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  Cassie reached across the table and touched his arm. “Oh Riley, I am so sorry.”

  He took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze—a silent thank-you—then released it. “This is my fault. I let down my guard.”

  “It is not your fault. Pru and Noah catching chicken pox was not your doing, and that’s the only reason he was able to catch up with you.”

  “Still, I should have found a way.”

  “You just stop that right now. Wallowing in selfrecrimination will not do you or the children any good.”

  Cassie suddenly realized this was what her father had said to her, what he’d wanted her to understand.

  But this discussion was about Riley, not her. “Those two kids need you to be sharp and alert right now.”

  His tense expression relaxed into a crooked grin. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “That’s better.”

  “It appears I only have one choice. I need to find a way to slip away with the kids before Guy realizes they are able to travel.”

  “You don’t think he’ll be keeping an eye on the train station?”

  “The train isn’t the only way to leave. I’ll camp out in the woods with them if I have to, until Guy gives up searching for us.”

  “Surely it won’t come to that.”

  Riley gave her a meaningful look, but didn’t say anything.

  He didn’t have to.

  She knew that Riley was prepared to do whatever it took to keep Noah and Pru safe. And while she admired him for that inherent love and courage, a part of her was frightened of what that could lead to.

  Especially if there was an actual face off between the two men.

  And regardless of what else happened, he’d just told her that he and the children were leaving. Without her.

  Chapter Twenty

  The next morning Riley took Cassie up on her offer to help him break the news to Noah and Pru. He figured she might be better able to soothe their fears than he was.

  And he was correct.

  She knew all the right things to say to calm Pru’s worst fears, to explain matters to Noah in a way that made sense to him.

  Later, when he and Cassie were alone in the kitchen, Riley took a deep breath, feeling as if a major chasm had been crossed. “Thank you for that. I appreciate how you were able to find the right words to ease the majority of their fears.”

  “You’re welcome, but I’m sure you would have done just as well without me. Those children look up to you, trust you.”

  If only he felt he deserved that trust. Time to change the subject. “I think it’ll be best if I stay close to home now that Guy is here. I’m going to head for the livery and tell Mr. Humphries I can’t work there anymore.”

  “You must do what you feel best, but what about River’s stabling fees, if I may be so bold as to ask? Because I’d be glad to give you some of my pie money if you need it. For the children’s sake, of course.”

  “That’s mighty generous of you, but it won’t be necessary. I have some funds put by.”

  Cassie continued to amaze him with her unselfish generosity. And it hurt more than he cared to admit that he had nothing to give her in return except his gratitude. He couldn’t even promise her he would return anytime soon.

  But oh, how he wished he could.

  * * *

  Cassie stepped out of the restaurant, her mind troubled. She’d delivered three pies, and Daisy had requested that she begin delivering four. At this rate she would soon have enough saved up to order the extra baking tins she wanted. And then she could begin saving her way to true independence.

  That thought should have brought her joy, but her mind was too troubled about the uncertain future of the children to let that be so.

  Please, Lord Jesus, keep those little lambs safe, give Riley the strength and discernment to know what to do, and show me how best to help them all.

  “Miss Vickers.”

  Hearing her name called brought Cassie back to her surroundings. She was passing the Rose Palace Hotel, and Guy Simpson was standing in the doorway.

  She offered a smile that carried a politeness she didn’t feel. “Mr. Simpson, good morning. I trust you slept well.”

  He stepped forward to join her. “Unfortunately, no. But it wasn’t the fault of the hotel. I was just too worried about my children to relax.”

  “Quite understandable.” If it were true. “But please try not to worry overmuch. It’s quite common for children to get chicken pox and the vast majority come out unscathed.”

  “Thank you for those reassurances to a concerned father. And I must say, I do feel better knowing they are in such good hands.”

  She nodded her acknowledgment of the implied compliment, then straightened. “If you’ll excuse me, I have some errands to run and I don’t want to be away from the house for too long.”

  “Of course. But if you don’t mind, I’d like to walk along with you for a while so we can chat.”

  What could she say to that? “By all means.”

  Cassie started forward again and he fell into step beside her. “I suppose Riley has warned you about me.”

  Startled by his directness, she faltered slightly, then resumed her pace.

  “That’s all right,” Guy said with a rueful shake of his head. “You don’t need to answer. And I really can’t say as I blame him. Riley was always the responsible one, so serious, so loyal.”

  “You say that as if those were bad things.”

  “No, of course not. It’s just that, well, there is such a thing as self-righteous as opposed to righteous. Riley doesn’t seem to have it in him to forgive those of us who are weaker than he is, who stumble and fall at times.”

  Guy waved a hand. “I’ll be the first to admit that I did some terrible things, things that hurt my family, things that broke the law. But I served my time for those crimes and I’ve deeply repented of the hurt I caused my family.”

  “I understand you’ve repented before.”

  “So Riley has been talking. He’s right, of course. But there’s one big difference this time. While I was in prison there was a preacher who came by to visit us. At first I didn’t want anything to do with him. But that man of God was nothing if not persistent. And he eventually got through to me, and after that, the Good Lord got through to me, too.”

  Could he be telling the truth? Cassie wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, but Riley had warned her how convincing he could be.

  His smile took on a self-mocking edge. “Of course you don’t believe me—that’s to be expected. Perhaps this forced layover here in your town is a good thing. It will give you and Riley a chance to see the truth of what I’m saying.”

  “Mr. Simpson, it’s not my place to judge you or what you are saying. My only concern in this matter is making sure the best interests of the children are focused on.”

  “For which I’m grateful, because that is what I want, as well.”

  He looked and sounded so sincere, but Cassie refused to be taken in. As Riley had said, the stakes were too high. “Then I suggest you go very slowly with this so that you don’t upset them. Give the children a chance to get used to the idea of having you back in their lives. And, as you yourself said, give everyone else a chance to see that you have indeed changed your ways.” And give Riley time to figure out what to do.

  Guy executed a short bow. “Those are very wise words.”

  She didn’t believe for a minute she’d changed his mind about anything at all.

  “It saddens me to think what my brother might have told my children about me these past months.”

  “Mr. Walker would never lie to them.”

  “No, of course not. My brother is too sanctimonious for that. But his own feelings about me, no matter how well deserved t
hey might be, no doubt colored everything he said.”

  “Knowing your stepbrother as I do, I’m certain he did his best to be fair.”

  “But is he really looking out for their best interests? To know that he’s been dragging them across the country, from town to town, never staying in one place very long—well, as their father, it just breaks my heart. That way of life may suit Riley—even as a kid he was restless. In fact, he left home as soon as he was able. I doubt he’ll ever be happy settling down anywhere.”

  That seemed a deliberate jab aimed her way.

  “But subjecting my children to that sort of life,” he continued, “not allowing them to set down roots anywhere, make friends or even go to school, saddens and angers me. My kids deserve so much more. They deserve stability and a real home and a chance to just be children. And that is what I aim to give them.”

  “Mr. Simpson, your stepbrother is a good man. Regardless of any inclinations he may have about how he wants to live his life, he is now entirely focused on doing what he thinks is best for Noah and Pru, what he believes he must do to keep them safe.” No matter who he has to leave behind.

  “Safe from me, you mean.”

  The only bitterness Cassie detected seemed selfdirected. If the man was acting, he was doing a very good job of it. “Safe from anything, or anyone, that could do them harm.”

  She stopped in front of the Blue Bottle. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have some business to conduct inside.”

  “Then I shall leave you to it. But I am certain we will be seeing each other again very soon.”

  Had Guy Simpson been deliberately trying to drive a wedge between her and Riley, with all his talk of how his stepbrother would never settle down and what a disservice he’d done to the kids by keeping them on the move?

  Well, it hadn’t worked.

  She’d take Riley’s side over Guy’s no matter what the issue.

  * * *

  True to his word, Guy showed up at the front door around eleven o’clock, holding a bunch of flowers.

  “These are for the other lady of the house—I believe you said her name was Mrs. Flanagan. I would like to meet her, and thank her as well for the kindness she’s extended to my children.”

  “But do you think that wise? I mean, with the quarantine—”

  “It was my hope, if it isn’t too much of an imposition, that she would join me here on the porch for a few moments.” He smiled apologetically. “I heard about her injury, which makes it even more remarkable that she would go out of her way on my children’s behalf.”

  Cassie noticed that he never called Noah and Pru by their given names. It was always “my children” in that possessive way that set her teeth on edge. She also realized that he must have been checking up on them if he now knew about Mrs. Flanagan’s condition.

  Cassie hesitated a heartbeat, then nodded. This wasn’t her decision to make. “I’ll check to see if Mrs. Flanagan is available to come out here.” She waved to a pair of wooden chairs located by the swing. “Please, have a seat while you wait.”

  She found her employer where she’d left her, in the dining room with Riley. “That was Mr. Simpson at the door. He’d like to meet you.”

  Riley immediately stood, his expression darkening. “You don’t have to see him if you don’t want to. I’ll deal with—”

  “Sit down, Mr. Walker.” Mrs. Flanagan had drawn herself up to her full sitting height. “It’s me he asked to see, not you.” She set down her book and folded her hands in her lap. “I believe I would like to meet him, as well. Take me to him, Cassie.”

  “Perhaps I should be the one to push your chair—”

  “No, I want to see him without interference from you, Mr. Walker. The children are in their room, but I think it would be best if you joined them just in case they get a notion to get up and go wandering around.”

  Without waiting for his response, she looked up at Cassie. “What are you waiting for? Let’s go.”

  Cassie, seeing the frustrated expression on Riley’s face, almost felt sorry for him. She’d been on that side of Mrs. Flanagan’s high-handedness before and it had left her feeling the same.

  As soon as she rolled the wheelchair out onto the porch, Mr. Simpson was on his feet, holding out the flowers and smiling down at the older woman.

  “What beautiful flowers,” Mrs. Flanagan exclaimed. “It’s been such a long time since anyone has brought me such a lovely gift.”

  “Why, I find that hard to believe—a lady as charming and generous as yourself.”

  “Oh, pish-posh, go on with you.”

  “It’s just a small token to thank you for all you’ve done for my children.”

  “Your children are easy to do for. I can see where Noah gets his charm and Pru gets her lovely looks from.”

  “You flatter me, ma’am.”

  Cassie could scarcely believe it. Was Mrs. Flanagan actually flirting with the man?

  “Cassie Lynn, dear, would you take these flowers inside and put them in some water?”

  Leave that man alone with her? “But—”

  Mrs. Flanagan waved her hand to halt the protest. “Run along now, we don’t want these lovely flowers to wilt. Mr. Simpson and I will be just fine out here, getting to know each other better.”

  “Please, call me Guy.”

  “Then you must call me Irene.”

  Cassie couldn’t figure out what had brought on the change in Mrs. Flanagan. Surely the woman was just putting on an act. She couldn’t be that taken with the man.

  Uncomfortable leaving them alone for any length of time, Cassie quickly poured two glasses of lemonade and carried them out to the porch. “I thought you and your guest might enjoy a little refreshment,” she said by way of explanation as she stepped outside once more.

  “Thank you, dear.” Mrs. Flanagan accepted the glass, then turned to Guy, continuing their conversation. “It does my heart good to know that you have turned to God and away from wickedness. The Good Book says that there is more joy in heaven over a sinner that repents than over ninety and nine just persons. You must attend service at our local church on Sunday. Reverend Harper is a fine preacher and I know you will find joy in being part of the congregation.”

  Cassie thought she spied just a hint of smugness in Mr. Simpson’s expression, but he covered quickly.

  He took Mrs. Flanagan’s hand in both of his. “Dear lady, you are most kind—your words both humble me and bring me joy. And of course I will attend the church service here—it was already my intent to do so. May I have the honor of escorting you?”

  “Oh no. I’m afraid our church isn’t set up in such a way as to make it easy for a person in a wheelchair to attend. Besides, someone needs to stay here with the children, since they aren’t able to leave the house yet.”

  Then she frowned. “But you shouldn’t have to walk in alone—not that a charming man such as yourself wouldn’t be immediately welcomed. But it is always nice to have someone at your side.” Mrs. Flanagan’s expression suddenly cleared. “I know, you can accompany Cassie Lynn and your stepbrother. I’m sure they’d be happy for you to join them.” She turned to Cassie expectantly.

  Cassie took her cue. “Of course. We’ll be passing right by the hotel on our way.”

  Guy smiled in acknowledgment, then turned back to the widow. “But it’s a shame you’re trapped here in this house.”

  “Your brother is kind enough to help me down these stairs occasionally so that Cassie Lynn can push me about town and give me a bit of air. Though I do hate to add to her already heavy burdens here.”

  “I don’t mind at all,” Cassie said.

  Guy jumped on Mrs. Flanagan’s statement as if Cassie hadn’t spoken up. “Oh, but please, you must allow me to take over this most delightful task. I am sadly without empl
oyment while I’m here, and since the quarantine makes it impossible for me to go inside and help with the children, at least I can do this.”

  “Oh, but surely you have something better to do than to be pushing an old widow woman about town.” Her tone was almost embarrassingly coy.

  “There is nothing I would enjoy more. I’ll hear no further arguments. This is but a small way to repay your kindness.”

  “Then I accept. Cassie usually takes me for my stroll around four o’clock, but I would much prefer two o’clock, if that is all right with you?” Mrs. Flanagan smiled sweetly. “That way, at the end of my outing, I could stop in at the Blue Bottle and have some tea and visit with that nice Eve Dawson. If you don’t mind such frivolous indulgences, that is.”

  “I have always thought afternoon tea to be a very civilized practice. Two o’clock it is.” He stood. “Now, I will bid you goodbye until then.”

  Mrs. Flanagan waited until Guy had turned from her front walk onto the sidewalk before she allowed Cassie to push her back into the house.

  “I take it from your disapproving frown that my performance was convincing.”

  “Performance?” So it had been an act.

  “Of course. I’ve met men like him before. Trying to win you over with gifts, pretty words and grand gestures. Smooth and pleasant as rose petals on the outside, but dark and nasty as rotted fruit on the inside.”

  “But why did you fawn over him?”

  “Cassie Lynn, I know you don’t have a deceptive bone in your body, and that’s a good thing. However, I’ve learned that if you allow people like Guy to think they have you under their spell, there are all kinds of things you can find out about them.”

  “And is that why you’re allowing him to push your chair through town?”

  “That, and the fact that if he’s with me, he can’t be causing mischief here or elsewhere. It also leaves you and Riley time to take a breather from keeping such close guard over the children.”

  “I just realized, you actually manipulated him into offering to take over that task, didn’t you?”