An Angel Healed - Lost Angel series

Chapter 14

We took off towards Daryl’s voice. He was outside. We all piled out of the front door almost falling. A car was coming down the drive. My magic coated the car to find out about our new arrivals. I relaxed immediately. I walked to the drive with a laugh.

“It’s alright Daryl. They’re friends. Well my parents in fact.”

Everyone relaxed then. The car came to a stop and the back door flung open. Rachel came running towards me laughing. I thought they were coming next week. I caught Rachel in a hug watching John get out of the car.

“Surprise!” Rachel’s voice rang out.

“It most certainly is. I thought you were waiting until next week. What changed?”

“She wouldn’t leave me alone until we got on the plane.” I could hear John’s disgruntled voice explain.

“I couldn’t wait. Our girl needed us and I for one was not going to sit back like a bystander. So shut it John.”

I laughed. “He gets grumpy when his plans are not planned out beforehand. He doesn’t do spontaneous.”

“I can do spontaneous. I just want it to be planned.”

Everyone laughed then. Jake went to John to help with their luggage. I saw Isabelle emerge from the house to see what was going on. Her face lit up when she saw company. Daryl went to his room to clean it up for John and Rachel. He would bunk with Phillip until they left.

“Company.” Isabelle squealed. “Who have you brought us now?”

“Isabelle, this is my human parents. This is Rachel and her husband John is over there with Jake. Rachel, this is our hostess Isabelle. She loves having company.”

“Oh the humans that took you in. Oh I’m so happy to meet you finally. You took care of our girl for us until we could find her. She’s mated to my brother, although he needs to get over himself right now. I’m still going to talk to him about his behavior when he comes home. That is unacceptable. Anyway, Rachel? I’m so happy you are here. Please make yourself at home.”

I giggled as Rachel tried to keep up with Isabelle. “Thank you Isabelle. You have a lovely home. We are so honored that you would allow us to visit our daughter. I was having a hard time not having her around. John is so much more difficult without her.”

“I am not.” John was beside us now.

I smiled at his open arms and rushed into them. He laughed as he crushed me to him. My heart swelled with love. I didn’t know why they were here early but I was happy they were. John pushed me back enough to see my face. He froze when he realized I was in my leathers. He knew I had been in a fight.

“What happened?” His voice was dangerous and low.

“Someone kidnapped my youngest brother. I handled it.”

“Are they alive?”

“No.”

“Good.”

Rachel swatted John. “John. No business. You promised that you would have one conversation with our Angel then no more. I want to enjoy our time here.”

“I’m sorry sweetheart. It just threw me when I saw her in leather. No business except the discussion we agreed upon. I promise.”

I looked at John curiously. He hugged Rachel to him but wouldn’t look at me. I narrowed my eyes. He was up to something. Rachel laughed at my expression.

“She knows you’re up to something.”

“She always does.” John sighed. “Let’s get settled and then we’ll talk. I was going to wait until tomorrow since it’s late already but I know that look. I better tell you tonight instead of waiting or you’ll never let me sleep.”

“We can take your things to the room you will have. Daryl should be ready for us now anyway. The sitting room is probably the most comfortable.” Isabelle motioned to the house.

Jake and Brooks took the luggage into the house without being asked. Sara and Jason took everyone else into the kitchen to gather the equipment. My bothers and Jonah followed me closely as I led John and Rachel into the sitting room. We had barely made it into the room when Gretchen came bustling in.

“You keep bringing us guests’ little witch. I believe this is the most we’ve ever had. I’ll bring some snacks and drinks for everyone.”

I couldn’t say anything because she rushed off to the kitchen. “Gretchen loves having people here. It means she can feed more than her family.”

“I like her. She seems so sweet.” Rachel looked lovingly at me.

“She is. Her entire family in fact. They are wonderful and amazing. I’m lucky to have them with me. They are my new family. I’m proud that they accepted me in theirs.”

“Little witch. Don’t start with that. Gretchen will start crying again.”

I smiled. “I’m sorry Gerald. I never want her to cry. Your family is just so incredible.”

He chuckled. “As are you little witch.”

Gretchen came in with trays being carried by her sons behind her. I giggled as they sat the trays on the table in front of John and Rachel. There were drinks and food, like an entire meal. Sandwiches, cheese plate, different bowls of chips, and some cookies. Rachel thanked Gretchen for everything. That pleased Gretchen, making her giggle.

“Angel. I know you have amassed quite the following but I would like to discuss this without the others. Miss Gretchen, thank you for all of this but I hate that we put you to all the trouble.”

“Oh it’s no trouble. I’ll be back to check on you in case you need anything else.” She walked to me and winked. “I like these two.”

I watched her shoo her family out of the room. I couldn’t stop my smile as the joy swelled in me. I was truly blessed. John was watching Jonah and my brothers closely. I looked toward them and sighed.

“I don’t think they want to leave me. John, Rachel. These are my brothers. Alexander, Anthony, Andrew, Alistair, and Aiden. We were just reunited so they’re a little edgy with leaving me. The other man is Jonah, he’s my mate.”

“Mate?” Rachel narrowed her eyes at Jonah.

“Our world is a little different than the one we are used to. Mates are destined by the Goddesses themselves. We are fated to be together.”

“I see.” Rachel’s tone was hostile. “Jonah is it?”

“Yes ma’am.” Jonah seemed unfazed.

“You intend to marry my daughter then you need to know that if you hurt her, I will kill you myself. I may not be an agent but I will make it my mission to make your life miserable until the end.”

“I swear to you that I will never leave her or hurt her. I have loved her since the day she was born. I would die before I would allow anyone to harm her in any way. She is my life.”

I smiled at Jonah. His statement that he made so easily touched my heart. I saw Rachel relax and smile.

“Good. As long as we are on the same page then.” Rachel turned her attention to the trays in front of her.

“Very well. Angel, I need your help. I’ve been looking for a replacement so that I can retire. I want to spend my remaining years with my wife. She has sacrificed so much over the years. Our own children in fact.” I flinched when John mentioned his children. “You never had the pleasure of meeting our Grace, although you are more like her than you realized. Rachel and I agree that she would have been exactly like you if she had grown up. Blaine, well…”

“He was disturbed. We realize that our love for our son caused us to be blind to his treachery for too long. When I found out what he did to you my dear, I wish we would have done something sooner. John told me about all of his schemes. I’m so ashamed that it took us so long to notice.”

“Rachel.” My voice was filled with love. “What Blaine became was not your fault. You loved him and would do anything for him. He didn’t appreciate his family, nor did he care for anyone but himself. You did everything to make him feel loved and cherished. He was the problem from the beginning.”

She waved me off trying to stop the tears. John put his arm around her shoulders. “That being said. I have been thinking about who I could trust to take my place. I realize that my position isn’t an easy one. All of that pressure can break a person. I wondered if I should have a group take over. When I reviewed all of our agents, there were a few that stood out.”

I nodded showing I was listening. “I know you won’t take over for me. There is too much on your plate as it is. Although I would prefer you to take my place, I know you cannot.”

“John? What are you saying? You wanted to leave the Agency to me? I could never replace you.”

“Oh you could. He would trust you completely too. I wouldn’t have to worry about him trying to return to work.” Rachel laughed and bit into one of the sandwiches. “This is divine. I need Gretchen to teach me to cook. Yum!”

“I’m sure she would be happy to teach you.” I smiled when I saw Gretchen peek into the room smiling.

“I wish it could be you my Angel but I know it cannot. I want to have a group of individuals that I can trust in charge. Here is a list of the ones I’m considering. I would like your thoughts.” John passed me a sheet of paper while Rachel made him take a bite of sandwich.