“How well do you know Hiram Brickel?”
Cassidy only stared at him, her arms crossed.
“How about Jeanette Fulbright? I know you know her well. Is she as wealthy as she looks?”
“Have I ever told you what happened to me, Edson?” Cassidy began, feeling tired and helpless and unable to find any other words. “It was life changing, I assure you.”
“You’re not going to start that, are you?” Edson suddenly wasn’t so comfortable. “Mama tries that all the time, and I don’t want to hear it.”
“It’s the only thing worth telling you,” Cassidy said, realizing how true it was. “Nothing else has near the value.”
Edson rose to his feet now, and Neal followed suit as he moved toward the door. Cassidy had not started this line of talk to chase them away, and in fact, she truly wanted to tell her brother about the way she’d come to Christ as a seventeen-year-old girl. Her mother had believed at the same time. Edson’s retreating back made it obvious there was no opening here for that news.
“It’s all pointless, Cass,” Edson stopped at the door long enough to say. “If you won’t help me, someone else will.”
“I don’t think so, Edson,” she said quietly. “You need to leave Token Creek. You’re not going to fool anyone here.”
Edson left without another word, Neal in his wake. Cassidy felt shaken over the interchange. They had not threatened her in any way or messed up her apartment, but each time she spoke with her brother it seemed to take a little more out of her. Wondering how much more she could take, Cassidy started on dinner, not really caring whether she ate or not.
“She’s not saying much, but she’s been hit pretty hard,” Sheriff Kaderly said to Rylan as the pastor came into Abi Pfister’s small house on Monday morning. “She asked to see you the moment I got here.”
“Hello, Abi,” Rylan came close to say. Her face was turning black, especially around the eyes, and her mouth had a deep cut. “I’m sorry this happened.”
“Why did it?” the woman rasped, able to see him with just one eye.
“Do you know who hit you?” Rylan asked, not understanding what she meant.
“Why did God?” Abi tried again, and Rylan pulled a chair up.
“Why did God allow this?” Rylan double-checked.
Abi nodded just a little, her one eye looking tear-filled.
“We live in a sinful world, Abi. Whoever did this to you was wrong, but if it’s got you to thinking about God, that’s a good thing.”
“He could have stopped it,” she said.
“That’s true. I wonder how many other things He’s stopped over the years that you know nothing about. For some reason, He let this go on.”
“Please find out what happened,” the sheriff whispered, suddenly near his ear. “I can’t get anything out of her.”
“Do you want to tell me what happened?” Rylan asked.
“I couldn’t see him,” she said.
“Why not?”
“Dark.”
“And he just started hitting you?”
“No. He wanted to know things.”
“What things?”
“About my book.”
Rylan looked at the sheriff, both men frowning in confusion, but her answer did explain why the papers had been strewn about. Before Rylan could ask her anything else, the doctor showed up. Someone had been sent to find him, and that had taken some doing.
Rylan stayed out of the way, but by the time Doctor Ertz was finished, Abi was asleep. Rylan left word with Missy, the woman who had found her hurt, that he would be back later. Abi had started a line of questioning that Rylan was not about to drop. Until Abi said she didn’t want to hear any more, he would keep answering her questions.
On Monday afternoon Edson walked away from the Brickel mansion nearly shaking with rage. That he’d not been able to get past the man who answered the door infuriated him. He knew his sister had gotten in, but not even at his most charming had he been able to persuade the man at the door that he had an investment Hiram Brickel would want to hear about.
His sister had said that no one would fall for his schemes in this town, but he knew that she’d not told the sheriff he was here. Planning to hit two other houses before the day was through, he went back to the hotel for a quick drink and tried to calm down.
“How are you?” Rylan asked when he was back at Abi Pfister’s bedside.
Abi put a hand up in a small wave but didn’t try to answer.
“Do you want me to talk to you any more about the question you asked earlier?” Rylan asked, not wanting to press her when she wasn’t ready but certainly wanting her to know he was willing.
“I’ll send Missy,” Abi managed.
“When you’re ready for me to come back?” Rylan checked.
Abi gave a small nod.
“All right. I’ll plan on that. Do you mind if I pray with you before I leave?”
“No,” Abi said, and Rylan bowed his head.
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Abi Pfister. Thank You that she’s interested in others and wants to write this book about Token Creek. Please put Your healing hand on Abi, Lord. We don’t know exactly how You’re going to use this in her life, but help us to see Your hand working. Thank You, Lord, that Abi and I have had a chance to talk about You. Thank You for being the saving God that You are. Bless Abi this night and help her to rest. I ask all these things in the name of Your Son. Amen.”
The hand came up again when Rylan said goodbye. He left, still praying, hoping that Abi would do as she said and eventually send Missy to get him.
It was Wednesday morning before Edson went back to see Cassidy, and he was not happy. He asked to see her alone when he found Jeanette in the shop as well, and even though she didn’t want to, Cassidy agreed. She walked into the rear of her shop, the part that was partitioned off, and Edson followed. He wasted no time.
“It’s like this, Cass. You help me or I’ll ruin you.”
Cassidy wondered again how much more she could take, but her voice was calm when she said, “I don’t know why you think threats will work on me, Edson. They never have before.”
“You’ve built up a nice little business here, Cassidy. I can’t think why you would want to see it ruined.”
“I don’t know what you’re planning, but no matter what it is, I won’t help you cheat people out of their money.”
Edson’s smile was not nice. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Cassidy didn’t say anything. She let Edson walk away, her heart heavy. Had Jeanette not come to check on her, she might have gone on standing in the back of her store all day.
“Come on,” Jeanette said, having heard every word. “Start your day off now. Head to my house and tell Heather I said to pamper you.”
It sounded wonderful, but Cassidy asked, “What if Edson comes back?”
“Unlike you, he scares me. I’ll send for the sheriff.”
Cassidy had to smile. She knew Jeanette would do it.
“Go,” Jeanette sent her.
Cassidy took the offer. Heather was surprised to see her but recovered swiftly and knew just what to do. Cassidy soon found herself sitting in a comfortable chair, her feet propped up and a cup of hot tea in her hand. Letting the conversation with her brother fall away, Cassidy began to pray. She prayed for Edson for a long time and then for her future. It had always been in God’s hands, but that was never more apparent to her than at that very moment.
There had always been quiet days in the business, but when both Thursday and Friday were almost without customers, Cassidy knew that Edson had been at work. She didn’t know what he was saying or how he was going about it, but he’d been good at his word. He was ruining his sister’s business. Cassidy wondered if he was even still in town or if he had done his dirty work and gone on his way.
One thing was clear, there was no point in Jeanette coming in and sitting around with Cassidy. She could do that on her own. It had been hard for both
of them, but Cassidy had told Jeanette not to come in on Saturday. The older woman had argued, but Cassidy had pled her case, and Jeanette could see that she was right.
It was for this reason that Chandler found Cassidy alone on Saturday morning. The bank was open, but he’d left Mr. Falcone in charge, coming to Token Creek’s dress shop looking for some answers.
“Hello, Cassidy,” the banker spoke quietly.
“Hello, Chandler.” Cassidy’s voice was just as quiet. It was clear that he had something on his mind.
“I wondered if I might talk with you.”
“Certainly.”
Cassidy sat at her sewing machine, and Chandler took one of the chairs. He did not start right away, and Cassidy did not help him. His demeanor made her uncomfortable. Chandler had always been open and friendly with her, but everything about him today was guarded and suspicious.
“I understand your brother is in town,” Chandler said at last.
“Yes.”
Chandler had not expected her to admit this, and for a moment he was taken aback.
“So it’s true,” he said, forgetting all of his carefully planned questions. “Your brother is Edson Sinclair?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“For many reasons,” Cassidy said quietly, feeling attacked and worse about this than about her lack of customers.
“Do you know how I found out?” Chandler asked, his heart telling him he’d been betrayed and still feeling the sting.
Cassidy didn’t answer.
“He came in to see me!” Chandler sounded as outraged as he felt. “Edson Sinclair walked into my bank as though he owned the place and informed me that your name isn’t Norton; it’s Sinclair. He said that you’d helped him on many deals and that the very funds you used to start your business here in Token Creek was money you’d earned together!”
Cassidy said not a word.
“Nothing, Cassidy?” Chandler was not just hurt now; he was angry. “No explanation? No reason for why I had to find out from one of the biggest swindlers in the state that you’re not who you say you are?”
Cassidy felt as though she’d been cut with a knife. That Chandler would treat her this way was beyond what she expected. From the customers it made sense, but not from the church family, and certainly not from her friend Chandler Di Fiore.
While Cassidy’s mind was trying to make sense of the pain and confusion, Chandler suddenly stood.
“It’s clear that I’m not going to hear any more from you now than I have in the past. So I’ll just be on my way.”
Even if Cassidy had been ready to speak, Chandler would not have given her time. He was out the door a moment later, not slamming it, but closing it with a finality that made his feelings all too clear.
Meg had gotten a bit of a cold and ended up running a fever that put her in bed. Jeb had heard the rumors about Cassidy and talked with Patience but not said anything to Meg until Friday night when she’d been feeling better. Meg wasted no time. Arriving just five minutes after Chandler left, she went to her friend and put her arms around her.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner. I just heard. I’m sorry, Cass. I’m so sorry.”
Cassidy didn’t try to speak. She was too emotional for that. She could hold together with nearly everyone, but not with Meg. Meg’s kindness and tenderness were too much, and Cassidy had held her tears for a long time.
“It’s okay,” Meg said, wanting her to cry it all out, her own tears coming. She held her friend, and prayed, and once again missed Brad so much it hurt.
“Here,” Meg said at last. “Sit down.”
Cassidy let herself be led to a chair, and Meg pulled the other one close.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Meg asked.
“I don’t think I can,” Cassidy said, tears closing her throat as she thought about Chandler’s visit again.
Meg didn’t press her but sat with her as long as she dared. She knew Savanna would be looking for milk long before she got back, but she couldn’t bring herself to leave Cassidy alone.
Not until Cassidy assured her that she would be all right—with plans to close the shop early and go to her apartment—did Meg agree to leave.
When Meg got back to the house, she was given the good news from Jeb that Edson was gone. He’d been seen boarding the train with another man. She would tell Cassidy that. She would not, however, tell Cassidy she’d received a telegraph. Brad had been in touch. He and Trace would be home on Monday night. Her good news in the light of Cassidy’s heartache seemed almost cruel.
It did not escape the notice of several people that Cassidy was not in church on Sunday morning, but when all was said and done, only Rylan and Jeanette went to check on her. Jeanette was the first up the stairs, Rylan behind her.
Cassidy answered the door when she heard their knock, not overly surprised to see them. She invited them into the living room and asked if anyone wanted coffee.
“No,” Jeanette said. “We just want to know how you are.”
“I’m all right.”
“Are you ill?” Rylan asked, taking in her pale features and thin cheeks.
“No, just tired.”
“Is that why you didn’t come this morning to church?” Jeanette pressed.
“No, that’s not it.” Cassidy forced herself to be honest. “I just felt it was best to stay away.”
“Best for whom?” Rylan asked.
“For everyone,” Cassidy explained. “I know that not everyone trusts me now. Some believe the rumors my brother started, and I thought I should stay away. At least today.”
“I don’t think that’s true,” Jeanette began, but stopped when she saw Cassidy’s face.
“Did someone say something, Cassie?” Rylan asked.
Cassidy nodded, her face growing a little paler. Jeanette was stunned into silence, and Rylan’s mind was working on how much he should know. He realized that Cassidy didn’t want to speak of it, and he was not going to press her.
“Maybe at some point you’ll want to tell me about it,” Rylan said. He knew it was the right thing when Cassidy looked at him with relief.
“How about some dinner, Cassie?” Jeanette asked, her heart turning over Cassidy’s pain. “Why don’t you and Rylan both come to my house?”
It was clear that Cassidy was going to refuse, but Rylan spoke up.
“I think that sounds like a good idea, Cassie. You don’t have to stay long, but we could give you a rundown of the sermon if you like.”
“I would enjoy that,” Cassidy agreed. It was tempting to stay behind closed doors, but she knew that one of Becky’s meals would be worth the effort of getting out. She needed the fellowship too. It had been hard to stay home, but she still thought it had been for the best. The time at Jeanette’s was probably just what she needed.
“So what will you do?” Jeanette was asking by the end of the meal. They had told her all about the sermon, even the comments shared by others, and which songs they’d sung. In that time Cassidy’s demeanor had changed, and Jeanette knew this question would be welcome.
“It’s funny, but it took coming here to realize what I should do,” Cassidy admitted. “I’ve watched Becky working today, and Heather, and realized there’s more to life than sewing. I mean, it’s what I know how to do, but there are other jobs to be had.”
“How soon will you look for other work?” Rylan asked.
“Not right away. Maybe folks will understand that I’m not like my brother, and business will pick back up. I’ve got about two months of savings I can live on, but after that, I’ll have to look for something.”
“Can you sell your building?” Jeanette asked, knowing Cassidy owned it.
“If it comes to that, I can certainly try,” Cassidy said, but didn’t elaborate. Her building was always meant to be her house fund. When that special man came along and wanted to marry her, she was going to be able to sell her building so they could buy a home together.
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“It’s good to have a plan,” Rylan said, wondering even now if he should press her about the person or people from the church family who had believed her brother’s lies.
“I think I’ll head home,” Cassidy said before Rylan could voice his question. “Thank you so much, Jeanette.”
“You’re welcome.”
“How has it been for you?” Rylan suddenly asked Jeanette, realizing she was out of a job at the moment.
“Not going to work with Cassie?” Jeanette checked. “It’s hard. I’ve been keeping busy around the house, but I miss her and seeing the townsfolk. It’s an amazing opportunity to pray and do good works.”
Cassidy realized this was part of the mourning she was feeling. She missed Jeanette, she missed Trace, and she missed the life that was hers such a short time ago.
Rylan walked Cassidy home, keeping the conversation between them light, but Cassidy was doing some heavy thinking. She realized she’d settled in in a way that had diminished God’s presence in her life.
You’re the only sure thing, Cassidy prayed when she got home. I had forgotten that. I let the business, my friends, and this town make me feel settled and sure. Thank You, Lord, for sending Edson. I needed this reminder.
To repent and remember what she’d been missing was good for Cassidy and gave her new purpose. She went to bed and rose at her normal time. She might not have any customers, but she still had a shop to open, and she was going to do just that.
“Jeb is going to take me home as soon as I’m ready,” Meg told Cassidy on Monday morning. “But I didn’t want to go without checking with you.”
“Thanks, Meg,” Cassidy said, giving her friend a hug. “I’m so glad the men will be home tonight.”
“You’ll come Wednesday?” Meg checked.
“I’ll do better than that,” Cassidy said with a smile. “If things are still this slow, I’ll close for the day and be out after breakfast.”
Her cheerful attitude, coupled with Meg’s great need to see her husband, was too much for her. Meg cried and Cassidy joined her.