Shelter from the Storm by Lori Foster

Author:Lori Foster [Foster, Lori]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2018-08-20T23:00:00+00:00

three

The kids had been giving her funny looks all day, and no wonder, Sabrina, thought. Knowing she’d see Roy right after work, she’d taken extra care in her preparations for the day. To make up for her bedraggled appearance that morning, she’d taken an extra long shower where she’d used a loofah to buff her skin, shampooed and conditioned her hair, shaved her legs, and slathered on lotion everywhere.

After polishing her fingernails and toenails, she blow-dried her naturally curly hair until it was smooth and shiny.

For her eyes, she’d really gone all out with her favorite shades of eye shadow and extra mascara to show off her lashes. And since Roy suddenly seemed so preoccupied with her mouth, she’d dressed it up with shiny pink gloss.

The kids were used to seeing her in a ponytail with minimal makeup that, while enhancing, still looked natural. Contrary to what Roy had said, she didn’t spend a lot of time in front of the mirror. Yes, she liked to look her best but within reason.

For work, her clothes were usually casual and comfortable. But today, she’d dressed up a little more. Instead of the usual shirt and slacks, she wore a khaki skirt and button-up ruffled blouse with strappy white sandals.

Now, as the workday came to a close, the skirt proved to be a bit of a problem. Chandra, a ten-year-old girl who was leaving them later that day, had set up a tea party on the floor. She wanted Sabrina to join her.

Maneuvering in the short skirt wouldn’t be easy, but no way would Sabrina disappoint Chandra.

“Oh goodie,” she said with enthusiasm. “Time for tea. May I join you?”

Chandra nodded and gave her a shy smile. “There’s cookies, too.” She held up an empty plastic dish that didn’t quite match the cups she’d set out.

“My favorite kind!” Sabrina went down to her knees. “Thank you.”

Chandra pretended to serve her. “You look real pretty today, Ms. Downey.”

Sabrina reached across the table and smoothed her hair. Not that long ago, Chandra would have flinched away. But now she reveled in the attention. She still had her moments of uncertainty, but thanks to a distant aunt who would be taking her in, Chandra had a chance at a happy life.

Sabrina would miss her terribly, as she did all the kids. She’d worry about her, too. But she thanked God that Chandra had a caring relative who wanted to make her a part of their family.

“Thank you, Chandra. Coming from someone as pretty as you, that means a lot.”

The little girl blinked at her. “I’m not pretty.”

“Are you kidding me? You’re beautiful.”

Her mouth flattened and she stubbornly shook her head. “Not like you.”

“Way better than me.” Remembering the tea party, Sabrina pretended to sip. “Do you remember what your aunt said?”

Slowly, Chandra grinned and ducked her face. “She said I was the cutest thing she’d ever seen.”

“And she meant it—because you, Chandra, are a super-cutie.” To Sabrina, all the children were adorable, despite their own various image issues and sometimes flagging confldence.

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