Free Saving Ella by Kirsty Dallas Page B

winked at Jax. I wasn’t sure I wanted to talk. Talking usually meant revealing things that I tried hard to keep to myself. Jax was now carrying me through the shelter and gaining the much unwelcome attention of the few women who still occupied Mercy’s during the day. Once we reached the kitchen, he carefully lowered me to a stool.
                  “You’re not going to fall down again are you?” I shook my head. I still felt light headed, but I was fairly confident I was not about to faint again. Jax dropped my backpack at my feet and quickly turned to busy himself at the fridge. “Where’ve you been today?” He asked. I pulled my hair back over my face, hiding.
                  “I had to go see someone about a job. She wanted me to start right away.” Jax stopped what he was doing and turned to face me, curiosity carved into his handsome features.
                  “You got a job?” His words rubbed me up the wrong way. Did I look so helpless that I couldn’t get a job? Perhaps he thought I was stupid or something. I hadn’t graduated school, I had missed too much in my final few years to warrant a graduation, but when I was there, when I cared, I did well. I also read a lot. I loved books almost as much as I loved sketching. I could have been or done anything with my life, before he stole my dreams.
                  “Yes, I got a job. I am capable of taking care of myself as much as having to find refuge in a shelter contradicts that idea. Now that I’m working I will be able to concentrate on finding an apartment. I haven’t really spent that much time living in shelters. The lack of privacy kinda’ pisses me off.” Jax chuckled.
                  “Sorry Angel, I didn’t mean any disrespect. I’m sure you’re more than capable of taking care of yourself. I just know there isn’t a lot of work around at the moment.  A few of the women who have been living here of late have had trouble finding a job.” His words were not said with mockery.
                  “Well, I’ve never really had any trouble finding work. Washing dishes, sweeping floors, packing shelves. I’m not afraid of hard work or taking the dirty jobs that other people don’t want. But this time I had a friend who knew someone here. They put in a word for me.” Jax nodded and resumed to fixing me what looked like a sandwich. He brought it to the counter and placed it down in front of me.
                  “Mary gets in soon. When she does she will start fixing dinner. Have this now though, you need something in your system so you don’t faint on me again,” He grinned and grabbed two cans of coke from the fridge pushing one towards me. “So, where are you working?” He sat directly across from me and I found I couldn’t hide from his penetrating gaze. I was nervous under his scrutiny.
                  “Bouquets, down town.” Jax smiled.
                  “Rebecca Donovan, she’s a good person, donates to the shelter yearly. You will be the envy of all the women in here. Her store is warm and apparently it smells good.” I couldn’t help but smile at the memory. Yes, it did. Jax’s smile turned into a slight frown. “Perhaps you shouldn’t tell any of the other women just yet. They might get a little jealous.” I nodded. I had no intention of telling any of them anyway. I rarely made friends in the shelters. I never stuck around long enough to make friends.
                  “I just need to stay a couple more nights and then I will get out of your hair. I get my first paycheck at the end of week and I will look for an apartment or share house right away.” Jax shook his head.
                  “Stay as long as you need angel. We have the room. Like I told you last night, today we’ve got two spare beds. Annie and Eli will be out of here in another week.” I was glad they were getting out