Page 56 of When the Angel Falls First

“But what? Don’t think I don’t know what you are,cupid.”

I held up both hands in a placating gesture. “I wouldn’t dream of underestimating you, or your magic, which is why I’m here. If you’re willing to see him, he’s just walked in the front door. The ‘but’ was about you and what I might be able to do for you in exchange for helping Mr. Anderson.”

She scoffed, turning to straighten the long cotton-tipped swabs in a glass jar on the counter, her aura turning scarlet. I still had to convince her.

“Dr. Elwyn… Angie, I know you’re aware that certain angels have extra powers. But are you aware that cupids can do more than just make people fall in love?”

She froze, hand on top of the swabs, the little sterile pouches crinkling under the weight of her hand.

I could tell exactly what she wanted. “Your case is advanced, but I’m able to regenerate nearly any reproductive tract organ and restore fertility. If you would want that, of course. I would never overstep in that way if you didn’t?—”

She spun, both hope and terror in her eyes. “I do. I want you to do whatever it is you do and fix me. Please. I’ll take care of your friend’s allergies if you can help me.”

I nodded. “I would do this for you, even if you couldn’t help him. Just so you’re aware, this isn’t a quid-pro-quo situation.” She nodded rapidly, not at all concerned with what I was offering her, or asking for her help with. “You may feel some discomfort, and you should probably lie down. I’ll do my best to make it quick, but as I said, your case is severe, and regrowth?—”

She grabbed my hand, shocking me into silence, the feel of her witch’s magic brushing against my power was unusual. It had an earthy quality, almost like brushing my hand through tall, downy grass.

“It’s worth the pain. Do what you need to,” she said resolutely as she lay down on the procedure table.

I nodded and closed my eyes. My hands hovered over her abdomen, and she didn’t make a single noise as I worked. Sweat beaded on my forehead, nothing moving but the hands on the wall clock. Once I was finished, I sagged back against the wall.

“Is it done? Did it work?” Her voice was hoarse, and she didn’t move from the table.

“It’s done.”

“How long until…?”

“You’ll be experiencing a greater than average surge of fertility for the next twelve or so days as a result of the lingering divinity in your body. After that, your normal cycles will resume, and your chances of conception will be the same as any other healthy female your age.”

It wasn’t hope that lit her features now, but determination. “Twelve days. I can work with that.”

She strode to the door, giving no sign that she was fatiguedor in lingering pain from the intensive work I’d just done on her. She propped it open and called down the hall to her receptionist. “Bring back Mr. Anderson, please, Tiffy!” She turned back to me, where I was still sagging against her wallpaper, drained after the effort it took to help her. “You’d better skedaddle. I’ve got a lot to do with this man and not much time to do it in.”

I stepped into the hallway, trying not to grin as I walked toward the exit. I pulled my hat down low over my face as I walked past Josie’s landlord, not wanting to color his impression of the place by seeing me and connecting it with his troubles.

I slowed down, shamelessly eavesdropping as Dr. Elwyn greeted him.

“Mr. Anderson,” she purred. “It’s lovely to meet you. I see here that you’ve got a severe cat allergy. You’re in luck. I’ve got a new allergy medicine which alleviates symptoms in as little as seven days.”

And then began the fireworks.

Knew it.

As I suspected, attraction flared between the two of them, kindled by mutual hope as well as compatibility.

It wasn’t easy finding an allergist in Seattle who augmented her Western medicine with magic. But it was even harder finding a single one who was compatible with the very persnickety Mr. Anderson.

But what was the point of being a cupid—even a fallen one—if I couldn’t bring together two lonely people, each of them needing something from the other? It was some of my best work, and if I wasn’t mistaken, within a matter of days, those two lonely hearts would be singing a whole different tune.

Now, I just had to tell Josie that I’d solved her cat problemand try to help her deal with the tax situation. But I was holding out hope that she’d reconnect with Fred. I could already tell it would be good for both of them, as long as they were ready to set their egos aside. He could help her far more than I ever could.

Unfortunately, cupids didn’t hold any sway with the IRS.

TWENTY-THREE

Josie

To callFred or not to call Fred, that was the question.

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