Cassidy (Big Sky Dreams 1) (17 page)

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.

141"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.

eyGt*

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

142her 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,,,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.

set,

"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."

143"He would like to s'ee 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

144his 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?"

145Cassidy 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.

"Can I tell you on the way to the ranch?"

"Sure," Trace agreed as he put his hat on the stand and took a seat.

He wasn't usually this early but still took his welcome for granted. "Did you see Jeanette, by any chance?" Cassidy asked, going back

to her work on the hem of a dress.

"Your mother had a bad day."

"I was just at the house."

"I'm glad. How was she?"

"Sleeping."

"Good."

Cassidy had asked all of this while looking at Trace, her hands working while they talked. It was not the first time Trace had seen her do this, and he finally asked about it.

"How can you sew and not watch what you're doing?"

"It depends on what I'm sewing. I've put in enough hems that I can feel with the needle how deep to go into the cloth."

She had made several more stitches in the moments it took her to

say this, and Trace was quietly amazed. He would have commented

again, but before he could say anything else Cassidy began to talk. "I don't think you're going to need to be concerned about my going

to Mr. Brickel's any longer. I doubt he'll be placing another order." "Are you all right with that?"

"With not having to deal with him, yes, but the business would have been nice."

"What did he say?"

"He was not happy that I didn't stay for coffee."

"He expected that today, even when you'd made yourself clear last week?"

146"Yes."

"And his response told you he was done with you?"

"Yes."

Trace didn't need to hear any more. Never having met him, the randier still did not trust this man. There was no point in saying so, but he was glad Cassidy would have no further dealings with him:

Trace suddenly realized that Cassidy had put her sewing away and asked, "Are you ready to go?"

"I just have to get my bag."

Trace locked the shop door and waited for her at the bottom of the outside stairs. As soon as she came with her bag, he took it from her, helped her into the wagon, and headed out of town.

Cassidy settled into her bed at the ranch. She had accompanied Meg to her room when it was time to put Savanna down and was able to tell the other woman about the man who had come to town looking for her, sure that he was some sort of investigator.

It had felt good to talk about it. She had cried a little, as had Meg, but then Meg had prayed with her and told her they would trust God for whatever the future held.

Once Savanna was asleep, the two women had gone back downstairs and the four adults had played a game. It made for a later night than usual, but the time had been worth it. It had taken Cassidy's mind from her troubles and reminded her that God had provided these dear friends. He would go on providing everything else she needed.

"It's okay," Brad said quietly to his teary wife, holding her close on the dark porch at Jeb and Patience's. "It'll go by fast," he added, as much for himself as for her.

147"You always say that," Meg said, "and it always does, but I still always cry."

Brad smiled and kissed her again. He had brought Meg and Savanna, with everything they needed, to town. He and Trace would leave in the morning from the ranch, along with a crew of five for the cattle drive. He hoped to be gone no longer than two weeks, but that wasn't up to him. The elements and the auction once they arrived in Burton would determine all of that.

Brad held her as long as he dared. The temptation was strong to stay with her in town, but he fought it. They kissed again, Brad squeezing the breath out of her with his pent-up emotions. He slipped back inside to give Savanna one more kiss; it was as hard to leave her as it was his wife.

Meg watched Brad ride away until the darkness covered him and she could no longer hear the horse's hooves. When Savanna was older, she would have to put up a brave front, but not this year. This year she would cry as always. She was suddenly glad it was almost bedtime. From the past she knew that sleep was the best thing for her.

Brad, his mind half in town and half on the trip he and Trace would start at daybreak, got himself home as fast as he could. He wouldn't cry, but he also knew that the best thing for him at the moment was sleep.

"Good morning," Patience greeted Jeanette, who was at the Dorns' door first thing Tuesday morning. "I thought we might see you." "Too early?"

"Not at all. Come in and join us for breakfast."

Jeanette did not need to be invited twice. Meg and the baby were in town, and she had the entire day off. It was not an opportunity to be missed.

148"Hello, Halston," Cassidy said with a certain level of surprise. The man appeared in her shop on Tuesday afternoon.

"Good day, Miss Norton. Is this a convenient time to place an order?"