Page 22 of Beauty and the Baker
“He slept with me,” Charlie said.
Cassie raised her eyebrow. “Really?”
“Really,” Charlie said, signifying the subject was closed.
“What else happened?” Cassie asked finishing her toast.
“With what?”
“You said Ian wasn’t able to retrieve the picture, but he retrieved a few things.”
Charlie nodded. “That was it. Apparently, Mr. Weston had already rented out the apartment. Ian was able to slip in as the workers came to clear everything out for the new tenants.”
Mr. Weston was determined to marry Cassie. Otherwise he was going to have their father put in jail for stealing. Charlie tried to disprove the accusations, but no one wanted to go up against Weston. He had too much money and too many resources to make someone’s life miserable. Charlie was the exception and it cost him everything.
Cassie and their father, Hal, had fled west and ended up in the town of Creede. What made them decide on this town, Charlie didn’t know. But he could see that it was the most beautiful place he had ever seen.
“Mr. Weston is… was… I don’t know how to say this… but he is Max’s father. He paid us an unexpected visit right before you arrived.”
Charlie nearly shot out of his chair. “What?”
“Sit down,” Cassie said, waving her hand. “Max hadn’t seen him in years. In fact, they have nothing to do with each other. He came out to see Max. I was the last person he ever expected to see.”
“That man was set on marrying you.”
“Yes. But Max had married me first. I’m so grateful to him for giving me and Father a chance. He can give you one too.”
“Ah no. No way, no how. I’m not going to trade one Weston for another.”
“In the short time you’ve known Max, have you seen him behave in any way but honorable? His father is nothing like that.” Charlie agreed, but he still didn’t like it. “So, what do you say?”
“About what?” he asked.
“About working for Max.”
“Doing what?”
“Helping with the costumes. We secured fifteen new orders last night. The actors are coming back in the winter to perform Macbeth.”
“I don’t follow.”
“They asked us to make the costumes. Father does most of the sewing. I do the measuring and cutting. You could assist Father.”
“I dunno,” Charlie said rubbing his eyes. He could feel the start of a headache. “I just really don’t want to have anything to do with the garment industry. I’m sorry, Cassie.”
“It isn’t clothing. It is costumes.”
Charlie let out a laugh that sounded somewhere between a cough and a bark. “I don’t want to have anything to do with fabric at all.”
Cassie looked at him. She had this way of looking at Charlie the same way their mother did. It made Charlie squirm.
“I was really hoping you would help us,” Cassie said.
“Let me think about it, then.” Charlie knew she wasn’t trying to guilt him into anything.
Fabric and sewing were all Cassie and their father knew. Now he had escaped that industry, he wanted to see all the options laying out before him. Perhaps if he could find a job in town then he would have a real reason for declining the work.
“What are you thinking of doing? You can't stay inside forever. It has been a month since you’ve arrived.”
