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Only one problem with that: Melanie didn’t want temporary with Carter

She wanted forever

Melanie tossed her keys onto the counter and sat down at the small kitchen table

Her dad’s snores drifted in fro news Louis had passed out in the recliner, a couple of beer cans on the table beside hiood day," she said, taking off her shoes andfeet Then she stood and shuffled to the recliner, grabbing the re off the television

Ever since her momma had died froh so that ter-wild and fancy free, until a well-ht year old Melanie under her wing one su Vacation Bible School

It hadn’t helped, but Melanie did get a best friend out of it: Zoe A in his sleep and Melanie shan frorey hair "Sleep tight"

"Raylene?"

Melanie froze, her heart pounding in her chest There was only one Raylene in Holland Springs and she was married Worse, she was married to Carter and Zoe’s uncle, who just so happen to be their momma’s favorite brother "No, it’s Melanie" She knew her daddy had been doing some odd jobs around Raylene and John’s house And she pleaded with God that Raylene wasn’t one of those jobs

Louis shifted in the recliner, his brown eyes blinking open "Hey, sugar Hoork?"

"Fine" She stared at her father for aaround with Raylene Alfred?"

"Don’t see how that’s any of your business, young lady," he said and her heart plu lady, he was lying to her or trying to justify himself "My private life is private"

"Not around here it’s isn’t" She fisted her hands on her hips "Everyone kno you likearound with es in shambles"

"It’s different this time"

"You say that every time!" She held up her hands "I don’t care if you think you’re in--"

"We are in love Besides, John doesn’t treat her right and she’sup in the recliner and pushing the bottom half down

"If she’s not happy with John, then she needs to leave hi to defend you and your affairs" She really was, but she wouldn’t stop sticking up for her dad Louis was the only fa she’s not leaving him?" Louis said as he stood "Who’s to say that Raylene and I don’t have plans?"

Hertoward her room "I don’t want to know about your plans But for once in your life, can you think about the consequences?"

How h this before? Louis Sirl He always had plans, always knew that his latest was The One, and he was The One to save her froe

Yet another reason why she needed to get her own place Not knowing for a fact what her daddy was up to would take a lot of stress off of her

Shutting the door behind her, she dug into the front pockets of her apron and started straightening and laying out her tips on her dresser Sixty bucks wasn’t too bad for a slow Monday night

Biting the side of her lip, she considered the two jars in front of her One labeled Trip Money and the other, House Money One day she would have a home that didn’t have wheels, that she couldn’t be evicted froht she was flighty, unable to hold down a job or even finish college But she had a plan and had been pre-approved for a loan And it was all docuood conscience buy that tiny cottage on three acres without sos in the bank or a five thousand dollar down payment

Plus, she wanted to travel, to see the world outside of Holland Springs Her life so far had consisted of a hundred- and pathetic

So, the sensible thing to do would be to split the tips eighty-twenty in favor of the House Money Jar But so, she opened the Trip Money jar and put all but ten dollars in it

Just as she put both lids back on, there was a knock at her door "Sugar, can you spot me some money for the rent? I proave you ht before you went down to Biloxi with"

Her dad looked away, his hand running through his hair

She sagged against the door frame and placed her palm across her forehead "You couldn’t stay away, could you?"

"I thought I couldaway our rent money?" Tears pricked at the back of her throat as she walked to her dresser and opened up her House Money Jar "How much?"

"Nine hundred," he rasp, falling to the floor It landed on the carpet with a thud Digging through the jar, she pulled out her money and counted out the aht of a month’s worth of tips froet it back? Louis wasn’t exactly a stickler for keeping his word And settling up on Friday could mean this Friday or twenty Fridays from now

"Wait a minute" She turned to face him "You told me my half was three"

"Yeah, well, I’m still your dad" He walked inside her room and picked up the lid, then set it back on the jar "Knew you’ve been trying to save up and all"

All the self-righteous anger she’d let build up fled her body She hugged her dad tight "Thank you"

He kissed the top of her head affectionately "No need to thankit in his pants pocket "Why don’t you keep that in a bank?"

"I do" She s deposits with lots of singles and fives Makes all those stuffy ladies’ eyes get real big"