Page 53 of Dragon Touched
Thedepotconnected to a small convenience store and consisted of a metal canopy covering several hard benches. It didn’t even have walls and left the occupants exposed to the warm, dry Texas climate.
Great, can’t wait to see what the town of Cline offers.
At least she was free, though. She made a beeline to the car rental station on the corner.
“Next.” The woman at the desk motioned her forward. The oaken nameplate sitting on the surface of the furniture informed everyone she was Ms. Delilah Rogers.
“How much is your cheapest rental?”
“A compact.” Pointing through a dirty window, the lady raised an eyebrow. “It’ll cost ya sixty-nine bucks a day, plus insurance, with a valid driver’s license and credit card.”
If she used the ID or credit card, her father or his men might be able to trace her to this town if the housekeeper made mention of it missing. Plus, she really needed to save every penny possible.
“Do you happen to have anything cheaper?” Sacha tried to keep her voice calm, but numbers and dollar signs kept tumbling in her mind.
“Not unless you wanna bike your way through town.” Delilah’s green eyes flashed between amusement and annoyance when they flitted to the customers at Sacha’s back, awaiting their turns.
“A bike, hmm? You don’t happen to have one of those, do you?” Though she said it as a joke, Sacha couldn’t help but hold out a small sliver of hope.
“Kid, you’ve gotta be the weirdest customer I’ve had this whole shift.” The woman let out a small chuckle. “But it may just be your lucky day.” She leaned forward conspiratorially, and Sacha moved closer.
The middle-aged clerk lifted a forefinger to the opposite window, where a man leaned halfway inside a vehicle with a dirty rag, detailing the console. “You see that guy, there? Well,Fredhappens to be my annoying, insufferable coworker. This morning, he thought it would be funny to switch out the water in the coffee pot with vinegar. Imagine my displeasure with the first sip.”
“Oh, yuck.” Sacha wrinkled her nose. “I’m sure it tasted horrible.”
Sacha couldn’t help wondering how in the world Fred’s prank had anything to do with her finding a new transportation source. She kept a polite smile on her lips, though.
“It did.” A visible shiver ran across Delilah’s body. “But you know what? Poor Fred rides his bike to work every morning. It sure would be a shame if his transportation source disappeared today.” Her eyebrows lifted, and she cracked a devious smile.
Bingo.A wide grin curved Sacha’s mouth.
I should feel bad for Fred, but I don’t. Gotta toughen up and take care of myself.
“I’ll sell it to you for a hundred bucks, and I’ll even give the money to him after a couple of days. Maybe. As long as he learns his place.”
Reaching out a hand, she and Delilah shook.
“Listen.” Sacha hesitated. “I hate to ask one more favor, but do you know of any apartments or houses for rent around here?”
Delilah eyed the wrinkled backup wedding gown.
Sacha knew she probably looked like a homeless person with her sleep-deprived face and fought a desperate urge to beg. A roof over her head was imperative.
She pointed to her clothing. “I caught him making out with one of my bridesmaids. Guess I should’ve thought things through a little better before I rushed off.”
Shaking her head and pursing her lips, Delilah seemed to come to a decision. “Good foryou, girl.” She tapped a manicured nail against her chin and gave a small grin. “Actually, I do know of a place.” Her head again tilted to view the line of people behind Sacha. “No pets or kids, I take it?”
“No.” Sacha smoothed a hand over her hair, hoping to make herself a little more respectable, which was hard to do without a change of clothes, shower, or a real night of sleep in a bed.
And not the horrid one in Fin’s tower.
“Just me.” An ache started in her chest, and she shut him out of her mind.
Handing her a business card, the older woman’s voice dropped to a lower pitch. “My aunt has a little place, already furnished, for rent if the right person comes along. Mind you, she’s picky and won’t take kindly to kids or pets. She’ll require the first two month’s payment along with the deposit.”
“Not a problem.” Sacha felt like jumping with excitement. Not only would she have a place to stay, but she wouldn’t have to fork over any of the stashed savings for appliances and furniture.
Two hours later, she was the proud renter of a small, furnished house that had seen better days when JFK had been President. It smelled like moth balls and creaked with each footstep, but it didn’t matter. The place was cheap and provided freedom and security from her shady father.
