"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 assist 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 God 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 Saturday 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.
"Hello," 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.
"Hello, 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 bump 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 embarrassed 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.
"Did you happen to see Zeke at the train station?"
"No. He wasn't around."
"He hit me today, from the back, and I don't think he'd been drinking. I don't want him following Eliza, but I wish he would just leave town."
"Why don't you stay at Jeanette's?" Rylan asked, feeling drained and hoping she would agree.
"You'll walk me home, won't you?"
"Certainly."
"I think once I'm in my apartment, I'll be fine," Sabrina said in complete honesty. "On Monday, I'll see Sheriff Kaderly and report what he did."
"Why wait until Monday?"
"I guess I didn't assume he would be around tomorrow." "Someone is always at the sheriff's office, and we can do that when I walk you home."
Sabrina nodded, knowing she would not have thought of this. "Are you not hungry?"
"I'm starving, but it feels funny to eat when you're just sitting there."
Rylan stood. "Let's head to the kitchen. You can finish your supper while the rest of us have dessert."
It occurred to Sabrina to wonder who took care of Rylan Jarvik. He always seemed to be taking care of her, and she wondered who saw to his needs. Maybe he doesn't want someone taking care of him. Some men don't.
173 By then Sabrina was in the kitchen, being welcomed by the Vicks with no time for any more speculation.
"You say he hit
you? With what?" Lewis Varner asked Sabrina, who noticed that he wrote nothing down.
"I didn't see it. He hit me from the back."
"How do you know it was Zeke Masters?"
"He was the only person in the room who would do that." "Who else was there?"
"Eliza Norlin."
"The prostitute?" Lewis asked, looking as repulsed as he felt. "Yes," Sabrina said quietly.
"Will she testify that this happened?"
"She left town today."
"Well, now, isn't that convenient."
Sabrina almost looked at Rylan. She didn't know what she'd done to gain this man's animosity, but it was nearly palpable in the room. Sabrina stood uncertainly for a moment, her old fear of police officers coming up and having to be pushed down.
"What will you do?" Sabrina finally asked.
"Do? I don't know if there is anything to do. I have only your word on the matter."
"Why isn't the lady's word enough?" Rylan asked with far less force than he felt.
Lewis looked up at him. He knew the sheriff thought the pastor was something special, but Lewis was not taken in.
"Listen," Lewis said, looking back to Sabrina. "I'll mention it to Sheriff Kaderly, but the fact that you didn't come in for hours, with only your word for what happened, makes it a little hard to press."
Sabrina only nodded and turned for the door, Rylan at her heels. He waited only until they were outside to speak.
"What was that about?"
174 "I don't know. I'm glad I had a nap or I might have overreacted."
"Have you had dealings with him before?"
"The only time I've ever seen him was that first night with Eliza and Zeke. Maybe I'm being judged by where I live."
"Speaking of which..." Rylan began.
"I'll look for something," Sabrina agreed. "I guess it's for the best."
"I'll keep my ears open, and Jessie hears just about everything."
Sabrina didn't mention the money. She didn't want pity, but she was still figuring out what it cost to live in this town. So far she was making it, but there were many things she would like to add to her apartment. If her rent was higher, that was going to be impossible. Eliza had given her some kitchen items, and that helped.
"Are you going up?" Rylan asked, and Sabrina realized she was standing at the bottom of her stairs.
"Yes, thanks for walking with me."
"You're welcome. I'll see you in the morning."
Sabrina climbed the stairs and knew by the top that the nap had not been enough. She would sleep hard this night.
"How are you doing with praying for Token Creek?" Rylan asked the next morning at the end of his sermon. "Are you remembering? Sometimes I don't hear from Sheriff Kaderly for weeks, but lately I've been called out to the homes of many folks. There are hurting people here, lost people who need your prayers.
"A woman named Eliza lost her baby this week. Mirabel was just a tiny scrap of a thing, not even six weeks old when she died. Eliza decided not to stay in town anymore, but I'll remember her often. She took a Bible with her and knows that I'm praying for her. I want you to pray too."
Rylan closed in prayer then, still weary from the day before but
175 also thankful for this group of fellow believers. A few of the men, as well as Sabrina, were the only ones who saw folks from all parts of town, but he knew they prayed with him and counted those prayers as a blessing to his heart.
When he came from behind the pulpit, several folks came to him and said they would remember to pray for Eliza. Rylan believed there was not a dearer church family in all the world.
"Hug my mother," Meg told Patience, wanting to cry at the thought. "And have such a good time."
"We will, and I have all the things you wanted to send."
"Tell them that Savanna is getting so big and that she loved the hat and little vest. She wears the hat every day."
"I'll tell your parents all of it, and when we come back we'll bring all the news."
Jeb was next, hugging Meg and kissing the baby goodbye. Brad shook Jeb's hand and bent to kiss Patience's cheek. The farewells said, Brad and Meg went to their wagon, but Brad could see his wife was upset.
"Wish you were going?"
"A little," Meg said, her voice wobbling. "I don't have the energy right now, and the train ride would be so long for Savanna, but I miss my parents, Brad. I can't tell you how much."
"I'm sorry you can't go. I wish they'd made this trip before we
started having children. You could have gone with them then." "Without you?" Meg asked, looking as surprised as she felt. "Just for a visit. I would understand."
"It's not really about me," Meg admitted. "I want them to see Savanna."
Brad nodded in complete agreement because he was in the same boat. His mother lived in town, but for all of her awareness she might as well have been across the country.
176 It was a quiet couple who made their way home to Holden Ranch.
"Are you busy?" Sabrina asked Becky late in the afternoon on Sunday.
"What are you doing at the kitchen door?" Becky scolded, pulling the other woman inside with a shake of her head.
"My bread pudding didn't turn out." Sabrina showed her the pan. "What did I do wrong?'
Becky looked down at the unrecognizable mass and had to cover her mouth.
"You're laughing," Sabrina said, catching the action.
"No," Becky denied, but she couldn't stop her smile.
Sabrina smiled a bit sheepishly, and then Becky began to question her.
"Was the bread fresh?"
"Yes."
"And you beat the liquid throughly?"
"Yes."
"And you poured the mixture over every bit of the top?" "Yes.
"How many eggs did you use?"
Sabrina bit her lip. "I think I forgot the eggs."
Becky gave her usual longsuffering look and said, "What am I going to do with you?"
"I'll remember next time."
"Did you find an apartment yet?"
"How did you know about that?"
"I know a lot of things," she said, not admitting that she talked to Rylan earlier that day. "So have you?"
"Not yet. I have to talk to Jessie in the morning."
"You need to get yourself moved back here. We all want it."
177 Part of Sabrina wanted it too, but it wasn't that simple. She couldn't live there indefinitely, or at least that's what she told herself.
"Thanks, Becky," Sabrina said, closing the conversation and heading for the door. Becky would not let her leave empty-handed. She packed a basket with food and sent that on Sabrina's free arm.
178
RYLAN SPENT THE DAY alone. He thought about Sabrina quite a bit
and wanted to see her, but he didn't give in to the idea. The Vicks had asked him to join them in the evening, but Rylan was taking all Sunday afternoon to read his Bible and pray.
It was not an unusual thing for him to do, but never had he done it with such a distraction. Sabrina was beginning to be very special to his heart, and she came to mind often. He asked the Lord not to let her get between them, and by working hard to control his thoughts, she did not dominate.
He spent a long time studying in Colossians and kept up his memorization of Psalm 144. He climbed into bed at the end of the day, thankful the sheriff had not come for him and he'd had so many hours with just the Lord. It was the refreshment he needed.
"Do you know of any other apartments in town?" Sabrina dutifully asked Jessie on Monday morning.
"Not since the last time you asked," Jessie said. "What's up?"
179 "I don't think I can stay where I am on Willow Street. It's gotten unsafe."
"Gotten?" Jessie asked, her brows raised.
Sabrina ignored her and asked a few customers who came in that day if they knew of a place. No one was very helpful, but she told herself to keep trying.
The day dragged a bit, her mind on the apartment as we
ll as a letter she owed Danny and Callie. She walked home, her mind adrift, only to find Zeke sitting halfway up her stairway. Sabrina could not tell if he'd been drinking, but he was angry and wanted to know exactly where Eliza had gone.
"Get off my stairway, Zeke," Sabrina wasted no time saying. "Answer my question."
"Eliza is gone. I'm not sure where she is right now."
"Where was she headed?"
"I won't tell you that."
Zeke came at her, and Sabrina backed away. The area was quiet right now, and Sabrina's eyes darted toward Crystal's window. That window was closed, but Sabrina still called her name. Zeke lunged for her, and Sabrina fought hard, but Eliza was not there to chase him off this time, and Zeke did not give up until Sabrina was unconscious.
Sabrina woke slowly, tasting dirt and blood in her mouth. She coughed a little, trying to find air and wondering which part of her hurt the most, her face or throat. She heard movement just then and tried to move away.
"No more, Zeke," she mumbled. "No more."
"Sabrina?"
"Who is it?"
"Crystal. What happened?"
"Please," Sabrina croaked past a raw throat. "Please find the sheriff."
180 Sabrina wasn't sure if she hesitated or not, but she heard her run off and worked to push herself into a sitting position, glad there was still plenty of light and she could see to navigate. Sabrina sighed when she felt the building against her back.
Okay, Lord, I'm giving up now. No matter how I feel about Jeanette's house, I'll go. If she'll have me, I'll move back.
Sabrina thought she had prayed for an hour before the sheriff came, when in reality only five minutes had passed. Sabrina looked up at that man, her eyes unconsciously pleading for help.
"Crystal is finding Doc," the sheriff said, silently horrified over what had happened to her.
Sabrina wanted to thank him but wasn't sure she could push any more words past her throat.
Again time seemed to stand still. Sabrina closed her eyes and wished she could sleep and have the pain and Zeke's image go away, but then she opened her eyes and Timothy was there with the wagon. But more than that, Rylan was jumping down from the seat and coming toward her. Sabrina didn't know when anything felt as comforting as his arms lifting her and his voice telling her it was going to be all right.