Entangled (Free Indeed Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

waited while Annie entered a key into the lock, “So it’s not that big of a place, it’s actually just a studio with an attached bathroom. But hopefully, it’ll be cozy enough for you.” Annie pushed the door open and gestured for Allie to go ahead and enter before following her into the room.
    Allie swept her gaze across the space trying to take it all in as quickly as possible. It was small, but it was perfect. A small kitchen area was to the left with a quaint cafe type table set with two chairs. The bedroom area was on the right side of the room, complete with a queen sized bed covered in what looked like a beautiful hand-made quilt. The dresser and side tables were a matching set and complimented the bed perfectly. Another door was to the left of the bed, leading to what she assumed was probably the bathroom. Centered in the studio was the living room area facing the back wall and the wall-mounted tv there. The large, overstuffed couch made her want to curl up in its coziness and for the first time since she left Free Indeed, relax. There was also a coffee table and an end table, not to mention the fluffy floor rugs and other various little touches that made Allie feel right at home in the new space.
    Annie’s voice came from behind her, “I know it’s not the grandest, and it’ll probably get noisy at times being above the diner and all, but all the furniture comes included, and we’ll even throw in a discount whenever you eat in the diner.”
    “I love it!” With a big smile on her face, Allie swung her gaze back to look at Annie. She could see a look of relief spread across the other lady’s face. “Seriously, it’s perfect. I’d love to stay here if that’s ok with you?”
    Annie beamed her big, motherly smile at her again, “If Jason vouches for you, that’s good enough for us. The place is yours, Allie.”
    So excited, Allie let out a happy little squeal and clapped her hands together. “You just go ahead and get settled tonight,” Annie continued, “and then come on down to the diner when you wake up tomorrow morning. We’ll get all the paperwork and legal stuff taken care of then.”
    “I can’t thank you enough!” Allie rushed up to the older woman and embraced her without even thinking. Almost instantly she realized she was hugging a perfect stranger, and Allie pulled back embarrassed, “I’m so sorry! I was just really excited! This is the first time I’ve gotten settled out on my own—”
    Annie’s laughter cut her off, “Oh darlin’, you definitely don’t have to apologize for that. In fact, I’m as pleased as can be that you’re so happy. Now you get some rest, and I’ll see you downstairs in the morning.”
    With that Annie left, and Allie was alone in her very own apartment for the first time in her life. She looked around her at all of the furniture and space that was her very own, and couldn’t keep from doing a little, happy dance twirling circles around the room.
    She never thought she’d have her own place. Spend the rest of her life taking care of her father and his house, maybe. Suffocating to death in an arranged marriage with ten children, most likely. But her very own apartment, that she didn’t have to share with anyone, one that she could decorate exactly how she wanted, and even make messes in without being slapped around to clean it up...that, she had never expected.
    Dizzy from spinning around, she finally flopped onto the couch in the center of the room. A huge sigh of contentment escaped her lips as she basked in the happiness that she was safe, and she was free, and she was going to make Serenity her new home.

    * * *
    J ason left the diner after grabbing a meal to go and drove back out of the city limits to his family ranch that sat just on the outskirts of town. Ever since his parents had passed away, the house and land were all left to him, and he had been doing his best to make it profitable with the short staff he had on hand. It had been