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Authors: Chris Taylor
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room.”
Cally felt a stab of envy. How good would it feel to have someone to love like Kate loved Riley; someone to rely on for little things that were so important? She closed her eyes briefly and shook off her melancholy. It was only the culmination of so many stressful events that had her so out of sorts.
“Poor Daisy. I hope she’s feeling better soon.”
“I’m sure as soon as we get some antibiotics, she’ll be as good as new. How have you been?”
Cally bit her lip. A few moments earlier, she’d been desperate to unload on her friend, but Kate had her own worries.
“I’m fine,” she answered. “Busy at work, but otherwise good.”
“How’s Jack?”
She forced a laugh. “Growing faster by the day.”
“What’s the matter, Cally?”
Cally sighed. She’d never been able to put much past Kate. “I-I guess I just wanted to say hello. I-I’ve been feeling a little overwhelmed lately—what, with the break-in and stuff.”
“Did they find out who did it?”
“No and it’s beginning to freak me out. I-I keep seeing this car parked on the main road outside my house. Last week, I thought I saw it following me.” Her breathing hitched. “I’m probably imagining it, but I can’t help it. I-I’m scared.”
Kate’s voice filled with understanding. “Of course you’re scared. Who wouldn’t be? I’d be beside myself if my home was burgled and I lived alone with a young child. And I’m sure you’re not imagining it. You’ve never been someone to exaggerate. Have you called the police?”
“Yes, they’re looking into it.”
Kate’s sigh spoke volumes and Cally suppressed a grin. As the wife of a police officer, her friend knew better than most the demands on their time.
“How’s the new job working out?” Kate asked.
Relieved to switch her focus, Cally smiled. “Well, I’ve finished the first week and they haven’t fired me, so I guess that’s a good start—and the extra income’s a help.”
“I wish you’d let me help you with that. I’ve told you how well the gallery’s going. I can spare the money, Cally.”
Cally shook her head. “We’ve already been over this, Kate. I love you dearly for your kind offer, but I can’t accept your money, even if it is a loan. At the moment I’m worried I… I might not be able to pay it back.”
“It’s only you who’s determined to label it a loan, Cally. I’d be more than happy to give it to you.”
“Yes, Kate and I’m grateful, but I need to do this on my own. It’s important to me.”
Kate groaned. “You and your damn independence.”
“At least you aren’t calling me proud and stubborn like the last time.” Cally smiled at the thought of their last conversation.
“Well, it’s not that I don’t think it!”
“You’ve always been such a good friend. I really appreciate you being here for me.”
“Anytime. It’s not like you wouldn’t do the same for me.”
“You’re right.”
“How about advertising for a roommate? They could help share expenses and you’d have another adult in the house.”
Cally had considered that before and now pondered the idea again. It quickly gained merit. “I think that might relieve the pressure, Kate. A roommate might be just what I need. “
“You could put up a notice at the police station. Who better to protect you then someone sworn to do just that? I could even ask Riley to put the word out amongst his colleagues, if you like.”
“Kate, you’re a genius! I’ve been so caught up with everything, I haven’t seen the obvious. A police officer would be perfect! I’m cleaning again tomorrow night. I’ll see if I can put up a notice then.”
“The sooner the better,” Kate agreed.
Sudden tears burned behind Cally’s eyes. “Th-thank you,” she stammered.
“Like I said; anytime,” Kate replied, her voice thick with emotion. “And let me know if you need help from Riley. He’ll be more than happy to assist you.”
Cally cleared her throat.
Cally felt a stab of envy. How good would it feel to have someone to love like Kate loved Riley; someone to rely on for little things that were so important? She closed her eyes briefly and shook off her melancholy. It was only the culmination of so many stressful events that had her so out of sorts.
“Poor Daisy. I hope she’s feeling better soon.”
“I’m sure as soon as we get some antibiotics, she’ll be as good as new. How have you been?”
Cally bit her lip. A few moments earlier, she’d been desperate to unload on her friend, but Kate had her own worries.
“I’m fine,” she answered. “Busy at work, but otherwise good.”
“How’s Jack?”
She forced a laugh. “Growing faster by the day.”
“What’s the matter, Cally?”
Cally sighed. She’d never been able to put much past Kate. “I-I guess I just wanted to say hello. I-I’ve been feeling a little overwhelmed lately—what, with the break-in and stuff.”
“Did they find out who did it?”
“No and it’s beginning to freak me out. I-I keep seeing this car parked on the main road outside my house. Last week, I thought I saw it following me.” Her breathing hitched. “I’m probably imagining it, but I can’t help it. I-I’m scared.”
Kate’s voice filled with understanding. “Of course you’re scared. Who wouldn’t be? I’d be beside myself if my home was burgled and I lived alone with a young child. And I’m sure you’re not imagining it. You’ve never been someone to exaggerate. Have you called the police?”
“Yes, they’re looking into it.”
Kate’s sigh spoke volumes and Cally suppressed a grin. As the wife of a police officer, her friend knew better than most the demands on their time.
“How’s the new job working out?” Kate asked.
Relieved to switch her focus, Cally smiled. “Well, I’ve finished the first week and they haven’t fired me, so I guess that’s a good start—and the extra income’s a help.”
“I wish you’d let me help you with that. I’ve told you how well the gallery’s going. I can spare the money, Cally.”
Cally shook her head. “We’ve already been over this, Kate. I love you dearly for your kind offer, but I can’t accept your money, even if it is a loan. At the moment I’m worried I… I might not be able to pay it back.”
“It’s only you who’s determined to label it a loan, Cally. I’d be more than happy to give it to you.”
“Yes, Kate and I’m grateful, but I need to do this on my own. It’s important to me.”
Kate groaned. “You and your damn independence.”
“At least you aren’t calling me proud and stubborn like the last time.” Cally smiled at the thought of their last conversation.
“Well, it’s not that I don’t think it!”
“You’ve always been such a good friend. I really appreciate you being here for me.”
“Anytime. It’s not like you wouldn’t do the same for me.”
“You’re right.”
“How about advertising for a roommate? They could help share expenses and you’d have another adult in the house.”
Cally had considered that before and now pondered the idea again. It quickly gained merit. “I think that might relieve the pressure, Kate. A roommate might be just what I need. “
“You could put up a notice at the police station. Who better to protect you then someone sworn to do just that? I could even ask Riley to put the word out amongst his colleagues, if you like.”
“Kate, you’re a genius! I’ve been so caught up with everything, I haven’t seen the obvious. A police officer would be perfect! I’m cleaning again tomorrow night. I’ll see if I can put up a notice then.”
“The sooner the better,” Kate agreed.
Sudden tears burned behind Cally’s eyes. “Th-thank you,” she stammered.
“Like I said; anytime,” Kate replied, her voice thick with emotion. “And let me know if you need help from Riley. He’ll be more than happy to assist you.”
Cally cleared her throat.
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