The Troublesome Angel (3 page)

Stacy’s silly expression became a grimace and she rolled her eyes to exaggerate her sentiment. “Don’t be ridiculous. You know I had my fill of Payne men a long time ago.”

“True. But you never know what intriguing surprises God might have in store for you.” Judy leaned closer, cupped her hand around her mouth, and added, “You haven’t been praying for a husband, have you?”

“Certainly not! And if I had been, Graydon Payne would be the last man—” The direction of Judy’s glance and her widening grin told Stacy it was time to stop talking. Maybe past time.

She turned slowly. Graydon was smiling down at her benevolently. “Did I hear my name mentioned?”

“Not on purpose, you didn’t,” Stacy said, quickly changing the subject. “How’s Missy doing?”

“She’s too tired to cause much of a ruckus.” He held out his business card. “Give me a call and I’ll be glad to fill you in on her progress. In the
meantime, I want to thank you for all you’ve done.”

“It’s my job.” Stacy took his card reluctantly.

“Nevertheless, I’d like to shake your hand.”

She had no good reason to refuse such a request. Nor was she sure why she felt so hesitant. The man had been a perfect gentleman while they’d been in the woods. Not that she’d expected any less from him. After all, he’d once told her that her social station was so far beneath his and his family’s, he wouldn’t be able to stoop that far down if he’d tried.

Remembering their past unhappy association brought back Stacy’s professional air. She handed control of the dogs to Judy, took his hand, shook it formally, and said, “It was my pleasure to be able to help, Mr. Payne.”

If he’d released her at that moment, she’d have been fine. Instead, however, he clasped her hand as if they were the best of friends and covered it with his other, looking at her warmly.

Stacy’s pulse quickened. Short of breath, she tried to pull away. “What are you doing?”

“Trying to show my appreciation.” His thumb grazed her wrist, setting up a tingle that shot up her arm and did a tap dance along her spine.

“A simple ‘Thank you’ would suffice.”

“I don’t think that’s enough. You showed up here as soon as you were called and performed with great professionalism and skill. I’m indebted to you. Aren’t all the people you help grateful?”

“Not so you’d notice,” Stacy said truthfully.

“Most of the time they’re too caught up in what’s happened to even realize I’m there.”

Graydon continued to hold her hand. “That’s too bad. You deserve more praise.”

“I’m not in this business for the glory, which is why I’m trying to dodge all those reporters,” she said, glancing back at the crowd. “And stop that.”

“Stop what?”

“That.” Stacy clasped her free hand over his and stilled his casual caress. To her surprise, he released her as if he were dropping a red-hot coal. Not only that, he looked like he might actually be blushing under his perfect tan.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize—”

“That I’m not the impressionable girl I used to be?” She smiled coolly. “You don’t owe me a thing, Mr. Payne. Neither does anyone else in your family. No one could pay me enough to cover the long hours, sweat and tears I put into my job.”

“Then why do you do it?”

It would have been simple to give him a pat answer. It would also have been a sin. Stacy knew better than to pass up the chance to offer an honest statement of her faith. Such opportunities didn’t come every day. They were far too precious to be wasted.

“Because I’m trying to follow God’s leading for my life,” she said, “to stay in His will, to be the person He expects me to be.”

“That’s very noble.”

“No, it isn’t. It’s hard. And scary. And sometimes it breaks my heart.” Stacy’s voice softened.

“If I were in charge of the universe, no one would ever fail. Or be lost. Or lonely. Or die. I don’t understand why things happen the way they do. I never did. All I can do is give it my best and put my faith in Jesus.”

“Even when you fail?” he asked quietly.

“Oh, yes.” She looked up at him, willing him to understand. “
Especially
when I fail.”

B
y nine that night the campground had quieted down. Too tired to go home, Stacy had showered, eaten, borrowed a pink sweat suit from Judy and was sprawled in a comfy chair by the fireplace in the main cabin. Lewis and Clark both lay napping by her bare feet.

She pushed up the oversize sleeves of the sweatshirt and hugged herself. “Umm, this feels so good. Thanks again. I was in such a big hurry to get here and begin the search I came straight from the seminar in Atlanta. I wish now I’d gone home to get different clothes.”

“No problem. Too bad I don’t have something more your size. You should let me wake Angela and ask her.”

“No way. I know what her migraines are like. She needs to sleep it off.”

“You’re right. So what’s Plan B? Do you need to go back to Atlanta and finish up there or what?”

Stacy picked up her mug of hot cocoa, wrapped both hands around it to enjoy the warmth and took a sip. “No. I’m all done. The last of my tracking demonstrations were over by late yesterday. That’s one of the reasons I was free to respond when we got your call. Everybody else is still committed to wrapping up their classes.”

“I’ll bet that was no accident. I was sure praying you’d be the one they sent.”

“I’m glad, too. I’ve been so busy lately I haven’t taken time for my friends. I’ve really missed you guys.”

“We understand how it is. I’m just sorry it turned out to be the Paynes who needed your help.”

Thoughtful, Stacy nodded and sighed. “Yeah. Me, too. For more reasons than one.” Ever since she’d stepped off the plane and encountered Graydon she’d been feeling an uncomfortable pricking at the edges of her conscience. “I’m afraid the Lord may be trying to nudge me about something.”

“Like what?” Leaning closer, Judy added, “Forgiveness?”

That insight took Stacy by surprise. Her eyes widened. “How did you know what I was thinking?”

“I didn’t. But I know you. It’s not like you to hold a grudge or be unfriendly toward anybody. I
think it’s possible the Lord threw Graydon Payne in your path to get you to face the old hostility you’ve hung on to for so long.”

The idea did not sit well with Stacy. Caught up in the pathos and excitement of Missy’s rescue, she’d managed to temporarily set aside her intense, long-standing dislike for Graydon and his stuffy family. Now it was back.

She knew it was wrong to harbor resentment. She also knew she wasn’t ready to lower her guard and give up the protection those hostile feelings provided. They were necessary for her emotional well-being.

Purposely changing the subject, Stacy said, “I was hoping you or Angela could spare an hour or so to drive me home in the morning.”

“Sure.” Judy relaxed, leaned back. “Anything for a hero.”

“Cut that out. I’m not—”

The dogs perked up and stared at the door. A loud knock sounded. Lewis growled. Clark jumped up, tail wagging.

“If that’s more reporters, please don’t let them in.” Stacy yawned. “I’m too tired to make good sense.”

“Right.” Judy’s outlandish bunny slippers made a swishing sound as she padded to the door, followed closely by the younger dog. “Who is it?”

A man’s voice said, “Special delivery for Ms. Lucas.”

“Try again,” Judy countered. “In case you
haven’t noticed, we’re in the middle of nowhere. The post office has enough trouble delivering our regular mail. No way is there a special delivery at this time of night.”

In spite of her weariness, Stacy joined her, and pressed her ear to the door. “Who is it?”

“Santa Claus?” the voice ventured. He waited, then tried again. “How about Howard Hughes?”

“It’s Graydon Payne,” Stacy deduced, scowling. “It has to be. Look how Clark’s tail is wagging.” Louder, she called, “What do you want?”

“To give you something.”

“There’s nothing you have that I want.”

“Then take it as a gift for the rescue program.”

Judy nudged her. “He’s got a point there. No use turning down a donation.”

“Slip it under the door.”

Casting her friend a disparaging glance, Judy opened the door instead. “Come on in. Only one of us bites, and it’s
not
the dogs.”

Graydon paused to lean down and greet Clark with, “Hi, buddy. Did you miss me?” He ruffled the dog’s silky ears as he entered the cozy cabin. “You did, didn’t you? I knew we were pals.”

“Hah!” Stacy wasn’t impressed, even if her idiotic dog had chosen that particular moment to roll over on his back at the man’s feet and beg to have his tummy scratched. That act of submission meant Clark trusted Graydon implicitly.

“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.”