Valerie Hansen - The Troublesome Angel

“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.”