Page 114 of Love in the Storm

Lyric cleared her throat. She’d already recounted the story for Jason and Dawson. Maybe she’d get through it without tears this time.

“I gave my friend a ride to work this morning.”

“Which friend?” Olivia asked.

“Wendy.”

Olivia nodded. She knew of Wendy. Lyric had asked anyone and everyone she knew to pray for her friend after Jaycee died. It was always hardest to stay clean when times were tough.

The prayers hadn’t worked this time, and defeat swirled in Lyric’s stomach like a whirlpool, sucking all the happiness into a dark hole. She hadn’t saved Wendy. That fragile sobriety had cracked under the pressure.

“I dropped her off at Julia’s Flower shop, then went to Blackwater Restoration. I was early for my shift, and the back door was destroyed.”

Olivia’s eyes widened, and she reached for Lyric’s hand. “Are you okay? Was there anyone around?”

“I’m fine. I was on the phone with Asa, and hetold me to call 911 so dispatch could send officers out to investigate. I talked to Nancy while they did that.”

Nancy had been a bright spot in a dark morning. The friendly dispatcher had kept Lyric updated on what was happening at the store all while keeping conversation light and hopeful.

Nancy came over to introduce herself a few minutes ago. She also brought Lyric the cup of hot chocolate that sat cooling on the desk beside Dawson’s folded poker hand.

Olivia scooted closer, keeping her attention fully locked on Lyric. “Was everything okay?”

“Camille’s office was destroyed. They must have been looking for cash, but she never keeps any in the store overnight.”

“That’s a relief,” Olivia said.

Lyric picked at her cuticles and stared at her hands in her lap. “Then, Jason’s dog smelled drugs in my car.”

“What? Are you serious?” Olivia shouted, looking around with wide eyes.

Lyric huffed. “Afraid so. Wendy left her purse in my car. They weren’t mine, but that doesn’t even matter. They were in my car.”

Olivia grasped Lyric’s hand, holding it tight. “I’m sorry. That’s a lot to process in one morning. The break-in, the drugs, Wendy. Oh, no. Does that mean Wendy?—”

“I think so. I haven’t talked to her yet.” Lyric sniffed. “I thought she was doing okay.”

“All we can do is let her know we’re still here for her,” Kendra said. “The last thing she needs is for us to give up on her.”

Kendra’s hand moved from Lyric’s back to her shoulder. She couldn’t give up on Wendy. What would her life be like if Kendra had given up? Or Asa? They both had reasons to doubt her—to label her a lost cause or decide she was more trouble than she was worth. Instead, they’d both stayed, and their support made all the difference.

Olivia leaned down to put herself in Lyric’s line of sight. “Kendra is right. We’ll be here for Wendy. In the meantime, what’s going on here?”

Lyric shrugged. “I’m being arrested, I guess. Officer Guthrie is being oddly quiet over there, and Dawson is making jokes and playing card games to distract me.”

Dawson hummed the tune of “You Got a Friend in Me” as he clicked at his computer. He really had done his best to keep her calm. It wasn’t his fault her fragile world was crumbling.

“Where’s Asa?” Olivia asked.

“I’m not sure. He said he was going to help and promised to be back soon. I don’t know how he could fix this, but?—”

“Don’t lose hope,” Olivia added quickly. “Now isnot the time to doubt each other. We’re in this together, and I’m sure Asa is on your side too.”

Lyric bit her lips between her teeth. Oh, how she hoped Olivia was right. With two jobs, a loving home, a man and his son she loved, and a new home in a church that had welcomed her with open arms, Lyric had so much to lose.

And her parents. She’d just gotten them back. The thought of losing them again sent a stabbing pain straight into her chest.

Olivia scooted closer until her knees bumped against Lyric’s. “We are gonna pray, and you are gonna focus on breathing. Okay?”

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