Cedar Lane Properties—The Wallace Brothers

Chapter 8

“Super Trooper!” Mike exclaimed when he recognized the man. “How are you, Chuck?”

“Great! We’ve got a new granddaughter,” his old friend smiled and pulled a photo from his breast pocket.

“Congratulations, my friend! She’s beautiful,” Mike spoke truthfully. “What brings you in this fine morning?”

“I’ve got a delivery for a Crystal Pierce. It’s cash and they’ve created a s**t ton of paperwork to go with it.” Chuck rolled his eyes.

“Let’s go to my office. Joey, would you ring our guest and ask her to join us?”

“Advise her to bring her ID,” Chuck interjected.

Oh s**t. I wonder if she has any. Mike hadn’t noticed Crystal carrying a purse and she hadn’t asked for anything from the suitcase she arrived with. He’d had it taken to the basement for now.

I guess we’ll find out after she joins us.

Praying that she did, he escorted Chuck to his office. He couldn’t hire her without ID.

**

Crystal had carried her ID in her bra after discovering it in Allen’s suitcase. She slipped it into the small wallet she chose from the DV clothing closet yesterday. Chuck had to sadly inform Crystal that it had recently expired. In order to obtain a new one, she needed a piece of mail with her name and current address.

Mike gave her permission to use the B&B’s address and called his siblings to see if either one of them could drop something on letterhead in the mail to her. If one of them could do it now, there was a chance she could receive it tomorrow. Mike offered to take her to the DMV when she received the required mail.

“How much is an ID?” She asked with concern.

“I’ll give you money for it,” Mike offered.

“I’ll only accept a loan,” she insisted. She sensed he wanted to argue but was glad when he didn’t.

Chuck excused himself to leave the envelope with the local sheriff so he could head back up to his jurisdiction. He’d volunteered to deliver so he could see his old friend.

Mike excused Crystal to go eat breakfast then told her to come back as soon as she was finished. The thought of being alone with him gave her butterflies and she had to force herself to chew slowly so she wasn’t burping in his face later.

She fingered the silver necklace Marissa had given her yesterday. The word Hope dangled from the delicate chain. Crystal was definitely hopeful. New chapter. New friends.

Tomorrow was the last night her stay was paid for. Crystal hoped mail arrived for her tomorrow. Once she had a new ID, she could pay for more nights, and if Mike didn’t hire her, she’d start pounding the pavement.

She finished her breakfast as she thought of backup plans and bussed her table. Edna smiled warmly at her and mouthed Thank you. Crystal smiled back and mouthed You're welcome.

Please hire me, she prayed silently and followed the red dominant oriental hall runner that led back to Mike’s office.

“Come in,” he called at her knock. Her knees felt a little weak when he smiled at her.

“Ah, good. There you are. Please have a seat,” he gestured to the Eastlake style chair on the opposite side of his desk she sat in earlier.

Did his gaze linger a moment on my chest? Stop it!

“Your application looks great,” he began. “I think I know where I want you, but unfortunately I can’t officially do anything regarding Cedar Lane Properties without ID. I’m not sure,” he paused, “whether to go ahead and describe my offer or wait.”

He wants to make an offer!!!

“Oh!” He added. “I’m getting ahead of myself.” He pulled a file from the sorter on his desk and handed it to her. “That’s the receipt from your previous room. I don’t know how much you knew about the costs of the stay Mr. Ames reserved, but your current room is about half the price.”

He encouraged her to open the file when she was about to protest. “It’s the smallest room, next to mine—which I don’t advertise—only has a full size bed vs the kings in the other rooms and doesn’t have a patio or balcony. I’ve readjusted the charges and you are now paid up until Sunday.”

Four more days?

“But—“ she stammered, confused.

“Monthly special,” Mike smiled. “It’s on the message board and website.”

She felt tears well up.

“Listen,” he said softly. “You are not a charity case. Between my sister and I, we’ve seen a lot of victims,” he emphasized the word. “You’ve been here five days. You helped put a murder suspect behind bars and after seeing your application, I see a beautiful, brave woman. Not a victim who’s going to go running back to another toxic situation.”

The tears were falling freely now. Cringing that he’d called her beautiful, Mike stood and rounded the desk to the chair Chuck had sat in earlier. “I don’t know if this is appropriate or not,” he continued, “but if you need a hug, I love hugs.”

She gladly accepted. She couldn’t recall ever having strong arms like this around her. He smelled so good! And, oh God, she was getting his shirt wet!

“Thank you,” she managed to murmur as she reluctantly pulled away.

“You’re welcome, Crystal. I’m here whenever you need me.” He still had a hand on her shoulder. “You want to get out of here for a while? Take a little tour? I’ve got some ratty towels and sheets to donate to the animal shelter. Would you like to go?”

Oh my God, yes!