Least Likely to Fall in Love (21 page)

Liberty paused on the stairs to get a handle on the emotions ripping through her. She wanted to go, but she’d be starting with so little. This apartment, a place of her own, and a paycheck could make that new beginning easier. Just once, she’d like to try easy.

“It’s a studio. Needs a good cleaning and some better furniture.” Hannah unlocked the door and flipped on the light switch.

After they stopped coughing and sneezing and the choking cloud of dust settled, Hannah and Frank turned to her.

Free rent, Liberty. Concentrate on free rent and a place to stay without the threat of Frank’s cronies popping in.

The place wasn’t big, but had more space than a cell and a nice window that overlooked the street. She could imagine the crate under the window filled with her books. And more than anything, it would be nice to have some space of her own, a Frank-less oasis where logic could breathe.

Hard work. That’s all it would take. And no matter how well things were going or when they took a turn for the worst, that was one thing Liberty could always count on. She might be a thief, an occasional liar, and the most responsible person in the Smith family, but she’d never been afraid to do the hard work.

Whether it was the jumble of the pawnshop or pulling Frank’s fat out of the fire or building a nice nest out of a dust bowl, she could do it. She’d done it before. Knowing Frank, she’d have to do it again. Might as well make the best of a dirty situation. At least this time, it was only actual, from-the-ground dirt. Nothing illegal. She hoped.

“I’ll take it. Got a broom I can borrow?”

AVAILABLE MAY 2015