Free Hearts at Home by Lori Copeland

sandwiches—whatever you want, sweetie.” She caught Caleb’s eye. “You won’t have to lift a finger, Caleb. Abner has already fired up the ovens.”
    Caleb felt the corner of his mouth twist as he watched the women nibble from the refreshments he had placed on the dining room table: sausages, crackers, olives, nuts, thin slices of cold cuts—all the things Olympia had bought for her surprise party to thank the town for their kindness.
    He looked toward heaven and smiled. You’re thanking them now, Missy.
    As he lowered his gaze, his eyes fell upon Annie, who was struggling to be brave. His young charge nodded to this woman and that and smiled through her tears as she accepted hugs and condolences. Edith Wickam stood by her side, one arm firmly hooked around Annie’s waist. “Winslow will do a beautiful service,” she was saying. “Olympia would be right proud. We understand she was fond of high church ceremony, and we’ll honor her wishes. I think I might even be able to dig up some candles in the basement. We have a wedding candelabra somewhere.” She pressed her fingertip to her chin. “I think.”
    Annie squinched her face into a look that made Caleb wonder if candles were proper decorations for a funeral, but surely the pastor’s wife knew what she was doing.
    Drawing a deep breath, he moved toward the knot of men who had gathered around the kitchen coffee pot. Once again, Dr. Marc was explaining the events of last evening. “By the time Annie found her, Olympia was gone,” he said, one hand wrapping around a ceramic mug. “There was nothing we could do. You know Olympia— for years Dr. Merritt and I have been telling her to watch her diet, but the lady was set in her ways.”
    â€œStubborn as a mule, you mean,” Floyd interjected, winking. “I don’t mean no disrespect, ’cause Olympia’s heard me call her that many a time. But she was stubborn, and no two ways about it.”
    Leaving the humans to their discussions, Caleb moved to the back porch where his angel brothers had gathered. Zuriel, Abner, Micah, Yakov, and Elezar silently made room for him as he joined their circle, and an instant later he realized why none of them were speaking. Gavriel stood in spirit form at the center of the group, invisible to all but angelic eyes.
    â€œCaleb.” The angel captain’s voice rang with authority. “Congratulations on a job well done. The Lord commends you for your excellent service to Olympia. She is celebrating in heaven with her loved ones, patiently awaiting the Resurrection.”
    Caleb lowered his head. “It is my joy to serve the Father.”
    â€œHe knows.” Gavriel’s eyes burned brighter. “And it is nearly time for you to move to another place of service. By the end of this month your replacement will arrive to serve whoever is living in this house.”
    Caleb lifted his head. “Will it be Annie?”
    Gavriel smiled. “It is not for me to know. Annie must exercise her free will, though I trust you will do all you can to encourage her to be obedient to the Father’s leading.”
    Zuriel clapped Caleb’s back. “Well done, faithful servant.”
    The other Smith men murmured in agreement, then fell silent when Gavriel raised a hand. “There will be time for congratulations when all our work is done.” He lifted his gaze toward the heavens. “Until then, we have much to do, and Caleb still serves Annie.”
    His gaze melted into the butler’s. “Remain close to her side during the coming days, my brother. She is young and easily confused, and her heart is vulnerable from bearing so much pain in so short a time. Minister to her as best you can, and guide her with tender love.”
    Moved to the core of his spirit, Caleb nodded. “You know I will.”
    Edith returned home at 1:30; Winslow didn’t arrive until nearly three