by Tracey Smith
Cassidy held it together for approximately three seconds after he’d left the room before she began to hyperventilate. She believed him, and not just because she wanted to. Ben wasn’t trying to hurt her. But somebody was.
Ben didn’t come back the rest of that night, or the next morning. By mid-afternoon Cassidy was feeling back to normal and anxious to leave the hospital. She hated hospitals. Finally the nurse came in with the discharge papers.
“Here are your clothes.” She said handing Cassidy a plastic bag.
Cassidy looked into the bag and realized it only contained her t-shirt. She flushed with embarrassment realizing that she’d only been wearing that t-shirt and panties when Ben had brought her to the hospital. But she pushed aside her mortification to deal with the issues at hand. She had no clothes to wear home, and she wasn’t exactly sure how far from home she was, or how she was going to get there for that matter. But the most pressing issue was definitely her lack of clothes.
“Um, is there a gift shop or anything in the hospital where I could possible get some sweat pants to wear home. I seem to have arrived without any pants.” Cassidy’s face burned with embarrassment, the nurse looked amused.
“I’ll see what I can find for you.” She smirked.
“And, um, is there a cab company around here by any chance?”
“There is.” The nurse answered obviously confused. “But they don’t usually run all the way out to Cedar Hollow. Isn’t Ben coming back for you?”
Cassidy ignored the nurse’s question and asked her own. “Where is ‘here’ exactly? If we aren’t in Cedar Hollow.”
“Montgomery Hospital, about forty miles from Cedar Hollow.”
“Oh.” Cassidy could see the curiosity burning in the nurse’s eyes, but she didn’t feel the need to explain herself to this virtual stranger.
“If you could just get me some pants and a number for the cab company I’d really appreciate it.” Cassidy requested. Then she realized she didn’t even have her purse to pay for the damn pants. She felt completely helpless.
“I’ll see what I can do.” The nurse replied in a professional tone and left Cassidy alone in the room. Cassidy sat on the edge of the bed staring despondently out the window wondering what she was going to do. She should go home. She should pack up her bags and go back home to Chicago leaving this creepy little town with all its dark little secrets behind.
Maybe she could convince Mrs. Owens to come work for one of the hotels that her company owned like Becca had suggested. And Ben, well Ben was a grown man he could take care of himself. She didn’t need answers about her biological family. As soon as she had the thought she knew it was a lie, but she tried to believe it. She should leave. That was the sane thing to do.
“I brought you some clothes.” Ben’s voice startled Cassidy out of her wallowing. Ben stood awkwardly in the doorway holding a small tote bag. Cassidy stood from the bed smiling broadly.
“Thank you!” She said emphatically, and he smiled nervously back. He entered the room encouraged by her response and poured the tote bag onto the hospital bed.
“I wasn’t sure what you’d need.” He shrugged, again looking more anxious than Cassidy had ever seen him.
She looked down at the selection. He’d grabbed several t-shirts, a skirt, a blouse, a pair of jeans, a couple pairs of panties, a bra, and the sundress that Cassidy had been thinking about just before she became sick. Cassidy tried to hide her smile, how many clothes did he think she needed? Then she blushed realizing he’d gone through her panty drawer to retrieve some of this stuff. He’d obviously tried to provide her with a selection ranging from practical cotton to sexy lace. It was humiliating to imagine him rummaging through that drawer. However the bottom line was this was the sweetest thing he’d done for her since she’d come here. Cassidy reached down and grabbed the sundress, the bra and a pair of practical cotton panties. She smiled at Ben shyly before taking the clothes into the bathroom to change.
She glanced in the mirror as she passed by and what she saw in the reflection was even more embarrassing than realizing she didn’t have any pants, or that Ben had gone through her panty drawer. Her hair was ratted and falling out of a lopsided ponytail, she had no make-up and despite the sun she’d been getting since she’d arrived she looked unnaturally pale. She quickly dressed in the clean clothes, and tried to run her fingers through her hair to pull out that tangles. She splashed water on her face and pinched her cheeks. Eventually she emerged looking better than before.
“Ready?” Ben asked as she walked back into the room.
She nodded. “Thank you again for the clothes, and, well for coming back.” Cassidy said earnestly.
“I wouldn’t have just left you here.” Ben said sounding offended again. Cassidy had meant to make peace, but obviously that’s not how he was taking it. She was about to apologize when the door opened and the nurse walked back in.
“I found some old O.R. scrubs…” The nurse stopped when she saw Ben in the room, she still held the scrubs in her half-extended arms. She seemed shocked.
“Ben brought me my clothes.” Cassidy beamed happily.
“Well wasn’t that thoughtful. I guess you won’t be needing anything else.” The nurse said acidly and then turned on her heel leaving the room without another word.
“That was weird.” Cassidy said confused by the tension.
“That’s Kaitlyn.” Ben shrugged as way of explanation, he seemed unfazed by the nurse’s reaction. Cassidy was surprised that he knew the nurse by name, but then again she’d known his name too. She’d actually warned Cassidy against him. She wanted to ask Ben about that, but it would have to wait for another time. She’d already set him on edge with the comment about him coming back and she wanted to smooth it over.
Cassidy scooped up the remaining clothes on the bed putting them back into the tote bag that Ben had brought.
“I guess we’re ready to go.” She said cheerfully swinging the bag over her shoulder. Ben nodded and led the way out.
There was a heavy silence in the truck as they drove back toward Cedar Hollow. Cassidy wasn’t sure how to break the ice. Over the last couple days she’d thought that they’d made some progress in their relationship, gradually transitioning from compulsory roommates to the beginnings of a friendship, even a little flirtation, but now she didn’t know what they were. She supposed accusing someone of attempted murder really did put a kink in a friendship.
“Are you hungry?” Ben asked finally breaking the tense silence.
“Sure.” Cassidy agreed.
“There’s a restaurant coming up in the next town that’s pretty good. If you want to stop.”
“That sounds great.” Cassidy smiled over at him but his eyes were fixed on the road. “So how far are we from Cedar Hollow?” Cassidy asked grasping on to the conversation so that they didn’t slip back into awkward silence.
“About twenty miles now, there’s only one town between Montgomery and Cedar Hollow.” Ben hesitated briefly. “Hangman’s Ridge.” He reluctantly told her the name of the small town he was taking her to. Irrationally Cassidy giggled. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye, and she cleared her throat nervously.
“So is Montgomery the closest city?” Cassidy asked.
“The closest with a hospital.”
“I was thinking more along the lines of a shopping mall.”
“Oh, yeah, they have one of those too.”
“I need to make a trip, so at least now I’ll know what direction to head.”
He looked over at her concern clear on his face.
“If you need something I can get it for you.”
“I just wanted to do a little clothes shopping.” Cassidy explained feeling a little anxious under his protective gaze. It reminded her that there was something out there that she needed to be protected from and she’d rather not think of that right now.
“I’ll take you.” Ben declared and then looked back at the road.
“I ha
ve my own car.” Cassidy reminded him gently.
“You shouldn’t go alone.” Ben’s tone left no room for argument. “So you don’t get lost.” He added on as an afterthought. Cassidy had a sinking suspicion that wasn’t his real concern.
His unease opened the floodgate of questions that Cassidy had been holding at bay. Was someone trying to hurt her? Were they just trying to scare her off, or worse? And Why? Who? How much did Ben know? She stared blindly out the truck window into the darkening forest consumed with haunting questions. She didn’t even register the small town that had emerged from the woods until Ben pulled the truck to a stop.
“We’re here.” He told her. She wondered how much time had passed, how long had she been staring out the window lost in thought.
Ben climbed out of the truck and crossed around to the other side, extending his hand to help Cassidy step down. She felt that same jolt of awareness that she’d felt the last time he’d held her hand. It erased all other concerns for the moment. She smiled up at him and he tentatively smiled back.
The restaurant was small and dimly lit, with a nautical theme. Fishing nets were suspended in corners and watercolor paintings of fishing boats decorated the walls.
“Benjamin Riley!” A woman’s voice squealed and Cassidy and Ben both turned to face the middle aged hostess who was approaching them with her arms extended and a warm smile on her face. Cassidy stepped to the side to allow them to embrace. The woman hugged Ben tightly and then held him at arm’s length. “Been too long, boy.” She admonished.
“I’m sorry, Sarah.” Ben hung his head looking abashed. Cassidy had never seen him look so young. “It’s been a busy planting season.” He explained weakly.
“Excuses, excuses.” The woman waved her hand in the air dismissing his explanation. “Been having so much fun up on that old mountain you’ve forgotten all about me.” She lamented playfully.
“I could never forget about you, Sarah.” Ben assured her.
“And who is this beauty?” The woman asked turning to Cassidy hooking one arm through Ben’s.
“This is Cassidy, she’s staying with us at the Inn.” Ben explained and Cassidy thought it seemed like he was intentionally being vague about her. “Cassidy, this is Sarah Davenport, she owns this restaurant.” Ben introduced.
“It’s nice to meet you.” Cassidy said extending her hand, Sarah Davenport smiled as they shook hands but eyed her shrewdly. “Ben doesn’t usually bring guests to town.” Sarah observed as she showed them to a table.
“I told her she couldn’t miss your famous clam chowder.” Ben interjected quickly. Cassidy felt like she was missing something but decided to trust Ben and follow his lead.
“I love clam chowder.” Cassidy said smiling sweetly.
Sarah continued to scrutinize the two of them. “Odd time of year for guests at Miller’s. Leaves haven’t started changing yet.”
“I was just passing through and was lucky that Ben had a room.” Cassidy offered quickly.
“People don’t usually pass through Cedar Hollow.” Sarah challenged openly. Cassidy had no idea what was going on but she was getting more uncomfortable by the moment.
“I got lost.” She shrugged innocently.
“Do you still serve food around this establishment or just grill your customers?” Ben asked playfully.
“Two clam chowders?” Sarah asked. Ben nodded. “Coming right up.” She smiled and left them at the table.
“What was that about?” Cassidy whispered as soon as they were alone.
“Sarah is just a nosy old gossip, she’s harmless, but I don’t think it’s wise to publicize your presence until I have a better idea of what’s going on.” Ben explained in hushed tones. “So it was just easier to call you a guest, otherwise the entire east coast would know who you were by tomorrow.” Ben rolled his eyes.
“Doesn’t all of Cedar Hollow already know who I am?” Cassidy whispered back.
“All three hundred of them.” Ben laughed. “But most of them don’t know what you look like.”
“Well that’s easy enough, I’m the girl they’ve never seen before.”
“That’s true.” Ben looked frustrated. “I’m probably just being overly cautious.” He admitted.
“Ben, promise me something?” Cassidy asked, still whispering. Ben’s expression became guarded.
“What?”
“When you figure out what’s going on… will you let me know?”
Before he could respond a waitress approached the table. They both sat back in their seats, Cassidy hadn’t even realized how closely they’d leaned in toward each other until she pulled away. She looked up at the waitress who was steadily glaring at Ben. She was young and beautiful and obviously not a big fan of his. He glanced at her briefly and then looked away unconcerned. She practically dropped the bowls of clam chowder on the table and stormed away. That reminded Cassidy.
“Ben did you know the nurse from the hospital?” Cassidy asked as she tried her soup.
“Kaitlyn? Yeah, we went to high school together.” Ben explained.
“And the waitress?” Cassidy gestured with her head in the direction the waitress had gone.
“Amanda… we used to work together.” Ben confirmed.
“I’m guessing the girl who works at the hardware store…” Cassidy trailed off.
Ben nodded slowly. “Why do you ask?”
“None of them seem to like you too much.” Cassidy shrugged.
“How many of your exes sing your praises?” Ben laughed.
“Oh.” Well that definitely made sense of a few things. “Not too many I guess.” She admitted smiling weakly.
Cassidy tried to ignore the stab of jealousy that shot through her. Of course he had exes, he was a thirty year old man who’d grown up in a small town. He’d probably dated most of the women his age at one time or another. It made sense, but that didn’t mean she had to like it.
Cassidy felt herself nodding off as they finished the drive back to Cedar Hollow. It was too dark to see much out of the windows anymore and she could feel the exhaustion overtaking her. The only thing that was keeping her awake was her racing mind. Too many questions, she wondered how many answers Ben had.
“Can I ask you something?” She asked sleepily. Ben glanced over at her and nodded.
“You said that everyone in my family had died of unnatural causes. Is that true?” It was time to face the hard questions. They weren’t going to disappear.
Ben sighed. “Everyone but your great-uncle. He was 92 years old and died in his bed, I think it’s safe to say that it was his time.”
“And the others?” Cassidy pressed.
“Every death was ruled accidental, but they were all suspicious.” Ben answered solemnly.
“How do you know that?” Cassidy was whispering again, even though they were alone in the truck.
“It was practically legend around Cedar Hollow. Kids said the old Miller place was haunted. That your family was cursed. No one has that much bad luck.” Ben shook his head and Cassidy felt a chill.
Just then they pulled to a stop in front of the old house. It was another dark night, just like the night she’d arrived, the moonlight smothered behind a heavy cloud layer. The house loomed in front of them dark and foreboding. Cassidy had to rub away the goosebumps on her arms. It did look like a haunted house. Suddenly she wondered how many of those “accidental deaths” had actually occurred inside the house.
Chapter Nine
Cassidy stared at the ceiling for nearly an hour before she got out of bed. She had tossed and turned all night, but she’d made the decision not to get out of bed until she’d made a decision about what she was going to do. She should leave. She knew she should. Someone was trying to hurt her. She should be running as far away from here as quickly as she could. But why? Why did someone want to hurt her? Was there some sort of connection to the mysterious deaths that had befallen her family? What had happened to her family? She had too many questions to leav
e now. She needed answers.
Supposing the decision was made, Cassidy climbed out of bed, ignoring the saying about what curiosity did to the cat. She dressed in a khaki skirt with a white blouse accessorizing with nude pumps and a broad tan belt. It was a little too formal for what she had planned for today, but it was all she had. She pulled her hair into a French twist and added a little mascara before brushing her teeth and heading downstairs.
It was late morning and she’d expected Ben to already be out in the gardens, she was surprised to find him sitting at the kitchen table drinking a cup of coffee and reading the newspaper.
“Good morning.” She said nervously, not sure where they stood at this point. Would he be hostile? Would he be friendly? Her stomach twisted with anxiety.
“Morning.” He said casually and she exhaled in relief. “How did you sleep last night?” He asked conversationally, placing the paper on the table.
“I’ve slept better.” Cassidy admitted.
“Want some coffee?” He offered standing from the table.
“Love some!” She agreed eagerly pulling up a chair.
“You look all dressed up.” Ben observed casually as he set the cup of coffee in front of her, he placed some cream and sugar on the table for her as well. “Do you have some big plans for the day?” His tone was casual but when Cassidy looked up into his face she saw the curiosity burning in his eyes.
“I was hoping to do a little research today.” Cassidy told him adding the cream and sugar to her coffee. He took his seat again and picked up his paper, but he didn’t look at it.
“Research?”
“About my family. I was hoping I might find some old newspaper records at the library.”