Free Beyond the Quiet: Romantic Thriller by Brenda Hill Page B

really wanted to see, repairing my shoes yet again, just to help build our savings so I would never be in my mother’s situation. Now I’m a widow, and after working all my adult life, I don’t own a damn thing except for my car. Worse, I’m in debt—to the bank and to you.”
    “You kno w Stan and I were glad to help.”
    “I know and I appreciate it, but that’s not the point.” I rose and paced the floor. “I thought I’d had such a good marriage, but my husband wound up taking every cent we had. Just like my step-father did to my mother.”
    A new determination propelled me toward the bathroom to splash cold water on my face. “I have things to do.”
    “And what do you have to do that’s so important?”
    “Find out what Mac did with the money.”
    ***
    I hadn’t realized until I’d said it aloud that I was going to look for the money, but I was suddenly determined to find out what my husband thought so important that he’d mortgaged our home, taken all of our savings , and left me almost penniless.
    That night I called Stan and talked to him about my plans, although I was sure Maggie had already told him.
    Stan said nothing. The silence stretched on and I could hear a slight crackle on the line. Had we been disconnected?
    “Are you there?”
    “Doll, you know I’ll do anything I can for you,” he finally said, his voice sounding strained, “but you need to think this through. Sometimes it’s better to accept what’s happened and move on.”
    Move on? I stared at the phone as if it would help me make sense of what he sa id.
    “You can’t be serious,” I exclaimed. “You’d only say that if you did know something you’re not telling me.”
    “Not true. I’m only thinking of you, the emotional chaos involved. How can you look to the future if you keep going over the past?”
    “Stan—”
    “Then there’s the expense. You’d have to hire a PI, which isn’t cheap, and even then, there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to find out anything.” He sighed. “But if you’re determined to do this, I’ll do whatever I can to help.”
    Taken aback by his attitude, I realized what a difficult position he was in. As Mac’s brother as well as his attorney, he couldn’t help but feel awkward. I resolved to do what I could on my own, without involving him any more than he already was.
    But he was right about one thing. I needed money, an income. I had to get back to work.
    ***
    I kept busy the next couple of days, being careful not to waste any more time moaning or groaning about my fate. I had to make plans. Maybe Stan was right. Maybe I couldn’t afford a formal investigation into the money, but I could make an appointment to find out.
    But first, I had to secure my immediate future. The sooner I got back to work, the sooner I’d get things paid off so I could move.
    If Shanna still wanted me.
    I called the office and talked to Ben about coming back to work fulltime and was relieved when he sounded glad to have me. Then I called Stan. He said everything should be settled within the next month or two.
    I worked out a budget, including a payment plan to him. I went through my clothes, pressing suits I hadn’t worn in a year. Finally, I cashed a hundred-dollar savings bond I’d stashed for emergencies and had my hair permed and styled, leaving the salon with a bag of cosmetics I was determined to learn to use. If I was going to be working with the public, my livelihood depending on the faith and trust from my clients, I needed to look successful. I’d learned years ago that wasn’t just a cliché—everyone seemed to have more faith in you if you looked the part.
    I was going to look the part.
    ***
    Early Thursday morning when I walked into the office for the new listings, Nina’s mouth dropped.
    “Ben said you were coming back,” she said, her eyes wide, “but I didn’t expect to see you here, especially on a day you aren’t even scheduled.”
    I smiled. Thank God she was back to