Page 6 of Shar: A Woman Alone

Cord is laughing as I can hear the deep rumble behind me.Zara is outright laughing and not caring if anyone pays attention. “You’ll besorry,” Clarice snarls, then struts her ugly ass out of the store. Turning, Iraise an eyebrow and look at Zara, then Cord.

“Long story.” Zara sighs and then pushes her cart. “Come on,Shar, let’s get shopping.” I look at Cord and he’s still chuckling, but nodshis head to follow Zara.

By the time we’ve paid for all the groceries, we must havespoken to a dozen people. All friendly and kind towards Zara. Some are givingCord the evil eye and some are undressing him with their eyes. It’s amusing ifI’m honest, and I keep grinning at Cord, who knows what I’m thinking half thetime, I’m sure.

It seemed to take forever to pack the bags into the SUV butwe keep talking as we get it done, and on the way back to the compound we turnon the radio and sing rather out of tune, I have to admit, but Zara and I don’tgive a shit, as we’re enjoying ourselves.

Back at the clubhouse I give Cord the receipt and tell himhe can give it to whoever needs it so they can reimburse me for the groceries,then he shouts for a couple of prospects to come and help carry all the bagsinside.

In the kitchen, I have a good look around and check thedishwasher has been emptied and everything has been put away as it should. Theclub whores have saved themselves a taste of my temper this time, I think tomyself.

I hand Zara a bottle of water, and after drinking half mybottle, I place it on the windowsill out of the way while I wash my hands,before getting started on putting away the perishables in the fridge.

Zara is working alongside me placing all the canned goodsaway, and we’re talking about everything and nothing when she surprises me.“Clarice will be here on the weekend. She’ll be all over the brothers. She’s acouple of years older than me, but she has no plans apart from being a clubwhore. She’s had more of the brothers than I can count.”

“Well, that’s her life choice, Zara. If she wants to seeherself like that, then it’s sad. You are going to be someone, and I don’t meanfamous. I mean, you’re going to be your own person, whether or not you have aman in your life. You’re strong, determined, and have a brilliant head on yourshoulders. How can you fail?” I give her a quick hug, then carry on emptyingbags.

“Thanks, Shar. I’m looking forward to seeing what yourfindings are about the salons. It could become a club business that I couldmanage for them. It would mean I wouldn’t have to come up with the finances tokick it off!” She laughs and I can see there’s more to this girl than meets theeye.

The door opens and Gunner walks in. I don’t speak, I keep myhead down and continue with what I’m doing. Zara walks over and hugs her dad,and he pats her back, looking over at me. “Hi, Shar, are you okay?”

“Yeah, thanks for asking, Gunner. We’ve been gettinggroceries.” I keep my voice pleasant, as I don’t want to upset Zara.

“That’s good.” Gunner kisses Zara on the top of her head,then sits at a table. “Are you staying at the clubhouse?” I hear, but am notsure if he’s asking me or Zara, so I keep quiet.

“Yeah, I’m going to stay here while Shar’s visiting, ifthat’s okay?”

“I’m okay with that as long as I know you’re here and notgoing around with some of those girls from school.” Gunner is sounding unhappyabout these girls, whoever they are.

“No, I’ve not been around them since they came here,” Zarareplies, then picks up some bags we’ve emptied and sticks them in the trashcan.

“Okay. I’m going to be at the strip joint this week, so I’llnot be around from 6:00pm, but if you need me, I’ll have my phone,” Gunnertells Zara and I have to say he’s sounding better than what I’d heard. “Makesure you eat,” Gunner says, then kisses Zara’s forehead before giving me a nodand walking out of the kitchen.

Once we’ve finished putting everything into the fridge,freezer, and cabinets I look at the clock on the kitchen wall and rub the backof my neck. I’m tired and it’s been one heck of a long day.

“Do you think we could have a pizza or something tonight?I’m tired and about ready to drop,” I say to Zara, and she grins. “Yeah, I’llorder. Do you want to eat in the kitchen, rec room, or your room?” she asks.“My room. I’ll make us some drinks and you order the pizza, then we’ll chillout while we eat.”

Crack walks into the kitchen before we get the pizzaordered. “You two okay? Did you get all the shopping put away? I saw the amountyou purchased, and I gotta say, Shar, you sure know how to shop.”

I laugh. “Well, it’s all put away now, and startingtomorrow, I’ll get some meals cooked. But can I ask that people stay out of thekitchen cabinets for tonight at least? Just so I can get a meal plan on thewall.”

“Meal plan? That sounds interesting. Yeah, I’ll tell aprospect to keep everyone out of the food,” Crack laughs. “You can bet they’llwant to get their noses into the cabinets and fridge to see what you’ve got inthem.”

“I’m going to order pizza for us tonight,” Zara tells Crack,and he nods to her, smiling. “I’ll order, then I’ll get some for Sharp and acouple of others at the same time. Oh, I had a TV put in your room, Shar. Ithought it would be good if you wanted to step away for a while. I used themaster key and knew it would be okay.”

“Oh, thank you, that’s good of you.” I turn to Zara. “We canwatch a movie while we eat now.”

We wash up, put our PJs on and settle down to eat and watchTV. I’m not sure when but I must have fallen asleep because when I wake in thedarkness I’m still on top of the bed, TV is still on, and Zara is lying next tome softly snoring. I cover us both up and snuggle down to sleep after I turnthe TV off using the remote.

CHAPTER 3

Shar

Waking with someone jostling at the side of me is strangeand alarming. I shoot into a sitting position, eyes searching to my side to seewhat’s happening. Seeing Cord picking Zara up, who is fast asleep at the sideof me, fills me with relief. I give Cord a small smile and he whispers. “Goback to sleep, Shar. I’m taking Zara to her room. Lock up behind me first.” Igive him a nod and climb out of bed, locking the door as he leaves carryingZara bridal style, but with such care it makes my chest flutter. How long is itsince anyone showed me that kind of care?

The night wasn’t particularly good. I tossed and turned,getting more and more frustrated because I was tired, but just couldn’t stayasleep. Eventually, I turn and look at the clock and it’s 4:30 in the damnmorning. Sitting up in bed, I rub my face, deciding to get up and start theday.

I have a shower, throw my hair into a messy bun, and wearjeans, t-shirt and espadrilles as I’m going to be on my feet a lot today. IfSharp is serious about wanting my input, which since I’m here, it shows he is,then I’m going to need to see all the businesses, speak to his secretary andtreasurer and watch how the brothers live.

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