by Hope White
When he didn’t correct her, she glanced through the window at the bakery across the street. A young couple walked out holding hands. Her throat started to close with emotion.
What would make her think a man like Nate Walsh would want to commit his life to a naive Pollyanna like Cassie? This thing between them was simply a young girl’s romantic dream, a dream she’d never experienced in her teens because she didn’t get out much due to her illness. She sighed and tried to focus on the good things that had come out of the past few days.
Nothing came to mind.
She’d originally thought the best thing had been the beauty of romantic love blossoming between her and Nate.
She’d fallen deeply in love for the first time and it felt amazing. Until now.
Why can’t he love me?
The ball in her throat grew, threatening to cut off her voice. Cassie needed to escape his office.
She glanced at her phone. “Whoa, it’s almost noon. I forgot I’m interviewing a pet sitter about watching Dasher while I’m gone.” She zipped her coat. “I’m thinking two weeks in Europe will be a good test run to see where I’d like to spend more of my time. But you know Bree and Mom, they’ll worry no matter where I go,” she chatted away, not paying attention to what she was saying.
“Of course they’ll worry. They love you,” Nate said.
But you don’t.
Her heart splintered into tiny pieces as she meandered to the door. Without looking at him again for fear she’d lose it, she started to say something trite in farewell, but stopped herself.
Her last words to the man she loved would not be pithy or disrespectful of her own feelings. She opened the door and said, “God bless.”
She rushed outside and motored down Main Street. It didn’t take long for the tears to break free.
Maybe this was a necessary lesson before she left on her trip. Perhaps she needed to experience heartbreak before she encountered men in a foreign land. Having her heart broken by Nate—the man she would have given up traveling for—would make her more discerning and guarded. A good thing, right?
She bumped into someone on the street. “Sorry,” she said and continued walking.
“Cassie?”
She swiped at her eyes and turned around. Nate’s sister, Catherine, studied her with a puzzled frown.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“Sure, fine. Just late, sorry.” Cassie practically sprinted away from her. Oh great, now the entire town of Echo Mountain would know she was blubbering her way down Main Street like a little girl, a child who’d lost her best friend, which in a sense she had.
Suddenly, she couldn’t get out of town fast enough.
* * *
Nate leaned back in his office chair, staring at the door. It was the only way, the best way. If he’d been honest with Cassie and admitted he loved her, she might shelve her dream of seeing the world and experiencing new things.
He would not be responsible for holding her back.
Besides, she was young at heart, not cynical like Nate. She deserved more than an emotionally damaged cop as a partner in life.
He considered everything she’d done for him, showing him light where he could see only darkness, and opening his heart to a loving, forgiving God, something he’d never even considered before he’d spent time with Cassie.
God, please take care of her.
He worried about her, the way she’d rushed out of his office wearing that strained smile, the one she’d used on her family when they hovered and she wanted them gone.
The office door burst open and his sister stomped her feet on the mat.
“Hey, shouldn’t you be at work?” he said.
Catherine stormed across the room and dropped a brown paper bag onto his desk. “This was for you, but now I’m reconsidering.”
“What is it?” He reached for the bag.
She slapped his hand. “Double chocolate mini muffins, your favorite.” She glared at him with steely green-gray eyes. “What did you do to her?”
“Her, who her?”
“Cassie McBride.”
“I didn’t do anything, other than protect her from the mob.”
“Don’t be a smarty Sam. You’re as bad as Dylan,” she said. “Now, come on, it’s obvious that girl is crazy about you, overlooking your rough edges and bossy nature. She even made you smile in public. I’ve seen it.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“Is there a question here?”
“What did you just say to her?”
“I didn’t say anything.”
She snatched the bag of mini muffins. “Then why was she so upset? She was bawling her eyes out.”
He fisted his hand. He knew he’d hurt her, but hearing it from his sister made it all the more painful.
“I can’t give her what she needs,” he said softly.
“Is that what you said to her?”
“Not exactly, no.”
“Of course not, because you know she’d talk you out of such nonsense. What do you think she needs, Nate, huh?”
“To get out of town and travel, live her dream. She’s earned that right.”
“She’s also earned the right to fall in love and be loved in return. Are you seriously telling me you don’t love that adorable woman?”
“I never said that.”
“Then you do love her?”
“Can I have my muffins?”
“Answer the question.”
“Yes, I love her. That’s why I’m letting her go.”
“You mean, you didn’t tell her the truth, that you love her?”
“I didn’t want to confuse her.”
“She’s a grown woman. Don’t you think it’s up to her to decide? No, of course not, because you’re Nate the great, the police chief, the guy who’s going to make everything right for everyone.” She turned to leave.
“Catherine—”
“Stop.” She whirled on him. “You’ve always challenged me to speak my truth, yet you can’t tell Cassie how you feel because you’re afraid she’ll make the wrong decision. Wrong in whose eyes? Yours?”
“You don’t understand.”
“Sure I do. You don’t think you’re a good enough reason for her to stay in town. Well, guess what, that’s her decision to make. Stop trying to control everything, and stop hurting the love of your life out of some warped sense of sacrifice.” With a shake of her head, his sister marched toward the door. “If you love and respect her you’ll be honest instead of treating her like a child.”
“I’m not treating her like—”
“Swallow your pride and apologize for being a blockhead. ‘I’m sorry.’ It’s two words. And she’s earned them.”
Catherine left and slammed the door.
He tipped back his office chair, considering Catherine’s lecture. Had he been treating Cassie like a child, making decisions for her like her own family had over the past twenty-five years?
Or was this something more?
You don’t think you’re a good enough reason for her to stay in town.
Deep down he felt Cassie deserved better than what Nate could offer. Was that a good enough reason to keep the truth from her, the truth that he loved her with all his heart?
Here he’d been challenging her to speak her truth to her family, yet he’d refused to be truthful with Cassie. What a hypocrite. That certainly wasn’t what an honorable man would do, or a man searching for grace.
He sighed. Lord, I love her. Please show me the way.
* * *
Her family and friends wanted to throw Cassie a party at Healthy Eats Restaurant, a combination “celebrate life” and “bon voyage” party.
She wasn’t in a celebratory mood. It
had been only a few days since they’d closed the smuggling case, a few tense days of keeping herself busy and trying to ignite enthusiasm about her future travels.
For the first time in her life, her heart wasn’t in it.
“I guess that’s what heartbreak does to ya,” she said to Dasher, who snoozed in a doggy bed in the corner of her apartment.
Sure, she’d shopped flights to London, but she hadn’t done much else, nor had she officially booked anything.
The party was meant to be a celebration of life, of making it through dangerous waters and coming out safely on shore.
Which she couldn’t have done without Nate’s help.
A part of her wanted to get a cab, catch a flight out of Sea-Tac and disappear. No, that was childish. But she wasn’t sure what to expect at the party tonight and didn’t want to show up in a sour mood when the guests were cheering her on and wishing her safe travels.
“I’d better not be late for my own party,” she said to Dasher. The dog didn’t stir, his little paws twitching as if he was having a very good dream, probably about racing through an open field.
Cassie slipped into nice black pants and a colorful top. She grabbed her purple shoulder bag and headed to the restaurant.
* * *
There were only three cars in the parking lot, and the blinds were closed. Did she get the date wrong? Was she late? Catherine had said eight o’clock.
She got out of her car and approached the restaurant. A sign was taped to the door: “Come in and celebrate!”
Cassie stepped inside. The lights were low, and soft music drifted across the restaurant.
An empty restaurant.
“Catherine?” Cassie said.
Instead, Nate stepped out of the kitchen. Dressed in a suit jacket, white shirt and jeans, he gripped a bouquet of flowers.
Cassie’s breath caught in her throat.
“It’s just you and me tonight,” he said. “I hope that’s okay.”
“Sure, okay.”
He closed the distance between them and offered her the flowers.
“They’re beautiful,” she said, loving the bright purples and pinks.
He motioned to a table covered in a white linen cloth, with delicate china plates and tulip-shaped water glasses.
Nate pulled out a chair and she sat down, still clinging to the flowers.
He joined her at the table and smiled. “Like the music?”
She nodded that she did, still trying to make sense of what was happening.
“Oh, and I got you something else.” He opened a small white box and slid it across the table. “A charm to add to your key chain.”
“It’s the Swiss flag,” she said, breathless. He remembered she wanted a charm to represent Switzerland.
“How about a drink?” he offered.
She nodded, unable to speak coherently.
“Hey, sis?” he called.
Catherine came into the dining room carrying a pitcher. “Fresh apple-carrot-kale juice with a hint of ginger.” She filled their glasses.
“Cassie, can I put the flowers in water for you?” she offered.
Cassie handed her the bouquet, still speechless. Catherine disappeared into the kitchen.
“I’ll bet you’re wondering what all this is about,” Nate said, studying her.
Cassie nodded that she was, in fact, wondering.
He smiled. “Wow, you’re actually speechless.”
“I don’t want to ruin it,” she blurted out.
“No.” He sighed. “But I almost did.” He pinned her with loving green eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“For...?”
“For not being truthful, for trying to protect you and ending up making decisions for you.”
“I’m confused.”
“I love you.”
Her jaw dropped.
“You had to see that coming,” Nate said.
“Yes, but no...but yes?”
He reached across the table for her hand. She offered it, never wanting to let go.
“I love you so much I didn’t want to ruin your dream of traveling, of going on your adventures.”
“Being with you is an adventure.”
“I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or—”
“It is. You’ve made me forget my need to escape. You’ve taught me to speak my truth. I thought that’s what love looked like.”
“You were right. And I was a jerk, a bossy jerk, according to my sister.”
“You’ve never been bossy with me,” Cassie said. “You’ve been kind and encouraging and supportive. We are good together.”
“What about your travels?”
“Traveling would be more fun if I had an adventurous travel buddy.”
“I might know just the guy.”
“Oh, really?” She smiled.
“If you can wait a year. I’ll have earned more vacation time by then.”
Cassie got up and went to Nate. “My love,” she said, “take all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere.”
She leaned in for a gentle kiss.
And in that moment, all her dreams had come true.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from BREACH OF TRUST by Jodie Bailey
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Dear Reader,
I’m so very excited to present to you the fifth book in my Echo Mountain series, featuring Cassie McBride and Police Chief Nate Walsh. What a great couple!
Cassie is an optimist with a lighthearted nature who’s paired with Nate, the strong silent type who intimidates people just by looking at them. Yet somehow, as Nate plays bodyguard for Cassie in the rugged Cascade Mountains, they help each other work through their personal struggles, and Cassie opens Nate’s heart to the concept of “grace.”
The emotionally guarded chief of police even challenges Cassie to speak her truth with love to her family, something she’s been unable to do. She’d rather escape her hometown and travel indefinitely than tell her mom, brother and sister that their smothering style is driving her away. But before she can speak her truth, Cassie must elude mob guys who think she has taken something of theirs. As Cassie and Nate spend time together, he feels saddened by the thought of losing her once the case is solved and she leaves town. But if he loves her, he won’t hold her back from her dream of traveling.
The theme of speaking your truth with love is woven throughout the pages of this book because I feel it’s essential for healthy relationships. I hope you enjoyed Cassie and Nate’s journey as they learned to come together and embrace truth and faith.
Peace,
Hope White
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Breach of Trust
by Jodie Bailey
ONE
Meghan McGuire dragged her fingers through her short dark hair and scanned the computer screen, fighting an uncharacteristic cold sweat at the message swimming in blue on the display.
It’s time for round two.
He’d returned. The short series of numbers he used as a signature followed the message, leaving no room for doubt. More than a decade of silence, enough time to stop looking over her shoulder...and still he’d returned. Here. On her last day as technology director at a tiny private school on the outskirts of Flint, Michigan.
If she’d left yesterday, her official last day... If she’d denied principal Yvonne Craft’s request to run through the system one more time... If she’d left at seven, the way she’d planned... Any of those things, and she’d be at the farmhouse, painting window casings with Phoebe instead of sitting here, her life crumbling right as she was about to step into her dreams coming true. Right as she was about to start a whole new season.
At thirty-one, she’d had plenty of those already. But when it came to this one? Aside from the day she’d joined the army, this had been the first she’d really been excited about. Working with her friend Phoebe Snyder’s charitable foundation, Meghan was putting the finishing touches on a foster home for the most desperate of lost children.
And she wasn’t going to let the past steal it. Not without a fight. Rolling her neck to the side to stretch out the tension, she reached for her backpack and an external drive. She could download an image of the system and—
