Now and Forever 5, Love's Journey (31 page)

“This is odd, Mac. Jenna was an A
student.”

“Flunked English. Surprising.”

Mac took the transcript and tucked it into
his breast pocket.

* * * *

Rex picked up the paper at noon when he woke
up. There was Jenna Walker’s face plastered all over the front
page. He recognized her immediately. She was the girl Alan was
pressuring for sex in his office, the one who turned him down. Rex
had it all on tape. This was the best score ever. Alan might be
responsible for this girl’s death.

Rex made it a point to have dinner at home
with Alan. They were discussing plans for New Year’s Eve when Rex
decided to strike.

“You know the girl who killed herself, Jenna
something?”

“She was in my English class.” Alan crossed
his legs.

“You propositioned her and she turned you
down.”

“What?”

“You wanted to screw her, Alan.”

“You’re crazy,” Alan said and tried to leave
the room, but Rex pulled him back.

“Crazy? I don’t think so. I’ve got you
tryin’ to force her to have sex with you, threatening to fail her
on film, Alan,” Rex said.

“What?”

“That’s right. I planted some cameras in
your office, and I have it all on tape. Her and the chick you were
bangin’. All on tape. What would happen to you if I sent the tape
to that Caldwell guy?”

“You wouldn’t, would you, Rex? We’re
cousins. Blood.” Beads of sweat formed on Alan’s upper lip. His
face grew pale.

“You’d be fired. Run out of town…maybe even
arrested for murdering that girl.”

“No, no. I didn’t murder her. It was her
choice. I gave her a choice. She didn’t have to fail. It wasn’t my
fault.” Alan’s voice shook.

“Too late. Maybe I should put it on
Youtube.”

“Oh, God. Don’t…Rex…please…”

“I could forget about this, if the price was
right,” Rex said, a slow smile stopping at his lips, his eyes
cold.

Then Alan remembered and a tentative smile
crept across his lips.

“Rex, I found something in the trash…an
opened package with a note attached. It was from Deena, the girl
who was murdered. Was she your girlfriend? Sounds like it. Did you
kill her, Rex?”

The color drained slowly from Rex’s face.
His right hand closed over the watch he was wearing. The watch. The
package.
Shit!

“Where’s the note, Alan?”

“In a safe place, a very safe place. But it
could end up in the police chief’s hands. Might make your life
difficult.” Alan sat back in his chair.

“It might,” Rex conceded.

“Did you kill her, Rex?”

“I had no choice…”
You’ve just signed
your own death warrant, cousin.

“I don’t really care why you killed her, but
now you’ve admitted it, I guess your little tape with Jenna and me
will disappear.” Alan blew out a breath he was holding.

“Maybe. Maybe we should do a little
exchange, Alan.”

“Why? I like having the note. It’s the
cheapest insurance in the world.”

“Maybe not. If I send mine to the cops
first, you might not have a chance to send yours…see what I mean?”
Rex tapped his finger against the face of the watch.

“I’m not worried. If anything happens to me,
the note is going straight to Dave Williams, Chief of Police. So
forget your little scheme. I’m not paying you anything.”

Alan turned away from Rex.
Foolish for
you to fuck with me, Alan.

Rex was too hot, being a person of interest
in Deena’s murder, to murder Alan. He had to be patient, wait for
things to quiet down. A couple of months, then he’d plan an
accident for Alan.

Rex had bought a gun, because blackmailers
shouldn’t be unarmed.
Self-defense might work out
nicely.

* * * *

On New Year’s Eve, Mac and Callie had their
own party to attend as did Danny and Eliza Maine. Peter, Lara, and
Sam decided to spend it together. Sam bought filet mignon and
champagne, Peter played some old favorite family songs. After
dinner, Lara and Peter insisted on doing the dishes before they
watched a movie.

“You kids go ahead. I don’t want to be a
third wheel.”

“Come on, Sam…watch with us.” Lara twisted
her smile into a pleading one and looked at him.

“Dad, have you thought about calling Pat and
wishing her Happy New Year?” Peter tossed the suggestion over his
shoulder as he headed to the kitchen.

“What if I can’t talk to her?”

“Will you feel worse than you do
already?”

“Probably not.”

“Go for it, Dad.”

Sam disappeared into the bedroom. He dialed
Patsy’s number and she picked up on the second ring.

“Patsy, it’s me, Sam.” He sat down on the
bed.

“Oh, Sam! It’s so good to hear your
voice.”

“I wanted to wish you a Happy New Year.”

“That’s so sweet. You too, Sam.”

“Do you think we’ll be able to spend it
together?”

“The new year? I hope so. I miss you so
much,” Pat said, “I’ve got to go, popcorn is ready. We’re watching
Bringing Up Baby
.”

“I hope they like it.”

“They damn well better!” The sound of her
laughter made Sam smile.

“Well…Happy New Year, Patsy.” Sam pushed to
his feet.

“You too, my love.” Her voice softly
caressed him.

Sam returned to the living room with a
spring in his step and a smile on his face.

“I guess you reached her, eh?” Peter stopped
fiddling with the remote control.

“Yeah…enough with the questions, Pete. What
are we watching? Have you two seen
Holiday
? Let’s make
popcorn.”

* * * *

After Jack took his family back to
California, Sam brought a picnic lunch to Pat’s house. They spread
a blanket in front of the fire in the fireplace and talked while
they ate. Pat tried to explain how Jack felt.

“Seduced you? Your son said I seduced you?”
Sam laughed.

“I don’t think it’s funny. That’s a bad way
to feel about your mother’s boyfriend.”

“Do I have to be called your ‘boyfriend’? It
seems so ridiculous at this age.”

“What should I call you?”

“How about your lover?” Sam wiggled his
eyebrows and kissed her hand.

“Sam, you’re not taking this seriously.” But
she couldn’t keep a smile from her lips.

“I’m not. Jack will have to get used to you
having a life, a life including sex. There’s nothing he can do
about it. I went through this with my boy too.”

“But it’s different with a mother and
son.”

“Still, you’re not married anymore,
Patsy.”

“I know.” Pat stared at the fire.

“Then why are you behaving like we’re having
an illicit affair?”

“I’m not.”

“Not with me, but you are when it comes to
Jack.” Sam stood up and stretched.

“Do you think so? I thought I spoke pretty
plainly and directly to him. Now I have to wait for him to adjust
and accept it.”

“You have to convince Jack you are a single
person now, not married, not half of a couple with his other
parent. I went through it with Peter…and now Mac is having some
trouble adjusting. But he will, because nothing less is
acceptable.”

“I know you’re right, but it isn’t easy.”
She held out her hand and Sam helped her get up.

“Just for the record, I didn’t seduce you.
You came to bed with me of your own free will. You could’ve said
no.”

“I know I did and I’m not sorry.” Pat piled
up dishes.

“Is that the best you can do…not be sorry?”
Sam carted the dishes into the kitchen with Pat following.

“Why, Sam, I think you’re insulted.”

“You’re damn right I am.” He put the dishes
in the sink and filled the coffeemaker.

“I’m sorry…”

“There you go, being sorry again.”

Sam turned on the coffee. Pat felt confused.
She hurt Jack, now she was hurting Sam. She came up behind him and
put her arms around his waist and hugged him. He smiled and patted
her hand.

“Is that the best you can do, pat my hand?”
she said with a snicker.

He laughed, turned around and took her in
his arms for a passionate kiss.

“Oh no, I can do better…much better…” he
said, unzipping her sweater and unhooking her bra. His mouth found
hers again and she parted her lips. Sam took possession of her
mouth while his hands took possession of her body. She unbuttoned
his shirt and pushed it off his shoulders. They stood half-naked in
the kitchen, kissing. Pat took Sam’s hand and led him into the
bedroom where they made love.

After a short cuddle, Sam rose up and walked
to the chair where his clothes lay.

“Are you going home?” Pat sat up.

“I was planning on it, why?”

“Can’t you stay the night?”

“What if Jack calls?” Sam reached for his
shirt.

“You won’t answer the phone, and I don’t
have to tell him you’re here.”

“That’s being Mrs., not Miss. I don’t want
to sneak around like I’m some…some…seducer or something. This is an
adult relationship, Patsy. I won’t make any excuses or
explanations. Are you Mrs. or Miss?”

“Please stay. Can we talk about this
tomorrow?”

“We can talk about it forever, but until you
make up your mind, nothing will change.” Sam got dressed and
returned home.

A week later, Sam and Pat had not ironed out
their relationship. Sam was still frustrated with how little time
he had with her. She wouldn’t commit to more time and was
uncomfortable about stating her feelings directly. She couldn’t
say, I love you.

A few days later, Sam picked up the
phone.

“Simon Westfield, please. Simon, how are
you? Sam Caldwell. I’m calling to accept your kind offer. Yes, I’ll
be there…yes and Austen Mansfield and Orlando Environmental College
too. Right. See you February first.”

Sam hung up the phone and took his suitcase
down from the closet shelf. Pat and Sam saw each other on the two
weekends left in January. Sam was not content.
Nothing like a
change of scenery to clear my head.

Chapter
Twenty-one

In the small rental house across town

In January, Marcia started to think about
the university. Her sabbatical was coming to an end in four months.
She had no idea what to do. She had planned to return to teaching,
figuring she’d want to get back into a familiar routine and
surroundings, but now with Jakub in her life, she wasn’t sure.

Her thoughts kept returning to children.
Jakub’s grandchildren came to visit them again after the Christmas
visit. Annabeth warmed up to Marcia. They played games, went to a
museum and cooked together. Jakub had fun with the children,
allowing them to climb all over him, laughing with them, soothing
them and feeding them. Watching him with Joey and Annabeth, Marcia
grew to love him more and more. She was sorry to see them
leave.

* * * *

One morning, Rebecca picked them up because
she was curious to see what Marcia looked like. She was rewarded
when Marcia opened the door. Rebecca’s eyes opened wide. Marcia was
dressed in a low cut red tank top, a man’s red and black buffalo
plaid flannel shirt open over the tank top and black leggings
hugging her slim hips and gorgeous legs. Her chin-length black hair
was shining, her lips were light red and her gray eyes twinkled.
She was younger and more beautiful than Rebecca expected. She now
understood Jakub’s attraction to the young woman.

“You must be Rebecca,” Marcia said,
extending her hand.

“Yes,” Rebecca was barely able to choke out
the word.

“Please come in. Joey and Annabeth are
almost ready. Hot chocolate?”

Rebecca stepped into the warm house. A fire
was blazing and the children were gathering their toys and
belongings scattered around the living room.

“We made hot chocolate with Marcia’s secret
recipe,” Joey said.

“We roasted marshmallows in the fireplace,”
Annabeth said.

“You can’t do that at home,” Rebecca
said.

“I know, but Grandpa and Marcia said it was
okay here.”

“Your children are delightful.”

Jakub came up behind Marcia and put an arm
around her shoulders. She slipped her arm around his waist. Jakub
looked years younger standing next to Marcia.

“Thank you,” Rebecca mumbled.

“So now you meet Marcia, Rebecca. What you
think? She is beautiful, yes?”

“Jake!” Marcia blushed.

“She is beautiful, yes.” Rebecca
laughed.

Jakub took the children out to the car and
fastened them in. Rebecca could feel the warmth coming from Marcia.
She was drawn to her, as she imagined Jakub was drawn to her. They
certainly looked like a couple in love.

When she returned home, Rebecca was
determined to bring Johnny to his senses.