"Were you teasing me again?"

"No," Rylan said, but was still laughing, and Sabrina clearly didn't believe him.

With a longsuffering shake of her head, she turned toward the dining room. She wasn't sure what she'd missed, but she knew she'd missed something.

164.

"WERE THERE MANY PEOPLE at the funeral?" Jeanette asked over supper. She had not been completely aware of the afternoon's events, but Rylan had caught her up. She had been genuinely sad for the mother's loss.

"Maybe twelve people," he said, trying to recall.

"Anyone I would know?"

"Doc Ertz. I think that's it."

Jeanette turned to Sabrina. "Did you know anyone besides the doctor?"

"Several. Some are my neighbors, and one I know by accident." "How does that work, knowing someone by accident?" Heather asked. Theta had settled down quickly, and she had been able to join them.

Sabrina had to smile. How did she explain Bret Toben to a woman like Jeanette? Yes, Heather had asked the question, but Jeanette was listening to every word. For some reason, Sabrina saw Jeanette as sheltered. She probably wasn't as sheltered as she thought, but just in case she was right, Sabrina did not want to be the one to change things for her.

165 "Sabrina?" Rylan said, and that lady realized she hadn't answered.

"I'm sorry, Heather. I was just thinking about how I'd met Bret." "Bret Toben?" Jeanette asked.

"Yes, do you know him?" Sabrina asked with surprise. "Certainly. He's done business at the bank for years. He was at the funeral?"

Sabrina nodded.

"How do you know him, Bri?" Heather was still curious.

"I met him when I was looking for an apartment, and he shops at Jessie's," Sabrina heard herself saying, realizing it was easier than she thought.

"Bret has shown interest in Sabrina," Rylan had no issue saying. "It's been a bit challenging for her."

"How do you handle it?" Jeanette asked.

Sabrina would not have chosen to share this, but Jeanette did not seem as shocked or upset as she would have imagined.

"I just keep saying no."

"No to what?" Heather asked, looking concerned.

"He usually asks me into the bar for a drink."

Jeanette opened her mouth to ask what she was doing near the Boar's Head but then shut it. Jessie's was across the street and not many doors down from that saloon. And on top of that, she knew there were things that Sabrina didn't tell her because of the way she reacted and suddenly understood why.

"I need to tell you something, Bri," Jeanette said, setting her fork down and looking serious. "I didn't want you to move to that apartment. I've hated it that you're there, but you were able to speak to this poor girl who lost her baby, and I think that's wonderful. I think you're wonderful."

"Thank you," Sabrina said, watching Heather nod her head in vigorous agreement. The black-haired woman looked at Rylan, working to understand where that must have come from, but he only smiled at her.

166 Becky came bustling in before anyone could comment further, checking bowls and offering dessert. Sabrina was never so glad to see her and have the attention shift away from herself.

It's like leaving Denver, Sabrina prayed as she dressed on Sat.u.r.day morning, thankful that Jeanette had been understanding about work. I know it's not the same, but packing for Eliza makes me feel as though I'm leaving Callie and Danny all over again. I don't want to cry. I don't want to put that burden on her, Lord. Help me to think of Eliza's needs and not my own. Help me to do just what she needs , and to show my beliefs as who lam. May You use that in some way, someday, Lord. Help me to trust You for that.

Sabrina pulled her hair back with a ribbon, knowing it would be easier to have it out of her face, and went out the door. Mirabel came to mind, but Sabrina pushed the images of her small face away. She didn't know what the day would look like, but something told her it was not going to be fun.

"Do you need to sell some things before you go?" Sabrina asked Eliza after an hour of work, making an a.s.sumption.

Rylan had offered to buy Eliza a train ticket, but she didn't know if he wanted people knowing about that. She knew the pastor had feelings for Sabrina-she'd seen it with her own eyes-but not what their relationship was.

"No," Eliza said. "I'll pack today and leave in the morning." Sabrina was glad. She thought the longer the other woman stayed around, the more likely it was she wouldn't leave at all.

"Do you want anything from the kitchen?" Sabrina asked. "No, take what you want and leave the rest."

167 Sabrina kept sorting, not really sure what the other woman needed but wanting to help in any way she could.

"What is she doing here?"

Sabrina turned at the sound of the male voice and told herself to stay calm. She was tempted to go after Zeke with an iron skillet but knew that was wrong.

"Get out, Zeke," Eliza said tiredly. "I told you I'm going, and I am.

"I need to talk to you."

"No. Just leave."

Sabrina didn't want to get involved. She made herself turn her back on the arguing couple. She was using the kitchen table to fold clothing and never saw the blow coming. One minute she was standing upright and the next she was out cold.

For a full ten seconds, Eliza did not react. She stared in horror at the act of cowardice on Zeke's part and then began to scream.

"What have you done? She's my friend. She's helping me! Get your worthless hide out of my house and never come back!"

Zeke had never seen her like this. She had picked up a chair and was actually coming at him.

"Eliza, if I could just talk to you," he tried, but she was having none of it. Eliza chased him to the door and then slammed it in his wake. She dropped the chair and made a beeline for Sabrina, praying for the first time in years.

"Please G.o.d, not Pretty. Don't let her be dead. Anything but that."

Sabrina felt the wet cloth on her face and struggled to wake up. Her head pounded. She started violently, but it was Eliza holding her head and not Zeke.

"Oh, you're alive, you're alive. I thought he'd killed you." "What happened?" Sabrina asked, reaching for the back of her 168 head and willing it to stay on her shoulders. It felt as though she'd been drinking, but she was pretty sure she didn't do that anymore.

"Here, sit up." Eliza helped her, and Sabrina looked around the small house. She made the mistake of shaking her head and had to groan a little.

"Is he gone?" Sabrina asking, realizing what must have happened.

"Yes. I chased him off."

Sabrina came to her feet and turned to go back to work. Eliza watched her, still trying to take in all she knew about her and what had just happened. She had been dreading leaving Token Creek, even knowing there was nothing for her here, but not now. Throwing off her grief, she began to work swiftly. She didn't want to wait until tomorrow. There was an afternoon train. If she hurried, she could get word to Rylan Jarvik, and make it.

"Clancy, be careful," Sabrina said, watching the little girl climb on a ladder in the storeroom. "Don't fall."

"I won't."

Sabrina wanted to stay and keep an eye on her, but the store was full. She found the egg basket and rolling pin she'd been looking for and went back out front to a.s.sist the woman who had asked for them. And it seemed that everyone had a special order. Jessie had been bent over the catalog all afternoon.

Two boys, chasing each other through the store, had spilled the barrel of peanuts, and Hannah had been none too happy when asked to help with the cleanup. Sabrina's head still ached, and she had to work not to look at the clock every few minutes. She couldn't remember the last time she wanted a day to end so badly.

169 "You're all set?" Rylan asked Eliza. They had met at the train station and taken a seat on a bench against the wall, Eliza's bags at their feet.

"All set."

"Where's Sabrina? I thought she'd be here."

"She already said goodbye. Jessie was planning on having her at the store and since we were done, she went."

For a moment they were quiet. Rylan had bought her ticket, something he had not done lightly, and he was going to make sure she boarded that train.

"Do you fear Zeke will follow you?" he asked after a moment. "No, he never has much money. He'll be stuck here for a while, and he doesn't know where I'm from."

"Good. You'll be safe with your father."

"Watch out for Pretty," Eliza suddenly said. "Zeke might still have it out for her."

"Do you think he holds a grudge from that first day?" "Yes, and he's a coward. He hit Pretty from the back." Rylan stared down at her.

"Zeke hit Sabrina today?"

"Knocked her out cold. She needs to get out of that neighborhood. It's no place for a girl like her."

Rylan was delighted to see and hear the train from a distance. He had some thinking to do, and the sooner he saw Eliza on her way, the sooner he could get to it.

"Thank you for everything," Eliza said, standing from the bench they'd been sharing, the train pulling into the station. "I won't ever forget."

"I'll pray for you, Eliza."

"I'll read the Bible you gave me, Pastor."

Rylan put his hand out to shake hers. He watched while she boarded and stayed until the train pulled out and she waved from the window, her face still etched in grief but with a light of determination as well. Rylan had plenty to do, but he sat back down on the bench for a 170 few minutes longer, asking G.o.d to reach this woman through His Word and save her for all of eternity.

Sabrina did not even have the energy to walk home. Jessie had closed the store and said goodbye, but Sabrina had gotten no farther than the rocking chairs. It was Sat.u.r.day night in Token Creek-she couldn't linger for long-but it felt so good to sit down and have nothing to do.

Her head didn't hurt anymore, but she learned in a hurry that she could not touch the lump at the back. It smarted a little too much for curious fingers.

Sabrina was wondering what Zeke had used to hit her and how she was going to brush her hair when she spotted Chas Vick coming up Main Street. She hoped he didn't need something at the mercantile. If so, he would have to wait until Monday.

"h.e.l.lo," Sabrina greeted him, smiling when he sat down. "You're just the person I'm looking for, Bri Matthews." "Why is that?"

"I've come to ask you to supper."

"Oh, thank you," Sabrina said with pleasure but knowing she had to be honest. "I'm awful tired, Chas. I don't know if I'll be very good company."

"If you're tired, that's perfect. You won't have to fix your own supper."

Sabrina agreed. She thought it a very nice offer and told herself to move out of the chair. Even the walk down the street was an effort, but Chas talked about various things, and before she knew it, they were at the Vicks' front door. Chas held the door for her to go in, and the first person she saw was Franklin.

"h.e.l.lo, Franklin," Sabrina greeted him, even as Chas invited her to have a seat and make herself at home.

"Does Miranda need help?"

171 "No, but she'll be out in a minute to see you."

"This is my horse," Franklin began, holding up a small wooden toy. "I call him Quincy, after Trace's horse."

"I like that name," Sabrina said, thinking this was familiar and he must have told her about his toy horse the last time she was there. Sabrina made the mistake of putting her head back against the sofa. The b.u.mp hurt, so she shifted around a bit and continued to watch Franklin with his horse. She even had a vague memory of Heidi coming in with her dog but just couldn't be sure.

Rylan watched Sabrina wake up, sorry he had not been there when she arrived. The last thing he wanted her to believe was that he'd plotted against her. Pete had agreed to get an order out that was too much for the end of the day, so Rylan had run to Chas and asked for his help, wanting him to catch Sabrina before she went back to her apartment. By the time he'd cleaned up and joined the Vicks, she was sound asleep.

"Did I fall asleep?" Sabrina suddenly asked, sitting up very straight.

"Yes."

"Oh, no. I've got to apologize to Miranda."

"You'll do no such thing," the woman said, coming into the room with a plate of food. "You told Chas you were tired. Here's your supper."

"I slept through supper?" Sabrina asked, feeling embarra.s.sed and disoriented.

"As I said, it's not important. We are in the other room. Rylan will visit with you while you eat, and then you can join us for dessert."

Sabrina watched Miranda walk from the room and then looked down at the plate of food in her lap. It took some time for her to look over at Rylan, but when she did, she was struck by his face.

"You look a little weary," Sabrina commented, not unkindly.

172 "I am," Rylan agreed.

"Do you know if Eliza caught the train?"

"She did."

"I'm glad."

"How was your day?"

"Long and tiring. I'm glad it's over."

Sabrina took a bite of food. She was hungry but not quite awake.