Free In Rapture (Destined) by Elissa Daye Page A

have to do her best to bring the father and daughter together, but
she had to make sure that Sophia trusted her first. It would take a little
time, but she was sure that she could manage it.
    “Grant?”
    “Yes,
Malinda?” His eyebrows rose questioningly.
    “Will
we be able to go on a small trip soon?” Since he was being amenable, it was
time to test the waters. He had questioned her own wardrobe earlier, so perhaps
they would be able to find something for her and for Sophia.
    “It
depends. Where did you have in mind?”
    “Well,
Tir Marquette is not too far from here. From what I’ve heard from the ladies
here there are quite a few shops for clothing and things that we need in the
household.”
    Grant
sighed loudly. “Well, I suppose, but only if Lady Sophia would like to go with
us.” He stifled a chuckle at the wide eyes that looked up at him. She
apparently was not used to being addressed by anyone. “I can clear some time in
my schedule for next week.”
    A
big smile covered Malinda’s face. She hoped that a week would give her enough
time to make some great changes in Sophia’s life. “I think a week would be
perfect.” She pushed her chair from the table and stood up quickly, before her
nerve failed her. She went to kiss Grant on the cheek, but did not expect him
to turn his head. She felt his soft lips graze hers, and her heart skipped a
beat. She tried to turn away from him quickly, but the damage had already been
done. The blood coursed through her veins, and the images of the two of them
entwined raced through her mind. “Come on, Sophia…time to find Mule.”
    Grant
watched Malinda and Sophia leaving the room, all the while wondering what or
who was this Mule.

Chapter 11
     
    Malinda
found Mule waiting at the bottom of the stone steps when they exited the back door
of the manor. The large mastiff’s head rose slowly as if to gauge whether or
not he should come closer. Mule was well trained and he could sense Sophia’s
hesitation. He had always been good at reading when people were afraid of him
and had been extremely patient with the children around Tinley Faire. “Mule,
come.”
    Malinda
felt Sophia gripping her hand, but she did not squeeze it nearly as hard when
Mule approached them. “Sit, Mule. Sophia, if you put out your hand like this,
Mule will make friends with you quickly.” Malinda showed her how to cup her
hand just below his nose to let him sniff. The little girl looked up at her
with huge blue eyes. “Go on, Sophia.”
    Sophia
raised a tentative hand, just as Malinda had shown her, and cupped it below
Mule’s nose. Mule sniffed the hand curiously, before his long tongue licked the
tiny fingers. Sophia giggled in surprise, but continued to hold her hand up.
She looked up at Malinda, a small smile lighting up her face. “Nicely done, my
dear. Now this great oaf will be your friend for life. Do you know what Mule
loves the best?”
    Sophia’s
head shook from side to side in a slow solemn motion. Malinda patted her on the
head. She hoped that one day soon, the child would open up enough to verbalize
her thoughts, but for now, at least she understood her. “He loves to be
scratched right behind his left ear, like so.” Malinda ran her fingers behind
Mule’s left ear. As she scratched, his hind leg started to kick up and down in
the air, so fast he looked like he was trying to tread water right there on the
ground. Another carefree giggle filled the air.
    “So
now that you know his big secret, perhaps you will feel comfortable playing a
couple of games with us.” Malinda held her hand out to Sophia and waited for
her to grab on. They started to walk down across the small hillside behind the
manor with the large dog ambling beside them. When they reached the apple
orchard, Malinda picked up an apple and turned to Sophia.
    “Sophia,
watch and learn. This is one of Mule’s favorite games and I’m sure he would
love to play with you too.” Malinda patted Mule on the head and