Sarah and the Angelic Magical Makeover Read online

  Sarah hiked an eyebrow in Valerie’s direction and gave her a “see, I told you so” expression.

  As Daniels escorted the two females to the car, he noticed Valerie’s hobble and asked about it.

  Valerie responded as she took a position in the back seat. “Can you believe I let Oceana talk me into a fitness class? Now every muscle screams at me.”

  Daniels took his place as driver and turned to grin at Valerie behind him. “New stuff always makes muscles sore. The tenderness will go away soon. What prompted you to start a program?”

  Valerie pointed to Sarah in the front seat. “She’s trying to make us thinner and healthier, but she’s gonna kill me in the process.”

  Daniels laughed good-naturedly, but continued to make eye contact with Valerie. “I think you two ladies are absolutely gorgeous as you are.”

  Sarah twisted around in time to see Valerie’s cheeks turn pink at the compliment, and she grinned, but was this guy authentic? Unholy angels had agendas too, and the Commander’s words came back to haunt her. “Once the man she wants notices her, the lady must realize that he is not the one for her. He isn’t who she thinks he is. Your task is then to connect your charge with the true love of her life. Think you can do this?”

  She’d said yes at the time, but now she wondered. Sarah faced forward as Daniels started the engine and maneuvered the vehicle into traffic. She stole a glance at him as he drove. Was this guy a human, a devil or an angel?

  Ten

  As she sat at the gigantic pipe organ preparing to play, Sarah surveyed Daniels and Valerie in the congregation. They seemed to chat amiably as they waited for the service to start. She blew out a breath, relieved to see her charge comfortable in church.

  Selecting the first prelude piece, Sarah placed hands on the manuals and feet on the pedals. Taking a quick gulp of air to calm herself, she pressed down to begin.

  Blast! Roar! Earthquake! The massive musical instrument bellowed to life with an explosion of sound. The sudden, deafening hullabaloo coming from the hands of Sarah made the chandeliers shake and the stained-glass windows rattle. Dust mites danced in the sunlight as the musical notes reverberated through the sanctuary.

  The audience recoiled at the detonating sound, and everyone gawked at Sarah. Most of them covered their ears as they stared at her.

  Poopty doopty! So much for setting a tranquil tone for worship. A sudden racket like that could give a person a heart attack. What would the pastor say about this debacle? Merciful heavens! She’d just asked the Lord to bless her music, and here she sat, terrifying people out of their pews and searing their eardrums. Why did God allow such embarrassing mistakes anyway?

  Sarah quickly adjusted several stops and softened the sound. From the corner of her eye, she saw the audience relax. My stars! So much for making a good impression.

  After the two services, Sarah met up with Daniels and Valerie in the vestibule.

  “Good job, Oceana.” Daniels smiled at Sarah as various strangers passed and nodded in their direction.

  “Thanks. I wish I hadn’t startled all of you when I began. I was mortified.”

  Valerie patted Sarah’s shoulder. “It was your first time at a new instrument. You quickly fixed it and the service went smoothly.”

  “The staff didn’t reprimand me, so I guess all is well. Where did you two go after the opening service? I didn’t see you in the second one.”

  “I took Valerie to Bible study. We meet in small groups, and ours is exploring relationships. We’re discussing what God expects of singles before marriage.”

  Sarah shifted her briefcase of music from one hand to the other. “That sounds fascinating. What did you think about it, Valerie?”

  “The discussions were intriguing. I didn’t offer any opinions, but Daniels did.”

  Lifting her chin, Sarah glanced up at Daniels. “What sort of comments did you contribute?”

  Daniels shrugged. “I said young people have raging hormones and sex is normal.”

  Sarah’s mouth dropped open and she stared at him with raised brows. Huh? What on earth? Was he promoting and agreeing with a view held by so many?

  Valerie grinned at Sarah’s stunned expression. “He went on to say that even though sex is expected, people should wait for marriage to experience intimacy.”

  “Whew! You had me going there for a few minutes.” Sarah gazed at Daniels and found a teasing twinkle in his eyes.

  “The attendees had a flood of observations about the subject.” Daniels scratched his head. “I’m one of the few who believe in abstinence; most Christians our age don’t. They think sex is okay anytime.”

  Sarah blinked several times as she took in the thought. She stamped her foot on the tiled floor. “My stars in the galaxies. No wonder God gets frustrated with humans. I understand how He feels now when He talks about it.”

  Sarah detected the glance Daniels and Valerie shared, and then they smiled at her.

  Daniels focused on Sarah. “You sound so certain. I almost believe you’ve heard God express a few frustrations.”

  “Perhaps I have.” Sarah grinned as if the secret belonged to her. “Or maybe I’ve got a great imagination.”

  “Either way, you make interesting assertions.” Daniels took the briefcase from Sarah. “I’ll carry this for you. Let’s have lunch and talk about this some more. I’m hungry. How about you two?”

  Sarah patted her large midsection. “Are you kidding? Hungry doesn’t define my condition. Starving is a better word.”

  At a small bistro, Sarah and Valerie chose chicken salad on lettuce with a side of fruit. Sarah speared a bite of apple and held her fork in the air as she spoke. “This fruit is a healthy choice, but I’d rather have fries.”

  Valerie groaned. “And I’d rather have a burger. This is gonna be a long month.”

  Daniels chuckled. On the way to the bistro, he’d heard a lot about the monster, Travis, and his impossible diet. Out of courtesy to the dieters, he’d chosen the same meal. “You’ll grow used to it after a few days and it won’t be so bad.”

  Valerie’s brows shot up and her expression turned dubious. “Have you ever needed to lose weight?”

  “I lost fifty pounds the summer after my freshman year in high school. I got tired of kids bullying me about my size and decided to do something about it. With Mom’s help, I changed eating habits. I also joined a gym and spent the whole day working out like a fiend. I did it seven days a week. Just took a few hours off on Sunday for church.”

  Valerie stopped eating to stare at Daniels. “That’s about sixteen pounds a month. Amazing! I hear men lose faster than women.”

  Sarah wrinkled her nose. “Yeah, that’s a bummer. I’ve heard that too. It seems a lot of things are geared to men down here. If I get a chance, I’ll ask why that is. What happened the next year?”

  Daniels quirked a brow at Sarah’s comment, and swallowed a bite so he could answer. “I was never teased again. I tried out for the basketball team and became an all-star shooter.”

  Sarah reached out to pat his shoulder. “Good for you! Bullying is a horrible thing kids do, and I’m glad you found a way to avoid it. A lot of kids don’t. I once met a teen who was tormented. My heart broke for her.”

  Remembering Mackenzie made Sarah smile. Mackenzie had been one of her charges, and the teen had been harassed. Sarah had made the bully look ridiculous when she made him do the chicken dance. Served the dude right and he soon learned his lesson. Sarah had been reprimanded for interfering, but the reproach had been worth it to help Mackenzie.

  Valerie blotted her lips with a paper napkin. “School starts soon and I’ll hear the first graders refer to me as the fat teacher. They’re too young to understand name calling can hurt, but by the end of the year, they’ll understand. Some obnoxious big kid will start intimidating a weaker one. I’m always sad to see it happen.”

  Daniels finished the fruit cup. “With this diet and exercise program you’re on, I doubt they’ll refer to
you as the fat teacher.” He darted a gracious smile to Valerie. “And for your information, I don’t think of you as fat.”

  “Thanks, but this regimen can’t make much difference in a month.”

  Sarah waggled her index finger. “You never know. I’m thinking it will. By the way, what do you do when you see or hear your littles acting out or bullying each other?”

  “I stop it and explain to the children that we have better ways to act, and it’s not nice to play ugly. Sometime it works, and sometimes it doesn’t.”

  Daniels placed his napkin on the table next to the dinner plate. “I admire teachers, especially for elementary. I couldn’t do that job.”

  Valerie cocked her head. “I love teaching those guys, but it isn’t for everyone. How did you choose a chauffeur vocation?”

  “I’m experiencing all aspects of the hotel industry, and transporting guests is one of them. I earned an undergrad degree from the University of Houston and I hold a Master of Science in Hospitality Management from the Conrad Hilton Hotel and Restaurant Management. I’m spending time in every phase of hotel services. My goal is to be the best possible manager I can be.”

  Sarah pushed her glasses back up on her nose. “You’ll do well. Not only do you help people, but you make them feel comfortable.”

  “Thanks.” Daniels raised a water glass in a toast to Sarah and Valerie. “And here’s to two stunning women who are beautiful as they are. I’m applauding your decision to make yourselves healthier. I know you can do it.”

  Sarah wrinkled her nose. “True, we can do it, especially Valerie. She has athletic ability, but I don’t and mechanical devices hate me. My stars! I can’t even walk in high heels.” She glanced at Valerie. “Remember when one of those preposterous, rotating gadgets almost caused me to end up spread-eagled on my sit down?”

  Daniels grinned at Sarah’s comical expression. “We wouldn’t want that to happen again, now would we? How about if I join and help you ladies learn how to operate the equipment?”

  Sarah and Valerie chorused approval at the same time.

  ~ * ~

  After Daniels drove the ladies home, the two rested in the cool apartment.

  Sarah broke the silence. “Did you like the church?”

  Valerie swung a leg over the arm of the chair. “Yes, I did, and I’ll go back. The study group was lively and interesting.”

  “Sounds as though you had a discussion about a timely subject—sex before marriage.”

  Valerie chuckled. “You should’ve seen your shocked face when Daniels said young people have raging hormones and sex is normal.”

  Sarah sucked in a quick breath. “I was thinking this guy is not an angel, he’s a devil.”

  Valerie laughed until tears ran down her cheeks. “You and that angel/devil business. You crack me up. Don’t you know there aren’t such creatures as those walking among us?”

  Sarah gave a polite smile but shook her head. “God’s helpers and His challengers exist. It’s just that most people don’t recognize either one. I have problems with knowing the difference myself.”

  Valerie grew serious. “Well, okay, but I don’t think Daniels is a devil. He’s a kind man, and he’s perfect for you. I’m glad he offered to help you get used to that horrible equipment that Travis keeps forcing us to learn.”

  “He offered to help us. That includes you.”

  “True, but I see his interest in you. He’s fascinated with you, Miss Oceana Waters, and I think y’all make an attractive couple.”

  Sarah directed her gaze to the ceiling. “Lord, help me. This woman has got it all wrong down here. What am I supposed to do now?”

  Valerie doubled over laughing again.

  Eleven

  Sarah watched Valerie grill chicken breasts for their dinner. Maybe if she studied humans long enough, she’d get the hang of how to prepare food, but so far on this mission, Valerie had done all the cooking. Sarah tidied the kitchen after the meal.

  “We had a good work-out today, don’t you think?” Sarah stretched her calf muscles as she sat on the stool.

  Valerie glanced up as she rubbed spices on the poultry. “I’m not sore any more, are you?”

  Sarah shook her head. “We’ve been spending six hours a day in the gym now for weeks so I guess we’re getting used to it.” She placed a thumb in her waistband. “These shorts are looser too. Twelve pounds can make a difference. I seem to be losing inches. That makes a change in size too.”

  Valerie completed her task and washed her hands. “For me too. Daniels and Travis are a big help. Travis keeps an eye on us the whole time, and I’m glad Daniels works his schedule so that he can come for an hour or two. If they weren’t there to correct us, we’d develop bad habits—perhaps injure ourselves.” She giggled. “Like that time you were lifting weights and almost dropped the bar on your throat. How did you make that thing float in the air anyway?”

  Sarah put napkins and utensils besides the plates. “You have a great imagination. I had my hands on it, and it wasn’t in midair. For some reason, it looked that way, but I was super relieved when Travis took it and helped me up.”

  Sarah tried not to make a face. Could she help it if she used her angel powers to save herself? Remembering the incident gave her the heebie jeebies. Travis had ogled her again as if she were an alien from another planet. Ugh. He’d seen her float above the treadmill, and then float that heavy bar above her. She decided to change the subject. “All these different methods are helping us lose. We run, lift weights, and dance. We’re fortunate to have their attention, and both of them are first-rate teachers. In fact, I think Travis has a thing for you. He called you ‘Babe’ the other day.”

  “Bologna! He uses that term for a lot of women in the center.” Valerie dismissed the comment with a wave. “Daniels likes you. Have you decided he is a normal human being now?” Valerie threw a teasing grin to Sarah.

  “Not yet. The verdict is still out. I wish I knew.”

  Valerie shook her head. “You and that angel business.”

  ~ * ~

  After the early dinner, both women made their way to Valerie’s car. With prompts from Sarah, Valerie had decided to try a salon for hair color, and they’d made appointments. Sarah promised Valerie she’d change her frizzy, dull lack-luster brown hair too. The new look would make them both feel better, or so she assured Valerie. After making the promise, Sarah cringed. She could change her hair on a whim, but let a human do it? Oh, merciful heavens!

  Gulp. What had she gotten herself into? She’d never been to a hair salon, but every angel should try one, right? The Heavenlies hadn’t thundered, so all must be well.

  The two friends had expressed qualms on the way to the salon, and when they arrived, they tread warily into the expensive salon. Once inside, the opulent chandeliers and marbled floor gave them extra butterflies. Sarah saw Valerie’s hands shake, and her own palms were sweaty.

  Sarah swallowed the tennis sized lump in her throat. Panic attacks came suddenly to her while she visited earth, and the spells reminded her that humans must deal with a variety of difficult emotions. Life in The Heavenlies had no such worries.

  “Hello, my name is Taylor. Which one of you is Oceana?” A young woman, not far removed from the cradle, approached the ladies.

  “I’m Oceana.” Sarah responded and then chewed her bottom lip.

  Taylor studied Sarah. “I’m going to be your stylist-colorist today. Your hair looks a bit tangled. Is it windy outside?”

  Sarah touched her mane. “No, it isn’t breezy today, but you should see my hair after I fly through the clouds.”

  Taylor paused as the remark made its way to her brain. “Yes, well, I suppose that would make knots in your tresses.” She glanced at Valerie and seemed ready to change the subject. “You must be Valerie. Margie, your stylist, will be with you in a moment.”

  Taylor led Sarah to a chair and draped a cloth about her. Margie’s stylist ushered Valerie to a chair beside Sarah’s and draped a
cloth about her as well. Sarah glanced at Valerie in the mirror and smiled and then returned her attention to the woman who planned to make changes in her appearance.

  Taylor fluffed her hands through Sarah’s snarled hair. “What color and cut are you wanting today?”

  Sarah cleared her throat. ‘Uh, I’m not sure. What do you suggest?”

  “I think a blonde shade will lighten up sections and give a shimmer your hair doesn’t currently have. What do you think?”

  Sarah frowned. “My body has shimmered before, just not down here in this place and time.”

  Taylor puckered her brow. “Yes, well, I was speaking of only hair. Would you like it to shimmer again?”

  “Yes, please, but I don’t want to get into trouble with my Superiors.”

  “I’ll go easy on the color, nothing too dramatic to interfere with employment. We’ll do a temporary color and see how you like it. It will wash out after a couple of shampoos, and if you like it, we can do more of a lasting color. I think a minimum of blond color softly integrated through would look nice, and since your hair is naturally curly, how about a shorter cut? I’ll show you how to add a mousse every time you shampoo, and how to finger comb your style. It’ll be easy.”

  Sarah lifted wide eyes to the stylist. “You’re going to put a moose on my head?” She pointed to her scalp. “You can’t do that. They’re too big. All animals are. Please don’t put any tiny insects up there either.”

  Taylor snorted and attempted to cover her laughter with a cough. “No, no. Mousse is a product, not an animal.”

  “Oh. Okay.” Sarah met Valerie’s wide eyes in the mirror. “What kind of doohickey is she going to put on your head?”

  Valerie responded with a weak, timid voice. “She says brown lowlights will be good for me and she thinks I should keep my length but use a flat iron.”

  “An iron? Wow. I’ve seen you press laundered clothes on that special ironing plank of yours. That’s going to be dangerous. You’ll burn your scalp if you lay your head on the board with that hot steam iron.”