Laura wanted to think of everything but the three months she’d spent in jail. She could still hear the clank of metal doors. She could still imagine herself surrounded by gray and steel. Three months of being alone and trying to tell herself she’d survive. And she had. Somehow she’d survived.
“Laura?” Myrna stepped to her side and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
A quick glance in Jesse Cooper’s direction and Laura knew he had no intention of giving her a pass. His brown eyes were no longer sleepy or soft. She had never wanted this to be her life. He’d obviously grown up here, in a safe and loving family. He had no idea.
The “ifs” would drive her crazy. If her mother hadn’t died. If her stepfather hadn’t been abusive. If she hadn’t let her stepbrother stay in her apartment when he showed up six months ago. That decision had cost her her freedom, her good reputation, her job and her apartment.
Because no one believed her when she said her brother had put the drugs and the money in her purse as she got pulled over that day. He’d bailed on her, running down a side street and disappearing. She’d reached into her purse to grab the bag and the police had caught her as they walked up to her car. More drugs had been found in her apartment.
“I need to go now.” She slid past Myrna Cooper.
“Wait a second, young lady.” Myrna’s voice held a commanding tone that Laura couldn’t ignore. She turned, her vision swimming. She leaned against the wall and waited.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Cooper. You’ve been very kind to me. Now I need to go.”
“Your car is at the local garage, so you really can’t go anywhere unless you plan on walking.” Myrna sighed. “Tell me what happened.”
“I was convicted of felony possession and distribution. There’s really nothing more to tell.”
“That isn’t an answer.”
“It’s the finding of the court and the ruling stands.” Laura stood, holding the back of the stool. “I really need to get my car.”
“I think you need to sit back down.” Jesse moved away from the counter he’d been leaning on. He moved with power and ease, and she felt very weak and small.
“Laura, sit down.”
She nodded and did as he commanded. “I should have called before coming to Dawson.”
“Well, I for one am glad God put me in your path last night.” Myrna hugged her tightly. “We’ll figure this out.”
“No, I really should go.” Laura glanced at Jesse and then back to Myrna. “I should go because having me here is the last thing you need.”
“Jesse, you’re the doctor—tell her she can’t leave in this condition.”
Jesse smiled and shook his head. “I’m not getting in the middle of this argument. Gran, you’re right—she needs to rest. Laura, you have to do what you think is best. My opinion probably won’t count for much.”
Laura folded the afghan and placed it on the stool. “Myrna, thank you for everything.”
“Where do you think you’ll go?” Myrna asked.
“I’ll find a place.” Laura wanted to hug the older woman, but she couldn’t. She thought she’d fall apart if Myrna comforted her in any way.
It had been too long since anyone in her life had cared. She picked up her purse and stood for a moment in front of Myrna, wishing she’d had someone like this woman.
“I don’t like this, not one bit.” Myrna shook her head, looking from Laura to Jesse.
“Thank you for letting me stay the night.” Laura turned away and headed for the front door, walking fast and blinking furiously to clear her vision.
* * *
As Laura left, Jesse hugged his grandmother, the sweetest woman he knew. She stood stiff in his arms, her mouth in a tight and unhappy line.
“Gran, we don’t know her. You don’t know the whole story.”
“She told us the whole story and I know her aunt. Jesse, people have stories. That doesn’t mean they are stuck in that story. People make mistakes. They do what they have to in the situations they’re in. Now, how can we call ourselves Christians if we aren’t willing to give someone a second chance? You’ve had second chances.”
“What do you want me to do?”
His grandmother’s eyes filled with tears. “She needs help and a place to stay.”
“I can get her a room in Grove and then we’ll see if we can get her some assistance. You’re right—no one knows better than I do about second chances. The other thing I know is how dangerous the drug trade can be. People get angry. They get revenge.”
The front door clicked, ending their conversation.
“Go after her, Jesse.” His grandmother put a hand on his back, moving him forward.
“I have to get my shoes.”
“Well, you’d better hurry. She’s sick with nowhere to go. If something happens to her...” His grandmother’s face paled and she shook her head a little. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it.” He slid his feet into his boots and grabbed his jacket. “I won’t let anything happen to her. I’m also not letting anything happen to you.”
He hurried out the door, putting his coat on as he went. Laura White stood at the end of the drive, a tall woman with auburn hair blowing in the light breeze. She shivered and hugged herself tightly, turning to look at him with a wan smile on her pale face.
Okay, he wouldn’t get the Samaritan of the Year award. But what in the world was he supposed to do with her? He walked to the end of the drive, thinking through options and not coming up with much. He guessed he could take her to his parents.
As he approached, Laura’s chin came up a notch, a little pride coming to the surface. He remembered being a kid, digging deep to find that pride to get past his own humiliation. He knew what it took for a person to find that strength.
“I can walk. I’m just not sure where I’m going or how I’ll get my car. I can’t afford to pay for repairs.” She turned, coughing into her shoulder before facing him again. The cold weather made her nose red and her gray eyes sparkle. “I don’t have insurance.”
“I’m sure Gran is going to pay for the repairs. She did pull out in front of you.”
“She didn’t see me. The rain was unbelievable.”
“She really wants you to stay here.”
Laura shook her head. “I can’t.”
“Then I’ll drive you to Grove. We’ll get you a hotel room and find some way to help you get back on your feet.”
She looked past him, her eyes damp with unshed tears. “You really don’t have to do this. I can get a ride.”
“No, you’re not okay. You’re sick. It looks like we’re going to get more rain and you have nowhere to go.” Jesse adjusted the hat he’d put on before walking outside. “I’m going to be honest. I’m not crazy about my grandmother bringing in strangers. But I’m also not about to let you walk off without help.”
She shivered. Jesse shrugged out of his jacket. He draped it across her shoulders and she huddled into it.
“Let’s get in my truck before the rain hits.” He put a hand on her arm and steered her in the right direction.
When they reached the passenger side of his truck she turned away from him, coughing again. The cough racked her thin body