Guardian's Grace (Guardians of the Race) by Rhoades Jacqueline

Author:Rhoades, Jacqueline [Rhoades, Jacqueline]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2012-05-12T04:00:00+00:00

*****

The restaurant was closed for the night. The used tablecloths and napkins were stowed away for laundry pickup. The chairs were turned upside down on their respective tables and the floor had been mopped. Mr. Cappaletti had said good night and retreated to his apartment upstairs, leaving Cynthia to lock up. She took one last look around to make sure everything was ready for the following day, buttoned her coat against the cold and headed out the front door pausing only long enough to hear the lock slide into place behind her. She jumped when she heard her name.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“You startled me, that’s all.” The tension eased immediately. “I thought you left an hour ago, Andi. Why didn’t you come inside?”

Andi hung her head as if in shame. “I should have but I didn’t want all of them looking at me and asking each other why I was hanging around. I know they don’t like me.”

“Oh that’s not true.” Cynthia laughed a little. “Well, maybe that used to be true, but everyone has seen the change in you these last couple of months. You’re really taking care of yourself and it shows. You smile more and you do nice things for people and haven’t you noticed that people are smiling back and being nicer to you?” Cynthia shivered and started walking toward her car.

“I know I’ve been a bitch, but I’m trying to change.” She kept the apologetic tone.

Abyar had schooled her well in how to act and what to say. He had made sure she made the changes slowly and she had learned her lessons well. Her backside had the welts to prove it. He’d done it for their future and his strictness was about to be rewarded.

“You’re doing a great job.”

“I knew you’d noticed. That’s why I thought I could come to you. You see, someone else has noticed, too.” She lowered her eyes shyly and brought her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “I have a date tomorrow night. I wanted to ask your advice.”

“A date! That’s wonderful, Andi. Who’s the lucky guy?” Cynthia seemed genuinely happy for her.

She wasn’t of course. Abyar and Andi had discussed this. Cynthia was well schooled as well. She would keep her pleasant façade no matter what she felt inside and what she felt inside was jealousy of Andi’s new good looks and manners.

“He’s a neighbor and he’s taking me to a really nice restaurant across town.” Andi sounded as if she was about to cry. “That’s the problem, Cynthia. I don’t know what to wear. I bought three dresses and I don’t think any of them are right. I know this is asking a lot, but you’re so good at this kind of thing and I was wondering if you could stop by my place on the way home and help me choose. Please?”

“It’s awfully late, Andi.”

They had reached the car and Cynthia was pulling the keys from her purse. It was now or never.

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