A Child's Heart (Trent & Cassie's Story) A River City Novel (26 page)

“May I ask who?”

Her defenses immediately went on high alert. It
wasn’t anyone’s business what the museum was doing financially, and
she didn’t want to get in trouble for exposing that information to
Tate and Ari Bia. “A friend.”

“Well, whoever did it, did an awesome job. We set our
spreadsheets up the same way, plugged in the numbers as we
uncovered them, and came up with almost the same figures.” He
grinned at her. “You’re going to love this.”

Cassie began to relax as she
discovered that she wasn’t the only one whose money was being
dumped into the general fund. Hugh Fitzgerald’s claws had dug into
several other departments within the city’s government, and at
least one other woman had succumbed to his sexual blackmail.
Bastard! So I wasn't alone.

“It’s not exactly a raise, but it is an incentive.
City Council has to approve it.”

“Go over that one more time.” She realized she wasn’t
paying close attention.

“We can’t give you a raise, and you deserve more than
what you are getting. Curators are never truly paid what they are
worth. You are doing an excellent job, and it shows in these
figures. Eleven point three six quarterly bonus is the most we can
offer you, and you’ll get paid quarterly based on the previous
quarter's income.”

“Starting when?”

“As soon as City Council approves it. Which means the
end of June you could be getting a check based on the figures at
the end of March. This quarter’s incentive would come the end of
September.”

“And what about rent and taxes?”

“Gone. That’s a general expense. Water, electricity,
etc., will come out of your operations budget, which is quite
small.”

“Advertising?”

“For now, it's a general expense, along with
salaries, and everything listed behind the blue line. What we're
hoping is that you will be completely self-sufficient.”

Cassie nodded. “May I have a copy of that?”

“Certainly.” He touched a few buttons on his keyboard
and a printer in the corner of his room started. “Would you like me
to email this to you, too?”

“Yes. That would be good.”

“You’ll have full access to this spreadsheet through
the city’s intranet. Just keep in mind there is usually a few days
lag in getting everything posted.”

She nodded as he handed the pages from his printer.
“Thanks.”

“Cassie, everyone in this department is very pleased
that you stood up for the museum, and we’re all truly sorry about
what happened to you. I’d like to think that you wouldn’t hold what
Fitzgerald did against the rest of us.”

She smiled at him. “I really thought he did it
because we knew each other as teenagers. I had no idea that I was
not alone.”

“There’s a lot more to the situation, but I’m not at
liberty to discuss it.”

“I understand.”

“It won’t be a surprise to see that he’s been
arrested again, with additional charges.”

She raised her eyebrows and Brad Shoemaker smiled
back at her.

As soon as she left city hall, she called Trent’s
cell phone and didn’t get an answer. She had told him she’d call
him when she was done, but she never expected that the meeting
would have lasted for over two hours. She tried the direct line to
the room.

Trent answered, and she thought her feet were going
to lift off the ground at the sound of his voice. She wanted to
jump for joy, but she contained those feelings as she walked to her
car. “I’ve got so much to tell you.”

“You sound happy.”

“Oh, I am. I almost don’t know where to start. What’s
up with Shawn?”

“He’s doing great. They let him walk down the hall
this afternoon.”

A giggle left her throat uncontrolled. “Walk or
run?”

“Walk. He’s not quite ready to start running, but he
will go to physical therapy starting tomorrow morning.”

“That’s wonderful.” She opened her car door and
allowed the heat to escape. “Is there anyway I can sneak you out of
there for a few minutes?”

“I guess. Shawn’s been completely engrossed in that
electronic game Tate gave him.”

“Good. I need to make a phone call, then I’ll call
you right back.”

She started her car and called Amanda. They agreed to
meet at seven o’clock. As she pulled into her parking space at the
museum, she called Trent and told him she was stopping by her
office. Afterwards, she’d pick up some food for them on her way to
the hospital.

She practically flew through the front doors and down
the hall of the museum. “Hi, Mrs. Winston.” Cassie beamed at the
older woman. “Have you heard the news?”

“Something must be happening, because I know we're
getting our own bank account.”

“I just spent two hours with Brad Shoemaker.”

Cassie spent several minutes with Mrs. Winston, and
then went to check on Gail in the gift shop.

Cassie smiled at Gail as she entered the immaculate
shop. Gail kept the place running like a well-oiled machine, and
kept the displays in perfect order. “For the time being, you can
check these out under my name, but they are coming back here
assembled as displays,” Cassie said as she picked up four wooden
puzzles. She picked a book for Shawn and then spotted a bag of
small plastic dinosaur figures. “Put these two things on my
account. I’m taking them to Shawn.”

“How’s he doing?”

“Great. He’s awake, alert, and walking the hall.” She
looked around the gift shop and realized there were no other
customers. “Has it been this dead all day?”

“Oh, no. This is the first break we’ve had.”

She blew out a breath between pursed lips. “That’s
good.”

Cassie went back to Mrs. Winston’s office. “Hi. I
need a favor. I want twenty-five gift certificates for free family
passes to be used before September.”

“Twenty-five?”

“Yes. I want to give them away at the hospital.”

Mrs. Winston counted out the passes and put them into
her scanner. A moment later, she handed them to her boss.

“Thanks.” Cassie grabbed some brochures and made her
way back to the hospital.

“Hi, guys. I brought dinner.” She smiled broadly at
her men. “They said you aren’t on any dietary restrictions, so
here’s yours.” She handed Shawn his sandwich and salad. “Wash your
hands first.”

Trent stood and helped his son wash up at the small
sink in the room before washing his own hands.

“You're ready to eat,” Trent said when Shawn had
finished.

“Thanks.” Shawn climbed onto this bed and looked into
the bag on his wheeled tray.

Several times they had to remind Shawn not to speak
while his mouth was full. He was brimming with information about
his upcoming therapy. “And I get to go swimming three days a week.
And they’ve got a treadmill that’s just my size.”

“When you get out of here, I’m going to buy you a
bicycle,” Cassie promised.

“Too late. I’ve already made him that promise.”

“Maybe we each need one so we can ride as a family.”
Visions of them riding through the little neighborhood danced in
her mind. She had seen signs of other young children in the
community. She smiled as she thought about Shawn playing ball in
the backyard and children’s parties.

Trent nudged her. “Why the big smile?”

“You’ll see. Shawn, I’m going to steal Daddy for a
little while, but we’ll be back here before it’s time for you to go
to sleep.”

“Where are you going?”

She scowled and put her finger to her lips. “It’s a
secret, and you’re going to love it.”

Shawn laughed.

“Oh gosh, I have something for you. I think I was so
hungry, I completely forgot about it.” She reached down and found
the big bag. “Puzzles for you and Daddy to put together for me for
the museum so that I can display them. A book for you to keep,
and…” She slowly withdrew the bag of little, plastic dinosaurs and
watched, as Shawn’s eyes grew large with excitement.

“Dinosaurs! For me?”

“Yes, for you. Don’t lose them in the sheets or
you’ll scare the nurses.”

An incredible feeling of happiness bubbled within
her. She didn’t think the day could get any better, and seeing
Shawn with pink cheeks and such a rosy disposition added to her
elation. She didn’t want to wait another minute. She wanted to show
Trent the house.

“Now, for Daddy’s surprise.”

She and Trent quietly walked out of the hospital to
her car. She wanted to wrap her arms around him and kiss him. She
wanted to make love to him, but that thought mentally stopped her
in her tracks as she had started with her period.

Once ensconced in her car, she turned to Trent. “Kiss
me because I can’t stand another minute without one.”

He gave her a quick peck on the mouth.

“We’re not exactly in public view.”

“I know. But we need to talk.” He snapped his
seatbelt in place. “I talked to Mom and the best thing for me to do
is move home.”

~~28~~

Cassie’s heart fell into her stomach. “N-no, you
can’t.” Her hands shook as tears welled in her eyes. “I love you.
I-I…I’ve made plans.”

“I love you, too. But I’ve got to do what is best for
Shawn. And going back to your apartment isn’t. I’m sorry,” Trent
said firmly.

“No, I’ve found a place for us.” Panic wrapped around
her fallen heart.

“Cas, I’m not going to make you move out of your
apartment. I can’t afford to go anywhere, and I already told you
that Mom is dependent on me to help her with the house.”

Cassie brushed the threatening tears from her eyes.
“Trent, please, keep an open mind and let me show you something.
Amanda found the perfect place for us. She’s going to have some
exact figures for us tonight.”

“I can’t afford anything. Don’t you see that? I’ve
got a two-bit job and the only benefit is that I get to spend time
with my son.”

She rubbed the back of her hand over her cheeks to
wipe away the moisture, and sniffled. “I’m just going to be trading
expenses, a one-bedroom for something much larger. I got a raise
today. It makes everything even more affordable.”

“Nice to hear you got a raise. That’s always good.”
His tone was flat.

She had gone from the highest of highs to the lowest
of lows in a split second. Suddenly the only thing that mattered
was that she kept Trent, and she couldn’t figure out how to do
that. She leaned her forehead against the warm steering wheel and
sobbed. “I want us together…a family…no separation…I love you, and
I love Shawn…can’t you see that?”

“I want us together, too. I know you love me, but I
have got to do what is best.”

The sound of people in the parking garage broke the
stillness between them. Cassie raised her head and fished for some
tissues. “Give us a chance. I want you to see this place and listen
to what Amanda has to say about the cost.”

“Okay, if that is what you want. I’ll look, but there
is no reason for you to move.”

“Yes, there is. We can’t be a family if we’re living
in two different places.”

He let out a deep breath. “Just drive.”

Cassie snaked her way into the old neighborhood, then
slowed as she tried to find the street.

“You found something in Cobblestone? Are you out of
your mind? These houses cost a fortune.”

“No they don’t.”

“I think it’s this street. I might have to call
Amanda.” She slowly drove until she spotted the Tudor house with
geraniums in the front gardens. “This is it.”

“This? You’re nuts.”

“No I’m not. We’re a few minutes early, we can walk
around the yard until Amanda gets here.”

They walked down the side of the house and came upon
a tall fence.

“Can you see over it?” she asked.

Trent stood on his tiptoes and peered over the tall
fence. “The size of that garage!”

“The second floor is supposed to be finished. We
didn’t look up there.”

“Finished how? Looks to be the size of Mom’s
house.”

A little smile crept across her face as a small
kernel of hope formed.

“Cassie? Trent?”

“We’re back here, Amanda,” Cassie called to her
friend.

“Let’s go inside. I’ve got some good news,” Amanda
said. “My husband wants you to call him first thing in the morning.
I do hope you don’t mind, but I told him that you were interested
in this house, and had some concerns about buying it.”

“Not at all. McGuire Investments handles all my
savings. Mac knows my financial situation better than I do.”

Amanda rolled her eyes. “I’m married to him, and I
still have no clue what he does with my money.”

“Mac McGuire of McGuire Investments?” Trent asked
Amanda.

“Yes. Sometimes I don’t know if I’m married to him or
to McGuire Investments.”

Cassie watched Trent’s color drain from his face. She
slipped her hand in his and gave it a squeeze. “I’ve known Amanda
for ages, and Mac has been my financial advisor since I’ve had any
real income.”

This time, they entered the house from the other
door. The small foyer had a closet that Cassie had failed to notice
on her previous visit. Trent didn’t say anything as he walked
through the downstairs rooms. He only tightened his grip on
Cassie’s hand.

“The appliances are old, but they are supposed to be
in working condition. Everything appears to be spotlessly
clean.”

Trent ran his hand over the counter, then opened the
refrigerator doors. “So it’s a duplex. Who gets the garage?”

Cassie giggled. “You do.”

He raised his eyebrows.

“Let’s go upstairs and look at the bedrooms before
you go to the garage.”

Trent followed her up the staircase and looked into
all the empty rooms.

“There are a lot of little things that need work.
Most of these outlets need to be changed, and I have yet to see the
circuit panel. Someone had the old tubs refinished. That’s all
original, including the tile.”