Her Guardians Lost(72)

Simeon laughed at my obvious embarrassment. “No,” he replied, popping another chip in his mouth. “There was someone out there for me. Someone picked for me, shall we say. I just never got a chance to see if it would work out. Coming here kind of halted any plans.”

Throwing about four chips in my mouth, I pondered what he said. “Are you upset about that?”

He shook his head. “Not really. If you learn anything about being an angel, it’s that we have nothing but time. Humans only live a century, if they’re lucky, so that doesn’t leave them a lot of time to find someone. Me? I have plenty of time, so another few decades doesn’t affect me that much.”

I suppose patience is the one thing with which angels learn to live. I imagine humans do find themselves in a rush once they reach a certain age. Biological clocks tick, and panic rises if that special someone doesn’t land at your feet within a certain time. I could see it all made sense.

“Were you happy with the match?” I asked. It would be nice to think Simeon had someone to go back to after this. How long that would be was anyone’s guess. In a way, I felt a little guilty because a selfish part of me wanted to keep him with me. Just like Michael, Stephen, and Luana, I seemed to cling to him like he was my only vice.

“You could say I was,” he replied with a smile. “I shall have to see what the future brings.”

I hoped he would be able find his happiness. I could tell he seemed a little lonely. “So you’ll try to woo her when you go back?”

Simeon cleared his throat and blinked rapidly. I didn’t know whether this conversation was welcome or not. “Let me put it this way… I have been working hard for her and will continue to do so. Hopefully I can eventually bring her around with my charm.”

I had to chuckle at that. “I’m sure you will.”

“Really?” he asked, a playful spark in his eyes.

I couldn’t imagine why he would be so doubtful of his capabilities. “Really.”

Simeon gave me a triumphant nod and popped another chip in his mouth. “How are you feeling about Daniel?”

I sighed, licking my greasy fingers. “Conflicted.”

“Why?”

I sank back in my chair. “A part of me is grateful I don’t have to go to court, but another part of me is guilty for feeling that way. In one sense, Daniel needs to be punished; in another, I would have never wished that to happen to him.”

“I don’t think his wife will see it that way.” I knew that, but it still didn’t help the guilt from overriding me.

“I know, and I can understand that. I guess it’s just my nature to feel that way.”

“I totally get how you feel, Cassie. You feel that way because you’re a good person. However, you have to remember that Daniel would have never thought twice about hurting you that day. He never thought twice when he did it to his wife.”

I knew I was being silly. At the end of the day, Daniel was an evil person. “I know. It’s just hard to know how to feel. I do feel the relief, but I know it’s for the wrong reasons. It makes me feel guilty.” I sank my head to my lap in disbelief. “I know I’m being silly.”

Simeon grabbed my hand and made me look at his cheery face. “You could never be silly, Cassie. You’re just being human.”

I had to laugh at that word. Maybe I was more human than I thought.





Chapter 19



The next day, I woke up feeling rather good about myself. I had Mr. Wigglesby in my arms, and I never once let him go.

However, I did have that dream again during the night, but Stephen came to me. He sat with me by the door and held my hand, whispering the sweetest words a girl could ever hear. Somehow, the door seemed insignificant when he was around. Stephen must know how important me opening that door was, but his patience gave him the strength to hold my hand and comfort me when I needed it. It would be so easy for him to take my hand, shake it, and tell me to hurry up. Just remember already! But he never did. He had never once pleaded with me to remember. It was always just this female voice inside my head. My voice, but not my voice. Always there in the back of my mind. Always teasing me, giving me little hints, but never vital clues.

As much as this all frustrated the hell out of me, I was determined not to back down. Not if it meant I could be with Stephen again. I was alone in this. I knew that much. There was no one to guide me or take on a little of my burden. It was okay, though. I was fine with that. I just had to find my strength and keep going. Keep fighting to win back the other half of me that was missing. The other half I couldn’t possibly live without.