Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 37508 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 188(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37508 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 188(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
“Excuse me?”
“The bill and reconnection fee have been paid in full, and everything is up to date.”
“But that can’t be right. I didn’t pay it.”
“Well, someone did. It was processed.”
“Do you have a name for the payment?”
“I’m sorry, Ms. Porter. I don’t have access to that information.”
“You don’t have access?”
“I guess you could say that the payment was made by someone who wanted to remain anonymous.”
Anonymous.
The word echoed in my head as I looked over at Baylor, who was sitting in front of the television with a big smile on her face. I didn’t need to know the name. I already knew who’d paid the bill, so I ended the call and started changing out of my pajamas. I was torn between disbelief and something else I couldn’t quite name.
Gratitude. Embarrassment. Anger.
Maybe all three.
I put on some jeans and a sweatshirt, and my hands were shaking as I started brushing my hair. I caught sight of myself in the mirror, and I could barely recognize the woman staring back at me. She had tired eyes and a flustered expression, like she was barely holding it together. She reminded me of my mother, and that made my heart ache a little.
There were so many days when I missed her and wished things hadn’t played out like they did. I hoped that someday I would see them again, but that was a problem for another day. Right now, I had a man to see about a bill.
“Baylor,” I called out, trying to sound calm. “Get dressed, sweetheart.”
“Where we going?”
“To run some errands.” My voice came out sharper than I’d intended when I said, “Now, do what Momma said and get dressed.”
I knew she was excited about getting to watch her cartoons, so I wasn’t surprised when a little pout swept across her face. But she didn’t argue. She just got up and started tugging on her little black pants I’d laid out, along with her pink sweater.
While she was busy, I rushed into the kitchen and opened the pantry. I took out the metal cookie tin and grabbed the money I’d hidden there, then went back over to the bedroom and collected the Christmas money I’d hidden in my sock drawer. I ignored the tight feeling in my chest as I shoved it all into my purse.
I knew this meant there would be no tree and more than likely no presents, and that broke my heart. Baylor deserved a magical Christmas, not one filled with empty promises. But sadly, that was all I would have to offer this year. My throat burned as I zipped the bag shut and said, “Okay, sweetie. Let’s get moving.”
Baylor followed me out to the car, and once I had her buckled in, I started the car and drove toward downtown. My mind was racing the entire time. I had no idea what I was going to say to him. I just knew I couldn’t let this go.
I groaned when I pulled into the Vault and found that it was closed. I’m not sure what I was thinking. It was barely after ten. There was no way it would be open at this hour. I shook it off and whipped the car around, then headed across town to the Black Crown. It was open twenty-four hours a day, so there was at least a possibility that I might find him there.
I was relieved when I pulled up and found that it wasn’t very busy. I hoped that meant it would be easier to track Thatch down. Once I was parked, I got Baylor from the backseat, and with her perched on my hip, I made my way up to the front doors. A guy in a leather vest was standing just inside, and his brows furrowed with disapproval when he saw that I had Baylor with me.
“Can I help you?”
“Is Thatch working today?”
“Who?”
“Thatch. I mean, Skid. Do you know him?”
“I do.”
“Great. Can you tell me where I can find him?”
“What’s this about?”
“I need to pay him back for a favor he did for me.”
“I see.” The man’s eyes flicked from me to Baylor, then back again, a slow smirk tugging at his mouth. “You the girl with the broken-down car?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“Thought so,” he chuckled. “His shift isn’t until later.”
“Oh.”
“I’m sure he’s over at his place.” His eyes skirted over me with a smirk. “I could give you the address.”
“That would be great.” He walked over to the bar and wrote the address on a napkin before handing it to me. “Thank you.”
“No problem. Be sure to tell him Shep sent ya.”
“I will. Thanks again.”
With that, I turned and darted back out to the car. I put Baylor back in her seat, and as I buckled her seat belt, she asked, “We going to see Thatch?”
“Yes, but only for a minute.”