THE HALO LEGACY CONTINUES...

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THERE'S NO FORGIVENESS...

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EXCERPT from LEGACY OF ANGELS

(copyright Genie Gabriel)

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The boat rocked as Patrick landed on deck, between Claudia at the rear and Swaggerty behind the wheel. 

With a gutteral roar, Swaggerty ripped at the strapping to free the fire extinguisher and swung it at Patrick. Patrick dodged and landed a kick. The bone cracked as the beast-man's arm fell uselessly at his side, and the extinguisher thudded at his feet. 

"Every person, no matter what heinous acts they have done, carries a seed of God." The words of Patrick's angel echoed in his head as if the spirit stood beside him. 

"You can make amends. Ask forgiveness," Patrick shouted over the noise of the engine as it propelled them out onto the lake.

Shaking his shaggy head, Swaggerty's breath came in pain-filled gasps. "There's no forgiveness for what I've done." 

With one final effort, Swaggerty lunged for the fire extinguisher and threw it at Patrick. As Patrick jumped back to avoid the blow, his feet slipped on the wet deck and he cartwheeled into the lake.

The last thing he heard before he hit the water was Claudia screaming his name.

…

"Patrick!" Claudia screamed. 

With one last slice of the paring knife she had hidden in her pocket, Claudia cut the rope that bound her hands and slipped the noose from her neck. She hefted the fire extinguisher with the force of all the anger flaming through her body and slammed it against the side of Swaggerty's head. 

As the beast-man went down, she grabbed the circular life-preserver and jumped into the water. 

"I AM ALWAYS WITH YOU"

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(copyright Genie Gabriel)

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EXCERPT from LEGACY OF ANGELS

In spite of Patrick's reassurances to Collin he wouldn't need to go inside, his soul demanded he visit the altar where he had gone to seek answers to his deepest questions. 

A radiant light shone behind the altar. "I am always with you."

Patrick smiled at the angel. "I will need your help more than ever before."

"Remember even those who have committed the most heinous of crimes carry the seed of God. It may take much nurturing for that seed to grow, but it is always inside, awaiting forgiveness and love."

Pulling his rosary beads with the emerald cross from his pocket, Patrick placed it on the altar. "I may take the life of another this night."

The angel remained silent and, with a burden in his heart, Patrick rose and walked away. He would do what he needed to do to protect Claudia and her son, even if that action condemned him to hell.

AN AWESOME BROTHER

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EXCERPT from LEGACY OF ANGELS

Patrick grew tired of waiting for Swaggerty to make a move. More than the stress on everyone involved, he wanted to move forward in a relationship with Claudia. That didn't seem likely until Swaggerty was caught and dealt with, so Claudia could put another piece of her past behind her. 

Though Dawson Browning and his brothers weren't enthusiastic about letting Patrick set himself up as bait, they all knew the reality of limited resources, and maintaining surveillance at the lake was wearing on everyone. 

"Swaggerty is an ex-police officer," Patrick argued. "He knows he can outwait us."

"What if he's planted dynamite in the caverns and is just waiting for you to go back to blow it up?" asked Collin, Patrick's older brother, 

"I don't need to go all the way inside to give Swaggerty the illusion that's where I am," Patrick said. "Karate and angels, big brother. A pretty tough combination to beat."

"Chancy. Very chancy."

"Life is a risk. Who could have predicted Halo would be blown up? Or you'd marry the last innocent woman on the planet? Or I'd walk away from the priesthood?"

"Point taken." Collin scowled. 

"Buck said you could set up on his ranch. Even has a boat we can use to move across the lake faster."

"Do you know everyone in this part of the country?"

Patrick just grinned.

"By the way," Collin said, "Another one of your friends stopped by to see me. Said her name was Angel."

"Any message?"

"To tell you she's going home and to give you this." Collin dug into his vehicle and handed Patrick a package containing a well-laundered t-shirt. "Guess you don't need a priest's collar to be a pretty awesome brother."

THE ANGEL RETURNS...

EXCERPT from LEGACY OF ANGELS

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(Copyright Genie Gabriel)

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Twilight was settling over the landscape as he drove the old pick-up back to the ranch. Too late to catch a train back to his sanctuary, Patrick settled in the barn for the night. Though he doubted he would sleep much, he soon slept soundly.

"I am proud of you, my son." 

Patrick blinked and shaded his eyes from the brilliant glow of the angel's white robe. "You've come back."

"I've always been with you. You didn't want to see me."

Patrick turned his face away. "I'm not worthy..."

"You are of the Source. There is no worthy or not worthy. There simply is."

Patrick fisted a hand and brought it to his chest. "I feel unclean."

"There is no clean or unclean. All life's events are simply to experience and to teach. If they suit you, hold them in joy. If they bring you pain, release them."

"You make it sound so simple."

"And so it is. The human condition so many times complicates your experiences on Earth."

Patrick faced the angel once again. "I want... things... a priest shouldn't want."

"Those are human rules. If they do not suit your spirit, release them."

"You mean I don't have to be a priest?"

The angel smiled. "What suits you?"

"I feel the desire to serve others, but I want pleasure for myself also. I want to receive love, not just give of myself until I feel empty. Hollow."

"There are many ways you can serve others while meeting your own desire for love. Simply be open to those ways."

HE'S STILL OUT THERE SOMEWHERE...

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EXCERPT from LEGACY OF ANGELS

(copyright Genie Gabriel)

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Shrouded silence hung over those huddled in Tallie's house, interrupted only by an occasional sniffle or the muffled crying of a child. Claudia simply could not bring herself to do anything more than hunker with her little boy. This is my fault. If I had done as he said or kept running or--

The sound of a vehicle engine drawing closer brought a tensed hush over the crowd, as those with rifles once more became vigilant.

"They're back!"

The engine stopped abruptly and, after a moment, Dawson and Marly entered the house. 

"What happened? Where's Patrick?" Fear beat in Claudia's veins. 

"Swaggerty took off on the motorbike. Patrick went after him."

The buzz of conversation swept through the crowd. 

"You mean he's still out there...somewhere?" Claudia asked…

When Patrick finally returned, exhaustion lined his normally beatific face. Hopeful gazes turned his way and someone asked, "Did you get the man who did this?"

With a deep sigh, Patrick shook his head. "He had too much of a head start, and the little motorbike I was riding just couldn't keep up. Near as I could guess, he was headed for the deep forest." …

Patrick made his way through the crowd to where Claudia sat with Todd. The child had fallen asleep, and Patrick ached to cradle Claudia in his arms as she held the little boy. However, priests simply were not allowed that basic human need. Not for the first time--especially this past year while he had been on sabbatical--the role of priest choked his real desires into silence... 

AN EXPLOSIVE MOTHER AND CHILD REUNION

EXCERPT FROM LEGACY OF ANGELS

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copyright Genie Gabriel

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Conflicting emotions pounded in Claudia's chest. Fear she would fail. Hope the start she had made on a new life would continue to grow. A deep yearning to see her child again. "I want a chance to be a good mom to my baby." …

When reunion day arrived, so quickly it took forever, eating and sleeping were foreign notions to Claudia. Hours before it was time for the news conference, she slipped into a pastel, shirt-waist dress with a skirt flowing in graceful fullness to mid-calf. Quite a change from the tight and revealing clothing her mother insisted she wear once her curves developed. Claudia's neatly trimmed hair lay in sedate waves close to her head, and her make-up was reduced to a natural blush, modest lip color, and a light coating of mascara on her eyelashes…

When she spotted him in the arms of the caseworker, tears filled her eyes and love flooded her heart. All the nerves of the past few days faded away, along with the flash of media cameras and their shouted questions. 

Such a beautiful little boy had come out of the ugliness of the past. Could she remain strong? Could she be a good mother to this little guy? 

She reached out her arms and the little boy tucked his head shyly against the caseworker's neck. Claudia swallowed. Was he going to reject her?

Then he peeked at her and wrapped a chubby fist around her finger. As he leaned toward her, noise erupted all around them. 

By the time Claudia realized the crowd wasn't cheering but screaming in fright, Patrick's arm was wrapped securely around her shoulders, sweeping her and the little boy toward his big brown sedan. 

The buildings of Halo exploded around them, shaking the ground as pieces of boards blasted past. Then fires erupted and licked greedily at the shards of debris from the old buildings.

***

RIDING THE TRAIN TO A DECISION

Were the changes in her because of Patrick or because of a new way of thinking about herself? Claudia wondered. Had she used past circumstances to feel sorry for herself and make excuses to avoid changing things she didn't like? Had she run away when life got tough rather than deal with difficult choices?

Claudia didn't sleep well that night, and was mostly silent during their train ride into town the next morning. She wondered if Patrick intentionally chose the task of helping set up play equipment at the homeless shelter to push Claudia into facing her past. But he seemed his usual cheerful self, laughing as the children climbed and chased each other around the new structure.

However, Claudia saw her baby in every young face, wondering if her little boy had toys that gave him great delight. When they returned to the sanctuary that evening, Claudia told Patrick it was time to return to Halo and face the mess she had left behind. Time to make a decision about her baby and face down the man who had sold him to a wealthy couple. 

(from Legacy of Angels, copyright Genie Gabriel)

WHEN YOU'RE READY...

For the first time in her life, Claudia felt curiosity about the world of others rather than just concern about keeping herself safe. When Patrick returned, she asked him where he went during the day.

"You can come with me when you're ready." …

Patrick was greeted with respect and, because of his presence, she was also accepted. He seemed to have a mental list of people he checked on. An old rancher who loaned them a battered pickup. The teenaged prostitutes all named "Angel." A homeless shelter where he worked odd jobs. 

(from Legacy of Angels, copyright Genie Gabriel)

FORGIVE ME...

EXCERPT FROM 

LEGACY OF ANGELS

The next day, Claudia looked through the books for all she could find about forgiveness. Yet it troubled her she couldn't let go of the hatred and especially the fear of those who had abused and betrayed her.

When Patrick returned, she asked him what she was doing wrong. 

"Nothing," Patrick said.

"But I want to hold on to the hatred."

"The need for survival is very strong in our physical bodies. Forgiveness doesn't mean you have to tolerate more abuse. It means simply releasing the experience so it no longer controls you. The abuser may choose to heal or not on this physical plane, but you have every right to protect yourself."

Claudia nodded thoughtfully. "Will you help me?"

Patrick inclined his head in agreement. "May I put my hand on your head?"

However, as he touched Claudia, heat sizzled in his hand. Forgive me, Father...

He snatched his hand away and took a step back. Unaware of his reaction, Claudia sat quietly with her eyes closed. The words that came to him were not the repetitive prayers drilled into him in seminary, but the quiet meditation found in one of the books in his sanctuary. 

"As the rain falls on the earth, let my body be cleansed. As the wind blows away the clouds, let my heart find peace. As the sun rises on the horizon, let my soul shine with its warmth. Amen."

Claudia took a deep breath, opened her eyes and smiled at him. "Thank you."

The look in her eyes touched Patrick's soul, nudging away the darkness that had haunted him for many years. Long after she rolled herself in a blanket and fell asleep, Patrick sat staring into the fire. Something stirred in his heart he hadn't felt for a very long time. 

Claudia had asked for his help. Yet in her trust, Patrick found his own hope. Was it possible his unknown wound was healing? Could he find the light again without knowing what caused the darkness?

***

(Excerpt from Legacy of Angels, copyright Genie Gabriel)

YOU'RE NOT LIKE HIM...

"You're a priest?" she asked.

Again, Patrick nodded.

"But you're not --" Like him. "You don't wear--" Claudia's hand hovered near her throat.

"The collar?" Patrick prompted. "I'm on sabbatical."

That didn't allay Claudia's fears. Priests did...things--things they weren't supposed to. Things that hurt people. 

Yet she hadn't seen Patrick hurt anyone. In fact, he was kinder than any man she had known. Her mind struggled to assimilate what she knew of priests with what she knew of Patrick. The two impressions were so opposite she simply couldn't merge them into one picture. 

(from Legacy of Angels, copyright Genie Gabriel)

NO ORDINARY PRIEST

Patrick rolled back into his blanket and closed his eyes, feigning sleep yet alert to any movement Claudia might make. The terror and shame in her eyes when she woke from the nightmare struck an answering chord in his heart. Brought a flash of what he thought was memory, but the shapes were shrouded in darkness and he couldn't be sure. 

Years ago, his angel said he should become a priest, and so he had. 

Yet some unknown, unhealed wound lurked in the deepest part of his soul. A darkness at odds with the teachings of the priesthood; that refused to be banished except by pushing his body to its physical limits. So he developed the double life of a beatific priest while also seeking refuge in manual labor and martial arts. While his spirit searched for enlightenment, his body became carved in muscular strength. 

However, lately he found it more and more difficult to escape the shadows in his soul. So he spent more time here at his sanctuary, stripped of even the button-down shirt and slacks that carried some semblance of his priestly career. If he focused completely on the strength of his physical body, perhaps the restlessness of his spirit would once again be silenced.

His plan seemed to be working--until Claudia's panicked flight resonated so deeply with his own desire to flee that he became her accomplice.

His sister-the-social-worker would understand, but Marly would not be happy Patrick helped Claudia disappear. Her abrupt messages on his cell phone to "call me" attested to that. Marly believed Claudia was the mother of a stolen baby in a highly publicized child welfare case, and had spent a number of weeks trying to convince Claudia to admit that fact. Local law enforcement had also been leaning on Claudia to name the attacker who slashed her chest and tried to rape her. 

Little wonder that she thought escape was her only option. Patrick doubted anyone had ever stood up for Claudia in a lifetime of being buffeted from man to man. Why believe someone would protect her now?

(Excerpt from Legacy of Angels, copyright Genie Gabriel)

THE ANGEL AND THE NERDY SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD

"Did your angel come back?" Claudia asked.

"Oh, yeah. I was sixteen and just discovering girls who were actually attracted to me, though I was still pretty scrawny and nerdy. When the angel said I was to become a priest, I was not pleased."

(from Legacy of Angels, copyright Genie Gabriel)

ANGELS ARE ONLY WILD IMAGINATION!

Patrick knew very well the feeling of not being believed. As a child, he tried to tell others about seeing an angel, and adults brushed the tale off as wild imagination. So he learned to keep his angel to himself.

(from Legacy of Angels, copyright Genie Gabriel)

MY FATHER KILLED ME WHEN I WAS FOUR...

"My father killed me when I was four." [Patrickj] stared out the narrow opening where the boxcar door didn't quite close. "That's when I first saw my angel. With wings, white robe, a luminescent glow all around him. All the angelic trappings you see in pictures of these heavenly beings."

(from Legacy of Angels, copyright Genie Gabriel)

LEGACY OF ANGELS: SAFE!

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***EXCERPT FROM LEGACY OF ANGELS***

(Copyright Genie Gabriel)

Using a long pole, Patrick pushed them across the lake and under a rocky outcropping. He secured the raft to a sawed-off tree stump that served as a pier post for a make-shift dock and stepped off. "Be careful. It can be slippery." 

Intrigued, Claudia once again took Patrick's hand and climbed off the raft. They walked toward a sheer rock cliff topped by ruins of what could have been an ancient stone cathedral. However, as they reached the cliff, Patrick slipped through a notch in one of the rocks. Once inside, he retrieved a flashlight from a pocket in the rock wall and turned it on, revealing a narrow corridor. Claudia followed him down a winding pathway for what seemed like miles. Patrick walked without hesitation, turning down side tunnels until she felt totally disoriented. 

At last he stopped in front of a solid rock wall. Well, it appeared solid. Until he slid aside what must have been a doorway, revealing into a cavernous room.

"Where are we?" Claudia asked. 

Patrick turned with a half-smile. "Safe. That's what you wanted, right?" 

LEGACY OF ANGELS: "I'M NOT SAFE ANYWHERE!"

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***EXCERPT FROM LEGACY OF ANGELS (Copyright Genie Gabriel)***

"I'm not safe anywhere." Terror beat in Claudia deGras' heart, pulsed through her veins, shut down any rational thought. Get out of here!

She bolted toward the door, not daring to look back as the sound of heavy footsteps followed her.

The old brown sedan sitting in the driveway always had the keys in the ignition. Most of the time, it started without much protest.

Claudia flung open the door and cranked the key. The engine caught and roared as she shoved the accelerator to the floor. Two doors banged shut as the old Buick slid sideways on the gravel, then found traction on the pavement.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Patrick O'Shea on the wide bench seat beside her, his hand braced against the dashboard for balance, but his face reflected his normal serenity.

Could she trust him? Did she have a choice? And where was she going?

She eased her foot off the accelerator and settled the old sedan into a speed that wouldn't get them stopped by the police, though patrols were rare on this sparsely traveled road in Eastern Oregon. 

While she drove the highway in silence, the childhood memories of curses and shouting and fists landing heavy blows on her body receded, and her panicked mind calmed down. 

No one had harmed her today. In fact, over the last few weeks the O'Shea siblings, including Patrick, had rearranged their lives to protect her from the man-beast who stalked her. 

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Claudia deGras was forced into prostitution by her mother at age twelve. In spite of the trauma and abuse, she dreams of a respectful life filled with joy, laughter and the love of one man. Ironically, that man is Patrick O'Shea, a priest facing demons of his own. Since seminary, he has suffered memory loss and darkness at the edges of his vision that extend into his soul. They are drawn together in a deeply emotional journey of healing that becomes a life-and-death challenge to outwit the twisted man-beast who has vowed revenge against all he thinks have wronged him.