Forever and Always by Leigh Greenwood Page B

volumes. She took out the one on top and opened it. A brief scanning of the pages proved it to be a meticulous record of the loans Norman had made, the amount of the repayments, and the dates on which they were made. The only thing remarkable about it was that there were so few. Business was worse than Norman had led her to believe. Was the bank making enough money to pay its employees? Was Norman too proud to admit he was losing money?
    Other volumes in the drawer did little more than confirm that the new bank had taken away much of Norman’s business. If the situation was so bad, was there any point in keeping the bank open? She’d always assumed Norman was rich, but was he? She went through all the volumes in the desk without finding an answer. Maybe there was something in the safe. She had to work the combination three times before she could get the heavy door open. When she did, she couldn’t believe what she saw.
    Sibyl had rarely handled money. All her life, she’d gotten what she needed from one store or another, and her father or Norman had settled the bills. She had handled a few gold and silver coins, but she’d seen paper money so rarely it seemed like something children would play with. There were stacks of it in the safe, many with very large numbers written on them. Sacks covering the bottom of the safe contained more gold coins than she’d thought existed in the whole town.
    There was no way this could be right. Unless…
    She stared at the contents in horror. She knew where Norman had gotten that money, and the knowledge made her blood run cold. Instinctively, she backed away. What could she do? She didn’t want to keep it, but it would be impossible to give it away. She was so distracted she almost didn’t hear the knock on the door. Without a second’s hesitation, she slammed the safe shut and spun the dial. On shaky legs she managed to get to the chair at the desk and sit down before her legs gave out.
    â€œCome in.” Her words came out in a whisper. She cleared her throat. “Come in.” When Cassie entered the office, a single glance told Sibyl the young woman was dancing with excitement.
    â€œThere’s a man here to see you.”
    â€œI told you to tell everyone the bank wasn’t open today.”
    â€œI did, but he wants to see you anyway.”
    â€œWho is it?”
    â€œThe stranger who shot the bandits.”

Four
    â€œWhat does he want?” Sibyl asked.
    â€œI don’t know,” Cassie answered. “He asked to speak to you.”
    â€œTell him to come in.”
    He was probably hoping for a reward. He didn’t look prosperous. She had no idea how much to offer him. What did you give a man for saving your life? Money seemed like a poor substitute, but she had plenty of it. If that’s what he wanted, it’s what he’d get.
    When he walked into her office, his appearance shocked her all over again. It wasn’t just the swelling that had distorted his features. He had the look of a man who was seriously ill. He looked to be well over six feet tall with the bones of a big man, but his body had wasted away to the point that he looked like a skeleton. His walk was slow and effortful. Only his eyes showed the vigor she guessed must have filled his body in the past. Stepping from behind Norman’s huge desk, she moved toward him, her hand extended.
    â€œMy name is Sibyl Spencer. Norman Spencer was my husband. I want to thank you for saving my life. Cassie’s and Horace’s as well. You were extremely brave.”
    â€œI don’t want any thanks. It’s what any man would have done in my position.”
    â€œNevertheless, you’re the man who did it. You’re a hero. Cassie hasn’t stopped talking about you, and Horace’s wife has added you to her nightly prayers. I give thanks for you at least once every hour.”
    The man looked upset, maybe like he was sorry he had come.