A Place to Rest My Heart Read Online Free

in their house. I couldn’t quite decide whether that was comforting or disconcerting.
    “Laney? Earth to Laney.” Molly gently, laid her hand on my arm. I tried not to flinch. If she noticed she didn’t give it away. “You okay? You know, you might want to nap. It’s not as if you just got over the flu or anything, you know.” I smiled at her teasing but sarcastic tone.
    “I’m fine. I … um … I appreciate everything you and Tommy have done, ma’am. I really do.” I meant it, too.
    Molly smiled and gave my arm a gentle squeeze, “Laney, we mean it when we say you are welcome here and that should you need anything, you have but to ask.” She slid her hand away and placed the key to my new home in my hand. She walked to the door and turned to look back at me, “Rest. I’ll see you at six.” She smiled at me and closed the door behind her.
    I don’t know how long I stood there, wondering why a part of me felt like I could unburden my soul to that woman and she would not have blinked. Why the hell did I want to unburden it? It’s my job to deal with my soul, not hers and certainly not God’s. All mine.
    I took a deep breath, determined to dispel the gloom that was settling over me. If I kept this up, I would be drinking instead of serving tonight.
    Besides, I didn’t want to break the trust of these people. That was another surprise. I was allowing myself to care. Well, hell. Now that was unexpected.

Chapter Three
    The party was lively and fun. Streamers hung from the rafters and children chased balloons on the floor as people mingled easily with each other, hugging, kissing, and singing karaoke both good and bad. It was amazing to see so many people who cared so much about each other. It was almost palpable, the love and affection everyone had for Thea, who was getting married and moving to Chicago. But it wasn’t reserved just for her. It was a common thread running among everyone.
    Quite a few people she had befriended over the years worked for Woo Security. I was only vaguely familiar with the company. When I had lived near Hollywood you couldn’t help but hear about celebrities who had bodyguards, or how their lavish homes were set up with the best alarm systems. Woo was the best. William had loved to watch Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous and Entertainment Tonight . He always promised me that one day we’d be rich and that I’d be set up in style. I always laughed at him. What did I know about style? Didn’t really matter to me. I was comfortable in jeans and plain shirts. The only jewelry I wore was a small silver Celtic trinity knot that had been my dad’s.
    I served up drinks and returned the occasional glare that Sean tossed my way. At one point he answered his cell phone and the look he gave me could have cut glass. I’d had it! I flipped him off.
    I didn’t care that the man sitting at the bar saw it. What was his name? Chase. Strange name. Drank water and made small talk with me. He seemed to find my response to Sean amusing.
    I signaled Tommy to take over for a few minutes so I could go to the storage in the basement to get more champagne. I almost dropped the whole case when I turned and found Sean behind me, blocking the doorway.
    “Move, Ace. You’re in my way.”
    “Sweetheart, I haven’t even begun to be in your way.” He leaned against the doorway, arms crossed. “I will not allow you to hurt Tommy or Molly, so why don’t you pack up your schemes and dreams and hit the road. You won’t get a penny from them. I’ll see to that.”
    I have never been known for having an even temper but I’ve worked hard to keep it under control. But not this time.
    “Look, asshole, I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. You’re delusional if you think I have any intention of taking a dime from Tommy that I haven’t earned. I pay my way!”
    “Sure you do. I ran your fingerprints, darlin’, right off your juice glass from this morning. You’ve got a nice background