The Detective and Her Bachelor

Chapter 52

EMPTY.

I stood inside of my childhood home and found it completely empty. And not the kind of empty that implied that no one was home. But the kind of empty that meant that everything was gone. Like it had all vanished into thin air, a cruel magicians trick.

Long evening shadows fell across... nothing because there was nothing left for them to touch.

"Um... what?" I breathed, panic rising.

Everything was gone. Either we had been robbed, or I had lost my mind. And as things stood, I wasn't sure which was more likely. All I knew was that I was inside of my childhood home, looking at... NOTHING.

"Where is everything?" I squeaked, my heart hammering so loudly that it could hardly hear my own breathing.

I ran down the hall, throwing open the door to my room and found... NOTHING. Just an empty space where a bed, books, and pictures used to be. All of my childhood memories had been erased.

STOLEN.

"Oh my gosh."

I turned and ran down the hall, passing the wall that used to hold all of my copies of Nancy Drew, and tried not to cry at the loss.

GONE.

I stumbled down the front porch steps and nearly crashed into Allie as she walked up the driveway.

"Where—"

"I moved you and Misty out of the house," Allie said as her form of explanation. Like packing up everything we owned and moving it without asking was a completely sane thing to do.

I nearly fell over, doubling over, hands on my knees as relief, confusion and anger slammed into me like a wall. "What? Why?"

Allie rocked back on her heels, fingers shoved deep into her pockets. "I did it before dad could claim we owe him for letting you two stay here," she said with an eye roll. "Tate told me he's been sniffing around."

A spark of anger roared inside of me and I stared up at the house with a protective expression. "He shouldn't get to keep it," I muttered, hands rolling into fists.

Allie sighed, coming to stand next to me, both of us staring up at the house that we had grown up in. "I know. But I think it's time to let it go."

She playfully nudged me in my side with her elbow. "And give him the pleasure of paying all the bills... and make all the fun repairs that come with it," she said with a mischievous smile. "After all, the house is in his name. Let him worry about it."

The idea of dad having to scramble to keep the place from falling apart left Allie and I grinning at each other.

But my smile faded as reality set in. I have no job, and no home.

Allie turned to look at me. "You've been watching Misty by yourself for a long time, Delle. Watching both of us." She placed her hands on my shoulders, giving them a comforting squeeze, a determined smile crossing her face.

"It's my turn. Misty's room is already set up at my house. There's a spot for you with your name on it if you'll take it." She raised a challenging brow. "And before you try to brush off the gesture, remember that you are trying to grow and be more open to letting others help and be there for you."

I scowled. "Whatever," I muttered, swallowing a wave of gratitude.

"Translation, thank you," she said with a victorious smile.

Her face grew serious. "But I should be the one thanking you, Delle." She rubbed her arm, looking self conscious, a rarity. "I wouldn't have been able to build my company without your help. So... thank you. For everything."