Read Online The Redemption of Jake Scully by Elaine Barbieri - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Elaine Barbieri
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do.”
“Scully…”
“But even Reverend Sykes accepts that people aren’t always what they represent themselves to be. And as far as our town lawyer is concerned, I’ve seen too many peculiar things happen over the years after some poor fellows wandered into town and went to Barret Gould for advice. He isn’t to be trusted, Lacey.”
“No one else in Weaver seems to feel that way.”
“I’m in a unique position in Weaver, Lacey. I see people come and go that the respectable members of the community don’t give a second glance.”
“I can’t believe that.”
“You should, and the fact that you don’t is just my point. You’re too gullible to be exposed to the element that frequents the restaurant.”
“You and I have eaten there every morning since I arrived!”
“That’s right, but you weren’t working there, where everybody feels you’re at their beck and call.”
“Everyone respects me there.”
“Oh? What about Jud?”
“That was different. He got out of hand. One of the customers in the restaurant would’ve stepped in to take care of him if you hadn’t.”
“Is that what you want…to be exposed to that kind of treatment, hoping somebody will step in to stop it?”
“It’s not what I want, Scully.”
“It’s not what I want, either.”
“But it’s not the norm at the restaurant—and I don’t want to discuss this with you anymore. Please understand. I won’t quit my job there. Sadie needs me…and I need this job.”
“Why, Lacey?”
“Why?” Lacey took a deep breath. She swallowed against the emotion that abruptly choked her throat as she attempted to continue. “You…you had a very pleasant life here before I came back, but since I arrived, you’ve done nothing but worry about me.”
“That isn’t the point I’m trying to make, Lacey.”
“But it’s the point I’m making. Please listen, and try to understand. You’ve been so good to me, Scully—and I’ve rewarded you with one problem after another.” Lacey hesitated, dreading the words she was about to say before saying, “I’ve been wrong. I need to admit that to you. I need to move away from this room and give you some space so you won’t feel so responsible for me.”
“Lacey…”
“I’ll go to see Mrs. McInnes today. If she still has that room, I’ll take it and tell her I’ll pay for my board at the end of the week, when Sadie pays me.”
Scully’s hands dropped back to his sides.
“That is what you wanted, isn’t it?”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe?”
“What I want is for you to be safe.”
“I’ll be safe there. You said so yourself.”
“What about the nightmares?”
Lacey took a short breath. “I have to grow up sometime.”
Scully looked at her for silent moments, then nodded. “All right. Mary is saving the empty room at the boarding house for you.”
“How—”
“I told her you’d be taking it soon.”
“So she held it for me…no charge?”
Scully did not reply.
“Thank you, Scully.”
Expressionless, Scully said, “Let me know when you’re ready to move.”
Lacey stared at the door that closed behind Scully as she heard his footsteps retreat down the hallway. When she could hear him no longer, she frowned, suddenly at a loss.
She had done it…broken a tie that she had not truly wanted to sever.
What had she done?
What had he done?
Scully walked down the hallway, entered his room, closed the door behind him, then stood still. He had wanted Lacey out of the Gold Nugget environment, hadn’t he? He had insisted that she move into the boarding house…had even paid the rent on the vacant room while Mary McInnes held it for Lacey. He had reasoned it was best for Lacey that way.
What he had not considered, however, was if it was best for him. He was, in effect, thrusting Lacey out on her own even more surely than she was with her job in the restaurant.
Scully shook his head. Her job in the restaurant…that was the problem. His respect for Sadie
“Scully…”
“But even Reverend Sykes accepts that people aren’t always what they represent themselves to be. And as far as our town lawyer is concerned, I’ve seen too many peculiar things happen over the years after some poor fellows wandered into town and went to Barret Gould for advice. He isn’t to be trusted, Lacey.”
“No one else in Weaver seems to feel that way.”
“I’m in a unique position in Weaver, Lacey. I see people come and go that the respectable members of the community don’t give a second glance.”
“I can’t believe that.”
“You should, and the fact that you don’t is just my point. You’re too gullible to be exposed to the element that frequents the restaurant.”
“You and I have eaten there every morning since I arrived!”
“That’s right, but you weren’t working there, where everybody feels you’re at their beck and call.”
“Everyone respects me there.”
“Oh? What about Jud?”
“That was different. He got out of hand. One of the customers in the restaurant would’ve stepped in to take care of him if you hadn’t.”
“Is that what you want…to be exposed to that kind of treatment, hoping somebody will step in to stop it?”
“It’s not what I want, Scully.”
“It’s not what I want, either.”
“But it’s not the norm at the restaurant—and I don’t want to discuss this with you anymore. Please understand. I won’t quit my job there. Sadie needs me…and I need this job.”
“Why, Lacey?”
“Why?” Lacey took a deep breath. She swallowed against the emotion that abruptly choked her throat as she attempted to continue. “You…you had a very pleasant life here before I came back, but since I arrived, you’ve done nothing but worry about me.”
“That isn’t the point I’m trying to make, Lacey.”
“But it’s the point I’m making. Please listen, and try to understand. You’ve been so good to me, Scully—and I’ve rewarded you with one problem after another.” Lacey hesitated, dreading the words she was about to say before saying, “I’ve been wrong. I need to admit that to you. I need to move away from this room and give you some space so you won’t feel so responsible for me.”
“Lacey…”
“I’ll go to see Mrs. McInnes today. If she still has that room, I’ll take it and tell her I’ll pay for my board at the end of the week, when Sadie pays me.”
Scully’s hands dropped back to his sides.
“That is what you wanted, isn’t it?”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe?”
“What I want is for you to be safe.”
“I’ll be safe there. You said so yourself.”
“What about the nightmares?”
Lacey took a short breath. “I have to grow up sometime.”
Scully looked at her for silent moments, then nodded. “All right. Mary is saving the empty room at the boarding house for you.”
“How—”
“I told her you’d be taking it soon.”
“So she held it for me…no charge?”
Scully did not reply.
“Thank you, Scully.”
Expressionless, Scully said, “Let me know when you’re ready to move.”
Lacey stared at the door that closed behind Scully as she heard his footsteps retreat down the hallway. When she could hear him no longer, she frowned, suddenly at a loss.
She had done it…broken a tie that she had not truly wanted to sever.
What had she done?
What had he done?
Scully walked down the hallway, entered his room, closed the door behind him, then stood still. He had wanted Lacey out of the Gold Nugget environment, hadn’t he? He had insisted that she move into the boarding house…had even paid the rent on the vacant room while Mary McInnes held it for Lacey. He had reasoned it was best for Lacey that way.
What he had not considered, however, was if it was best for him. He was, in effect, thrusting Lacey out on her own even more surely than she was with her job in the restaurant.
Scully shook his head. Her job in the restaurant…that was the problem. His respect for Sadie
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