Read Taking Chances for Free Online

heard a woman screaming and when I went to check it out, she was on the ground with this guy trying to tear her clothes off. It was horrible. If I hadn’t been there, who knows what would have happened to her? You know I can’t tolerate seeing that happen to someone, not if I can help it.”
    “My goodness,” Roz reached up to touch his lip again but he pushed her hand away. “Are you sure you’re not hurt?” she asked, concerned.
    “Nah, it’ll be gone in a few days. I’m not worried about it. But she looked horrible last night,” he said, looking at Clair across the room. He caught her eyes before she quickly looked away.
    “When I talked to her this morning, she mentioned a nice man coming to her rescue. She seems like a very sweet girl. Maybe she could use a bit more help, after what happened to her.”
    “I let her come back to my place to get cleaned up and rest a little last night. It was an emotional night. Like she wanted to trust me, but just couldn’t. She’s been hurt and not just physically, but deep down. I can feel it. Her eyes are sad and distant. I’ve been there; I know what it’s like.” Alex paced the floor behind the counter, looking over at Clair with every pass he made. “I want to help her, but I don’t know what else I can do.” He stopped pacing and looked at Roz, “What can I do? She’s got no one and no place to go. I need to help her.”
    “You know…” Roz said, tilting her head to the side. “I’ve actually been looking for someone since Jackie quit on me last week. I’m getting tired of picking up all these extra shifts. I own this damn place and I shouldn’t have to work this hard.”
    Alex studied her, his brow wrinkling up. “What are you getting at, Roz?”
    “Well, why don’t I see if she wants to work for me here? I can let her move into the apartment above my garage like I did for you when you first came to town. Do you think she’d accept?”
    “I don’t know. She’s got a lot of pride about letting people take care of her. At least that’s what I got from her. You really don’t mind doing that for her?”
    “Of course not. It’s what I did for you. Nothing’s different.”
    “I’m going to go and tell her and see if she wants the job.” Alex started to walk toward her table, but was stopped by a tug on his shirtsleeve.
    “Whoa, wait a minute.  I don’t think that’s such a good idea. All she’s going to hear out of your mouth is sympathy. You should know from experience, that’s not the kind of help you want to offer her. I’ll talk to her about it without you around.”
    “You’re right. I’ll just go over, see how she’s doing, and when I leave, you can ask her about the job. Hopefully, she’ll let you help.” Alex wrapped his arms around her, “Anyone ever tell you you’re the kindest woman in the world?”
    Roz chuckled, “No, not recently, but thanks.”
    Alex pulled away from her, “I’ll be back in a few.” He walked up to her table. She had her head down as she played with a piece of paper between her fingers. He knocked on the table to get her attention, “May I join you?”
    “Okay,” Clair said without looking up.
    “How are you feeling this morning? How’s your head?” She gave him a faint smile and he smiled back, trying to conceal the sadness he felt for her as he looked at her swollen, busted lip.
    Clair touched her head and winced. “Yeah, it’s still sore. I guess it will take a few days for all of this,” she pointed to her face, “to get better. ‘Til then, I guess I’ll just look like one of those girls whose boyfriend or husband abuses her. At least, I can hide behind my hair.”
    “I’m sure you’ll look perfect as before in no time,” Alex said, smiling at her.
    “Maybe,” she said, keeping her head down. “Sorry I slipped out this morning. I didn’t want to disturb you and it was just… easier that way.” Clair said, as played with the straw in her glass.
    “Hey, don’t worry