by Cindy Kirk
He could almost hear her voice urging him to put more emphasis on God’s power to forgive. No matter how horrible your sins might seem, you could lay them at the cross and be forgiven.
Dan told himself he’d forgiven her for withholding information about her marriage. Reconciliation, well, that was a whole different story.
The fact that he had dated a married woman went against every belief he held.
Would Katie Ruth ever have told him about her Las Vegas marriage if her husband hadn’t shown up wanting a divorce?
He thought of Lindsay. She hadn’t told him about her feelings for Owen until they’d become so apparent, she could no longer deny the truth.
Was it him? Did he make it difficult for people to confide in him?
Dan rested his head in his hands, the sudden pain in his head matching the one in his heart.
This position in Lincolnshire had come at exactly the right time for both him and Katie Ruth. They needed distance to get their heads straight.
Heck, who was he kidding? He’d needed the distance.
Except the miles separating them scarcely mattered, considering he couldn’t get her off his mind.
Katie Ruth stepped into the Daily Grind the Friday before Easter for a quick cappuccino. She smiled, happy to see Cassie behind the counter. With her wedding fast approaching, Cassie had been working only a handful of hours at the coffee shop.
Though she normally didn’t drink caffeine this late in the day, Katie Ruth needed the jolt. She barely slept at night, and when she did sleep, her dreams were filled with Dan.
“A cappuccino wet, please.” Katie Ruth smiled at Cassie. Next month, Cassie would wed a man who’d only recently come back into her life. Despite their short time together, it was obvious the two were meant to be together. “Ready for the big day?”
The second she asked the question, Katie Ruth realized that an odd silence had descended over the shop. The dining area had gone silent. When Katie Ruth turned, she found all eyes on her and Cassie.
No doubt hanging on Cassie’s every word, since the woman was marrying former NFL superstar Krew Slattery.
“There’s something I want to show you.” Cassie motioned to Katie Ruth, then turned to Ryder, who’d stepped out from the back. “Could you watch the counter for a few minutes?”
Ryder glanced at Katie Ruth, then back at Cassie. Something seemed to pass between them. “Take your time.”
Only when they were seated in the back office, with the door closed, did Katie Ruth apologize. “I’m sorry about asking about your wedding. I know you and Krew are—”
“Is that why you think everyone was looking at us?” The kindness in Cassie’s eyes had Katie Ruth shifting in her seat. “Because they were hoping for wedding details?”
Katie Ruth nodded. “Why else?”
“The news is out.”
“What news?”
The pity on Cassie’s face told Katie Ruth her and Dan’s breakup had become public knowledge.
“They know about Dan and I breaking up, don’t they?”
“That’s not what has the gossip mill churning overtime.”
“What, then?”
“They know about your marriage.”
Katie Ruth remembered vividly the day her parents had told her about their lifestyle. The air had simply left her lungs. She hadn’t been able to catch her breath. She felt that same way now.
“My marriage?” Her words seemed to come from far away.
Cassie reached over and took her hand. “Look at me.”
Katie Ruth did as Cassie ordered, gazing into the soft blue eyes. If anyone knew what it was like to be the subject of gossip, it was this woman.
“Take it from me, the best thing you can do is hold your head high and ignore them.” Cassie shook her head as if banishing bad memories. “Your friends, those people who you can count on, will stand with you until the talk dies down.”
“How-how did you find out?” As far as Katie Ruth knew, only two other people knew of the situation, and neither of them would talk.
“It’s all over Good Hope.”
Katie Ruth flinched, realizing the look Ryder had exchanged with Cassie told her that even he knew.
“Hey, think of it this way. The secret is out there. No need to worry about people finding out.”
Katie Ruth gave a little laugh. “Because they already know.”
“Exactly.” Cassie squeezed the hand she still held. “You’re a strong person, Katie Ruth. You’ll get through this and be better for the experience.”
“How do you figure?”
“You’ll know firsthand what it’s like to have people spread lies and half-truths about you. This experience will give you even more empathy for the kids in your youth group and at the Y.” Cassie sat back. “You got through the gossip about your parents. You’ll get through this as well.”
“I didn’t think the marriage was valid.” Katie Ruth found herself wanting to explain even though Cassie hadn’t asked. “Until Judd, he was the guy I married in Vegas, came and told me we needed to get a divorce.”
“I figured you didn’t know.” Cassie paused for a long moment. “I imagine it came as quite a shock to Dan.”
The lump pressing against Katie Ruth’s windpipe had her clearing her throat before speaking. “I understand why he didn’t want to be with me any longer. Still…”
“Given time, sooner or later, everyone we love will disappoint us.” Cassie’s eyes took on a faraway look. “Because they, like us, are human.”
“He didn’t even try to understand my side.”
“Dan is a wonderful minister. A fine man. But I’m betting he hasn’t dealt with situations like this in his personal life.”
“How many situations can there be when you find out the woman you love…I mean, the woman you’ve been dating is married?”
“Not many, hopefully.” Cassie’s smile flashed before her expression turned serious. “But this isn’t about facing crazy telenovela situations. This is about tossing aside your pride and your hurt and trusting your heart. It’s easy to talk about forgiveness, to tout putting aside the past because we’ve been forgiven. It’s a lot harder to do when your own heart is hurting.”
“I don’t want to be angry with him.”
“Then don’t be. But don’t let him off the hook entirely. He may be hurting, but you’re dealing with your own pain.”
“He won’t be back.” Then Katie Ruth added, “Maybe to Good Hope, but not to me.”
“Then he isn’t the one for you. Remember what I said. Keep your head up.” Cassie stood and flashed a grin. “Refusing to play the guilty party drives judgmental people crazy.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Katie Ruth was prepared to walk out of the shop with her head held high. The mental practice took her back to her middle-school years immediately after her parents had been the ones feeding the gossip mill.
You got through that time. You’ll get through this.
With each step toward the door, she felt more determined. She would not apologize to strangers for a youthful mistake. Granted, this was a big one, but it was innocuous if you considered its impact.
“Have a good day.” Katie Ruth nodded in Ryder’s direction as she rounded the counter, the glass door in sight.
There were several people pushing inside, so Katie Ruth slowed her steps.
The smile faded when she saw Mitch, a city parks supervisor. Now paunchy and balding, he’d been one of the boys who’d made her life hell as a teenager. In high school, he would jangle keys in front of her when she walked down the hall, asking if she’d be up for a threesome in his car.
Despite the pleasant aroma of coffee and cinnamon in the air, Katie Ruth’s stomach turned over. Running into him was definitely not what she needed.
Instead of looking away, she met his insolent gaze full on, visualizing him as a bug under her shoe. She’d learned long ago to show no fear.
“Hey, Katie.”
&
nbsp; That was another thing about Mitch. He’d always insisted on calling her by the wrong name.
Not about to engage, she ignored him as if he was someone on the street she didn’t recognize.
“You know, unlike our esteemed preacher, I don’t mind dating a married woman.”
His leer had bile rising. Katie Ruth wished she was like Eliza, who never seemed at a loss for a quick comeback. She settled for rolling her eyes.
Before she could take another step, Mitch reached out. Quick as a snake, his fingers closed around her arm.
Startled, she let out an involuntary cry and tried to jerk away.
He held tight and stepped closer.
Then he was stumbling back, and Ryder was in his face.
“Get out of my shop.” Ryder ground out the words through clenched teeth.
Mitch held up his hands and took a step back. “Hey, I’m a customer. You can’t toss me out.”
“This is my place, and I can toss you out.” Ryder pointed to the door. “Don’t come back. You’re not welcome here.”
Mitch opened his mouth as if to protest.
Ryder held up a hand. “Say one more word, and I’ll call Cade and have you arrested for assault.”
“I didn’t want any damn coffee anyway.” He turned and strode out the door, slamming his palm against the jamb.
The buzz of conversation became a groundswell.
Ryder turned to the patrons in the dining area. “Show is over, folks.”
When Katie Ruth left the shop, Ryder was at her side. She was grateful. Not that she expected Mitch to be waiting for her outside, but still…
“I didn’t mean to cause a scene.”
“You didn’t. He did.” Ryder’s gaze narrowed when Katie Ruth continued to rub her arm. “That’s going to leave a bruise.”
She shrugged. “He’s a jerk. Always has been.”
Despite the casualness of her tone, Katie Ruth once again felt tears pushing at her lids. Determinedly, she blinked them back. “Thanks for what you did back there.”
He fell into step beside her as she continued down the sidewalk. “I know Cassie already spoke with you and probably said as much, but we’ve all got stuff in our past that creeps up on us. I know I do. But it doesn’t define us, so don’t let anyone treat you like it does.”
“Thanks, Ryder.” Katie Ruth touched his hand. “You’re a good friend.”
“Dan is a lucky guy.”
Katie Ruth nodded. Apparently, Ryder hadn’t heard the news and still thought they were together. “He is.”
“When will he be back?”
Never. The thought was like a knife to her heart.
“He’ll be preaching the Good Friday service tonight in Lincolnshire and then the Sunday service after Easter, too.” Katie Ruth stopped. “You should go back. Cassie is swamped.”
His dark eyes searched her face. “If you need anything, I’m here for you. You have friends in Good Hope.”
“As do you.”
“That’s why I stay.” He flashed a smile. “Take care of yourself.”
Oddly, despite the encounter with Mitch, Katie Ruth felt better. Cassie and Ryder had reminded her that she wasn’t alone.
She had friends in Good Hope. She would get through this the same way she’d gotten through the talk about her parents…one day at a time.
The Good Friday sermon at First Christian, by a retired minister out of Eau Claire, centered around forgiveness and God’s love. While the man’s oratory skills were not on Dan’s level, the message was just what Katie Ruth needed to hear.
“Wow. That’s some bruise.” Oaklee leaned down to get a better look when they paused in the vestibule after the service.
“It’s nothing.” Why, oh, why, Katie Ruth thought, had she pushed up her sleeves when the room got too warm?
Cade and Marigold stopped on their way to the exit.
“I heard what happened with Mitch today. I want you to know I’ll be speaking with him.” The sheriff’s gaze dropped to her arm. “Ryder was right. It did bruise.”
“It’s okay—”
“It isn’t okay.” A muscle in Cade’s jaw twitched. “If you want to bring charges—”
“I don’t,” Katie Ruth spoke quickly. “Just tell him to stay away from me.”
“What’s this about?” Oaklee’s brows pulled together in concern.
“I heard about the incident at the Grind.” Hadley placed a hand on Katie Ruth’s shoulder. “If you ever need to talk, I’ve had experience with angry men.”
Katie Ruth looked around the circle of friends that was growing by the second, and a warmth filled her body. One thing all this had taught her was she was surrounded by people who cared.
And then one sour voice broke through.
“I can’t believe you’re in charge of our youth programs.” Edna paused a few feet from Katie Ruth, pulling away when her husband attempted to hurry her along. “Once we get a new minister, I’m going to make it my mission to get you out. You should be ashamed of yourself. A married woman dating around. I—”
“Edna Peabody.” Eliza, part of the group gathered around Katie Ruth, stepped forward. Despite the baby strapped to her chest in a pink carrier covered in frolicking lambs, Eliza remained an impressive force. “It’s you and that daughter of yours who should be ashamed.”
Edna’s sharp chin lifted so high it appeared to be reaching for the heavens. “We only spoke the truth.”
If she thought she could intimidate Eliza Kendrick, the woman was mistaken.
“Judge not.” Eliza’s gray eyes turned to steel. “Go home and read your Bible.”
“I didn’t know I was married, Edna. That situation is being remedied.” Katie Ruth would explain, but she was done apologizing. “I was young and foolish. I made a mistake. That doesn’t change who I am now. I think we can agree there’s not a person in this church who doesn’t fall short of the glory of God.”
Despite Eliza’s steely gaze, Edna opened her mouth.
Katie Ruth plowed ahead. “Eliza’s suggestion was a good one. Perhaps when you do go home and open your Bible, you should pay special attention to John, chapter eight, when Jesus talks about letting he who is without sin cast the first stone.”
“Mom.” One of Edna’s daughters stepped forward and took her arm. “We need to go.”
Minutes later, Katie Ruth and Oaklee said good-bye to their friends and strolled into the warmth of the lovely spring evening.
“I’m going to miss you.” Katie Ruth slanted a glance at Oaklee as they took the sidewalk toward town. Dan had gotten his dad to agree to let Oaklee join the family for Easter. “I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time.”
Oaklee’s gaze remained focused straight ahead. When a tear slid down Oaklee’s cheek, Katie Ruth stopped.
“Sweetie, I know you’re still angry at your parents, but try not to be upset.”
“No, it’s not that.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
“It was me.”
“I don’t understand.”
“It was me who blabbed.” Oaklee went on to explain about the conversation in the dining room at the Living Center.
Not only had she told Gladys, Katherine and Ruby a secret she’d promised to keep, but Edna Peabody’s daughter had apparently heard every word.
“I understand if you hate me.” Oaklee sniffled. “I know you’ll never trust me again.”
“Oaklee.”
Katie Ruth’s firm tone stopped the girl’s tears.
“You needed someone to confide in, so you spoke with people you trust. You couldn’t know that Edna’s daughter was listening in and would repeat what you said in confidence.”
“But—”
“There’s no buts about it.” Katie Ruth softened her tone. “It’s okay.”
“You-you forgive me?”
“Yes, I forgive you.”
“I wish you could be my sister.”
The words punched her heart. “We’re sisters o
f the heart. I’ll always be here for you. Just like you’ll always be here for me.”
Oaklee flung her arms around Katie Ruth’s neck. “I love you.”
Katie Ruth closed her eyes for a second. “I love you, too.”
After a few seconds, Oaklee released her choke hold and blinked away the last of the tears. “Is there anything you want me to say to Dan?”
Katie Ruth’s smile faltered for just a second before she steadied it. “Tell him to just be himself. I know he’ll do awesome.”
Dan’s mother had Easter dinner catered. The china and crystal were out, perfectly spaced on the Irish linen tablecloth. The fact that Oaklee had come was what made the day special for Dan.
His mother had raved so much about his sister’s new haircut and color, Dan wondered if Oaklee would change it as soon as she got back to Good Hope.
“Have you been keeping yourself busy?” Sandra asked her daughter as she passed the potatoes.
Oaklee slapped a dollop of potatoes on her plate and handed the china bowl to Dan. “I’ve been making quilted place mats and table runners, as well as some stuffed animals, for Lindsay.”
“Dan’s Lindsay?” His mother raised a brow.
“She’s not my Lindsay.” Dan passed the potatoes on to his father without taking any. He hadn’t much of an appetite lately. “She’s married with a child.”
“She was yours,” his mother said pointedly.
Despite what his mother thought, Lindsay had never been his. The connection had been tenuous at best. Not like it had been with Katie Ruth…
“Yes, I’ve been working with Lindsay Vaughn.” Oaklee’s tone was matter-of-fact. “In addition to her floral shop and work, she contracts with several artists for specialty items that—”
“Artists.” His father snorted. “Sewing place mats doesn’t make you an artist.”
“You haven’t seen what your daughter can do.” Dan shot his father a warning look. “Her work is beautiful and creative.”
Oaklee favored him a smile as she reached across the table and grabbed a bun from the bread basket.
