Sabrina (Big Sky Dreams 2) (18 page)

Sabrina had not cried, and Rylan had not pressed her to talk about it on the way back to town. He'd taken her to Eliza's and watched as she'd silently gone in and sat with the stunned mother.

Now the small group of mourners stood in the cemetery at the edge of town. Rylan looked over the group. Doctor Ertz had come, and Sabrina, but outside of that, these were the outcasts of the community. Saloon owners and workers, prostitutes and some of the men who visited them, stood around the small grave. Rylan hadn't been asked to say anything, but when eyes kept turning to him, he went to Eliza and checked with her.

"Do you want me to say anything, Eliza? Maybe what we talked about yesterday?"

Eliza nodded, and Rylan stepped back a little to address the group.

"Thank you for coming. Eliza and I talked about some things yesterday, and I'd like to share those thoughts with you. I don't have my Bible with me, but I can tell you that God treasures babies like

160 Mirabel. It says in Psalms that we are knit together in our mother's womb, and for that reason, I know God watches over infants and little ones.

"For those of us who grow old enough to know what choices are, we all have to face what we're going to do with God's Son, Jesus Christ. But for little ones like Mirabel, God understands they can't choose or reject Him. And God is a just and loving God. He would never condemn such a small life away from Him. For this reason, I believe Mirabel is with God right now. Not because of who she is, but because of who He is. I take comfort in that.

"I hope that anyone who doubts they will spend eternity with God will not wait another day to take care of that. Mirabel's time was done, and we will grieve her, but we don't have to grieve without hope." Rylan paused for just a moment before adding, "If anyone wants to know any more about the things I've said, I hope you'll come to me."

Folks started to wander off, some with a word to Eliza. Sabrina stayed at her side, not wanting to talk to anyone but not sure she should leave. She glanced up and spotted Zeke in the distance, and all thoughts about staying silent deserted her.

"Zeke is here," Sabrina said, not mincing words. "You deserve better than that, Eliza. Go home to Redmond. Go home to your father. You won't have to work like this anymore. Leave Token Creek and this life behind you. And keep searching for God," Sabrina added, her throat threatening to close. "Don't ever give up until you find Him."

Eliza finally looked at her.

"I'm so sorry she's gone," Sabrina said, unable to stop the tears that flooded her eyes. "She was so precious. Don't lose yourself too. Mirabel wouldn't want that for you."

"Is there anything I can do?" Rylan asked Eliza next. She answered him, but Sabrina couldn't hear it. A moment later, Rylan took Sabrina's arm and led her away.

"I told Eliza you would help her pack."

161 "Certainly. Is she doing that today?"

"No, you can check with her tomorrow."

Sabrina nodded and then realized that Rylan was definitely taking her somewhere. She saw the buggy ahead and took the hand he offered to climb on board. She didn't know when she'd been so weary. All she wanted to do was sleep. It took some minutes to see that Rylan was not taking her home.

"Where are we going?"

"To Jeanette's."

"Why?"

"Because you need someone to look after you right now." "Don't be nice to me, Rylan Jarvik!" Sabrina commanded, desperately working not to cry. "I mean it."

Rylan didn't comment-he understood-but neither did he change his course. He was taking her to Heather and Becky. They would know what to do.

"Did you know and not say anything to me?" Heather whispered to Jeanette as soon as she got home.

"No. I never even guessed. Are you sure?"

"I tell you, I've never seen him like that. Even after she fell asleep in the chair, he sat and watched her, his heart in his eyes."

Jeanette stared at Heather. All this time she'd been watching out for Sabrina, worried about her safety and completely missing that Rylan was falling in love.

"They're perfect for each other," Jeanette said at last.

"Perfect," Heather agreed, forcing herself to keep her voice down.

"And you say she's still here?"

"In the kitchen with Becky. He made her promise to stay until he came back."

As though talking about him would conjure him up, both women

162 heard a knock on the front door. Becky could be heard going from the kitchen, talking all the while to Sabrina.

"I tell you you might as well come, Bri. It's going to be Pastor Rylan."

"I'm coming," Sabrina said bringing up the rear, and seeing that Becky was right. Rylan was at the door, stepping in to greet them both.

"Supper is almost ready," Becky said. "I'll give a final call." "Thank you, Becky," he said as she wandered off. He didn't waste

time snagging Sabrina's attention. "How are you doing?" "Better. It helped to sleep."

"Can I be kind to you now?" Rylan asked.

"That was a terrible thing to say to you, and you're making a joke out of it."

"You were not yourself"

"But I still owe you an apology."

"I didn't tease you so you would feel bad. I truly did understand."

Sabrina looked at him. He was kind, remarkably so, and the more she was with him, the more she liked him. She knew he would never return any strong feelings she might develop, but she was all right with that. Having his friendship was all she needed.

"You're doing it again," Rylan said, keeping his voice light. "Doing what?"

"Inscrutable at will' is how I would term it."

Sabrina frowned at him in confusion.

"Your eyes," Rylan explained.

Sabrina had to think about this and then asked slowly, "So I'm working to hide my thoughts?"

"I'm not sure. Your eyes can be very expressive or give nothing away. I assume that's deliberate."

Sabrina had to think some more about this. Her gaze wandered to the floor, and she frowned in concentration. Rylan wanted to laugh. It was as if he'd disappeared.

163 "I don't know," Sabrina said suddenly, just as Becky called for them. "I honestly don't know."

Rylan had to laugh. Seeing it, Sabrina misunderstood, her hands coming to her waist.

"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 Saturday 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 assumption.

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 God, 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.