Noah (Angel Institute #7)

Chapter 5

Five

WILL

I crouch behind a snow-laden pine tree, my eyes fixed on the trailhead where Noah and Paige are talking. I’m so proud of him for asking her out that I could burst. Paige is exactly what he needs in his life. She’s fun and bright, and she talks enough for both of them that she doesn’t notice he’s so quiet. Her blonde hair peeks out from under a knitted hat, her cheeks already rosy from the cold.

The forest is gorgeous, with branches heavy with snow and icicles glittering like diamonds in the early morning sunlight. I’ll give Noah another point for picking a beautiful spot to take a beautiful woman. I thought I was dealing with an amateur here, a guy who was content to stay cooped up in his trailer, but I was wrong. He knows what he’s doing with those snow shoes, too—this isn’t his first time. He looks strong and sturdy, and if he doesn’t notice Paige batting her eyelashes at him, he’s a fool.

My guy isn’t a fool, though. He’s noticing, and he’s enjoying the female attention.

Atta boy!

Why am I even here? He’s taken five steps forward while I was wallowing in the Celestial Gardens. Pft ! He doesn’t need me. I’m just going to hang back here and make sure they don’t get into any trouble. One unseen angel coming up.

Henry will be so proud of me.

The snow crunches beneath my feet as I shift my weight, careful not to make too much noise. The scent of pine and crisp, cold air fills my nostrils.

Noah digs through his backpack. “I think I have everything we might need. Are you ready?”

Paige beams at him, seemingly oblivious to his awkwardness. “Of course. I wouldn’t miss this for the world. It’s such a beautiful day for snowshoeing, isn’t it? I can’t wait to try these out.” She points down at her snowshoes. “I ordered them last week, and they showed up on time.”

Noah nods, looking everywhere but directly at Paige. “Yeah, they’re... nice. Have you ever been snowshoeing before?”

“Not since I was…” Paige scrunches up her nose, “five,” she admits, her enthusiasm undimmed. “But I figure if I can navigate the streets of Tokyo during rush hour, I can handle a pair of oversized tennis rackets strapped to my feet. How hard can it be, right?”

Noah chuckles, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. “Well, I promise to catch you if you fall.”

“My hero,” Paige says with a playful wink, and I swear I can see Noah’s cheeks turn an even deeper shade of red.

I resist the urge to facepalm. Okay, so he’s either out of practice, or he’s so shy he’s going to burrow into the snow. What he needs is a wingman. I huff—because I don’t have my wings! I know it’s an expression, but this would be a lot easier if I could fly over to him and tell him what to say. Compliment her , I want to tell him. Talk about yourself a little . Sheesh, would it kill him to throw me a bone here?

Thankfully, Paige doesn’t seem to notice that Noah is awkward—or if she does, she doesn’t mind. She launches into a steady stream of chatter.

“I’m so excited to explore these trails,” she says. “I’ve been reading up on the local wildlife. Did you know that there are over 200 species of birds in these hills? And that’s just in the winter. Oh, and I brought my camera. I hope you don’t mind if we stop for some photos along the way. The light here is just amazing...”

As they set off down the trail, Noah looks a bit shell-shocked by Paige’s exuberance. I trail behind them, careful to stay out of sight. The sound of their snowshoes crunching through the fresh powder fills the air and blocks out my own footsteps. Time for this guardian angel to work some magic.

I close my eyes, reaching out with my senses to the forest around us. I can feel the presence of every living creature, from the tiniest dormant insect to the largest predator. It’s a symphony of life, muted by the blanket of winter but still humming. Focusing my energy, I send out a gentle call, inviting the friendlier animals to cross their path.

It doesn’t take long for the first encounter. A majestic white-tailed deer steps out from behind a cluster of bare trees, its coat a soft gray that blends perfectly with the winter landscape. Paige gasps in delight, fumbling for her camera.

“Noah, look,” she whispers excitedly, her words forming little clouds in the cold air. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

Noah nods, a genuine smile spreading across his face. “Yeah, it really is. See how its coat has turned grayish? That’s their winter camouflage.”

Paige turns and gives him a smile that says she’s happy he shared that piece of trivia. “I’ve always loved deer. They’re majestic.”

The deer regards them calmly for a moment before bounding away into the forest, its movements graceful despite the deep snow. Paige turns to Noah, her eyes shining. “That was amazing. I’ve never been so close to a deer before. Do you think we’ll see more animals?”

“If we’re quiet and keep our eyes open, we might,” Noah says, sounding more confident now that he’s on familiar ground. “This area is full of wildlife, even in winter.”

As they continue along the trail, their snowshoes leaving a clear path behind them, I orchestrate more encounters. A pair of cardinals flit from tree to tree, their bright red feathers a stark contrast against the white snow. Paige’s camera clicks rapidly as she tries to capture their vibrant beauty.

“Oh, they’re gorgeous,” she exclaims. “Like little flames against the snow.”

Noah nods, pointing to a nearby tree. “See that hole in the trunk? That’s probably their nest. Cardinals often stay in the area year-round, unlike some birds that migrate south for the winter.”

“Really?” Paige asks, genuinely interested. “What other birds stick around?”

As Noah begins to list off various species, I can’t help but smile. He’s opening up and sharing his knowledge, and Paige is hanging on every word. This is exactly what I was hoping for.

Their conversation is interrupted by a flash of red darting across the path. A fox pauses to look back at them curiously before disappearing into the underbrush, its bushy tail the last thing to vanish from sight.

“Oh my gosh,” Paige breathes, her eyes wide. “Was that a fox? I’ve never seen one in the wild before.”

Noah nods, grinning at her excitement. “They’re pretty common around here, but usually more active at dawn and dusk. We’re lucky he came out.”

As they continue their trek, the conversation flows more easily between them. Noah points out animal tracks in the snow, explaining the differences between deer, rabbit, and fox prints. Paige listens intently, asking questions. She even asks him if he’s drawn the animals, and he takes the bait and starts talking about what he likes to draw.

The trail begins to climb, the incline making their progress slower and making talking harder. I can see Noah keeping a careful eye on Paige, ready to offer a steadying hand if she loses her balance. I hope she does. It would be perfect if he could catch her in his arms.

Listen to me; I’m acting more like a cupid than a guardian angel.

As they reach a clearing with a breathtaking view of the snow-covered valley below, Noah suggests they take a break. They find a fallen log cleared of snow and sit down, and he pulls out water bottles and snacks from his backpack.

Noah takes a long drink of water before asking. “If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be?”

Paige’s face lights up at the question, her breath forming little clouds in the air as she speaks. “Oh, that’s a tough one. There are so many amazing places in the world. But if I had to choose… for one year? I think I’d say New Zealand.”

“New Zealand?” Noah echoes, sounding intrigued. “Why there?”

“Well, it’s got this incredible mix of landscapes,” Paige explains, her hands moving animatedly as she talks, nearly knocking over her water bottle in the process. “You’ve got mountains, beaches, forests, all within a relatively small area. And the culture there is so interesting—this blend of Maori and European influences. Plus, I’ve always wanted to visit Hobbiton.”

Noah’s jaw drops. “A Lord of the Rings fan, huh?”

“Guilty as charged,” Paige admits with a grin. “What about you? Where would you choose?”

Noah is quiet for a moment, considering. His gaze drifts out over the snow-covered landscape, a faraway look in his eyes. “I think... maybe Italy. Florence, specifically.”

“Really?” Paige leans in, clearly interested. “I wouldn’t have pegged you for a city person.”

“It’s not so much about the city,” Noah says slowly, his words measured as if he’s carefully considering each one—discovering them even as he’s putting them to voice. “It’s more about the art. The museums there... the Uffizi Gallery, the Accademia... they house some of the greatest masterpieces in the world. I’ve always wanted to see them in person.”

I perk up at this. The wistful tone in his voice speaks volumes about the dreams he’s tucked away.

Paige seems equally surprised and delighted. She scoots closer on the log. “Why didn’t you take the art scholarship?” Paige asks gently, her voice soft and encouraging.

There’s a long pause, and I hold my breath, willing Noah to open up. The only sound is the soft whisper of wind through the bare branches and the distant call of a bird.

“I guess... I guess I just decided it wasn’t practical,” Noah finally says, his voice barely above a whisper. “Art doesn’t pay the bills, you know?”

Paige nods thoughtfully, her expression compassionate. “I can understand that. Does it make you happy, though?”

Noah looks up, meeting Paige’s eyes. For a moment, I see a flicker of the passionate, artistic soul that’s been hiding behind his practical exterior. “Yeah,” he says softly. “Yeah, it did—does.”

The moment stretches between them. I feel a surge of hope. Maybe Noah didn’t need my flashback after all. If I’d been patient enough for Paige to show up, I could have avoided that whole debacle.

Their moment is interrupted by a soft chittering sound. They both look up to see a pair of playful river otters sliding down a nearby snow bank, their sleek bodies perfectly adapted to the wintery conditions. Paige laughs in delight, the sound echoing through the quiet forest.

“Oh, they’re adorable,” she exclaims, reaching for her camera again. “I didn’t know otters were active in the winter.”

Noah nods, his earlier melancholy seemingly forgotten in the face of Paige’s joy.

As they watch the otters play, I feel a swell of pride. I’ve done well today. No broken rules, no traumatized assignments. Just a little animal entertainment here and there to help things along.

When Noah and Paige finally stand to continue their journey, there’s a noticeable shift in their dynamic. I do a fist pump. They're walking closer together, their conversation flowing more easily. Noah even reaches out to steady Paige when she stumbles on a hidden root, his hand lingering on her arm.

As I move to follow them, careful to keep my distance, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m witnessing the beginning of something special. The way Noah’s eyes light up when he talks about art, the way Paige listens with genuine interest—it’s more than just a spark of attraction. It’s a meeting of kindred spirits.

I lean against a tree, watching as they disappear around a bend in the trail, their laughter drifting back to me on the winter breeze.

With a smile, I push off from the tree and follow the trail of their snowshoe prints, eager to see what happens next. After all, in matters of the heart—and in the journey of rediscovering oneself—sometimes the most magical moments are the ones you don’t plan for. I’m practically writing my dissertation as I go. This is too easy. With an assignment like Noah, I’m a shoo-in for my wings. I can’t wait to tell Henry.

I’m contemplating jetting back to the Celestial Garden when I hear Paige call out.

I hurry to catch up—a sense of something brewing that I’m pretty sure I’m not going to like.