Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 66642 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66642 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
“The money Marty owes me can’t be discussed with a lawyer, nor can I take it to a court. I lent Marty the money in good faith. I want it back.”
“If you’re expecting me to give you the money, I don’t have any. Look around—the place is empty. I can’t even hire a cook. All the equipment is old, and the building isn’t in better shape.”
“It seems like we’re at an impasse, then.” Lifting the glass to his twisted lips, he drained its contents before placing it back down, then stood up. He was a scary figure. Taking out a wad of bills, he slammed a five down onto the table. “I would figure out how you’re going to pay me before I come back. I’ll be in touch.”
Sophie watched him leave, shaking in terror. He scared the bejesus out of her.
Glancing toward the sheriff’s office, she debated calling to make a report.
What could she say? He hadn’t outright threatened her, just asked for his money. While he scared her, it was more the impression he gave her than anything overt he had done. Reaching for the empty glass, she carried it back to the kitchen.
She was beginning to dislike Treepoint. The only good thing that had happened to her since coming here was meeting Silas. His brother Isaac wasn’t anything to sneeze at, either. It was a shame Jody was their brother. She wondered if the rest of his brothers were as heartless with women as he was.
This morning, when she had served him and the woman he was with, she hadn’t realized it was the same couple she had seen the night before, smashing into the wall as they tried to get into the apartment across from the laundry room. She had put two and two together when she ducked out of the restaurant and ran home to allow the delivery drivers inside to bring in her couch and saw the woman going into the apartment.
Sighing, she started the dishwasher. It didn’t matter regardless. The way her luck was running, she would be out of business long before she found out.
“Two hundred thousand dollars?” she said out loud. “Marty, what have you done?”
Chapter Ten
She was again debating with herself if she should close the restaurant to cross the street to the sheriff’s office when she heard the bell ring over the door.
She was beginning to hate the sound.
Afraid the goon had come back, she was tempted to sneak out the back door. The goon might have been ugly, but he seemed smart enough to know he hadn’t given her enough time to round up two hundred thousand dollars in the ten minutes since he had left.
Gathering the remnants of her courage, she slipped a knife into her pocket before leaving the kitchen.
She released the breath she had been unconsciously holding when she saw a teenager sitting at the counter.
“Hi,” she greeted him warmly, nearly crying when the young man gave her a shy smile in return.
“Hi.”
“You just get out of school?” she asked, seeing a backpack placed next to him on the chair.
“Yes, ma’am. My uncle picked me up. He had to finish some work before taking me home. He told me I can wait here until he gets off.”
“Can I get you something?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’d like a cheeseburger and some fries.”
Sophie’s smile broadened. “I can do that. What would you like to drink?”
“A glass of milk, ma’am.”
“How about you call me Sophie, and the milk will be on the house?”
“Thank you, ma’am …” the boy broke off with a blush.
Sophie couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ll let you get by with it this time, if you tell me your name.”
“Logan Porter.”
Sophie held out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Logan.”
“It’s nice to meet you, too.”
“I’ll get your milk then put your hamburger on.”
Reaching inside the small fridge under the condiments section, she took out the milk to pour him a large glass, then placed it down in front of him before she left him alone to return to the kitchen to put the hamburger on. Placing the fries in the basket, she waited until the hamburger was almost done before dropping the fries.
I could get the hang of this, she congratulated herself. As long as I only have one customer at a time, she thought wryly. Unfortunately, she wouldn’t be able to pay many bills.
Dropping the fries, she readied the bun and, once it was done, placed it on the plate before pulling the fries.
When she carried the plate to the counter, she saw Logan had been drawing something in a notebook. She was able to catch a peek before it was flipped closed.
“I wish I could draw like that.” Scooting the ketchup closer to him, she admitted, “I’m lucky to draw a square with a ruler.”
“It’s just doodling.” He shrugged, staring down at his plate.