Free Angel Unaware by Elizabeth Sinclair Page B

there.”
    “Please, Calvin. This is important.”
    He shook his head. “Not a chance. You should not be butting in where you have no business. Gladys and Ezekiel are assigned to watch over the Sullivans. Leave this to them.”
    She stomped her foot. Her halo slid sideways. She ignored it. “How do you know that it’s not my business? How do you know Gladys and Ezekiel don’t need assistance? It wouldn’t be the first time an angel found she had more than one assignment or that one assignment overflowed into other areas.”
    “Not this time,” he said firmly, obviously not about to budge. “Trust me. I know. You will leave this to the Sullivans’ Guardian Angels and keep out of it. Are we clear?”
    Her mouth set in a defiant line, Dora nodded. “Good. Now, I suggest you forget this foolishness and concentrate on what you’re there for—helping the Falcones.” He started to shimmer out and then stopped.
    “By the way, that little thing,” he fluttered his fingertips, “you did with the salesman at the tree lot and with the shipment of lumber at Tony’s construction site? Frowned on, Dora. Strongly frowned on. Someone could have seen you at the tree lot, and the child might have walked in on you at the house. Oh, and I might add that I’m not pleased with this stubborn streak you’ve adopted since going below. It’s not becoming. It would appear that I’m going to have to keep a very close eye on you, Dora.” Instead of fading slowly, as was his custom, the ball of light popped loudly, and Calvin was gone.
    Dora was about to turn away when she heard a loud pssst coming from the mirror. She looked back and found her best friend’s reflection. “Gracie!”
    “Shh,” Grace said, her voice a mere whisper. She glanced around her, and then turned back to Dora, her face a study in concern. “We don’t have much time. I know an angel over in the Time/Life Department. I’ll see if I can get the information you asked Calvin for.”
    Dora grinned. “Thanks, Gracie. I owe you one.” “Wait here. I’ll be right back.” Grace circled her thumb and forefinger and then vanished.
    While Dora waited, she thought about Calvin’s attitude, and the longer she dwelled on it, the angrier she got. How dare he tell her she couldn’t help anyone but her assigned mortals? She liked Millie and if she could help her, she darned well would. And she knew just how to keep Calvin from harassing her anymore.
    “Dora.”
    Her friend’s husky whisper yanked her from her thoughts. “Yes, Grace. Did you find anything out?”
    Grace smiled. “My friend Jonathan looked through the next twenty years, and Preston’s name appears every year in the Book of Lifetimes, and there is no termination code next to it.” She started and looked over her shoulder. “Uh-oh. Here comes Calvin. Gotta fly.” She dissolved into a vibrant ball of light and instantly zoomed out of sight.
    “Bye, Gracie, and thanks.” Dora heaved a sigh of relief. Preston still had a good many years ahead of him with Millie. What she’d do with that information still eluded Dora, but she was happy about it.
    Now, to deal with Calvin. She lifted the heavy mirror from its hook and looked around. Then she carried it upstairs to her room, took down the twin mirror, and hung the hall mirror in its place. From the linen closet, she took a sheet and draped it over the mirror, then carried the other mirror downstairs and hung it in the hall. They were exact in appearance so no one would notice the switch. If they did, she’d make some excuse for exchanging them.
    “There,” she said, brushing her hands off with a great deal of satisfaction. “So much for you, Mr. Nosey Head of Celestial Maintenance.”
     
     
    “Did she just do what I think she did?” Calvin asked, his voice reflecting his incredulity as he stared fixedly into the Earth Pool at a wall of white.
    “Yup, she sure did,” Grace said, her smile lighting up the heavens. “I think she cut you