Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 126823 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 634(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126823 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 634(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
Shabina couldn’t argue with that assessment. “Did he contact you already about viewing the security footage? Is that why he confronted Chelsey?”
Raine nodded. “I received a call from him early this morning. Does he sleep?”
Shabina had fallen asleep with Rainier’s arms around her. He’d held her against him, his arms that fortress she remembered from all the many years when he showed up, sliding into her bedroom when she needed him the most. She had no idea if he slept because she always fell asleep first, and he was out of bed early, caring for the dogs and doing a thorough security check.
They’d gone running together, taking all the dogs with them before returning his three, Mick, Sonar and Bomber, back to the house to guard while they went to the café so she could do the early morning baking. Rainier had disappeared for a short time. When he returned, he took his laptop to Raine’s favorite table and stayed out of the kitchen. It hadn’t occurred to her that Rainier would contact Raine so soon and ask to view the security footage for the café and her home. She’d brought him Arabic coffee and date cookies once she had them fresh from the oven but left him to his work while she did hers.
“That’s a good question,” she answered Raine as she stood up.
“Did you hear the gossip about Lawyer?” Zahra asked her quickly. “He gave an interview to a local reporter and told them a story about how when he was a teen, he had been involved with other boys and they’d robbed and beat up their football coach. He confessed to the coach and paid him back the money. He made the coach out to be a hero. I know his is one of our local families you take food to in the winter, Shabina.”
“Wow, Lawyer is such a good guy,” Shabina said. She smiled at the two women over her shoulder and then hurried to help the waiters and waitresses take orders and get food and drink out to her customers. She knew exactly why Lawyer had made his confession. He was circumventing Bale from using what he thought was damning evidence against him.
She was a little surprised to see that the three women from Washington were still in town. Janine, Val and Theresa waved to her and indicated when she had time they would love to chat. They were friendly and clearly enjoyed bird-watching and hiking, but climbing wasn’t one of their passions. Most visitors prolonged their stay in Knightly to boulder.
Lucca’s sister, Avita, and one of his brothers, Pablo, came in for breakfast. Both had clearly been up all night. She took their order. “I’m so sorry to hear about Lucca,” she whispered. “I know they’re keeping it under wraps, and I won’t say anything, but we get all the latest news because we send supplies to the volunteers.”
She didn’t know what to say, so she felt she said too much. Avita teared up, and Pablo put his arm around her.
“We’re heading up to the base camp. If you need us to take anything up there, we can do that,” Pablo said.
“We want to be closer just in case,” Avita added.
“I’ll see if we can have the supplies ready in time before you leave,” Shabina said.
“Oh, Shabina,” Avita suddenly said, tears spilling over. She stood up and flung herself into Shabina’s arms.
Shabina held her tight for a few minutes. To her consternation, Pablo stood as well and wrapped his arms around his sister and her. She was uncomfortable with men touching her, even men she knew. It wasn’t as if Pablo was a stranger, and she had empathy for him, but every cell in her body rebelled. It was all she could do not to stiffen, especially when he put his head on her shoulder.
There was a sudden hush in the café. Rainier appeared beside them in that silent way he had. Pablo stepped back, as did Avita. Rainier gave them an easy smile, holding out his hand to Pablo. “Rainier Ashcroft, Shabina’s fiancé and partner here in the café.” His voice was pitched low, impossible to hear other than by the two members of the Delgotto family. “I wanted to let you know we’re putting together supplies to take up to the base camp. If there’s anything we can do for your family, please let us know.” His arm swept around Shabina, and he pulled her protectively beneath his shoulder.
Pablo shook his hand. “Thanks, man. We appreciate everything you’re doing for us. Shabina has always been a good friend to our family, particularly to our parents.”
Rainier waved the two back to their seats and indicated for Patsy to bring them their drinks.
“Mom was very sick last winter,” Avita revealed. “When Shabina found out we were having trouble getting her to eat, she brought her different kinds of soups and smoothies and shakes. She also brought meals for our entire family. Dad was working and also trying to caretake our mother. He didn’t like leaving her, so he was stretched pretty thin. I was away at school, and they didn’t want me taking a leave of absence.” She flashed Shabina a smile. “Shabina went over nearly every day.”