Stormy Weather Read Online Free Page A

level. She couldn’t help but remember when kind people gave her mother a helping hand when they had needed it. Tamaron Williams had always been so grateful for even the tiniest bit of assistance she received from the community while her daddy was stationed overseas. Now, years later, she would be so disappointed if her oldest child forced a man in need out into the streets.
    What if he was telling the truth about someone stealing his wallet on the bus? What would it hurt if she allowed him to stay until morning?
    She could be sending an innocent man out into the unknown. She never heard of anyone walking all the way back to town from here, especially at night. Besides, it wasn’t like her sisters would ever find out about this unless she told them. Hell, she sure as hell wasn’t about to confess anything to the three of them.
    Pulling herself away from her thoughts, Rachelle glanced toward the front door just as it closed behind Cash’s wide, retreating back. She hurried around the side of the desk and raced after him. She hoped she wasn’t making a bad decision that could come back and haunt her later.

 
     
    Chapter Four
     
     
    Battling with the anger still racing through his body, Cash continued walking toward the bus station. How could he have done something so stupid like fall asleep on the bus with a bunch of strangers?
    Maybe he could hitchhike and get a ride back into town if a city bus didn’t show, if he was lucky enough to get someone to stop. Hopefully, he could get a ride to the police station soon. “Cash, wait! I think I might be able to help you.”
    Tormented by thoughts of where he was going to sleep tonight, Cash almost missed hearing his name being yelled.
    Spinning around, he was shocked to see Rachelle coming towards him. A tiny glimmer of hope made his heart catch in his chest. Did she change her mind?
    Was she going to let him stay after all ? No, he wasn’t going to get too excited because she might want something entirely different from him.
    “Yes,” he answered. “Did I forget something, and that’s the reason why you came rushing after me?”
    “No,” she said. “You didn’t forget anything. I decided to let you stay here for the night. I couldn’t let you back on the highway. You don’t have a way to take care of yourself and the thought of anyone hitchhiking doesn’t sit well with me. Are you sure you will be able to pay me?”
    “I swear, you will have your money tomorrow.”
    A bottomless sense of peace took over Cash’s body as he realized how lucky he had gotten tonight with Rachelle. He had never been more appreciative of another person’s kindness than he was right now. He couldn’t think of one place in California that would allow him stay the night without paying.
    “I really want to thank you again for doing this for me,” he said, staring at her. “I didn’t have a clue where I was going to end up tonight. I’m not familiar with anything or anyone in this town. The only reason I ended up here was because I wanted to get away from it all. I closed my eyes and literally touched a place on the map, then bought a ticket.”
    Rachelle eyed him closely like she was still trying to figure him out. “Sounds like a strange thing to do to me, but I guess you’re a risk taker. I’m hoping I don’t regret my decision to help you out.”
    “Thank you again for doing this for me. I promise I will give you the money I owe. Truthfully, I thought I might have to sleep on the streets tonight,” Cash confessed.
    She gave him a small smile. “You’re welcome. Let’s get back inside so I can get your room ready. After you have settled in why you don’t come back downstairs and we can find you something in the kitchen? Ron, our chef, always has leftovers in the refrigerator for the staff to take home.”
    Turning on her heel, Rachelle walked away from him and went the short distance to Luxury. Cash didn’t waste a second hurrying behind her. Back at the front desk,