by Lori Wick
“Sure,” Brad shouted back. “Come on in.”
Meg sat up a little, and Brad realized what he’d done. “Are you going to be all right?”
“I think so,” she said and then smiled. And my falling asleep in front of Trace ind Cass would be nothing new.”
Brad’s smile was compassionate. He was done in as well but always welcomed the company.
“How are you?” Cassidy asked after she’d settled in the living room and had a chance to look at her sister-in-law’s weary face. “Just a little tired. How about you?”
“I took a nap today, so I’m not doing too badly.”
In the time it took to say this, Savanna had made it to her Uncle Trace’s legs, first crawling and then pulling herself up by using his pant leg. Trace was one of Savanna’s favorite people-looking and sounding so much like her father-and clearly the feelings were shared. Trace took the little girl onto his lap and smiled into her face.
“How’s my Savanna?” Trace asked.
The little girl could not sit still. She climbed Trace’s chest until she could be close to his face, her little arms going around his neck. Trace hugged her close, the three other adults watching until the conversation went to the men’s Bible study.
Chas Vick, one of the church elders, had started studying with the single men in the church family, ages 16 and up, and Rylan was working with the married men. Brad had expressed an interest in the qualifications for elder, and all the men were studying those passages.
48 Brad and Trace took some time talking about the last verse they had studied, and some minutes passed before they realized they were losing their wives. Meg’s eyes were already closed, and even Cassidy was drooping.
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” Brad said, remembering they also had a baby to put to bed.
“Will do,” Trace said, handing Savanna over and pulling Cassidy to her feet. Brad didn’t try to rouse Meg. He put Savanna to bed and then came back for his expectant wife. By the time his own head hit the pillow, he was more than ready to sleep hard all night.
“How did Bri do today?” Heather asked Jeanette that night. They had just seen Theta into bed.
“Very well. She works fast and is easy to have around. She doesn’t talk nonstop, but I can tell she’s thinking.”
“Do you think she’s passing through, or will she stick around?” “I assumed she was staying. Why do you ask?”
Heather looked thoughtful before saying, “She’s the kind of person we could all lose our hearts to, and it would be hard to have her leave.” -
“Even if she does,” Jeanette said reasonably, “we would still lose our hearts. We always do.”
Heather had no choice but to agree, each woman heading to find her rest.
Sabrina blew out the lantern in her room, but sleep was far away. Without warning she was back working in Denver, her mind on the way it had been. For long minutes she tried to dispel the images, but they would not go away. Conversation and actions she never wanted to remember floated through her mind.
49 Feeling almost desperate, Sabrina began to mentally sing. She recalled one of the hymns she’d heard in Denver and began to sing the few words she could remember. Another song came to mind, one she knew better. She even hummed a little, staying very quiet but needing to hear the music.
Thank You for saving me from that life. Please save me from the memories. Please help me to concentrate on You and what I have now and not on who I was then.
Sabrina could think of no other thing to ask. Aching to put the thoughts away from her, she sang and prayed the same words over and over again until she dropped off to sleep.
Jeanette had told Sabrina she could take 45 minutes for dinner on Friday. Work had gone smoothly all morning, and they had accomplished quite a bit. Sabrina swiftly ate the meal Becky had sent with her and headed to Jessie’s store with a question.
“How are things going at Jeanette’s?” Jessie asked.
“I think fine. We accomplished a lot this morning, and she gave me extra time for dinner.”
“Did you need to shop?” Jessie asked.
“Actually, Jeanette mentioned that you might have heard of apartments to rent, and I wanted to ask you about that.”
“Well, I know there was one open at Hulett’s,” Jessie said, looking thoughtful, “but his usually go pretty fast. And Sandgren usually has one, but that’s on Willow Street, three blocks off Main Street, and not the best building in town.”
“Exactly where are those buildings?”
Jessie gave directions, and Sabrina wasted no time. She thanked Jessie and started out, soon learning that the mercantile proprietress had been correct-the apartment owned by Mr. Hulett was already spoken for. Sabrina was not put off. Even though she had to head down an alley, she still wanted to speak with Mr. Sandgren before
50 she had to be back at work. However, it didn’t prove that simple. She got into the alley Jessie described, but wasn’t sure she was in the right place. A man suddenly came from the building in front of her, and Sabrina spoke to him.
“Excuse me,” Sabrina began. “Do you know if there are apartments for rent upstairs?”
“They’re all full,” the man said, his eyes lighting with interest as he stared at the tall, black-haired woman. “But I live upstairs,” he added with a smile, “and I wouldn’t mind a roommate if she looked like you.”
Sabrina saw her mistake too late. Her look became frosty as she thanked him and turned away.
“You don’t have to rush off,” the man was swift to say as he started to follow her. “Come inside out of the heat. I own this place, and I’d be happy to give you a drink.”
“Is this the saloon?” Sabrina turned back long enough to ask. “Yes, ma’am. What did you think?”
“Clearly I didn’t,” Sabrina answered with a certain level of chagrin, starting down the alley again.
“You could tell me your name,” the man said, falling into step beside her.
“Yes, but I won’t.”
“You could tell me where you live.”
“True, but not likely.”
“Where are you headed?”
“Please don’t follow me,” Sabrina tried one last time, but the man didn’t listen.
Rylan heard the woman’s voice and the words and wasted no time getting to the alley that ran along the back of the livery. He looked out to see Bret Toben from the saloon. He was speaking to a woman with black hair, or rather the woman was speaking to him.
51”What country are you from?” the woman asked Bret.
“What country?” Bret looked as confused as he felt. “I was born right here in Montana Territory.”
“Since you seem to be having a hard time understanding English, I made a simple assumption.”
Rylan watched Bret throw back his head and laugh. The lady turned with a roll of her eyes and started off again, but Bret persisted.
Sabrina was done. She had told him in every way possible that she did not want to know him, and still he followed her and tried to find out who she was. This time she not only rounded on the man but stepped toward him. He was so surprised by this move, coming from a woman who looked him right in the eye, that he had no choice but to back up.
“Thank you for the information you gave me,” she said now, all kind tones gone. “But I’m leaving the alley now, and youwill notfollow me.”
Bret eyed her. There was no mistaking her meaning. Her eyes were dead serious. Bret, well built, good looking, and successful, had never in the past been forced to push his attentions on a woman and realized he wasn’t going to start now. With a slight bob of his head, not showing his regret that she was going to get away, he turned back to his saloon.
Sabrina had started off again, her head down with thought, when she spotted a pair of large boots. She drew up in surprise and jumped a little as she came to an awkward halt.
“I’m sorry I didn’t see you,” Sabrina spoke, having to tip her head back to see the man’s face.
“I didn’t mean to startle you,” Rylan said. “Are you all right?” “Do you have the time?” Sabrina asked, having already forgotten
that asking questions of strangers could get her into trouble.
“Let me see,” Rylan said, reaching for his pocket watch. “I’ve got
ten minutes after one.”
“Am Imorethanfiveminutes from thedressshop?” Sabrina asked.
52”Jeanette’s? No. In fact if you come through the livery here, you’ll have two minutes to spare.”
“Am I just half a block off Main Street?” Sabrina asked, her heart sinking even before he answered.
“Yes.”
“Oh, thank you,” Sabrina said, thinking she was going to have to get her head on straight. She was so intent on finding an apartment that she hadn’t noticed where she was, or the saloon, or that she was talking to a livery worker. His leather apron and huge size should have given him away, but Sabrina had been single-minded in purpose.
“Tell Jeanette that Rylan said hello,” Rylan said when Sabrina came out on the street side of the building.
“Oh!” Sabrina said, surprised again and then shaking her head a little as she realized this should be no surprise. Jeanette would certainly know everyone in town.
“I will tell her, and thank you for the time.”
Rylan smiled at her rather dazed expression, wondering absently which woman was the real one. The one who stood up to the saloon owner in the alley or the one who looked disoriented by his mere mention of Jeanette Fulbright. Rylan went back to work, realizing he would probably never know.
“We close at one o’clock?” Sabrina clarified.
“On Saturdays, yes,” Jeanette answered. “I know I could be busy all day, but I was waking up very tired on Sundays, and I don’t want that. If the folks of Token Creek have a sewing need, they’ll simply have to get here before one.”
Sabrina nodded her acceptance, but she was busy doing rapid sums in her head. If Jessie didn’t need her on Monday and Tuesdays, her finances were going to get interesting. At the same time, maybe Jessie would need her more on Saturday afternoons. Sabrina went
53 back to cutting the gingham for a child’s skirt, reminding herself that she was off that very afternoon and could gain an answer to at least one question.
“There’s a new woman in town,” Jeb Dorn told his wife, Patience. “Tell me about her,” Patience requested, as interested as Jeb knew she would be.
“She’s working for Jeanette, and when Jeanette’s shop is closed, she’ll be at Jessie’s.”
“How did this come about?”
“A woman came to town this week and applied to Jeanette for the help she’s had posted in her window.”
“And Jeanette hired her, just like that?”
“Evidently, but because Jeanette isn’t open all week, the woman also asked Jessie if she could use her.”
“Did you meet her?”
“No. I know her name is Bri, and I was there when she came to see Jessie this afternoon. Jess was up to her ears in customers and hired her on the spot.”
“Where is she living?”
“I didn’t get that far.”
Patience thought about this for a moment. Both Jessie and Jeanette hired this woman. That in and of itself spoke volumes. Patience could hardly wait to meet her.
,Atk,
“I need an ax,” the man said, and Sabrina came up from the floor where she had been kneeling, her mind scrambling.
“I believe they’re over here,” she said, hoping she was remembering right. She led the way, her mind intent on her task, but the man had not followed. He was distracted by something he’d spotted
54 on a shelf. Sabrina took that time to locate the axes, grabbing two different types and taking them back to the aisle with the dry goods and clothing.
“How are these?” Sabrina asked.
The man turned as though just seeing her but was immediately taken with the axes.
“We have the heads and handles separately too,” Sabrina said, having noticed this on the shelf.
“Where are they?” the man asked as if she was hiding something from him.
“This way,” Sabrina said, stepping back this time and waiting for him to lead the way.
“Oh, no,” Hannah said to her mother at the counter.
“What’s the matter?”
“Bri got Macky.”
“Oh, no,” Jessie echoed. “What does he need?”
Hannah smiled before saying, “Everything in the store.”
Jessie tried to look stern, but in truth that was the type of customer he was. He always paid in cash and never quibbled about the price, but he always came in looking for one thing and left with everything but that item. And always on their busiest day, taking everyone’s time and energy.
“I’ll go,” Hannah said, but Jessie stopped her.
“I think Bri will be all right, but let me know if you see something.”
“Mama.” Clancy was suddenly at her side. She was Jessie’s younger. “I need this.”
Jessie looked down at the small hair comb and worked not to smile. Clancy had very fine, flyaway hair.
“Why do you need it?” Jessie asked.
“For my hair.”
55 “I know it goes in your hair, but-” Jessie started and stopped. This was a new phase for her daughter. She was suddenly aware of things in the store and was sure she “needed” them.
“I’ll tell you what,” Jessie went for the compromise. “Put it right here in the basket under the counter, and when the store closes, we’ll talk about it.”
“You won’t sell it?”
“I won’t sell it.”
“It’s time to go,” Hannah said to her mother and sister.
“All right. Have fun with Patience, and stay right together all the way there and back.”
“Jeb always walks us home,” Hannah assured her, and Jessie bent to kiss both girls goodbye.
She was glad they were going to spend the afternoon with Patience. Most days she would miss them around the store, but this was Saturday, and there was no time for missing anyone.
Sabrina walked back to Jeanette’s that evening with coins in her pocket. This was Jessie’s routine, to settle up with her employees on Saturday when the store closed. She even went so far as to tell Sabrina she could plan on Saturdays each week and any Mondays and Tuesdays that were busy enough. Sabrina was well pleased with this plan and knew that for the moment she would have enough to live on.
“Well, Bri!” Heather said when the younger woman came in the front door. “What did you do with yourself this afternoon?”
“I worked for Jessie at the mercantile.”
Heather’s mouth opened. It was the last thing she expected. “Did Jeanette know about that?”
“I don’t think I mentioned it. It wasn’t a certainty until today.” “Are you tired?”
“A little.”
“Well,” Heather said, trying to recover-this woman was more
56 independent than she expected-“Becky almost has supper on. You can rest your feet and tell us about working at the store.”
Sabrina thanked Theta’s faithful companion, suddenly missing Callie and the way she had taken care of her. She went to wash for the meal, thinking she must be more weary than she realized as she was strongly tempted to cry.
Sunday morning did not go well. Theta had a rough go of things, and Heather didn’t even attempt to join Jeanette and Sabrina when they left for church. As it was, the two women were late. They slipped into the rear of the sanctuary, glad there was an open spot near the back, and sat down just as a song ended.
Sabrina was taking in the room, the neat pews and tall windows, when Rylan stepped into the pulpit. Sabrina stared at him, just keeping her mouth closed. After a moment, even though Rylan was speaking, she leaned toward Jeanette.
“Is that the pastor?”
“Yes. Rylan Jarvik.”
“Does he have a
brother who works at the livery?”
“No, it’s the same man.”
Sabrina had to think about this. She didn’t know why she was put off by this, but she was. It was simply so different from Denver. Why did this man have to work at the livery? She didn’t know pastors ever did that. Sabrina sat thinking about this for a long time. And in that time, she missed most of the sermon.
57
“Bri, THIS IS CASSIDY. She’s married to Trace.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Sabrina said, still not sure what she thought of all of this. Danny had said there was a fine church family, and Sabrina had liked everyone she’d met, but she hadn’t planned on the pastor being a livery worker. And huge into the bargain. He didn’t look like a pastor at all.
“Are you enjoying Token Creek?” Cassidy asked, and Sabrina forced her mind back.
“I am, yes. I find that I like small towns,” Sabrina said, realizing how true it was. It was fun to have a few dozen streets and know that soon nearly every face would be familiar.
“And this is Jeb and Patience Dorn,” Jeanette said next, turning to the couple that had come up. “This is Sabrina Matthews. She goes by Bri.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Bri.” Jeb put his hand out. “I’m Jessie Wheeler’s cousin. I saw you at the store.”
“I remember,” Sabrina said, liking him very much.
“And how did you like the store?” Patience asked.
Sabrina smiled. “It was interesting. And busy!”
58 “Always on Saturday,” Patience agreed. “Sometimes Jeb helps out as well.”
The five of them talked for a while before Trace came looking for Cassidy. Jeanette invited them for dinner, but they had plans. The two women ended up walking home together, and for some reason, Jeanette could not bring herself to ask what Sabrina thought of the morning. There was a note of disquiet about her that Jeanette could not decipher. Sabrina had not shared her story with Jeanette, but she sensed that the younger woman shared her faith in Christ. She knew better than to make assumptions, but there was something humble and open about Sabrina that caused Jeanette to think she believed.
However, she had not seemed to enjoy the sermon. She’d been very still, opening her Bible only at the end, and hadn’t even tried to sing the closing song. She seemed to like the people she met, but Jeanette could tell there was something serious on her mind.
