Defending Harlow (Mountain Mercenaries #4)(69)
“Of course I’ll stay to help,” Harlow told her. “I’m so sorry. What’s going to happen to everyone who lives here?”
Loretta patted her cheek. “I knew from the second I met you that you would be good for this place. The kitchen is the heart and soul of any home, and you’ve made this a true home for everyone who’s been here. I’m working with some of my connections to make sure everyone has someplace to go. Unfortunately, some of the kids will have to change school districts, but at least I think I can find homes for everyone.”
“Do they know yet?”
“Most do. Not the kids yet, though. We’re holding off on telling them until we have a move-out date. There’s no use letting them stress about the situation for longer than necessary.”
“Are you okay?” Harlow asked, getting up and going to sit in the chair she’d vacated.
“I’ve lived in this place for what seems like forever. Did you know this used to be a hotel?”
Harlow had heard the story before, when she’d interviewed for the chef position, but she shook her head, encouraging Loretta to keep talking.
“I spent time in the very kitchen you work in today. I helped my grandmother get breakfasts ready for the guests. I love this old, crumbling building. It holds as many good memories as bad. I love what I’ve done here, helping women and children who need a safe place to stay for a while, but thinking about how scared they are when they first arrive, and how terrified the kids are, breaks my heart even today.”
Harlow’s heart bled for her boss. Loretta was one of the most giving people she’d ever met in her life, but even selfless people needed time for themselves. It sucked that someone had sullied her reputation and gotten the shelter’s funding frozen. She was disappointed that Loretta wasn’t going to try to fight the accusations, but she did understand how the older woman felt.
That didn’t mean she wasn’t stressed, though. Harlow had moved to Colorado Springs to do something different. The last thing she wanted was to go back to the rat race that was being a chef in a busy restaurant.
For a heartbeat, she thought about buying the building from Loretta herself, but immediately dismissed the idea. She didn’t have the money, and it obviously took a lot of capital to keep the place running smoothly. Who knew if she’d be able to get the same grants and support from the state as Loretta had, especially considering the misappropriation-of-funds accusation?
She’d have to start looking for another job, maybe one that involved working with children and women, like she did now. She didn’t want to go back to the restaurant life, but she would if she had to.
“I’d appreciate it if you kept this to yourself for now,” Loretta said. “Most of the residents know, but the last thing I’d want is for one of the kids to overhear someone talking about it. Especially Jasper. He’s just beginning to settle in. To trust. And this is going to knock him for a loop.”
“Can I tell Lowell?” Harlow asked.
Loretta sighed. “I had hoped to keep this quiet a bit longer, but it’s not fair to keep it from them. Not after the way they’ve stepped up to try to figure out who’s behind the harassment we’ve been experiencing. Yes, you can tell him. He and Rex might have connections you can use to find a new job as well.”
“Thanks,” Harlow said. She stood and said, “I should probably go down and start getting dinner ready so you guys will be good to go when I head out tonight.”
“What are we having?” Loretta asked, obviously trying to get things back on an even keel between them.
“Veal marsala, green-bean casserole, and angel food cake with strawberries for dessert.”
“Maybe I should hire you as my personal chef when I retire,” Loretta joked.
Harlow gave her a small smile and turned to head for the door.
“I’m really sorry,” Loretta said softly as Harlow was about to exit.
Not sure what else to say, Harlow merely nodded and headed down to the kitchen.
Black cracked his knuckles and looked down at Brian “Bear” Pierce.
He wasn’t so arrogant now. He was sitting in a wooden chair with his arms zip-tied behind his back and his legs tied securely to the chair as well.
Black had been working him over for at least an hour. He could go for hours more. He didn’t even feel tired, but he knew continuing to torture the man would be for naught. It was obvious that they’d gotten everything they were going to get out of him.
Becoming an interrogator hadn’t been on the short list of things Black wanted to do with his life. While in the Navy, he’d gone through training on how to withstand common torture techniques the enemy might use to get him to talk. He’d only been captured once, but that had been enough. Black hadn’t cracked, but he’d gained a new appreciation for the techniques that could be used to break a man.
He’d used them more than once during his job with the Mercenaries. He wasn’t proud of it, but when push came to shove, information was the most important thing, and he had a knack for being able to get it.
Gray, Ball, Arrow, and Ro stood behind Black, showing a united front to Brian. Meat was currently at the shelter. He was pissed he was “missing out on the fun,” but was mollified a bit by the fact that he was on the cusp of finding out some new information he’d been researching.