“Thanks.”
Sienna knew having a support system would help Jessie. She hoped Jessie meant what she said about not going back to her abusive relationship. Time would tell.
“I need to go get you some supplies,” she said. “Erika, can you stay with her until I get back?”
“Of course,” Erika told her. “Like I said, I’m staying here. With Jessie. I don’t want her to be alone.”
“Jessie, you okay with that?”
She nodded. “Thank you. For everything.”
“I’ll be back in an hour,” Sienna promised, then looked at Erika. “You have my cell number.”
“I do.”
Sienna left them and went out into the hall. She paused to write cell phone on her list before heading downstairs. It wasn’t until she reached the lobby that she realized she didn’t have a car. David had driven her to dinner. Well, damn. She was going to have to get her sister or Mom to—
“Hi, Sienna.”
She looked up and saw Jimmy walking out of the bar.
“Hi, yourself. Client meeting?”
“Yup. We were celebrating the fact that their offer was accepted. What are you doing here?”
“I was having dinner with my family when something came up. Can you give me a ride home?”
“Sure.” He pointed to the back of the hotel. “I’m that way.”
They started walking.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
“A work thing.” She braced herself for David-like questions, but he only nodded.
“You need to go to the office?”
“Yes, then back here.”
“I’ll drive you,” he told her. “Why waste time going home and getting your car? I don’t mind.”
“I might be a while.”
“I can wait.”
She was going to tell him that she was fine—she only needed a ride home. But to be honest, she would really like the company.
He held open the passenger door for her. She slid inside. Once they were on the road, he glanced at her.
“Is it hard when they leave?”
“For me or for them?”
“Both.”
“Yes. They’re scared and I’m scared for them. Sometimes it’s difficult to see what they’ve been through.” Like Jessie’s broken arm and black eyes. Not that she would tell him that. They could talk only in generalities.
“You’re a good person,” he told her.
“Don’t give me too much credit. I’m helping a friend of a friend. Usually a social worker would be handling this.”
“Why didn’t you call one?”
“I will if it becomes necessary. But for the basic stuff—like getting her settled—I’m qualified.”
Jimmy parked in front of her office and went inside with her. Sienna walked to the storeroom, where they kept kits on hand for nights such as this. They were filled with the basics needed for the first few days. Most women leaving walked away with nothing.
The backpack contained everything from toiletries to socks, slippers and a couple of books. There was also a basic first-aid kit, feminine hygiene supplies and snacks.
Jimmy took the backpack from her and slung it over one shoulder. From another shelf she got a large tote bag, then filled it with underwear, a nightgown, a few T-shirts and a light brown teddy bear.
“Nice,” he said. “Everybody needs someone to hug.”
“Exactly.”
There were packages with cell phones. She took one of those, along with a grocery bag filled with nonperishables.
“I need to get a few things from the refrigerator,” she told him.
“I’ll take all this to my car and meet you out front.”
“Thank you.”
In the break room refrigerator were a few staples. Milk, cheese, eggs and lunch meat. Bread and a few frozen dinners from the freezer went in a second bag. She added a couple of candy bars, then turned out the lights and joined Jimmy.
“Back to the hotel?” he asked.
She nodded.
He started the car and eased back onto the road. As they passed under a streetlamp, her engagement ring caught the light. The tiny flash made her think of David. Her fiancé had walked out on her. He hadn’t bothered to consider how she was going to get home or what she might have to do to help someone. All he cared about was himself.
He’d told her that her doubts were just cold feet. That she was reacting to something in her past rather than to him. Now, as Jimmy drove her back to the hotel, she knew he was wrong. Her heart had been telling her something all along and she simply hadn’t been strong enough to listen.
Quinn and Courtney had decided to take Pacific Coast Highway home to Los Lobos. The drive would be longer, but more scenic. Adding to that, he was in no hurry for their few days together to end.