Barbara's Plea by Stacy Eaton, Dominque Agnew Page A

fighting to contain the tears again. I was so damned tired.
    Gigi seemed more put out that I had not informed her that I was coming, and I thought it best to get Allie fed and into bed before I had to explain my situation to her.
    I followed behind Grey as he padded barefoot deeper into the house. He definitely seemed at home here, and for a moment I was jealous. I hadn’t felt at home anywhere in years.
    Under the bright kitchen lights, the blond highlights in his hair caught my attention as he prepared our food. His hair was longer than normally appealed to me, and I found myself wondering if it looked as soft as it was. His large hands held my attention as they dished up the food. Two thick scars crossed over the back of his left hand, my heart thudded against my chest as I wondered if he had gotten those from hitting someone. His arms were tan and muscular, and it made me wonder what kind of work he did for my grandmother.
    His features were strong and well defined, yet he had a soft look about him. He tapped his fingers on the counter as he waited for the food to warm, his profile to me.
    His nose was a little more pointed than I had first thought, but that matched his pointed chin. A lock of hair curled around his ear, protecting the sensitive skin there.The beep of the microwave reminded me of where we were and Allie glanced up at me. I kissed her head as Grey brought the food over to us.
    I was so intent on watching him, not sure if I could trust him or not, that I didn’t notice Allie reaching towards the food until it was too late.
    I felt the heat of the pasta and sauce through my sweater as it hit and automatically tensed as I waited for Grey to get angry.
    I couldn’t have spoken if I had wanted to when he didn’t yell. When he reached for Allie, I was awestruck that she went to him without a second thought.
    His soft and carefree smile entranced me as he held her over the sink and let her play in the water much longer than necessary. He wiped the sauce off his face and I was again surprised that he was not angered by what Allie had done—especially when she had coated his cheek in sauce.
    I had never meant to voice my thoughts—never in a million years—yet they floated off my tongue as if they had a mind of their own.
    Grey stared at me for a long hard moment, his glance once going to my neck and the bruises I was sure had outlived the makeup I had put on earlier.
    “Well, I guess it’s a good thing she likes me. It will make you going to get cleaned up much easier.”
    Allie slapped him on the face playfully to get his attention. “Eat,” she commanded when she had his attention. Instead of getting angry at her, he grinned.
    “Are we going to try this again, little button?”
    She nodded once, “Eat.”
    Gloria finally stepped all the way into the room. “Okay, Amelia is putting together a room for you two. I assumed that you would want to be together, at least for tonight. Why don’t you go upstairs, first door on the left, and change that shirt.”
    I was afraid to open my mouth, afraid that I would say something else completely emotional and totally wrong, so I nodded and walked out of the room.
    “Eat,” Allie announced loudly again as I quickened my footsteps, wondering if once she realized I was not there and that she was with strangers she would panic.
    I returned quietly and paused outside the door. “Did you see the bruises on her face, Grey? Dear God, I want to get my hands on the man who did those. If I find out it was her husband, I will have his balls on a platter.”
    A soft masculine chuckle answered her, “Remind me never to piss you off.”
    “More,” my sweet baby’s voice demanded. That alone brought me around the corner and stopping at the sight in front of me.
    Allie was cradled against Grey’s chest, one hand holding a piece of bread to her mouth, the other brushing against his jawline. She was mesmerized by him, and he pinched her nose. Her giggle melted my heart,