Gabriel smiled, pleased with himself. This request would be a simple matter and would quickly appease the novice prayer ambassador. The sooner Goodness was back where she belonged, the better for all concerned.

As it happened, Hannah was close to becoming engaged to Carl Rabinsky, the rabbi's son. Carl was a fine, upstanding young man with a bright future.

Hannah's family was delighted that their daughter had chosen such an outstanding marriage candidate. A professional matchmaker couldn't have come up with a better choice. Goodness would soon recognize how advantageous such a marriage would be for Hannah. Naturally the prayer ambassador would accept full credit for the match, which was fine with Gabriel as long as she left well enough alone.

By his best estimate, Gabriel would have Goodness out of harm's way within a day or two. Heaven knew he wouldn't rest until all three were back where they belonged. There was no telling the trouble they could rouse in the Big Apple. Gabriel cringed involuntarily at the thought of Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy loose on the unsuspecting souls of New York City.

They did try. He'd give them that much. The three angels were dear hearts, but frankly they were trouble with a capital T. There was no end to the mischief they managed to muster each Christmas. The season was hectic enough without having to deal with those three.

"When can I see Hannah?" Goodness asked eagerly.

"When are you going to tell me more about Jenny Lancaster?" Mercy asked, crowding her way between him and Goodness. The smallest of the three juggled her elbows until she'd jockeyed herself into position. "I'm looking forward to meeting Jenny."

"It's my turn," Goodness reminded her friend sternly.

"Be patient," Gabriel advised the two. At times he felt like a referee at a hockey match. "Goodness, let me take you down to meet Hannah."

"I want to come," Mercy insisted.

"Me, too." Shirley was determined not to be left behind.

Gabriel hadn't planned on making an expedition out of this. He'd thought it would be a simple matter to point out Hannah to Goodness, then introduce her to Carl. They'd be back before either of Goodness's friends had time to miss her. He was about to reassure Mercy and Shirley of this when he noticed that the three had looped their arms together. They stood before him with a determination that would have shook Moses before that unfortunate incident on Mt. Sinai.

"All right, all right," he grumbled under his breath. These particular prayer ambassadors had a way about them that foiled him at every turn. Only this year, he was simplifying matters. Their assignments were all straightforward requests that would bring them back to heaven in record time. Nothing complicated. Nothing involved. Assignments each one should be able to arrange in record time. This Christmas, Gabriel promised himself, wouldn't be like the past two.

Stepping away from the others, the archangel raised his massive arms and with one sure movement parted the massive clouds of heaven. A thin layer of mist remained, and gradually he was able to make out the earth below. Soon the four of them narrowed in on the big city. Skyscrapers punctured the sky. The top floors of the twin towers of the World Trade Center came clearly into focus. Then he viewed the landmark Brooklyn Bridge, followed by Times Square.

"This is New York City?" Goodness breathed in awe.

"My heavens, what's that?" Mercy asked, pointing to the street below.

Gabriel grinned. His timing couldn't have been better. They'd arrived in time to witness Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. A giant balloon replica of a popular comic-strip dog floated far above the street, steered by several silly-looking adults dressed in elf costumes.

"It looks like some kind of parade," Shirley answered before he had a chance to explain.

A marching band, the trombone players with their instruments aiming skyward, blared a lively rendition of an easily recognizable Christmas ditty. A fierce pounding of drums added to the excitement of the music.

"This is wonderful," Goodness said, and spread-eagled herself across the top of a blossom-laden float. Six men dressed as toy soldiers stood guard over an open treasure chest filled with a variety of brightly wrapped gifts in gold and silver paper.

"You wanted to meet Hannah," Gabriel reminded her, hiding a smile. Goodness's eyes were as round as a two-year-old child's.

"In a minute," Goodness told him. It was apparent she was more interested in watching the parade than in meeting her young charge.

With a stiff-kneed walk, one of the toy soldiers marched to the end of the float. A fairy princess appeared, with dainty wings strapped to her back, and scooped up handfuls of candy. Smiling, she tossed them into the cheering crowd.

"You call those wings?" Mercy asked on a disdainful note.

"We're here to meet Hannah Morganstern," Gabriel felt obligated to remind the three.

"I'm ready," Goodness announced, reluctantly tearing herself away from the dazzling scene.

"If we must," Mercy added with a decided lack of enthusiasm.

"Do you think Brynn Cassidy's here?" Shirley's gaze scanned the thick crowds that crammed the cement sidewalks. "What about the kids from the school? They'd come, wouldn't they?"

"We're supposed to meet Hannah, remember?" Gabriel reminded Shirley. He should have known it would be a mistake to bring the others. "There's Hannah now," he said in an effort to divert their attention. He motioned toward a group of parade watchers standing along Central Park West.

"Hannah's the petite woman with the blue angel scarf tied around her neck." Gabriel had a soft spot in his heart when it came to the gentle Jewish woman. She reminded him of Rebecca, the young woman God had chosen for Abraham's only son.

"She's lovely."

Gabriel agreed. "Hannah's the only child, born later in life to a devoted couple. Ruth Morganstern prayed faithfully for many years for a daughter."

"Leah Lundberg did the same," Mercy reminded Gabriel. "I don't understand why God makes some couples wait."

"It's not for us to question."

"I know," Mercy agreed, "His timing is always perfect."

"Getting back to Hannah," Gabriel tried again. "The Morgansterns have raised their daughter well. They couldn't be more proud of her, and rightly so. Hannah is well loved by many."

"Do you mind if Shirley and I entertain ourselves for a few moments?" Mercy asked, and her eyes twinkled with mischief. Gabriel noticed the angel was staring at the reader board above Times Square.

"You can go on without us," Shirley insisted.

"No way. Listen, you two. Shirley ... Mercy," Gabriel stuttered, wanting to stop them before they vanished. Unfortunately he was too late. He clenched his jaw and turned to Goodness.

"You don't have a thing to worry about," Goodness assured him. "They can take care of themselves."

That was what Gabriel was afraid of.

He was about to go after Mercy and Shirley himself when Goodness tugged at his sleeve. "Tell me what you know about Hannah Morganstern. You said her mother and grandmother are looking for Hannah to make a good marriage."

"Yes," he muttered. He would need his wits to make this assignment sound more difficult than it was.

"Well, if that's the case," Goodness muttered, her shoulders heaving with a deliberate sigh, "I certainly hope she isn't interested in the young man she's with. It's perfectly obvious they aren't the least bit suited."

Gabriel's attention went back to the street corner where he'd last seen Hannah.

"What's wrong with Carl Rabinsky?" he demanded.

"Just look."

"Carl, couldn't we please stay a bit longer?" Hannah asked. She pleaded with him with her eyes, hoping she could find a way to change his mind. Carl had agreed to attend the Thanksgiving Day parade with her, but they'd barely arrived and already he was anxious to leave. She knew he was having trouble with the headmaster at the Hebrew academy where he taught and had been preoccupied most of the day.

"Ten minutes more, then," Carl conceded indulgently. His gloved hand squeezed hers. "I'm sorry, but I told you earlier that this just isn't my thing."