Page 41 of Keeping Denver

Placing the dish towel on the counter, Frances motions for me to sit with her at the kitchen table. "You don't have to thank me, dear. I knew the day we met you and I would be great friends. My only regret is not knowing your situation when you first started working for Callan. When he told me about the night he found you on the street..." Frances chokes on her words.

Reaching across the table, I lay my hand on hers. "Nothing about that night, or any day before was your fault. It wasn't anyone's fault. If anything, it was mine. It's challenging for me to sit here and take what you, Richard, and Spencer are offering me. It's hard admitting I can't make it on my own; at least for now. I'm finally learning to accept help from people," I assure her.

"Oh, Denver." Frances shakes her head.

"Do you remember the day I had my interview, and you took me to lunch?"

Frances smiles. "I do."

"You'll never know how much you affected my life just by buying me lunch. And later that night at the shelter, I discovered you had put that food in my bookbag." I pause as I try to control my emotions. "It had been two days since I had eaten, and it was like you knew."

At my confession, Frances starts to cry. "I just figured you were going through a rough patch financially. I could sense you were hungry but declined my offer for lunch. I sensed something that day but had no idea how dire your situation was. Had I known…"

I stop her. "I know; you probably would have taken me home with you that day," I smile.

"Your damn right, I would." Frances and I are quiet for a minute as we gather ourselves. Just then, Spencer strides into the kitchen, and takes in mine and Frances's state.

"Is this a bad time?"

"No, no. Come on in," Frances answers.

"Good, because I have some news," he smiles. "The charges against you have been dropped," Spencer addresses me.

"Oh my god!" I jump out of the chair. "How?"

"Kelly."

I look to Frances then back to Spencer. "So, Frances was right?"

"Indeed, she was," Spencer confirms.

Richard strolls into the kitchen. "That's because my woman is quite the investigator. She can spot a bullshitter a mile away."

"Oh, hush," Frances swats at her husband.

I turn my attention back to Spencer. "So, what happens now?"

"Well, while Kelly has the pleasure of spending the night in the same jail cell you did, you get to move forward and hopefully put the whole incident behind you."

"What about Joslyn? What is her punishment?"

Spencer sighs. "Unfortunately, nothing. Even though Kelly admits she and Joslyn were in on it together, it was Kelly who planted the wallet and jewelry then called the police with the false allegations."

"That's not fair," I purse my lips. "Joslyn conspired with Kelly to set me up. That has to count for something."

"We all agree, sweetheart. But in this case, it's Kelly's word against Joslyn," Richard clarifies the legalities of it all.

"Don't worry, Denver." Spencer places his hand on my shoulder. "Callan won't let her get away with it for too long."

"So, he knows it was Kelly and Joslyn?" More hurt begins to settle in my stomach as the entire story unfolds. How do people become so petty and vindictive?

"Yes. I stopped by his apartment earlier."

"At least he believes me now," I mutter under my breath. Nobody says anything at my off-handed comment. I'm not quite ready to move passed my bitchy stage and into forgiveness when it comes to Callan. Stepping up to Spencer, I hug him and kiss his cheek. "Thanks for handling the whole debacle for me. I don't know how I'll repay you."

Spencer squeezes me. "You agreed to be my assistant. That's good enough for me. My office and calendar are complete and utter chaos."

"I guess I'll see you first thing in the morning then?" I smile.