A trusting young widow and two small children would ordinarily be no match for streetwise cheats, but Ember has invisible help. A pair of guardian angels watch over  the Idaho farm. With their divine intervention, even fiendishly clever plans are likely to go awry…in comical and heartwarming ways.
 
 
 
 

Excerpt
"The dead fellow's soul has already been designated to return to earth. We feel—that is to say, His Glory is certain that Echo will come away from New York and continue her education if we promptly recycle the mortal essence in this particular case."

"Of course," Bliss replied. So they were giving the contrary spirit her way.

"It's assigned to an unborn child in a place called Silver City," Peter went on. "That's a mining outpost in the United States. Idaho, to be precise."
Before Bliss could respond, one of the Seraphim approached with Echo in tow.

"Echo, meet your new mentor, Dominion Bliss. The pair of you are charged with a special mission. You're to serve as sentinels to some pioneers—humans engaged in what is known as 'frontier expansion.' We expect a glorious victory this time. I'll have your sworn pledge that we can rely upon you to follow Bliss' instructions to the letter. No alternative suggestions, no disagreements. Your vow, Echo?"

Echo bowed deeply. She touched her brow to the clouds roiling along the hem of the Seraphim's robe, then straightened and nodded toward Bliss.
He offered a wave of his right hand and they took off, wheeling downward via a channel of cool air that nestled around the jutting shoulders of Idaho's mountain peaks.

St. Peter theorized that for the next while he'd endure no more pleas for a hamster or some mongrel to be admitted through the Pearly Gates. He'd relented every time; the cloudbanks fairly slithered with all manner of small beasts and insects. Admissions of lower animals would cease for however long Echo could be kept occupied in Silver City…which, from what the saint had glimpsed, seemed a town in need of pious influences.

The Seraphim smiled, but looked pensive. "Our Lord tolerates much from dear Echo, because He cannot bear to reprimand a spirit so devoted to His children. She truly acts primarily in defense of or to benefit mankind."

Peter nodded.

"However, I detect that Dominion Bliss suspects her failures stem from being too moved by mortal weakness. He suspects she is still too human, that she has brought resonating vibrations of the earthbound coil here."
Peter wisely said nothing, but pretended to straighten another stack of ledgers.

The angelic spirit continued, his smile growing wider. "Bliss has never ventured amongst humans before." There was a meaningful pause. "Sometimes a tutor learns much from his pupil."

Peter's calm demeanor faltered. "But Bliss will not weaken in his resolve to do his holy duty. I believe we will see great improvement in Echo."

"She does appear eager to please," the Seraphim allowed.

"Indeed! She swore that if granted this boon—if our Lord God allowed the late father's soul to be reunited with his grieving kin—she wouldn't circulate any more petitions. I recorded her oath this very sunrise. Er, in one of these volumes." St. Peter began leafing through the book's pages.

"We are aware. However, watch closely." Waving his arm, the Seraphim replayed images on an arcing sunbow. Peter saw himself, quill scratching across a parchment page, faithfully recording his exchange with minor guardian angel, Echo. In return for the boon she'd requested for the family of Archibald Musgrave, she would obey Dominion Bliss without question and nevermore petition the Nine Orders with suggested changes to God's law.

Peter watched Echo nod in assent, happy tears gleaming in her soft eyes. She bowed and looked properly chastised. Abjectly repentant, she leaned forward to softly kiss Peter's sandal. A sober, penitent angel indeed.

But now Peter discovered something else. Echo's wings had been tucked behind her back, with their tips crossed and purposely hidden by a fold of her satin robes.