Page 49 of Evan

“I have disappointed you, let you down and for that, I will regret it for the rest of my life. You must know how much I love you, Cassie.” He smiled faintly. “You are light and hope and what a Christian is supposed to be.”

“Please…”

They were interrupted by footsteps along the hallway. Jumping to his feet, he headed towards the entryway that led to the main exit. “I am going home. Just…,” he gestured helplessly. “Make some excuses for me. I am not feeling well.”

Cassandra managed to compose herself before the mother and daughter stepped into her office.

*****

Evan felt like a giddy schoolboy with his first crush. He rushed through the meetings and had a hard time trying not to show his impatience when his management team filled the meeting with inane questions and concerns. Finally, he had to exercise his authority by abruptly declaring the meeting over.

Then he had to meet with an associate who had flown in from Texas just for that purpose. The man was accompanied by his wife who insisted on taking her time to pore over the menu and interspersing her words with ‘Oh my gosh!’ and Lawd Almighty.’ By the time dessert was being served, he was ready to call it a night.

Glen McCleod, the gregarious Texas rancher saw through his thinly concealed impatience and irritation and ordering another cup of coffee and blueberry crumble for his wife, insisted on following him out of the restaurant to the brightly lit parking lot.

The valet drove Evan’s car and parked it under the Porte cochere, handing him the key fob and tipping his hat.

“I must apologize for my Lorraine.” The man detained him as he was about to open the door. “She is lonely.” There was a melancholy expression on his broad craggy face. “We lost our daughter to a vehicular accident a year ago and today is the anniversary.”

There was a bleak look of pain on his face. “I just wanted to take her out of the house and have her with me.” His eyes touched Evan’s face. “I sincerely hope you never have to live through the pain and grief of losing a child, son.”

Evan felt his irritation melting away. “I am truly sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you.” Glen clapped his large, callused hands together. “Pleasure doing business with you son. I dealt with your daddy and uncle, and I have to tell you that you put them to shame. It is good that you are your own person and not following in their corrupt footsteps.” Flashing a grin at Evan, he went back in.

Settling inside the butter soft bucket seat of his Porsche, Evan gunned the engine and was out of the parking lot and onto the street in a flash. It was almost seven thirty and traffic was still heavy on the road. Deciding not to wait until he reached home, he pressed the icon on the steering and dialed her number.

She answered on the second ring, much to his delight.

“I got caught up in meetings. I am sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

A frown touched his brow. “What’s wrong?”

“We have a death in our church family. She had cancer.”

“Oh, Cassandra, I am sorry. Were you close?”

“We were. She was a sweet woman and despite going through so much, she always had a smile on her face.” He listened as she told him about their house burning down and the husband’s accident.

“Oh Christ. That’s rough.”

Her silence continued until he grew concerned. “Cassandra, talk to me.”

“I need you.”

“Cassandra…”

“Please.” She whispered and he realized she was crying. “I just need you to hold me.”

He thought about it for a full minute, before turning the car around. She just needed to be held, and she was crying. He could not go to his place and simply ignore that.

She was sitting on the porch swing when he pulled his car into the driveway. Switching the headlights off, he climbed out and strode towards the porch, clearing the steps quickly. Without a word, he sat down and pulled her onto his lap.

His heart contracted when she simply buried her face into the sweater he was wearing. He rubbed her back as she sobbed quietly, her fingers clutching his sweater.

For several minutes they stayed that way, even when her crying had subsided.

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