Page 73 of Drawn To You (Paloma's Edge 1)

Chapter 14

Bethany

Aunt Deborah had just left the house with Cassidy when I was on the last bite of my egg white and spinach wrap. Uncle Anton was out of the door when I came downstairs. He hadn’t mentioned Chase’s name since he talked me in his office days ago, but he definitely still wasn’t a fan of Chase like he had once been. I recalled how he’d regarded Chase warmly during the first dinner I’d had with everyone. Aunt Deborah and he were

getting along much better, but there was still some tension between them, and I knew it was about Cassidy.

As I checked my email on my phone, Brianna sent me a text.

Brianna: Running late. Chase is on the phone with his boss. And Gavin is dead tired from his overnight shift.

Me: It’s cool. I’ll ask Nancy to give me a ride. Are you okay?

Brianna: Forgot to turn my alarm on. Just woke up. Sorry.

“What’s wrong?” Nancy asked me with a frown, and set her cup of coffee down.

“Brianna is running late and can’t drive me to work. Chase is busy and Pierce doesn’t start work till two. Would you please take me?”

“Of course. I am going to collect my keys and purse. I’ll be right back.” She paced in the direction of her room.

Ten minutes passed and I was getting worried. I’d texted Nancy to see if she was all right. She hadn’t responded. I’d never been in Nancy’s room before, and to be honest, I felt odd as I walked to hers, but she may not have been feeling well. She was fit and moved fast, and in any other instance, she’d be in the kitchen by now.

My phone vibrated. I ran back to the kitchen and picked it off of the island and checked my new message.

Pierce: I am out front.

Me: I am gonna check on Nancy first.

Pierce: Spoke w/her 5 min. ago. She’s fine. Told her I’d take you to the Paloma.

In forty minutes, I had to start work. When I looked around, Pierce was in a dark gray, brand-new-looking Ford Focus Sedan.

“Hey Pierce. New car?”

“Noodles, it’s your new car.”

“You bought me a car?”

I heard laughing behind me and peered at Nancy by the half-opened door.

He shook his head and got out of the car. “Get in.” I switched places with him and was in the driver’s seat. The car even had that new-car smell and Betsy hadn’t had that smell when I’d bought her. “I did.”

“Are you joking?” I was sure I was waking up the neighbors. “Because if you are, that’s cruel, Porkchop.”

His had a crooked grin and gestured me to start driving.

I reached out and hooked my arms around him. “Thank you.” I was two more paychecks from getting the used car I’d had my eye on for weeks.

“Do Brianna and Chase know that you were bringing me a new car!” I couldn’t contain my elation.

“Yeah. Bri was at work when she texted you, but Chase really had a phone call with his boss.”

I nodded. “And where am I taking you?”

“Back to the Paloma. I start work in thirty minutes too. Most people back from their vacays, as you know, but I need to be there.”

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