“One would think.”
Orene sat there listening, just waiting for her to start talking.
“I really don’t want people to know about this,” Natalie said. “It’s really embarrassing.”
Orene folded her hands in her lap and nodded slowly, encouraging her to continue, but not promising to keep it to herself, Natalie noticed. Still, Natalie continued. “I got into a relationship. With a man.”
“Honey, you’re widowed, not dead. Nothing wrong with that. Even in the Bible—”
“Well, that’s not all of it. This man. He lied to me. He… well, it turns out the police believe he’s a professional con man. He took me for almost everything I had. The insurance money. My savings. The house Jeremy and I worked so hard to buy.”
Orene’s mouth dropped open, and her eyes opened as wide as wooden nickels.
“Even that truck out there. It was Jeremy’s truck. Gone. Thank goodness they recovered it when they did, but everything else is gone.”
“Oh my goodness.”
“I’d been staying with my best friend, and she didn’t mind, but I was just sort of stuck, waiting for my problem to get solved by the police, even though they were pretty clear that it might never be resolved. Finally, one day I just had to do something besides wait. I realized I did have a place to stay.”
“The cabin.”
“Yes. The cabin here in Chestnut Ridge. Jeremy had onceagain rescued me, even though he wasn’t here. I was desperate when I came to Chestnut Ridge.”
“And anxious. That’s why you came that night without even thinking about where you’d stay?”
“Exactly.”
“Natalie, dear, why wouldn’t you want anybody to know about all that? It wasn’t your fault. Not like you traipsed off to Vegas and blew everything rolling dice or something.”
“Because I should’ve known better.”
“Hmm-mmm. Nope. That is not the way it works, young lady. You just quit that way of thinking right now. There was once a saying. Let me see if I can get it right. It went something like: No thief, however skilled, can rob one of knowledge. That’s why knowledge is the best and safest treasure to acquire.”
“What does that even mean?”
“It means no one can take what you know, Natalie. That was all just stuff. Material things, and whatever it was, it can be replaced if it needs to be.” Orene tapped the side of her head. “But you have all your memories. You have all the love you shared with Jeremy. You are the same bright, beautiful, loving woman you’ve always been. Now, that baddy who took your stuff. You can rest assured he’ll get what’s coming to him for his actions. Don’t you give that situation a second thought.”
“That’s easy to say, but I trusted him. With everything.”
“And you know what, when we are trustworthy, we trust others.” Orene pursed her lips. “Don’t say I can see that as a bad thing, either.”
“You are very kind.” No one could ever accuse Orene of being a glass-half-empty person. She found the silver lining in everything.
The whistle on the teakettle blasted, sitting Natalie up in her chair.
“Perfect timing.” Orene jumped up to make the tea. “And isn’t that where we started this conversation? About perfect timing.”
“Yes. We sure did.” Natalie knew this energetic woman was a big part of what was drawing her to Chestnut Ridge. She was an absolute delight to be around. “So, back to the perfect timing. A detective has been working on this case for months now. And suddenly I move up here, need a truck, and then it’s not long after that he calls to tell me they’ve recovered mine. Well, Jeremy’s. You know what I mean.”
“I do. It means your prayers were answered.”
“I guess they kind of were.”
“This detective must be very good at what he does. I’d think that tracing a true con’s trail would be very difficult.”
“I’m finding that out. He’s good at his job, and he’s really nice. I think his captain would’ve had him push my case aside months ago.”
“Maybe this detective… what’s his name?”
