A Place to Rest My Heart Read Online Free Page A

there, Laney. Pandering? Breaking and entering? Those are great ways to pay your way, huh? You got a scam to bilk Tommy, but you might as well hit the road running, babe,” He smiled, acting quite pleased with himself. “Tommy and Molly all too often fall for the sob story and feel sorry for the strays that come along.”
    I felt that to my core. Stray? Felt sorry for me? The last thing I needed was anyone’s pity. But right at the moment the only thing I felt was the need to strike back at Sean. “Stray, huh? Weren’t you a stray too? They feel sorry for you then? Take you in on pity?” I saw his jaw tighten and knew I’d scored.
    “Leave now and I won’t tell them your plans to take them for a ride,” he growled.
    “My plans? You’re so sure about my plans, huh? Wow, you sure are smart, Sean Michael Muldoon. You ran my fingerprints and so now you know my whole life story in one fell swoop? Look, you arrogant ass, you have no idea what my life has been like and a couple of knocks on a police sheet only tells you what your narrow-minded brain wants to hear. But for your parents’ sake, I’ll go and save you the trouble of making a fool out of yourself.” I tossed the case of champagne at him. He let out a curse, as he lunged to catch the box and I shoved him hard when I went through the doorway. I heard him hit the shelves, rattling bottles and swearing a blue streak. I heard the case of champagne hit the floor with a thud and the sound of breaking glass.
    I know I could have done worse and to this day I still have no idea why I didn’t kick him in the nuts, or flat out deck him. I should have done something other than leave. I wanted to do anything other than leave, but I couldn’t bear having to own up to some of the missteps I had made long ago.
    I left Sean in the storage room and headed up the stairs, passing Chase who was coming down. I looked him in the eyes and silently dared him to stop me, but he only stepped aside to let me pass before continuing down the steps. I went to my room to pack and an hour later I was once again standing before a map in the Greyhound station. This time, the map was of the whole United States. I thought it might be better to broaden my horizons this time. Maybe my luck would improve if I got out of California. If I had said it couldn’t get any worse I’d have been a lying fool. I always knew it could get worse.
    I saw Sean’s reflection in the map board, as he came up behind me, but I chose to ignore it. I’d watched his slow and cautious approach. I could feel the tension in his body as he waited for me to lash out at him. I would be damned if I was going to give him the satisfaction of allowing him to get to me more than he already had. He didn’t deserve my attention. Part of me was saddened at not saying goodbye to Tommy and Molly. Regardless of the kindness they had shown me, once they knew that my past had been somewhat checkered they might not be quite so forgiving. Most people weren’t. Most people only allowed the luxury of forgiveness for themselves. For those of us outside the box, forgiveness was usually doled out sparingly. Sean’s voice brought my wavering attention back to him and my future decisions.
    “I hear Arizona is nice in the spring,” he said, moving more into my periphery. “Personally, I’m fond of Wyoming. I also like … ” I whipped my head around to look at him and saw him tense. “Okay,” he said. “I guess you don’t really care what I like right now, but give me a chance to explain.”
    I turned away from him, picked up my bag and headed to the line at the ticket counter. Sean moved to stand in front of me so I moved around him and he blocked me again. “Look, just give me five minutes.” He started to reach his hand out to touch me but I stepped back and did an about face and headed for the doors. Five minutes? In a pig’s eye! I had been weighed, measured, and found wanting. I didn’t need him to lay it out any plainer