Cassidy (Big Sky Dreams 1) Read Online Free PDF

and searchest for her as for hidden treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom; out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous; he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path."
    Rylan raised his head and saw that Theta was very still. She seemed to be listening. He didn't elaborate on what he'd read but began to sing softly, his voice a rich bass. He sang an old hymn about the love and faithfulness of God. He then prayed for Theta, asking God to bless her and keep her thoughts on Him. When he looked up, she was asleep. Rylan studied her pale skin and graying hair for a moment and then made his way quietly from the room.
    "That's never happened before," he said to Jeanette when they were out of earshot.
    "Her eyes closed right after you began to pray," Jeanette said, just as surprised as Rylan. "I was watching all the time, and I think she was ready to sleep right after your song."
    Rylan smiled a little. "It's usually my sermons that put folks to sleep."
    Jeanette laughed and saw him to the door.
    "Thanks, Rylan," Jeanette spoke warmly. "I have to be at the shop, and I hated to leave her in that state."
    "It's my pleasure, Jeanette," he said. "Let me know how she does the rest of the day." This said, Rylan took his leave. This was not a morning at the livery, and he had a sermon to finish.
    33Chandler Di Fiore opened the bank with ten minutes to spare, knowing he had some work on his desk that needed attention.
    His teller, Mr. Falcone, would be along shortly, and Chandler hoped to get a few things done before the streets grew noisy. The days were warmer now, and the door and windows were opened mid-morning and remained that way all day. Chandler did his best work when it was quiet.
    "Good morning." Mr. Falcone, appearing suddenly, greeted his employer.
    "Hello, Ed," Chandler said in return. "I think we're in for another warm one."
    "I hope so. I'm still working to drive the memory of winter away"
    Chandler smiled but didn't comment. His teller was a fine employee, but the cup was always half empty, never half full. Chandler, putting everything from his mind except the paperwork on his desk, managed to accomplish quite a bit before the first distraction. And that was a good thing because it was Abi Pfister, and she was not there on bank business.
    "I've come, Mr. Di Fiore," she announced, stepping up to his desk, pencil and paper in hand. "I'm ready for your story."
    Chandler welcomed the eccentric older woman, one of Token Creek's many characters, and sat down again once she'd taken a seat. It was common knowledge that Abi Pfister was writing a book, and not just any book, but a book on Token Creek and all its inhabitants, past and present. The book was to include details and events that she alone claimed to know. Few thought she would actually accomplish this because she interrupted most of her interviews with stories she had already recorded. She'd come to see Chandler twice about the details of his life, never quite getting them down.
    "Now," Abi began, her work on her book very important to her. "Exactly how long have you been in Token Creek?"
    34"Four years."
    "Exactly?" Abi pressed.
    "It was four years in May."
    Abi wrote and then looked at him again, her hat a bit askew but suiting her nonetheless.
    "And you hail from where?"
    "Boston."
    "You were born there?"
    "I was."
    Abi speared him with a look just then, certain she was being laughed at, but Chandler's face gave nothing away. She bent back over her paper and continued with her questions.
    "And your fiancée's name is Cassidy Norton, correct?"
    "I'm not engaged to Miss Norton or anyone else," Chandler said, his voice not changing, even though he was surprised.
    Abi looked up at him.