Noble Pursuits by Chautona Havig Page B

the room and shuffled down the hallway.
    Nolan watched the byplay curiously. “Wow. I’ve seen moms and kids at stores, churches, and restaurants… I’ve never seen a kid so quickly subdued. What’d you do?”
    “She knows I mean business.” Grace savored another bite as she considered the jacket situation once more. Maybe Marci and Nolan were right. She was doing what she was generally being paid for, and the price of the jacket would likely be much cheaper in one of those outlet stores where Marci liked to shop.
    “So most parents don’t mean business?”
    Grace thought about that. “I don’t know about that… I just think that a lot of parents spend more time negotiating good behavior rather than requiring it.”
    “What would you have done if she hadn’t complied?” Nolan was taking swift mental notes. Mike and Traci were always looking for help with their kids. Perhaps Grace had insight that might help his friends.
    “Well, I probably would have told her that dinner would now be served in her room only and to go immediately.”
    “And if she refused?” Nolan had seen similar scenes in Mike’s house numerous times.
    “Well, with my own child, I would have more leeway. I don’t keep children if the parents don’t agree to pick up the child immediately if they refuse to obey.” Grace sounded sad even to think of such a thing actually happening.
    Nolan thought of something. “How would Marci be able to get Amber immediately? I mean, she’s hundreds of miles away.”
    “Marci would get on the next flight, even if it meant missing her meeting and Amber knows it. I know I wouldn’t want to go home with a mom who had to fly home from a business meeting that puts food on the table. It’s a deterrent. And they know I’d do it without thinking twice.”
    Nolan thought about the idea as he stirred his food together and took another bite. Swallowing quickly, he asked, “So, what you are saying is that you have to make them want to obey you?”
    “Not quite, but that is a good goal as well. You just have to make any undesired behavior counterproductive. If they do something that you don’t like, make them want to never do it again.”
    Before the conversation could continue, the phone rang again. Grace jumped up and answered it excitedly. “Craig? Mel! Are you ok? Is everything ok? Is the baby there? What is her name? His name—”
    Nolan laughed as Grace became immediately silent. Her head bobbed and shook as she gave silent squeals and jumped around. “Amber… come in here… the baby is here!”
    Absentmindedly, Grace hung up the phone and grabbed her jacket. She grabbed Amber’s hands and danced about the room in excitement. “We have a new baby girl to see! Visiting hours are over in an hour. Craig is coming right now to get us. Would you like to come, Nolan?”
    Nolan considered going, but the idea of being that close to a little baby was too much for him. “I’ll stay here and clean up my mess. I’ll lock the door on my way out. Give my best to Craig and Melanie.”
    Grace headed out the door only to pop back in quickly. “Can you call Mrs. Crenshaw and ask her to tell Cade to help Amber get the right bus after school tomorrow? Her number is on that sheet by the phone in there.”
    Nolan nodded and waved her off. Picking up the phone, he made the call for Grace and relayed her message, as well as the good news about the baby. He then cleaned her kitchen and put Amber’s plate of food in the fridge. A quick glance around the kitchen showed nothing out of place. As he snapped off the light, he prayed that no unwelcome visitors would invade while she was absent.
    On his way out the door, he saw a photo album, and his curiosity got the better of him. Sitting on the floor, Nolan thumbed through the pages. The album was arranged in chronological order and he watched as Grace and Craig were born, grew, and changed. Grace had been an adorable little girl, and Craig appeared to have been a local