Break My Fall(3)

“Uh huh, don’t get too excited though, it’s just one of Kyle’s old ones and it doesn’t have cable. It does have a built in DVD player that works, so that’s a bonus.”

Swinging around, I grabbed Cam for a hug. “Thank you so much Cam.”

She squeezed me back. “Get some sleep Lee. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Do you mind if I take a shower?” I called after her.

“Go for it babe,” she replied before closing out the door.

I stood for a moment breathing in the silence and allowing a small smile to creep across my face. I could relax, finally.





“Good morning,” I said quietly as I walked into the kitchen.

The shaved-headed man sitting at the table raised his brow in surprise. “Good morning to you. I take it you’re the infamous Lee?”

His razor sharp green eyes studied me and I began to fidget nervously. “Yes and you’re Kyle?” I asked hating how meek my voice sounded.

He threw back his head and laughed. What was so funny? “Nope, you have the wrong man sweetheart. I’m Derek.”

I blushed and muttered a half-hearted, “Sorry.”

He grinned broadly. “Don’t be. Although when you meet Kyle you’ll wonder how you ever confused us. I’m far better looking.”

I wasn’t sure what to say to that, so I just nodded.

“So, Lee, are you in town for business or pleasure?”

“Oh, I’m… Business. I need to find a job,” I answered fumbling on my words.

Derek stood up from the table and I automatically took a step back.

Breathe, just breathe.

“Well, yesterday’s paper is on the table if you want to take a look through it? Cam’s already gone out and I’d offer give you a tour, but I’m late for work myself,” he said as he rinsed his cup and placed it on the sink.

I tucked my tangled curls behind my ears. “Oh, thank you. I will check that out.”

Derek walked right up to me and I automatically backed away. He furrowed his brow regarding me with a hurt expression. “I’m not a rapist you know?” he snapped. “I need to get into the fridge. You’re blocking my way.”

I jerked away from where I was standing. “I’m sorry,” I mumbled. “I don’t think you’re a…that.”

Derek didn’t say anything as he pulled out a container of food. “If you see Cam, tell her I had to go into work early.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

He regarded once more before blowing out a breath and muttering something about a nodding dog. I waited for the front door to slam before I released my breath.

I needed to get a handle on this. I had made it. I was safe. I was free.





I pushed open the heavy glass door and stepped into the foyer of The Henderson Hotel.

The paper Derek had left in the kitchen advertised a job opening in the housekeeping department so here I was. I had been all over downtown Boulder looking for work, but to no avail. The sheer size of the city made me want to crawl into the ground. It was a miracle I stayed calm. Crowds made me nervous.





Slapping on my bravest smile, I approached the impressive oval shaped desk on the other side of the spacious lobby. A middle-aged blonde woman in a sharp navy shirt looked up from behind the desk as I approached. She stared at me for a moment her eyebrows raised.

“Can I help you hon?” Her voice was raspy, like she smoked twenty cigarettes a day for a few years too many.

I sucked in a deep breath. “Yes, my name is Lee Bennett and I would like to apply for the housekeeping job advertised in the paper.”

The woman’s gaze held a smidge of sympathy. “Sorry hon, we don’t hire highschool kids, too unreliable. Besides there are application procedures, you need to go through to secure an interview.”

I blanched my heart sinking a little. “I’m not in highschool.” I stood a little taller, trying my best to look more grown up. “I can promise you I’m a hard worker and very reliable.”

She nodded her head in what seemed consideration. “You starting college soon? Because the boss is not interested in college kids either. He needs staff who are serious about their job and are committed.”

Her straight-laced attitude put me at ease. Straight talking I understood, it was insinuations and code talk that I didn’t. I smiled at her. “I’m not going to college and have no plans to ma’am. I just moved to Boulder and need a job. I can promise you that I am serious.”

She leaned forward a little, her gaze drifting over me. “You got any experience in housekeeping?”

“I have experience serving and till work and I keep a clean house. I’m a real fast learner.”