"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 a.s.sured 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 Sat.u.r.day, 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 Sat.u.r.day when the store closed. She even went so far as to tell Sabrina she could plan on Sat.u.r.days 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 Ca.s.sIDY. 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?" Ca.s.sidy 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 Sat.u.r.day," Patience agreed. "Sometimes Jeb helps out as well."

The five of them talked for a while before Trace came looking for Ca.s.sidy. 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 a.s.sumptions, 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.

"Are you all right?" the older woman finally asked. They were on Jeanette's front walk and Sabrina had come to a stop.

"I think so. I suddenly miss my church in Denver."

"Anything in particular?"

Sabrina looked at her, wondering how honest she could be.

"I guess I'm just a little confused. Why does your pastor work at the livery?"

"Because we're a small flock, and even though the families give generously, they don't have a lot of excess. Rylan has never wanted us to be taxed with giving for his salary."

"So he wouldn't have enough to live on if he didn't do that?" "That's right."

Sabrina's heart twisted with compa.s.sion. She still didn't know if she was comfortable with this new pastor, but she certainly understood not having enough money.

"Does it bother you that he works at the livery?"

Sabrina bit her lip and admitted, "He doesn't seem like a pastor to me."

59.

Jeanette had to smile even as she asked herself if this younger woman had heard a word of the sermon. Rylan had preached from the book of Colossians, and there was no mistaking the amount of time he must have studied.

"He does look more like a livery worker than a pastor," Jeanette admitted, finally moving to the front door, "but I hope you won't judge him on his looks. I hope you'll give him a chance."

It was just what Sabrina needed to hear. She had realized that she'd been judging him by his appearance and knew there was no excuse for that.

"I will certainly give him a chance," she said with quiet conviction. "And thank you for explaining."

Jeanette didn't comment, but she did look into Sabrina's face before she opened the door and felt sure once again that this young woman was special.

"Which place?" Rylan asked of sheriff Nate Kaderly when that man came for him on Sunday evening. The two men had gone to an apartment building on Willow Street because a man was dying. The sheriff had been called on an unrelated matter when someone else mentioned the man's plight. As was the sheriff's habit, he went for Rylan.

"Back here." Nate led the way. The apartment was at the rear, up a set of outside stairs that had seen better days. Nate did not knock but opened the door slowly and led the way inside. He had not dallied, but they were too late. The man was gone, his body already going cold.

"Who was he?" Rylan asked.

"Someone called him Ivan, but I didn't know him. Do you want to be alone-I mean, to pray for him?"

"I'll tell you something, Nate," Rylan said kindly. "I try to pattern my life from the Bible, and there is nothing in G.o.d's Word about 60praying for the dead. By the time a person leaves this earth, he's made his choices."

Token Creek's sheriff looked interested, but he didn't ask questions or comment. He mentioned going for Abe Wyner, the town's undertaker, but that was the end of it. Rylan did not linger in the man's small apartment, but he did pray. Not for the dead man-he'd meant what he'd said-but for Nate Kaderly, who, as caring as he was of others, never saw his own need.

"Hannah," Sabrina asked the little girl on Monday morning, "where do I put these pants? The shelf is getting full."

"Oh, there's a place in the storeroom for those. I'll show you."

Sabrina followed Jessie's daughter and when she got to the shelf in the back took some time to arrange things neatly. This was the way Jessie found her.

"You're as good as Jeb. He likes things neat."

"Don't you?" Sabrina asked.

"I love things neat, but when the store is busy, I don't feel I have time." Jessie's hand came up. "And so the storeroom looks like this."

"It's not so bad," Sabrina said, and she was right. Thirty minutes of work would put it to rights.

"Mama." Clancy was suddenly there, a hatbox in her hand. "Yes, Clancy."