October 11, 2023 – 2:03 PM
Lin remained by the kitchen window long after the General disappeared down the hallway.
Outside, Jake was still talking.
He had moved on from the cameras to explaining which chickens were criminals.
Claire listened to every word.
Lin watched them for a moment.
Then she sighed.
The problem wasn't Claire.
Not entirely.
The problem was having Claire here.
Lin looked around the kitchen.
Her parents were here.
Jake was here.
Lucas was here.
Workers came and went.
Supplies arrived.
The hotel was being turned into a business.
The farm was becoming a small community whether Lin wanted it to or not.
And now there was a frightened woman hiding in the middle of everything.
Lin rubbed her forehead.
"This is ridiculous."
Helen looked up from the counter.
"What's ridiculous?"
Lin turned.
Her mother was drying a plate.
"Claire."
Helen raised an eyebrow.
"What about her?"
"I think I've been looking at this the wrong way."
Helen set the plate down.
"That's usually when you say something interesting."
Lin glanced toward the window again.
"She doesn't need to stay here."
Helen waited.
"But she doesn't necessarily need to leave the area either."
"Go on."
Lin began pacing slowly.
"There's that little house near Main Street."
Helen nodded.
"The blue one?"
"The one behind the old pharmacy."
"It's empty."
"Exactly."
Lin stopped.
The answer suddenly seemed obvious.
"It's five minutes from here."
Helen studied her.
"And?"
"She gets her own place."
Lin started counting on her fingers.
"She's close enough that Lucas can check on her."
"Close enough that we can get to her quickly if something happens."
"But she's not sleeping in our guest room."
Helen smiled faintly.
"That does sound more sensible."
Lin nodded.
"If someone is actually looking for her, I don't want them searching my farm first."
"And if they find her?"
Lin paused.
"Then at least we aren't putting the entire family in the same room."
Helen gave her daughter a thoughtful look.
"You want to help her."
Lin frowned.
"I want to manage the problem."
"Of course."
"Mom."
Helen smiled.
"I didn't say anything."
Lin narrowed her eyes.
"You were about to."
"I was thinking it."
"That's worse."
Helen laughed.
Lin walked toward the back door.
Before she opened it, Helen called after her.
"Lin."
She turned.
"What?"
"If you find her a place, don't make it feel like you're throwing her out."
Lin considered that.
"I'm not."
"I know."
Helen picked up another plate.
"Just make sure she knows that."
Lin nodded.
"I will."
She stepped outside.
The afternoon air was warm.
Jake immediately spotted her.
"Lin!"
He ran toward her.
Claire followed more slowly.
"We found camera twenty-three."
Lin smiled.
"Congratulations."
Jake looked proud.
"It's near the barn."
"I know."
"Claire knows too."
Claire smiled apologetically.
"He's been giving me the complete tour."
Lin looked at Jake.
"Did you show her the restricted areas?"
Jake shook his head.
"No."
"Good."
Jake grabbed Claire's hand.
"Can she stay tomorrow?"
Lin looked down at him.
There it was again.
She crouched.
"Maybe."
Jake brightened.
"Really?"
"Maybe."
Claire looked at Lin.
She seemed to understand immediately that something had changed.
Lin stood.
"Claire, can we talk?"
Claire nodded.
They walked a few steps away from Jake.
Lin lowered her voice.
"I have an idea."
Claire waited.
"There's a house in town."
Claire's expression changed.
"A house?"
"It's empty."
"You know the owner?"
"I can find the owner."
Claire stared at her.
"Why?"
Lin glanced toward the farmhouse.
"Because I think you should have your own place."
Claire's eyes widened.
"Lin, I don't have money for—"
"I'm not asking you to buy it."
"Then—"
"I'll arrange the first month."
Claire immediately shook her head.
"No."
"Listen first."
Claire stopped.
Lin continued.
"It's five minutes from here."
"You'd have privacy."
"Lucas could check on you."
"If something happens, you're close enough that we can reach you quickly."
Claire stared at her.
Lin shrugged.
"And Jake can visit without turning my house into a daycare."
Claire laughed softly.
Then her expression became serious.
"Why are you doing this?"
Lin looked at her.
She could have given the easy answer.
Because she felt sorry for her.
Because Jake liked her.
Because Lucas asked.
Instead, Lin told the truth.
"Because I think you're safer with your own front door."
Claire's eyes softened.
Lin continued.
"And because I don't want you hiding in my guest room."
Claire nodded slowly.
"That's fair."
"It's not punishment."
"I know."
"And I'm not abandoning you."
Claire looked toward the farmhouse.
Jake was crouched beside a chicken, apparently attempting to negotiate with it.
A smile touched her face.
"I think I'd miss him."
Lin smiled.
"You'll survive."
Claire laughed.
Then she looked back at Lin.
"Five minutes?"
"Five minutes."
"And you're sure?"
Lin nodded.
"I'm sure."
Claire took a breath.
"Then... yes."
Lin smiled.
"Good."
From behind them came Jake's voice.
"Yes to what?"
Lin and Claire exchanged a look.
Lin called back,
"I'm finding Claire a house."
Jake's mouth fell open.
"A house?"
"In town."
He looked horrified.
"But that's far!"
Lin pointed toward the road.
"Five minutes."
Jake considered that.
Then pointed at Claire.
"Can I sleep there?"
Claire laughed.
Lin shook her head.
"Absolutely not."
Jake frowned.
"Why?"
"Because then she'd have two problems."
Claire laughed harder.
Jake looked at Lin suspiciously.
"What's the second problem?"
Lin glanced at Claire.
"You."
Jake grinned.
"I'm not a problem."
Lin smiled.
"That's debatable."
And for the first time since Claire had arrived, Lin felt like she'd found a solution that didn't require choosing between compassion and caution.