber box. Give me an audience, and I’m a stand-up comic. But in front of this mansion my breath had been knocked out of me yet again.

“I live here?”

She nodded. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Absolutely. And the others who live here?”

“Just your seal point Siamese cat, Merle the snotty recluse, your bossy butler George, and Pokie, the best cook God’s put on this Earth. Sometimes your uncle shows up, but you’ll never know until he simply appears.” Her lips tightened. “I hate to admit it, but in this I agree with Bennett, if the cat won’t come to you, why keep her?”

Sighing, she met my gaze. “I’m worried about you. In case you don’t remember, our physician here is Doctor Jasper. Give him a ring, he still makes house calls. If you don’t, I will, just to make sure you don’t have a concussion. And don’t go to bed for at least two to three hours.” She patted my knee. “If you want, you can visit next door with me. But no having our usual glass of scotch, not after that knocking around you took.”

I shook my head. “That’s okay, Hazel. I think I just want to rest and watch the ocean. Thanks for the ride.” I got out, walked slowly up the stairs of the house and fished in the purse Hazel had given me saying it was mine. I found a set of keys.

I tried the one that looked like it one belonged to a house and it worked. Good thing too, Hazel had stayed in the driveway and was watching me with an eagle-eyed stare. I entered the foyer and stood dumbstruck for the umpteenth time in the last hour. The damned thing was bigger than the entire condo I’d had in my last life. I walked over to a large console against the wall, and stroked the burl wood and ornate carving of its edges.

Glancing up, I realized there was an antique, oval mirror with beveled edges above the table, and I saw my reflection for the first time. Miranda McChesney, my name according to Hazel, was gorgeous. She had blonde hair much like my own color before I’d grayed, cut in a chin-length style, longer in front and rising a little in back.

My body was long, lean, and toned, reminding me of Natasha. I strained to remember who she was, finally giving up when my head throbbed in protest. It didn’t matter. It’d all come to me in time. It always did. Although, I am a little surprised I have to learn anything. Usually I know all about the person I’m walking into before arrival.

I continued to study my reflection attempting to glean something of Miranda McChesney. Who was she really, not the façade presented to the world, but the real woman? What made her so special that I’d been thrown into her body without preparation?

Sadly, no answers came from the mirror. However, I will admit that the reflection facing made me smile. I had a straight nose, high cheekbones and sculpted face. The refined look was one of elegance, the kind only good money and exquisite genes produced. “At least I don’t have to find a plastic surgeon,” I murmured. Not that I would. Let me tell you, after being in an eighty-two’s body, anything that moved without pain was fine by me.

“Hello, anybody there?”

I froze. Was that the cat? If so, the house was enchanted. “Who’s in there?”

“Randee, darling, is that my little one? Your Uncle Paddy’s here, kitten. Sorry I didn’t call, but, ya know me. I just can’t seem to do anything till the last minute.” The man strode into the foyer puffing a pipe. Ah, my own personal Bing Crosby with a head full of hair.

“I didn’t see a car.”

“It’s in the garage, little one, as always, right next to yours. When did you get the Ferrari? Didn’t see the Mercedes. What happened?” He looked at me. “Have ya had an accident?”

“Not with a car,” I said. “Who did you say you were?”

He frowned. “Your Uncle Patrick, but ya’ve always called me Paddy.” He peered at my eyes. “Hazel called and said you had mite bit of trouble at the beach and have a bump on your head. So, I’ll be remindin’ ya I’m your Grandma Erin McChesney’s baby brother.”

I nodded. “I’m sorry, Uncle Paddy. You caught me unawares.”

“Not to worry kitten.” He hugged me. “Your uncle is here for ya, and I’ll keep ya company for the whole remainder of the fall!”

Maybe I did need that shot of scotch.

* * * *

 

I sat on my four-poster bed and sank onto a nice firm mattress. Thank goodness it wasn’t overly soft. I loved firmness supporting my back. As I learned in my last life, it’s easier to get out of bed if you aren’t sunk down in it. Leverage is my byword, in this life as in the last.

All I needed was a dozen servants to fan me with large rattan fans, and the illusion would be complete. Apparently, I lived in a castle on the water, furnishings that belonged in a museum, and it was void of a living soul except Uncle Paddy and some employees.

I felt like an imposter and suspected Miranda had, too. She’d been beyond rich, yet except for an eccentric uncle in his sixties and an equally weird and strange, yet endearing neighbor, it appeared no one cared if she existed. Even her cat, which I had yet to see, seemed to be avoiding her, me in this body.

My confusion didn’t prevent me from realizing there’d been a major malfunction at angel headquarters. Someone had walked out of this body and a soul change controller, seeing my former life was about to expire, simply zapped me over. But why me? Surely there were other Evolves available. What was so important about my being in Miranda that a controller sent me packing with no transition period? At least a few minutes for a briefing and not almost drowning would’ve been nice, or at the least polite.

I wondered if Eunice could give me a few clues. I lay back against a bank of pillows and closed my eyes, saying the Earth Angel Invocation.

“Through time’s spiral, dark and light,

Sometimes day and sometimes night.

Evil demons try to seize

All the light away from me.

I won’t release the good

Even though they say I should.

I am here to fight for right

I am here to slay the night.

On my path I’ll have help

To protect my earthly self.

So I need my angel here,

Guardian angel now appear.”

“Eunice, get your little butt in gear and manifest!”

A large bright green ball of light whizzed around the room, bounced off the corners of the ceiling and down to the four corners of the floor, whizzed past me under my nose and materialized into an angel on the far side of the bed.

This wasn’t Eunice. She’d never wear a short filmy white dress, nor did she have pale peridot wings. I swallowed hard at the sight of the glowing halo of emerald green.

“Sorry, I’m not Eunice.” The angel yawned. “And I apologize for being so rude. I was taking a nap. Thought you’d be slower in calling me.”

“Where is Eunice? She’s been assigned to me since after Salem.”

“Well, Eunice was due for vacation. And we really didn’t expect you to go out so soon. But because the earthly Miranda wouldn’t wait, it became something of an emergency. As for my presence, Ms. C said you were due for an upgrade, you know, kind of like a rental car? Allow me to introduce myself.” She waved her hand through the air and drew an arch of pink light against her green glow. It signified the introduction of an archangel. “I’m Ariel.”

“I’ve been given an archangel?” I sat up straight and rigid. I mean, an Evolve doesn’t usually need a top tier guardian. “What’s up? Why did I get an archangel?” I frowned. “Just exactly how dangerous is this life going to be?”

“Whatever gave you the idea you were in peril, dear?” she asked, refusing to meet my gaze while smoothing out the coverlet on my bed.

I’ve been around the Earth Angel ranks for a long time. One thing I learned early on, an angel can’t lie, except to a demon while trying to save a life. So, when an angel, especially your guardian, won’t look you straight in the eye, she’s evading the truth. That never happens unless your guardian knows you won’t want to hear what she says—and worse, might kick up a fuss.

“Cut the crap! What do I have in store for me?”

Ariel looked at me, shock in her eyes. “Such language! I haven’t heard the likes of that kind of talk for two years.” She shrugged. “Well, no matter, considering your assignment, perhaps the cussing will help.”

“So, cut to the chase. What’s my mission?”

“Well, it’s quite simple dear.”

Uh-oh. Heard that one before too. Gregory, Olivia’s guardian, used to tell me they use that term whenever they’re trying to minimize the enormity of the task at hand. “Just get on with it. Spit it out.”

“Wellll,” Ariel said, drawing her finger in a circle on the bed, “a demon of high stature—make that the Prince’s chief problem solver—has a little grudge she plans on finally satisfying.”

“Are you talking about Kendra the Killer?”

“Yes. A couple of years ago, a new Evolve managed to kill her twin sister, sending her to eternal damnation with no chance of parole while releasing all the souls she’d gathered over the years. And then her brother was cut down—as in never coming back, at least not for the next thousand years—while all his bound souls were also released. This demon’s brother was the high-ranking Night Owl.”

“Wow, bang-up job for a new Evolve.” I paused. “Ah, that wouldn’t have been Heinrich and Keara, would it?” At her nod, I beamed. “Man, I’ve gotta meet this Evolve, she’s a helluva angel.”

“We really did believe we’d have more time after the release of all those bound souls.” Ariel grimaced. “Ah, well, there’s nothing we can do about it but soldier on. And yes, that young Evolve is very special. She also has two-year old twins who will help save Earth.”

“Are they angels too?”

She shook her head. “No, but they hold the answer to world peace. However, this demon wants them gone, pronto, along with their mother and the angel who helped foil the prince’s plans.”

“Wow.” I swung my feet over the side of the bed. “This is a huge mission. Who are these folks I’m supposed to save? How will I be able to find them?”

“Oh, you’ll know how to find them.” She smiled. “You’ve already been given a clue. As for who they are, it’s your old friend, Olivia, and her twins.”

“Olivia’s had twins?” I stared at Ariel. “Wait a minute. Olivia would never get pregnant for anyone. Not after that snafu during the Civil War.”

“She didn’t have any choice.” Ariel grinned in a very non-angelic smile.

“Wait!” I held up my hand. “Don’t tell me you zapped her too?”

“No, Lucy did.”

“The Soul Change Controller?”

“Well, she was on special orders from Ms. C.”

“Like she was this time with me?”

She diverted her eyes from mine. Bingo! “Talk, the truth and no hedging.”

“Yes, but you were also the perfect choice. You and Olivia go way back.”

I sighed. “I suppose. Heaven knows I owe Olivia more than one payback after all our lives together. Okay. I guess I’ll get on with it.” I started to stand up.

“Uh, there’s just one more tiny, little detail I need to tell you.”

I collapsed back onto the bed. This was going to be a good one. Ariel was actually sweating. There’s an old saying about waiting for the next shoe to drop and I knew from experience that, with guardian angels, it’s usually more like waiting for the truck load of shit to dump on you. And there’s never a pony involved. “What little detail is it?”

“This demon, Kendra, is also after another Evolve, the one who helped Olivia two years ago, and happens to be at Neptune Beach as well. Of all the, er, lucky coincidences. He arrived just the other day.”

“Why is she trying to off him?”

“Well, he, um, didn’t fulfill his orders, and, as I’ve said, made a mess of things for Kendra.”

I leaned my weight on one hand. “An angel not fulfilling his mission means the dark side gains strength even if he helps another angel complete her mission.”

“Let’s just say Kendra didn’t like it and leave it at that.”

“Oh, I don’t think so.” As she looked away from me again, I took a deep breath. “Am I supposed to help save him too?”

“No, he’s probably able to take care of himself. He’s an Evolve with very unusual qualifications.”

“Such as?”

“Several hundred years ago, he was almost promoted to guardian. However, through a small misunderstanding when you were at Salem, he, uh, renounced the light. Thankfully, he redeemed himself with Olivia.”

I shook my head. “How sad he left heaven. I’m glad he was saved. I once knew someone who renounced the light, but he deserves whatever’s happened to him. The bastard left me to burn.”

My gaze trained on Ariel’s. “Because of that, I’m positive he’ll never get back in Ms. C’s good graces. Will he?”

“Well, that isn’t quite true.”

In horror I bolted upright and stared Ariel in the face, eyeball to eyeball. “You’d better not be telling me Jared’s here as an angel.”

Ariel shrugged again. “Well, since you insist, I won’t. By the by, he’s once more a high ranking Evolve.”

“I don’t want to see him. Ms. C promised I’d never have to. And if I do, I’m likely to kill him before Kendra can get to him.”

“He’s already been told not to approach you. Ms. C gave him the orders herself. He’s required to leave you alone unless you approach him unaided and begin a relationship. He can’t do anything past kissing you until you tell him you love him.”

“There’ll be ice water in hell before I approach him, much less get to the kissing stage and beyond.”

“Then we don’t have a problem.” Ariel yawned again. “By the way, your cat’s on the highboy. Merle, say hello to your new mistress, Miranda. Be nice to her. She’s going to need all the help you can give her.”

I looked over at the dresser and saw a large seal point Siamese perched on top. Merle meowed in a low raspy voice and shook her head. With a crook of her tail, she jumped down and ambled toward me.

“Thanks for the introduction. And thanks for not sticking me in someone whose name I have to change. Also, I…”

She’d already vanished.