Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Finally the golden arches came into view, and Cara pulled into the parking lot, which was already covered with an ever-thickening layer of snow. The small McDonald’s located off the highway wasn’t a full-service family restaurant but one where truckers and travelers stopped for a quick meal or cup of coffee. Tonight, the dimly lit parking lot was fairly empty.
Cara entered through the front door and was surprised to see Daniella behind the counter. No one waited in line to order, and Cara stepped up to greet her. “Hi,” she said softly.
“Hi.” Daniella smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
Cara wondered if she’d ever see her truly happy and prayed with everything in her that she would. “You got a job!”
“As soon as I went back, Bob said since I ran away once, I’d have to earn my keep. But he keeps a close eye on me,” Daniella admitted, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
Cara winced, but she’d promised not to judge. “At least it gets you out of the house.”
Daniella nodded. Her eyes filled with tears, and she bit down on her lower lip, obviously to keep from crying.
All Cara wanted to do was bundle the woman up and bring her home, but she knew that acting emotionally wasn’t an answer. She couldn’t bring home everyone she helped at Havensbridge, no matter how badly she wanted to.
“Can I get a cup of coffee?” Cara asked, hoping to give Daniella something else to concentrate on.
“Sure. My manager is in the back. She’s really a sweet woman, and she said I could take my break when you got here. I’ll just tell her to come out and cover for me.”
Cara nodded.
A few minutes later, Cara and Daniella were seated across from each other in a small booth.
A middle-aged woman walked over, carrying two cups of coffee. “On the house. Take all the time you need,” she said.
“Thanks, Bev.”
“Thank you,” Cara said.
“No problem.” She nodded at Cara before walking away, taking her place behind the counter.
“She seems nice,” Cara said.
“She’s been very good to me.” Daniella sounded surprised, as if she’d seen too little kindness in her life.
“How long have you been working here?”
“A little over a week.” She glanced into her coffee cup.
Cara studied Daniella carefully, taking in the fading bruise on the girl’s jaw. Without meaning to, Cara reached out and brushed a gentle finger over the discoloration.
“I tripped—”
“Not with me, okay?” Cara whispered.
Daniella’s eyes once again filled with tears that she was unable to keep from spilling over her cheeks.
“Daniella, I know I promised no pressure, but you have to leave. You can stay at Havensbridge and—”
The young woman clenched and unclenched her fists. “I want to leave him. I do. That’s why I called you. But I like working here. I like having somewhere to come every day. It’s not like being a paralegal, but I feel good about myself. And I can do this part time and make money while I take online refresher classes.”
Cara nodded, pleased that Daniella not only had made the decision but had more of a plan than when she’d been at Havensbridge the first time. “That’s good. I’m sure Belinda will have a way to make things work. It’s just transportation you’d need, right?”
“Right—except Bob knows I work here.” She shook her head in frustration. “He shows up at odd hours to check on me.”
Cara wasn’t surprised.
“Damn right I know where you are every minute of the day.” A shadow loomed over their table. Cara looked up and into the eyes of one very pissed-off—and if she wasn’t mistaken, drunk—man. “I drive you here and pick you up because you’ve proven you can’t be trusted.”
Daniella shrank lower into her seat.
Cara felt the pressure of her holster and breathed out hard. She straightened her shoulders and met the man’s gaze, refusing to let him intimidate her as he obviously wanted to do.
“I’m sorry, do I know you?” She deliberately dismissed him with her tone.
“Bob Francone. Who the hell are you?” He braced his hands on the table, leaning over them, distinctly threatening.
Cara wasn’t impressed. She smiled broadly and reached into her pocket. “I’m Daniella’s friend. Officer Cara Hartley.” She flashed her badge.
“You stupid bitch!” Bob raged at Daniella.
A whimper escaped the younger woman’s lips.
Time to take control of this situation, Cara thought. She slid to the edge of the seat, intending to stand, but Bob remained blocking her way. “Excuse me.”
Bob ignored her. “You’re friends with a cop?” Bob asked Daniella instead.
“Please don’t make a scene,” Daniella said, the words coming out more like a plea.
“I shouldn’t make a scene.” He barked out a laugh. “You called a goddamned cop, and I shouldn’t make a scene?”
“That’s correct. Now I believe I said excuse me, you’re blocking my way.” Cara nudged his thigh with her knee. “I’d like to stand.”