Cassidy (Big Sky Dreams 1) (25 page)

"It was good."

"Did you talk about the future?"

"We talked a little bit about her business, and that was it." "Will she try to keep the business after you're married?"

207"I doubt it, but we haven't gotten that far."

Brad studied his younger brother. "You've gone about this backward, but I think it can still work."

"I don't know how either one of us did it," Trace admitted, "but the feelings are all there."

"How you kept them from each other, your true feelings?" Brad clarified.

"Yeah. It didn't happen overnight, but I sure couldn't tell what she was thinking before I kissed her."

"And she would say the same about you."

Trace nodded in agreement, but he wasn't sorry for any time they might have lost. If the truth be told, he wouldn't change a thing. Cassidy was his friend. He believed she would someday be his wife as well, and in his thinking that was the finest way to go about it.

Cassidy didn't have to think about sewing when she sewed. Hiram's pants were a little bit tricky in places, but for the most part, her mind could drift to other things. It was for this reason that she put the pieces together on Thursday afternoon. She didn't know why she hadn't caught it before, but it was astonishingly clear. Neal had beat up Abi Pfister. He hadn't wanted information about her book but about the townsfolk. It was just the sort of information her brother would have been looking for, and clearly Neal was working with him for that very reason.

Feeling upset but trying to hold her emotions in check, Cassidy closed the shop thirty minutes early and went to Abi's house. She wasn't sure she'd be welcome, but she was going to try. No one answered the door. Cassidy tried for a good five minutes before giving up and going to see Rylan. He answered right away.

"I need to tell you something," Cassidy said, wasting no time when he joined her on the porch. "Neal-the man who works with my brother-I'm sure he's the man who attacked Abi Pfister."

208"Why do you think that?"

Cassidy explained her theory. It sounded logical to Rylan save for one aspect.

"How would your brother and Neal know Abi would have information on the residents of Token Creek?"

"I didn't hear from my brother for about a week after our last meeting. I knew he was in town, but he wasn't coming to see me because I was not helping him. I'm sure he used that time to gather what information he could. With the way Abi goes about her research, she would be a hard person to miss. I'm sure they thought she could tell them who the wealthy folks in town were, and Edson could make his mark."

Rylan could not help but agree and asked, "Have you told Abi this?"

"I was just there and no one answered. I wanted you to know so you can tell her how sorry I am."

"It's not your fault."

"I don't know about that. If I had warned everyone, my brother and Neal wouldn't have stuck around. If everyone had been onto their game, it would have chased them out of town."

"Don't take this on yourself, Cassie," Rylan warned in all sincerity. "It's clear to you now, but you don't know how it would have all turned out. Neal's violence could have been turned on you. They would have seen your interference as a good reason for retaliation."

Cassidy had not thought of that. Her heart had been heavy, and she'd been full of guilt, but Rylan had suggested an aspect she hadn't thought of. And she needed to hear it. She had been certain that Edson would not send Neal after her, but in truth, with a man like that there was always a risk.

"Are you all right?" Rylan asked.

"Yes. And thank you for what you said. I've been a little naive about what Edson is capable of. I think I needed to be more cautious than I was."

209 "I'm going to let Sheriff Kaderly know your theory. I'm sure he'll agree with you."

"And Abi? Will you please tell her, and tell her how sorry I am?"

"I will, Cassie, but I don't think you need to apologize. I'm sure she'll see it the same way."

Cassidy thanked him, said she was getting cold, and walked home. She wished Trace were in town. It was the kind of thing she wanted to talk to him about, and not being able to left her feeling a little empty inside. Of course she was learning swiftly that not seeing him and talking to him every day left her feeling that way no matter if she had news to share or not.

Hiram's pants were pressed and ready to go. Cassidy had decided to take care of the delivery first thing rather than leave a note on the door, but it also meant opening a little late. .

She walked swiftly toward the Brickel mansion, determined to keep things brief. She was hoping that Halston would come to the door where they could make a swift exchange and the seamstress could be on her way.

"Good morning," Hiram said, answering the door, looking so pleased that Cassidy knew he'd been waiting for her.

"Good morning, Mr. Brickel."

"You're wearing your hair down," he said. "I like it."

"Here are your pants," Cassidy said pointedly, holding out the stack.

"Thank you. They look fine, and you can call me Hiram."

"I'm glad you're pleased," Cassidy said, ignoring the personal emark. "I have to get right back and open the shop."

"Isn't Mrs. Fulbright watching things for you?"

"She doesn't work for me anymore," Cassidy explained.

Hiram had been so busy trying to think of ways to persuade her

210to marry him that this fact had escaped him.Hedidn't let on about this but realized it did complicate matters.

"I'll come when you-close this evening. You'll have time to talk then."

"No, I won't. Trace Holden will be coming for me, and I won't have time."

"Trace is someone special?" Hiram asked, keeping his voice even.

"Yes," Cassidy said as she turned toward the door. She wanted to be paid but could see it was going to take some doing.

"Is he the reason you won't marry me?"

"One of many, yes," Cassidy said, not beating about the bush. "Please send my payment, Mr. Brickel. Good day."

Cassidy was back out the door before he could object. It would not have surprised her to see him later that day, but at the moment she did not have time to worry about it. It was always possible that someone would want to give her business, and for that reason alone she was determined to be open.

"How are you?" Rylan asked of Abi, sitting across from her in the hotel.

"I'm fine," she said in a voice that did not inspire confidence.

She had finally sent for him. The weather had turned cold, so they could not go for a walk or sit outside. Abi had looked at him strangely when he said he would not come into her house alone, but she had still agreed to meet in public.

"Did you speak with Sheriff Kaderly?" Rylan asked when Abi stayed quiet.

"Yes. Why did Cassidy Norton tell on her own brother?" "What he did was wrong. Cassidy knows that. She's very sorry about what happened to you."

211"She came to the house," Abi said. "I couldn't get to the door, but Missy saw her."

"She tried to talk to you before she came to me."

"And then you went to the sheriff?"

"Yes."

The table fell quiet for a moment, but Rylan didn't let it last. "Your bruises look like they're healing."

"Some say I deserved it," Abi said quietly. Said my book was nothing but a nuisance."

"Did that make you mad?"

"Yes! I work hard. Folks don't know."

"Is your book more important, or are people more important?"

"What are you talking about? The book is about people."

"Some of whom are not even alive or do not live in Token Creek anymore. I think your book is an interesting idea, but you don't care whom you insult or how you treat folks. That's not going to endear people to you."

"So that's why I got hurt? God is punishing me?"

"You got hurt because a sinful man wanted something he thought you had. I do not think you deserved what happened to you, and I don't think God feels that way either, but He allowed it to happen for a reason, a reason we may never know. At any rate, I hope you won't ignore that or be so angry about it that you can't hear anything I'm saying."

"And you think you have all the answers?" Abi asked, her face flushing in agitation.

"Not at all," Rylan said gently, "but if you recall you asked for me, and when I came you had some serious questions about God. I hope you'll want to talk about that again."

"I'm afraid of what He'll do to me next," Abi admitted. "Why are you afraid of Him?"

"He's God. He can do anything."

"Who taught you about God?"

212"My grandfather was a pastor, but then he left my grandmother. I don't know why. I haven't cared for pastors for a long time."

"I can see how you would feel that way," Rylan said, thinking how hard it must have been. "How will you know you can trust anything I have to say?"

"Kaderly says you're all right. He says you've helped lots of folks."

Rylan nodded and then asked, "Do you want to know why I am the way I am?"

Abi nodded, for once her book the furthest thing from her mind.

"I've read in my Bible that God sent His Son to die for all men," Rylan continued. "I've also read that the only way to have a relationship with God is through His Son. I need that relationship. I need it more than I need my next breath. So I did what the Bible said. I believed on the Lord Jesus Christ to save me from my sins.

"I didn't go around beating on other people, but I still was and am a sinner. I wanted salvation for my sins. God offered me that and a life as His child. I accepted and believed. I don't always do the right thing. I still sin, but the shed blood of Jesus was poured out for my sins, and I'm forgiven.

"There is nothing sweeter in all of the world than being forgiven. And the best news is, there's room for all. For all who see things God's way and believe on His Son, there is forgiveness and life as His child."

Abi thought she might have forgotten to breathe while he was talking. Her grandfather had tried to scare folks into doing things God's way. Pastor Jarvik spoke of forgiveness, and Abi would have been a liar if she'd said she wasn't interested.

"Do you talk about this on Sundays?" Abi eventually asked. "This and much more."

"What time do you preach?"

"The service starts at ten o'clock."

213 Abi nodded, relief coursing through her. She could hear more. She could think on what he'd said and hear more about it in the morning.

"I think I'll come."

"I hope you will," Rylan invited.

Abi didn't say anything for a moment. Rylan was about to ask her if she'd changed her mind and wanted some coffee or something to eat, but she suddenly grew intense.

"I want to go see Cassidy Norton. Will you go along?" "Certainly," Rylan agreed, surprised but still willing.

There was no further discussion. Abi got to her feet, and Rylan paid for his coffee. With their coats back on, they started down the street.

"You're welcome, Mrs. Potts. I hope you'll enjoy it."

"Has anyone else been in?" that lady said, something of a bee in her bonnet concerning Cassidy's situation.

"As a matter of fact, Mrs. Ferguson from next door asked me to mend some clothing. She found holes 'in some Of her winter wear."

"Good!" Mrs. Potts said, taking her leave a moment later, leaving Cassidy smiling in her wake. She was getting ready to start on the mending when Rylan walked in, Abi with him.

"Hello," Rylan greeted, entering first. Abi had started to hang back and entered rather slowly behind him.

"Hello," Cassidy said in return.

"Is this a good time?" Rylan asked.

"Certainly," Cassidy said and turned directly to the other woman. "How are you, Abi?"

"I heard what you did," Abi said with her typical lack of social skills.

"I'm just sorry you got hurt."

"Did you get hurt?"

214"Not like you did," Cassidy said, not quite sure how to answer. She fought the urge to look at Rylan, wishing she knew exactly what to say.

"Why didn't you tell people who your brother was before I got hurt?" Abi wanted to know.

"I didn't want him to find me," Cassidy said quietly.

Neither Rylan nor Cassidy could tell what Abi was thinking. She glanced around as though she was going to say more, but didn't. "I have to go" was what abruptly came out.

The pastor and seamstress both said goodbye as Abi moved toward the door, but Abi didn't answer. Rylan made sure that Cassidy was all right before he went on his way, but it was any man's guess as to whether the local author would be in church in the morning.

"How was your day?" Trace asked once they had cleared town on their way to the ranch. He had brought blankets and had Cassidy well wrapped for the ride.

"It was interesting," Cassidy said, wondering where to start. She didn't think he knew about the marriage proposal. She had not talked with him concerning Neal hurting Abi. Rylan and Abi's visit was on her mind, and Sheriff Kaderly had come the day before to question her about her thoughts on Neal. She knew she just had to start somewhere and did.