Millie's Second Chance (The Town of Pearl 4)

“Of course. I’ll be by Anna’s and Stacy’s waiting for you.”

“Okay. See you then,” Dalton replied then Hank and him walked Marco and Millie out.

* * * *

“So things have been going extra great with the Lewis brothers?” Anna asked Millie as they talked in the main office at the shelter. Cindy was in session with one of the girls and a few others were beginning to settle in and ask about work schedules. Stacy was organizing the tasks, the pay, and the locations.

“It’s been fantastic. I can’t believe I’m in love with five men.” Millie smiled. Anna touched her shoulder and squeezed.

“You deserve great men to love you and protect you. I’m so glad you came back to Pearl,” Anna replied then smiled.

“Me, too.”

“Hey, have either of you seen Jessie?” Cindy asked as she came out of her office.

“No, why?” Anna asked.

“I just stepped inside to speak with Mary and I was supposed to meet with Jessie two hours ago. No one has seen her,” Cindy replied.

“We should go look around the cottages,” Anna stated then began to head out.

“I’ll look over near the rec center. I know sometimes Sally hangs out on the benches near the fields. Perhaps she told Jessie about them since they’re sharing a cottage.”

“Okay, I’ll call the stables and see if she’s over there,” Cindy told them and the women split up.

* * * *

Millie was walking by the side of the cottages and to the pathway leading to the rec center. Along the way she spotted Sally.

“Hey, Sally,” Millie called to her, and Sally waved back. Millie was glad that the young woman was coming out of her shell and got rid of her bad attitude. She was already working and pulling her weight around the shelter.

“What’s going on, Millie?”

“Have you seen Jessie? She was supposed to meet Cindy two hours ago and hasn’t been seen.”

Sa

lly shook her head, but she turned away.

“Are you sure?” Millie pushed, feeling that perhaps Sally knew where Jessie was but didn’t want to snitch. “You won’t get in trouble for telling me. I just want to make sure that she’s okay and not in some kind of trouble.”

“She’s okay. She may have gone to see this other girl. She mentioned her last night.”

“Another girl? Who?”

“She wouldn’t say. She told me that the girl is scared and doesn’t trust anyone. She’s been hiding out and Jessie’s been bringing her food and stuff.”

“Why wouldn’t she just bring her here to the shelter?” Millie asked, feeling concerned for the girl.

“Jessie said some guys went after her friend and she hid in the woods. The girl is afraid of everyone. Maybe Jessie is with her now? I can help you look,” Sally offered and Millie agreed. They both headed toward the wooded area behind the rec center.

“I’ll go this way if you want to check down the path that leads off the property and toward Turbank,” Sally stated.

“You know where this path leads?”

“Sure. We all want to know a quick escape in case we’re in danger. We’ve lived in some shitty shelters, Millie. This place is the lap of luxury.”

Millie smiled in understanding. It was a reminder of how desperate these women had become and how untrusting they were of others.