Page 65 of Home Changes
Allison smiled at her friend. “No worries.”
Seth knocked on the door and opened it. Ken looked around. “Ah, the warrior and the fainting princess.”
“Ha, ha.” Allison rolled her eyes at Ken and walked over to Lottie. “How are you?”
“I’m fine now. The doctor gave me something for anxiety.” Lottie smiled. “You saved me. I heard you yelling before I lost consciousness.”
“Yeah, he might have a bump on his head. I whapped him with the garbage can lid.” Allison looked at Ken. “He must have been parked behind the bakery in Hollister’s field.”
“I’ll get evidence of that in the morning and swing by to get your statements. Tracks and such can wait. It isn’t supposed to rain for weeks.” He glanced at Lottie’s statement. “If you remember anything else, just give me a call.”
“I will. Thank you,” Lottie said. She glanced at Gregg and then down at their clasped hands. Lottie released her hold. “Thank you again, Gregg.”
Gregg glanced at them and then nodded before he turned back to her. “I’ve been where you are. My father and my older brother were abusers. Physically and mentally tortured my other brother and me. Pitted us against each other. So, if you ever want to talk about things, I can listen. I can understand where you’re at and what you’re going through.” He pointed to Seth and her. “They know everything and can tell you.I’m safe.” He nodded to Ken. “He’s a dick, but he’s safe, too.”
Ken’s mouth dropped open. “Well, thanks for the recommendation, Koehler.”
Allison couldn’t help the laughter that floated out of her. She needed to laugh after the night she’d had.
“Lottie, Stephanie said they want you to stay the night. I’ll come over in the morning. You’re free to stay with me.”
“I don’t want to impose.” Lottie looked down.
“Mr. Marshall has a couple small cabins. Damn good locks, and the bastard wouldn’t know where you were staying.” Gregg glanced at his watch. “I can ask him tonight if you can use one until you get on your feet.”
“I can’t pay.” She looked up at Gregg. Tears were forming in her eyes.
“You can if you work for me,” Allison said. Could she afford an employee? Not really, but she’d make it work somehow.
“What?”
“Yeah. I’ll teach you what I know, and you can help me out.” She liked the idea more and more. “Plus, I bet Kayla could use help at her shop, too. Mom and Dad down at the general store are getting on in age and could use someone to help stock thelower shelves.” She nodded and smiled. “Yeah, we can make this work.”
“Why would you want to do that?”
“Because we can,” Ken said. “I could use someone to clean the office once a week. We try to keep it up, but you know how guys are.”
“Are you serious?” Lottie looked from one to the next.
“Absolutely. You don’t worry about a thing. We’ll talk more when you’re feeling better.” Allison smiled. “Right now, we’re heading back to the apartment.”
“And I need to make a run to the jail in Belle.”
“There’s a fresh pot of coffee over at the bakery. We were going to spend the night wrapping the Fall Festival goods.”
“I’ll stop by in a minute and fill my tankard. Thank you, Allison.”
She smiled at Ken and, for the first time, didn’t feel like she should apologize. “Not a problem.” They said good night to Gregg, Zeke, and Stephanie, then walked back to the bakery. Her dad was sitting on the steps, and her mom was at the door when they turned the corner. “Stephanie said you were fine when I called, so I didn’t come over.” Her mom rushed over to her and hugged her. “The audacity of that monster to attack you and Lottie.”
“Seth stopped him.”
Seth shrugged. “I did what anyone would do.”
Allison’s dad crossed his arms. “Really?”
Seth smiled. “Well, anyone who thinks your daughter put the moon and sun in the heavens.”
“And that is my cue,” Ken said. “I’m going to grab some of that coffee, Allison. I don’t need to fall asleep on the drive south.”
