Dangerous Mercy: A Novel by Kathy Herman Read Free Book Online

personal.”
    “You’re too humble to say it, but I just know you helped her get started.”
    “It would be a mistake to make assumptions.” Adele traced the pattern on her saucer. “Our paths crossed by divine appointment—and our friendship today is totally by God’s grace.”
    “Well, speaking of Grace, you’ve got the cutest little godchild on the planet.”
    “Thank you. She’s an angel—the granddaughter I never had. Relocating here was a bold move. But I’m adjusting to the simplicity —and I love living near Grace, Zoe, and Pierce. They’re like family now.” Adele glanced up at Isabel’s somber expression. “I didn’t mean to get sidetracked. I’m so sorry about Renee’s father being murdered. I want you to feel free to take time off to go to the funeral or to be with the family.”
    Isabel nodded. “I appreciate that. I can only imagine how rattled the sheriff and police chief must be, waiting for a third victim.”

     
    Zoe stood at the work table in the kitchen at Zoe B’s where Pierce had laid out small bowls, each containing ingredients he would need to make the breakfast entr é es.
    She popped the last of a beignet into her mouth, brushing the powdered sugar off her chin. “You outdid yourself on these today, cher .”
    “Think so, eh?” Pierce slid an omelet onto a plate, added two links of boudin, crispy potatoes, a thin slice of orange, and a sprig of mint. “What time is Grace’s checkup?”
    “Nine. I’ll take her over to Adele’s afterward and come back here until after lunch.”
    “I hope she’s not wearing the poor woman out.”
    “Adele’s got Isabel to help. They love having Grace there.”
    Pierce lifted his gaze, his eyebrows furrowed. “Babe, are you sure those guys from Haven House are not going to be over there working?”
    “Positive.”
    “I’m just not comfortable with Grace being around them—or you and Adele being around them, for that matter.”
    “Murray’s a really nice guy.”
    “But nobody knows anything about him, not even Father Vince. How is that different from Grace being around a stranger?”
    “She isn’t really around him. He’s off working in another room—like he was when he was here hooking up our computer.”
    “What about that long-haired guy—Fred, Frank—”
    “Flynn.” Zoe took a sip of orange juice. “He just came to help Murray move Adele’s furniture. He won’t be doing any work for her.”
    Pierce bit his lip the way he did when he was irritated.
    Zoe linked her arm in his. “It’s not like we do a background check on the repairmen that come in here either. They’re all strangers to us. At some point, we have to trust people.”
    “Trust isn’t my strong point—especially where Grace is concerned.”
    “All right.” She unlinked her arm, grabbed a mushroom, and popped it into her mouth. “I won’t leave Grace with her when she’s got Murray working over there.”
    “You don’t have to look at me like I’m the bad guy.”
    “Actually, you’re the good guy. You’re just ultraprotective.”
    “You mean overprotective.”
    “I said what I meant, Pierce. You are extremely protective of Grace and me. I don’t know if that makes you over protective—though it is a real pain once in a while.”
    He smiled sheepishly. “I know. Heaven help her when she starts dating.”
    Zoe kissed him on the cheek. “Let’s just get her to kindergarten first, deal?”
    “Deal.”
    “I’d better go make sure she hasn’t gotten syrup on her dress before we leave. I’m sure she’s charmed Hebert into sharing bites of his pain perdu.”
    Zoe pushed open the kitchen door and entered the cozy dining room. Every table was occupied with customers, the hum of their voices more pleasant than background music.
    She walked over to the table by the window, where her hanging fern thrived and where Savannah was pouring coffee refills.
    “Hi, Mama.” Grace smiled from her booster seat, her face and dress surprisingly