Cassidy Read online

  Trace didn’t try to detain her but simply followed her back into the living room. He would talk to Rylan without stirring things up unnecessarily. He was not in a panic, but he didn’t know enough about Hiram Brickel. To simply do nothing wasn’t an option.

  “What am I doing?” Rylan asked the congregation on Sunday morning as he opened his mouth and then covered his mouth with his hand. The group gathered looked at him, most people smiling even if they were a little confused.

  “Any guesses?” Rylan moved his hand and asked. “Chas?” Rylan called on that man.

  “Are you yawning?”

  “Maybe,” Rylan said cryptically. “What else?”

  “Getting sick?” someone called from the back.

  “That’s possible,” Rylan joked.

  “Surprised about something,” Brad suggested.

  “Gasping,” Philip guessed.

  “Okay,” Rylan said with pleasure. “We’re getting somewhere. Watch me again and ask yourself this time if I’m yawning or gasping.”

  Rylan put his hand back over his mouth and looked out over the group. A few seconds later, he moved his hand and began his sermon.

  “Isn’t it interesting how the same action can look like two very different things? If I’m yawning, you’re going to rightly assume that I’m tired or bored. Watching me might even make you feel tired. It’s contagious.

  “However, if I’m gasping you’re going to get a little excited yourself and want to know what’s going on. You won’t be the least bit bored or tired. You’re going to want to know what I’m excited about. It will be just as contagious.

  “What was your latest response to God’s Word? A gasp or a yawn? Have you begun to yawn when I mention the fear of the Lord? Is that subject getting old for you, or are you still gasping?

  “I want us to take some time this morning and work to grasp the greatness and holiness of our saving God. We’ll start in the book of Exodus, chapter fifteen. Follow along as I start reading in verse eleven. I’m going to read through to verse eighteen. Don’t miss the powerful words here.

  “ ‘Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation. The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina. Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away. Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased. Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established. The LORD shall reign forever and ever.'

  “Did you grasp those words, my friends? This is an awesome, powerful God we serve. Turn next to the last book of the Bible. I’m going to read from Revelation 15:4: ‘Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? For thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.' This verse reminds us that our God is holy and is to be feared.

  “Are you grasping that yet? Are you getting it?” For emphasis, Rylan put his hand over his mouth for just a moment more. “A gasp or a yawn. We choose, don’t we? We serve a great and awesome God, and that’s what we need to grasp. There is nothing to be yawned at here. It’s too big to waste our time yawning.

  “Before I pray, I just want to send you off with one final thought. Ask God to help you grasp His greatness and holiness. Remember this one thing: A proper grasp leads to an appropriate gasp.”

  Rylan prayed and dismissed the flock a few moments later. Cassidy and Chandler had been sitting with the Vick family, and conversation wasn’t long in coming.

  “I needed that,” Chandler admitted to the others. “I can’t remember the last time I needed a sermon more.”

  “It was excellent, wasn’t it?” Chas agreed. The women nodded in agreement.

  “I won’t look at yawning the same ever again,” Cassidy put in.

  “Can you both come for lunch?” Chas suddenly asked.

  “I can,” Chandler agreed.

  “Thank you,” Cassidy said, “but Jeanette asked me to join her today.”

  “Another time,” Miranda said warmly, wondering if her husband had been doing a bit of matchmaking. She caught his eye as they said their goodbyes and found a smile lurking there. She knew in an instant that she’d guessed correctly.

  “And she plans to go back this Saturday?” Rylan made sure he had the facts.

  “Yes,” Trace said. “She’s not afraid, and I’m proud of her for that, but I just wanted you to know.”

  “I’ll check with her on Saturday morning,” Rylan said.

  “Thank you.”

  “Does she know you’re telling me?”

  “Yes. She didn’t think it was necessary but didn’t object to my mentioning it.”

  Rylan nodded, his eyes studying Trace for a moment. He wanted to ask if the relationship was changing from friendship to something more, but other people were visiting close by. He didn’t think anyone would hear, but he wasn’t willing to take a chance.

  Trace broke into Rylan’s thoughts when he thanked him for the sermon and went on his way. Franklin Vick was waiting to talk to him, and as Rylan hunkered down to the little boy’s level, he did his best to concentrate on Franklin alone.

  “Have I told you,” Brad began, catching Meg in the kitchen alone after Sunday dinner, “how fun it is to hug you?”

  Meg smiled as his arms went around her and looked up into his eyes. “You might have missed yesterday,” she teased.

  Brad cuddled her close and said, “Much as I love my daughter, I certainly enjoy holding just my wife.”

  “You won’t hear any complaints out of me,” Meg said just before they kissed.

  In the living room, oblivious to everyone but the little person in his arms, Trace smiled when Savanna let out a huge yawn.

  “That was a big one,” he said. “You must be getting sleepy.”

  She smiled up at him, and Trace felt the familiar sensation in his chest. He didn’t know anyone could affect another person’s heart the way this baby had. He loved her in a way he couldn’t explain and thought he might do anything for her.

  She yawned again, and Trace was suddenly back in the sermon. He’d needed the words this morning just as much as the others had. And even though they hadn’t talked about it, he felt just the way Cassidy did: He would never look at yawning the same again.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  JEANETTE HAD BEEN WORKING STEADILY along on Wednesday afternoon, getting plenty done in Cassidy’s absence, when a man stopped outside the shop. The sky was full of bright sunshine, making it hard to see through from outside, but indoors Jeanette noticed his presence and watched him for a moment. She thought he was ready to move on his way when he reached for the door handle.

  “Can I help you?” Jeanette offered when he came fully inside.

  “I’m looking for Cassidy.”

  “She’s not here right now. Is there something I can do?”

  “When do you expect her back?”

  Jeanette did not like the question and suddenly realized she didn’t like the man. His eyes never stayed in one place, and neither did his hands. Not caring if she lost business or not, Jeanette’s chin came up a bit as she answered.

  “I’m in charge right now. If you want to order something, you’ll have to tell me.”

  “I’m still thinking about it,” the man said, smiling a smile that Jeanette did not trust. “Do you make men’s shirts?”

  “Yes,” Jeanette answered, the coldest response she’d ever given to a customer.

  “I m
ay be back,” the man said, nodding a bit, putting on his hat, and turning toward the door.

  Jeanette said goodbye when he glanced back at her, but she had held her place in the shop. She only moved once the door shut so she could look out the window and see where he went. Jeanette watched him walk deeper into town, not liking or trusting anything about him.

  Chandler arrived on Thursday morning for his shirts. Cassidy had had them done for a few days but kept forgetting to take them to the bank when she made her end-of-the-day trip. He came as she opened the store. Jeanette was not there yet.

  “How are you?” Chandler asked warmly, his heart suddenly realizing how much he enjoyed being with this woman and wishing he knew how she felt about him.

  “I’m fine. How are you?”

  “I want to hear more than ‘fine,’ ” Chandler said. “How are you really?”

  Cassidy looked at him. “Do I not seem fine?”

  “That’s not it. I ask it that way because of me, not you. I have a tendency to ask that question and not really listen to the way people answer.”

  “Well, that’s kind of you, Chandler, but I think the answer is still fine.”

  “How about financially? How are things there?”

  “I’ve been busy and had lots of orders, and someone did give me some money.”

  “That was kind. Who was it?”

  “It was done through Rylan. He was asked not to say. It came at a time I really needed it—not so much for my bank account but for my heart.”

  Chandler stared at her for a moment, his mind taking in that special statement.

  “What did I say?” Cassidy asked, not sure what his look meant.

  “Your heart and bank account—I liked the way you put that.”

  “I have to think that way or I would be prone to worry all the time,” Cassidy admitted.

  Chandler nodded, understanding completely. As a bank manager, he found there was no end of things he could worry about. He was telling Cassidy this when Jeanette arrived.

  “Good morning!” she greeted them. “I’m sorry I’m late. My sister was having a rough time.”

  “Is she all right?” Cassidy and Chandler asked at almost the same time.

  “She is, but I’m going to head home in a few hours to check on her.”

  “And I’d better get to the bank,” Chandler said. “It was good talking to you, Cass. Bye, Jeanette.”

  The women saw him to the door, took a moment to figure out what needed to be done that day, and went to work.

  “Oh, no, you don’t.” Meg spoke under her breath as she looked out her kitchen window. A full-grown bull moose had come into the yard and was eating off the Juneberry bush. Meg, remembering the baby was asleep, grabbed the broom and headed out.

  “Go on!” she shouted as she neared. “Get away from there!”

  Meg brandished the broom in the moose’s direction, but he didn’t seem overly fazed. He looked in her direction but went right on chewing. She was about to get closer, even hit him if she had to, when the report of a rifle sounded behind her. It startled her into dropping the broom, and the moose certainly got the point. He jerked violently before running for the hills.

  “You scared me!” Meg scolded Brad, who was coming toward her.

  “Meg.” Brad’s voice was patient, but his eyes were a little stern. “What have I told you about coming after moose with a broom? That’s why we keep the rifle in the kitchen.”

  “Savanna is sleeping,” Meg argued. Brad’s mouth opened in surprise, causing Meg to bite her lip.

  “Better Savanna awake than you hurt or worse,” Brad said, trying not to smile at her guilty face.

  “Was that shot from here?” Trace asked, having just come in on his horse. The answer was obvious from the weapon in Brad’s hand.

  “Yes,” Brad answered before Meg could. “Meg was using a broom to scare a moose away.”

  Trace’s face was too much like Brad’s. He looked as though he was ready to scold her as well. Picking up the broom, Meg made her exit with the excuse that she needed to check on the baby.

  Not once had Cassidy let her mind drift. With Theta on her mind, Jeanette had not remembered to tell her about the man who had been asking for her until well after lunch. Cassidy’s heart had sunk a little with what Jeanette described, but it was already Thursday and she still had two shirts to make. She had not had time to give way to speculation and fear—until now.

  Now she was alone in her apartment, the day over and the business closed. Not even bothering to start dinner, Cassidy sat at her small kitchen table and tried not to think about what the visit might mean. But it didn’t work. She had run out of time, and she knew that.

  Cassidy began to pray. She hadn’t had many choices before coming to Token Creek. She had done what she’d been asked to do. If that was all coming to an end, then she would have to trust that God had a plan for her future. This, however, did not stop the grief that filled her heart. If she had to leave this church family and this town, she thought it just might break her heart.

  “How are you, ladies?” Rylan asked of Cassidy and Jeanette first thing Saturday morning. Indeed, they had barely gotten the door unlocked when he appeared.

  “We’re fine,” Jeanette said, wondering at his smile. She wondered even more when she saw Cassidy smiling in return.

  “I completely forgot that he was going to talk to you,” Cassidy said, causing Jeanette to frown in confusion and Rylan to laugh.

  “When do you go?”

  “As soon as I pack the shirts in my bag.”

  “I’ll be at home,” Rylan said to Jeanette, “unless of course Cassidy would allow me to accompany her.”

  Cassidy was shaking her head no when Jeanette asked what was going on.

  “Your nephew was concerned about my interaction with Hiram Brickel. He spoke to Rylan because he can’t be in town today.”

  “I’d almost forgotten about that,” Jeanette said as it all came rushing back.

  “I’ll see you shortly,” Cassidy said, starting toward the door. Just before exiting, she thanked Rylan for checking on her but left without hesitation.

  “Good day, Miss Norton,” Halston greeted Cassidy as he let her in the mansion.

  Cassidy stepped across the threshold but did not move so he could shut the door. She held the neatly folded shirts out to him. Without thought, he took them.

  “I hope Mr. Brickel will be pleased.”

  “He would like to see you,” Halston said, thinking fast when he realized she was going to get away.

  “All right,” Cassidy said, but she didn’t move.

  Halston admired her mettle. He gave a slight nod of the head and moved down the hallway toward the doors of the large parlor she remembered from her first visit. Cassidy watched Halston disappear inside. She heard an angry voice from within but could not make out the words. A few minutes passed before a very agitated Hiram Brickel came from the room.

  “Why is the front door hanging open?” he barked.

  “Because as soon as I’m paid, I’m leaving,” Cassidy stated quietly.

  “I told you we would have coffee. It’s all ready!”

  “Thank you.” A note of steel had entered Cassidy’s voice, but her look was kind. “If you recall, Mr. Brickel, I told you I could not stay.”

  Cassidy’s face was calm, but Mr. Brickel looked as though his heart was ready to stop.

  “Pay her!” he finally spat at Halston as he turned and slammed back into the large parlor.

  Cassidy told herself that he was not worth the money, but it wasn’t often that anyone ordered five shirts. Further orders would have been nice.

  She thanked Halston when he’d paid her, noting that he looked completely unperturbed about the whole episode and even thanked her kindly for coming. Cassidy was on her way a short time later, her heart a little uncertain about Mr. Brickel’s response but thankful that she had very little to report.

  Trace forced himself to put Cassidy into
God’s hands. For that reason, when he arrived very early in town, he went directly to see his mother—that, along with the fact that he was leaving in ten days' time and would probably not have a chance to see her again.

  “Hello, Becky,” Trace greeted when she checked to see who had come in the front door.

  “Oh, Trace, I’m glad you’re here. She’s had a rough day.”

  Trace nodded, wondering if his presence and voice might not make it worse, but he still went in the direction of the porch. Heather was there, and he found his mother asleep.

  “How is she?” Trace asked quietly, seeing that his mother’s nurse did not look as cheerful as she usually did.

  “Horrible.” Heather wasted no words, although her voice was as compassionate as always. “I’m not surprised she’s asleep. It’s the second time this week she’s fretted and cried off and on all day. And she won’t eat.”

  “Why don’t you go rest for a while, Heather. I’ll find you if she needs something.”

  Heather’s sigh was audible. “I believe I’ll take you up on that, Trace. Thank you.”

  Trace lowered himself into a chair, pleased that he’d come here first. He was actually looking forward to telling his mother all about Savanna’s latest smiles and obvious signs of brilliance, but it was nice to sit quietly too. He did not sleep and his mother did not wake. Heather was gone for about an hour, and Trace took nearly all of that time to pray.

  “Well, Trace,” Cassidy said with soft surprise. He was at least an hour earlier than she’d expected.

  “Hello,” the cowboy said calmly, but his eyes took in every detail of Cassidy’s face. Her hair was coming down, but other than that, she looked completely normal. “How was your day?”

  “My day was busy. How was yours?”

  “Not too bad. How did it go with your delivery?”

  Cassidy smiled a little and just kept from shaking her head. Jeanette had wanted every detail, and Rylan had stopped later to check on her, wondering about the details as well. And her day had been a busy one.