Finding Her Way Home Read Online Free Page A

Cheyenne ached for her. Why did life have to be so cruel?
    Not knowing what to say, she waited in an oddly comfortable silence. As a police officer, she’d done her share of bringingbad news to hapless families, but she’d never been around for the aftermath.
    With a pat to her heart, Kitty’s pink-glossed lips tilted, though her eyes remained sad. “I’ll have to show you my photo album sometime.”
    â€œI’d like that. He must have been a great husband.”
    â€œThe best.” She fanned herself with Cheyenne’s card. “I see Dr. Bowman recommended my fine establishment. You know Trace?”
    â€œNot exactly.” Cheyenne told the widow about the puppies.
    â€œWell, that’s Trace. He takes in all the strays. Always has.”
    Was that why he tried to hire her? Because she looked like a stray to be pitied? “So you’ve known him a long time?”
    â€œLong enough to know he’s a soft touch, but then everybody in Redemption knows everyone else. Familiarity is the blessing of small-town living.”
    Or maybe the curse.
    â€œHe offered me a job.” Cheyenne added a light laugh as though the notion was facetious—and maybe it was. What kind of sensible human hired total strangers off the street without so much as a reference?
    â€œOooh.” Kitty’s eyes twinkled in speculation. “You must have made an impression.”
    Cheyenne stiffened, her guard firmly back in place. “He said he hires a lot of people.”
    Kitty laughed merrily. “Yes. He does. Trace is always trying to help someone and from what I’ve seen the clinic can use all the assistants he can find. I was teasing you, though you have to admit Trace Bowman is a cutie-pie.”
    â€œI didn’t notice.” Liar, liar.
    Kitty laughed again. “Then you need to make an appointment with Dr. Spencer to have your eyes checked.”
    Cheyenne tweaked a shoulder. “Well, maybe I did notice.”
    Kitty slapped the top of the glass counter and set a half dozen military bobble-heads in motion. “Now you’re talking. I may bea widow but I know fine when I see it. And that man is über-fine. Why didn’t you take the job, you crazy woman?”
    â€œNot the kind of work I’m looking for, but I do need a job, so if you know of anything…”
    Kitty stuck a pencil through her blond topknot. “What kind of job do you have in mind?”
    Anything but the über-fine vet. “Office work, waitressing, retail, that kind of thing.”
    â€œQuite a variety there. I’ll keep my ear to the ground. You’d do a lot better asking at the Sugar Shack, though. Everyone and everything filters through there. Talk to Miriam. She owns the place.”
    â€œAll right. Thanks. I’ll do that.”
    Kitty opened a drawer and took out a key. “This is for Unit 4. I’ll walk over there with you to make sure the room suits you.”
    â€œI’m sure it’s okay.”
    â€œMe, too, but I could use a little more girl talk.” Blue eyes widened, she bunched her shoulders in a charming gesture. Kitty’s delicate femininity left Cheyenne feeling like a wrestler. “It’s not every day I rent a room to someone near my age.”
    â€œAll right, then, lead the way.” As long as Kitty didn’t pry too deeply, they could girl-talk all she wanted. Kitty could talk. Cheyenne would listen.
    Exiting the office, they followed a curving graveled path past three motel doors, each bearing a shiny brass number. Red, white and blue impatiens bordered the gravel in a cheery repeat of Kitty’s favorite color scheme.
    â€œWhat brings you to Redemption, Cheyenne? Relatives?”
    â€œI don’t know a soul.” And no one knows me. For the people of Redemption, she was a clean slate, just the way she wanted to be.
    â€œNo relatives and no job,” Kitty said, “so that leaves only one other