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“Perfect.” She couldn’t believe how smoothly this was all working out.
“I also finished filing the paperwork for Kyra and swept the floor out here as well as in the kitchen.”
Wow. She didn’t bother to hold back her surprise. “I have to tell you, I’m really impressed with your work so far.”
“Thanks.” Elina didn’t smile much, but she wore one now, proud and bright. “I like having a job. It’ll be nice to have some of my own money. I want to save up for a car.”
That was the first time Elina had ever shared a personal desire with her. But Lyric didn’t want to make too big of deal about it. They were simply co-workers chatting. Yet she couldn’t help but feel like she was making progress with this girl. “Do you have any fun plans this weekend?”
Elina glued her gaze back to the computer screen. “Not really.”
“No dates with Franco or anything?” Lyric regretted the words right after speaking them. She couldn’t come on too strong again.
But the question didn’t seem to faze Elina. “I don’t know. We’ll probably hang out or something. But I thought I’d work late tonight. If you’re cool with that.”
Nope. After the break-in, she wasn’t cool with Elina working here alone anymore. “I know I said you could work whenever you wanted, but I’d rather you’re not here at night by yourself right now.” Lyric hesitated. She didn’t want to scare the girl off, but Natalie hadn’t seen anyone after patrolling the neighborhood, so whoever had tampered with the safe was still out there and they had to assume the person could come back. “Someone messed with the safe the other night.”
“Really?” Elina’s hands jerked away from the keyboard. “Do you know who it was?”
“No.” She’d lain awake all night wondering. “They took off when Thatch and I came running out of thestudio, but we have the police looking into it.” Surely the crime wouldn’t be that hard to solve in this small town.
“The police?” Elina spun her chair to face Lyric, her eyes wide.
Great. Now she probably wouldn’t want to work here anymore. “Natalie filed a report and is investigating. I’m sure it’ll all be fine.” Whoever had broken in didn’t seem to be violent or confrontational.
Elina didn’t look too convinced. “They probably won’t find anything, though, right? I mean, there are no cameras or anything, are there?”
“No, but Natalie’s good at her job. I’m sure she’ll do her best.” At least they hadn’t lost any money in the incident.
“I need to go.” Elina stood up suddenly. “I forgot I promised my mom I’d be home after school. I have to babysit.”
“Oh. That’s fine.” Lyric stepped aside so the girl could get around her. “Do you babysit a lot?” In addition to making her family dinner while her mom drank? Lyric didn’t mean to be judgmental, but Elina seemed to be under a lot of pressure for a fifteen-year-old girl.
“Sometimes.” The girl hoisted her backpack off the floor and hurried to the door. “I might not be able to come in tomorrow.”
“Okay—”
She was gone before Lyric could finish her response. Elina’s shock wasn’t a surprise. Break-ins typically didn’t happen in Star Valley. It probably made her nervous to think it might happen again.
“Hey.” Kyra appeared in the hallway that led to her office. “I’m so glad you’re here.” She gave her a long probing look, frowning. “What’s wrong?”
“Elina just ran out the door.” She took a seat at the computer so she could add the Ladies’ chair session next week to the schedule. “I told her about the break-in, and then she got all freaked out. I told her I didn’t want her here alone at night until we know who was snooping around in here. But I think she’s scared.”
“I’m not sure we need to be scared, but it’s probably smart to make sure we always have two people here.” Kyra dragged over another chair and sat beside her. “So, I have thebestnews.”
“Perfect.” She could use some good news right about now.
“You know that patient I have who owns the bed-and-breakfast between here and Jackson?”
“Oh, yeah. Marie Billings.” She did yoga occasionally too, though Lyric hadn’t seen her in a few months.
“That’s her,” Kyra sang. “She had three cabins open this weekend, and I successfully treated her gout, so she offered them to me. We can all go stay Friday and Saturday night for free! We’re going on a triple date!” She made ata-dagesture with her hands.
“Oh, wow.” Lyric turned back to the computer so she could hide her lack of enthusiasm. Kyra wanted her to spend an entire weekend in a romantic cabin with Thatch? That hadn’t been in the plan. “Sounds fun and all, but that’s kind of short notice for a weekend trip.”
“I took the liberty of moving all your Saturday appointments.” Her friend did tend to think through everything. “And Tess has already found places for the girls to spend the weekend with friends. So you and Thatch have to come. You can’t say no.” She moved into Lyric’s personal space, grinning. “I have no idea why you would even wantto say no when you have the chance to spend two nights in a romantic little cabin alone. Not to mention a weekend with your besties.”
“I don’t want to say no. Of course we’d be thrilled to go.” What choice did they have? Other than breaking up, and Thatch hadn’t wanted to do that. Truthfully, the thought had made her a little sad too. “But I’m not sure Thatch will be available.”Please let him not be available.“I can go talk to him about it right now.”
