Free Changing Her Heart by Gail Sattler

singing Randy’s praises, Randy’s words “I’m an alcoholic, too” repeated through her head, over and over, drowning out everything good everyone was saying about him. She didn’t want to be negative, but she had to be realistic. He was an alcoholic, just like Eric and just like her father.
    â€œI hope Eric really quits this time,” Lacey said quietly, for lack of anything better to say.
    â€œI know what you’re thinking.”
    Lacey cringed. She highly doubted Susan knew what she was thinking, because even Lacey didn’t know what she was thinking.
    Susan didn’t wait for Lacey to respond. “You’re thinking that this time isn’t going to be any differentfrom any other times. But it’s going to work this time. I know it.”
    Lacey had heard that line before. The only thing different was that this time there was another person involved—a wild card. And Randy definitely was wild.
    The image of his cheery smile and striking blue eyes flashed through her brain, even though she didn’t want to think about him.
    She honestly didn’t know what it would be like for Randy to help Eric, if it would be difficult for him. She supposed that would depend on if Eric had only submitted because he had finally pushed Susan past her limit, or if this time he truly recognized the depth of his problems.
    She wondered if the same had happened to Randy, and if there had been a woman involved.
    Lacey shook her head. She already knew enough— Randy was an alcoholic. That was all she needed to know.
    â€œDid Eric say anything about the next time he was going to see Randy?”
    â€œNo,” Susan replied. “I wish I knew.” Her voice dropped in pitch, and it almost sounded like she was going to start crying. “All I know is that I don’t know what I would have done if Randy hadn’t come along.”
    Lacey winced. She’d never heard Susan talk likethat before. It made her both nervous, and a failure as a sister not to have seen that things were worse than usual. She wanted to do something for Susan, something to show her that no matter what happened, she wasn’t alone. Their mother never said anything, as if if she did it would be a reminder of her painful history with an alcoholic spouse.
    The smart thing to do would be to talk to someone who had more experience than she did. She probably should have gone to see her pastor, but the last time Pastor Luke had talked to Eric, the visit had made Eric worse.
    There really was only one person she could talk to.
    Lacey turned to the right, and looked at the wall. Of course she couldn’t see through it, but she knew what was behind it.
    The computer store, and one computer salesman in particular.
    She set her attention back to the phone. “Yes, Randy is really different, isn’t he? I really should go now, Susan. After all, I am at work. I’ll give you a call later, when I’m off tonight.”
    Lacey flipped her cell phone shut and stared at the wall.
    In an hour, one of her part-time staff would be there, and she was scheduled to take a coffee break.
    Today she wasn’t going to take her break alone.

Chapter Five
    R andy nodded at his customer. “Yes, I have one of those right here.” He turned around and raised his arm, then froze, his hand resting on the box as he stared at the wall the shelf was mounted on.
    Lacey was on the other side of that wall.
    He couldn’t help himself. He’d been thinking about her all day.
    He ignored his customer and leaned closer to the wall. If he couldn’t see her through the wall, maybe he could hear her voice….
    â€œHi, Randy. I was wondering if you were due for a coffee break?”
    Randy nearly choked as he spun around.
    â€œLacey,” he sputtered when he could find his voice. “What are you doing here?”
    â€œI need to talk to you.”
    Randy’s mind raced. He had the impression that