“Lena knows a bunch about computers. You should see how efficient she made the system at Doc’s office. Sarah and Lucy are thrilled and so are the patients,” Abigail told them.
“That’s awesome, Lena. How did you learn about computers?” Stacy asked.
“Well, during the cold winter months, I used to sneak into the library to stay warm. I read a lot and played on the computer systems in the public library. I guess you could say I’m self-taught.”
Abigail cringed just thinking about poor Lena cold and alone on the streets in the city. She was a survivor.
“It seems to me that you have a way of turning the bad into something positive,” Anna stated.
“Well, you should see how she has Bryant coming around,” Abigail added, filled with excitement. She knew that Quinn, Blake, and Kenny wanted to get to know Lena, and she hoped that Bryant would come out of his spell.
“No way! That’s great, Lena. I am curious as to how you did that?” Stacy asked.
“Oh, I didn’t do anything.”
“Sure you did. She doesn’t take any of his crap, and she dishes it right back to him,” Abigail added.
“How about the drinking?” Anna asked hesitantly.
“He stopped doing that, too,” Abigail began to say.
“Unfortunately, Abigail, he was totally drunk when I just saw him this morning. I don’t know why, but he was really nasty to me.”
“Oh no. Maybe he’s just having a bad day?” Abigail stated and hoped.
“This was really nice. Another new experience in Pearl,” Lena stated as baby Hope began to awake from her nap and fuss.
“I’d better go feed her. Will you be here when I get back, Lena?” Stacy asked.
Stacy looked at the clock on the wall. It was nearly three o’clock.
“Oh my, I need to get going. I was planning on making dinner for Bryant whether he wants it or not.”
“Well, it was nice meeting you. I hope that we can talk again and maybe brainstorm together on the shelter idea? I’d like to run it by Wyatt and the men. We would need everyone on board for this,” Anna stated.
“I would love that, Anna. It was nice meeting you both,” Lena stated. Then Abigail walked her out.
Abigail gave her hug, and she was thrilled that Lena didn’t pull away.
“Take care and see you soon.”
“Bye.” Lena waved then walked down the walkway and across the front path toward her cottage.
Chapter 11
Lena grabbed the food from her refrigerator and walked across the way to Bryant’s house. She was ready for the fight he would give her and prepared to give him a piece of her mind for his behavior and rude comments earlier. He was not going backward. He had been so different before last night and this morning.
As she entered the house, she noticed how quiet it was. There didn’t seem to be anyone home.
She placed the chop meat for the burgers in the refrigerator to stay cold, and she took out the bag of potatoes to peel and make homemade fries with. She pulled out four ears of corn and peeled then placed them on the counter.
As she opened up the windows to let the afternoon breeze inside, she could hear the horses from the distance and men giving commands. Peeking through the window, she saw that a few men on horseback were leading several horses across the grass and toward the training stables. It was beautiful and made her instantly think of Blake, Quinn, and Kenny.
She had enjoyed the lunch today at Abigail’s. Anna’s and Stacy’s pasts had surprised her. She knew that Abigail had planned the lunch, and she knew that the woman wanted her to feel safe and aware that she wasn’t the only person around with a past. Lena would struggle with trusting people for a while, but she could easily see herself trusting women like Stacy and Anna. They were survivors, too.
She washed the plates in the sink and noticed that Bryant had in fact eaten the food she prepared for him yesterday. She smiled.
A sudden banging sound caught her attention. She looked up toward the ceiling and wondered if it were coming from upstairs. She washed her hands, dried them on the dishtowel and walked out of the room.