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“I’m sure you’ll be a great asset, Cassie. We can use all the help we can get to reach Laurel’s boys.”
Cassie searched Rick’s face. We. That meant they’d be working together. Would he judge her, too, when he found out about Eric? As she stood, she looked around at the Christmas decorations still hanging in the dining car. “It seems funny that there are only three days till New Year’s Eve.”
“Churchill’s New Year’s Eve is fantastic,” Rick said.
“Wh-why?” Noah demanded.
“You’ll have to go to find out. But I will tell you this—it’s a town-wide party with amazing fireworks.”
Rick gestured for them to precede him out of the dining car. Cassie felt stares as they walked toward their seats. She automatically smoothed a hand over her hip, then stopped herself. Her jeans were years out of date and her leather boots had seen far better days, but why should she care what Rick or anyone else thought about her?
She took a look around and saw that most of her fellow passengers, including Rick, looked as though they chose function over fashion.
They’re not judging you, Cassie.
As she and Noah reached their seats, she glanced back and saw Rick joking with a woman nearby as he pulled a duffel bag from the overhead rack. He hadn’t said anything about a wife or kids and he didn’t wear a ring, but Cassie felt certain that a man with Rick’s looks wasn’t single unless he wanted it that way. He was too charming for it to be otherwise.
And nice, her brain prodded. Rick was definitely nice.
Cassie took a seat and closed her eyes. Pastor Rick Salinger was a mystery all right, but not one Cassie was going to explore. After the mess Eric had left her in and the condemnation of her church family, she just wanted to keep things as simple as possible. She would do her job and build a new life at Lives Under Construction. If she failed to get Noah straightened out here—well, she couldn’t fail, that was all. Churchill was her last resort.
An ache tore through Cassie as she studied Noah. Since Eric’s death Noah had been acting out. He’d been disciplined at school for his bad behavior and she’d tried to discipline him at home. Neither had worked. He’d progressively become more of an opponent than the son she adored.
She had to get him to change the path he was on, to let go of the brooding anger inside before he did something she couldn’t fix.
Her gaze roamed the train until it rested on Rick. Rick said he helped the boys at Lives. Maybe he could—she didn’t dare let herself think it.
Cassie Crockett had learned the hard way that you couldn’t trust anyone.
It was a lesson she’d never forget.
Chapter Two
The weight of Cassie’s decision hit when she opened her eyes an hour later and got her first view of Churchill.
She was alone, a single mom with a troubled kid to support in a cold, barren land where she had just one friend, Laurel. Had moving here been the right decision?
The train jerked. They were slowing down.
It didn’t matter now if the decision was right or wrong. It had been made.
“We’re here, M-Mom,” Noah said. For the first time in many months a hint of excitement colored his voice.
The tired old train ground to a stop with much squeaking of brakes. Noah jumped to his feet. Cassie reached up to heft her overnight case from the storage compartment above. A hand slid over hers where it grasped the suitcase handle.
“Yes, Noah. I’m hurrying—”
The words died away when she turned and stared into Rick’s dark green gaze.
“Let me help you with this.”
Odd how his quiet offer made her feel as if she wasn’t quite so alone.
Cassie nodded, swallowing when his warm fingers eased the handle from her hands, lifted the bag free and shifted it so it would roll forward. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” His low response, for her ears alone, made her feel cared for. She liked that.
You have no business liking anything about Rick, she scolded herself.
But the scolding didn’t seem to stop her from appreciating the tall, lean man. A slanted smile played on his too-handsome face, warming her like a ray of sunshine. His easy manner made her drop her guard, feel comfortable. The pull of attraction toward him was like nothing she’d known before. She searched his eyes, trying to understand the connection she felt, ignoring the flutter in her stomach when he met her gaze.
“I appreciate your entertaining Noah during the ride,” she said as they waited to disembark.
“He’s a great kid.” The pastor took her arm to help her as they stepped outside, grinning at Noah’s astonished reaction to mountainous snowdrifts that dazzled in the brilliant morning sun. “Welcome to Churchill.”
As they moved away from the crowd and down the platform, Rick stayed by her side, matching his strides to her shorter ones, rolling her case along as if it were a feather. He had the long, lean grace of a distance runner. Though Cassie noticed the many admiring stares he received, Rick didn’t seem to. He smiled and greeted people, totally at ease.
By contrast, Noah stood aloof, surveying the area with a wariness Cassie wished she could help him shed. But how? Noah argued with her constantly over the least little thing. Nothing Cassie had tried seemed to help reduce the stutter that had appeared several months earlier. Not even prayer.
“Noah could go inside to stay warm,” Rick told her. “But it’s better if you wait here for the opening of the container car to ensure all your stuff has arrived. If it doesn’t, you have to make a claim right away. You do have more than this?” he asked, indicating her suitcase.
“Oh, yes.” Cassie nodded. “We have more.”
Laurel had explained to Cassie that she should bring as much as she could and take advantage of the railway’s free transportation of patrons’ goods because shipping in everyday things could make living in the North Country very expensive.
As Cassie looked around at the vast glistening beauty of the isolated land, she decided the expense of living so far north was worth it when she would be able to savor this view every day. Maybe she hadn’t made a mistake coming here. Maybe life for her and Noah was finally going to get better.
She shifted from one foot to the other, glad of her coat’s thick insulation, as endless pallets of bulky paper items were off-loaded followed by boxes and trunks of all descriptions. As Rick retrieved the items she pointed out, Cassie became conscious of odd looks, the kind that said the onlookers suspected they were a couple. She stepped away from him to create some distance as she counted her containers.
“Everything is here,” she said.
“Good. And there are my snowshoes.” Rick strode forward and picked up a mesh bag.
“Do you like to snowshoe?” Cassie asked.
“I don’t know. I haven’t tried yet. I bought these at a thrift store in Thompson.” He chuckled at her dubious look. “My friend Kyle—he works at Lives, too—promised to teach me.” He swung the bag over his shoulder only to set it down again when his cell phone rang. “Excuse me.”
He looked at the caller ID, grinned at Cassie and put the phone on speaker.
“Rick? This is Laurel. I’m sorry to bother you but my van conked out.” Though Laurel’s frustration carried clearly in the crisp air, Cassie felt a measure of relief at hearing her friend’s voice. “I’m at the garage and they say it has to stay overnight.”
“But you’re supposed to pick up your new nurse and her son,” Rick guessed with a wink at Cassie. She couldn’t help smiling back. There was something about his irrepressible good humor that drew her in.
“Yes, that’s why I’m calling. I wondered if you might be able to give us all a ride back to Lives.”
“I can because, fortunately for you, I left the block heater on my car engine plugged in while I was in Thompson,” Rick said. “It should start without any trouble.”
Cassie tracked his gaze to the thermometer on the side of the depot—minus twenty-eight degrees Celsius. No wonder she was shivering.
“I’ll have to walk home to get it, though,” Rick continued. “You’re still at the garage, right? Why don’t you stay put until I can pick you up?”
“I just collected one of the boys. How about if we meet you at the station? But before you leave could you find Cassie Crockett and her son and ask them to wait? She’s blond, short curly hair—”
“I’ve already met her and Noah. In fact, Cassie’s standing beside me.”
“Hi, Laurel,” Cassie called.
“Cassie! I can’t wait to see you! We’ll be there soon. Thanks, Rick.”
“No worries, Laurel. See you in a bit.” Rick tucked his phone back in his pocket. “You’d better wait inside until I get back.” He blinked at the number of boxes and containers on the dock. “Where’s the kitchen sink?” he teased.
“We—um, sold our house so we had to bring most of what was left,” she explained.
Rick nodded, seeming to sense her discomfort. He hailed a man and introduced Cassie and Noah. “I was wondering if you’d be willing to use your truck to transport Mrs. Crockett’s things to Lives Under Construction, George.”
“Happy to, Pastor, but it might take a second trip. Lucy Clow’s got me picking up a bunch of stuff she bought online.”
“Again? Wonder what deals she found this time.” Rick shared a grin of understanding with the other man then told Cassie, “Lucy’s infamous for her online purchases, which she always donates to something in town. Will picking up your stuff later work for you, Cassie?”
“Later is perfect.” Cassie noted the obvious affection between Rick and the older man. “Thank you, Mr. Stern.”
“Cassie’s going to be the new nurse at Lives Under Construction, George. She’s also hoping for some part-time work at the health center.” Rick gave her a small nod, as if to say, Wait for it.
“Well isn’t that a blessing?” George beamed. “Our health board has been trying to find another nurse for ages. You’ve got work whenever you want, Miss.”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Stern.” Breathless at the speed with which she’d found a second job, Cassie turned to Rick as George left. “Thank you for doing that.”
“My pleasure.” He checked his watch. “My place is about three blocks away. I’ll have to let the car warm up so it’ll be a while before I return. But Laurel should be here shortly. You and Noah can wait inside.” Rick slid his hand under her elbow and steered her into the station. Noah followed without saying anything.
The peremptory way Rick directed her without waiting for her agreement triggered her dislike of being controlled. A host of memories of Eric’s constant advice and bossy ways filled her head. Eric had seemed to believe she was unable to think for herself. He’d always tried to steer her, literally, and she’d always hated that.
Cassie jerked her arm free once they were inside the depot. “I could have arranged things for myself,” she heard herself saying. “You didn’t have to ask a stranger—”
“There aren’t any strangers in Churchill, Mrs. Crockett,” Rick interrupted in a gentle tone. “Up here we try to help each other because we might be the next in need.”
“Of course,” she whispered, contrite that she’d allowed her past to cause her to behave rudely. “I apologize. Thank you for everything. And please, Rick, call me Cassie.” She forced herself to offer a tiny smile. “Noah and I will wait for you over there.” She pointed to a bench in the corner.
Rick’s good-natured grin returned. He pulled a pair of knitted gloves from his pocket and put them on. “See you in a bit.” Swinging his snowshoes onto his shoulder, Rick picked up his duffel and headed out of the station, toward the street that lay beyond the parking lot, obviously enjoying the brisk air.
Cassie glanced at Noah. Eyes closed, earbuds firmly in place, he swayed back and forth to his music, in his own world. She’d leave him alone, for now, but soon she’d have to find a way to get him to break free of his self-imposed isolation.
Her attention returned to the window and the minister who strode across the white-covered terrain. Rick Salinger unnerved her. Not only because of what he said or did but also because of who he was—a minister, like her father.
That was a very big hurdle in her book.
He’s also straightforward, full of life and interesting.
All the same, Cassie was determined to keep her distance. No matter how much Rick piqued her interest.
* * *
As Rick sauntered back into the train station more than half an hour later, his brain was still struggling to put together a puzzle called Cassie Crockett. One minute she was standoffish and defensive, the next her barriers dropped away and she was warm and engaging. Was that only with him?
And why did he still feel as if he’d met her before?
Cassie sat in the corner where she’d said she’d be, but this was a totally different woman from the one who’d yanked her arm from his grip. She was laughing at something Laurel said, blond head thrown back, eyes dancing. For the first time since he’d met her, Rick thought she looked truly at ease.
“So you met Rick,” he heard Laurel say.
“Yes.” Cassie’s low voice gave nothing away. Though her eyes widened when she saw him, her glance bounced off him, keeping his presence secret.
“He’s a great guy and an even better pastor,” Laurel said. Rick listened unabashedly while she spent several moments extolling his virtues. “You’ll never make a better friend than Rick.”
“Well, thank you, Laurel. I love you, too.” Rick grinned when the older woman squealed in surprise, turned and then hugged him, ruffling his hair.
Rick basked in the feeling of being cared for. Since a wife and family were never going to be part of his future, he cherished every friendship God brought into his life.
“It’s good to have you back, pal.” Laurel patted his shoulder.
“Thanks. Who’s this?” he asked, nodding at a boy who, like Noah, sat with earphones in his ears, swaying to music no one else could hear.
“This is Bryan.” Laurel nudged the boy’s shoulder.
In a desultory fashion, Bryan withdrew one headphone. “Yeah?”
“This is Rick, our pastor,” Laurel said.
“Dude.” Bryan slowly lifted his hand to shake Rick’s. His grip was weak, his palms sweaty. Duty done, he immediately replaced his earphone and closed his eyes.
“I’m overwhelmed by my welcome,” Rick joked.
“You got a better reception than I did,” Cassie complained.
“If he ignored a beautiful woman like you, I don’t feel so bad.” Surprised he’d spoken his thoughts aloud, Rick glanced at Laurel. The smug smile on her face bothered him, but Rick ignored it. He leaned nearer Cassie. “We’ll have to show him that we demand proper respect,” he whispered with a conspiratorial wink. Then he turned to Laurel. “On my way in I noticed George has already picked up Cassie’s things from the dock so I’m ready to leave here whenever you are.”
Noah and Bryan picked up some of the luggage. Rick took the rest. Somehow everything fit inside his small car. Laurel insisted Cassie take the front seat beside him so she’d have a better view of her new home, but Rick noticed Cassie sat just about as far away from his as she could.
“We’re off,” he said as he fastened his seat belt. He left the parking lot and turned the corner to the highway, noticing Cassie’s tight grip on her armrest when the tires slipped on a patch of ice before the treads caught.
“All this ice—” She made a quick glance over one shoulder at Noah.
“It’s okay, Cassie.” He smiled to reassure her. “Josephina will get us there safely. She isn’t the prettiest vehicle around, but she almost always gets where she’s going.”
“Josephina?” she said. One perfect eyebrow arched. “Why not Joseph?”
“Joseph was a truck, my last vehicle.” Rick made sad face. “He wasn’t reliable at all.”
“We won’t go there, then,” she said. The amusement on her face sent an unexpected quiver through him.
