Read Halos for Free Online

clean. Probably a holdover from all the places she and her mother had janitored. Mom had made it a game: The princess was coming home at last and all the kingdom must sparkle; or the ogre would devour the owner of the dirtiest house; or the prince would marry the damsel who wasn’t too spoiled to dirty her hands. Whatever the game, Alessi had worked with a fervor, taking on the devotion or desperation or humility of the theme.
    She turned. “Would you like me to wash your plate?”
    Though finished, he hadn’t risen. He sat watching her, then seemed to realize she’d addressed him. “No. That’s all right.”
    She dried her hands on the towel. “Thanks for letting me use your room last night.”
    “About that …”
    “I’ll have something else tonight.” She wrapped herself in her arms.
    “Well, bye.”
    “It’s cold out. You should at least take a coat.”
    She headed for the door. “Cholesterol’s a great insulator.”
    “Alessi, hold it.” He went to the closet, took out a thick flannellined jean jacket. “This one’s short in the sleeves. It’ll probably work just right for you.”
    She took the coat, risking one glance at his face. It was the softest she’d seen it yet. “Thanks. I’ll return it when I get my stuff back.”
    He said nothing. She went out the door, snapping the jacket to her neck. It would have been an awfully cold walk without it, especially with her hair still wet. Snow might be beautiful, but it had its downside. She stuffed her hands into the pockets. Her fingers found something in the right one. She pulled it out. Two ten-dollar bills folded up.
    She stopped. Had he planted it there? Her throat tightened painfully. She turned back, knocked on the door. It took a while for him to answer. When he did, he stood in T-shirt and jeans, having removed his sweater, shoes, and socks. He was not ripped in a beachcombing Florida way, but his musculature spoke of healthy exercise and natural strength.
    She held out the bills. “I found this in your pocket.”
    He looked from the money to her. “Keep it. You might need it.”
    She shook her head. “No thanks.”
    He pushed her hand back. “Keep it, Alessi. I didn’t even know it was in there.”
    Her ache eased. It was conceivable someone could have money in a pocket and forget. “I’ll pay you back when I get my purse.”
    He nodded. “All right.”
    She pushed the money back into the pocket and started down the street. She would only use the loan if she had to. But its presence there was a tiny spark of security. She decided to start at the farthest-out point and work her way back to the heart of Charity. The buildings were not tucked up to one another at the fringe. That made for a longer walk than she’d realized driving in.
    But she kept her pace brisk, building up some thermal energy inside Steve’s jacket. She entered the front of the kennel that smelled of cigarette smoke and tuna. Then slowly she realized it wasn’t tuna but dog urine. “Hello?” She waited. Finally a shuffling sound.
    A hunchbacked woman made her way to the counter. “Yes?” Her orange hair looked like fake fur, too many chemicals used for too long. A chorus of barks followed her.
    “Hi there.” Alessi spoke quickly. “My name is Alessi Moore. Could you use help in the kennels, cleaning up or anything?” She’d prepared an oral resume, but …
    “No. Do my own cleaning. All the dogs are mine.”
    “That must be very cheerful companionship.”
    The woman blinked slowly, her neck arched at what had to be an uncomfortable angle to meet Alessi’s gaze. The smile she tried to form was a ghastly cross between a grimace and a grin, but her voice sounded sincerely regretful when she added, “I’d help you if I could. I hate to send away a stranger in need.”
    “That’s all right.” Alessi wasn’t asking for help, just a chance to help herself. “I’m sure I’ll find something. Thank you anyway.” She went out and the cold snatched her as