A Child's Heart (Trent & Cassie's Story) A River City Novel (2 page)

She pulled out her makeup bag and carefully
applied a small amount of makeup. She didn’t like wearing any, but
she had to look professional. Her thin blonde hair left her few
choices. She dampened her boar bristle brush, ran it though her
straight locks, and then pulled it all up into a knot.

She smiled at the reflection in the mirror.
I do hope he comes back tonight.
Her thoughts of Trent
Callahan were anything but pure. Her whole body warmed. She scolded
herself, but she couldn’t help what she was feeling towards the
handsome stranger and his son.
What the hell is wrong with me?
I’m lusting after a married man with a child! I need a break. I
need a vacation on some remote island!

A few minutes later, she joined Tate and
together they worked to make sure everything was ready for the
evening.

Exhausted, Tate plopped into a chair. “How do
you do it?”

“I’m a duck.” Cassie sat next to her.

“Huh?”

“Ever hear the expression about being a
duck?”

“No.”

Cassie laughed and pulled out another chair
and put her feet onto it. “Ever watch a duck on a pond?”

Tate stared at her askance.

“Keep everything that shows looking calm and
paddle like hell!”

Tate fell into giggles.

“And where is your husband?” Cassie
asked.

Tate glanced at her watch. “He should be
arriving any second. He’s got Pamela until his mom comes home.”

“I don’t know how you two manage with a
toddler.”

“We’ve got lots of help. Plus I’ve put Pamela
in daycare two days a week. She loves being with other children her
age.”

“Oh, guess who is coming tonight? Shawn
Callahan and his dad. I gave them guest passes.”

“That is so sweet of you. Shawn is the cutest
little boy. He’s smart, too.”

“How well do you know the Callahan family?”
Cassie was hoping for some details, but didn’t want to seem as if
she were prying.

Tate stood, stretched, and rolled her
shoulders before straightening her knit dress. “Not that well. I
know they live with Shawn’s grandmother. They are friends of a
friend. That…and my dad is involved in Shawn’s surgery. The only
thing I really know, is that his insurance wouldn’t pay for the
surgery because it’s considered experimental.”

“That’s horrible.”

“That was my reaction, but if you talk to my
dad, he can give you the other side to the situation. It’s a
dangerous, delicate surgery. If everything goes well, he’ll be
running and playing like a normal kid. If it doesn’t and he
survives, he’ll need traditional surgery.”

Shawn's little face floated through Cassie's
mind. “So sad. He’s such a baby. That must be a horrible thing to
have hanging over them.”

~~2~~

“We need to get in line. Stay here, because I don’t
want to lose you in this crowd,” Trent told his son.

Shawn frowned, and stood next to his father until he
saw a tall woman with very short, dark hair. “Mrs. Bia!” he called,
and then ran to her.

“Shawn, I heard you were coming. Where’s your
father?” Tate asked, as she picked up the child and gave him a
hug.

“Right there.” He pointed, and Trent smiled back.

She strode over to where the boy's father was
standing in line. “I’m so glad you’re here. Shawn is going to have
a blast.” She tickled Shawn, making him squirm in her arms before
she extended her hand to Trent. “I swear this little guy has grown
at least five inches since I saw him last.”

“Not quite, Tate, but almost. A little over an inch
would be more accurate, and he’s put on a few pounds, too. He’s
doing much better on his new medicine.”

“I guess you’re counting down the days until his
surgery.”

“You made it happen.”

“Thanks, but I had lots of help. Katie Olsen did most
of it. Her connection to Riverton Chemical and Petroleum made all
the difference.” Tate turned her head and surveyed the crowd of
parents and children. “Come with me. You don’t need to stand
here.”

Trent followed the woman through a door, down a
hallway, and into the huge room.

“This is where it will start. Have a seat in the
front row.” She gazed at her watch. “The doors will open officially
in five minutes.”

“Daddy?”

Trent instantly recognized the familiar look. “He
needs to use the mens room.”

“It’s out there to the left.” Tate lowered the boy to
the floor. “Come right back here when you’re done.”

“We will. Thanks.”

A few minutes later, Trent and Shawn took their seats
in the front row as music began to play and the doors opened to the
crowd of people making their way to the chairs that had been set up
for the occasion. Trent didn’t want Shawn to become spoiled by all
the attention, and think life would always be this generous, but he
had the feeling that they would both enjoy the evening when he saw
Cassandra Jones in her blue dress.

***

After being treated to a wonderful light and sound
show of robotic dinosaurs, the guests were broken into groups and
given a full tour of the dinosaurs before being escorted into the
dining area. Shawn's little face beamed a bright smile through the
entire thing. Keeping the child reasonably calm was almost
impossible. Even though they had seen the dinosaur room earlier, it
didn't look the same as it did this evening, with all the fancy
lighting.

Trent located their seats at the table and was
pleased to see that Tate Bia and her husband would be sitting with
them. Trent had felt awkward and over-dressed in his suit, as most
of the fathers present were more casually dressed. Relief flooded
his system, when he saw Tate’s husband also dressed in a suit. But
when Cassandra joined them, Trent’s stomach instantly knotted, and
he sat up a little straighter.

The menu contained exotic names, such as Dromaesaurus
eggs, warm puddles, Triceratops munch, Stegosaurus spuds, and
Tyrannosaurus grill, which easily translated into deviled eggs
served on a bed of greens, a delicious bean soup, corn, baked
puffed potatoes, and grilled chicken strips, with a variety of
dips. The Dino Droppings were chocolate-covered, crunchy tidbits
that everyone could nibble with their fingers. The food was good,
and Shawn scoffed up everything on his plate.

“Seems as though Shawn liked tonight’s meal,”
Cassandra said, pointing to his empty plate.

“Yes, he did,” Trent answered. “I’m surprised he ate
everything. He normally doesn’t touch chicken at home.”

“Tess Martinez planned the menu and did the catering.
Do you know her?”

He shook his head.

“She’s great.” She turned to Shawn. “Ready for some
fun?”

Shawn nodded and scooped up the last of his chocolate
munchies.

When Tate Bia took the podium and
introduced Dr. Cassandra Jones, Trent’s heart instantly fell into
his stomach with a thud. Any feelings he had for the woman slipped
away, as he watched her walk to the front of the room.
A doctor?
A
w
oman with her education will have no
interest in someone like me.

***

The next morning, Cassie looked through the box of
books on her desk, then wandered over to Mrs. Winston’s small
office. “Do you know anything about those books that came this
morning? I know I didn’t order them.”

“Our supplier sends us a box of bargain books. Most
of them sell quickly and a few are duds. The receipt is here.” Mrs.
Winston passed the pink slip to Cassie.

“Hmm. How often do we get these?”

“Two, maybe three times a year. Give the books to
Gail in the gift shop. She’ll handle them.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Winston. Without you, I’d be so lost in
this job.”

“I doubt that. You’re doing a fine job. The Dino
Tread yielded the museum a nice chunk of money. Our attendance has
soared since you’ve taken the position.”

“I barely know what I’m doing.” She plopped into a
chair. “I’ve been here five months, and the city is all over me for
spending so much money. Then I get that shipment of mummies, and I
have no idea how I’m going to promote them. Bill Krumpler left me
with one heck of a mess.”

“Bill was curator for thirty-two years. He didn’t
leave you with a mess. He wasn’t planning on having a heart attack
and dying. Remember, he kept these doors open when the city wanted
to close them. Now you’ve got to pick up the pieces and keep
everything going. Your Dino Tread gala paid for that exhibit.
Bringing culture to River City is way overdue. You’ll figure it
out, honey.”

Cassie could feel the huge weight rolling off her
shoulders. Sighing, she stood and thanked Mrs. Winston. “My
granddaddy used to say, ‘Git’er done.’”

“I’ll agree with him.”

Cassie smiled and went back to the box of books on
her desk. She hefted the box and took it to the gift shop. “Here,
Gail. Bargain books.”

Gail rolled her eyes. “Have you looked through
them?”

“No, not really.”

“Well, it’s your job to check them and see what you
want to offer.”

A slight groan escaped. “Now?”

Gail nodded.

Cassie began to unpack the assortment. She thumbed
through them and began to make a couple of piles. They were cheap
enough, but most weren’t that great. It was easy to see why they
were bargain books. Many had wrinkled or torn covers, and a few
would never be suitable for the gift shop. Near the bottom, there
was a book on dinosaurs. It wasn’t a child’s book. She set it to
one side and continued to sort. “I want this one, and these don’t
belong in the gift shop.”

“Send those over to the Friends of the Library.
What’s the one you are keeping?”

“It’s a textbook marked $12.99.”

“It’s all yours!” Gail grabbed up the other books and
began to shelve them. “We ring these under promo. I’m not putting
this one out. No one wants a coloring book that’s this wrinkled.”
Gail was about to toss it to the trash when Cassie snatched it from
her.

“I know someone who would like it, and I don’t think
a wrinkled cover will bother him.”

Gail shrugged, as Cassie took the two books and went
back to her office. She picked up the phone and called Tate.
“Hi”

“Hi, Cassie. What’s up?”

“Do you have a minute?” She fingered the dinosaur
book.

“Of course. How may I help you?”

“Do you happen to have Shawn Callahan’s address?”

“Mmm, give me a sec. I’ve got to look that up. Here
it is. Do you want the phone number, too?”

“Please.” She scribbled the information on a pad.
“One more thing, Tate. Is Trent married?”

“I don’t know. There’s no wife in the picture, but I
don’t know if he’s divorced or widowed.”

“What else do you know about him?”

“Not much. He’s a nice guy, and he loves his son.
That little boy is brilliant, and not the least bit spoiled. Why
the questions?”

“I have a couple of books I wanted to give Shawn, but
I didn’t want to create a problem.”

“Oh, that child loves books.”

“Thanks, Tate.”
Now I have my excuse to visit Trent
Callahan.

***

Cassie pulled in front of a small home that looked
exactly like every other house in the working class neighborhood.
Tiny, cookie-cutter houses sat on postage-sized lots. The Callahan
home was painted a pale yellow with dark gray shutters and trim.
The grass was recently cut, and a few petunias were planted around
the base of the lamppost. She parked her car and drew in a deep
breath as she gathered up the two books.

“Hi,” she said when Trent opened the door. “I brought
something for Shawn.”

“Come on in. He’s not here right now. My mom took him
shopping for some slippers and a robe. He’s going to need them for
the hospital. They say he’ll be there for a while.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I should have called first. Tate gave
me your address, and I thought I’d stop on the way home, since you
weren’t very far out of the way.”

“You live in the area?”

“Not really. I have an apartment in Sweet
Grandview.”

“This is not exactly on your way home from the
museum.”

“It’s not, but it’s not that far, either.” She forced
another smile.

He glanced at his watch. “They should be home soon.
Would you like a glass of iced tea?”

“Thanks. I’d appreciate that.” She gazed at Trent
standing there in his work uniform, his name written in an oval
under the embroidered company name. “What exactly does River City
Manufacturing manufacture?”

“Countertops. We measure, custom cut, and install
counters for both commercial and home use.”

“Oh. What do you do?”

“Everything. Mostly, I handle the computer and
oversee the shop. It’s a rather involved process. The measurements
are dropped into the computer, which then runs the saws that cut
the counters.”

She followed him through the tiny house to the modern
kitchen. “Cute kitchen.”

“Thanks. My mom loves it. I tore out what existed a
few years ago. I made the cabinets from scratch and the countertops
are leftovers from a large job the company did awhile back.”

“Granite?”

He nodded, opened a cabinet, and withdrew two
glasses. “I’ve got a small woodshop in the backyard.”

“I’m impressed. You do beautiful work.”

“Thanks.” He handed her a glass of iced tea.

She put the two books on the counter and accepted the
glass. Her fingers touched his, sending a spark though her body.
Gazing into his eyes, she smiled. A golden blonde lock fell across
his forehead, and she noticed slight dimples when he returned the
smile.

Broad shoulders filled his shirt, and golden hair
covered his forearms. Desire filled her as she stared at the man
with gray-blue eyes.

He returned the stare and she found herself lured to
him. Golden-brown eyelashes framed his penetrating gaze. Taking a
sip of the sweet liquid only enhanced the burning inside her. His
fingers wrapped around the glass and removed it from her clutch as
his mouth covered hers.