Читать книгу North Country Family - Lois Richer - Страница 11

Chapter Three

“What’s wrong, Rick?” Lucy Clow demanded on Saturday morning.

The diminutive septuagenarian, retired missionary and acting church secretary laid a model airplane kit on his desk.

“What’s that?” he asked instead of answering.

“Vacation Bible School crafts for next summer, if you approve. I bought a ton of airplane kits online.” Wispy tendrils of Lucy’s snow-white hair straggled across her furrowed brow.

“Cool. Thanks for thinking ahead.” Rick loved this woman’s heart for God’s work. “You’ve been poking at your hair again,”

“Forget my hair.” The way Lucy clapped her hands on her hips made it clear he wouldn’t escape her question. “Tell me what’s eating you.”

“Noah Crockett.” Rick leaned back in his chair. “He’s closed himself off. I promised his mother I’d help him, but I’m not making much progress.”

“With his mother?” Lucy laughed at his expression and sat on a nearby chair. “There’s nothing wrong with being attracted to someone, Rick.”

“You know I can’t get involved that way with a woman, Lucy. I’ve told you about my vow to God.”

“I know what you promised God. I’m just not sure He asked for or even wanted your promise.” Lucy frowned at him. “You keep beating yourself up over the past when God’s already forgiven you. How is that any different from Noah acting out and staying aloof?”

“Noah hasn’t hurt hundreds of people with his greed. I have. I thought I was too smart to get caught in a Ponzi scheme. That guy took all the money I handed over and instead of investing it, he used it to pay off his old clients.” He groaned at his colossal ego. “Who else but an arrogant, materialistic creep would write a know-it-all book on how to beat the system and then lose his clients’ money as well as his own to a slick-talking salesman?”

“God forgave you, Rick,” Lucy murmured. “Forgive yourself.”

“I can’t.” He sipped his now-cold coffee. “Not when that stupid book keeps selling and there’s not a thing I can do to stop it.”

“I noticed the royalty check when I deposited the offering last week,” Lucy murmured. “I suppose that’s what brought your guilt rushing back.”

“It’s never left,” he muttered. “If only they’d stop selling that book.” His hands fisted at his helplessness. “I feel that there are still people who are losing everything because of me.”

“I guess you could always write another book against those practices.”

“I can’t.” He shook his head then raked his fingers through his hair. “The agreement I signed doesn’t allow me to contradict anything I wrote or reveal myself as the author.”

“It’s in God’s hands, Rick.” Lucy’s quiet voice brimmed with comfort. “Leave it there.”

“I’m trying. Anyway, it’s not me we’re talking about. It’s Noah.” He sighed. “Under that ‘Who cares’ attitude is a simmering cauldron of anger. I promised Cassie I’d help him, but he won’t confide in me. He keeps burying himself in his music.”

“I was practicing the piano for Sunday service while he was waiting for you yesterday,” Lucy said thoughtfully. “He sat in the back and pretended to ignore me, but I heard him hum along. A couple of times he even sang a line. The kid has a pretty good voice.”

Rick froze as an idea bloomed.

“You look funny.” Lucy reached into her pocket. “I’ve got some pills for indigestion—”

“Lucy!” Rick hooted with laughter. “You, my dear secretary, are a genius.”

“I tell Hector that all the time.” She frowned at him. “But why am I a genius today?”

“Music.” He kissed her cheek. “I’m going to start a kids’ choir, Lucy, and I’m going to ask Noah to join. Will you play for us?”

“Me?” Lucy wrinkled her nose. She held out her fingers, bent with the ravages of arthritis. “I can’t play that fast kids’ stuff very well, Rick, but I guess I could help until you find someone else.”

“Bless you.” Rick grabbed his coat and gloves. “I’m going out to Lives to ask Laurel and Cassie if the boys can join. Then we’ll put out the word all over town.” He pulled open the door of his office then turned back and hugged the tiny woman. “You’re a peach, Luce.”

He was almost out the door when Lucy muttered, “I’d rather be a genius.”

“You’re both,” he called.

As he gunned his snowmobile and headed out of town toward Lives, his heart raced with excitement. As he went, he prayed, Let this choir be a blessing, Lord. Let Your word through music touch the kids’ hearts and souls with healing. Especially Noah’s. And Cassie’s, too.

Invigorated, he began formulating a list of songs that might help Noah face his anger. Once at Lives, Rick jumped off his machine and rapped on the door. When no one answered immediately he rapped harder. Finally the door opened a crack, revealing Cassie’s tousled head and bleary-eyed face.

It wasn’t lost on him that his heart beat a bit faster at the sight of her. But he ignored that fact as best he could.

“Hi.” Rick blinked, checked his watch and winced. “I’m guessing you weren’t up yet?”

“It’s Saturday, Rick. Barely past nine. And it’s New Year’s Eve. We’re all sleeping in.” She smothered a yawn and opened the door wide. “But I’m up now. Come in.”

“Sorry. I didn’t think of the time,” he apologized, his brain busy admiring the robe she wore. Delicately crocheted, it began in pale aqua at the bottom and grew progressively darker, drawing the eye up to where it turned a rich emerald tone in the lacy collar framing her face. “You look lovely.”

“Nice of you to say, Rick, but I had my first shift at the hospital and worked till four this morning. I don’t think ‘lovely’ applies.” Cassie turned to get the coffee container out of the fridge.

“I do.” He saw her pause a moment before she continued setting the perc. She flicked a switch and a moment later the rich fragrant aroma filled the room. “I’m really sorry I woke you.”

“It must be important.” She perched on a stool in the corner. “Do you want me to get Laurel?”

“Not yet. Though I do want to get her permission, and yours,” he added.

“For what?” she asked around another yawn.

“For Noah and the boys to join a choir, a kids’ choir,” he emphasized.

Cassie tilted her head to one side. “Noah used to sing in a choir at home—” She stopped. “If he’s interested I’m all for it.”

“Hi, Rick.” Laurel leaned against the door frame, glancing from him to Cassie. “All for what?”

“My kids’ choir,” he told her, noticing how tired she looked. “I wanted to ask your permission for the Lives boys to join, but we can talk later.”

“Good because at the moment my brain is mush. I stayed up too late working on my taxes. Teddy Stonechild has me convinced I’m doing something wrong.” She blinked sleepily. “If you’ll excuse me I’m going to return to my dream life on a tropical beach. Good night—I mean morning.” She waved a hand and left.

“Teddy was here?” Rick asked as Cassie poured coffee for both of them.

“Last night. Cream?” She held up the jug.

“Thanks.” Rick nodded when she’d added the right amount. “I didn’t realize he was back.”

“Back? He doesn’t live in Churchill?” This time Cassie sat directly across from him.

“His real home is in Vancouver. But he visits Churchill a lot.” Rick savored the delicious brew. “Your coffee is fantastic. Much better than the slough water I had at the church.”

“Do you live there?”

“Almost.” He chuckled. “The church has a small manse. It’s cozy.” He refocused.

“Teddy’s an interesting character. What else do you know?” she said.

“Kyle told me Teddy came as a client for his dad’s tour business years ago and has kept coming ever since. I believe Teddy owns a hotel business that his son now runs.”

Cassie nodded, then tilted her head to one side. “So what’s the inspiration behind this choir of yours?”

Rick hesitated to broach the subject on his mind. “I’ve talked to Noah a couple of times.”

Cassie perked up. “And?”

“I think he wants to open up but doesn’t know where to start,” he said. “Is there anything you can share with me that would help me understand what he’s going through?”

“Like what?” Rick could see Cassie’s barriers go up again, and he knew he had to tread very lightly.

“Maybe if I knew some details about what happened, I could make him feel that he could confide in me.”

“I don’t discuss my past, Rick.” Her lips pinched firmly together. “I just want to forget.”

“I understand.” Rick could almost feel the pain emanating from Cassie, and he was caught off guard by how much he wanted to ease it. “Losing your husband must have been very difficult. I’m not trying to pry. But can’t you tell me something? For Noah’s sake?”

Cassie sat silent for several minutes, motionless, her gaze locked on something Rick couldn’t see. Finally she took a sip of her coffee. Cradling the mug between her palms she gave a huge sigh.

“What do you want to know?”

“Anything you think will help Noah.” Rick waited, silently praying until finally she spoke again in a cool, matter-of-fact voice.

“My husband’s name was Eric. I married him thirteen years ago, when I was eighteen. He was twenty-seven. He died two years ago. He drove on an icy street at high speed. Deliberately. He hit a tree and died.”

Rick fought to keep his reaction to Cassie’s horrific story as neutral as possible, for her sake. Now he understood her discomfort on the icy ride to Lives from the train.

“Do you mind telling me why Eric did it?” he asked gently.

“He was an accountant. He served on our church board and agreed to be board treasurer, to oversee a fund-raising campaign to build a new church.” Cassie looked at him, her brown eyes guarded. “Eric was supposed to invest the building fund in something the board had chosen.”

Cassie’s voice broke and she paused to regain her composure. When she did, she said, “But Eric had other plans for the money. Plans I never knew much about.” She frowned. “The congregation was excited about getting a facility that would give them room to expand their programs. Eric received a lot of phone calls from people wanting to know when there would be enough money to start building.”

Compassion filled Rick. The way she avoided looking at him told him he was causing her pain by asking her about the past. Yet he needed information in order to help.

“Was that when Noah’s stutter began?” he asked. “After his father died?”

Cassie shook her head, her eyes pleading with him not to make her say any more.

“I only want to help him, Cassie. Whatever you tell me is in strictest confidence, but I need to know,” he said. Without thinking, he slid his hand across the table, over hers.

For a few moments Rick was certain she would tell him to forget it, that she didn’t want to talk anymore. But she looked at him for a long time, and Rick held her gaze. Gradually her shoulders relaxed and her brown eyes lost their dark anger. She slowly pulled her hand away and exhaled.

“Tell me,” he murmured.

“Noah’s stutter started quite a while after his dad died, after everyone in the church turned on us when they discovered the money was gone,” she said tiredly. “I became their scapegoat and Noah, too. The kids at school tormented him, called him the son of a thief.” Tears formed on her thick golden lashes. “Noah was a total innocent. We both were. But when I tried to explain, no one would listen. To them we were as guilty as Eric. Noah’s friends dumped him, parroting the nasty ugliness of what their parents said. That’s when he began to stutter.”

“Cassie, I’m so sorry.” Rick hated the tears streaming down her lovely face. Holding her was folly, but how could he not offer her comfort?

He stood and moved to sit next to her, taking her in his arms slowly, gently, in case it wasn’t what she wanted. He felt the tension break in her as she wept against his shoulder.

“They were Christians, Rick. They were supposed to love us.”

“Yes, they were.” How he wished he could ease this load from her. It broke his heart that her husband had caused so much grief and then abandoned her to face the consequences, that God’s children had wreaked so much havoc on her son. “I’m sorry they didn’t love you as Christ taught, Cassie. People are more important than lost money.”

“Oh, they got their money.” Cassie pulled out of his arms, dashing away her tears. Her voice grew harsh. “I sold the house and gave the money to the church to cover the loss.”

She’d sold her home? Rick couldn’t imagine what that decision had cost her, a single mom responsible for housing her child.

“I didn’t do it because I felt guilty,” Cassie said, her tone short. “I did it because I wanted them to stop torturing my son. But they didn’t. They thought it wasn’t enough, that I should cover the two years of interest they’d lost.”

“But surely when you explained—”

“I stopped explaining,” Cassie said, her voice passionless. “They displayed nothing but hatred for us. Before he ended it all, Eric tried to make it right. He sank every bit of our savings into trying to rebuild their fund. But he couldn’t do it. So when he was gone, I found out there was no cushion for Noah and me, no life insurance, nothing but my part-time nursing salary to support us.”

“Your parents couldn’t help?”

“My mother died when I was nine. Ever since then my father has been...busy.” Cassie’s voice dropped. “He blamed me, too, for not knowing what Eric was doing. So I stopped trying to defend myself.”

Rick could see how much it cost Cassie to say this. He longed to pull her back into his arms, but for a moment, he questioned his motives. Did he want to offer her more comfort or did he simply love the feel of her in his arms? He wasn’t sure he wanted the answer to that question.

“The day Noah got beaten up by his former friends was the day I knew getting him more counseling wouldn’t help. We had to leave.” Her eyes were dark beneath her damp eyelashes. “But leaving hasn’t helped. I can’t get him to let go of his anger.”

“We’ll figure out a way,” Rick assured her. “Don’t worry, Cassie. Once the two of you are involved in our church groups—”

“I won’t be involved in them.” She looked at him with an iciness that dared him to argue. “I can’t be in a church, near people who call themselves Christians, without having it all come rushing back.”

“These are not the same people, Cassie.”

“But it’s the same God. Where was He when my son—my innocent son—was being bullied? Why didn’t He help us?” She glared at him, demanding answers.

“He did help you. He led you here,” Rick murmured. “To a new life and a chance to start over.”

“I will start over,” she said with a nod. “But I don’t intend to make the same mistake twice. I will not trust God again. It’s too hard when He fails to come through.”

“Cassie—”

“Don’t.” She shook her head. “I know what you’re going to say. It’s the same thing my father said to me. Jesus never fails.”

“It’s true.”

“In my case it isn’t.” Cassie held up a hand. “Don’t trot out any more verses, Rick. I’m a preacher’s kid. I’ve heard them all. But I don’t believe in them. Not anymore.”

So much pain. Rick knew he had pushed Cassie to her limit, and now it was time to back off.

“I’m sorry.”

“So am I.” She emptied her cup in the sink then turned to face him, her voice hard. “I hope you’ve heard enough to figure out how to help Noah because I don’t intend to talk about this ever again.”

“I appreciate your confiding in me,” he told her quietly.

“If Noah wants to sing in your choir, I have no objection. If he wants to attend your church, that’s also fine.” The gold in Cassie’s brown eyes flashed. “But don’t expect me to do the same. Despite my father’s admonitions about fleeing the fold, and any rebuke you might want to add, I will not be part of your congregation, Rick. Now, excuse me. I need to change.”

Cassie swept out of the room and in that instant Rick’s heart rate ripped into skyrocketing overdrive.

He suddenly realized why her face seemed so familiar.

Rick had seen a photo of a young Cassie every time he’d visited John Foster, the minister who’d saved him countless times while he was living on the streets, and who’d mentored him on his path to salvation and helped him get into seminary.

John carried a picture of Cassie in his wallet, and had a larger one on his desk. Sometimes Rick had come upon him staring at her photo, murmuring a prayer for her.

If he was honest, Rick had to admit he’d also been a little resentful of Cassie. She had a real home, a fantastic father who loved her, people who took care of her and made sure she was safe.

It had seemed to Rick that Cassie had everything and he had nothing. No family, no permanent address, no one who cared if he came or went. Even worse, there was no one to soothe his hurts. Oh, how he’d longed for that.

Rick wasn’t sure how it had happened but the more he saw Cassie’s photo, the more he’d stared at it, until he’d begun imagining a future in which he had all the things she did—a home, a family and love.

Funny thing was, as he and John deepened their friendship, Rick began to understand how deeply the caring father mourned the fact that he wasn’t able to be with his daughter as much as he wanted. And why hadn’t he?

Because John had been spending his time with Rick trying to help him find a way out of his life on the streets.

One more thing Rick had to feel guilty about.

His soul groaned under the weight of it.

* * *

When Cassie finally returned downstairs, the house was bustling and Rick was gone.

“L-look, Mom,” Noah said, excitement glowing in his blue eyes. “It’s s-snowing like c-crazy.”

“Sure is,” she agreed after a glance out the window. “Does this mean the fireworks for tonight are canceled?” she asked Laurel.

“Rick said he thought they would be. He’s gone to set up a post at the church in case anyone gets caught in the storm and needs refuge.” She smiled. “He’s always thinking of others.”

“P-pastor R-Rick is going to s-start a choir,” Noah told her. “He a-asked me to j-join.”

“That sounds like fun.” Cassie held her breath, unwilling to show any hope that he would get involved in something with his peers. “Do you think you will?”

“M-maybe. I l-like singing.”

“Good.” Cassie exchanged a nonchalant glance at Laurel, knowing she’d understand. “So what will we do for New Year’s Eve?”

“I’m glad you asked,” said Cassie’s friend.

Laurel already had a list of things she needed to prepare so the boys would enjoy their evening despite the fireworks cancellation. Cassie was glad to keep busy, hoping it would keep her mind off her conversation with Rick, when she’d dumped her past all over him, wept on his shoulder and then told him she’d never darken the door of his church.

She felt stupid, weak and ashamed that he’d seen her so needy, but being in his arms had felt wonderful.

Though Sara and Kyle were away for the holiday, Sara had left the freezer and cooler well stocked. Cassie and Laurel chose two casseroles and set them to bake for dinner, then prepared snack foods for later in the evening. They were putting the finishing touches on a series of sweet treats when the power went off.

“I was afraid this would happen with that high wind,” Laurel said when it hadn’t come back on after twenty minutes. “I need to go out to the shed and start the generator so the furnace will keep us warm.”

Cassie watched her bundle up, unable to stem her worry. She stood at the window in the front hall and tracked Laurel through the whirling snow to make sure she arrived safely. But when minutes turned into half an hour and Laurel hadn’t come back, worry burgeoned into fear. She’d just put on her coat to follow her friend when she saw Laurel pushing her way back through the drifts.

Cassie glanced at the light in the hall. The bulb remained unlit.

Apprehension filled her, but she tried to hide it as she met Laurel at the door. Once her friend was safely inside she quickly shut out the wind and snow.

“What’s wrong?” Cassie asked quietly.

“I can’t get it to start, though I tried about a hundred times.” Laurel shivered as she rubbed her hands together. “Kyle tested it last week. It should be fine.”

“So what do we do now?” Cassie whispered.

“I don’t know,” Laurel admitted. “We have to have heat so I’m going to read the manual again. Maybe I missed something.” She hurried to her office.

Cassie stood in the hall. She wrapped her arms around her waist and shivered, trying to fight off her fear.

“M-mom, Laurel’s c-cell phone is r-ringing,” Noah bellowed from the kitchen.

Cassie answered. Her heart jumped a beat when she heard Rick’s voice.

“Hey, Cassie. I tried the landline but I couldn’t get through,” he told her. “Is everything okay?”

“The power’s out,” Cassie murmured, keeping her voice low so the boys wouldn’t guess from her tone how vulnerable she felt. “I guess that took out the phones.”

“You haven’t started the generator yet?” Rick sounded puzzled.

“Laurel tried. It won’t start.” Cassie went to Laurel’s office but didn’t find her there. “Laurel’s not available right now. I’ll have her call you.” She didn’t want to keep him when he must have things to do, but the sound of his voice was so reassuring.

“I contacted the power utility. A line is down. Apparently it will be a while before power will be restored.” Rick paused for a moment. “But you guys need heat and that means the generator. I’m coming out there.”

“In this storm?” Cassie glanced outside. Fear tiptoed along her spine. “It’s too big a risk.”

“Not at all. I know the landmarks along the way. I won’t get lost,” he assured her. “Besides, Kyle’s taught me all the wilderness survival techniques he knows.” He paused a moment. “I can’t just leave you there, knowing you’re in trouble.”

“But it’s so dangerous to travel in a storm.”

“It’s nice of you to worry about me, Cassie, but I’ll be fine.” His warm voice eased some of her concern. “See you in a bit.”

“Please be careful,” she whispered.

“Always.”

Cassie hung up, unable to stem her worry. So many things could happen to Rick.

To keep herself busy, she set the table and mixed up a salad, trying to maintain her facade that nothing was wrong until Laurel decided how she wanted to explain the situation to the boys. A few moments later Laurel returned, having taken a second shot at fixing the generator. Cassie filled her in on Rick’s call.

“I tried to talk him out of it but he insisted,” she told Laurel helplessly.

“He would. That’s the kind of man he is. Always giving for others.” Worry showed clearly in Laurel’s frown. “Can you keep the boys busy? I’m going to pray for Rick.”

“I hope it works,” Cassie told her.

“Prayer always works, Cassie. God always hears us. Romans says, ‘Anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.’” Laurel gave Cassie a quick smile before she left the room.

Cassie wasn’t as certain as Laurel about God’s protection, but she’d had enough conversation about God for one day.

Lives got chillier as the day went on. Laurel explained their predicament to the boys, who grew increasingly more solemn as they waited for Rick. Though it was barely mid-afternoon, the light was fading fast. Cassie knew that Rick’s chances of arriving safely during the storm dropped considerably with every minute that passed.

When the last of the day’s light faded, Cassie and Laurel raided Kyle’s cupboard for emergency lanterns, which the boys began cranking. Then Cassie asked them to cut used milk jugs into candleholders.

“Wh-what are they f-for?” Noah asked.

“We’ll put them in the windows so Rick can find us in the storm.” It was silly, but Cassie couldn’t suppress her desperation to do something, anything, to help Rick reach them. Surely God wouldn’t let anything happen to His emissary, would He?

He let other things happen.

Her heart squeezed tight at the foreboding that filled her. Cassie began to wish she could pray. But she couldn’t get the words past the distrustful block in her throat. God had let her down before. How could she trust Him now, with something as important at Rick’s life?

Then, above the whine of the raging wind, she heard the roar of a snowmobile. Her heart surging with relief, Cassie followed Laurel and the boys to the front door where they all urged Rick inside.

“What is this, an honor guard?” he joked, dragging off his helmet.

Everyone laughed, shattering the tension. Laurel urged the boys to go back to their warm quilts in the family room while Cassie helped Rick slide off his snow-covered coat. When his green eyes met hers, her heart beat so fast all she could manage was, “Welcome.”

Cassie didn’t think she’d ever been so glad to see someone in her entire life.

“Awful night to host a party.” Rick tossed her a brash grin then kicked off his boots. Cassie and Laurel followed him as he hobbled to a kitchen chair and rubbed his toes. “Sorry it took so long. I made a wrong turn. Kyle will ream me out when I tell him,” he said, looking slightly abashed. “Thanks for lighting those candles. Believe it or not, they helped.”

“That was Cassie’s idea.” Laurel turned to wink at her.

“Thank you, Cassie. I appreciate it.” Rick’s gaze clung to hers a bit too long before he turned back to Laurel. “Give me a few minutes to get the ice off my feet and I’ll go check on the generator. I brought some extra gas for it in case you’re low.”

“We have lots of gas. I just can’t get the thing to start,” Laurel complained.

Cassie smiled as the boys returned and gathered around Rick, drawn in by his charisma. Wrapped in their warm blankets, they sat on the floor at his feet, asking a thousand questions, barely waiting for answers.

Rod had been at Lives the longest and had beaten Rick at checkers many times. Bryan had begun to adapt to his diabetes, thanks to Rick’s encouragement. Barry was the quiet one, but his adoration of the young pastor was clear. Michael suffered from depression and Daniel dealt with the aftereffects of drug use. The newest arrivals were still finding their way at Lives, but as Rick laughed and joked with them, each boy joined in.

Every so often Rick’s eyes lifted in search of hers. Each time Cassie pretended to be busy, too aware of her heightened response to him, too embarrassed by the surge of relief that had filled her when he’d walked through the door.

“Okay, I’m ready,” Rick said to Laurel as he rose. “Got a couple of flashlights?”

She handed them to him. “I’m coming, too,” she said. “I need to see what’s wrong.”

“Okay. See you guys in a bit,” he said cheerfully. With a smile that seemed to be just for Cassie, he and Laurel left.

Cassie wasted the next ten minutes telling herself she would have worried about anyone who had been out in a storm like this. By the time the power flickered on, she’d almost convinced herself it was true. But when Rick returned and accepted the hot chocolate she handed him, her heart was still thudding and she couldn’t catch her breath.

With the furnace blasting out heat, Lives quickly warmed up. Cassie and Laurel finished preparing supper using candlelight to save the generator because no one knew when power would be restored. Then they all gathered around the big table to eat.

Cassie was not surprised in the slightest that Rick made the meal joyful, from his grace of thanksgiving to the jokes he shared.

“He’s got the boys so busy laughing there’s no time for them to miss their families,” Laurel said as they cleaned up the kitchen. “Just another reason I adore that man.”

Laurel coaxed Rick into leading the games she’d planned, and Cassie couldn’t help but laugh when he refused to let either of them sit out, despite their protests. Cassie didn’t mind. The room resounded with loud and happy laughter and she couldn’t remember when she’d had so much fun. Even Noah seemed to lose his reticence, begging her to join in a game of Twister that left Cassie feeling like a pretzel.

“You’re good at this,” Rick told her, offering a helping hand up. When she took it, she felt the warmth of his hand against hers.

“I have to be—it’s Noah’s favorite.” Once on her feet, she let go of his hand, anxious to break the connection between them.

What was wrong with her tonight? Were her responses so strong because she’d been afraid for Rick?

“It’s getting close to midnight,” Rick said. “Maybe we should fill the punch glasses so we’ll be ready for a toast.”

Since the others were busily arranging the white domino tiles for a game, Cassie agreed. She and Rick worked together. After their hands touched for the third time, Cassie couldn’t remain silent.

“I was so scared for you,” she said in a half whisper so the boys wouldn’t hear.

“Really?” His eyes widened. A smile stretched across his face. “That was nice of you. I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone worry about me before.”

A pleased look stayed with him even after they’d finished filling the glasses. Such a small thing, yet he seemed delighted by it. Cassie couldn’t help wondering why this handsome and very nice man didn’t have anybody who cared about him.

Soon they were finished and all was ready for the midnight hour.

“One more minute,” Rick said, smiling. “Then we start a new chapter in our lives.” He tapped a spoon against a glass. “Hey,” he called. “Are you guys ready for our New Year’s toast?”

The boys grabbed their glasses, laughing as they counted down the seconds. Her mind working furiously, Cassie moved as far as possible from Rick. She could not, would not get caught next to him at the stroke of midnight. Her cheeks warmed at the thought of his lips touching hers and she scolded herself for her imagination. But when she caught his gaze she knew that he’d been thinking along the same lines, and that flustered her even more.

“Ready?” she asked Noah, tearing her gaze from Rick’s.

“Y-yeah.” He blinked as Laurel’s big wall clock chimed the midnight hour.

“Happy New Year!” Cassie clinked her glass with her son’s. “May it be your best year ever, Noah.”

“Happy N-New Year,” he repeated.

The boys moved around, eager to tap their glasses against everyone else’s. That was how Cassie ended up next to Rick, despite her best efforts.

“Happy New Year, Cassie,” he said softly.

It was only their glasses that made contact, but the effect was the same as if his lips had touched hers. She spilled a few drops of punch on her fingers as she tried to find her voice.

“Happy New Year,” she whispered.

His eyes held hers for a long timeless moment. Finally he turned toward the boys and led them in singing “Auld Lang Syne.” Cassie forced herself to breathe in and out slowly, causing her heart rate to eventually return to normal by the end of his short but fervent prayer asking God to bless each of them in the year ahead.

“Let’s share our resolutions,” Rick said.

“What’s a resolution?” Rod asked.

“Grab your snacks. We’ll sit in the family room,” Laurel said. “Rick can explain.”

Cassie sat on the arm of the sofa beside Noah and waited until everyone had settled, curious to hear what Rick would say.

“Resolutions are plans we make to accomplish specific things in the coming year,” he explained in a solemn tone. “It’s a goal to focus on. For example, my resolution this year is to serve God with all my heart, even when it means sacrificing my own plans.”

Cassie frowned. The way Rick said it made it sound as if he was trying to make up for something. What was her resolution?

“What about you guys? Any idea what you’d like to accomplish in the new year?”

Rod grimaced. “My resolution is to figure out math.”

“That’s a good one,” Rick encouraged. “Hard, but good. Anyone else?”

“Mine is to get another saxophone,” Michael said, his blond curly head tilted to one side.

“You play sax? You and I could brainstorm on that maybe,” Rick offered.

“I’d like that,” he said shyly.

Cassie was surprised Michael had answered at all. According to the file she had on him, he was suffering from depression. He certainly hadn’t volunteered any information previously. It must be Rick who was helping him find his place.

“I’m going to get along better with others this year,” Laurel said.

Soon Rick had coaxed each boy to talk about some plan for the future—everyone except Noah, who’d said only that he’d think about it. Cassie’s heart was still aching from Noah’s withdrawal, so she was not prepared when Rick called her name.

“What’s yours, Cassie?” Rick’s gaze pinned her.

“My resolution?” She blinked in surprise, though she knew she should have expected the question. But what to say?

Like a giant wave, the hurt rolled over her, lending a sharp edge to her voice when she said, “I’m going to rebuild my life this year.”

Rick studied her for several moments. Was that pity in his eyes? Cassie did not want pity from this man. She shifted uncomfortably, aware that the boys were now staring, too.

“Well, you’re in the right place, Cassie, because that’s what we do at Lives Under Construction, right, boys?” Laurel said, kindly drawing the attention away from her.

“Thank you all for sharing,” Rick added. “I’ll pray God will help each of you fulfill the desires of your hearts.”

In the clamor of the next hour of games, Cassie often felt Rick’s eyes on her. She studiously avoided looking at him, forcing herself to join the fun, suppressing all that she was feeling. But when her eyes accidentally met his, she knew she wasn’t fooling him.

When the boys could no longer hide their yawns, Laurel said it was time for bed. She convinced Rick to sleep in the family room because of the storm, and then Cassie persuaded Laurel to leave the cleaning-up to her.

She’d just snapped off the kitchen light and was about to go to her room when Rick’s touch on her arm stopped her. She shifted so his hand dropped away. “Yes, Rick?”

“I wanted to wish you the very best with your resolution, Cassie.” His green eyes swirled with something she couldn’t define, something that made her knees weak against her will. “I hope God will bless you and Noah as you start a new life here. I’ll pray you find what you need in Churchill and at Lives.”

“Thank you. Happy New Year to you, too, Rick,” she said quietly. “Thanks for coming to our rescue.”