“Come on, I’ll get the paperwork started.”
Thirty minutes later, her statement was done and the paperwork complete when Mitch entered his office. He looked between Grace and Sloan.
“What’s up, Mitch?” He could sense the change in Mitch and wondered what else had gone wrong.
“It seems since the incident took place on the football field, the principal will no longer let Grace practice at school.”
“Then they can practice at my house.” She looked at Sloan and shrugged. “It’s not a far drive.”
“That’s not all. We’re hearing from some of the moms that were here earlier, that they have decided to look for a new instructor.”
Sloan slammed his fist into his desk. Grace jumped. “Mr. Meadowbrook got to them. He intimidated them into firing Grace. I’m sure of it.’
“Of course that rich old bastard got to them.” Mitch gave her a sympathetic smile. “Sorry, Grace.”
Grace’s shoulders slumped. “So basically, I’m out of a job.”
“For now. You’re out of a job, for now.” Sloan walked around the desk and took her hands in his. “This won’t last. After the investigation and Chris is found guilty, then you’ll have your job back.”
“That could take months, Sloan.” She needed money now.
***
Grace left the police station with a lump in her throat. This wasn’t how it was supposed to work out. Once again the ones with the power and money got off free while the victims went unheard.
Grace lifted the singing kettle off the stove and poured the boiling water into her tea cup. She dunked the tea bag and then let it steep. Wrapping her hands around the chipped tea cup, she tucked her feet underneath her on the living room sofa.
She mentally calculated the dwindling funds in her safe deposit box. It wouldn’t last her very long. She opened up the newspaper that she’d picked up on her way out of town and skimmed the want ads. Maybe Gene would hire her to sell peanuts.
There was a knock at her front door and she hurried to answer it.
“What are you doing here? I thought you had to work the rest of the day?” She moved to the side as Sloan walked through the door wearing jeans, T-shirt, and a tool belt. “Tell me you didn’t get fired, too?” Her stomach dropped.
He took her face between his hands. “I didn’t get fired.” He kissed her fully on the mouth.
“So what’s with the tool belt?”
“I got off early so I could help you get a job.”
“I’m ahead of you. I already picked up the want ads.” She waved the paper in the air.
He took the paper and tossed it on her foyer table. “You don’t need that. You already have a job. You’re a dance teacher.”
Her heart ached. “Not any more. All of the moms left messages saying that I would no longer be teaching the dance team.” It hurt thinking that she wouldn’t get to see her girls anymore. She’d miss that more than she’d miss the money.
He laughed. “You don’t understand. Wait here.” Sloan went out the door and returned with an industrial sized sander.
“What’s that for? Are you going to teach me how to be a janitor? Oh, wait I’m not allowed on school property.”
“I am going to refinish your wood floors so you can give private lessons. Ballet lessons.”
Her mouth dropped opened. “What?”
He walked into the empty dining room and looked around. “I already talked to a couple of moms who are interested in ballet lessons for their daughters.” He held his hands up. “I have to warn you, there is more of an age difference than what you’re used to.”
“You did that for me?” Her breath caught in her throat.
“I’d do anything for you.” He pulled her into his chest and kissed her gently.
She melted against him.
“We should get started. This may take a while.”
For the next few days, they worked on the floors until they were finished. Sloan got busy installing a ballet barre along the wall. When he was finished, he brought in a large mirror and propped it up against the wall.
“We can get mirrors fitted for the wall later. You just need something to make do right now.” He turned on the light, illuminating the room against the darkness. “Oh, and I fixed your loose board on your front porch.”
She swallowed as her throat tightened. The doubts began to flood her brain. What if they had done all this for nothing?
Sloan went into the kitchen and returned with two wine glasses and a bottle of white wine. He handed her a glass and filled them both.
“I can’t believe we did this.” She couldn’t take her eyes off her beautiful new dance room. “It’s better than what I imagined it could be.”
She took a drink of the crisp wine and sighed. “I just hope we haven’t done all this for nothing.”
Someone knocked on her door. “Did Allison say she was coming over?” She set her glass down on the foyer table and opened the door.
Three women with three little girls in tow stood on the other side.
“Can I help you?”
“You’re Grace Witherspoon, right?” A young blonde woman asked.