The Troublesome Angel Read online

  Stacy smiled knowingly, then lifted her index finger to her lips in the universal signal for secrecy.

  Missy’s wan smile in return was all the reward she needed.

  They fell into step on the trail, Graydon leading, Stacy following, and Missy grinning over his shoulder at her new friend and confidante.

  Stacy’s private line rang that evening just as she was finishing dinner. Expecting the caller to be the telemarketer who’d interrupted her at the same time of day for several days running, she answered with a terse, “I told you. I don’t buy anything over the phone.”

  “Neither do I,” a deep, masculine voice said.

  “Oops.” Stacy regrouped. “Wrong person.”

  “Evidently. This is Graydon Payne.”

  As if she hadn’t figured that out by now. The vibration of his voice had her tingling like a thousand feathers were being brushed across every nerve in her body!

  She abruptly sat down to keep from tottering and reverted to a businesslike persona. “How can I help you, Mr. Payne?”

  “You can start by telling me just what you thought you were doing by pretending that Missy wasn’t purposely hiding from us today.”

  “Ah. That.” Stacy sank back in the chair. “It just seemed the right thing to do, under the circumstances. The poor kid was already miserable. I didn’t see any reason to berate her.”

  “They call that teaching right from wrong,” he said sarcastically.

  “Except that Missy already knew she’d done wrong. Yelling at her for it wasn’t going to make her feel any worse.”

  “It might have kept her from pulling a stunt like that again,” he countered. “Or hadn’t you thought of that?”

  “Oh, I had, all right. But I know from experience that a lonely, frightened child isn’t rational. I don’t suppose you took the time to ask her why she ran away from us?”

  When he didn’t answer immediately, Stacy continued. “I’ll tell you why I think she did it. She didn’t want to leave me and the dogs and go home. Mark and Candace’s house may be wonderful—I hope it is—but if it’s not the kind of place where Melissa grew up, nothing we say or do is going to make her feel instantly right about living there. Adjustment takes time. And patience.”

  “Are you through?”

  “Unless you want to hear more,” Stacy said with a sigh. “Look, Mr. Payne. I’ve been in Missy’s shoes. I know what it’s like to be torn from everyone and everything familiar and plunked down in a place where the adults are either too strict because they don’t know what else to do, or too lax because they want to be your best buddy. Neither approach works. Missy needs a loving, self-assured parent. Not a jailer. And not a peer in an adult body.”

  Graydon cleared his throat. “You were orphaned?”

  “Yes. I thought you knew.”

  “No. Mark never mentioned it.”

  “Probably because he didn’t think anyone in your family would care,” she said flatly. “I was brought up in foster homes from the age of ten on.”

  “Did you ever run away?”

  Chuckling, Stacy nodded, even though he couldn’t see her doing it. “Oh, boy, did I!”

  “Why?”

  “What difference does it make?”

  “To you and me, none. To Missy, maybe a lot. I want to understand where she’s coming from, what’s making her so skittish.” He paused, waited. Finally he said, “Please?”

  For some reason it was harder for Stacy to confide in him than it had been to bare her soul to the six-year-old. “I don’t know where to start.”

  “At the beginning would be good.”

  She imagined she heard a trace of wry humor in his voice and it stopped her. “This isn’t funny.”

  “I never said it was. Look. I know Missy’s gotten attached to me but I don’t know what to do about it. I have to go to Saint Louis next week on business and I don’t want to leave without at least trying to help her cope.”

  “Will you be gone long?”

  “I’m not sure. Why?”

  “Because even if you explain the reason for the trip to her, she’s going to think you’re not coming back, just like her daddy. Especially if you’re vague about your plans. If you give her definite information and then stick to it, she’ll find the whole concept easier to accept.”

  “That’s a good idea. Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome. The other thing you might do is telephone her at a prearranged time each day. It’s the uncertainty that’s the hardest. Kids live in the present. They have short attention spans and little patience. You and I can look ahead, be willing to wait for what we want. Missy’s lost every routine she used to rely on for stability. She needs new anchors, new daily habits to give her a sense of being able to predict a calm, happy future. Provide that and I think you’ll see a big change in her.”

  “I don’t know what to say. I’d never looked at it quite that way. From her viewpoint, I mean. I knew she had to be scared coming to a new home, but I figured the best thing to do was to entertain her, try to distract her. I never dreamed she’d welcome a dull routine.”

  Impressed by his candor, Stacy decided it wouldn’t hurt to reveal one painful detail of her past she’d always kept secret, even from Mark. “The other thing to watch out for is too much involvement with the law.”

  “In what way?”

  She cleared her throat. “Remember how I said I’d run away? Well, I was habitual. I remember being so angry all the time that I couldn’t think straight…and I was a lot older than Missy. I should have figured out how my behavior was hurting my chances of permanent adoption. But I didn’t.”

  “What happened?” Graydon asked, his voice husky.

  “I was locked up for a while when I was in my teens. For my own good, they said.” She heard his sharp intake of breath. “That’s one reason why I didn’t want to make too much out of Missy’s vanishing act today. If she gets a reputation as a runaway, the powers-that-be might rescind their recommendation that she be adopted. Please, don’t let that happen, Gray.” She caught her slip of the tongue. “I mean Graydon…Mr. Payne.”

  Few besides his brother had ever dared shorten his name. Coming from Stacy as part of a heartfelt plea for Missy’s future welfare, however, it seemed appropriate. “You can call me Gray,” he said, hoping to sound reassuring. “I won’t let anything bad happen to her, Stacy. I promise.”

  She blinked back tears of relief. “You don’t know how glad I am to hear you say that.”

  The next two weeks passed in a blur. Stacy found herself thinking of Gray and of Missy; most often of Gray. Disgusted with her wandering mind, she buried herself in so much extra work she was exhausted.

  If Onyx’s puppies hadn’t arrived ahead of schedule she’d have thrown herself into bed that night and caught up on her sleep. As it was, she’d spent the hours between midnight and ten the next morning in the whelping shed. The result was seven healthy pups, four of which looked just like Lewis, golden coat and all. The other three leaned more toward the Labrador retriever side of the family tree.

  As soon as mother and babies were settled and she was sure there were no more pups coming, Stacy showered, washed her hair, and plopped down on her bed, too weary to even turn back the covers.

  The ringing of the telephone roused her. “Ummm. Hello?” she managed. If it was that pesky salesman again, she just might say something very un-Christian.

  “Stacy Lucas?” The unfamiliar female voice on the other end of the line sounded skeptical.

  Stacy blinked to try to clear her head. Sunlight was streaming through the bedroom window. Either she’d slept more than twenty-four hours or less than three. Since her hair was still damp from shampooing, she assumed it was the latter.

  “Is that you, Ms. Lucas? Hello?” the caller pressed.

  In no mood for conversation, she yawned. “Yes. I’m sorry. Unless this is an emergency I’d appreciate it if you’d call back. I’ve been up all night and I’m beat.”

  The
woman’s tone became even more formal. “I’m sorry to bother you, Ms. Lucas. This is Mr. Graydon Payne’s executive assistant. He asked me to call you. It seems there’s a problem at the Payne estate.”

  She sat bolt upright and gripped the receiver tightly with one hand while she pushed her damp hair out of her eyes with the other. “What is it? Missy?”

  “The little orphan girl? Yes,” the woman said. “Mr. Payne says they can’t seem to locate her. He was hoping you’d be free to assist them. You’ll be well paid for your services, of course.”

  Stacy rolled her eyes. Didn’t that family ever think about anything besides money? She grabbed a pencil and pad from the nightstand. “Okay. Tell me where the child was last seen.”

  “It’s my understanding she was visiting at the senior Payne estate, on Lake Norfork, outside of Mountain Home. Are you familiar with the location?”

  Stacy pressed her lips into a thin line. Unfortunately, she was well acquainted with the luxurious mansion and grounds. Mark had taken her there several times, trying to impress her. All he’d succeeded in doing was making her feel totally out of place.

  “I know where it is,” she said. “What else?”

  “There’s nothing else to tell. When Mr. Payne instructed me to hire you to find the child, he said you’d take care of the details.”

  That figured. “All right. Tell him I’m on my way.”

  “And your fee?”

  Words Stacy hadn’t used since her rebellious teenage years bubbled to the surface of her consciousness. She refused to give in, voice them, and disappoint her Heavenly Father. “Six million, give or take a mil,” she retorted. “Tell him I’ll take it out in Gummi Bears.”

  Rather than go all the way up to Ash Flat, Stacy cut across on Highways 58 and 69 to Melbourne, then dropped down to Calico Rock on the White River and picked up Highway 5. None of the roads were easy driving. The only good thing was that it was bright daylight. Closer to dusk, she’d have had to slow way down to be ready to dodge whitetail deer crossing the roads.

  By the time Stacy started across the four-lane bridge at the south end of Lake Norfork she could feel the tightness in her arm muscles from fighting the old truck on the twisting mountain roads. Her palms were sweaty. Her back was tied in knots of tension. And, like it or not, the closer she got to Mountain Home, the more uptight she was.

  She hadn’t taken the time to load Lewis’s traveling crate in the back of her pickup truck, so he was perched on the seat next to her, panting.

  “Yeah, I’m too warm, too,” she muttered. “But that’s just because I’m rushed. What’s your excuse?”

  Lewis seemed to smile back at her.

  Rolling down the driver’s side window, she felt the wind caress her cheek, lifting wisps of her hair. She glanced down at herself. She’d managed to find a clean pair of nice jeans and a blouse to match, but she hadn’t taken the time to fix her damp, flyaway hair or put on any makeup, either.

  Oh, well. Who cares? she thought. Instantly, her mind conjured up images of the stiff, conservative Payne family. They’d care how she was dressed even if she were only stopping by to pick up their trash!

  Stacy chuckled. “We’re going to be about as welcome as a skunk at a Sunday School picnic,” she told the dog. “Only this time, I don’t care what they think of me.”

  Fully attentive, Lewis licked his nose, his expressive, chocolate-colored eyes watching her every movement.

  She reached over and patted him. “That’s what I like about you, kiddo. You’re easygoing, friendly, loyal, smart and you never give me any trouble.” Unlike the man she was on her way to help, she added.

  The silly comparison made her chuckle. “Know what? If Graydon Payne was a dog I’d sell him to the lowest bidder and get a good one like you in his place.” She ruffled Lewis’s ears as he stretched out on the seat beside her.

  Contemplating the classified ad she’d place, her high humor intensified. “I can see it now. ‘Good-looking but unteachable man for sale. Will trade for decent dog.’”

  That did it. Stacy began to laugh hysterically. Tears of uncontrolled hilarity filled her eyes and ran down her cheeks. Rather than chance a wreck, she pulled onto the shoulder at the far end of the bridge to wait until she could catch her breath and regain the necessary faculties to continue safely.

  Gasping, she wiped her eyes then blew her nose. This was ridiculous. She was tired, yes, but not tired enough to trigger such an absurd reaction. Thoughts of Gray, however, had apparently pushed her over the limits of her ability to cope with the present crisis. Proud of her normal resilience in tense situations, she was astonished to have experienced such a loss of self-control. Thank God it was only temporary!

  With a jolt of conscience, Stacy realized thanking the Lord was exactly what she needed to do. And had failed to do, as usual.

  “Oh, Father, here I go again,” she whispered. “I’m sorry. Thank you for putting up with me and for allowing me to help Missy. And thank you for keeping me safe just now when my foolishness could have caused an accident.”

  A brief memory of the crash that had taken her parents’ lives flashed into her mind. “I don’t know why things happen the way they do,” she prayed. “I only know I believe in You. Please, help me to pass on that kind of trust and peace to that poor, scared little girl.”

  She sighed. There was more that needed saying, needed turning over to the Lord. Her attitude in regard to the Payne family, for instance. Only she wasn’t ready to do that.

  Not yet.

  Maybe not ever.

  The exclusive neighborhood of the Payne estate wasn’t particularly intimidating until you drove off the main highway and into the midst of it. The immense houses all had perfectly manicured lawns, well-placed, specimen trees and lots of flowers. Even the outbuildings were larger than the average home.

  Temporarily awed, Stacy wondered if she’d be able to distinguish the Payne house from all the others, even if she did manage to find the right street. But she needn’t have worried. The moment she glimpsed the mansion her stomach tied in a knot of recognition.

  Slowing, she turned into the long, sweeping driveway. It felt odd to be returning to this place under such different circumstances. The last time she’d been there she’d been insecure, eager to impress Mark’s parents and totally inept at doing so.

  She smiled to herself. How times change. And how she’d changed since then! What a blessing!

  “Thank you, Jesus,” she breathed softly. “I don’t know what you have in mind this time, but thanks to You, I’m up to it.”

  Stacy pulled to a stop in front of the carved stone steps. They led up to a full-length porch supported by fluted white pillars. The whole facade was reminiscent of Southern plantation houses. Except this one looked larger and more elaborate.

  “Well, Lewis,” she said. “This is it. You ready?”

  In answer, the dog thumped his golden tail against the truck seat, making her smile and reach for the door handle. “Yeah, me too. Let’s get this over with so we can go back to where the down-to-earth people live.”

  He woofed, clearly eager to begin. Stacy snapped a leash on his collar and led him toward the front door. Before she could climb the porch steps, Graydon jogged around the corner of the west wing. All in white, he looked as if he’d just stepped off the tennis court.

  He waved and called to her. “Over here! Glad you could make it.”

  Stacy’s first reaction was to be relieved she wouldn’t have to go inside in order to meet anyone else. Then it occurred to her that he was probably avoiding introducing her to his parents. Particularly his imperious mother.

  Nonetheless, she managed a smile as he trotted up. “Hi. I understand you need me again.”

  “Missy’s done another disappearing act.” He halted a few feet away when Lewis growled. “I don’t suppose you could have brought the one that doesn’t hate my guts, could you?”

  “Lewis is the best. Besides, I didn’t think you still live
d here.”

  “I don’t. I have a condo in Searcy. And a little place on the west shore of the lake, too.” He eyed Lewis with caution. “So where do you want to start looking for Missy?”

  “You should know the drill by now. We’ll need an article of clothing or an object she’s touched recently.”

  Gray reached into the pocket of his white tennis shorts. “Will this do?”

  It was a small, bead-filled frog. “It should. Was she playing with it recently?”

  “Even slept with it,” he said, his expression clearly showing his concern.

  “I’ll bet you gave it to her. Right?”

  “Yes. How’d you know?”

  “I assumed as much, judging by her past choices.” Stacy took the stuffed toy and held it for Lewis to sniff while she asked, “Where was she last seen?”

  “Inside. But mother’s had the staff search the house already. I’m not as worried as I’d be if Missy were lost in the woods again, but I didn’t know where else to look. That’s why I called you.”

  “You mean you had your executive assistant call me, don’t you?” Stacy couldn’t help the rancor that crept into her voice.

  “That’s the same thing.”

  “Hardly.” she said flatly. “I’d been up all night. When the phone rang and woke me, I didn’t recognize her voice so I figured she was probably selling something. I almost hung up on her.”

  Gray lifted an eyebrow and regarded her with curiosity. “And you wouldn’t have hung up if it had been me?”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “No, but you insinuated it. What were you doing up all night? Have a hot date?”

  “Not that it’s any of your business, but I was having puppies.”

  He cast her a lopsided grin. “My, my. Did it hurt?”

  Stacy glowered at him. “Very funny.”

  “I thought it was. Where’s your sense of humor?”

  She recalled the experience of near hysteria she’d had on her way there. “I gave it up this side of Norfork. Shall we get down to business? We have a lost child to find.”