by Lori Wick
Trace pulled the wagon to a stop outside Cassidy's shop the way he always did. The weather was getting cold these days, and he turned to make sure he'd remembered the blankets. Not until that moment did he see the sign in the shop window that said it was closed. Trace didn't think he was running late but then remembered that Jeanette had plans to change the days and times.
All thoughts of this went out of his head, however, when he looked up to see Cassidy walking swiftly toward him. In the back of his mind he too wondered where her coat was, but at the moment he was just glad to see her.
"Hey, Cass."
"What are you doing here?" Cassidy blurted, not having seen him until he spoke.
"What am I doing here?" Trace asked, wondering what he'd done wrong. It took a moment for him to really see Cassidy's face. "What is it, Cassidy?"
"Edson and Neal," she said in a rush. "They have Jeanette." "Inside?"
"Yes."
Trace's eyes flicked to the window and saw nothing. Without moving his body or his head, he said, "Stand right there, Cass. My rifle is in the wagon."
"Neal has a knife," she whispered, shaking almost violently. "He'll use it."
270"When I give the sign, do as they told you. I'll be coming in right behind you."
Trace moved to the wagon, fear gripping him that he was being watched, but knowing he didn't have a choice. Cassidy had stopped outside the door, but when Trace nodded to her, she tried the handle. It was locked, and it took a moment for Edson to open it. When he did, he found the barrel of a rifle coming over his sister's shoulder directly into his face.
"Easy now," Edson said, backing his way into the room.
"That's what you need to tell your friend," Trace countered.He'd already entered, pushed Cassidy behind him, and watched Neal's knife come to Jeanette's throat.
"We just want our money," Edson tried.
"Who's money?" Trace asked to stall.
"Re money Cassidy said I could have," Edson lied.
Or you'll what?" Trace had his eyes only on Neal now. "Kill my aunt? I can't let you do that. Or maybe-" Trace suddenly swung the rifle until it was nearly touching Edson's nose, not bothering to finish the sentence. "Now how about you tell Neal to drop the knife."
"You heard him," Edson said, not bothering to hide his fear. "Let her go."
"We can do this," Neal urged, saying his first words.
"No, Neal," Edson said, studying the eyes of the man with the rifle. If Jeanette Fulbright was his aunt, this was Cassidy's intended, and Edson could see that he was not afraid to use his weapon.
Trace's eyes had gone back to watching Neal, but he hadn't moved the gun. For that reason, Neal thought he could make it. He pushed Jeanette away from him, shoving the knife into her back at the same time, but also giving Trace a clear shot. Trace fired the gun. Neal and Jeanette went down at the same time. Cassidy dodged around Trace and ran for Jeanette. At the same moment Trace put a fist into Edson's jaw, knocking him out cold.
"Jeanette!" Cassidy called her name, touching her as she knelt beside
271her and staring at her bloodless face. Jeanette didn't answer. Folks began to arrive, Sheriff Kaderly and Chandler among them. Someone ran for the doctor, and for a moment there was general mayhem.
"Here, Cass." Trace was beside her, trying to find a pulse in Jeanette's neck. "She's alive," he said before removing the knife and pressing his handkerchief onto the wound.
The minutes that followed were a blur. Cassidy felt hands move her so Doc Ertz could come through. She was not even aware that Chandler had taken this on himself, not wanting her to notice Neal's body, which lay unmoving past Jeanette's.
When Jeanette was finally moved, the blood that had spread on the back of her dress was almost more than Cassidy could take, but she wanted to stay close to her. Chandler held her out of the fray, and when he saw that she was going to follow the wagon to Jeanette's house without her coat, he again stepped in.
While Chandler was helping her with her coat and gloves, she caught herself and said something that astounded the banker. He didn't think it a good idea but couldn't bring himself to argue. He helped Cassidy down the street.
Trace's mind was completely centered on his aunt and the fact that his hand was working to stop the flow of blood. He asked someone to go for Brad, and when he looked up and found Rylan nearby, he had all he could do not to weep.
"How bad is it?" Rylan asked right after the doctor had taken Trace's place and Jeanette was transferred into the house. "I don't know yet."
"Has someone gone for Brad and Meg?"
"I think so."
"Where is Cassie?"
"I don't know," Trace said again, and Rylan just stayed close, no more questions coming from him.
272 Jeanette was settled in her own bed with as little fuss as those carrying her could make. Stopping the bleeding became the next order of business. Trace hated not being needed, but he stayed out of the way as much as possible and prayed, glad to catch sight of Rylan from time to time.
Almost an hour passed before he began to look for Cassidy. Trace assumed she was in the house, but she was not upstairs. Brad and Meg had already arrived, and when he checked, Heather and Becky had not seen her. Not until Trace had gone downstairs and was almost to the front door did he see Chandler. That man stopped him.
"I thought you would want to know that Cassie went to the sheriff's office."
"Did she say why?"
"No. Her brother was taken there, and she was going to go no matter what, so I made sure she made it. I also returned her money to the bank. She dropped it in the shop."
"Thanks, Chandler," Trace said, trying to gather his thoughts. "Rylan is somewhere here in the house. Will you let him know that I've gone to get Cassie?"
"Certainly."
"Thanks," Trace said, and started out the door. Chandler stopped him long enough to hand him a coat. Trace went out the door without another word.
Even with the blanket around her and her coat on, Cassidy shivered violently. Sheriff Kaderly watched her, wishing someone would come, not knowing what to say or do. She had been sitting outside her brother's cell for nearly an hour. Edson Sinclair had not gained consciousness, but that hadn't driven Cassidy away. When the door opened and Trace walked in, the lawman had all he could do not to sigh with relief.
273"Cassie?" Trace said quietly, and that woman stood and walked into his arms.
"How is Jeanette?"
"They think they have the bleeding stopped."
"You should be there," Cassidy said.
"Yes, but I was worried about you."
"I'm all right," she said with more strength than she felt. "I have some things to say to Edson."
"He's not going anywhere," Trace said, concerned about how violently she shivered. "We'll ask Sheriff Kaderly, but I'm sure he's going to hold him."
"That's right," the sheriff said from behind them.
"I want you to come to the house with me."
Cassidy began to shake her head, but Trace was having none of it. "I want you to," he said, not sure she was thinking clearly. "Your brother can wait."
Cassidy was going to plead her case again, but Trace gave her no chance. He took the blanket from her shoulders and put it on the bench. Thanking the sheriff, he ushered her to the door.
"You'll hold him, won't you?" Cassidy got in before Trace could get her away.
"Yes, Miss Norton. He'll be here."
"I want to talk to him," Cassidy said.
Trace didn't trust the sound of her voice. He thought she would be sobbing any moment, which he knew might be for the best, but it didn't happen. Her hand safely tucked into his, she allowed herself to be led down the street. Trace prayed for her and for himself. At the moment, it didn't seem that life would ever be the same again.
"She's asking for you" was the first thing Trace and Cassidy heard when they reached Jeanette's. Trace helped Cassidy with her coat, even though she was still trembling, before leaving his own ne
arby
274and following Cassidy up the stairs. They entered Jeanette's room, going slowly to the bed and saying her name.
"Jeanette?" Cassidy tried when Jeanette didn't hear Trace. She finally opened her eyes a bit.
"Cassie?"
"Right here."
"Trace?"
"I'm here," the man said.
Jeanette sighed.
"Just rest," Cassidy said.
Jeanette closed her eyes, and Cassidy turned away from the bed. Meg spoke to her in the hall, but she didn't answer. Meg would have gone after her, but Trace was there. He followed her down the stairs and into the small parlor, where he'd asked for her hand in marriage. He then watched the way she crowded as close to the fire as she could get.
"Why did I go to the jail?" she suddenly asked, her face telling how stricken she felt.
"I don't know," Trace had to admit. "It must have made sense to you at the time."
"Jeanette could have died, and I wouldn't have been here. I'm sorry, Trace. I'm so sorry."
Trace came close, and Cassidy clung to him, holding on for all she was worth. Trace didn't know when he'd felt so tired and cold, but it was a relief to touch this precious woman. Still managing to keep Cassidy close, he pulled the sofa closer to the fire and got blankets for both of them. Wrapped up but still shivering, they sat close to each other and the fire and tried to make sense of what had happened.
"Rylan?" Jeanette asked the person by the bed. She thought it might be Brad.
275"He's here in the house somewhere. Do you want him?" Brad answered.
"Did he pray?" Jeanette asked.
"Yes. Just a little while ago. We weren't sure you were awake." "Savanna?" Jeanette asked next.
"Meg is feeding her, and you need to stop taking care of everyone else."
Jeanette managed a smile, and Brad felt tears rush to his eyes. There was so much he would say if his throat would just work.
"I'll make it, honey," she said to him, her hand rising to take his.
Brad did nothing to stem the tears that slipped down his cheeks. This was the only mother he'd known for nearly ten years. Not having her in his life was not something he'd ever considered. Brad asked God to give them more time for the simple reason that he knew his heart needed her.
stretch of quiet in the small parlor, finally warm, some of the shock receding.
"Awful," Trace said. "My heart feels like lead in my chest." "I'm sorry," Cassidy said. "I'm sorry I wasn't here with you." "It's all right," Trace said, his hand gently touching her face before
taking her hand again. "You were upset too."
Cassidy nodded, thankful for his understanding but wishing she'd been there.
"What do you want to say to Edson?"
Cassidy shook her head in wonder. "How much longer, Edson? How many more people need to be hurt or die so you can have money you didn't work for?' I want to hear from his lips why he thinks he has the right."
"I don't know if that's the best thing to do," Trace said. "But I don't think I have the energy to discuss it right now."
Cassidy nodded. She did want to discuss it, but it didn't matter
276when. Earlier, when she was so hurt and angry about what had hap pened, it made complete sense. But now she realized that she didn't have to have her say. She would ask Edson those questions if she had the chance, but if not, Edson still had to answer for his actions. He was grown up enough to ask those questions of himself and make changes if he so desired.
Cassidy was about to tell Trace what she'd decided when Rylan joined them.
"How are you?" he asked, taking a nearby chair.
"Just fair," Trace said honestly. "A lot is still a blur."
Rylan did not want to ask a lot of probing questions, even though many were on his mind. God had a plan for this day-Rylan was confident of that-but it didn't change the fact that part of the plan was trauma and heartache for some of his flock.
The three were talking quietly, not dwelling on any one topic overly long, when Becky arrived with a tray of food.
"Now, Becky," Rylan began. "You do not need to be waiting on us." "Yes," she said quietly. "I think I do."
The three thanked her, not missing her red eyes or the slow, weary way she moved as she left them. No one would have said they were hungry, but the aromas coming from the assortment of dishes she had assembled smelled good. Rylan had a small plate of food and then went to find Brad and Meg. Rylan sat with Jeanette while the couple ate. Arrangements were made to have someone head to the ranch and see to the stock. The family had plans to stay very close to Jeanette.
"How long do I have to stay here?" Edson asked from his cell on Sunday morning. He well remembered the last time he'd been jailed and did not like it.
"That's hard to say," Sheriff Kaderly answered from the desk, not bothering to look at the other man.
277"What happens next?" Edson asked, his memory failing over this part.
"I'm sure that depends on the condition of Jeanette Fulbright."
"Has anyone been in? Cassie?" Edson asked, sounding pathetic to the sheriff's ears and astounding the man when he didn't even ask about Jeanette's condition.
"She was here."
"When?"
"Yesterday."
"Is she going to get me out?"
"It doesn't work like that, Mr. Sinclair."
Edson had more questions, but Kaderly was done. He left while the prisoner was still speaking, wondering if the man had a lick of sense to his name.
"You didn't have a choice," Brad told Trace in plain terms. The men were alone for the first time.
"I hope you're right."
"I don't want you to trouble over that." Brad sounded firm.
Trace did not look convinced, but Brad was not done.
"I was on a walk early this morning and saw Sheriff Kaderly. He found two more knives on Neal. If you hadn't shot him, he could have used those on someone else-you or Cassie or someone right outside the shop who got in his way."
Trace's eyes closed at the thought, even though he hated thinking about what he'd done.
"I wish it had been me," Brad went on to say. "I wish I could take it for you."
Tears had come to the older brother's eyes, and seeing them, Trace felt his own fill his throat. Not many men were blessed with brothers like Brad Holden. It was not something he took for granted, and he was never gladder than now.
278Trace could not speak-his throat would not work-but his nod told Brad he understood. Not five minutes later, Rylan was at the door, both men very glad to see him.
"Many of you have asked me what you can do," Rylan said from the pulpit after he'd explained what had happened the evening before. "Thank you for that. I was at the house this morning. Jeanette is resting comfortably. The bleeding has stopped, but it was significant. It will take some time for Jeanette to regain her strength, but at this time Doc Ertz believes she'll do well.
"Immediate needs include the ranch, since Brad and Trace are at the house for the rest of the day. Stock was seen to last night and this morning, but if someone could go tonight and tomorrow morning, that would be a help.
"I would not worry about meals right now Becky likes to have something to do, and townsfolk were making deliveries when I left last night. Cassidy is not going to try to keep the shop open, but I have the key if someone would be willing to do some unpleasant cleanup."
It would have been impossible for Rylan to miss the tears in some folks' eyes, and he continued gently. "I was comforted by some verses from Psalm 119 this morning. And I would like to read them to you. 'This is my comfort in my affliction; for thy word hath quickened me. I remembered thy judgments of old, 0LORD;and have comforted myself. Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.'
"We can turn to God because we know He never changes. The comfort He has given His children for generations is still ours today. God does not protect us from every hurt that can befall man. Death and
injury are with us always, but God's comfort is also there. As you pray for Jeanette and her family, ask God to help them remember His plan and His comfort. And that He is a God who saves again and again."
279Rylan took time to pray and then had the other three elders come and pray as well. The service was dismissed early so folks could volunteer and get organized to help. Rylan planned to head to Jeanette's when everyone had cleared out. He was sure the family would benefit from knowing he had more offers for help than he could use.
tr
"How are you?" Cassidy asked, sitting close to Jeanette's bed. For the time being, it was just the two of them.
"Tired," Jeanette answered, but there was a smile in her voice.
"It's nice that you have nothing to do," Cassidy teased gently.
"It's nice that you're not hurt. That's what scared me the most."
"Then we have something in common. I was terrified for you."
They looked at each other for a long time. It had been awful and would be awful in their minds for a long time, but it was over.
"I'm so glad you're going to be my girl," Jeanette said, her hand squeezing Cassidy's just a little. "You have been for a long time, but marrying Trace will make it official."
Cassidy smiled, not telling Jeanette that she had been thinking they might have to postpone the wedding. They couldn't get married without Jeanette. That wouldn't do at all.
Trace joined them just then, smiling when he saw Jeanette's eyes open. He leaned down and kissed her brow and stood close.
"I'm sorry you had to do that," Jeanette said. "I'm sorry, Trace."
Trace didn't try to answer. He was sorry too and would wonder for a long time if there was some other way he could have handled it. Jeanette was alive, though, and right now that's all the more his mind could take in.
In light of all that had happened, it was a ridiculous thing for
280Trace to have on his mind, but he could not stop thinking about what he'd seen.
Jeanette was fairing well. Brad, Meg, Savanna, and Trace were back at the ranch, one of them coming in to check on her every day. Cassidy had been to see her brother, but when he showed no remorse, wanting only for her to find a lawyer who could get him out, she kept her words and time brief and left Edson Sinclair to his own thoughts.
