by Lori Wick
"If you won't let me pay you for working for me, I won't be taking any money for rent."
Cassidy opened her mouth and then shut it again. She smiled at being caught out.
"Deal?" Jeanette asked.
"Deal," Cassidy agreed.
Chandler smiled at this exchange, knowing that it was unconventional but also that it was going to work. If these two women had a reputation in town for anything, it was integrity.
"Well, Chandler," Cassidy said, finally turning to him. "We're going to breakfast at the hotel to celebrate. Can you join us?"
"I might be able to do that," Chandler replied, not sure his heart could take it but hating to say no in the midst of their pleasure. "Let me check with Mr. Falcone about minding the store."
The three left the bank just five minutes later, their spirits high. They laughed and talked like the old friends they were, and even though Chandler had to work at guarding his heart more than one time, they had a wonderful celebration.
"You're late," Trace teased his fiancée, meeting her in the yard and not able to hold his smile.
"I'll have you know, Trace Holden," Cassidy said, much too pleased with herself, "that I just sold my business."
"This morning?"
"Yes. Because we're closed, it seemed the most logical day. Jeanette and I went to the bank and sealed the deal. And then," she rushed on before Trace could say anything else, "to celebrate, we went to the hotel for breakfast. Chandler even joined us."
"I'm sorry I missed it," Trace said, helping her down and hugging her close.
259Cassidy's heart was so full she threw her arms around his neck and squeezed him. "And that's not the best part," she said, her blue eyes sparkling into his. "I've had a letter from my mother."
"Is she all right?" Trace asked, growing serious.
Cassidy brought the letter from her coat pocket and handed it to him. "Go ahead. Read it."
Not able to resist, Trace kissed her before he opened the letter. Cassidy watched him read, smiling almost all the way through. "This is great. When should we go to see her?"
It did amazing things to Cassidy's heart to hear Trace saywe.
"I don't know. I could probably go anytime because Jeanette has just about taken over, but maybe it would make more sense to wait until after the wedding."
"We'll figure it out," Trace said, taking her arm and directing her toward the house. It was cold again, though not as cold as it was going to be, but Cassidy's cheeks were already red from the buggy ride out to the ranch.
Meg was waiting with coffee, and Cassidy was able to share her news all over again. Trace could not stay around all day but said he would be back in for dinner. The women started on some baking and then moved to sewing, all the time working on when Cassidy should see her mother. By the time the men came in to eat, Meg and Cassidy were ready with a plan.
The Vicks asked Trace and Cassidy to join them for dinner on Sunday. Miranda kept the meal light and easy. Cassidy claimed twomonth-old Nellie, saying she was happy to eat with only one arm. And Miranda, being sensitive to her son's heart, put Trace next to Franklin at the table.
"How is Quincy?" Franklin wasted no time checking on Trace's horse.
260"He's doing well. I think the next time I have him in town I can stop by so you can have a ride."
The eight-year-old looked at his parents, his eyes telling them Trace had made his day.
"What do you say?" his father prompted.
"Thank you," Franklin said softly, hero-worship all over his face.
Watching from across the table, Cassidy's heart melted at the sight
and knew that their own children would feel the same way.
"Was there something else you wanted to hear about, Frank?"
his father asked to remind him.
"Oh, yeah! Can you tell me about your cattle drive?"
"Sure," Trace agreed. "It started a month ago and went for about two weeks. Brad and I, four other hands, and a cook left from our ranch early one morning. We had eight hundred head of cattle to drive to Burton."
"Why Burton?" Chas asked.
"The Burton railroad is equipped to take cattle to Chicago. It would cost a lot of money to try to send them from Token Creek." "So you went on the train?" Franklin checked.
"No, just the cattle did that, but not until they'd walked for about five hundred miles."
"Did you sleep on the ground?"
"We certainly did. We had a chuck wagon for our food, and Tinker Hayworth, an old cowboy you might have seen around town, cooked for us. Then the four other hands helped us drive the cattle."
"Did you wear your chaps?"
"I did," Trace said, and then answered the question he knew would be next. "I had my gun belt on and my pistol with me. My rifle was on my saddle."
"Did you have to shoot?"
"A few times, but not at anyone."
"Did anyone get hurt?"
261"There were a few injuries but nothing too serious."
"What did you eat?"
"Lots of beans," Trace said with a smile, "and beef stew and biscuits. Pancakes for breakfast."
Franklin was opening his mouth again, but his father broke in. "Why don't you eat a little, Frank. Trace can do the same. I'm sure he'll have time to answer all your questions."
"Yes, indeed," Miranda said softly, "before Chas starts with his."
"What is this about?" Trace asked.
"Nothing," Chas tried to say, but he couldn't stop his smile.
"Someone wants to know about the two of you." Miranda told on her husband. "He wants to know how the wedding plans all came about."
Both Cassidy and Trace smiled at Chas, who worked to look innocent.
"I'm just asking out of concern," the other man said, his voice telling them he was not the least bit sincere. "I know Rylan has spoken with you, but as a fellow elder, if he's missed something, we can talk about it."
The adults all laughed at this, but that topic was going to have to wait. Franklin, who had all but swallowed his food whole, had more questions for the cattle rancher.
"From our viewpoint," Chas said when the adults were alone in the living room an hour later, "one week you were friends, and a few weeks later you were more."
"In a way that's how it happened," Cassidy said.
"Not with our feelings," Trace elaborated, "but with telling each other our feelings."
"How did that come about?" Miranda asked, telling the couple that she was as curious as her husband.
262"While I was gone," Trace started, "Edson visited, and you both know what happened with that. I didn't see Cassidy until I came back from the cattle drive." Trace tried to weigh how much he should share, and seeing no reason to speak about the part Chandler had played, continued. "That had been a hard time for Cassie, and when we talked about it, it came out that her heart was available."
"Not really available," Cassidy said with a smile. "Or rather, available just to you."
Trace smiled down at her where she sat beside him in the living room, and Chas, the old romantic that he was, grinned at the two of them.
"What happened next?" their host asked.
When both Trace and Cassidy smiled, Miranda put the pieces together.
"I think someone got kissed."
When the smiles grew, the married couple laughed.
"Then what?" Chas knew there was more.
"We had some things to talk about, but we'd been watching each other for a long time. I knew Cassidy was the woman I wanted for my wife. I had seen her in nearly every situation, and there was
nothing I objected to."
"And for you, Cassie, was it the same?"
"Oh, yes. Trace was taking care of me long before he made his feelings known. Between him and Brad, I knew I would never go without. I just didn't know Trace felt the same way I did?'
"How did you pull that off?" Chas had to ask. "I watched both of you, and every once in a while, I thought I might see something, but then noth
ing would happen."
"We've wondered that ourselves," Trace said. "It seemed like it would have been so easy to talk about a future together, but if one of us didn't share the intensity of feelings, we would have ruined an amazing friendship. Neither one of us was willing to take the risk."
263"So you just kissed her," Miranda guessed.
"That about sums it up. We didn't keep kissing-we had a lot of talking to do-but that broke down the gate, and I at least knew that my interest was shared."
Chas' sigh could be heard all over the room. "I'm telling you," he said, while the others laughed at him, "this heart business is fun stuff, but it wears a body out."
"Do you know," Trace said, "I believe Jeb Dorn said that very thing when Brad and Meg finally found each other."
Chas realized he'd never heard their story, and that's what he wanted to talk about next. From there, they moved to the morning sermon, which had been on hungering after God, and then played a game with the children. It ended up being a perfect afternoon of fellowship.
"What is it that bothers you so much?" Rylan asked of Abi. The two were using Jeanette's parlor to talk, and that lady was in attendance as well. Abi had been visibly upset in church and afterward when Rylan had tried to speak with her about it. .
"I tried to talk to Missy," Abi admitted. "I tried to tell her that God died for me, and she said I thought I was better than her. I don't think that!" she said in obvious agitation. "I'm not like that."
"Did she ask you about this, or did you volunteer?"
"She asked. I've been careful, just like you said, but she asked."
"Then you can't worry about it. If you had gone next door intending to shove your beliefs on her, then you would need to apologize, but you need to just give this time. She'll see that you don't feel that way. Your life will prove it to her."
Abi shifted in her seat, clearly not at peace.
"Do you feel like you've lost your friend?" Jeanette asked.
"Yes," Abi said, looking relieved at being understood. "She's been
264a good neighbor and a friend. She's never criticized me or been upset with me before. I don't like it this way."
"It's hard when that happens," Rylan commiserated. "I wonder if Missy might be feeling the same way."
"What do you mean?" Abi asking, frowning in confusion. "Like she's lost a friend." .
It was on the tip of Abi's tongue to say that she hadn't gone anywhere, but that wasn't true. She was changing. She was home more, and not stalking the streets of Token Creek looking for a story. And she was no longer outraged by what had happened to her. At one time she wanted the law to find the man named Neal and hang him from the nearest tree, but no longer. She had forgiven Neal, and even though she thought he should be behind bars, she trusted God to take care of her.
"Are you all right?" Jeanette finally asked.
"I just never thought of it that way." Abi came to her feet. "I think you must be right. I have to go."
Rylan hoped to eventually find a way to talk to her about her abrupt way of exiting a conversation, but not today. He and Jeanette said goodbye from their seats, not given time to see her to the door.
"I think you helped her," Jeanette said.
"Maybe. I don't know."
"She's a fascinating person, isn't she?"
"Yes. I think she's seen and experienced more in her fifty-eight years than any of us can imagine."
"Is she really fifty-eight?" Jeanette was surprised. Abi Pfister was
not a young woman, but neither did she look nearly sixty.
Rylan had to laugh before saying, "She said being nosy has kept
her young."
Jeanette laughed with him before asking, "Do you suppose she would want to have a Bible study with me? Do you think she trusts me enough for that?"
265"I was thinking about that very same thing. I don't know if she trusts you or not, but if you're willing, I'll ask her."
The two talked about the possibilities for a while longer. Rylan was much encouraged by Jeanette's willingness and offer.
"How about some of Becky's chocolate cake?" the hostess offered a while later.
"That sounds good," Rylan agreed. "Can we eat it while I visit with your sister?"
Jeanette smiled. "Theta and I would both enjoy that."
"Can you make me a new suit?" Trace asked as he and Cassidy began to walk toward Cassidy's from the Vick house.
"Certainly," Cassidy said.
"In time for the wedding?" Trace asked.
"I think so. Do you have an old suit?" She could not remember. "I don't think I've seen you in it."
"I got one for Brad and Meg's wedding. I don't wear it anymore because the jacket is too tight in the shoulders. I've worn the pants on Sunday for a long time, and they're starting to show their age."
"Let's go into the shop and see what I have for fabric."
Trace was all for that. They picked out exactly what he wanted; Cassidy got the measurements she needed; and then they headed to Jeanette's. Trace wanted to visit his mother, and naturally Cassidy wanted to go with him.
October was swiftly drawing to a close. The days were busy for Trace and Cassidy with wedding plans as well as plans to visit Billings and Cassidy's mother for their honeymoon.
Jeanette was busy as well. Her ad was written up and ready for
266the newspaper, and her sign, with the new store hours, was ready to go into the window at the close of the day.
The first day of changes would be Tuesday, the second of November. Things hadn't been altered all that much, but on the last Saturday of the month, both women felt a little excited about the changes and the store's future. Cassidy would have more time to work on her and Trace's wedding clothes, as well as her packing. Moving to the ranch was quite a venture. Meg and Brad didn't really have room for her furniture, but if she and Trace were going to have something to sit on in their new home someday, they needed to hold on to it.
And business had stayed active. Things had been quiet at the beginning of the week, but on Thursday and then again today, she and Jeanette had run their legs off. Cassidy would be headed to the bank for Jeanette, who wanted to head straight home because she was having company. There was an impressive amount of cash to deposit. Indeed Cassidy was just about to head out when the door opened.
"Hello, Cassie!" Edson Sinclair greeted cordially, not having changed at all.
Cassidy didn't speak but watched Neal come in behind Edson. He shut the door and locked it.
"What are you doing here, Edson?" Cassidy asked, knowing that Jeanette had come from the rear of the store.
"Ah, you're both together," Edson said by way of an answer. "Perfect. I'll tell you, Cass, you've been one busy little lady." "What do you mean?"
"Mama shared your letters with me. She was thrilled to see me and tell me you'd sold your shop and gotten engaged."
"Mama shared my letters with you because you tried to lie about having been here," Cassidy spoke plainly.
"Oh." Edson's voice was almost comical. "She wrote about that, did she?"
"Yes. Now I want you to leave."
267"That's not going to happen." Edson's voice became silky, and Cassidy's heart began to pound a little faster. She watched Neal move toward Jeanette and tried to step in, but Edson caught her arm in a surprising grip.
"Now you listen, CassidyNorton,"Edson snarled, his voice low with fury. "You're going to do just what I say, or Neal is going to use that knife on Mrs. Fulbright's throat. Do you understand?"
"Yes," Cassidy said, her eyes watching Jeanette's face drain of color as Neal took hold of her. The knife was already in his hand, and Cassidy began to shake.
"Please don't hurt her," she begged softly, remembering what had happened to Abi.
"We won't have to if you'll head to the bank."
"The bank?" Cassidy was confused for a moment.
Edson gave her arm an angry shake. "Yes, the bank! You're going to withdraw the money Mrs. Fulbright paid
you for the business and bring it back to me. You have fifteen minutes to do this, or Neal uses his knife."
Cassidy looked at him, her eyes huge. "Edson," she tried. "It will never work. I never take that much out. Please let Jeanette go."
"Shut up!" he barked. "You're a great little pretender, coming to this town and setting up a business in a false name. You can fool anyone with those big, blue eyes. Now you do as I say, or the old woman dies."
Cassidy could see he was completely serious. She nodded, but Edson gave her arm one more squeeze.
"Fifteen minutes, Cassie. Don't be late, and don't try anything funny."
Cassidy looked into Jeanette's face, seeing her fear but also that she was trying to be brave. Her look gave Cassidy the courage to shoot out the door. She had fifteen minutes to help her friend, praying all the while that nothing would go wrong.
268
CASSIDY MANAGED THE WALK TO THE BANK,albeit rather swiftly. She
entered the door calmly enough and made a beeline for Chandler. Unfortunately, his first remark completely rattled her.
"Cassie, where is your coat?"
"What?" she asked, not realizing she looked as upset as she felt. "Your coat? It's freezing out."
"Oh, I'm all right," she said and tried to smile. "Chandler, I need to make a withdrawal."
"Okay. How much?"
"Five hundred."
"Dollars?" Chandler questioned her, alarms going off in his mind. "Yes, and I'm in a bit of a hurry."
"Cassidy, something is wrong," Chandler said.
"That's right," Cassidy said, not sure that Edson had not followed her and might be watching from across the street.
"Where is Jeanette?" Chandler asked.
"At the shop," Cassidy didn't hear the high timber of her voice. "Please, Chandler. Please get the money."
Chandler went behind the counter, knowing something was very wrong but gathering the bills. He didn't want to send the money with her, but any amount was worth far less than her life or Jeanette's.
269"Are you sure, Cassidy?" Chandler asked when he had the money ready.
Cassidy took it and looked at him, her eyes begging. "Please just go back to work, Chandler. Nothing can go wrong."
Chandler took a seat as soon as Cassidy turned from his desk, but his eyes were on the windows. As soon as Cassidy moved out of sight, he would find Sheriff Kaderly.