The Price of Trust (2 page)

"Momma, Momma! Don't leave me, Momma! I want to go with you! Please take me with you," the child screamed in agony, holding her hands out as if trying to catch hold of something or someone.

Carly woke up with a start, soaked in sweat. The dream again. She'd been having it a lot lately, and she couldn't seem to stop it. She always felt so depressed and alone afterwards. But it was always like that when she was running and scared. So she did the only thing she knew to do. She prayed.

Good morning, Lord. Please help me be all that you want me to be today. Please help me be a blessing to someone else, even if I don't feel like it. Help me to know that you have a purpose and a plan for me, and continue to lead me. Thank you for answering all my prayers and still loving me when I let you down. Please don't let Ian find me. Amen.

Carly got ready in just a short time. She didn't have many clothes, and she wore the best she had. She walked down to the church on the corner and went inside. She found a seat in the back row and tried to relax, averting her eyes from all the people coming in.

It wasn't a big church, and it wasn't fancy, but that suited her. She felt awkward and took up a hymnal to look at the songs when Sam and Sue walked over to her.

"Good morning, Red," Sam said, smiling at her. "This is my wife, Sue. You were upstairs when she came in yesterday afternoon, and we didn't want to disturb you. Sue, this is my new shop assistant, Red."

Sue, a gentle-looking, good-natured woman, shook Carly's hand.

"It's nice to have you here with us this morning, but I'm pretty sure you have a different name than 'Red.' I hope Sam doesn't offend you." She looked at him fondly. "He's always finding nicknames for the people we know, and some people are particular about it. You just never mind him when he calls you Red. I've always wanted red hair, but God didn't see fit to give it to me. I say, your hair color is beautiful. Strawberry-blond always was my favorite. Do you like it?" Sue put Carly at her ease right away with her carefree manners.

"It's nice to meet you. Sam doesn't bother me a bit about calling me Red; now, if he meant it meanly, then I would have a problem." Carly laughed agreeably. "But I don't understand why you would want red hair when your hair is such a pretty brown."

"Clairol," Sue whispered, smiling before she introduced Carly to some other folk that had come up to meet her and make her feel welcome.

The service was wonderful. She hadn't been in a good church service for weeks, it seemed. She was more comfortable here than she had expected. The people were friendly and kind, and the preacher taught "right from the Good Book" as Sam would say.

These were dangerous feelings, and she knew she shouldn't be thinking about being comfortable. If Ian found her, she would just have to leave again, and the less people she knew and liked, the easier it would be.

She slipped out the back door of the church as the preacher was saying the closing prayer. She had to be careful, she admonished herself as she walked to her apartment.

She looked into the windows of the shops in town as she walked past, thinking about all that she had left behind her. Ian had been her big mistake, but God had used that mistake to help her trust him and lean on him for her every need, not Ian.

She was lost in her own thoughts when she heard someone calling her. She turned around to see Sam and Sue.

"Red! Wait!" Sam called, puffing. "We were wondering if you'd like to come on over to our place for dinner this afternoon, but you left so fast."

"Oh, well, um," Carly stuttered, trying to think of a reason not to go.

Sue interrupted her. "Oh come on now, we know you're new in town, and we're pretty sure that you're gonna need some food in ya. Put some meat on your bones. We'd really like to have you over," she said gently.

Carly couldn't refuse. She was hungry, and she really liked these people, but she knew that it was risky to accept. Ian always found her, and she had no reason to believe that this time it would be any different. But the promise of food tempted her, and she allowed them to persuade her to join them. She enjoyed the walk to their house, filled with chatter from Sue, occasionally interrupted by Sam.

"Is there anything I can do to help you, Sue?" Carly asked, following her into the kitchen, leaving Sam to read the afternoon paper in peace. "Just point me in the direction, and I'll be as much help as possible."

"Well, there isn't much left to do. I hope you're hungry. I've had to cook for boys, had four of my own, so I always cook for an army. I just can't seem to cook less." She rolled her eyes emphatically. "You could make some tea for us, while we wait if you wouldn't mind."

"I haven't had a home-cooked meal in a really long time." Carly busied herself with the teakettle.

"Roast chicken on Sundays. That's what Sam likes," Sue said, preparing a salad. "Tell me a bit about yourself, Red. You know, I haven't been told your real name yet. What is it?"

Carly turned scarlet. Here come the questions, she thought.

"Well, my name is Carly," she said, omitting the fake last name. "I'm twenty-four, and both my parents are dead. My mom died when I was just eight, and my dad passed away three years ago. I don't have any brothers or sisters, so I'm on my own. I was saved when I was young, so I've got the Lord, and I'm trusting on him to help me every day," she finished simply.

"You poor, poor child," Sue said gently. "To have nothing. You're certainly brave. Do you have a special fella?" she asked, turning away and allowing Carly to turn red privately.

"No," she answered shortly, pouring hot water over the tea bags into the cups.

"I don't believe it! Why not? You're so pretty and have such a nice figure, I'm sure there are lots of boys that would like to get to know you. In fact, I did hear some handsome young bachelors in the church asking Sam who ya were." Sue smiled knowingly. "You know, we could arrange something if you'd like. I'd love to ask a few of the young people over here to meet you. We could have a church social. It would be nice. Them Baird boys are your age, and quite handsome, too. Oh, well, Todd, the younger one, has a girlfriend. She was the pretty girl with curly blond hair, and that was Todd sitting beside her, two rows in front of us. Seem to be pretty serious about each other. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to hear that he popped the question. But his older brother, Joe, now he's a fine fella. There are quite a few young girls trying to catch his eye," Sue said, putting the chicken on the middle of the table.

"Carly, would you please go and call Sam? Dinner's just about ready and it always takes him a little while to wash up."

Thankful that the conversation was interrupted, Carly left the room to call Sam.

Dinner was delicious, and the uncomfortable conversation seemed to be dropped. It was while Carly was helping Sue with the dishes that she started to talk about a church social to Sam.

"Sam, what would you think about having a few young people over this way to meet Carly? It wouldn't need to be a big deal, just a few people for her to meet. We could have some dessert—"

"Sue. Why don't we ask Red what she thinks?" Sam interrupted. "I don't mind it if she wants to, but she may not be obliged to. She may just want God to take care of things in his own way." Sam winked at Carly.

"Oh pooh. It would be lots of fun." Sue flipped the dishcloth at him. "Carly, what do you think? Would you like to meet some of the other young people?" She asked hopefully, looking at the red-faced girl.

"You know, it sure is nice of you to want to take on so much trouble for my sake, but honestly, I'd really rather not. I…I just don't think I'd like that right now," she answered, trying to be as gentle as she could.

"Honey, why ever not? I think you'd really enjoy yourself, and I'm sure that Joe Baird would like to meet you." Sue was obviously disappointed.

"Sue, maybe she'd like that later. Don't worry her to death," Sam said, sipping some coffee, looking over the top edge of the paper.

Carly felt terrible. She felt as though she'd hurt her feelings and wished that she could take it back.

"Do you remember asking me if I had a boyfriend, Sue?" she said, trying to ease her disappointment.

Sue nodded quietly, watching her.

"Well, I did have a boyfriend a while back. In fact we were engaged to be married, but things didn't work out, and I broke it off." She hoped that Sue would be comforted, but unquestioning.

"Oh, that's too bad. I wish it hadn't gone off for you. Was this before your dad passed away?" she asked, fascinated.

"Sue, just let her be now. Don't be prying into her business," Sam said, seeing Carly's discomfort.

"All right, Sam. I'll stop. I'm sorry, Carly. But you just remember that anytime you want to talk, you just come on over here, and we'll have us a nice little chat. And don't forget the social either. We can have it anytime you want," Sue said, hoping that she would tell her more in spite of Sam.

They passed a peaceful time together after the kitchen was cleaned up, and Carly was thankful for the invitation to stay all day. The subject of her past wasn't mentioned again, and they walked back to church for the night services in sociable silence.

Carly looked over at Sam and Sue. They were so perfect together. Holding hands, smiling at each other, just enjoying each other's company.

"How long have you been married?" she asked, unable to curb her curiosity.

"It'll be forty-four years this November," Sam replied, smiling down at his wife.

"And it's been a wonderful marriage, right, Sam?" Sue winked up at him.

"Yes, it's been good. Real good. I wouldn't change a thing. Not even our bad times."

"Bad times?" Carly was surprised. They seemed so happy that she had a hard time believing they had faced rough spots.

"Oh yes. We've had some pretty hard things to deal with, but when we said our vows, we meant them. We've lost many sleepless nights because of that verse that says not to let the sun go down on your wrath, but we were too stubborn to relent. There have been ruts, everyone deals with that. Marriage is a job, but it's the most rewarding job I've ever seen. The trick is not to let anyone except God between you, and to put God first. All the troubles and problems seem to fade away into nothing when we just let go and let God deal with whatever the situation was at the time," Sue gushed.

"Sue's right. The best thing we've found, we've got to be honest with each other and with ourselves. Sometimes that was the hardest thing to deal with. But, then, it wasn't too hard. Sue's the closest thing to perfect this side of Montana." Sam gave her an affectionate hug.

"One day, you'll see, Carly. You'll find your best friend. Maybe you and your old fiancé can work things out, and you'll get married after all." Sue was hopeful.

"Fiancé? I didn't know you were getting married," Sam, who hadn't listened to their conversation earlier, said in astonishment.

"No. I'm not getting married, we're not going to get back together, and I know he isn't my best friend," Carly replied with a vigorous shake of her head.

"Well, I'm glad that Joe Baird has a chance then. He needs some happiness, and I'm positive that he would just adore you. Here we are. Hi, Helen!" Sue called, walking abruptly away to talk to her friend.

"You'll have to forgive Sue. She loves a good romance, and if there aren't any around, she doesn't mind setting things up her own way. Give her no mind. She doesn't mean anything by it. After you," Sam said, holding open the door for her.

She didn't reply, just gave him a pretty smile and walked past him into the church. She found the same seat open in the back and made herself comfortable. She looked around, watching the people.

There weren't as many people there at night services as there were in the morning. She was surprised to see quite a few young people though, and she could pick out the girl that Sue had described to her that day. She was very pretty, small, and talking animatedly to the nice-looking guy next to her. He seemed to hang onto her every word. This was obviously Todd.

She was happy for the couple but a bit cheerless for herself. If she had stayed with Ian, she would have been married right now, but that was out of the question. That wasn't what God had wanted for her. She didn't regret breaking things off with him, but she still yearned for affection and a place to belong. She was young, but she felt so old. She couldn't be carefree like she used to be. She had to watch her every move and action.

As she sat there occupied with her thoughts, she didn't realize that she was the subject of conversation between Sam and a few of the young men of the church.

Her first month at work was not very eventful. She learned very quickly to please Sam. He was patient with her and trusted her completely. She stocked and dusted shelves, worked the counter, answered minor questions of some of the customers, and assisted Sam wherever and whenever he needed help. She sought things to do. If she saw something that needed attention, she tried to fix it. If there was dirt on the floor brought in by muddy shoes, she swept it up. She liked to please people, especially those that she liked and liked her in return. Sam and Sue were some of those people.

She was in the back of the shop sweeping up one day when she heard the bell over the door tinkling.

"Hello? Sam? Anyone here?" a voice called.

Carly set her broom against the wall and went to see if she could help. She saw a young man standing next to the counter and recognized him from church as the younger Baird boy, Todd.

"May I help you?" she asked, feeling a little nervous and self-conscious, her face turning red. He looked at her with some surprise.

"Well, Sam," he drawled, a smirk playing at his lips, "you sure look different this morning. Sue been doing something new to your coffee?"

His manner set her at ease immediately. She smiled and replied, "Yeah, I told her there was something wrong with the cream. I usually only use a teaspoon, and I think she's been giving me a bit more." His baritone laughter filled the air.

He held out his hand. "My name is Todd Baird. We've seen you at church, but you take off before we have a chance to make you welcome."

"Carly Adams." She shook his hand. "And I felt pretty comfortable almost as soon as I walked in. Is there something that you needed?"

"Well, I don't know if you'll be able to help me, but Pop sent me into town to see if Sam could replace this fuel line for his tractor." He held out a tube for her to see.

"Honestly, I don't know where Sam is. Oh wait. It's four o'clock. I bet he's gone to see Sue. He said that he might surprise her today by going to see her instead of her coming here." She was babbling, but she couldn't stop. She shook her head, hoping to clear it so she wouldn't sound so stupid and idiotic. "I'm sorry. I wish I could help you, but I have no idea. Let me call him."

"No, don't bother him. I'll just step on by his house.” He stopped and turned around, the door held open slightly. “So, Carly, right? You're not from around here, are you." A statement rather than a question. She was on the defensive immediately.

"Nope," she answered shortly.

"Well, it's good to have you around. I hope you like it here." And he walked out the door.

Sam and Todd walked back into the store together a little later, laughing. Carly wondered if they were laughing at how incompetent she was. She involuntarily looked up from her sweeping to see Todd looking at her, a thoughtful expression on his face. He colored, turned away, and said something to Sam. Sam seemed to have whatever he needed, and Todd left with a friendly wave to Carly.

"Sorry, Sam. I feel so stupid. I wouldn't have even known what that thing was if he hadn't told me. I'm not a lot of help."

"Red, you did fine. I don't usually have too many of those in stock, and it's not something we have a lot of demand for. We can't have perfection. You'd make me look bad," he joked, smiling at her.

She couldn't help but smile back, resolving to know a lot more about her job. She couldn't stand mediocrity.

The next day, she paid more attention to the merchandise she was putting on the shelves. She read the box and listened attentively to Sam while he helped other customers. She was friendly to everyone that came in, as well as helpful to Sam.

The bell rang about four o'clock, and Sue walked in.

"Hi, Sue. Sam's in the office ordering some stuff. Did you have a good day?" Carly asked, going over her receipts.

"Yes, I've had a pretty good day today. Just did some sewing, cleaning, baking, and talking, which I think must be the most important thing. I dearly love a good talk with a good friend. I heard that you met Todd Baird yesterday afternoon." She smiled meaningfully. "He's pretty handsome, but not nearly as handsome as his brother."

Carly didn't have time to comment as Sam came out and rescued her.

"Howdy, sweetie," Sam said, kissing Sue and giving her a hug. They walked into the office, leaving Carly alone.

As Carly continued over her receipts, she noticed a big black truck drive slowly by the store, the driver looking intently into the windows of the shop. Carly instinctively stepped back beside the wall, wondering if it was someone that Ian sent. She continued to watch out the window as the truck passed by twice more. The third time, it stopped in front of the store. Carly almost ran to the office in a panic as a brawny man came into the store.

"Sam, could you please see to the customer? I don't feel very well," she said breathlessly. Without waiting for a reply, she took two stairs at a time to her apartment, praying the entire way.

Oh please, Lord, don't let it be anyone for Ian. I'm not ready to leave yet! Please, Lord; please, Lord,
she couldn't seem to concentrate on any words that would make sense as she paced back and forth in the small apartment. She almost screamed as someone knocked on her door. She stood staring at the door, her feet refusing to move toward the offending piece of wood. The knock came again a little louder this time.

"Carly? Can I come in? Carly?" called Sue, her voice muffled a little.

"You can come in," she choked out, turning away to hide her face.

"Are you all right? You're pale as a ghost, and you're crying! What's wrong? What is the matter?" Sue asked anxiously turning Carly to face her.

It was hopeless trying to answer. Sue seemed to understand, and put her arms around her, drew her close, and patted her back.

"Shh. There now. Shh. Do you want some tea?" she asked as she comforted the distraught girl. She seated Carly on the sofabed and looked for something for her to drink. Finding no tea, she poured her some water in a glass and sat next to her and waited silently for the barrage of tears to end.

"I'm sorry," Carly said, sipping some water and trying to control herself. "Do you know that man who came into the store?"

"Is that what scared you so?" Sue asked in wonder. "That was just Bob Pruit's son Billy. I think he came in here looking for you. They don't usually come into town to buy anything. I know that there have been a lot of people talking about you, and he was probably just curious to see for himself who they were talking about.” She shook her head in discouragement.

“I admit they're not the nicest group of people, and I wouldn't really want to see you hook up with the likes of them, but they're curious like other folks."

"Oh," was all she could say, feeling immensely foolish. Sue probably thought she was crazy, and she didn't blame her. She tried to smile, but fresh tears gushed out. Tears of relief and shame. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to blubber like a cry baby," she finally said after the tears subsided.

"You just go ahead and have your little cry out. I may have had four boys, but I do remember what it was like to be scared, lonely, and just plain miserable. Did you think it was someone else?" she asked, looking directly into Carly's face.

"Yes," she said quietly. "I thought my ex-fiancé sent him to find me," she blurted out.

You idiot!
Her mind screamed at her.
You don't need to tell so much information! What's the matter with you! After all your hiding, and all you have accomplished you're going to ruin everything! If he finds you, he'll be dangerous this time! Don't you understand what you've just done? What happens if she asks more questions? What are you going to tell her?
Her thoughts tumbled relentlessly about.

"It's okay. I think I understand now. You don't want this ex-fiancé to find you, right?"

Carly nodded silently, wiping her eyes.

"Well, then, you go ahead and wipe your eyes, take care of yourself, and come on back down. This Billy isn't going to hurt you. Come on now. He's not anything to be afraid of," Sue said, giving her another hug before leaving the apartment.

About ten minutes later, Carly was back downstairs, feeling foolish but hoping that Billy was gone. Except for slight redness around her eyes, Sue couldn't even tell she had been crying.

"Carly!" Sue called her over. Billy was still there.

Just my luck,
she thought, a plastic smile pasted on her face. Billy Pruit looked just like his father. Big and sweaty.

Maybe he won't be as rude as his dad
, Carly thought. Billy looked her up and down, making her uncomfortable.

"Hey, you're the girl Dad was telling us about. My brother been over here yet? He really likes redheads; I've never been one to like them too much, but you're not too bad," he said, looking admiringly at her figure. "You're kinda cute. I'm Billy Pruit. Maybe you'd want to go out sometime?" He didn't believe in wasting time.

Not if I'm alive,
Carly thought. She felt the best thing to do would to be to answer straight forward so there could be no mistake.

"I'm not interested in dating anyone right now, thanks though." She tried to turn away, but his raucous laughter stopped her.

"Dad said you were a real piece of work. He wasn't kidding. No really. Let's go out tonight." He leered at her, making her skin crawl.

He was definitely on the do-not-trust list.

"I'm sorry; I can't. I've got other stuff to do," she answered with a steady stare, her fake smile gone.

This guy gives me the creeps
, she thought. Doubting he’d leave her alone if she acted scared of him, she returned his leer with a glare.

"Mmm, feisty. I like that. Say what you want, but you'll change your mind." He sneered at her and walked out of the store.

"Yuck," she couldn't help saying, an expressive shiver shaking her frame. She looked at Sam and Sue. "Are they all like that?"

"I'm afraid so. You be careful with them Pruits. They're mean," Sam replied. "Whenever they're in here, you just let me wait on them, okay? Don't talk to them too much; they have a way of twisting people's words. Not too many folk around here pay 'em much mind, but some do. I was real proud of the way you handled him. Smart to not act like you're scared, makes 'em meaner when people are afraid of 'em."

"I may not have acted scared of him, but I'm really terrified," Carly replied, watching Billy pull out and squeal his tires.

Should I leave now?
she wondered. Mentally calculating her tiny hoard of money, she realized she’d have to buckle down and stay a little while longer.

With one last shiver, she went back to clean up before the store closed.

"Ian Lane, please," a man in a dark suit spoke into a cell phone. He was seated in his car in front of the coin laundry, watching the store in his rearview mirror.

"Ian here," a strong voice crackled through the receiver.

"We were right. It's her. Do you want us to bring her back?" A man opened the door and slid into the leather seat next to him.

Silence. Then, "No, let her get comfortable. I'll come up to surprise her this time. Keep an eye on her, but don't let her know you're there. Call me back if anything happens. And don't let her run again; I'm tired of paying you two idiots." Ian hung up.

"What a jerk," the man replied and put his cell phone in his pocket. "I don't understand why he wants her so bad. I don't think she's very pretty."

"She's pretty, but not as pretty as that secretary he's got right now. She's gorgeous! I'd like to have her as my secretary." They sniggered and continued to watch the hardware store.