Love in the Storm: A Small Town Christian Romance (Love in Blackwater Book 1) by Mandi Blake

Author:Mandi Blake [Blake, Mandi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mandi Blake
Published: 2024-01-17T00:00:00+00:00

20

LYRIC

Lyric rested her hip against the checkout counter at Deano’s as Kendra handed a customer his change and a ceramic mug. Kendra’s job wasn’t glamorous, but she was a bright spot in the morning for so many. Deano’s was a popular hangout for the older men, and she kept their mugs full while they chatted.

“I’ll have that out to you in just a minute,” Kendra said.

The slender old man tipped his hat. “Thank you, ma’am.”

When he was out of earshot, Lyric scooted back over to the checkout counter.

Kendra stuck the order in line with the others. “Where were we?”

“I was telling you about striking out at The Landing.” It was the last apartment complex in town. Now the last of her hope was gone.

Kendra wrapped her warm hand around Lyric’s. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Give up. We won’t stop until we find something.”

“I can’t pay first and last month’s rent,” Lyric reminded her friend.

“If all else fails, you’ll sleep at my place.”

Lyric kept quiet. Kendra’s daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter were living with her and her husband right now. There wasn’t even a couch open at Kendra’s small house.

As if sensing Lyric’s thoughts, Kendra squeezed the hand she held. “We’ll put an air mattress in the living room.”

Boots thudded against the floor behind Lyric, and she stepped away from the register.

“You two have a good day,” Grady said on his way to the door.

“Bye,” Kendra and Lyric sang in unison.

Lyric turned back to Kendra, leaning in to whisper as the bell above the door chimed at Grady’s exit.

“I think it’s safe to accept the fact that I’m not going to find a place before Friday, but I’m not imposing on you. You have three extra people in your house as it is.”

Kendra’s eyes widened, and Lyric followed the line of her gaze toward the door.

Asa stood as still as a statue less than three feet from her—tall and imposing, as if he owned the place.

Lyric’s face heated, and her lungs constricted in her chest. He’d slipped in when Grady was on his way out, and she hadn’t heard him come in. And from the look on Asa’s face, he’d heard everything.

Embarrassment, shame, and longing warred within her. She’d desperately wanted to see him these past few days, but reality tarnished the desire. Things had changed between them, and they were strangers again.

It was better this way. At least, for him.

It was funny and sad how just a few words could change everything.

Yet, here stood the reminder of all the things she couldn’t have. Lyric had been careful to stay out of relationships since her resolution to stay sober. The program advised against dating within the first year of sobriety. New members were encouraged to focus on their goal and learn to stand on their own before pursuing a relationship. As if a year was enough time for a former alcoholic to learn to stand on her own two feet. Here Lyric was, five years later, and she was still single and newly homeless.

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