Evan (Angel Institute #6)

Chapter 15

Fifteen

BETTY

A ppearing on the outskirts of Evan Lawson's Christmas tree farm, I make my way towards the rustic barn that serves as the centerpiece of the property, and can’t stop from smiling at the sight of families milling about, their laughter and excited chatter filling the air. Children dash between the rows of evergreens, playing hide and seek among the fragrant branches, while parents debate the merits of Douglas firs versus blue spruces. It's a scene of pure holiday joy, and my heart is full of Christmas spirit.

I spot Evan near the barn, his tall frame easy to pick out as he helps a young couple secure a tree to the roof of their car.

As I approach, I overhear the tail end of his conversation with the couple.

"...and remember, keep it watered. A thirsty tree is a fire hazard," Evan says, his deep voice carrying a note of genuine concern.

The young woman smiles up at him. "We will. Thank you so much for all your help. This is going to be the perfect Christmas tree for our first holiday as a married couple."

Evan’s face features a warm smile. "I'm glad I could help. Merry Christmas to you both."

As the couple drives away, I make my way over to him. "That was a lovely thing you did," I say, my voice carrying the slight quaver I've learned to associate with my earthly form. "Helping that young couple start their Christmas traditions."

Evan turns to me, his blue eyes warming as he recognizes me. "Oh, hey Betty. Just doing my job, that's all."

I shake my head, allowing a knowing smile to play across my lips. "It's more than that, and you know it. You have a gift for making people feel welcome here, for helping them create memories. That's something special."

“Maybe so.” He grins and I’m so happy to see how far he’s come since Molly and Chad came into his life.

As we turn back towards the barn, I notice a shift in the air. The wind has picked up, carrying with it the distinct scent of impending snow. I close my eyes for a moment, tapping into my angelic senses, and I'm hit with a wave of foreboding. A storm is coming, fiercer than anything Benton Falls has seen in years.

I'm about to warn Evan when I hear a familiar voice call out across the farm. "Evan."

We both turn to see Molly making her way towards us, her chestnut hair whipping about her face in the strengthening wind. Even from a distance, I can see the worry lines creasing her forehead, and I feel a surge of protectiveness towards this woman who has unknowingly become so central to my mission.

Evan straightens beside me, his entire demeanor changing at the sight of Molly. It's like watching a flower turn towards the sun, and I have to stifle a smile at the obviousness of his feelings.

"Molly," he says as she reaches us, his voice warm with affection. "Is everything okay?"

She tucks a wayward strand of hair behind her ear, her hazel eyes flickering between Evan and me. "I just saw there’s a big storm coming. I better get Chad home.”

“Of course,” Evan is already nodding as he pulls his phone from his pocket. “Yep, looks like a big one is headed our way. Let me send some extra firewood with you, just in case."

As Evan hurries off towards the woodpile, I turn to Molly with a gentle smile. "It will all be okay," I tell her.

Molly's shoulders relax slightly at my words. "I hope so. I just... I worry, you know?”

I reach out and squeeze her hand, channeling a bit of heavenly comfort through the touch. “That’s what mothers do best.”

She smiles, but her eyes are filled with uncertainty as Evan returns, his arms laden with firewood. "Here we go," he says, slightly out of breath. "This should keep you warm for a good long while."

As he loads the wood into the trunk of Molly's car, I notice the way their hands brush, the lingering glances they share. The love blooming between them is almost palpable, a warm glow that seems to push back against the gathering darkness of the approaching storm.

"Thank you, Evan," Molly says as he closes her trunk. "I don't know what we'd do without you."

Evan's cheeks redden slightly, and he shoves his hands in his pockets. "It's nothing, really. Just... just be safe, okay? This storm looks like it might be a bad one."

Molly nods, her eyes locking with his for a moment longer than necessary. "We will. You too, Evan. Take care of yourself."

As we watch Molly drive away, I can feel the shift in Evan's energy. The restlessness that had that once plagued him has been replaced by a fierce protectiveness. He may not realize it yet, but Molly and Chad have already become his world.

The wind howls around us, and I shiver, not entirely for show. "We should start battening down the hatches," I say, eyeing the darkening sky. "This storm isn't going to pull any punches."

Evan nods, his jaw set with determination. "You're right. Betty, you should go home before it starts.”

“I’m an old farm girl at heart. I’m happy to stick around and help. Let's get everyone off the farm and make sure everything's secure."

“Are you sure?” Evan wants to talk me out of it. I’m sure he’s thinking I’m more of a liability than anything else.

“I’m sure. Now let’s go.”

As we hurry to close up shop and ensure the safety of the last few customers, I can't shake the feeling that this storm is more than just a weather event. It's an opportunity—a catalyst for change in Evan's life. And as his guardian angel in training, it's my job to make sure he weathers it in more ways than one.

The next few hours pass in a flurry of activity. Evan and I work side by side, securing loose items, checking on the animals in the barn, and making sure all the farm equipment is safely stored away. As the last customer drives off, the first fat snowflakes begin to fall, quickly blanketing the ground in white.

I watch as Evan stands on the porch of his log cabin, his eyes scanning the horizon with a mix of awe and concern. The wind whips around us, carrying with it the promise of a long, cold night ahead.

"I've never seen a storm move in this fast," he mutters, more to himself than to me. "Glad we sent Paul and Seth home when Molly and Chad left. I hope everyone made it home safely."

I can sense the worry radiating off him in waves, and I know exactly where his thoughts are headed. Sure enough, he turns to me, his blue eyes dark with concern. He pulls his phone from his pocket, glances at the screen, and shakes it in frustration.

"Betty, I hate to ask, but would you mind holding down the fort here for a bit? I just... I need to check on Molly and Chad. Make sure they're okay."

I nod, trying to hide my smile. This is exactly the kind of selfless action I've been hoping to see from Evan. "Of course, dear. Don't you worry about a thing here. Go make sure they're safe."

He gives me a grateful smile before dashing inside to grab his keys. As I watch him drive off, his truck disappearing into the swirling snow, I close my eyes and focus my angelic senses. I can feel the storm's fury building, the raw power of nature unleashed. It's both terrifying and exhilarating.

I know I should stay put, play my role as the helpful volunteer, but something tugs at my heart. A whisper of divine intuition tells me that Evan might need more than just his own determination to make it safely to Molly's house.

Quickly, I pull the Miracle Card from my pocket and request invisibility, something only full guardian angels are allowed, as I transport myself to the cab of Evan’s truck.

The journey is treacherous. The snow falls so thickly that it's almost impossible to see more than a few feet ahead. More than once, I have to use my angelic abilities to subtly guide Evan's truck away from hidden patches of ice or fallen branches.

As we near Molly's neighborhood, I can sense Evan's rising panic. The streets are nearly impassable; the snow piling up faster than the plows can clear it. But his determination never wavers. If anything, the challenging conditions seem to strengthen his resolve.

Finally, we turn onto Molly's street. Her house is dark, the power clearly out. Evan's truck skids to a stop in front of the driveway, and he's out the door before the engine has even fully quieted, plowing through knee-deep snow towards the front porch.

I appear on the sidewalk, just in time to see Molly throw open the door, a flashlight in her hand and relief written all over her face.

"Evan!" she calls out, her voice barely audible over the howling wind. "What are you doing here?"

He reaches the porch, covered in snow, but grinning like a man who's just won the lottery. "I had to make sure you and Chad were okay. The storm... it's worse than they predicted."

Molly's eyes shine with unshed tears as she ushers him inside. "You drove all the way out here in this? Evan, you could have been hurt!"

As the door closes behind them, shutting out the storm, I’m filled with joy. This is love, pure and simple. The kind of love that braves storms and defies logic. The kind of love that changes lives.

I close my eyes, sending up a silent prayer of thanks. My job isn't done yet—far from it. But in this moment, watching Evan choose to put Molly and Chad's safety above his own comfort, I know we're on the right track.

The storm rages on around me, but I barely feel the cold. Instead, I'm filled with a sense of purpose and hope. Because inside that darkened house, illuminated only by flashlights and the warm glow of a fireplace, something beautiful is happening. A family is coming together, finding strength and comfort in each other's presence.

And isn't that, after all, what Christmas is truly about?

* * *

I leave Evan and Molly to carry out my duties at the farm. As I return to the barn, I can sense the anxiety of the animals—the horses stamping nervously in their stalls, the barn cats huddled together in the hayloft, and their worried voices in my head. Using my angelic abilities, I send out waves of calming energy, soothing their fears. It's a small thing, perhaps, in the grand scheme of things, but it feels important. These creatures are under Evan's care, and by extension, under mine.

As I move through the barn, checking on each animal and securing any loose items that might pose a danger, I reflect on Evan's journey. When I first began watching over him, he was a man adrift, tied to this farm more out of duty than love. But in the weeks since Molly and Chad entered his life, I've seen a change in him. A softening, a rediscovery of joy in the simple things.

A strong gust of wind rattles the barn doors, and I hurry to secure them more tightly. As I do, I glimpse the farmhouse through the swirling snow. The windows are dark, the power clearly out here as well. Closing my eyes, I focus my energy on the farmhouse. I can't restore the power—that's beyond my abilities as a trainee—but I can create a bubble of warmth, a pocket of safety in the midst of the storm.

It's a subtle thing, something Evan might not even consciously notice, but it will be there when he returns, a silent comfort in the darkness.

As I complete this task, I feel a familiar presence materialize beside me. I turn to see Henry, my mentor, his kind eyes twinkling with approval.

"Well done, Betty," he says, his voice carrying the warmth of a summer breeze even amid this winter storm. "You're learning to use your abilities with great discretion."

I feel a flush of pride at his words, followed quickly by a twinge of uncertainty. "I hope I'm not overstepping," I confess. "It's so tempting sometimes to just... fix everything for him."

Henry nods, his expression understanding. "That's the greatest challenge we face as guardians," he says. "Knowing when to act and when to step back. But you're finding the balance admirably."

He gestures towards the farmhouse, barely visible through the falling snow. "Your actions tonight—guiding Evan safely to Molly's house, calming the animals here, creating that pocket of warmth in the house—they're all perfect examples of how we can influence without interfering. You're giving Evan the tools he needs to grow to realize his own potential."

His words fill me with a warmth that rivals any earthly fire. "Thank you, Henry. I just hope it's enough. Evan's come so far, but he still struggles with fully embracing this life, this farm."

Henry's eyes twinkle with a knowing light. "Ah, but that's where tonight comes in. Sometimes, it takes a storm to help us appreciate the shelter we have."

I ponder his words, sensing the deeper meaning behind them. "You think this blizzard will help Evan see the value of what he has here?"

"I think," Henry says carefully, "that being there for Molly and Chad in their time of need will show Evan a side of himself he's been hesitant to embrace. The protector, the provider, the man who finds joy in caring for others."

I nod, understanding dawning. "And in doing so, he might realize that the very things he's been yearning for—purpose, connection, love—have been here all along."

"Precisely," Henry beams at me. "You're catching on quickly, Betty. Now, let's see how our young friend is faring, shall we?"

With a wave of his hand, Henry creates a shimmering window in the air before us. Through it, we can see into Molly's living room. The scene that unfolds warms my heart more than any angelic power ever could.

Evan is kneeling before the fireplace, carefully building up a fire. The warm glow illuminates his face, highlighting the concentration in his eyes and the gentle set of his mouth. Molly sits nearby, wrapped in a blanket, watching him with a mixture of gratitude and something deeper, something she might not even recognize yet as love.

Chad bounces into view, his arms full of board games. "Can we play Monopoly, Mom? Please?" His excited voice carries through the ethereal window, bringing a smile to my face.

Molly laughs, the sound like music in the storm-muffled room. "I don't know, honey. It's getting pretty late..."

"Aw, come on," Evan chimes in, turning from the now-crackling fire with a boyish grin. "What's a power outage for if not staying up late and playing board games?"

The joy on Chad's face at Evan's support is palpable, and I watch as Molly's resolve melts away. "Alright, alright," she concedes with a mock sigh. "But just one game."

As they set up the board, I watch the easy way they move around each other, the casual touches, the shared smiles. They look, for all the world, like a family. And judging by the contentment radiating from Evan, I think he's starting to see it, too.

"You see?" Henry's voice breaks into my reverie. "This is what Evan needed. Not a grand adventure or a life-changing revelation, but this: a quiet evening, a chance to be there for the people he cares about, to see himself as an essential part of their lives."

I nod, unable to tear my eyes away from the scene. "It's beautiful," I murmur. "I've never seen him so... at peace."

Henry lays a gentle hand on my shoulder. "That, my dear, is the magic of love and gratitude. When we open our hearts to others, when we learn to appreciate the blessings we have, we find a contentment that no worldly adventure could ever provide."

As we watch, Evan rolls the dice, moving his piece around the board. He lands on one of Molly's properties, and she gleefully demands payment, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Evan groans dramatically, handing over the colorful money with an exaggerated pout that sends Chad into fits of giggles.

It's such a simple moment, but it's filled with more joy, more genuine connection, than I've seen from Evan in all the weeks I've been watching over him. In this candlelit room, with the storm raging outside, he's found a peace that had eluded him on even the calmest days.

"You've done well, Betty," Henry says. "Your guidance, your subtle nudges, they've helped lead Evan to this moment. But remember, the journey isn't over. There will be more moments when Evan will need to choose gratitude over restlessness, love over fear."

I nod, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on my shoulders once more. But it's a welcome weight, a reminder of the important work we do. "I'm ready," I tell Henry, my voice filled with determination. "Whatever comes next, I'll be there to guide him."

Henry smiles, his form already fading as he prepares to return to the celestial realm. "I know you will, Betty. You're going to make an excellent guardian angel."

As Henry disappears, I turn my attention back to the shimmering window. The Monopoly game is in full swing now, with Chad gleefully building houses on his properties and Molly and Evan engaged in some good-natured haggling over a trade.

I watch as Evan leans back, surveying the scene before him. There's a softness in his eyes, a quiet wonder, as if he's seeing everything - the room, the game, Molly and Chad - in a new light. In that moment, I can almost hear his thoughts, can feel the realization dawning in his heart: This is what he's been searching for—this sense of belonging, of being needed and wanted, of having a place in the world that's uniquely his.

The storm continues to rage outside, but within the warm circle of firelight, a different kind of magic is at work. It's the magic of family, of love freely given and gratefully received. And as I watch, I know that this night will be a turning point for Evan. A night when the blessings he's always had finally come into focus, shining brighter than any far-off dream ever could.

I allow the window to fade, the image of the happy trio lingering in my mind. There's more work to be done, more guidance to be given, but for now, I'm content to celebrate the moment.