For the Love of Big Orange by Leta Gail Doerr

Author:Leta Gail Doerr
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ePublishing Works!
Published: 2014-07-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

"I don't know who needs their head examined more, you or Judge." Jay's scowl grew larger as Lacie reached the house. He was seated on the front porch rocker, enjoying the sunrise and awaiting her return.

"What was I supposed to do, Jay, leave her in Lexington?" Lacie looked over her shoulder. "Keep your voice down. I don't want her to think she's not welcome."

"Well, she's not."

"This isn't your house, it's not for you to say," Lacie whispered. "She lost her job and she can't stay at her apartment anymore. Her ex-boyfriend is there."

"She lost her job because that's what happens to thieves who get caught."

"Right now I need you to be my friend, Jay. Not a cop." Lacie pleaded with her eyes. "Can you do that?"

Jay flinched at the word friend. Every time Lacie used it in reference to their relationship he felt like he was being beaten with a wooden switch.

Emma approached the two as she heaved a bag over her shoulder and climbed the steps into the house. "Good morning, Officer Hayworth," she chided as she lugged by.

Jay didn't utter a response. Instead he opened the front door, letting the screen door slam behind him. "Judge isn't awake yet. You've been up all night. Want me to stick around while you take a nap?"

"No, but thanks." Lacie trailed behind him. "Emma said she got a decent night's sleep so she'll be around to keep me company. Besides, there's no way I can sleep. I have too much on my mind."

"Are you thinking about Judge? I think he's doing all right. We had a very uneventful evening."

"That's a silver lining. I could use some right about now."

"What else is going on?" Jay leaned against the counter when they reached the kitchen. The kitchen had always been where most of the talking occurred in this house.

"That meeting I had with my boss at the blUegrass Connection didn't go so well."

Jay poured Lacie a fresh cup of coffee and placed a danish on a saucer for her. "Cream and sugar?"

"No, I'll take it straight up today. I need it."

"Tell me about the meeting."

"We may lose funding for the program." Lacie frowned in between bites of her pastry.

"Aw, Lace, I'm sorry to hear that. On the bright side, it could be one less thing for you to juggle."

"How could you say that?" Lacie asked incredulously. "Those kids need that program. We help them find jobs, homes, train them on how to apply basic life skills. I can't abandon them. I won't." She mumbled through a mouthful of danish.

"Listen to yourself, Lacie. It's bad enough that you're dealing with a loved one who might have Alzheimer's or God knows what. You've taken in a stray who's making poor choices and you've taken it upon yourself to help Big Willie out so he doesn't lose the stables. Now, you want to hang on to some program that's an hour and a half away from all this?" Sensing Lacie might be famished, he cut her another pastry and placed it on her plate.

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