Page 113 of Love in the Storm

Wendy straightened and took a deep breath, but she didn’t speak.

Asa kept his gaze locked on Wendy. “You’re not starting over. You have us. We’ll stand by you.”

Wendy covered her mouth with her hand and walked into the back room, closing the door behind her. Julia held up a single finger to Asa before following her.

Patience. Patience. He could be patient, even while his heart was banging against the walls of his chest. Wendy had to come back eventually. She didn’t have a ride, and her cell was in the purse she’d left in Lyric’s car.

A minute later, Julia stepped out into the store and linked her hands in front of her chest. “Wendy said you need her to go with you.”

“Yes, please. And I’d like to take her home after we finish our business.”

Julia smiled at him, the shallow lines branching from the corners of her eyes deepening. “Please be good to her. I only know what she’s told me, but she seems to be trying.”

At least Wendy had someone else on her side. “You don’t have to worry. I’ll take good care of her.”

Wendy stepped out of the back room a minutelater. Her eyes were pink, and she’d wiped off the makeup around her eyes.

When they were outside, Asa whispered, “Thank you.”

Wendy looked up at him, but her face was void of expression. “I didn’t mean to do this to her.”

“I know. She’s scared, and she needs your help.”

Wendy looked at the ground. “She’s a good person. She’s always been there for me. Now, look what I’ve done to her.”

“She’s the best person to have on your side,” Asa added. He’d gotten to know the real Lyric these past few months, and she had a heart of gold and enough dedication to accomplish anything she set her mind to.

If only she could help Wendy develop that same determination.

Wendy grinned. “I think she’d say the same about you.”

“I’m here to help. With that being said, I can’t get you out of punishments you deserve, but call me if you get into trouble. I can help you get back on your feet.”

Wendy wiped her cheeks and inhaled a deep breath. “You two make a good pair.”

Asa chuckled. “An unexpected pair, but a good one. One of the things I love about Lyric is that she’ll fight for you.”

Wendy tilted her head, and a small grin played on her lips. “Like you’re doing for her right now?”

Asa nodded slightly. “She needs someone to believe in her, and I plan to be that person.”

Wendy nodded to the car. “Let’s go.”

39

LYRIC

Olivia burst into the room filled with desks and cubicles like a tornado. Brushing her hair from her face, she panted, “I’m here. Where’s the fire?”

Dawson pointed to Lyric and threw his cards onto the desk. “I fold. You know, this game isn’t any fun when you have zero facial expressions. Give me something to work with here.”

Lyric dropped her cards. It was Dawson’s idea to play poker. She appreciated his attempt to distract her, but nothing was going to calm the icy panic in her middle.

“She doesn’t want to play cards, Keller,” Olivia said. Sighing, she grabbed a chair and scooted it closer to Lyric. “What’s going on? Catch me up.”

Kendra rubbed a hand in soothing circles over Lyric’s back. Whatwasgoing on? She’d been sittingfor half an hour, and they hadn’t cuffed her or put her in a cell yet.

Jason lingered at a desk nearby, tapping away at the keyboard. Was he writing a tell-all? A report? An article for the local newspaper? He had plenty of fuel to start a fire in her life. Was he silently planning her demise or was he waiting to see what cards Asa had up his sleeve?

---