Free The Troublesome Angel by Valerie Hansen

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 inregard 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 facadewas 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 lived here.”
    “I don’t. I have a condo in Searcy. And a littleplace 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.