Page 41 of Dangerous December
The idea had seemed perfect. Elana had tentatively agreed to help out.
But when Beth stopped at Sloane House the following afternoon to talk to her about a job at the bookstore, she backed away, twisting her fingers together.
“I can’t,” she whispered. “I—I just can’t.”
“But the motel only offers minimum wage, and they don’t give you enough hours each week. Remember when we talked earlier? It means extra money for your school and a chance to save for an apartment.” Beth waved her toward a chair. “Let’s sit and talk about it. Okay?”
Elana dutifully sat on the cranberry velvet chair, her gaze flitting around the ornate Victorian decor of the front parlor.
“It would also mean less physical work. You could even keep your old job, if you wanted to. And when Janet comes back to work, I’ll still have some hours for you.”
“There are other people in this town needing a job. Maybe they would be better for you.”
Beth leaned forward, willing the woman to at least make eye contact, but now Elana dropped her attention to her lap.
“Yes, I could advertise, or I could offer the hours to a friend in my book club who has always wanted to work at my store, and I would offer them the same wage I’m offering you. But this is a chance for you to earn more per hour, and get some experience in a retail setting.”
Elana fidgeted.
“It will also help you pay for your business classes. Once you’re done with them, you’ll be ever so much more desirable to an employer. The upscale resorts and business around here would fight over the chance to hire a bright, skilled bilingual woman like you.”
“Iknowit would be a good change. But...”
“You have a right to a happy life, Elana, and so does your son. One where you don’t need to look over your shoulder in fear.”
Elana’s eyes glistened with sudden tears. “You don’t know what it was like. I was so scared, always. Twice I called nine-one-one, but hung up. I knew Roberto would’ve hired his fine lawyers, and then he would be free. And again, we would have to run.”
“But that’s over. He’s where he can’t hurt you anymore.”
Elana wrapped her arms around her stomach. “But what if someone else tries to do the same?”
“It’s against the law. You can get a restraining order or have that person arrested. Dev says he’ll be moving to the cottage behind Sloane House soon, and he’s been in the Marines for years. If anyone can protect you, he can. Believe me.”
She offered a bleak smile. “I would like that.”
“Whether or not you decide to work at the store, that’s up to you. Either way, I promise you that we’ll do our best to help you.”
“I...will think about it.”
But from the way Elana fled the room, Beth doubted that she’d give it a second thought.
“Wow,” Cody whispered. “This isscary.”
Dev smothered a laugh. “Thanks. And to think it’s my new home.”
“You got spiderwebseverywhere.And,” he marveled, “I’ll bet there’srats!”
The boy had slipped out the back door of the house as soon as Dev pulled into a parking place off the alley.
He’d watched from a safe distance at first, then cautiously edged closer. It took him a good ten minutes to finally gather the courage to reach Dev’s side.
But once there, like most kids, he’d been in awe over the potential for the scary creatures that might slither, crawl, or fly out of the cottage when the contents were disturbed.
“Sounds like a great selling point to me. Spiders, rats—maybe even bats.”
At the sound of Beth’s voice, Dev turned in surprise. “I didn’t expect to see you here today.”
“Why not?” She strolled across the lawn to join them, with no trace of her recent emotional revelations in her expression. “I was driving past and saw you two out here. Thought I’d offer to pitch in.”
