Part 5:
Justin looked up at the sky, as of watching for a sign. He shook his head and patted Cookie. "Well, darlin’ I reckon we better head back. I have a feelin’ something big’s about to happen there, and Angel can’t handle it alone." Cookie neighed and bobbed her head up and down, as if agreeing with Justin. He swung himself back up into the saddle and headed back to Sweetcreek.
The Sheriff was busy readjusting the wanted posters outside the jail when SHE rode into town. He’d thought he’d never see her again. He didn’t want to see her again, because he was afraid of what he might do. He had Erin now. He knew Erin was expecting a proposal any day now. He was ready to be a good husband. So why did Anna have to come back now?
Lance walked in the door to his new home, calling his sister as he did. "Sarah!"
Sarah Bass came out of the kitchen, knowing something was wrong by her brother’s tone. "What is it, Lance?"
"I don’t know exactly, but something isn’t right with Josh and that Miss Blake."
"Oh no...no, not that, not again."
Lance nodded his head gravely. "I’m afraid so," he said.
"What will we do?"
"Right now, nothing. I start teaching on Monday. I can keep an eye on her then, at least during and after school."
"Well, I guess we know why Katie doesn’t like her," his sister said sadly. "I can’t believe he could do this to Sarah again."
"Actually, I’m not sure he has done it, at least not yet. Sarah, I think we arrived at just the right time."
Katie kicked a pebble, scuffing her shoe. Her mother had gone to see Mrs. Goldberg and bring Amanda home. She didn’t want to be in the house alone. She thought about it again. Her mother would be furious if she found out what Katie had been doing. She sighed, deciding to take the chance and walked casually toward Miss Beckie’s. Her father wasn’t there tonight, at least not yet. It should be safe enough. She wasn’t sure what drew her there, but she felt as if it there were something very important waiting for her. She knew her mother didn’t approve of the way the women at Miss Beckie’s earned a living. Sarah Chasez had told her daughter more than once to stay away. But she went anyway.
Katie went around back, to the kitchen. That door was almost always open. She looked in first, making sure it was safe. Elisabeth was sitting at the table with Angela, catching up on the latest gossip. Deciding it was safe enough, Katie opened the door and went in. Elisabeth smiled. "Hello Katie. Your father’s not here," Angela said, answering the question she knew Katie was afraid to ask. Katie nodded.
"Angel’s in the parlor with Luke and Miss Beckie," Elisabeth added. Katie nodded and smiled at them before opening the door and heading for the parlor.
Angel smiled at Katie when she walked in, a real smile. Few people got to see that. She seemed to just light up when she smiled, making her that much more beautiful. Miss Beckie looked lovely as ever. No matter how hard she tried, Katie couldn’t hate her. In fact, she was rather fond of Beckie. Beckie and Angel were the two people she trusted most in the world. Luke gave Katie a brief nod and went to the front hall, to keep watch for anyone who might get Katie in trouble, and to give the three of them a little privacy.
"What are you doing here, Sugar Plum?" Angel asked. Katie shrugged. "Sometimes talking helps," she added, smiling at Beckie. Katie realized that Angel seemed happier and more relaxed than she ever had.
"I hate Miss Blake," Katie said firmly. The older women smiled and even chuckled a little.
"Katie, hon, she’s not that bad," Beckie said. "You just don’t like the way she acts around your Pa."
"But she hates me too."
"Sugar, I think there’s some tension there because she knows you catch everything, including the way she looks at the mayor," Angel said. "I promise, she doesn’t hate you."
"Wait a second, how do you know?"
"Just trust us," Beckie said. There was a knock at the door before it swung open. Katie sucked in a breath as she looked up and saw the man standing there, looking down at her.
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