The Troublesome Angel

“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.”