“Leah?” Rita Sue stepped out of the kitchen in a housedress. “What’s wrong, sugar?”

“Found her out in the rain.” Mercer smacked a kiss on his wife’s cheek. “I need to get to the bank.”

Rita Sue guided Leah to the kitchen. “What’s wrong? Is it the baby? Clay?”

Thank goodness, no. The concern in Rita Sue’s hazel eyes loosened her vocal cords. “My landlady kicked me out.”

“Because you’re pregnant? No.” Rita Sue pried the box from Leah and set it on the table. “You didn’t tell her Clay isn’t the father, did you?”

“No.” Leah removed her coat, draped it over one chair, and sat in another.

Rita Sue perched on the edge of the kitchen table beside her. “Couldn’t pay your rent?”

Leah grasped the edges of the chair seat. She had to be honest and tell the whole story. “Darlene said I stole her pay—twenty dollars. I didn’t, but Mrs. Perry believed her.”

Rita Sue frowned. “Why would she believe Darlene over you?”

Leah squeezed her eyes shut until red spots appeared in the blackness behind her eyelids. “I used to steal. I told Darlene about it, and—and she told Mrs. Perry.”

“You did?” Rita Sue’s voice went tight. “What did you steal?”

Oh no. She’d lose Rita Sue’s friendship as well. “In the orphanage we all took extra food whenever we saw it. And—and I stole other things—things children left out in the rain or abandoned or lost. But I haven’t stolen anything for years, ma’am. I promise.”

Rita Sue let out a long sigh. “That wasn’t right.”

“I know.” Leah pinned her gaze on her former friend. “I know it wasn’t right. I stopped and I returned what I could and the Lord forgave me and—”

“No.” Rita Sue waved her hand before her face, her glistening eyes. “I meant it wasn’t right for them to hold your past against you. I’m so sorry this happened, sugar.”

A thickness built in Leah’s throat and behind her eyes. Rita Sue believed her? Just like that?

“The rental house won’t be ready for another week or two. It’s yours and no arguing.” Rita Sue sniffled and picked up Leah’s box. “We’ll put you in the spare room for now.”

Leah’s head spun at the mercy, and she gripped the seat edge even harder. “I—I won’t be able to pay until Friday. Darlene took my money.”

Rita Sue snorted and marched to the stairs. “And who’s she calling a thief? Come with me, sugar. This week’s free. You’re our guest.”

Leah stood on shaky legs and gathered her coat and schoolbag. “Are you sure?”