A Child's Heart (Trent & Cassie's Story) A River City Novel (28 page)

“He's not going to accept me.”

“Yes he will.”

“If that’s true, you would have told him.”

***

“Shawn, I’m going over to the new house to help
Cassie. We’ve got a lot to do if I am going to take you there on
Friday,” Trent said.

“Is Grandmom going to live there, too?”

“I don’t know.” Brushing the child’s hair from his
forehead, he kissed his son. “I’ll be back here before
breakfast.”

“Daddy, may I have a fish tank?”

“A fish tank? I thought you wanted a puppy.”

“I do, but I also want fish.”

Trent rolled his eyes and gave his son another kiss.
“Fish might be easier than a puppy. I’ll think about it.”

It didn’t take long to get from the hospital to the
house, and there were cars parked everywhere.

“Hi. What are you doing here?” Trent asked
Amanda.

“Let’s see, I have a paintbrush in my hand, and I’m
going to assume that's because I’m painting your living room.” She
giggled. “Cassie is upstairs.”

Taking the steps two at a time, he discovered the
place was alive with people. He poked his head into one room and
realized Dallas was painting Shawn’s room.

“Hi,” Trent said.

“Hi. You’re late. How’s Shawn?”

“He’s doing great. What’s that wood?”

“The baseboards for this room. Berto is going to sand
them.”

“Who is Berto?”

“A friend, and the best darn carpenter in this
city.”

Trent swallowed.
What is this going to cost?
He went down the hall, and found three other people and
Cassie working in what would be the master bedroom.

She looked up and smiled broadly. “I see you finally
made it. You know Ari and Tate, but I’m not sure if you’ve ever met
Amy Schulster.”

“Amy? I haven’t seen you since you were little.”

“I doubt it was that long ago. Maybe a few
years.”

He turned back to Cassie. “And what am I supposed to
do?”

She looked around. “Go help Amanda.”

“Okay.” Feeling completely out of place, he wandered
back to the living room. “Hello again. I was told to help you.”

“With your shoulder? I don’t think so! But you could
make a pot of coffee. You can do that one-handed, right?”

“No problem. I’ll go get a coffee pot.”

“Just go to the kitchen. I brought everything
earlier. It’s a big urn. I borrowed it from a friend. How are they
doing upstairs?”

“There’s a woman named Amy removing baseboards while
Ari, Tate, and Cas are in the big bedroom painting. Dallas is in
Shawn’s room.”

“Berto was here earlier and stripped the window
frames, but he didn’t want to do anymore sanding while we’re
painting. You know, lead-based paint. He’s going to take the
baseboards outside and do them.”

“Oh.” He watched Amanda painting for another moment
then headed into the kitchen. Trying to put water in the stainless
steel urn wasn’t easy, because it didn’t fit under the faucet.
Wanting to rip the sling off his arm and be useful, he gave up, set
the coffeemaker next to the sink, and added the water one little
cup at a time.

This was supposed to be a real
home, and the thrill wasn’t there. He swallowed as he battled
thoughts of inadequacy.
I can’t even help
fix the place.

“Hey, you Trent?” Berto asked.

Trent spun around. “Yes.”

“Good, I can use some help. I need one extra hand.
You know anything about power tools?”

“I’d better. I work for River City
Manufacturing.”

“I know you.”

Trent smiled. “And I know you. You do custom
work.”

“Do you have any earplugs on you?”

“Sure do. In my car.”

“Better finish making that coffee or we’ll be in
trouble.”

Trent could feel the wave of happiness flowing over
him as he finishing setting up the coffeepot. It didn't take him
long to join Berto in the backyard.

“I’m planing the straight pieces. It’s faster, but I
need someone who can catch them.”

“Not a problem.”

Sweat began to pour into his eyes as he helped Berto.
There was a rhythm established and, as quickly as the pieces of
wood left the planer, Trent caught them and stacked them on the
small porch.

“You got a good house,” Berto said as he shut the
power tool down. “Ari and I went over the electric earlier today. I
picked up a breaker box.”

“I knew that would need to be changed, but is the
power ample for today?”

“Oh, it’s fine. I’ll install the box tomorrow before
everyone gets here. Cassie gave me a key to your house.”

“My house? Oh, this house.”

“I’ll get the trim in the other rooms another
weekend. Tate said you wanted to get in here by Friday so you can
bring your son home.”

“That’s the plan. Never thought it would happen.”

“You must not know Cassie’s friends very well. I had
a tree in my front yard that was hit by lightning. It caught fire,
split, and fell on my house. Ari got some friends together and all
the repairs were made in one day. You can’t always give back, so
you pass it on. I’m passing it on, my friend.”

“Ari is a good man.”

“He’s a very good friend.”

Trent followed Berto into the house. Berto had set up
the small apartment with drop cloths and saw horses.

“This is faster.” He said pointing to a paint gun.
“If you can bring the rest of the wood inside, I’ll get them
primed. Just keep them coming.”

It was after eleven that night when everyone
left.

“I’m exhausted,” Cassie said as she sat on the floor
of the kitchen.

“It felt good.” Trent smiled at his beautiful
woman.

“That’s because you’re a man and used to doing
physical work. How’s your shoulder?”

“Tired. Looks like I’ve ruined a pair of good jeans.”
He pulled at a small rip above his knee.

“Guess you just added to your junk jeans. That’s a
shame, because I liked the way those fit you.”

He leaned over and gave her his hand. “Let’s go. I
need a shower.”

“I’m almost too tired to drive,” she whined.

“We can come back in the morning for your car.” He
pulled her to her feet.

“I’ll be fine. I want a warm shower and the chance to
snuggle up to the most handsome man in the world.”

“What a shame. I was hoping for a cold shower and my
woman beside me, but if she wants some handsome guy, I’m out of
luck.”

“Oh, you’re not getting off that easily!”

He licked his thumb and ran it over her cheek in an
attempt to remove a paint smudge. “I hope not.”

~~30~~

Cassie wandered into the furniture store and asked
for Allison Conway.

“Hi, Cassie. Tate told me that you might be coming.
How can I help you?”

“I need everything, but I’m going to have to settle
for a child’s bedroom set.”

“Follow me.”

Cassie looked over several sets and then decided on
one.

Allison looked at a computer screen as Cassie wrote a
check. “Our truck is on a delivery. I can have it delivered later
this afternoon or first thing in the morning.”

“This afternoon would be perfect, can you give me a
time?”

“Three thirty?”

Cassie checked her watch. “That will work.”

***

Every part of Cassie’s body ached as she carried
boxes into the house. She still had things to pack before the
movers came in the morning to bring her furniture. The place was
far from perfect, but the rooms they would be using were almost
finished. She unloaded her clothes into the closet, and then looked
at the windows. She wasn’t certain she had the strength to stand on
a ladder and put up curtain rods. She found the stepladder and
locked the legs in place. Tearing open the package that contained
the rods, she quickly read the directions.

“Cassie?” a male voice called from downstairs.

“Up here.”

“What are you trying to do?” Berto asked.

“Put up curtain rods.”

“Get down. I’ll do it.”

It didn't take any time for Berto to install the rods
with his power screwdriver. Then he offered to hang the curtains.
She willingly handed him the curtains.

“Any more?”

“Yes. Shawn’s room and the living room.”

“These are nice,” Berto said as he hung the roman
shades at Shawn’s windows.

“Dallas suggested them.” Then she followed Berto
downstairs and watched as he hung the living room curtains. “I
really don’t know how to thank you for all that you’ve done.”

“There is an old saying that you take a favor and
pass it along. Take good care of your man. I know him. He needs a
good woman.”

“I’m trying.”

“You need to marry him. Women today think they can do
anything, and it’s not right. I’ve seen you in Church. You know
better.”

“No, Berto, women can do anything, and I am trying to
do what is right.”

“Then marry him. Living together is wrong.”

“We’re working on the marriage part of it. His mom is
upset because we’re not married and about to live together.”

“You are older than Trent. You should know these
things.”

“I know what is in my heart.”

“Then marry him, don’t commit adultery.”

She frowned. He was right, and she knew it. “I can’t
force Trent to marry me. He’s had so much with Shawn. It’s been a
very trying time for him.”

Berto gave her a little hug. “Women know how to make
a man do things. Tienes que usar la cabeza, mi chava.” He dropped a
little kiss on the top of her head.

She gazed up at the tall, handsome Latino. “I want to
marry him.”

“Then do it.”

The sound of a truck pulling into the driveway ended
the conversation.

She showed the deliverymen where she wanted Shawn’s
furniture and watched as they set everything up.

Slowly, the house began to fill with friends coming
to help.

“Will Shawn be released from the hospital tomorrow?”
Dallas asked.

“Yes. Trent talked to the doctor this morning, and
Shawn will be allowed to leave after his afternoon therapy
session.”

“That is such good news. I do hope you don’t mind,
but we’ve all decided to have a little party for him.”

“What kind of a party?”

“Cake and ice cream. We’ve all pitched in and got him
a little something for the backyard.”

Cassie looked at Dallas.

She laughed. “He’s going to love it.”

***

Trent hated leaving his son at the hospital, but the
child had made a friend and was happily playing a board game. Robin
Callahan was walking up the hall as Trent was leaving.

“Mom, have you driven by the house?”

“Yes. I recognized Cassie’s car, but decided against
stopping in, being she had company.”

“She’s got several friends helping.”

“This was no ordinary friend.”

Her emphasis on friend and her raised eyebrows
garnered his concern. “What do you mean?”

“Maybe you need to ask her why she spends her time in
another man’s arms.”

His heart pounded twice before it fell into his
stomach. “Not Cas, you must be mistaken.”

“I know who I saw, and he was quite handsome.”

Trent shook his head. “No, Mom, not Cas.”

“I don’t lie. She was kissing another man.”

Trent briskly walked out of the
hospital and to his car. His mom’s words played over and over in
his mind. Surely she was mistaken.
Not my
Cas.

***

Cassie stood there dumbfounded. “You think I’m
cheating on you? That’s the most asinine thing I’ve ever
heard.”

“Okay, so who were you kissing?”

“I haven’t kissed anyone other than you.”

“You were seen.”

“Trent, I haven’t kissed anyone. I have no idea where
you would get such a notion.”

“I don’t need a woman two-timing on me. I thought you
loved me.”

“I do love you. Where would you get such an
idea?”

“I told you that you were seen kissing another
man.”

“Trent!” She grabbed at his arm.

He shook her off and stormed out of the house with
Cassie on his heels.

Looking at Amanda, Dallas asked, “What is going
on?”

“Pre-move jitters?”

Amanda shook her head. “That didn’t look like a
little anxiety.”

Trent drove back to Cassie’s apartment. He didn’t
have much there, but he wasn’t about to lose the little bit that he
owned.

“Leave me alone! I only want my stuff.”

“Trent! Where did you get such an idea? Who would
tell you such a lie?”

“My mom doesn’t lie.”

“Well, neither do I.” Tears began to stream down her
face.

“Cas, I can’t deal with this. Where’s my stuff?”

“It’s at the house. I’ve spent most of today taking
boxes over there and unpacking them.”

“Damn it!”

“Listen to me. I love you and only you. I haven’t
been with anyone but you. How can I prove something like that?
You’ve got to trust me.”

“When you’re in another man’s arms?”

“But I haven’t been! I’ve either been with you or at
the house busting my butt.” Pleadingly, she looked at Trent. “I
love you and only you. I haven’t been with anyone else. Ohmigod,
how can I make you understand?” Tears streamed down her face as she
slid down the wall and collapsed into a heap in front of her
apartment door.

He sat on the sofa and watched her sob. He’d have to
physically remove her to leave, and he knew that he wasn’t up to
doing that physically or emotionally. Propping his elbow on his
knee, he rubbed his forehead with his fingertips. He didn’t want to
believe what his mom had said, but she wouldn’t have said such a
thing if it wasn’t true. A myriad of emotions filled him. Betrayal
wrapped around his heart, sadness over a relationship gone wrong,
choked him, and pity for Cassie weighed on his shoulders, while
exhaustion was producing a wicked headache.