Authors: Ginger Simpson
"Where is Evan?"
"He flew to Texas last night. The woman who raised him passed away."
"I'm sorry to hear that. On the other hand, I'm sort of relieved he won't be around. I know I'm going to have to work with him sooner or later, but I'm not sure what to expect since I haven't seen him in such a long time. You know what I mean? After everything that happened—"
"Evan knows we've made up and that things are fine. Don't give another thought to his reaction. I'm sure he'll treat you just fine."
"What did he say when you told him about me taking the job?"
"Actually, I told him about hiring someone on his way out the door, but I never got a chance to tell him who I hired.
"Oh, great! What if he doesn't want me working there?"
"Hey, I'm the CEO of this company, and I say I want you here." Cassie chuckled.
"Whatever you say, boss. I'll be over around seven p.m. Will that work?"
"Works for me. See you then, oh, and enjoy giving notice."
Cass glanced at the clock and panicked, but then remembered she was taking the late train in order to disperse the workers to their job sites. She sighed. This morning, she could actually sit and enjoy a cup of coffee before leaving the house. She turned off the bedroom light and went downstairs.
* * *
Cassie explained the filing system. She pulled the 'accounts' folder from the drawer and removed the spreadsheet she'd created. "This is, or was, supposed to show all the active contracts and money still owing. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to keep it current."
Her sister studied it and grinned. "It still looks like a good idea."
"I had the best intentions to keep everything organized." Cassie moaned. "My desk at work is always clean, and I can find things at a moment's notice, but not here. The hardest part of this job is going to be training Evan to put things where you want them. He's horrible at just dropping receipts all over the house."
Alaine's gaze roamed the office. "So, why do you have three computer stations?"
Cassie pointed to the middle desk. "That one is for Evan's friend, Bud, when he's here working on Star Strung, and the other," she gestured to the far side of the room, "is Evan's."
"What exactly does Evan do? I mean here in the office. I need to know if there are any boundaries I shouldn't cross."
Cassie pondered the question. "You know, I don't really have a clue. I'm never here during the weekdays. I imagine he draws his landscape designs, arranges to have supplies delivered to the job sites, and makes appointments with prospective customers."
"Sounds logical." Alaine nodded. "So why does he need a computer?"
"His machine is equipped with a special program to help with landscape blueprinting. You know, I've never seen him use it, but then again, like I said, I'm not home during the day."
"Hmm, just curious. I thought maybe he was linked to your accounting programs."
Cassie threw back her head and laughed. "Oh, please. Evan's number one rule around here is that the accounting side is not his domain."
"So, exactly what will my responsibilities be?"
"Everything and anything that involves bookkeeping, paying bills, monitoring income and expenses, plus anything Evan needs done. You may discover you don't like the system I have in place. Feel free to change it. I'm comfortable with putting you in complete charge. If we turn a good profit at the end of the year, there'll be a bonus in it for you."
Alaine's eyes widened. "Really? I could use one. Jay wasn't a great supporter, but I sure feel the pinch since he left."
Cassie rested her hand atop Alaine's. "I'm sorry things didn't work out for you two. He wasn't my favorite person, but I hate that you're hurting. Do you know where he is?"
"I can only hope he's in a drug rehab somewhere."
"Did I explain Star Strung well enough?" Noting the sadness in her sister's voice, Cassie changed the subject.
"The guitar thing?"
"That's the one. Step this way. I'd like to show you our inventory."
Alaine followed Cassie to the den, where she turned on the light. "Voila, my newly acquired instrument collection."
"Have you sold any?"
"I don't think so. At least Evan hasn't mentioned selling any. I don't really pay much attention to this part of the business. This is Bud and Evan's baby. I just try to keep up with the bills. Trust me, it's no easy feat."
Alaine stepped closer to the five instruments displayed on stands. "How come these aren't in boxes like the rest?"
Cass pointed to Brooks & Dunn signatures on one. "These have actually been autographed…hence the 'star' part of the business name."
Her sister wriggled her nose. "I've never sat around and wished I had a signed guitar, but I guess there are some people out there who'll buy anything."
"That's what I'm hoping, or else I'd better take lessons and learn to play the guitar."
The two shared a chuckle and returned to the office.
Alaine picked up her purse. "I'm going now. I have to run by the pharmacy and pick up a refill on my meds. I think I have a pretty good idea of what the job entails, but I have to admit, I'm still a little nervous about working with Evan."
Cass hugged her. "I told you not to worry. Things will be fine."
Alaine turned at the door. "I'll be by tomorrow evening to get started. Maybe by the time Evan gets home, I'll have everything in order."
"That'll make him happy…and me, too. I won't have to listen to him complain anymore."
Alaine's expression turned somber. "Cass, are you truly happy with him?"
"Of course I am. Why would you ask such a thing?"
"I just wanted to make sure. See you tomorrow." Alaine walked toward her car, turning to wave goodbye.
Cassie waited until Alaine had backed out of the driveway before locking the door. From now on, she'd have to watch what she said about Evan. Her comments about his constant complaints must have painted him in a really negative light. She truly did love the man, bitching and all.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Friday night, and Cassie had just gotten home. Alaine's car was parked in the driveway as it had been the past three nights. She stopped by after work and spent two to three hours organizing the books. Evan had called a few times and updated Cass on the funeral arrangements and to let her know he was okay. He planned to stay an extra week or so to take care of Marlene's affairs, but had given Cassie instructions for the work crew in his absence. Though she missed him, she recognized how much more relaxed she felt in his absence. Maybe hiring Alaine to take over the massive workload played a big part. Cass locked up her car and went inside.
Spying her sister buried among the stacks, she had an idea. "Hey, take a break, Alaine, and let's go out to dinner and celebrate your career change."
Alaine looked up. "Sounds good to me. I've starving."
The interior of Cassie's car hadn't yet cooled before the two climbed inside, and Cassie backed out of the driveway. Deciding to stay clear of McGinty's this time, they picked a less popular and out of the way coffee shop. The small talk they started on the way to the restaurant turned to questions from Alaine.
"How in the world did you keep up with the bills? I can't believe how much money the business owes."
"I know what you mean." Cassie slid into the restaurant booth. "I panicked on a frequent basis, but Evan keeps telling me that everything will even out eventually, once the initial outlay is paid. We bought all those trucks and the cement mixer, not to mentions supplies for the jobs. Then of course, Evan had the bright idea to start buying guitars."
"Why didn't you say no? I see no sense in starting up two brand new businesses at once."
"I've often asked myself the same thing, but I just can't seem to tell him no. I think the reason is in the way he looks at me." Cassie perused the menu.
Alaine laughed aloud. "You? Not being able to tell anyone 'no'? That's hilarious. You've never had problems expressing your opinion."
"I guess I've softened in my old age."
"Ha, I don't think old age has anything to do with you not being able to say no." Alaine paused for a moment. "I don't quite know how to ask this, so I'll be direct. Are you afraid of him?"
Taken aback, Cassie widened her eyes. "No, of course not. Why would I be?"
"I don't know. There's just something different about you, but I can't explain what it is."
"Maybe you and I were apart for too long."
"Yeah, that may be."
The waitress interrupted their conversation, asking for orders. While Alaine placed hers, Cassie pondered her sister's question. Was she afraid of Evan?
* * *
The next week sailed by like a dream. Aside from missing Evan, Cassie went to work, came home, and had more time on her hands than she'd had in ages. She even found time to sit in her living room and chat with Mom…actually ask how things were going.
"Cassie," she heard Alaine call. "Can you come out here a minute?"
"What's up?" Cass asked, standing next to the desk.
Lainie waived a stack of papers at her. "I can't find any files on these. You have no record of them anywhere."
Cassie took the statements and spread them on Bud's desk, paying attention to the names on each. "I've never seen them before, either."
"Did you notice the charges?" Alaine asked.
Studying them, Cassie's chest tightened. In front of her were cash advances, counter checks, and several charges simply listed as 'online' debits. The amounts overwhelmed her. She couldn't speak.
"Cass?" Alaine called, snapping her fingers. "What do you make of them?"
Shaking her head, Cassie straightened. "I'm not sure what to think. These are evidently credit cards, but I don't have any of them in my possession. They all appear to be business accounts, but I swear I've never seen them before."
"Did you also notice they're all past due?"
Cassie massaged her brow. "You're kidding." She looked at the statements again. A stress headache loomed. Alaine was right. No payments had been made at all, ever.
Alaine, apparently thinking, stared into space. "Have you ever looked through Evan's desk?" she finally asked.
"Of course not. I respect his privacy."
"Well, how about if I check it out?"
"Exactly what do you expect to find."
Alaine shrugged. "Maybe a clue as to what these bills are for. I'll never know till I look. Do you mind?"
Cass flashed on the mysterious pawn ticket. "No, I guess not. Go ahead."
Unable to violate her own oath of respect, Cassie stood by while Alaine searched Evan's drawers. Receipts filled the top one—receipts that should have gone to Cassie, but there was nothing more.
The second drawer held instructions for the computer, Evan's CAD/CAM program for blueprints, and an unused personal calendar. Before opening the third drawer, Alaine glanced up. "This is probably a waste of time, but…."
She opened the bottom drawer and reached her hand to the very back. "I feel something behind the phone book. Feels like a makeshift divider of some sort." She continued fishing around and withdrew a stack of credit cards rubber banded together. "I think I found what I was looking for."
Cassie's mouth gaped. "Crap, how many are there?"
Alaine tossed them to her and kept searching. Cassie counted fifteen cards, but her eyes focused on the stack of papers Alaine pulled from the drawer. "What have you got there?" Nothing significant, she hoped.
Alaine unfolded the sheets. "Division of Children's Services," she read. "Seems Evan owes a whopping amount of back support."
Cassie swallowed hard. "You're kidding. He told me he didn't have to pay anything because his ex-wife wanted nothing from him. She even asked him to relinquish parental rights."
"Well, DCS says differently." Lainie waived the papers in the air.
After walking into the den, Cassie plopped on the sofa and hung her head in her hands. Alaine followed. "Are you okay?"
Without looking up, Cassie shook her head. "No, I don't think I am. I just discovered the man who professes to love me has been lying." She lifted her head and stared at Alaine through blurry eyes. "If he's being untruthful about this, what else is he hiding?"
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Cassie slept terribly. After tossing and turning all night, she decided to call in sick and stay home with Alaine. If there were other things Cassie needed to know about Evan, finding them out while he was gone seemed the best time. Her heart ached when she thought of eventually confronting him. How could she have been so blind? So gullible? What else was he keeping from her?