Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 133531 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 534(@250wpm)___ 445(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133531 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 534(@250wpm)___ 445(@300wpm)
Sally lived alone, just as Rory did. That really made a woman feel unsafe. Lydia had a child to protect. Ellen was only three. It must be devastating to think that you might not be able to keep your child safe. And then there was replacing your things. That was not an easy task.
Rory hadn’t had much. She moved around. But the others had many items they treasured, some of monetary value, but most were sentimental. Rory’s notebooks with her lyrics and her guitar were the most sentimental items she had. Fortunately, both had remained mostly intact.
She hustled even faster, trying to cover more customers so that if Lydia fell completely apart, Brad wouldn’t get too upset if she left. Rory would be able to explain to him after she closed the bar. Brad glanced at his watch a few times, but he was clearly aware Larrsen was a policeman, and he didn’t demand Lydia return when her break was over.
Sally and Detective Larrsen emerged first. Sally had obviously been crying. They walked together out of the bar. Brad’s gaze followed them out and then flicked to Rory before turning back to the customers. Rory’s phone vibrated. She served more customers and then pulled it out to glance down.
They broke into my apartment and Sally’s. Ellen’s with Cindy. I’m not losing this job. Be out in a minute.
Rory continued to work for another five minutes before Lydia came out of the back room. She had obviously washed her face and applied fresh makeup before coming out. Lydia tapped Brad on the shoulder and indicated she was able to return to her position. He looked her over before stepping aside with a little nod.
Rory kept her eye on Lydia, but she didn’t have to. Lydia did her job like a professional. She seemed more determined than ever to work with the customers and get every drink right. After closing, she helped clean. Brad came over to help as well.
“Tell me what’s going on, you two.”
Lydia took the cleaner out of Rory’s hand. “You’re allergic to this. Let me do it.”
“What do you mean, she’s allergic to the cleaner? She closes all the time and uses that cleaner. She’s never said a word,” Brad protested.
“She runs home and showers,” Lydia explained. “Five of us have had our apartments broken into and everything destroyed. Rory’s was broken into a few nights ago, and mine tonight. Fortunately, a friend was watching my daughter in her apartment, not mine.”
“Your apartment was broken into and everything was destroyed, yet you stayed and finished your shift?” Brad said.
“There wasn’t much I could do about what happened. I knew I couldn’t get into my apartment because the police were photographing everything. I’m going to sleep at Cindy’s.” Lydia glanced up from where she was cleaning the bar. “Cindy has extra beds because the boys are still at her parents. She said you can sleep there too, Rory. Warren—” She stopped. “I mean, Detective Larrsen is coming back to walk us home.”
Rory was tempted to tease her about the detective, but Lydia was doing her best to be very professional. She wanted Brad to think she could handle any crisis.
“We’ll have to do a fundraiser,” Brad said. “I’ll get something put together fast, and we’ll have your apartments put back together in no time. I’m not having two of my employees out on the street. Do you need money for hotel rooms for the next week?”
Lydia stopped working to look at him, blinking rapidly. Rory wasn’t in the least surprised by Brad’s generosity. She knew he couldn’t really afford it, but he would do his best to help them out.
“I’m good, Brad,” Rory said, giving Lydia time to recover. “And we do have a place to stay. That’s so sweet of you. Thank you. That means a lot that you’d want to help us.”
“Does that mean I have the job?” Lydia asked.
“Yeah, kid, you’ve got the job. Larrsen’s here to walk you two home. Let the others finish closing tonight,” Brad said. “He’s outside the back door. He just texted me. Get out of here, both of you.”
“Thanks, Brad,” Rory said again. Lydia gave him a little tentative wave.
Instantly Rory spotted Gideon standing in the darker shadows. He stood several feet behind the detective. Her gaze slid past him to scan the parking lot. Gideon wasn’t alone; she was certain Javier or one of the others was close, but she couldn’t spot anyone.
“Lydia, Gideon is waiting for me, if you’ll be okay,” Rory said.
Lydia hugged her. “You’re certain?”
“It will give you a little time to be alone,” Rory whispered in her ear. “You need that. Take your time walking back. Cry if you need to, before you get back to Ellen and everyone else. It’s okay to lean on him. Larrsen’s a good man.”