Flee From Evil Read Free Page B

from other children with autism. She thanked God for that one reprieve, but wondered—as always—if it would last.
    Taking Tibo’s gift of calm, She headed back to the living room, snuggled into the brown, microfiber couch, balled into a fetal position under the plush comforter, and sighed.
    She thought back to what woke her. Why those dreams tonight? She hadn’t had one in almost eight years. Tim had comforted her through them before, until one day they were no more.
    But now, she no longer had Tim to hold her. Only memories of Tim. And memories of … things she didn’t want to remember.
    She’d slept in that bedroom a week now, since they moved back. So, why the nightmares tonight?
    Images of Vince Steegle slid through her mind, tainting both past and present. Some held hints of hopes she’d had of a future with him, which only proved to be a lie. She needed to shake free, but knew she couldn’t as long as that man was so near.
    Could she live here with her mother? She had no other choice. Despite her in-laws vast wealth, there was none available to her. Not for her, nor the children who had called their son Daddy.
    There was nowhere to go. No jobs that would allow her the care of a high-maintenance, special-needs child and the bills that came with his therapies. There seemed no options but to live with her mom who could help her watch over Tibo, and give her a place to live at no cost. She glanced at the once diamond ring setting, now sporting a piece of glass fashioned to look like the stone her husband had given her. The means with which she’d paid the remainder of her bills before leaving Philadelphia.
    Could her family home be the respite she’d hoped to have for her and her kids? Not if it meant enduring the mention of her mother’s pastor … unless Cassandra told her mother what he really was.
    No. She couldn’t do that. She couldn’t even speak the words.
    Cassandra closed her eyes on a breath and prayed, “Father why have you exchanged good for evil?”
    We know that all things work for the good of those who love Him.
    Could she believe that? Cassandra knew Tim would.
    But after years of finally learning to love her best friend, Tim was now dead.
     
    ~*~
     
    Vince swung the pitching wedge and connected with the ball. It lofted to the edge of the circle he’d cut into the field beside the church. He’d have to make his little green larger the next time he brought his mower to the grounds. Couldn’t seem to hit anything today.
    “Rough morning?” John sauntered up behind him, and thrust his hands into his navy pants.
    Vince nodded.
    “Good thing you have this little patch of heaven to help you think.” That’s what Vince had called this field next to Water’s Edge Community. His own back yard wasn’t much more than a postage stamp, so he couldn’t practice chipping there. It was nice to clear his mind this way after a long day. Only this day had just begun.
    Vince swatted at another ball in the line. Shank.
    John groaned. “She must have been important to you. Don’t think I’ve ever seen you flub a shot like that before.” Evidently, Vince’s reaction to the latecomer yesterday hadn’t escaped John’s notice.
    Vince pulled another ball with his club.
    “Do you wanna talk about it?”
    Vince shook his head.
    “It might help to unload your burdens.”
    Vince drew in a breath and leaned on the club. After several heartbeats, he met John’s fatherly gaze. “I know, John. I don’t think I can right now.” He wasn’t sure what he thought or felt. What could he say? He didn’t even want to tell the story since it was only partly his. Telling it would reveal things Cass wouldn’t want known. Could he talk to anyone about it?
    “I take it you hurt her pretty bad.”
    Vince’s shoulders slumped. He almost dropped the club in the grass.
    “I’m sorry, Vince. I didn’t mean to lay more guilt on your shoulders. I just want you to know you can come to me. I won’t judge. I know