His Montana Homecoming. Jenna Mindel

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       Chapter Three

      Faith stood in line and tried not to overhear the conversation in front of her between the bank teller and Robin Frazier. Robin had moved to Jasper Gulch over the summer to work on some kind of genealogy project for her thesis.

      Faith felt bad for the young woman who’d lost her ATM card in the bank’s machine and faced the firing squad before getting it back.

      “I need to reference your driver’s license, Miss Frazier.” The teller, one of Nadine Shaw’s good friends, had a voice that carried. “Okay, now sign here please, exactly as on your card, Robin Elaine Frazier.”

      Faith’s attention snagged on the middle name. Same as hers.

      “I know it’s you, hon, but I still have to jot down your ID number for documentation.” The teller handed back Robin’s ID and ATM card.

      Finally finished, with plastic in hand, Robin turned, looking frazzled.

      “Hi, Robin.” Faith stepped forward and whispered, “I couldn’t help but overhear. We’ve got the same name.”

      Robin blinked a couple of times and then rubbed the dark mole under her eyebrow. “Same name?”

      Faith quickly explained, “My middle name is Elaine, same as yours. Mine comes from my great-great-grandmother.” She pointed at Ezra’s portrait. “His wife.”

      “Yes, that’s right. Ezra married Elaine. Pretty common name, though.” Robin still looked a little rattled.

      And Faith had overstepped her bounds by admitting that she’d listened to the entire conversation. She didn’t want Robin to think she was nosy and touched the woman’s arm. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude.”

      “No worries.” Robin smiled.

      “Good.”

      “Faith Elaine, you stepping up here or what?” The teller used the same tone in her voice as Faith’s mom when she was in trouble.

      “Yes, ma’am.” Faith gave Robin a mock look of fright. “My turn.”

      Robin laughed and waved goodbye.

      Faith finished her business of a deposit of the last paycheck she’d receive for a while. As a violinist in Bozeman, she wasn’t needed until after Christmas when the regular concert series started up again. Only primary musicians who’d been around a lot longer than Faith played at the upcoming Christmastime ballet.

      She glanced behind her. Wilbur bent Dale’s ear and the real estate mogul looked bored to tears until a young blonde bombshell walked right up to both men and smiled.

      Faith clenched her teeth. There was no denying the appreciation in Dale’s eyes when he looked at the beautiful Lilibeth Shoemaker.

      “Here you go, Faith. And watch out, Lilibeth is checking out your fella.” The teller finished her deposit transaction with a smile.

      “He’s not mine, but thanks.” Faith scanned the balance on her receipt and fought the urge to keep walking right out the door. That would be rude. And show her weakness.

      She joined the cozy party of three.

      Lilibeth gave her a sweet smile. “Why, Faith, I was just asking Mr. Thompson if he needed Christmas help this year and come to find out we have a real live Massey in our midst.”

      “Yeah, we do.” Faith gripped her purse strap so tight her fingers curled into a fist around the leather.

      Lilibeth placed her hand on Dale’s arm and leaned toward him with a ridiculously brilliant smile. “Are there any more of you?”

      “Not here.” He looked amused.

      Lilibeth made a pouty face. “Too bad.”

      Dale looked at Faith. “Ready?”

      “Yep.” She tamped down a heady feeling of triumph when she saw Lilibeth’s mouth drop slightly open. “Bye, and thanks, Wilbur.”

      “Of course, of course.” The manager fixed his attention back on the girl. “Now, Lilibeth, what hours can you work?”

      As she left the bank with Dale, Faith let loose a soft laugh.

      “What’s so funny?” Dale opened the driver’s-side door for her.

      “Nothing.” СКАЧАТЬ