“But I can see you,” Welita said.
“You said that you could see Rebecca too,” Naomi pointed out.
“I can, but I’m the only one that can see her.” Welita leaned over and touched him. “You are body and flesh. I can touch and feel you.”
“Rebecca doesn’t appear to you like Lash does?” Naomi looked to him for an explanation.
“I’m not exactly a guardian angel,” he said.
“You said you were an angel.”
He stood up and joined Naomi on the sofa. He squirmed under their questioning gaze. “On rare occasions, some angels are allowed to have a human form while working on assignment.”
“And why is that?” Naomi asked.
“Because an angel’s powers are limited in a human body, and when you’re on assignment it’s more efficient if you have all your powers.”
“So why are you in a human body?”
“I didn’t have a choice,” he muttered his eyes gazed down at the worn floor.
“Why is that?”
“Because I was kicked out of Heaven.”
“You were what?” Naomi jolted upright from the sofa, eyes wide open.
“Remember, when I said that my family kicked me out of the house? Well …”
“It’s not the same thing.” Naomi jumped up and paced the floor. Bear watched her curiously.
“To me, it is.”
“But, but, you have white wings. I saw them.”
“Only fallen angels that join Lucifer have black wings. I’m not one of them.”
“Good,” she sighed and sat back down. “How long ago did this happen?”
“It was a long time ago. Thirty-five years.”
“So, looking after me is some type of punishment?” Hurt flashed over her face.
“No, it’s not like that,” Lash said.
Naomi bit down on her quivering lip. Her face tinged with pink and her eyes grew moist.
She thinks she’s just an assignment to me. How could he tell her that she was more than that? The problem was, she shouldn’t be more to him than that.
He went to her side and tucked her hand in his. “I don’t know why I was assigned to you, but if I hadn’t, I would’ve never gotten to know you or your family. It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Please believe me.”
“I believe you,” she croaked.
“I was given a chance to return home after I did one last assignment … to watch over you and keep you safe from danger. So as soon as I was given the assignment, I came here.”
Welita leaned in. “When was this?”
“I was here the day of your son’s funeral.”
Welita looked up. “Thank you. My prayers were answered.” She then turned to Naomi. “I prayed for God to send someone to look over you.”
“I’m sorry they sent you a broken angel like me,” Lash said. “You deserve better.”
“Stop that.” Naomi squeezed his hand. “You are not broken.”
“Naomi’s right. You’re a blessing,” Welita said. “I prayed for someone who could fill the empty space inside of her, to bring joy back into her life. You did that, Lash.”
“Welita, I don’t think it works that way.” Naomi let go of his hand.
“Why not?” Welita turned to him. “Lash, isn’t that part of your job?”
Lash looked at Naomi, and his heart saddened with the thought that he wouldn’t be the one to be by her side. It was impossible, unless he did the unthinkable. It had happened before. The Archangel Rachel, who was a kind soul and the complete opposite of Gabrielle, once told him that, thousands of years ago, angels had come down and taken humans as their wives. It wreaked havoc on Earth, and Michael and Gabrielle were sent to straighten it out. Many refused to return to Heaven and were stripped of their powers. Some of them chose to go with Lucifer, who was able to restore their powers. He’d wanted Rachel to tell him more about it, but Raphael had intervened and told her that he had enough information. Was this something he was willing to do? Could he stand to look down from Heaven and see Naomi in the arms of someone else?
“I’m not sure what my job is exactly, except to watch over her. Last night, I was told of a safe place to take her.”
“Where does she need to go?” Welita asked.
“New Mexico. We can take the next flight out there.”
“Then that’s where you go, Mijita.” Welita stood up. “Go get packed. I’ll have Chuy drop you off at the airport.”
“What about you? What if something happens?” Naomi jumped up.
“Don’t worry about me. I have Rebecca. And Chuy is here.” Welita cupped her face. “I know you’re scared. Have faith, Naomi. Lash was sent to you for a reason.”
Naomi nodded and kissed her hands.
“You can take Bear with you. She’ll watch over the both of you,” she said.
Bear barked.
Naomi laughed. “I don’t know.”
“She’s small, but she can sense trouble coming.”
Lash bent down and rubbed behind Bear’s ear. She had a special way of keeping both of them calm. He had a feeling they’d need all the help they could get. “That might not be a bad idea.”