Page 47 of Home Changes
Chester scowled. “Don’t need no damn babysitter.”
“I know, Dad. Just saying.” Seth turned and walked toward Allison’s place. He hadn’t been to her apartment above the bakery before, and he looked forward to it. He took the stairs two at a time and at the top was just about to knock when the door opened.
Allison stood there, and before she could say a word, Seth grabbed her by the waist, pulled her in, and dipped his head. “Hello, beautiful. It’s been too damn long.”
Laughing softly, she shushed him and slipped out the door, shutting it behind her. Seth looked from her to the closed door. “This wasn’t what I expected. And why are we being quiet?”
“Loretta is sleeping on the couch.”
“Who’s Loretta, and why is she sleeping on your couch?”
“Loretta is the woman I’ve been feeding. She was sitting on my steps when I got home this morning. She’s not doing well. She swears she hasn’t done anything illegal, and I believe her. She’s terrified, Seth. I don’t know of what, but I really think Doc Johnson needs to take a look at her.”
“We need to call Ken. If she’s afraid of something?—”
Allison held up her hand. “No, we don’t call Ken because she asked me not to. No police.”
Seth frowned. “I don’t like that.” Actually, it set his nerves on edge to the point of grinding. “Why doesn’t she want the police involved? It isn’t like we’re going to turn her over to the same people who did this to her.”
“We don’t know what happened to her, so we have to find out. I’mnotcalling Ken. But I told her you were coming. And you have law enforcement training, right?”
Seth nodded. “And?”
“Well, maybe you and I can talk to her. You can figure out what’s going on. Then you can talk to Ken, and I won’t have broken my word.”
Seth raised an eyebrow. “Oh, you are a devious one, aren’t you?”
Allison shrugged. “I used to be. Trying really hard not to be that anymore. But I think we’ll have to take matters into our own hands. She could barely eat anything, which tells me she’s either really sick or she’s been out in the elements too long. But I’ve been feeding her, so I’m leaning toward sick. You know what I mean?”
“I do. And I’m hoping whatever she has isn’t contagious.” He gave her a pointed look.
Allison’s eyes widened. “I didn’t even think about that.”
“I know.” He gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You were only worried about her. You wanted her to be safe.”
She nodded. “Yeah. She’s sleeping now and probably will be for quite some time. Would you come back tomorrow and talk with her?”
“I’d be happy to. As long as you get Doc Johnson up here now to make sure she’s not going to be contagious or infect you with something. I couldn’thandle that.” His thumb brushed her cheek tenderly.
She leaned into his touch. “Did I tell you I had a really good time last night?”
Seth smiled. “Not in so many words, but there were a few actions I picked up on.”
She wrapped her arms around his waist and looked up at him. “You know, Seth, you keep talking like that, I’m gonna think you like me.”
He kissed her, slow and soft. “You keep holding me like this, and you’re gonna know how much I like you.”
Chuckling, she slid her hands down to squeeze his backside. “Oh? Then I’ll tell you I think you're special.”
“So are you. See, we’re communicating.” He leaned in for another kiss. “Call Doc Johnson,” he murmured against her lips.
“I will.”
“I’m going to wait at the store. We’re not leaving until I see he’s been here.”
Allison sighed and leaned into him. “I really did have a good time, Seth.”
“So did I. We’ll have to do that again.”
