Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45821 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45821 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Standing, Dirk carried their dishes to the sink and washed the trays out before sticking them into the dishwasher. Quickly, he wiped down all the surfaces before coming to clean the table. He accepted the empty glass from Cynthia and added that to the other dishes.
She tried not to squirm in her seat. It was time to talk, and he’d make a decision about whether he’d help her or not. Cynthia scooped up Bullyboo and tucked him back into the carrier she still wore. She didn’t want him to hear how she’d screwed stuff up.
CHAPTER 2
When Dirk came back to the table, she knew he noted that she’d hidden Bullyboo in her backpack once again. His gaze went over her disheveled form as she sat and waited for his verdict. Cynthia knew he was her last chance. If he decided to help her.
“I want you to know that I appreciate you being so nice to me. I know you’re doing it because Mr. Edgewater asked you to meet with me, but I won’t forget your kindness.”
“I haven’t done anything for you yet. We’ve got some tough discussions to have, but I bet right now you’d like to use the restroom,” he guessed correctly. “I have a new toothbrush you can have.”
A groan of delight escaped her lips. “I’d kill to brush my teeth.”
“Let’s not add any more charges against you,” he replied drily.
She stared at him. Did he just tease her?
“Come on, Little girl. Let me show you where the bathroom is.” He waved her to follow him and led the way down the hall. He turned into a large guestroom and showed her into a good-sized attached bathroom.
“Would you like to take a shower? I’ll be glad to throw your clothes in the washer while we talk,” he offered as he opened a drawer and pulled out a couple of toothbrushes wrapped in their packages and a small box that held a travel-sized toothpaste. “Pick your favorite color.”
“Yellow,” she blurted, before adding, “I can take either one if you don’t like green.”
“Take the yellow one. Help yourself to soap, shampoo, and conditioner. My sister visits often and leaves her stuff everywhere. You’ll find combs and brushes in the drawers. Use whatever you’d like. She’s a sweetheart. Trish would love to know someone benefited from them.”
“I don’t have any clothes to put on. I didn’t pack very well when I fled,” Cynthia confessed.
“You grabbed your stuffie. He was the most important,” he observed.
Automatically, Cynthia wrapped her arms around the backpack. “I did.”
Dirk’s light blue eyes dimmed as if he were sad.
Cynthia rushed to say, “It’s okay. I always land on my feet. You don’t have to worry about me.”
“I don’t think that’s possible now after meeting you. That Easton is a crafty man. Let me grab you some clothes to wear. Hopefully, you can make them fit.”
“Really, you don’t have to go to this much work.”
“Would you like to take a shower and have clean clothes?” he asked.
“Yes, but…”
“Throw your clothes out in the bedroom and I’ll dump everything in the washer. They can wash and dry while we talk and come up with a plan.”
“Thank you.” Cynthia swallowed hard to keep her voice steady. She’d cry when she got in the shower. He didn’t need to know how much his kindness affected her.
“Brush your teeth. I’ll be back in a jiffy with something for you to wear.”
Unwrapping the new toothbrush, Cynthia scrubbed away the tear that rolled down her cheek. As she cleaned her teeth, he placed a shirt and pair of sweatpants on the vanity. She mumbled her thanks through the foam and Dirk nodded before leaving and closing the door.
As she heard the door latch securely, Cynthia leaned against the countertop. She wanted to trust someone so much, but her ex-brother-in-law, Eddie, had taught her how dangerous that was. After rinsing her mouth, Cynthia shrugged out of her backpack and placed it safely on the vanity. She dared to open the drawers under the sink and found large bottles of luxurious shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. With a gasp of delight, she pulled out a wrapped disposable shaver, realizing you never appreciated the smallest things until you had nothing.
Carrying her treasure trove to the large bathing area, she set them along the ledge of the shower and tugged off the wet clothing that was in desperate need of being washed after several days. She hesitated to add her bra and panties. That seemed so intimate for him to see her underwear. The temptation of having all clean clothes won out. Turning off the light, she opened the door just enough to slide everything outside and dropped the bundle on the floor of the bedroom.
With the door closed and locked and the light back on, she hurried to the shower to warm the water. Cynthia couldn’t wait to get clean. A light knock on the door made her freeze.