The Troublesome Angel

“Don’t pay any attention to her,” Judy said, gesturing at Stacy. “She’s always like this when she’s dead tired.”

“Grouchy?” He straightened, smiling.

“Catatonic. I’ve seen her practically fall asleep leaning against a tree…standing up.”

“That must make quite a picture.”

His wry smile and knowing gaze amused Stacy in spite of herself. “Watch for film at eleven,” she quipped. “The news crews just left.”

“I thought you were avoiding them.”

“I don’t like catching a cold, either, but some things are inevitable.”

“True.”

They were standing just inside the door, facing each other. Stacy’s weary brain was devoid of small talk. She looked up at him, intending to close their conversation, and was astonished to note an appealing sparkle in his eyes. They were dark-brown with a golden cast, not blue, like Mark’s. And his chin was more square, more masculine. Right now it was shadowed with a day’s growth of beard, giving him a rugged look. It was a definite improvement.

Noting her awareness, he raised an eyebrow and raked his fingers through his thick, dark hair. “Is something wrong?”

If Stacy hadn’t been so tired she might have censored her reply more carefully. Instead, she said, “Nope. I was just noticing how human you look when you’re not so perfectly groomed.”

“Oh, I see.” He began to chuckle. “You look different, too. Either that outfit stretched or you shrank. It makes you look like a teenager. Kind of cute.”

Blushing, Stacy refused to look away and give him the last word. “Flattery will get you nowhere.”

“Too bad. Guess I’ll have to come up with another approach the next time I want to impress you.”

“There won’t be any next time,” she countered. “After tonight I doubt we’ll ever meet again.”

He sobered. “I suppose you’re right. Which is why I stopped by.” Reaching into the pocket of his jacket he took out a check. “We want you to have this. Call it a reward, if you like.”

She hesitated several long seconds before giving in. “All right. I’ll take it. But only because the rescue program needs the financial support.”

“Of course.”

“I mean it. None of this is for me.”

“You don’t have to convince me,” he said quietly. “I believe you.”

Looking up at him, she scrutinized his expression as she asked, “Why?”

“Because I’m a Christian, too,” Graydon said. “And I don’t lie, either.”

Her eyes widened. Their gazes locked. “You are?”

“Does it surprise you?”

“Frankly, yes.”

Graydon laughed softly. “You’re not the only one who was surprised, lady. It sure shocked me when it happened.”

“What did you do, get hit by lightning?” Stacy still couldn’t believe he wasn’t teasing her.

“I get the feeling you don’t think it’s possible for me to change.”

“That’s not for me to judge, one way or the other,” she countered. “Your faith is between you and God. I’m sure Jesus knows what’s really in your heart.”

“Yes, he does.” Graydon didn’t extend his hand to her this time. Instead, he turned and reached for the doorknob. Glancing back, he paused and said, “Goodbye, Stacy. And thank you.”

She barely had time to echo, “Goodbye,” before he was gone, leaving an intangible void in his wake.

Judy’s “Wow!” filled the silence.

Startled, Stacy spun around. “I forgot you were here.”

Startled, Stacy spun around. “I forgot you were here.”

“No kidding. I could have set off fireworks in your pockets and neither one of you would have paid the slightest bit of attention.”

“Don’t be silly.”

“Okay. Have it your way.” Judy went back to her place on the couch and sat down, patting the cushion beside her so Clark would jump up and join her. He settled down next to her immediately, his golden head on her lap.

“You’re spoiling that dog,” Stacy told her. “By the time I undo all the bad habits you and Graydon Payne have taught him, I’ll be ninety.”

“Clark seems to like him.”

“The dog’s a doofus.”

Judy chuckled. “He’s not the only one. I couldn’t believe it when you asked the poor man if he’d been hit by lightning!”

“I did?” Stacy thought for a moment, trying to sort out the muddle her mind had been in ever since Graydon Payne had walked through the door. “Oh, boy. I did, didn’t I?”

“Uh-huh. But he took it pretty well. I’ll bet he really is a Christian.”

“His family’s always been big on church-going. Mark took me with him several times when we were dating.”

“That’s not what I mean and you know it.”

Stacy did know. People didn’t turn into cars when they stepped into a garage any more than they became Christians just by going to church. Warming a pew on Sunday morning might be good for your psyche, but it didn’t make you a believer. Neither did living an exemplary life. She ought to know. She’d done both as a child, and been miserable until she’d given up one day and turned her future over to Jesus. But could Graydon Payne have done the same thing?

She sighed. “Oh, dear.”

“What’s the matter?” Judy was rhythmically stroking Clark’s broad head.

“I just realized something.”

“From the scrunched-up face you’re making, I’d guess you aren’t thrilled.”

“No kidding.”

“Well? Give. What’s got you so dithered?”

“If that man really is a Christian, we’re part of the same family—God’s family.”

“So?”

“So I’m supposed to love him. Accept him. I don’t even like him!”

Laughing softly, Judy shook her head. “You sure could have fooled me.”

“I don’t know what to do with her,” Mark said, pacing his spacious, sunken living room. “Ever since Melissa met Stacy and saw those dogs, that’s all she’s talked about. Candace is getting really steamed about it.”

Graydon nodded. “I can understand that. She wants Missy to love her like a mother. But it’s not going to happen overnight. Kids need time to adjust.”

“That’s what the social workers said when I called them. I just wish I could do what they’ve suggested.” Mark cast a sidelong glance up the spiral staircase. “But Candace would kill me.”

“What did they tell you to do?”

Mark fidgeted and managed to smile at his older brother in spite of his obvious apprehension. “It’s not a big thing. It’d only take an afternoon. Just long enough to run down to Cave City and back.”

Raising an eyebrow, Graydon studied him. Ever since they were kids he’d been bailing Mark out of trouble, and it sounded like his baby brother wanted him to do it again. He decided to make him actually ask before he volunteered anything. The guy had to grow up sometime.

Mark cleared his throat. “You busy next week?”

“Boy, no kidding. I’ve been snowed under getting the city council in Conway to approve the plans for the consolidated mall project. I’ll probably have to fly to Saint Louis next week, too. If I’d known how much work this development consultant job was going to be, I might have accepted Dad’s offer of a vice presidency, like you.”

“You did the right thing,” Mark said, scowling. “Working for our father is no picnic. If it wasn’t for Candace I’d probably have quit by now, cashed in my shares in the company and sailed off into the sunset.” His arm swept in an arc that took in the sumptuous furnishings and open expanse of the expensive town house. “Sometimes I think I’m going to drown in all this responsibility.”

“I’ve told you what you need,” Graydon said sincerely.

“Yeah, yeah, I know. But religion isn’t for me.”

“I’m not talking about religion. I’m talking about a personal relationship with Jesus. Once you have that, all the other stuff falls into place.”

Mark perked up. “So you don’t have any trouble with tough challenges?”

“I didn’t say that. I have as many problems as the next guy. The difference is I don’t have to face them alone anymore.” His eyes narrowed. He thrust his hands into the pockets of his slacks and regarded his brother with suspicion. “Okay, get to the point. What is it you want me to do for you?”

“I thought you’d never ask.” Mark was grinning in triumph. “The social workers said they think Melissa will get over her obsession if we can provide closure. They suggested I take her to see Stacy and the dogs so she can thank them for finding her.”

“And you don’t dare do it because you have a jealous wife. You’re afraid she wouldn’t understand.”

“Bingo. That’s why you need to do it for me.”

Graydon took a deep breath and released it with a noisy whoosh. “I don’t know….”

“Hey, you’re the one preaching about your faith all the time. I’d think you’d be happy to put it to the test.”

There was no way to refuse without negating everything he’d just said to Mark. Either he trusted the Lord to handle things or he didn’t. But another meeting with Stacy Lucas? He had enough to do already thanks to his busy career. The last thing he needed was another complication.

Especially one as pretty and intriguing as the woman he’d encountered in the Ozark Mountains.

“Are we there yet?”

Melissa had asked the same question so many times Graydon had lost count. “Almost.”

“That’s what you said before.” She wrinkled up her little face in a pout. “I don’t believe you.”

“Okay. We can always turn around and go home if that’s what you want.”

“No!”

“Then I suggest you settle down and behave yourself. I’ve never told you a fib and I’m not telling one now.” He pointed to the digital clock on the dashboard of the BMW. “See this? When the hour changes to the number two, we should be getting close.”

Subdued, she muttered a sullen, “Okay.”

“That’s better.” Determined to distract her, he glanced at the crumpled, white paper bag in her lap. “Why don’t you have a piece of the candy we bought.”

The child’s small fingers closed in tight fists around the opening of the bag. “No. This is for the rescue lady and the dogs. We can’t eat it!”

“Oh, I see. Sorry.”

“It’s okay, Uncle Gray. You didn’t know.” Her voice grew thready. “I wanted to bring her one of my new dolls but Candace wouldn’t let me.”

“That’s because she bought them for you to play with.”

“Uh-uh. She put them on a shelf in my room. All I get to do is look at them, ’cause they’re so ’spensive.”

“Well, I’ll see if I can’t talk her into letting you play with one or two. Would you like that?”

“I guess so,” Melissa said quietly. She brightened, grinned over at him. “I’d rather have a puppy.”

Graydon laughed to himself. He’d walked right into that one, hadn’t he? The child might be only six but she was already becoming an accomplished negotiator. “Let me guess. I’ll bet you want a dog just like the ones Ms. Lucas has.”

“Uh-huh.”

He was about to caution her to wait awhile before asking Candace or Mark to buy her a puppy, when she squealed and pointed to the clock.

“Look! There’s a two!”

“You’re absolutely right. Good for you. And we’re right on schedule.” Peering at the street signs, he found what he was looking for and turned west. The meandering, narrow road led him farther and farther from town. Small farmsteads and older houses with tree-shaded yards were scattered across the rolling hills. Rural mailboxes indicated their ownership but half of those were unreadable.

Thinking he must be lost, Graydon was about to turn back and try another road when he spotted a hand-lettered sign that read Dog Training. Even if this wasn’t Stacy’s place, the folks who lived here might know her.

When he slowed and turned into the driveway, Melissa took off the safety belt he’d insisted she wear and got up on her knees to look out the window.

“Sit down, honey,” he warned. “I’m not sure this is the right house.”

“It is! It is!” she shouted, pointing. “Look!”

There were at least six, maybe seven, dogs visible in the fenced yard at the side of the house. They were jumping and barking with such fervor Graydon couldn’t be certain if any of them were the ones he’d met.

He parked, intending to have a look around before he let the child get out of the car. Missy had other ideas. She scrambled after him, darted past and raced up the steps to the front porch. By the time he caught up with her, she’d jumped up and rung the bell.

Concerned that there might be more dogs inside the house, he scooped up the eager child to protect her in spite of her protests.

“I can do it by myself!” Melissa whined.

“I know you can. And I’ll let you. I just want to make sure this is the right place before I put you down.”

“No!” Melissa was puckering up for a good cry. When the door opened abruptly, she began to smile instead.

It was all Graydon could do to keep from laughing at the comical expression of shock and dismay on Stacy’s face. “We were just in the neighborhood and thought we’d drop in,” he said. “I hope we haven’t caught you at a bad time.”

She recovered her poise and closed her mouth. “Oh, no. I always greet my guests wearing my rubber boots and torn jeans. I wouldn’t want anyone to think I was putting on airs.”

“Good. Is it safe to let Missy down?”

“Of course. All the dogs are in the kennel, but even if they were loose, it would be fine. I wouldn’t keep an animal that wasn’t gentle around children.”

She crouched to be at the same eye level as the little girl as soon as he lowered her to the porch. “I’m so glad to see you’re okay, Missy. I’ve been thinking about you.”

“You have?” Melissa’s voice was so faint Graydon could hardly hear what she said. After the tantrum she’d thrown in the car, it was a welcome change of tone.

“I sure have. And I’m glad you came to see me. It always makes me very happy when I find somebody who’s lost and bring them home safe and sound, like you. It makes my dogs happy, too.”

“I got you a present,” Melissa said, holding out the wrinkled bag. “I picked it out myself.”

Stacy accepted it as if it were worth millions. “Oh, how sweet. Thank you. Can I give you a hug?”

It was Graydon’s turn to be surprised. Missy launched herself at Stacy without a word and threw her arms around her neck so enthusiastically she nearly toppled them both over. This from the child who hadn’t let anyone touch her for weeks after she’d been placed in Mark’s home!

Graydon bent down, reached for Stacy’s elbow, and steadied her. “Easy, Missy. We came to thank Ms. Lucas, not break her neck.”

The little girl released her hold. “Okay. Can I see the dogs, now?”

“Sure,” Stacy told her. “You go around the house. I’ll meet you at the gate in a minute.” If I can find the strength to stand up, she added to herself. For some reason, her legs felt like she’d just run a five-mile obstacle course. Twice. She let Graydon help her to her feet only because she was certain she’d fall flat on her rear if he let go of her arm.

“You okay?” he asked. “You look kind of pale.”

“I’m fine. Probably missed lunch again. What time is it anyway?”

“Around two.”

“Well, that explains it. Low blood sugar always makes me a little woozy.” Stacy was trying to ignore the fact he was still standing close. Too close. And using up all the oxygen so she couldn’t get a decent breath of air. If her feet hadn’t refused to obey, she’d have stepped back.

“Why don’t you look in the bag?” he suggested, smiling.

She cast him a wary glance. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing. Just remember, I wasn’t the one who picked out your present.”

Stacy parted the top of the bag and peered inside. Bright-orange, red, yellow and green shapes lay in a semitransparent pile. “Oh, wow! Gummi Bear candies! I haven’t had any of these since I was little.” Grinning, she popped one into her mouth. “I always thought the red ones were the best.”

Her childlike enthusiasm was so contagious Graydon forgot himself and joined in. “No way. They all taste the same.”

“Do not.”

“Do so.”

Stacy held out a green bear. “Here. I’ll prove it to you.” She popped it into his mouth the moment he opened it to argue, then poked around in the bag searching for a different color.

When she chose another candy and held it up for him, he didn’t respond right away, so she said, “Come on. Open up. Incoming bear.”

He didn’t move. Didn’t even flinch.

She raised her gaze to meet his. In place of the sparkle of mischief she’d glimpsed in his dark eyes before, there was now a warning. A solemnity that took her by surprise. It sent a frisson of alarm zinging up her spine.

“No,” he said softly, hoarsely.

Stacy blinked. Her quizzical gaze returned to his firm mouth, the stubborn jaw she’d noticed when his beard had shadowed it during Missy’s rescue.

Something had changed between them in a heartbeat. But what? The air was charged with tension. With indescribable awareness.

She swallowed hard. Had she and Graydon Payne actually been having fun together? Was that why the man had suddenly become so reserved? Or had she somehow caused him to withdraw? It was impossible to tell.

Still, she knew she had been enjoying herself in his company. Apparently, the Lord wasn’t through convincing her that she needed to forgive what had transpired between them in the past. Too bad He hadn’t dealt with her brooding guest in the same manner!

If Graydon’s mood had plummeted because of her, it was understandable. A man like him wouldn’t want to be caught letting his hair down and enjoying himself with somebody who didn’t belong to a country club, buy her clothes at exclusive shops or have her hair and nails done professionally.

There he stood, all proper and perfect as ever in his crisp, tailored shirt and impeccably pressed slacks. He came from a totally different world. A place she had no desire to visit, even temporarily. She was more than content with the life God had given her, and she wasn’t going to let some good-looking, overbearing, stuffed shirt come along and steal her joy.

“Fine,” Stacy said, shoulders square, chin up. “Be a stuffy sourpuss. I’m going to take my candy and go share it with Missy. At least one of you appreciates the simple pleasures of life.”

Graydon stood very still as he watched her walk away. Was he really stuffy? Or was that just how Stacy viewed him? Not that it mattered what she thought. There was no reason why he should care. And no reason why he should find himself so attracted to her, either. That was what unnerved him the most. For an instant, when she’d fed him the candy and her fingers had innocently grazed his lips, he’d had the idiotic urge to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless. Talk about crazy!

Lost in thought, he mulled over their past. It would have been better for everyone if she hadn’t misunderstood his motives when they’d first met, years ago. The disillusioned look on her young face was one he’d never forget. He hadn’t wanted to hurt her. He’d simply known she was wrong for Mark and he’d said so, as much for her benefit as for his brother’s. Stacy had been naive. Innocent. Shy. The strong-willed Payne family would have swallowed her up and crushed the radiant spirit he’d sensed beneath her unsophisticated demeanor. He ought to know.

Only now she wasn’t shy, was she? Maybe she wasn’t naive, either, in spite of her supposed sweetness. Either way, he didn’t intend to stick around and find out. No, sir!

Coming to his senses he stepped off the porch and headed for the yard where the dogs were kept. He’d done his good deed for the day. He’d brought Missy to see her rescuers. Now, it was time to start home.

Graydon’s gut knotted again when he thought of his unsettling reaction to Stacy. Clearly, it was past time for him to make a hasty exit. Way past time. The sooner he got himself away from her, the better he’d like it.

He went to find Missy.

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