Sarah and the Angelic Magical Makeover Read online

  “Hi Travis. Are you hungry?” Sarah brought a salad to the table.

  “Oceana, you’re going to need a new name. You said you’d heard cruel people laugh and joke about a name suitable for a whale from the ocean. You’ve lost weight and you’re prettier. Why not change Oceana to Ana?”

  Sarah raised a shoulder. “That’s not a bad idea, and that’s a lovely thing to say. Thank you.”

  The three sat down to the table laden with food. Valerie gave an apologetic glance to Travis. “Mind if Sarah asks a blessing on the meal?”

  Travis shook his head as he bowed and waited.

  Sarah cleared her throat. “Father, thank you for this lovely earth food. Some of it is new to me, and I’ve never eaten it before, but I like what You’ve given humans. You are kind to provide us with health to enjoy and money to buy this meal. Amen.”

  Travis raised his head and stared at Sarah. “That was thought provoking. I can’t get over how you talk to a God—as if He exists.”

  Sarah smiled. “He does.”

  “Yeah, right, if you say so.” Travis turned his attention to his plate and sliced into the turkey. “Valerie, this bird is moist and perfect.”

  Valerie beamed and the conversation turned to pleasantries.

  After the sumptuous meal, Sarah tidied the kitchen while Valerie and Travis sat together on the sofa and whispered like two lovebirds. With super hearing, Sarah listened. Was that an okay thing to do? She shrugged to herself. Who knew? She was an angel on a mission and needed to figure out Travis and his motives. Hearing him talk might prove valuable.

  Now and then, Sarah glanced in their direction. She watched as Travis drew close to Valerie’s ear.

  “Oceana is a little strange, isn’t she? I mean, she talks to God as if He’s factual, and then she asked Him to bless earth food. Is there any other kind?”

  Sarah grimaced. She’d been thinking of Chef Andrew and his fare in The Heavenlies when she asked for God to bless the food down here.

  Valerie giggled and flirted back as she nuzzled close to Travis’ neck. “Well, there might be food in other places. Have you ever traveled the universe?”

  “As a matter of fact, I have.” Travis pulled back and caressed her cheek. “Want to go to the moon with me sometime? I know how to take you there, and I promise to make it a trip you’ll never forget.” He wiggled his brows and then winked.

  From the corner of her eye, Sarah saw Valerie’s face turn the shade of a cherry blossom.

  Sarah narrowed her eyes. That remark sounded too intimate. That guy wanted sex and he hadn’t offered marriage. He seemed determined to get his way, too.

  Sarah fumed as she loaded the dishwasher. Good grief! Couldn’t Valerie see what he was after? Some men played the game, won the prize, and then went their merry way to the next contest. Although she didn’t know for certain, she felt Travis might be one of the men who enjoyed the conquest more than the victory. She’d seen it happen on other missions with irrepressible men who didn’t measure up to God’s moral standards. Women too, for that matter.

  Sarah joined the couple in the living room. “Valerie, that was delicious, and I’m stuffed. I hope you won’t think I’m rude if I excuse myself and take a nap.”

  Travis grinned. “No, we don’t mind at all, do we, Babe?” He glanced at Valerie and she shook her head.

  Sarah covered a yawn with a hand. “Okay, you two, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” She closed her door, stood still, and used super vision and hearing to see and hear what Travis would do or say next.

  Travis laughed. “I have a feeling that message was directed at me.”

  “Oceana doesn’t believe in intimacy before marriage.”

  Travis groaned. “And I don’t believe in marriage at all.”

  “You don’t?” Valerie sounded shocked and her face mirrored it.

  “Heck no. Marriage isn’t necessary these days. It’s old-fashioned. I’m never getting married. I believe it’s okay for a man and woman to enjoy the pleasures they bring to each other. You don’t need a ring for that.” He leaned in and kissed Valerie in a slow, deep way. When he released her, Sarah could see Valerie was trembling. Travis gently pushed Valerie to a reclining position, pressed himself next to her on the sofa, and kissed her again.

  Sarah wanted to gag. If she didn’t intervene, Valerie would succumb to the charms of Travis and regret her actions for the rest of her life.

  She could make something happen to break up the love fest Travis had in mind. Oh sure, the Superiors reprimanded her when she interrupted a human’s sinful endeavor. That was a no-no. Humans were allowed to choose their conduct, but for Valerie’s sake, she’d intercede and take the consequences. Again.

  What could she do? Sarah visually checked the room and then snapped her fingers. The smoke alarm! She lit three candles under it and made volumes of smoke drift upward.

  RARRRRRR!!! The noise that thingy made would wake the comatose.

  Valerie and Travis burst into the smoke-filled room. Travis blew out the candles and opened a window.

  He checked for damage. After making sure there was none, he then turned to Sarah. “You almost started a fire.”

  Sarah raised her brows. “Really? I thought I was putting one out.”

  Eighteen

  At six o’clock the next morning, Sarah knocked on Valerie’s door. “Valerie, are you awake?” She could see through the door and knew her charge was asleep. She didn’t want to do this, but orders were orders.

  Valerie put a pillow over her ears. “Is the house on fire again?”

  Sarah placed a hand over her mouth to hide a chuckle. “No.”

  “Then go away. I’m sleeping.”

  Sarah pounded on the door. “Aw, come on Valerie, the weather is perfect today. Let’s not waste it. Travis says exercise first thing in the day is good for us, but due to your job, we can’t work out early, and for some reason, I think we need to get up and do it today. Maybe it’s the pumpkin pie we ate yesterday.”

  “Later.”

  “Well, okay then. Go back to sleep. I’ll make breakfast.”

  Sarah watched as Valerie sat up. “No. Don’t do that. I’ll get up.”

  Dusting her hands, Sarah grinned. Valerie knew she was a disaster in the kitchen. No matter how much her charge tried to teach her how to use the stove and follow a recipe, Sarah was too klutzy and disasters followed. Sarah had once managed to explode a bottle of ketchup. The red goop dried and remained on the ceiling. Another time, she’d spilled an entire sack of flour, and yet another, she’d dropped a dozen eggs on the floor.

  Valerie had given in to Sarah’s suggestion to always clean and never cook.

  Valerie emerged, rubbing sleep from her eyes. “Okay, against my better wishes, I’m up. Why are you so filled with get-up-and-go this morning?”

  “Travis says using energy bring more energy.” Sarah shrugged. “I guess that’s the deal. Let’s go out to breakfast first and then rent bicycles for a ride in the park. You promised to teach me to ride a bike. Remember? You said it was safer than teaching me to cook or drive a car.”

  “Bikes? At this hour?” Valerie glanced at the kitchen clock. “It’s a little after six.

  “That’s why we need to hurry. We’ll have breakfast near the park and be first in line when the rental store opens.” Sarah began jumping jacks. “I’m warming up. This is gonna be fun.”

  Valerie narrowed her eyes to a squint and shook her head. “Okay, my little weirdo friend, I give up. I’ll get dressed.”

  ~ * ~

  Sarah glanced at the clock on the dashboard as Valerie started the engine. She had ten minutes to get Valerie to the Pancake Palace.

  Valerie headed her car onto the Katy Freeway. “Where do you want to go for breakfast?”

  “The Pancake Palace.”

  Valerie raised her brows. “Do you know how difficult it will be to eat a low-calorie breakfast in that place?”

  “Yes, but Travis says moderation. I figure
we can get their egg white omelet and one pancake. We’ll only eat half of it with butter and sugar-free syrup. We’ll still be on plan. We get to spurge on holidays, and this is one.”

  “I guess a brisk ride in the park will knock off the calories from yesterday and today, but salad for the rest of the day, okay?”

  Sarah gave a fist pump. “Deal.”

  Valerie pulled into the parking lot to the restaurant and finally found an empty spot. “This place does a booming business.” She exited and waited for Sarah to catch up. “Is that Travis’ car?”

  Sarah shrugged. “Don’t ask me. I don’t know one car from another.”

  Valerie’s eyes took on an excited expression. “Maybe he’s here and can join us.”

  “Maybe so.” Sarah’s tummy took a tumble. She had an idea the scene to come would not be pretty.

  The hostess seated them in a booth, and they ordered coffee. Sarah scanned the menu with the butterflies in her midsection doing the hula. Valerie glanced at the patrons behind Sarah.

  “Oceana! Is that Travis?”

  Sarah turned her head and followed Valerie’s gaze. “I think so.” She twisted back to Valerie

  Valerie shuddered. “He’s with a beautiful woman.”

  “Could be his sister. Has he told you about his family?”

  “He doesn’t talk much about them. His parents live in Dallas and his sister lives in Austin. That’s why he was free to have Thanksgiving with us.”

  “Maybe his sister came for a visit.”

  Valerie studied the woman’s profile. “There’s no family resemblance, and he didn’t mention his sister was coming to town.”

  “That doesn’t mean anything. Maybe she surprised him.”

  Valerie gasped. “He just leaned across the table and kissed her on the lips.”

  Sarah sucked in her breath. “Okay, we’re heading over there right now to see what the deal is. Come on.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Yes, you can. Get up and go with me or I’ll go by myself. We’ll say hello and meet the lady. It may be innocent, and it might not be, but one way or the other, we’re gonna know.”

  Sarah got up and waited for Valerie to join her. Her charge was shaking so hard, Sarah feared she might fall down. She clutched Valerie’s hand and led the way.

  She and Valerie arrived at the booth and stood in front of it. Travis glimpsed up and when he recognized the two friends, his eyes grew the size of saucers. His face turned ghost white.

  Sarah spoke first. “Hi, Travis. We stopped by to let you know we’re following your suggestions for creative exercise after a heavy meal. We’re going for a bike ride this morning.” She glanced at the woman. “Sorry to interrupt your breakfast… are you one of Travis’ clients too?”

  The lady smiled, “Sort of. He was my trainer once but now he’s my husband.”

  Valerie grabbed her heart and gasped. People from other tables spun to stare in her direction.

  The lady studied Valerie with an air of sincere concern. “Are you all right? Your eyes are dilated, you’re pale, and you seem to have trouble breathing. I’m an ER nurse. I think you should go to the hospital immediately. I can call nine-one-one for you.”

  Sarah placed an arm around Valerie’s shoulder. “No need. We’re roommates, and she’ll be fine. Probably just a little hypoglycemic. We aren’t eating much these days—trying to lose weight and all. She prepared a fantastic noon Thanksgiving feast yesterday. The turkey and pumpkin pie was outstanding.”

  Sarah fixated on Travis. “Did you enjoy your turkey yesterday?”

  Travis sputtered and nodded.

  Sarah couldn’t help herself. “I understand some folks like goose and duck. I’ve never eaten those birds. You know, I’ve heard some people say they had to eat crow. I don’t think I’d like that choice. Have you ever eaten crow, Travis?”

  Travis shook his head and then grabbed his water to guzzle it down.

  His wife analyzed Travis’ astonishing reactions as if he were a patient she’d just admitted to the ER. She then switched her uncomprehending attention to Sarah.

  Sarah surmised the poor lady must think she’d entered the Twilight Zone, but she continued. “We didn’t eat anything last night. Tell us, Travis? Should we have eaten those good leftovers before we went to bed?”

  Travis’ face now contained red blotches. “Eating small amounts several times a day is best.” He choked out his words.

  Sarah leaned closer to Travis. “Your face looks a little odd and you sound funny. Are you feeling okay? Maybe you need to go to the hospital.” She turned to the wife. “What do you think? Does he need medical assistance?”

  The lady frowned. “Travis? What’s wrong with you?”

  Travis fanned the air. “I shouldn’t have eaten the sausage. I’m not used to it and I guess it disagrees with me. We’d better go.” He prepared to leave.

  Valerie and Sarah stepped aside so the couple could leave.

  Travis stalked out and left the three ladies standing together.

  Travis wife knitted her brows together as she watched him leave. “My apologies for my husband’s ill-mannered behavior. I take it you two are clients of his. He’s never rude, especially to clients. He must not feel well.” She offered her hand. “My name is Meghan. I don’t usually have an opportunity to meet the people Travis works with. I work nights at the ER and sleep days.”

  Sarah shook Meghan’s hand. “I’m Oceana, and this is Valerie. Travis has helped us lose thirty pounds.”

  “Congratulations. You both look wonderful.” Meghan offered Valerie her hand.

  Valerie’s eyes refused to focus. She rocked back and forth but didn’t return Meghan’s handshake.

  Meghan noticed Valerie’s disoriented countenance. “Valerie, if eating doesn’t make you feel better, please go to the ER.”

  As Sarah led Valerie away, she called over her shoulder. “We will, and thank you.”

  Nineteen

  Sarah left money on their table and directed Valerie to the car. “Can you drive?”

  Valerie was shaking like a building in an earthquake. “I don’t think so. Give me a few minutes.”

  They watched Meghan leave the restaurant and get into the car with Travis. He zoomed out of the parking lot like a rocket headed for the moon.

  Valerie burst into tears and leaned her head on the steering column.

  Sarah’s heart ached for her charge. She’d already decided already that Travis wasn’t the man for Valerie, but merciful heavens! She hadn’t suspected the guy was married. He never wore a wedding band. How many other women had he strung along? That immoral junkie was looking for sex in all the wrong places. He had a gorgeous wife at home.

  Should she have told Meghan what a louse her husband was? After the morning encounter, Meghan probably had questions for Travis, but it was better to let God and His angels present the bad news to Meghan. Right now, she needed to help Valerie.

  “Valerie, you’re in no condition to drive, and I don’t know how. I’m calling Daniels. He can take us home.”

  If Valerie heard Sarah’s words, she didn’t make a response. The poor thing was down for the count with grief.

  Sarah pulled forth her cell phone and dialed Daniels. “Hi, it’s me. Valerie and I are at the Pancake Palace and we have a problem. Valerie can’t drive and I don’t know how. Can you take us home?”

  “I’ll be there in five.” Daniels disconnected.

  True to his word, Daniels arrived and parked beside them. He approached Sarah’s side of the car. She opened the door and he glanced at Valerie. She had ceased crying but she appeared to be in a zombie-like trance.

  “What’s wrong with her?”

  Sarah sighed. “She just found out Travis is married. We met his wife inside a few minutes ago.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. Let’s get her into my car, and I’ll take y’all home. I’ll ask a friend to bring me back for her car.”

  ~ * ~

  At the apart
ment, Daniels half-carried Valerie to the sofa. Sarah strode to the refrigerator and brought a bottle of water.

  She handed it to Valerie. “Drink this.”

  Valerie took a sip and handed it back to Sarah. “How could I have been so stupid? My dad was right about me. I’m a fat, dumb, ugly cow.”

  Daniels sat next to her and held a hand to her lips. “No, you aren’t. You’ve always been beautiful—even when you were heavier, you just didn’t know it, and you’re smart. You have a wrong belief system about yourself, thanks to accepting as true the remarks your dad made to you. He dug a hole for you and it’s deep—he broke your spirit, but you’ve crawled out, now don’t fall back into it. Someone like him breaks a child’s spirit and gives birth to disillusionment. You may be naïve where us guys are concerned, but your intelligence is off the charts.” He cleared his throat. “You’re also kind and compassionate. You have no idea how gifted you are.”

  “I made a fool of myself.” Valerie covered her face with her hand as if Daniels’ words didn’t register.

  Daniels pulled her hands away from her face and forced her to look at him. “No, Travis made a fool of himself. He’s the reprobate in this situation, not you.”

  Sarah sat on the other side of Valerie. “Daniels is right. Listen to him.”

  Valerie whimpered. “Travis said he loved me.”

  Sarah shook her head. “He loved what he thought he could get from you. You’re a virgin, a conquest, inexperienced with men, and vulnerable. He was consumed with lust and wanted to win a prize. He would have stolen from you what is a gift for you to give. And that, by the way, makes him a thief. He’s an adulterer and a thief.”

  “I fell for his line.” Valerie buried her face again.

  Sarah patted her charge’s arm. “I doubt you’re the first woman to do so. His poor wife is also a victim.”

  Valerie turned her head to gaze at Sarah. “Should we have told her he’s been dating me?”

  Sarah shook her head. “We aren’t the messengers to break up his marriage, but she’ll find out what a cad he is one day. I think she’s strong enough to handle it. Now what about you?”