A Little Bit of Christmas (Crystal Lake 3)

“I helped myself to a grand, which is the least I’m owed considering I gave you a place to stay.” She heard her mother move toward the door. “I’ll pay you back next time I see you.”

The door squeaked opened.

“By the way, you’ll have to cover the last month owed here.” A pause. “Or leave in the middle of the night, which is what I’d do.”

The door closed, and her mother was gone.

Chess stared at the wall for a good long while. Long enough for the tears to dry up. For her legs to cramp. And for her heart to hurt more than she thought possible. She moved to the dresser and opened the drawer. Her mother hadn’t even bothered to hide what she’d taken, and it was more than half. Five hundred remained of the two thousand she’d gotten for her purse.

Merry Christmas to me, she thought.

Anger sparked something fierce inside Chess, and she slammed the drawer shut. She needed to get out of this room. She shoved the fifty-dollar bill into the front pocket of her jeans and headed outside. She would worry about the money and a job and the fact that now she owed a month’s rent to the motel later.

“Things will be better tomorrow,” she whispered, locking the door behind her. She stopped for a moment and stared at Cash’s door, the emptiness in her so big, she was afraid she’d drown in it. It was sobering to think that at thirty years of age, she was a washed-up has-been with no prospects and no family.

“Hey, can you help an old guy out?”

She turned and spied Ted waving at her.

“What do you say?” he asked, shuffling a few paces.

Chess nodded and headed toward him. When she reached his side, she slipped her arm through his, and they slowly walked to the diner. She waited until Ted was inside and led them to a table in the corner by the window. Joely waved from behind the counter and indicated she’d be over with coffee as soon as a fresh pot was brewed.

“You look real pretty, Chess.” Ted winked as he sat back in his chair. “You expecting your young man?”

“He’s gone,” she replied quietly.

Ted’s smile faltered a bit, and then he patted her hand. “That’s too bad. I guess you’re stuck with me, then.”

“I’m good with that.”

“My kids should be here later this afternoon. I hope you can meet them.” He leaned closer. “Maybe he’ll be back this way.”

Chess didn’t answer, because even though it felt as if the entire world had changed in the last few days, one thing remained the same…

Chess Somers didn’t believe in miracles.

Chapter Thirteen

Cash made it all the way into downtown Crystal Lake before his cell rang. Normally, it was something he’d ignore, but the ringtone told him it was his sister, so he hit his Bluetooth button with a frown.

“You’re calling early,” he said. “It’s barely seven in the morning.”

“Where are you?” Blue asked. She sounded out of breath.

“I’m downtown.”

“Downtown where?”

“Crystal Lake?”

“Thank God. I wasn’t sure if you left for New York last night or not.”

He pulled over in front of a busy coffee shop. From what he could see, every single table was taken and there was a line up to the door. It was a good call. He could use a coffee for the road.

“I need a favor.”

“Sure. What’s up?”