Naughty in Leather by Berengaria Brown Read Free Book Online Page B

a drink. She
settled the girl down in a chair and passed her a box of tissues, then simply
sat there while the blonde talked about how wonderful her father was, how he’d
always given her the most amazing Christmas presents, invariably just what she
wanted, how her mother had screamed at him and left them. And now, how the kids
at school were saying he led a gang of shoplifters and she was terribly worried
there might be some truth in it. “Mom said he was a criminal. It was one of the
rude names she called him when they fought. But he’s always been the perfect
father to me. I never believed her.”
    “Just because a
man may steal, that doesn’t mean he loves his child any the less,” Rhonda said
practically, handing the girl a mug of coffee.
    The girl talked
and sniffed and hiccupped a while longer, gradually calming as she drank her
coffee. Then she looked at Rhonda and said, “I’m going to have to tell the
police, aren’t I? I’m going to have to give up my own father who’s always been
everything good to me.”
    “If the kids at
school are saying these things about your dad, I expect the police already
know. But for your own peace of mind you do need to make a statement yourself,
yes,” said Rhonda.
    The girl straightened
her shoulders and said, “I suppose that’s part of being a grown up.”
    Rhonda smiled at
her. “I think you will grow up to be a wonderful woman. By coming to my store
today, you’ve shown you can do the right thing even when it’s very painful to
do it.”
    “I’m ready. You
can tell that security guard hanging around outside your store he can call the
cops.” The girl stood and Rhonda followed her into the shop.
    Sarah from the
dress boutique was at the till, chatting to a customer, and Ted was leaning
against the wall opposite her store doorway. As she and the girl emerged,
Rhonda gave him a little nod and he came across to them. Rhonda realized the
girl had never mentioned her name. She still didn’t give her name, simply
saying, “I’m ready to talk to the police about my dad, now.”
    “Do you want
Rhonda to stay with you until a female police officer arrives? Or we can wait
right here in the mall where you will be quite safe.”
    “I’d rather
everyone didn’t see me with you. Is there an office with a woman in it where we
can wait?”
    “We can use the
Center Manager’s waiting room. Tilly’s desk is there and you’ll be safe there
with her,” said Ted.
    They walked off,
the girl not even glancing back, and Rhonda returned to her store. Well, who’d have thought I’d find out about
my stolen shorts like that!
    Since Sarah had
helped by minding the store, Rhonda felt she had to tell her all about the
girl, but she warned her not to say anything until after the police left.
    “Poor little
kid. You have to feel sorry for her, being disillusioned about her family like
that,” said Sarah, shaking her head, then rushing back to her own store where
she’d left her helper alone.
    ****
    They drove
together to the new apartment block, Ty’s briefcase with him, stuffed full of
papers about room sizes, furniture sizes, and distances and times to travel
from the building to the mall, his workplace, Scott’s job, and a dozen other
things.
    Scott tried to
keep his grin hidden. Ty was still so uptight about the move, yet he and Rhonda
were content. Rhonda was happy to move in with them, although he realized
asking her in a bit more of a romantic way may have been better, and Scott was
willing to go wherever Ty needed him to be.
    All three of
them had spent ages staring at the building on the Internet, reading all the
promotional information, and making their own comments. The apartments did look
attractive, but whether the two Ty could choose from would live up to the hype
remained to be seen. However, from Scott’s point of view, free rent was a good
thing, and if they could make it work, they would. That money would be all
savings toward a dream home of their own one