Page 8 of Shelter from the Storm

Between the astronomical monthly rent and the fact she didn’t drive, she’d started to worry she was going to lose what honestly felt like a dream job.

When she’d mentioned to her new boss, Theo Storm, that she was struggling to find housing, he said he’d see what he could find. He’d called her back less than an hour later and given her Edith’s number. It was the answer to a prayer. Lodging at Edith’s was very affordable, and she wasn’t even tied to a lease. Edith basically told her she could stay as long as she wanted.

The tour ended in Gretchen’s room, and she failed to hold in her gasp as she walked into the large, beautiful bedroom. It was a suite, so in addition to the bed, nightstand, and dresser, there was a small sitting area complete with a love seat and chair, arranged together in front of a fireplace.

There was a fireplace in her room!

Edith pointed across the hall. “The bathroom is there. Ordinarily it’s shared between the guests, but as you’re the only person here, you get it all to yourself.”

“This is wonderful.” Gretchen suddenly felt guilty because Edith was seriously undercharging her to stay here.

Not that she was able to pay more. While she’d managed to squirrel away nearly two thousand dollars, she’d already dipped into that, paying for the bus fare that took her from Harrisburg to Atlanta, where she’d disembarked, taking a rideshare to a different bus company called Southeastern Stages. From there, she’d traveled to Raleigh. In North Carolina, she’d gotten a rideshare to a Greyhound station, where she bought the third and final ticket to Leesburg.

It had taken her two days to travel what should only have taken four hours by bus, but it hadn’t felt like overkill because she was determined to make finding her as hard as possible on her ex.

Briggs was a cop with too many resources on hand to help find her, so she’d been very careful to cover her tracks. In addition to the bus swaps, she’d bought the tickets with her new ID, using cash only. She prayed the care she’d taken would be enough to throw him off her scent permanently.

Maybe if she managed to stay hidden, he’d stop looking eventually.

“Now,” Edith said. “Why don’t you take some time to unpack and rest for a little while? When you’re ready, come downstairs and I’ll make us some tea and sandwiches to go with the cookies I baked last night.”

“I would love that.”

Edith gave her a warm smile as she left, closing the door behind her. Gretchen walked to the bed and sat down. The mattress sank in just right, so she fell to her back and groaned in delight. She’d never slept in a bed this comfortable.

That wasn’t exactly true. There was nothing wrong with the bed she and Briggs had shared, except for the fact he was in it. It was difficult to relax while lying next to him.

She’d caught only catnaps on the bus before fear woke her up, trembling over the possibility of Briggs catching up to her. Staring at the ceiling, she let out a long sigh, her tired body begging for sleep.

Unfortunately, her mind was the stronger—and it was currently racing a million miles an hour, showing no signs of stopping soon.

Gretchen didn’t want to consider what Briggs would do if he found her. After six years with the man, she had a very full understanding of exactly how possessive he was.

She rolled over and willed herself to fall asleep, but after an hour had passed, she gave up and decided to answer the call of her growling stomach. She’d been living off vending machine food at the bus stations, the crackers and chips doing very little to fill her stomach.

Running a comb through her hair, she quickly changed clothes, anxious to get out of the jeans and turtleneck she’d been wearing. She pulled on another high-necked sweater, then touched up the visible places on her neck with more concealer.

Feeling as refreshed as she was going to get without taking a shower, she stepped out of her room and made her way downstairs. She found Edith in the kitchen.

“That wasn’t much of a nap,” the older woman observed.

Gretchen shrugged. “I think I’m overtired. Couldn’t fall asleep.”

“Well then, that decided what tea we’re drinking. Nothing like a nice cup of chamomile to help you relax. You have a seat right there.” Edith pointed to the kitchen table. “And I’ll get you something to eat.”

Another perk of staying with Edith was the fact her nightly rate was a room-and-board deal.

“I don’t mind fending for myself for meals.” Gretchen felt like she was taking advantage of the woman, now that she’d seen her amazing room. “Manny pointed out a couple of places to eat on this street that I can walk to.”

“And those are fine places, but I hope you’ll humor an old woman and dine with me most nights. The only time I get to cook the way I like is when I have guests or when Manny joins me, which is only two or three times a week.”

“You and Manny are close,” Gretchen observed.

“We certainly are. His father—my brother—and his mother fancy themselves jetsetters. Those two never live in the same city for more than a year or so, and they discovered—after having their son—they preferred a social life over parenting, so Manny spent every summer with me from the time he was old enough to talk.”

“You didn’t have kids of your own?” Gretchen asked.

Edith shook her head. “Never found a man who could keep up with me. Besides, between you and me, I’ve found them to be more trouble than they’re worth.”

---