Chapter 14
T he morning sun filtered through the gauzy curtains, painting soft gold across the room.
Outside, a rooster crowed somewhere. Allison stirred first, blinking against the light.
Her body ached in a good way, muscles warm and stretched in places that hadn't been used quite like that before. She smiled before opening her eyes, the memory of the night clinging to her skin like the scent of Seth’s cologne.
He was still beside her, and she admired the picture of him.
Bare-chested, hair tousled, his arm heavy around her waist, anchoring her to the bed like he had every right to keep her there.
And you know what? He did have that right.
She’d given that to him. She searched her mind and her heart for any regrets, but smiling, she knew there were none.
Seth filled the empty spaces in her life.
Would the future be perfect? No, but who expected perfection?
She wanted real and honest, and she found that with him.
She eased out from under the quilt as gently as she could, tugging one of his old flannel shirts from the chair near the bed and slipping it on. The hem nearly hit her knees.
She padded barefoot toward the kitchen, intending to make coffee or at least start breakfast, but she’d barely crossed the living room when the hallway creaked and Chester appeared, shuffling out in a rumpled Army T-shirt and flannel pants, hair sticking out in all directions. Gomer was glued to his side.
He squinted at her, rubbing one eye with the back of his hand. “You here already? Drove all this way so early?”
Allison blinked. “Uh …”
He grunted and shuffled past her toward the counter. “Damn early to be feedin’ a man, but I won’t complain. You bring food?”
She bit back a laugh, cheeks warming. “Actually, I’m using what you have here.”
“Smart.” He gave her a side-eye glance, then blinked like he was trying to piece together a puzzle, but it wasn’t making a picture. “Thought I heard you come in, but then I thought I must be dreamin’. Hell, I didn’t even hear Seth get up.”
“He’s, uh …” Allison tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, glancing back toward the hallway. “Still sleeping.”
Chester reached for the coffee canister, muttering under his breath as he scooped grounds into the pot. “Well, if you’re makin’ breakfast, I prefer my eggs over medium to hard done. None of that runny yolk nonsense.”
She smiled, tension leaking out of her shoulders. “Got it.”
He turned to look at her again, brow furrowing. His eyes dropped to the oversized flannel shirt she wore. That look continued to be puzzled, which she was sorry for and happy about at the same time. Then he looked away, cleared his throat, and fussed with the coffee filter.
“Not my business,” he muttered. “You want to feed a man before daylight and wear a shirt as a dress, hell, that’s between you and society. Seen it all in my day.”
Allison covered her grin with the back of her hand, her cheeks burning with heat .
Behind her, bare feet whispered against the floorboards, and Seth’s hand landed lightly on her back as he stepped up beside her. “Morning, Dad.”
Chester didn’t look up. “Mornin’. You sleep good?”
Seth paused. “Yep.”
Chester poured water into the coffee maker. “Thought I heard thunder last night.”
Seth blinked. “Thunder?”
“Uh-huh. Lotta rumbling.”
Allison turned bright red. She could feel the heat creeping higher, and her pale complexion and red hair didn’t help cover up her embarrassment, not at being with Seth, but at Chester’s words. If the man ever put two and two together, she’d melt into the linoleum. Puddle, splat, gone.
Seth looked like he was going to choke on air. “Think the weather’s passed now,” he managed to say finally.
Chester looked up, one eyebrow raised. “What has?”
“Ah, the weather? All the rumbling?” Seth supplied.
“We had weather? Didn’t hear it.” Chester moved toward the table with a grunt and dropped into his seat before reaching for the paper. “Are you making breakfast? Eggs, girl. Medium to hard cooked. Don’t like runny yolks. Nasty stuff, that. And maybe some toast.”
Allison turned to Seth once Chester was buried in the crossword.
Seth leaned in, voice low and full of teasing amusement. “You okay?”
She nodded, smiling even as she whispered, “Your dad thinks I came over at sunrise to cook breakfast.”
Seth grinned. “Let him. We’re adults.”
And just like that, the awkwardness was gone. Not erased, but softened by the simplicity of the morning, the man who’d raised Seth, and the quiet promise that last night didn’t need to be hidden, it just didn’t need to be explained.
Allison rolled up her sleeves and reached for the pan. “Eggs. Medium to hard over and toast, coming up.”
Allison smiled all the way back into town.
Seth would be by shortly so Chester could sit out front of the general store with Delbert, even though it was closed on Sundays.
That was their routine. It grounded Chester, gave him something to look forward to.
She pulled around to the back of the bakery and put the truck in park.
That was when she noticed the woman sitting on the steps to her bakery.
Slowly, Allison turned off the engine and climbed out of the cab, careful not to startle the figure hunched in layers of mismatched clothing. The woman looked up, her expression guarded and weary.
“Are you okay?” Allison asked gently, approaching with slow, steady steps.
The woman shook her head. She was trembling, arms wrapped tight around herself.
“Can I help you?” Allison pressed softly. “Let me take you upstairs to my apartment. You can get a shower, and we’ll figure this out. It doesn’t matter what kind of trouble you’re in. As long as you’re not a serial killer or anything.”
The woman rolled her eyes faintly, and Allison took that as a good sign.
“I’m not a killer,” she said.
Allison crouched down beside her, voice steady. “Then let me help you. My name’s Allison. I live here, but I think you already know that.”
The woman gave a slight nod .
“Are you in trouble?” Allison asked, standing and offering her hand.
“I don’t wanna talk about it. But I need help.”
“Then you’ve got it. People in this town, they’re the best. No one here will hurt you. I promise.”
They walked up the stairs together, and when they reached the top, Allison unlocked the door and helped the woman step inside.
“What do you need first? Food, water, or a shower? I’ll bring you some clothes to wear.”
The woman’s eyes scanned the cozy space. “A shower. Then maybe some medicine. I can’t stop shaking. I think I’ve got a cold. Or a fever.”
“Probably because you’ve been outside and not eating well,” Allison said.
The woman nodded weakly.
“Are you strong enough to take a shower? There’s a bench in there if you get dizzy.”
“Yeah. I’ll be okay.”
Allison led her to the bathroom. “There’s shampoo, conditioner, and soap in there. The towels are clean and on the rack. I’ll grab you some clothes.” She turned to leave but paused. “What’s your name?”
The woman’s eyes widened with fear.
“Hey, now,” Allison said quickly. “You don’t have to tell me. It’s okay. As I said, we’re not going to hurt you here. I’m just trying to help.”
The woman wrapped her arms tighter around herself, glancing nervously up and down the hallway.
“Loretta. My name is Loretta.”
“That’s a pretty name,” Allison said with a soft smile.
“Go ahead and take your shower. I’m not calling anyone.
I won’t say anything to anybody. I want you to feel safe.
My boyfriend will be here in about an hour or so.
You’ve got plenty of time to shower and eat.
He won’t hurt you either. He’s prior military, and he’ll protect us. ”
Loretta gave a wary nod. “The one with the dog?”
Allison nodded. “Yeah. That’s a military working dog. Or he was. He’s retired now.”
“I heard the conversation.”
Allison’s brow knit. “How?”
Loretta rubbed her forehead. “I’ve been hiding under your boardwalk. That’s how I knew there were clothes in the deposit box. And how I could get food out of your trash can.”
Allison blinked, stunned, and her mouth fell open. “How long?”
“I’m not sure. Two, maybe three, weeks.”
Allison took a slow breath and nodded. “Okay. You go on and take your shower. Take as long as you like. I’ll leave the clothes right outside the door so you can feel safe. Lock it if you want.”
Loretta gave a grateful nod and shuffled into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
Allison leaned back against the hallway wall, exhaling hard. “Holy smokes,” she whispered, rubbing her face. Her thoughts spun, but one rose to the top.
What the hell do I do now?
Food first. And something to drink.
The woman, Loretta, was nothing but skin and bones.
It was no wonder she was sick. Exposure to the elements, a lack of food, and no clean place to wash up would wear anyone down.
Allison wasn’t even sure if the bruises still existed beneath the layers of grime, but now that she’d made contact, maybe she could gently talk Loretta into letting her call Ken.
Or better yet, Zeke Johnson. The town’s doctor would absolutely take her in pro bono. That’s just what they did here.
Allison bit her lip, pushing off the wall the moment she heard the water start. The soft hum of the pipes and the patter of the shower brought a flicker of relief. It was a step in the right direction.
She rummaged through her drawers, frowning as she tried to gauge Loretta’s size.
Even with her lost weight, the woman was much lighter.
Allison found a pair of drawstring leggings and the smallest T-shirt she owned.
She added a sports bra and, thankfully, had a new package of underwear she could offer.
Then she placed everything in a neat pile on the floor outside the bathroom door and popped back to her room to grab a pair of pink fluffy socks and an oversized hoodie.
The way Loretta had shivered, it had probably been a long time since she’d been warm.
In the kitchen, she pulled out a container of the chicken rice soup she’d picked up from the diner.
It was always made fresh, and it always hit the spot.
While warming it in a saucepan, she slid a couple of slices of sourdough into the oven.
As the bread began to crisp, she checked on the clothes.
The door creaked open, and a hand reached out to grab the pile. Then the door clicked shut again.
Allison waited another twenty minutes before Loretta finally emerged. Her hair was damp, combed back, and she looked … less haunted, though exhaustion still hung around her like a storm cloud.
“I borrowed your comb,” she said quietly.
Allison waved her off. “Anything you need, you’ve got. Are you ready to eat something? ”
Loretta nodded. “Yeah.”
She followed Allison into the kitchen, her movements sluggish, shoulders hunched. Allison handed her a steaming bowl of soup and two warm, thick slices of sourdough slathered with butter. The woman took a few careful bites, then leaned back, arms wrapping around herself again.
“I don’t think I can eat much more.”
“That’s okay,” Allison said gently. “You’ve got time to ease into it. How about I get you a blanket? You can sit on the couch and rest. We can talk a little later.”
Loretta nodded, and when she stood, she wobbled. Allison rushed forward, catching her before she could fall.
“Whoa there. Come on, let’s get you comfy.
” She guided her to the couch and returned with a thick, soft blanket.
Kneeling in front of her, Allison tucked the blanket over her legs.
“Listen,” she said, meeting Loretta’s eyes.
“I’m fine with you staying here. I’m fine with feeding you and keeping you warm.
But I really think Dr. Johnson needs to take a look at you.
Those bruises … you’ve been through something. And you nearly passed out just now.”
“I don’t wanna cause any trouble,” Loretta whispered .
“It’s no trouble, I promise you. And while we’re at it, we could maybe let Ken, the sheriff, know you’re here.”
“No.” The word cut through the air, sharp and sudden. Loretta bolted upright, nearly knocking Allison back. “No police. No police whatsoever.”
Allison raised her hands, palms out. “Okay. Totally cool. No police. No Ken. I get it.”
Loretta was shaking, her eyes wide and filled with panic. Tears welled up and rolled down her cheeks. “I haven’t done anything wrong,” she said again, her voice cracking. “I haven’t done anything illegal. I haven’t hurt anyone.”
“I believe you,” Allison said softly, stepping closer. “And we’re not going to call anyone unless you want us to. But I’d still like Doc Johnson to take a look at you. I’m worried about you, Loretta.”
Loretta’s arms hung at her sides, one awkwardly crooked, and Allison wondered if her shoulder was hurt.
“Can I just sleep?” she whispered. “Just sleep without shivering, without worrying that I’m gonna be found?”
“You’re safe here,” Allison said firmly, pointing toward the couch. “Do you want a pillow?”
“No. I just wanna lie down. ”
“Then lie down. When you wake up, we’ll talk more. We’ll go at your pace. Okay?”
Loretta nodded, curled onto the couch, facing the back cushions, and pulled the blanket up to her shoulders. Within moments, her breathing slowed, and soft snores filled the quiet apartment.
Allison stood there for a long while, watching her sleep. Then she turned and made her way into the kitchen. Before she could start clearing away the dishes, she reached for her phone and typed out a quick message.
Could you come up to my apartment when you get to town?
I have a window we can see Chester through.
She hit send, knowing Seth would come.
Something told her this woman was in a hell of a lot of trouble.