Free Embezzled Love by Ginger Simpson

Alaine's hand aside. "I have to go home. I'm tired, confused and need to think." She stood, retrieved her purse and walked out the door without another word. Rage burned in her belly and fear lurked in her heart.
    Her trembling fingers fought against her buckling the seatbelt, but she prevailed. After a long breath, she started the car and backed out of the driveway. Alaine's words echoed in Cassie's mind. We want to protect you. Too bad they didn't consider protecting her from the hurt they'd just inflicted.
    Tears blurred her vision. She knuckled them away and tried to concentrate on the road. How did causing her to question Evan's loyalty—force her to confront him with what they presented tonight—offer any degree of protection. Instead of clarifying things, they muddied the waters and broke her heart. If, in fact, Evan did the things they insisted, what did he hope to gain through her? Her siblings were wrong, there was no other explanation. Still, Frank seemed so insistent, doubts crept into her mind.
    Sure, she'd loaned Evan money for his ticket, but he had a logical reason for needing it. He didn't expect to make a permanent move, and he hadn't been paid for incomplete work. That seemed like the way a good businessman operated, not an extortionist. No matter how she looked at things, her heart knew her Evan R. Dennis wasn't the person Frank and Alaine claimed him to be. People met and married every day based on love at first sight. She and Evan were perfect for one another. She wasn't going to lose him on false allegations. She'd wait until he came home and discuss things calmly.
    Her cynical laugh echoed in the car's silence. "How do you question someone's honesty in a calm manner?" She pulled into her garage and turned off the engine.
    Inside, she locked the kitchen door and sagged against it. Her mind couldn't absorb all the facts Frank and Alaine had thrown at her. How in the world could she believe that the wonderful man who gave up his home and life in Texas and start anew with her might be using her? He swore he loved her with all his heart, and those nights he made love to her, wasn't the look in his eyes sincere?
    She really wished for her mom—someone to kiss her booboo and make it better, but this wasn't something Cass wanted to share. She straightened and, frustrated, pounded her fist on the kitchen counter. The onslaught of tears she'd restrained, let loose and erupted in uncontrolled sobs. How she longed to be in Evan's arms and hear his assurance that Frank and Alaine were wrong. She hiccupped, knuckled away her tears and trudged upstairs, wanting only to sleep and forget all the nastiness.
    She didn't even bother to take off her makeup or shower. After changing into her pajamas, she climbed beneath the blanket and heaved a heavy sigh. Was there a law against her being happy? It seemed that way. Something bad always happened to overshadow the good in her life. Not this time. She wasn't going to let anything ruin the new life she wanted.
    Despite being physically and emotionally drained, sleep wouldn't come. After turning over for the fiftieth time since getting into bed, she rolled onto her back and stared into the darkness, barely able to see the ceiling fan's rotating blades. Evan hadn't called, or if he had, hadn't left a message. Maybe it was for the best. He'd certainly question the worry in her voice and ask her about her mood. Accusations were better made face-to-face, no matter how hard it was to look someone in the eye and question their integrity. Her hands tightened into fists.
    Sleep! Only muting her brain would bring the rest she needed. She plumped her pillow, pulled the covers up to her chin, and with eyes squeezed shut, tried to summon peaceful slumber.
     
    * * *
     
    The alarm's annoying buzz yanked Cassie awake. She reached over and slapped the button atop the clock. "It can't be morning already," she grumbled. "I just went to sleep."
    Groggy, she pulled herself into a sitting