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)
Sophie opened the dresser drawer containing her pants. The smell coming from inside had her stepping back. “Why do they smell that way?”
Jody hadn’t moved away, pulling the drawer out further. “She smashed rotten eggs on them.”
She started gagging, and Jody hastily closed the drawer before going through the rest of her drawers. “Baylin went through all the drawers. Do you keep your clothes anywhere else?”
“I had a laundry basket with dirty clothes in the bathroom.”
“Stay here, and I’ll get them.”
Sophie didn’t argue.
Jody wasn’t gone long before he came back out, shutting the door behind him. “She got those, too.”
“How many rotten eggs did that woman have?”
“She didn’t use eggs on those.”
Sophie closed her eyes, not wanting to ask what she had used.
“Sophie.”
The sheriff calling her name from the doorway had her lifting her lids to stare at him.
“Seeing this, do you want to change your mind about pressing charges?”
“I don’t know. I never imagined it to be this bad. How do I know she won’t do the same thing when my parents move in here?”
“She won’t,” the sheriff assured her. “If so much as a leaf blows in here, I’ll lock her up. If she comes within fifty feet of you, I’ll lock her up. She’s also going to pay you for the damage she’s done to your property.”
“None of my things cost very much. I mainly bought from thrift stores.”
“You’ll be reimbursed.” The sheriff glanced around. “Anything salvageable?”
“No.”
“Then let’s go. Jacob and I can take care of this while you’re working,” Jody told her.
“No. I’ll come in the morning and bring some trash bags.”
“There’s another option,” Jody suggested. “If you don’t want Jacob and me taking care of it for you, hire a cleaning company, and Baylin can pay for it.”
That suggestion, she could go for.
“I’ll do that.”
They locked up the apartment and went down the elevator. It was only when they reached the door that Sophie thought to ask a question.
“How did she get inside? I know I locked the door.”
“The maintenance man let her in,” the sheriff answered. “I’m going to make sure Alan gets his share of community service, too. Baylin told him that you called and asked her to check to make sure you had turned the stove off.”
“Alan and Baylin used to date. I’m sure it didn’t take much for her to convince him to open the door.”
“Has she ever acted this way over other men she’s dated?”
“As far as I know, I’m the only one who’s had to deal with this psychotic side of her.”
The sheriff told them that he would be in touch when Baylin paid for the damages, leaving when he got a call over his radio.
Jody looked at her worriedly. “Do you feel up to going to the diner?”
“Yes, I need to keep my mind occupied. Thank you for coming with me. I didn’t expect for it to be that bad.”
“Glad to help.” He walked with her to her car.
She pressed the unlock button and got inside.
“I’ll see you at the restaurant.”
“You don’t have to come. I can handle it until Logan comes in. I don’t expect any more customers than I had yesterday,” she said glumly, starting the car.
“You should be more positive,” he chastised her.
“Okay … I’m positive today is going to suck as badly as yesterday.”
Chapter Nineteen
When Sophie opened the diner door, she came to a full stop. Was she imagining that she had not one but eleven customers?
“Looks like business is picking up,” Jody commented by her side.
Ginny was taking an order at one table while Logan was behind the counter, making drinks.
Upon seeing her, Ginny excused herself from the customers. “You had four waiting at the door when I opened.” She nodded her head at the customers whose orders she had just taken. “They ordered pancakes and sausages. Tell Logan to get them coffee then come out back, and I’ll teach you how to make pancakes.”
Blinking tears back, she reached out to hug Ginny. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
“Keep that in mind when you have to start milking the goats.”
They broke apart and went into the kitchen, where Ginny showed her how to make the pancake batter while the sausages were frying.
“Pour it into a squirt bottle,” she instructed. Then, once the batter was in the squirt bottle, she squirted a circle on the grill. “When you see it bubbling in the middle, place a finger on the pancake, and if you can see you fingerprint, flip it. When the edges are brown, it’s done. Voila! You made pancakes.”
Sophie made several more before she got used to gauging when to flip and when they were done.
The rest of the morning went by fast as Logan and Jody worked at the front of the restaurant while Ginny and her made the food. At one point, Sophie peeked through the door and saw the restaurant was half-filled.