Enlightened Love by Shara Lanel

Author:Shara Lanel [Shara Lanel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books

CHAPTER EIGHT

Hours later, Rick and Evan had canvassed the bus station, train station and four shelters. The sun was up and the humidity had already set in.

Evan glanced at his watch as they paused in the McDonald’s parking lot. “Well, shit, I’ve got to get to work.”

Rick combed a hand through his hair, then wiped it across his eyes. “Thanks for all your help, cousin. I might look a bit more now that it’s light, then I’m going home to sleep.”

“Guess I’ll do some snoozing on the office couch. After all, no one can fire me, right?” He grimaced and shook his head.

“Quite right.”

After Evan roared off in his SUV, Rick once again hiked through Monroe Park, this time carrying a wrapped Egg McMuffin and a steaming cup of coffee. He spotted his quarry sitting on his usual paint-chipped bench.

“Here you are, chap, I brought you some breakfast.” Rick scooted onto the bench next to him and tried to ignore the strong smell of unwashed skin.

He regarded Rick with suspicion. “Is that really for me?”

“Yes, here.”

He didn’t take the sandwich. “You’re the one looking for Ker.”

“Yes, I am. Have you seen her?”

“She don’t want to be found.”

Rick nodded, his heart racing though he kept a serene expression on his face. “Here, this is for you even if you don’t know where Kerry is. I don’t want you to go hungry.”

Finally, Harold accepted the offering. He unwrapped the sandwich and gobbled it down in two bites, as if afraid Rick might take it back. He sipped the scalding coffee before asking, “Why you want Ker?”

“I want to help her. An employer left a message on my answering machine saying she wants Kerry to start work right away. This could be what she needs to get back on her feet.”

Harold regarded his feet. “I think she’s scared. Is she scared of you?”

Rick immediately shook his head. “Not me, but I do think she’s scared of someone.”

“The street is hard. Too hard for someone like her.”

“Yes, it is. I can help her.”

Harold nodded. “Last night she slept by the bakery. This morning she said she might try the library to keep cool. They always kick the likes of me out, but she don’t have that look yet.”

Rick jumped up, anxious to find her. “Thanks. In case I don’t find her, tell her to call.”

“I did. She don’t wanna be found.”

With a nod, Rick sprinted to his BMW at the curb. The library was only a few blocks away, but he wanted to get there quickly.

* * * *

Kerry had spent some time in the women’s bathroom to avoid prying eyes, then she’d roamed the stacks of books, restlessly treading the same questions in her mind. How could she get out of town without any money and nothing left to hock? Was there a way she could make some quick cash? Should she hitchhike? And, most importantly, where should she go now and would this running ever end? Finally, she carried a stack of books to a study table and reclined in an uncomfortable straight-back chair.

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