Free More Than Great Riches by Jan Washburn

revealed no emotion,
     there was a deep intensity in those sea-gray eyes. He looked as though he intended to wrap
     her in his arms and kiss her senseless. She held her breath, knowing she wouldn’t resist.
     The silence stretched between them like a taut wire.
    And then he broke the silence. Promise me you’ll go to Maggie’s, he said, turning toward
     the door.
     
    
    
     ****
    Maggie waited in her battered pickup truck as Tracy came across the parking lot at
     Fisherman’s Landing, the seafood restaurant. How’d you make out? Maggie called.
    Tracy gave her a grin and two thumbs up. I start Sunday.
    Maggie pumped her fist in a victory celebration.
    I’ll just be working weekends for now, Tracy bubbled as she climbed into the cab. But that
     should be enough to keep me alive. There’s a new manager, but LeBlanc is still the maitre
     d’, and I remember several of the waitresses.
    Maggie wheeled the truck out onto the highway. Will you need a ride to work?
    Just this Sunday, I hope. Henry says my car should be ready Wednesday or Thursday.
    Do you think Leif would be available to take you to work? Bud and I are going to his Mom’s
     for Easter dinner. I can take you home afterwards.
    Don’t worry about it. I’ll find a ride. Tracy hoped she wouldn’t have to bother Leif
     again. It will be so great to have wheels. I hate asking people to cart me around.
    I don’t mind taking a break from the kennels, Maggie insisted. Working with dogs all day,
     I begin to forget what people look like.
    Tracy laughed. Maggie, you’ve been a gem. Thanks for giving me refuge last night. I know I
     would have thrashed around in bed all night alone at my house.
    Maggie threw her a concerned glance. Are you sure you want to go home? You know you’re
     welcome to stay with us as long as you want.
    Tracy hesitated. She suspected she would never feel safe in her own home again, but unless
     she made a permanent move to Maggie’s, she needed to deal with her fear. She put on an air
     of confidence she didn’t feel. I’ll be all right. Whoever broke in knows that there’s
     nothing there worth stealing. And Leif and Will put deadbolts and chains on the doors.
    You need a dog. A big dog that eats burglars in one gulp.
    Right. Tracy groaned. A big dog that eats forty tons of chow a day. I’d better wait until
     I can afford a few groceries.
    I’d still feel better if you owned a dog.
    What I need is a financial advisor. Tracy’s brain rang up dollars like a cash register. I
     have to send rent money to my roommate in New York and tell her to find someone else to
     share the apartment. And then I need to send her more money so she can ship me my things.
     I’ve been rotating the same three outfits for almost two weeks. And then I’ve got to pay
     Henry for the repairs on the car. And then ...
    OK, OK. Maggie conceded defeat. Maybe a Chihuahua.
    Oh, sure! Tracy gave Maggie’s arm a light punch. He could nibble the burglar into
     submission.
    But Maggie veered off in another direction. If you’re working on Sunday, will you have to
     miss the Easter service?
    No, my hours work out perfectly. I don’t have to go in until four on Sunday afternoons.
     But I do have one favor to ask. I’d like to use your computer occasionally to check their
     website. They post information about special events.
    I take it you never figured out the password to your brother’s computer.
    Tracy made a face. No, I gave up trying. I only used my roommate’s computer for my
     homework and to e-mail you or Jeff. I don’t miss wading through all that spam.
    As they approached her house, Tracy spotted a flashy black sports car parked in her
     driveway. Do you know any burglars who drive a Maserati?
    Sure, Maggie snapped. The crook who drives that car is none other than Keith Allen
     Bradford.
    Keith! She didn’t need to fight off Keith’s attentions today.
    Do you want me to come in with you?
    That’s OK. I can deal with him.