Chapter 3

 

Cassie was running low on all the basic toiletries, and needed to make a stop at the local store to restock. She’d hoped she’d be able to hold out until she received her first paycheck, but unfortunately, she couldn’t wait any longer.

It was only a couple of days until she would get paid anyway. Then she would be able to replace the money she used today. She hated cutting it so close, and had been doing fine up until this point, but her funds were seriously dwindling after four months. She was down to her last few dollars, and really needed to hold onto it for food.

A nice couple with a set of twins who were camping a few sites over from her would invite her to their campsite for a hotdog and hamburger every now and again as a thank you for playing with the twins while they rested, but she never considered it an open invitation and would never invite herself. She could pray that their generosity would continue until she had her paycheck, but that was really pushing her luck, especially when she barely had any luck to begin with.

It was only a few days, and if she had to go without food for a short time, she could do it. Lord knows she’d done it many times as a kid when she was placed in a foster home where the parents used her as income. She’d gone without so many times that it wouldn’t be that big of a deal if she had to again.

Food wasn’t important right now. Her main priority was impressing Mason so she could secure her job, so she ignored that annoying voice in the back of her mind telling her to step away from the shampoo, and began to browse the shelf.

They were out of the cheap stuff she’d been using, and so she looked for the next cheapest bottle she could find. She did a quick smell test to make sure it wasn’t too awful, and was pleasantly surprised at the fresh, clean scent. It would do.

Suddenly the hairs on the back of her neck stood on edge, and a feeling of dread sunk into her stomach. It happened every now and again—the feeling of being watched. The feeling that Dylan was back to grab her by the hair and drag her back to Florida where she would be trapped with him forever.

He’s not here, she told herself.

It had been four months since she first travelled to New Hampshire for bike week with Dylan, and four months since his abuse marked an all-time high, igniting the spark of courage she needed to flee the nightmare she’d been trapped in. She escaped, but the fear still clung to her like a hot humid day.

There was no way he could be there… though, she wouldn’t be sure unless she looked for herself, but fear had her glued to the floor, unable to move. Her elbows pressed into her sides as if she was trying to appear as small as possible.

She searched for the strength that she used when she’d finally escaped, grabbed onto it, and turned around, scanning her surroundings. Relief flooded through her when she realized she was the only one in the aisle. Not fully convinced, she moved around to the next aisle and the next until she was certain Dylan wasn’t there.

You survived. He can’t hurt you anymore. He’s long gone. Back in Florida and far away from here. You’re safe.

She rested against a shelf filled with bug repellant and smiled at the irony. Once she gathered her wits and recovered from the fear, she collected the rest of the necessities, placing them all in her basket and ignoring the desire to grab a chocolate bar as she waited in line.

She kept her head down, not wanting to make eye contact with anyone. She wasn’t sure if people had seen her as she ran from one aisle to the next, and she didn’t want to find out. She preferred to act as if it never happened.

“I know you,” she heard behind her, but continued to keep her head down as she placed her items on the counter. The woman continued speaking though. She moved closer, and Cassie could smell the sweet scent of apple and cinnamon. “You came by the other day looking for a job.”

Cassie looked up, instantly recognizing the woman from the Happy Apple. It was kind of hard not to remember her big red hair and infectious smile. Today she had a pair of big leopard print sunglasses pushed up on her head and surrounded by the big puff of red hair. Her bright red lips matched her jacket and the stitching in her black pants that ended just at the ankle above a pair of gold sneakers.

Cassie admired her uniqueness, but more than anything she admired this woman’s guts. This was an outfit that screamed look at me! And, as someone who dodged attention, she couldn’t imagine drawing so much of it to herself on purpose.

“That was me,” Cassie said.

She had gone to the Happy Apple first in hopes they’d need a waitress. Not only was it right on Main Street—prime location for her situation—but the place was packed, so it was a guarantee that she’d make decent money in tips. The place smelled divine, like fresh baked apples, and this woman had been so sweet, even apologizing repeatedly for not being able to help her out; she simply didn’t have an opening.

Cassie had been disappointed, but she couldn’t hold it against the sweet lady. She couldn’t create a position out of thin air no matter how desperately Cassie wished she could.

“I thought that was you. I have to tell you…” she said with a big grin as if she solved a puzzle that had been eating at her all day. “I’ve been feeling awful about not being able to help you out.”

“It’s fine, really.” In the end, it turned out to be more of a blessing than anything else. If she was hired by Terry, she never would have gotten the job with Mason, and so far, working with Mason seemed like it was a good fit.

She loved the brewery and all of the beer that they had to offer. It was a quality product she was proud to stand behind. She liked Mason’s work ethic and his attention to detail. She loved how he took the time to show her things and answer any questions she had. Overnight, they went from strangers to a team, and she was genuinely happy with her job and the opportunity.

“I’ll tell you what,” Terry said. “If you’re still looking, I’ll find a way to get you on the schedule. Maybe send my husband home. Lord knows he drives me bonkers being there all day.”

Cassie laughed at Terry’s dramatic hand movements and facial expressions. “I really appreciate it. You have no idea how much, but I actually found something.”

“Oh, thank the heavens.” Terry patted a hand against her chest, her gold bracelets clanking together. “Who was lucky to scoop you up?”

“Mason Hayes at Five Leaf Brewery.”

“Oh,” Terry said with a sudden gleam in her eye and a silly smile on her overly red lips. “Our Mason is a great boy. You’re in good hands.”

The thought of Mason’s hands on her caused an unexpected shot of heat to race across her skin.

“That’ll be fourteen thirty-two,” the cashier said, bringing her mind back to reality.

Cassie went into her wallet and was horrified when she realized she only had twelve dollars. She froze, staring down at the few bills in her hand then looked up at the register, hoping by some miracle she heard wrong, but no… Staring back at her, in bright green numbers, was fourteen thirty-two.

Shame turned into panic as she tried to figure out what she could live without. She rummaged through the bags the cashier already packed up. She needed toothpaste, that was a given. Maybe she could get rid of the conditioner…No, if she did, she’d never manage to get a brush through her hair. Maybe she could use the shampoo as body wash and could put the soap back. Or maybe the shampoo since she had a little left still. She definitely couldn’t put back the deodorant.

She looked back at her wallet as if more money would magically appear. How could she be so careless? The stupid fear of Dylan coming after her and the moment of panic threw her, and she forgot to keep track of what she was spending.

She would put the soap back, but that was only two dollars, and she was over that by a little. As she tried to work it out in her head a gentle hand rested on hers and pushed it down to her side. Terry smiled as she handed a credit card to the cashier.

“Luke, ring us up together,” she said, and Cassie immediately protested.

“Oh no, Luke don’t do that. It’s totally not necessary. I was going to put this back.” She grabbed the shampoo and took it out of the bag, holding it out to Luke.

Luke took it from her, but Terry pointed a red manicured finger at him. “Don’t even think about it.”

Luke froze, looking back and forth between them, but when Terry narrowed her gaze, he put the shampoo back in the bag without question.

Was this woman out of her mind? She didn’t know her from a hole in the wall, yet she was willing to hand over her credit card to take care of Cassie’s bill. No. Cassie couldn’t let her. She wasn’t a charity case; she just needed time to get her act together. If she would have waited until she got paid, this wouldn’t have happened.

Cassie took a deep breath and shook her head, ready to fight Terry and at least be able to walk out of this store with her dignity intact. “You don’t—”

“You’re right,” Terry said, cutting her off. “I don’t, but I want, so let me. Please.”

“I have money at home,” Cassie blurted. “I’ll run and get it.”

“Luke finish up the transaction,” Terry said and turned Cassie away from the register. “Sweetie,” she spoke softly. “Everyone needs a little help every now and again. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Besides, I want to help you.”

Cassie had prided herself on being able to ward off emotion, but tears welled up in her eyes, despite her efforts to fight them back. She didn’t want to be weak. She spent so many years of her life being feeble on the inside—a weak pathetic mess, but she wasn’t that girl anymore. She refused to be. “I’ll pay you back,” Cassie insisted.

“Nonsense.” The woman waved her off like the sheer thought of paying her back was ludicrous.

Who was this woman, and what did Cassie do to deserve her kindness? Cassie took a deep breath and forced those pesky tears down that were inching closer and closer to the edge. “Thank you. You have no idea how much I appreciate it.”

“Believe me, I do. I was once in your shoes, and I know how hard it can be, but it gets better.” Cassie couldn’t even fathom a woman like Terry ever being down on her luck. “Just stay strong.” Terry shucked her chin. “It’s Cassie, right?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Well, it was a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Cassie. I hope to see more of you.”

“I think you will.”

“Good. And the next time you’re down this way, you stop over at my place and I’ll whip you up some of my famous apple pancakes.”

“They’re really good,” Luke, the cashier said as if he finally felt safe to speak.

“Darn tootin.” Luke handed Terry her card back, and she leaned over the counter and pinched his cheek. “You tell your mother I said hi.”

“Yes ma’am.”

Luke handed Cassie her bags, and she accepted them with a smile. He wished her a nice day, causing more warmth to spread through her. Everyone in this town was so nice, and after months of hiding out at a campsite, she was happy that she finally found the courage to venture out.

She thanked Terry again, but Terry waved her off. “You just come in and try my pancakes and that’ll be all the thanks I need.”

Cassie didn’t understand how that worked, but she wasn’t about to argue. She had a feeling no matter what the argument was, Cassie would never win with her. “Deal,” she said, thinking that she might actually take Terry up on her offer. She couldn’t remember the last time she had a real breakfast, and the thought of pancakes made her mouth water and her stomach growl.

“This is me,” Terry said.

Cassie waited for Terry to walk toward a car but instead she went right to a bicycle, causing Cassie to do a double take. She blinked a few times unsure if her eyes were playing tricks on her, but they weren’t. That bike was definitely leopard print.

Terry placed her bag into a red basket, rang a gold bell, and gave a final wave as she rode away on the leopard print bike.

A smile, unforced and welcomed, spread across Cassie’s face as she watched Terry make her way out of the parking lot and toward Main Street.

Terry had said that she’d once been in Cassie’s shoes. Granted, Terry didn’t know her story, but it still gave Cassie hope. It was proof that someone who was down on their luck was able to emerge from the rubble, and not just resurface, but shine.