by Wendy Heuvel
Cassie thought a moment and shook her head again.
Lexy furrowed her brows. “I’m not sure I understand what you’re so upset about. Do you want him back?”
“Definitely not.”
“So...”
“I don’t know, Lex.” Cassie let more tears stream down her face. “I don’t understand it myself.”
“Are you sure you don’t still have feelings for Spencer?”
“I’m sure.”
Lexy took a big bite of the doughnut and stared at the coffee table. After she chewed and swallowed, she turned back to Cassie. “What’s his new girlfriend like? Do we know her?”
“I’ve never seen her before. But she’s cute. Brunette. Obviously smitten with him.”
“Yeah? And what about him? Did it look like he returned those feelings?”
“Very much so.” Cassie picked at a loose string on her afghan. “When I tried to apologize to him for everything that had happened, he just shrugged and said it was fine. God had other plans.”
“All right. Let’s look at this from a different angle. Did it feel good to apologize to him?”
Cassie nodded. “I guess so.”
“So, that chapter feels officially closed now?”
“It was already, at least I thought so.”
Lexy shook her head. “No, it wasn’t. You still carried around loads of guilt about hurting Spencer. But now you’ve seen he’s not hurt anymore.” She took another bite of her doughnut.
Cassie shrugged and continued to pick at the blanket.
“Cassie?” Lexy pointed her finger and jabbed her friend’s knee.
“What?”
“How do you feel about Daniel, now?”
Another tear slipped from Cassie’s eye. “The same. Why?”
“Because now you don’t have an excuse. There’s no reason not to be with him.”
Cassie gulped. “What do you mean?”
Lexy grabbed a tissue and wiped chocolate crumbs from her fingers. “Your excuses for not being with Daniel no longer exist. You’re not feeling sad at all. You’re feeling fear. You have to face the truth. Do you want to be with him? Or don’t you? It’s time to decide.”
Cassie buried her face in her hands. “No. That’s not it.”
“Are you sure?”
Cassie let out a low groan. “No. Maybe you’re right.”
“C’mon, girl!” Lexy slapped Cassie’s leg and stood. “Time to face the music and admit the truth to yourself. Take a chance. Jump in—with both feet. No more tiptoeing around.”
Cassie’s heart skipped a beat. Was Lexy right? The vortex in her mind began to slow. There was truth in Lexy’s words. She wasn’t feeling sadness or despair. She wasn’t jealous about Spencer, nor was she pining for him in any way. Could it really be all about Daniel? And facing her own fears?
Lexy used a clean tissue to grab all of Cassie’s dirty ones. “We better start cleaning up.”
“Why?” Cassie closed the almost empty box of doughnuts.
“It’s almost seven. Everyone will be here soon.”
“Oh! Bible study! I forgot all about it!”
“Why am I not surprised?” Lexy brought the dirty tissues to the kitchen garbage. “I’m going to put an alarm on your phone.”
“Not a bad idea.” Cassie tugged the corner of the afghan from underneath Pumpkin, who objected with a low meow. She ignored the cat, folded the afghan, and hung it across the back of the sofa.
“I’ll do the rest.” Lexy opened a cupboard and pulled out a few coffee cups. “You go take care of that red face of yours.”
Cassie felt her cheeks. They were warm and raw. She went into the bathroom, splashed water onto her face, and gently dried it with a soft towel. She’d have to redo her makeup.
As she entered her bedroom, Pumpkin pushed her way in as well. After a few starting attempts, she jumped up onto the bed, flopped down onto the quilt, and thumped her tail against it.
Cassie took a moment to pet the cat and then drove her face into Pumpkin’s warm, soft fur. After a few moments, Cassie turned her head and spotted her Bible on the nightstand. She reached for it and flipped it open.
It opened to Proverbs chapter three. Not a surprise, really. Cassie often read her favourite verses from that chapter, and the page had a crease in it.
Her eyes followed the highlighted verses on the page. Instead of reciting them, she thought deeply about their meaning. She wasn’t supposed to lean on her own understanding. It wasn’t up to her to figure things out. Her job was to acknowledge God in all things—to lean on Him. To trust Him. If she did that, He would direct her paths. He would show her the way to go.
“Oh, God,” Cassie prayed. “I’m so sorry for trying to figure out this whole Daniel thing on my own. I got so scared after I messed things up with Spencer! But You’re such a forgiving, merciful God. I know that in my heart, but I couldn’t bring myself to believe it. I forgive myself for my mistakes, as You have already done. I ask You to forgive me for not coming to You with all of this sooner. You know the plans you have for me. And for Daniel. You know if we’re to be together or not—if our relationship would bless you. I leave it in Your hands. Forgive me for ever trying to figure it out without You.”
A quietness entered Cassie’s spirit. She closed her eyes and let peace flow through her body. His peace. She rested in the stillness, then found herself humming a worship song about leaving it all at the foot of the cross. Her humming turned to singing, and she softly worshipped her Saviour in song.
Pumpkin snuggled up to Cassie’s thigh and purred loudly. Cassie continued to pray, “Lord, I ask you now to direct my paths. Show me Your plans. Not just about Daniel, but about anything and everything. What would You have me do next? I want to honour You with every ounce of my being.”
Cassie continued to close her eyes and listen to her Lord. There was silence, but it was peaceful and restful. And then, the soft words spoke to her heart. She heard them as clearly as she could hear Pumpkin’s purring.
Cassie’s heartbeat sped up. Three simple words.
And finally, she knew what she had to do.
She glanced at her alarm clock. It was almost time for Bible study. Any moment, a wonderful group of women would gather in Cassie’s living room to study the Word of God and pray together. They would delve into the meaning of the different verses and talk about applying them to their lives. They would discuss what actions they could take to use their lives to bring God glory.
Cassie jumped off the bed to redo her makeup. She’d never felt more excited about hosting Bible study. God was near because she had drawn near to Him.
And she couldn’t wait to spend more time with Him.
Chapter 20
Cassie stacked the last few mugs in the dishwasher and set it to run, the rhythmic hum of the machine took over the kitchen.
Bible study night had been fabulous. The women dug into the book of 1st John, discussing how God is light. Cassie felt the Holy Spirit’s presence with them as they prayed for ways to show God’s light to others in Banford—and around the world.
Cassie placed the last few couch cushions in their place and collapsed onto the sofa.
“Rowr?” Pumpkin jumped up beside her.
Cassie checked the clock on the wall. Ten-thirty. “Ready to call it a night, kitty? I’ve got a good book I want to finish.”
The cat rubbed her head against Cassie’s leg and purred.
“Oh!” Cassie’s hand flew to her mouth. “I forgot to send the candle order in after work!” She jumped to her feet, shoved on her fuzzy slippers, and grabbed her keys from a hook by the door.
“Meow?” Pumpkin chased after her.
“No, you stay here. I’ll only be a—”
The second Cassie opened the door, Pumpkin bolted into the hallway.
“Or... you can come with me.” Cassie giggled and then tittered again at the thumping noises her fluffy cat made as she bounced down the stairs in the quiet of the night.
Pumpkin waited for Cassie in the hall outside the door to Olde Crow Primitives. Cassie slipped the key into the lock and turned it until it clicked. This time, Pumpkin waited for Cassie to open the door and turn on the light before bounding in after her.
Cassie rummaged through the papers on the cash counter until she found the order form she’d written out earlier in the afternoon. She snatched it up and returned to the back door. She would use her laptop upstairs to enter the order, rather than staying here and using the bulky store computer.
“C’mon, Pumpkin!”
The cat followed her out the door and waited while Cassie locked it and pocketed the key. But when Cassie turned around, Pumpkin had disappeared.
Scratch. Scratch. Scratch.
“Stop that!” Cassie scolded the cat, who’d found her way to Daniel’s bookstore door.
A faint light glowed underneath the door. Was Daniel there? It was so late.
Cassie gave a quiet knock and tried the knob. It clicked open. She let herself in, aware Pumpkin had already pushed past her leg and traipsed in like she owned the place.
Soft instrumental worship music played over the speakers. As was usual after hours, the mini-lights were lit, and the main lights dimmed. The hurricane lamps flickered in the windowsills, and the scent of mocha filled the air. Daniel sat on the area rug in front of the fireplace, chairs pushed back, and paperwork spread out around him.
Pumpkin ran to Daniel and headbutted his leg.
“Hey, you!” He looked up and found Cassie’s eyes. “And you. What are you doing down here so late?”
“I could ask you the same thing.” She smiled and approached.
“Taxes.” He rubbed the back of his neck, his bicep pulsing beneath the arm of his T-shirt. “I have a meeting with my accountant next week, and I’m way behind with getting things prepared.”
“Can I help?”
“Not really, but I welcome the break.” He pushed aside two stacks of paper to make room for Cassie to sit beside him on the rug.
She sat, the warmth of the fire and of Daniel’s closeness, almost making her dizzy. “We just finished Bible study, and I popped downstairs to grab an order I need to place before bed. Pumpkin noticed your light was on.”
“Good kitty.” Daniel scratched the cat’s head.
Cassie grinned. “More like a destructive beast. She scratched the doorframe again.”
“Maybe I should put in a cat door.”
“Rowr?” Pumpkin’s ears perked up. Both Daniel and Cassie laughed.
“So, how’s the case going?” Daniel pushed more paperwork aside and stretched his legs out in front of him.
“Ugh. It’s not. Nothing seems to make sense or fit together.”
“Maybe I’ll get you one of those big whiteboards for Valentine’s Day. I hear they’re all the rave at police stations and with the FBI.”
“A whiteboard? How romantic.” Cassie giggled.
“For now, I’ll be your whiteboard. Talk to me. Tell me everything you know so far and who all the suspects are.”
Cassie sighed. “It won’t take long. Marilyn Howard worked at Boersley’s Grocery. She’d been married to Wayne for three years but was mostly by herself at the mansion because he was often gone for work. She ended up having an affair. Her friend Martha at the grocery store knew about it and reprimanded her. Martha insisted Marilyn tell Wayne about the affair, or Martha would do it herself. They had a huge argument.”
“Wow. I didn’t know that part.”
“Yeah. I talked to Martha’s daughter. Marilyn did tell Wayne, and then they both took off—or so everyone thought. Martha blamed herself for Marilyn’s departure. She felt guilty until the day she died.”
“That’s so sad.” Daniel pulled his knees up and rested his arms on them.
“Wayne had intended to return, but he never did. And as I said, everyone thought Marilyn had also left, but instead, someone murdered her and tried to make it look like she hung herself.”
Daniel sighed. “Okay, who are the suspects?”
She held her index finger out. “One, Wayne Howard. He claims he didn’t do it, and I want to believe him. My gut says he’s innocent, and he looked completely shocked when he found out about the murder.”
“But it could still be him.”
Cassie nodded and moved to her next finger. “Two, Martha. Perhaps they had a fight about something else, and Martha really felt guilty about the murder, not Marilyn leaving.”
“And what does your gut say?”
“That it’s not her, either. But I can’t just rely on my gut. I need to look at the facts.”
Daniel reached out and touched Cassie’s arm. “But your instinct is usually spot on. I don’t think you can ignore it completely. Who else do you have?”
“Well, I kind of suspected Edward Morris for a time.”
“Anna’s grumpy neighbour?”
Cassie nodded. “Yes.”
“Why did you stop suspecting him?”
“I don’t know, really. I kind of... forgot about him. I think I only figured it might be him because he’s so miserable and doesn’t like people.”
“Well, maybe it was him. Who was Marilyn having the affair with?”
“We don’t know. We...” Cassie’s eyes widened, and her mouth fell agape. “Wait! Do you think she could’ve had the affair with Edward?”
Daniel raised a brow. “It’s possible. Actually, that makes a lot of sense. He would’ve been young back then. He lived across the street. When did he marry?”
“I’m not sure. But I could find out.”
“If he’s a suspect, then what about Charles? The other neighbour?”
Cassie shook her head. “No. I forgot to list this in my evidence before, but the ghost is a factor. Someone is trying to scare people away from the house. They did it before, likely to keep people from finding the body, and they did it again this week. The house had also been completely ransacked because someone searched for something. Charles wouldn’t be capable of those things in his state. His dementia has progressed too far. Nor would he have been able to elude me—or Brent—when we searched the house.
“Okay.” Daniel scratched his head. “Then Edward it is.”
Cassie smiled. “I think you’re right. Yay!” She lunged forward to hug Daniel.
He almost fell backward with her enthusiasm but managed to maintain his balance as he wrapped his arms around her.
Cassie held on longer than she’d intended to. He smelled like mocha and leather. His muscles rippled under her fingers, and she was sure her heart skipped about three beats. Slowly, she let go and leaned back.
“Now that I know how you’ll react, I’ll be sure to be much more helpful in the future.” Daniel winked, his eyes glistening in the firelight.
Cassie felt the heat rise to her cheeks. She folded her legs to her side and stroked Pumpkin’s tail. “I, uh... saw Spencer today.”
“Oh?” Daniel ran his hand over the back of his neck.
“He’s seeing someone new.”
“Really?”
“Yup.” Cassie avoided Daniel’s gaze. “So, I guess three out of three people are all okay after my slip up in dating him last year.”
“Looks like.”
“And Lexy came over before Bible study. We talked things out a bit.”
Daniel stretched his legs out and leaned back onto his hands. “Good. How do you feel?”
“Like I have no excuses left.” She took a peek at Daniel’s face but quickly lowered her eyes again. “And then I spent some time with God, sorting things out, confessing sin, asking for forgiveness, worshipping...”
Daniel continued to watch her and wait. Patiently.
“And, um...” Cassie swallowed. “God spoke to me.”
“Oh? What’d He say?”
Cassie met Daniel’s eyes again, this time keeping them steady on his. “He told me to... go to you.”
Daniel’s eyes flickered, and his mouth twitched. “So... w
hat do you plan to do about that?”
Cassie inched forward, bringing her leg to the point where it touched Daniel’s. “I don’t know. What do you think I should do?” She smirked.
He lifted one hand off the rug and cupped her face. “You know what I think.” Daniel’s eyes gazed deep into her soul and held her in a trance.
Cassie lingered in the moment, wanting it to last as long as possible.
Daniel caressed her cheek. “I love you, Cassie Bridgestone. I’ve loved you from the moment I first laid eyes on you.”
Cassie gulped and surprised herself when a tear slid down her cheek. “Thank you for waiting for me,” she whispered.
“You’re worth the wait.” Daniel moved his hand around the back of her head and pulled her toward him.
Cassie leaned in, their lips almost about to touch. But she hesitated and rested her forehead against his. “I love you too, Daniel.”
And then he closed the gap. His lips grazed hers, and she could taste a trace of the mocha. Then he pulled her in even closer, pressing his lips tightly on hers.
All the electricity she’d ever felt from Daniel’s touches manifested into huge lightning bolts shooting up and down her spine. Her arms tingled, her legs felt numb.
Their lips lingered on one another’s for a minute before they parted. Daniel’s arms enveloped Cassie in a full embrace, and he held her tightly against him. His muscles pulsed against her back. She drank in his scent with a new fervour.
“Rowr?” Pumpkin rubbed up against both Daniel and Cassie.
“Looks like she approves.” Cassie smiled.
“Good kitty.” Daniel patted the cat on the head. Then he returned his hand to Cassie and stroked her hair. “So... will you go to dinner with me on Valentine’s Day?”
“That depends. Where would you be taking me?”
Daniel leaned back quickly, causing Cassie to collapse in a fit of giggles.
Chapter 21
“Rowr?” Pumpkin pushed her nose against Cassie’s face, gently rousing her from her deep sleep.
“Pumpkin? What are you doing?” Cassie glanced at her alarm clock. “It’s too early to get up.”
Knock, knock.