The Troublesome Angel Read Online Free PDF

countered. “In case youhaven’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 lookdifferent, 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