Free Second Chance by Leighann Dobbs Page A

around the room.  The  motel was a dump,  it’s condition reflecting the worn down town of Bakersville, Nevada.
    Nick wondered how Stan had ended up in this remote part of the state. He’d had similar cases – spouses who had hooked up with someone who had led them astray, depleting their resources and leaving them down and brokenhearted.  They all ended up the same way.  Stan would probably be no different.  He just hoped he hadn’t already spent all of Holly’s money.
    A soft tap at the door jarred Nick from his thoughts.  He went over to open it, peering through the peephole first. In his business, one never knew who might be on the other side of the door, and he had learned one couldn’t be too careful.
    He cracked the door open to let Holly in.  She slipped past him and their eyes met.  Nick felt a spark charge the air with energy.  Did Holly feel it too?  He felt a moment of awkwardness. Not knowing what to do with his hands, he stuffed them into his pockets to keep them from getting him into trouble.
    Nick stared down into Holly’s face.  “Are you sure you want to do this?” She stood close to him and he could smell the sweet subtle scent of her perfume.  For a moment, the urge rose in him to pull her close and kiss her, and he fought it – partly because it would have been totally inappropriate, but mostly because he could sense that Holly didn’t have the same kind of feelings.  He supposed she was too wrapped up in the anticipation of seeing Stan to think of much else.
    “Yes, I think so. I need to see Stan face to face, to get closure so I can move on with my life.  If I can talk to him in person, I’m sure I can get him to see his way to giving me back my rightful half of the money.” 
    Nick wondered if bringing Holly had been a mistake. From past experience he knew the likelihood of Stan giving Holly any of the money was slim.  He hoped Stan’s circumstances were similar to those of most of his former clients, and not something more dangerous. He wouldn’t be able to forgive himself if he put Holly in danger and she got hurt.
    One glance at the determined look on Holly’s face made him realize that any attempt at talking her out of going with him would be a waste of words.
    With a resigned sigh, Nick grabbed the keys from the table and led the way out into the parking lot.
     
     
    ***
     
    “What do you mean, the money’s gone?”  Holly felt like a lead balloon had landed in her stomach.  With no other means of income, she had been counting on getting the money back to pay her bills.  She had survived the past six months by selling some of her valuables, but she was quickly running out of options.
    Stan’s face registered a look of surprise.  Holly felt a jolt of triumph, realizing the stunned look came as he wasn’t used to her questioning him.  
    “I had to use it to pay some debts, and Eve ... well, she kind of took off with the rest.”
    The whiny tone sneaking in at the end of Stan’s words set Holly’s nerves on edge. Her voice exploded, rising apace with her anger.  “You mean to tell me you spent our entire life savings in six months?” 
    She looked at Stan in disgust.  The man standing before her looked nothing like the Stan she had married.  His unshaven face looked haggard.  His clothes were rumpled and his hair was a mess.   Was this a recent change, or had she turned a blind eye to how unkempt he had become? 
    His room wasn’t in much better shape.  The scorching Nevada heat permeated the non air-conditioned space, giving it an oppressive feel. The tiny efficiency unit had a small kitchen which was littered with dirty dishes spilling out of the sink and what little counter space it had.  The bed was unmade, clothes were everywhere.  Holly felt her lips curl in a smirk.  Guess it’s not so easy keeping a clean house without me picking up after you .
    “Holly, I’m so sorry about everything.  I was a jerk.  Can you ever forgive me?”