Frankie braced herself against the sudden blast of cold air. It did not take long for the frigid wind to cut through her spencer. Though it was only late afternoon, the winter light was already waning. People trudged along the street, hats pulled down and mufflers wrapped around their faces, revealing only a thin slit for their eyes as they tried to stay warm in the blustery winter afternoon.

“You think he came out here?” asked Frankie, her breath showing in the cold.

“Might have.” Everett scanned the street and then became interested in the railing on one side of the stairs leading up to the doorway of the school. “Look, the railing on this side has snow the other does not.”

“I fear I fail to see the importance.”

“That is because you have never been a little boy who wanted to slide down the banister.” He went to the bottom of the railing in question and carefully examined the snow. Sure enough, there was a pile of snow at the bottom of the railing and then small footprints leading off towards the church next door.

Everett turned back to her with gleaming eyes. “Let's see if we can find our mischievous little angel.” Everett gallantly offered his arm and she took it, walking close to him, drawn to his warmth.

The church was of simple construction in the working class part of town, but as they entered the nave, Frankie was impressed by the soaring cathedral ceilings. The windows were of plain frosted panes, not the stained glass of more elaborate places of worship in the fashionable parts of town, but still the church held an air of peaceful reverence.

They walked down the aisle between the pews, their footsteps echoing off the stone floor in the large space. A few candles flickered on the altar and they walked slowly towards it, looking down each of the pews, searching for anything that might give them a clue as to the whereabouts of the missing child.

In the front of the sanctuary a few stone steps led to the chancel. The simple altar was covered with a long white tablecloth on which was a simple Christmas display of holly festooned with red ribbons, surrounding a large open Bible. A rough wooden manger filled with hay was placed before the table and one thick candle flickered next to the Bible.

Frankie had never been a little boy but she had been a younger sister and did know a thing or two about hiding. If she had wanted to disappear, the tablecloth draped over the altar would have been a good place.

“This candle reminds me of the Christmas star. I wonder if I make a wish upon this star if my Christmas wish would come true.” Frankie pointed at the altar and the slight movement of the tablecloth.

“Couldn’t hurt.” Everett gave her a knowing grin.

Frankie kneeled before the manger. “If I had one Christmas wish, I would wish to find a little boy bold enough to play an angel. He would have to be very brave and strong for we all know that angels are warriors, and fearsome ones at that.”

The tablecloth slowly raised and out peeked two eyes from underneath the altar. “Why do you say angels gotta be tough? I thought angels were fops.”

“Then you are dreadfully misinformed. The Bible says every time an angel appears people fell to the ground in fear. Can you imagine seeing a whole host of them in the sky, announcing the birth of the Christ child? It must have been terrifying! Those poor shepherds were likely shaking for weeks.”

“You think so?” asked Georgie, emerging a bit more from underneath the tablecloth.

“I know so. Angels not only served as messengers, they were great warriors and commanded the armies of God. In a nativity play, they only offer the role of angels to those who are the most impressive.”

“Truly?” A little boy with a crooked halo of wire and a dirt-smudged white gown crawled out from under the altar. He looked steadily at Frankie with two large brown eyes, as if weighing her words, judging whether she was being honest or just trying to get him to return to the school. Georgie turned to Everett, as if asking for a second opinion on the matter.

“She speaks the truth,” agreed Everett. “Here I’ll prove it.” He stepped to the Bible, flipped a few pages, and began to read. “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

Georgie stared at Everett with open mouth, clearly impressed.

“Are you interested in playing an angel in the pageant?” asked Frankie innocently.

“That's what they wanted me to do.”

“Then they must consider you the most fearsome of all the lads.”

The boy stood up tall and puffed out his chest a bit. “Maybe it's ‘cause I licked Joe Henderson last week. He's two years older than me.”

“I see,” said Frankie with a sideline glance to Everett. “As impressive as that is, angels do not go around engaging in fisticuffs with just anybody. No, they follow the word of the Lord.”

“So I can only drub up the bad guys?”

“Something like that. How about we get you back to the school now. They cannot possibly do the play without an angel.”

Georgie grabbed ahold of his bent halo and ran out of the church, his stamping feet echoing through the sanctuary.

Frankie took a deep breath, feeling a sense of contentment that she had not experienced in a long time. In this humble church she felt useful, like she had a place. Here she had value and was not just another young lady, searching unsuccessfully for a husband. I wish I could find a place where I belong and I can help others.

“Well done,” said Mr. Everett with an appreciative smile.

“I am glad I could be of help.”

“Indeed, Miss Frankie Devine, you continue to surprise me. Who would have thought you could talk a street urchin into being an angel? I am forced to reevaluate everything I thought I knew of society ladies.” He held out a hand to help her up.

Something about the familiarity of being called ‘Frankie’ by a man before her sent a shiver down her spine. She placed her hand in his, realizing that they had rushed out of the school so quickly, neither had put on gloves. The feel of his warm skin pressed against hers gave her another happy shiver.

His smile fell into a frown of concern. “But I’m a cad for dragging you out here in the cold without first getting your pelisse. Here, take this.” He quickly shrugged out of his jacket and draped it around her shoulders.

She was surprised to be suddenly engulfed in the warmth of his jacket, his scent still fresh on his clothes. “Dear sir, please do not inconvenience yourself on my account.” She attempted to return his clothing. It was unseemly to be standing next to a man wearing only shirtsleeves and a waistcoat.

“No inconvenience at all. I cannot stand here and watch you shiver. Let's get you back to the school.” He draped his coat over her shoulders once more and offered his arm. She took it hesitantly, unsure if she should be putting her hand on his linens. It felt rather intimate and strange.

She told herself not to be a silly goose and make more of the gesture than was warranted. They proceeded out of the church and were greeted with a blast of icy wind that made her grateful to be wrapped in his warm, wool coat. It did not take long for them to return back to the stairs of the school. As they reached the front door she handed him back his coat. He was just buttoning it back up when Grant opened the door.

“There you are Frankie. We have found our little miscreant.” He looked at Frankie, then Everett, and then back to Frankie again. “Seems I sent you on a fool's errand. Hope you were able to redress yourself.” He gave Everett a curious arch of his brow.

“We were looking for Georgie outside and Mr. Everett gallantly offered me his coat for a moment so I would not freeze,” said Frankie quickly, trying to smooth over the awkward encounter.

“Miss Devine was the one who found our missing cherub,” added Mr. Everett. “He was hiding under the altar of the church next door.”

“Of course he was,” said Grant in a distracted manner. “About time I returned you to our dear aunt. She’ll be wondering.”

“I am sorry I will not be able to finish helping you sort through those applications.” Frankie knew it was time to leave, but despite her initial dislike of the man, now she wished to stay longer to help Mr. Everett.

“Not finished? Why we can't have that,” declared Grant. “Must help. Bring you back down here tomorrow afternoon. That work for you Everett?”

“That will work fine.”

“And I suggest you get better accommodations than that drafty schoolroom. Something with a fire. Wouldn’t want anyone to catch cold,” added Grant, giving Everett a piercing glare.

“It will be done.”

Grant’s face brightened once more, and Frankie was soon reconnected with her outer garments for the ride back to her aunt’s home. She was concerned that Grant would pepper her with questions once they were alone in the carriage, but his conversation revolved around their planned theater excursion for the evening, as if he had witnessed nothing out of the ordinary. Frankie was relieved not to have to explain herself to Grant, however, there was a certain smugness around his eyes and a brightness to his smile that made her slightly suspicious.