“He was. He loved his family dearly and he loved his wife.” Mr. Abernethy frowned. “I think he did what he did because of that.”
Jacquie knew her confusion showed.
“He was stealing money, Mrs. Morgan.” Mr. Abernethy shook his head sadly. “I knew it from the start. I tried to give him easy ways to put it back, but he never did. It wasn’t that much, not in total, but I couldn’t let it continue.”
Jacquie’s mouth went dry. “How much?” she asked.
“About five thousand dollars altogether. He took five hundred at a time.”
Her heart stopped, because she remembered him bringing home that money. “He said those were bonuses.”
“Not ones that we gave him.” Her companion frowned as they crossed a busy street. “I called Mitchell into work that day. In those days, the branch was closed on Saturdays and I wanted to talk to him in private. He denied it at first, but I had proof. There was footage from the surveillance cameras and some receipts that showed the missing funds. He insisted that he was innocent, and I thought it was because he couldn’t repay it.”
“We spent those bonuses right away,” Jacquie admitted. “I tried to make them last but they never did.”
“He said I couldn’t dock his pay, because you needed it all.”
Jacquie nodded, knowing they’d squeezed every penny and things had still been tight.
“I wanted him to admit it, you understand. I felt at the time that it was important he confess, because then we could find a way forward.” Mr. Abernethy fell silent for a long moment. “I thought I was being strong, but I’ve regretted those words ever since.”
“What words?”
“I told him that I would have to report him to the main branch on Monday if he didn’t confess the truth to me.” He flung out a hand. “That I couldn’t help him if he lied to me. I knew he needed the job. I thought that would be enough encouragement for him to tell me the truth.” Mr. Abernethy sighed. “Instead, he obviously thought there was no solution. He left without making a confession, but I truly expected him to change his mind by Monday. I thought he would arrive early and ask to speak with me. He was a good man,” he repeated, then shook his head. “His choice shocked and saddened me, and I’ve felt responsible ever since.”
They walked for a few minutes in silence.
“He chose,” Jacquie said softly.
“Yes,” the older man agreed. “He chose. And he lied to both of us. He wanted you and the children to have more. It wasn’t your fault, though, and I refused to have the truth added to the grief of your loss.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I was the only one who knew.” Mr. Abernethy stopped and looked at her, his gaze clear. “I replaced that money. I silenced all the questions. So long as it wasn’t missing, no one had much of a quibble. And you and your children didn’t have that shadow hanging over you or that debt to repay.”
Jacquie was astonished. “Why would you do that? He was just an employee...”
“But he was a good man. He made a mistake—well, he made two—but he loved those children so much.” Mr. Abernethy shook his head. “I had to honor his memory by protecting you all, when he couldn’t. I had to take responsibility for my part in what happened.” He gave her a little smile and gestured to the coffee shop. “You look shaken and I can understand why. Let me buy you a coffee to put some color back in your cheeks.”
By the time they had steaming mugs of coffee on the table in front of them, Jacquie knew what she had to do. “I can repay you,” she offered. “It would only be right.”
“But it’s not necessary. It’s over and done.”
“But...”
“Mrs. Morgan, I am on my own,” he said, his voice firm. “My wife passed away a few years ago and we never had any children. My sister lives in Arizona, and my parents are gone, too. I have a comfortable retirement. I don’t need that money, but maybe you and your children do.” He gestured vaguely. “Maybe there’s a wedding to pay for, or a down payment on a car. They must be finishing school by now, aren’t they? Maybe one of them needs a deposit for a mortgage or maybe there’s a baby coming.” He touched her hand. “You have better uses for that money than repaying it to me. It’s a gift from me to you and your children. I never intended for you to even know, but your friend was very persuasive.”
Jacquie looked down at her coffee and wondered. “Didn’t you want children, Mr. Abernethy?”
He smiled. “We married later. Margaret wasn’t sure she wanted to have children so late, and I didn’t want to share her.” He patted Jacquie’s hand. “Don’t be sad for us. We were very, very happy.”
There was one thing Jacquie could do, though, and the idea felt exactly right. “Would you come for dinner one night, Mr. Abernethy? I’d like you to meet my kids, and I’d like them to meet you.”
The older man’s expression lit with delight. “I don’t want to intrude...”
“There are five of us, Mr. Abernethy—well, six, since Brandon has a girlfriend. One more at the table isn’t an intrusion. It would be an honor.”
He beamed at her. “Thank you. I would be delighted.”
“Good.” They smiled at each other, then Mr. Abernethy sipped his coffee, a twinkle in his eyes.
“I don’t suppose you have any pictures?” he asked, clearly knowing the answer.
“Of course, I do.” Jacquie laughed as she pulled out her phone. She moved around the table to sit beside him. “Don’t let me bore you.”
“You’re proud of them. That’s a good thing.” He peered at the phone and looked surprised. “This can’t be that baby. Cole, wasn’t it?”
“It is Cole!”
“Goodness, doesn’t he look
