Page 29 of Evan

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.

Sixteen

EVAN

Snowflakes fall in a slow flurry as I step out of my truck, the gravel under the snow crunching beneath my boots. The sun, a pale disk in the winter sky, casts long shadows across the town park. I take a deep breath, inhaling the scent of pine and cinnamon that seems to permeate everything in Benton Falls during the holiday season.

As I adjust my scarf, smoothing down the soft wool, I catch sight of Molly's car pulling into the parking lot. My heart does a little Christmas Polka dance as she parks and helps Chad out of the backseat.

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