Family: The Secret Ingredient by Leandra Logan

Author:Leandra Logan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

“Come out of that closet right now!” Grace commanded with the crook of her finger. Button meekly obeyed, lifting the hem of Grace’s dress, slogging along in Grace’s pumps. It occurred to a dazed Grace that the shoes and dress were a frightful clash of color, a dire fashion emergency.

Dickie rushed into the bedroom. “Hey!” he shouted, “kid!”

With a squeak of dismay Button ducked behind Grace.

“She’s wearing my pearls!”

Grace felt Button’s arms curl around her calves, saw the child’s head pop through between her knees. Sure enough Grace’s birthday necklace was dangling from Button’s neck. “I thought they were my pearls, Dickie.”

“They are, but—but—look!”

Button peered at him with huge eyes. “It’s a yucky monster!”

“I am not!” he sputtered. “You are the one making trouble, messing with someone else’s property.”

When Grace didn’t respond, his voice rose to a squeak. “Are you going to just stand there like a zombie?”

For the moment, yes. In fact, she felt a lot like Dickie looked, stricken, annoyed. But she didn’t intend to act like Dickie. His outburst seemed overdone, an embarrassment. Freaking out would solve nothing. And it gave her a small lift to realize that Button trusted her enough to protect her.

“Button is only a child,” she said at last. “We have to show patience.”

“But to allow her access to your possessions, the run of your house. Why, I don’t even get to come in here!”

Kyle braked in the doorway just in time to catch Dickie’s lament. He inhaled the scent of perfume, disgustingly happy to learn that Dickie hadn’t made himself at home in here either. He shouldn’t let it matter, as it was none of his business. But controlling his emotions for Grace was getting tougher and tougher.

“The pearls are fine, Dickie,” Grace hastened to assure.

Dickie stomped his wing tip. “But they are not a toy!”

“True enough.” Grace turned around and lifted the necklace over Button’s head.

“Tell me you’ll keep them in a much safer spot from now on,” Dickie demanded.

Grace turned to her ornately carved bureau to find her jewelry box open and overflowing. “Thought I was doing enough…”

“It won’t be a problem again,” Kyle assured humbly.

Grace noticed his arrival for the first time. “I thought you explained her limits to her, Kyle.”

“I did.”

“You said play nice, Daddy,” Button said. “I do play nice.”

“In the kitchen and living room, Button.”

“She come in my room.”

Dickie made a disgusted sound. “No cooking could be worth this—”

“That’s not your judgment call,” Kyle cut in.

“Any fool can see—”

“You’re any fool all right, Trainor!”

“Hey, guys, I pay the electric bill here!” Grace spouted, surprising both of them. “As I see it, I am the only one who belongs!” Propelled by a head of steam, she stalked across the room and roped the pearls around Dickie’s neck. “There you are, Dickie. In total charge of your pearls. Now I’d like you to leave.”

“But Grace!” Dickie sputtered. “I don’t want the pearls back. I don’t want to go.”

“Sorry, but you came uninvited—and have outstayed your welcome!” Grasping Dickie’s narrow shoulders she gave him a shove in the direction of the door.

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