Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
“Okay, fine, but...”
Before I could finish my thought, he announced, “We’re going over to Rosie’s today.”
“Rosie’s?”
“The bar I told you about.”
“What about Luna?”
“Skid is on his way over. He can keep an eye on her until we get back.”
While I liked Skid, I barely knew him, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about him watching Luna. “I don’t know.”
“It’ll be fine. Skid’s a good guy. Besides, we won’t be gone long.”
“Okay. If you’re sure.”
“Wouldn’t leave her with him if I wasn’t.”
For reasons I couldn’t explain, I trusted Grim, even with my precious daughter, so I agreed, and half an hour later, we were pulling into the bar’s parking lot. I put on my best smile as I followed Grim inside. Rosie’s was small, with just a few booths along the wall and a couple of tables scattered about. It was a bit rough around the edges, but folks seemed to like it. There wasn’t an empty seat in sight, and it wasn’t even dark yet.
When we reached the bar, I spotted an elderly man with short gray hair and dark, square glasses. He was wearing a long-sleeved, black t-shirt with washed-out jeans and boots, and he didn’t seem to be in any hurry as he shuffled from one end of the bar to the other. From the way Grim had described him, I could only assume that he was Jud—the owner of the bar.
As soon as he spotted Grim, he smiled and started over to us. “Well, I’ll be... I didn’t expect to see you back here so soon.”
“I told you I was coming.”
“Yeah, well, you were three sheets to the wind when you told me that.”
“Meant it just the same.” Grim motioned his head over to me. “This is Jenna. She’s the girl I told you about.”
“Pretty little thing.” He straightened his back and leaned to the side, trying to get a better look at me, then said, “You ever worked in a bar before?”
“No, sir, but I’m a quick learner. Just tell me what you need me to do, and I’ll do it.”
“Hm-hmm.” Jud turned his attention back to Grim. “You think she can handle it?”
“Wouldn’t have brought her here if I didn’t.” Grim cocked his head. “But there’s a catch.”
“Of course there is.”
“She’s got a kid.” Grim sounded hopeful as he said, “I was thinking Stacie could keep an eye on her while she was working. I’d make it worth her while.”
“Wait,” I interrupted. “Who’s Stacie?”
“She’s my granddaughter,” Jud answered. “She’s been living in the apartment upstairs since the accident, and it doesn’t look like she’ll be leaving any time soon.”
“Still not gettin’ out?”
“No.” Jud shook his head and sighed. “But we’re still working at it, and one day, she’ll get her life back.”
Grim must’ve sensed my unease because he leaned over to me and softly said, “Stacie was attacked a few months back. We’re still not sure who was behind it, and that’s making it harder for her to get back on her feet.”
“That’s awful. I can’t imagine how hard that’s been for her.”
“It’s been rough, but she’s gettin’ stronger every day.”
“So, you think she’d be up for watching Luna?”
“Yeah, I think it’d do her good,” Jud answered confidently. “How old’s the kid?”
"Almost four,” I answered. “She’s very well-behaved and won’t cause Stacie any trouble.”
“Yeah, I think that could work.” He looked back at me as he asked, “When can you start?”
“Anytime,” I answered excitedly.
“Alright then. Be back here tonight at seven, and we’ll see if you can keep up.”
“Great! I’ll see you then.”
We said our goodbyes, and I felt like I was walking on cloud nine as we made our way back to the parking lot. I had a real chance to make good money—the kind of money that could make a real difference in our lives. And I owed it all to Grim. He’d been so wonderful to me and to Luna. It was hard not to have feelings for him—strong feelings. We’d only known him for a short time, but he’d already made such an impact on our lives.
And I couldn’t help but wonder if we’d had a similar impact on his.
Grim
"How's she doing?"
Jud glanced over his shoulder and watched as Jenna took another order. “It’s only been a couple of days, but she’s catching on.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Don’t get me wrong.” Jud tugged his long, silver beard. “She’s got a lot to learn when it comes to making drinks, but she seems eager to learn and folks seem to really like her.”
“So, you think this is gonna work out?”
“I don’t see why not.” His eyes drifted back over to Jenna as she served a group of rowdy guys at the other end of the bar. “She’s got potential if she just sticks with it.”
“And Luna?”
“Cute kid.” Jud smiled. “I think having her around is gonna do wonders for Stacie.”