The Price of Trust (6 page)

"Well darlin', looks like Joe's got himself a little bit of spice," Tom said as the young people were walking out to the truck. He put his arms around her and drew her close.

"Yes, I do believe she'll keep him on his toes. I just hope he's careful." Penny sighed.

"He knows what he's doing. He's got a good head on his shoulders." Tom kissed her forehead. "Let's go watch a movie."

They dropped Kelly off first. She lived with her uncle and aunt in town, and then they proceeded to drive Carly to her place. The town was dark and looked lonesome.

"You can just drop me off here, and I'll walk around to the back. I don't like to go in the front during the night."

"We'll take you back there," Joe said before Todd could answer. "I wouldn't feel right just dropping you off like that."

"I'll be all right; I can handle it. I wouldn't want you big strong farm boys getting lost in the dark alley. You might get scared," Carly teased.

"Joe, I think we should just kick her out here and make her walk all by herself!" Todd retorted, slowing the truck down.

"Just park in the front, and I'll walk to the back. I don't think the garbage has run, and there's an awful lot of boxes and trash back there. I really don't think the truck will fit," Carly said nervously, her stomach in knots.

"Go ahead and park. I'll walk her back," Joe directed Todd. "Don't fuss about it either. You're going to have a chaperone to make sure you're okay."

"Yes, Daddy," Carly said in a little girl tone, but she was touched by his thoughtfulness. "Thanks for driving me home, Todd," she called as she got out of the truck.

"You're welcome, and thanks for coming out for dinner. I know Kelly really enjoyed your company. We'll have to do it again sometime," he called back before Joe shut the door.

He followed Carly to the door in the back and waited patiently as she got out her keys and unlocked the door. She turned to face him. She was self-conscious and wasn't sure what she should do. She didn't need to worry.

"Thanks for coming out to dinner. I had fun," Joe said, shaking her hand. She was very much relieved.

"Thanks for putting up with me," Carly said quickly. "It was very nice of you all to make me feel so welcome. Tell your parents I said thanks."

"There wasn't anything to put up with. I'm glad to have gotten to know you a little bit, and I'd like to get to know you more," he said meaningfully.

"Joe, at the risk of looking like a complete fool, I just have to let you know that I might not stay here long. I'll probably be leaving soon," Carly gushed out, looking down at the ground, feeling stupid.

"Going? Where? Why do you want to leave?" he asked, surprised.

"I don't want to leave. I have to," she spoke so quietly that he had to lean down to hear her words.

"I don't get it. If you don't want to leave, then don't," he said simply.

"Joe, you're very kind to make me feel so welcome, and I really appreciate it, but…"

"Do you think the only reason I'm nice to you is to make you feel welcome?" he interrupted, lifting her chin to make her look at him. "I am interested in getting to know you better."

Carly was stunned.

"Okay, now I think you're on drugs," she whispered awkwardly. Joe laughed and let her go.

"Don't think about leaving yet. There's just no sense in it, and you've no reason to go," Joe said, hoping to make her believe him. "Go on in and turn on your light so I know you're okay. All right?"

"All right. Good-bye." And she was gone.

Joe walked to the front of the store, got back in the truck, and watched the upstairs window. There it was.

"Okay, Todd. We can go now," he said, trying to get a glimpse of Carly. He was hoping she would look out to wave. She didn't.

"I think we should stay here for a little while," Todd said. He looked over at Joe with a strange look on his face. "While you were so long in the back," eyebrows raised, "two guys in a black BMW drove past and parked a little ways down."

"So? What's wrong with that?"

"Well, first is the type of car. It was really expensive and definitely not from around here. Next, they never got out of the car, and when they saw me, they backed up and drove away. I sat here (still waiting for you by the way), and they drove by again. Don't you think that's weird?"

"I still don't see the big deal. What are you getting at?" Joe was a little annoyed by Todd's cloak-and-dagger behavior. "Just tell me what you're thinking."

"They seemed to be watching the hardware store," Todd said meaningfully with a nod of his head.

"Why would they be watching the hardware store?" Joe asked uneasily.

"There they go again!" Todd exclaimed, looking in the rearview mirror. Joe turned around and watched the car drive slowly past them, turn right at the next corner, and disappear. He looked up at Carly's window, thankful the light was out. Todd looked at him. "What do you want to do?"

Joe was silent. He was thinking of Carly's statement about having to leave soon and wondered if she was in trouble.

"Let's follow them," he urged. Todd started the truck, backed out, and followed the same direction the mysterious car had gone.

"What do you think is going on?" he asked Joe quietly.

"I don't know. They probably weren't even interested in the store, and we're going on a wild goose chase," he said, frowning. "I don't see them. Hurry up."

Todd knew that he was worried about Carly and didn't take his curtness as rudeness. He was worried for her too. He had hoped that Joe would like her and that she would bring him some happiness. It had been too long since Joe had taken an interest in anyone outside their family, and he wanted him to be happy. Like he and Kelly were. They were like-minded, they both loved to tease, especially each other, they just seemed so right for each other. Todd kept driving.

"I don't see them anywhere," Todd said after the third time going around the block. They stopped at the blinking red light and waited. "What do you think, Joe?"

"Huh? Um, I haven't seen them. I think if they were watching the store, they're gone now. Let's go home," he said, still looking out the windows. Todd drove them home.

After Carly went up to her room, she turned on her light as Joe had asked, waited for a few minutes, then turned it off again. She went to her window to look out. They were still there. After a moment, they drove away.

Dear Lord, I've gotten myself into trouble
. She sat on her sofa bed and started to pray out loud. Sometimes praying out loud made her less lonely.

"Can you please help me again? Joe Baird says he's interested in me. I didn't mean for this to happen; we just hit it off right away. The last thing I wanted was this. Lord, I really like this guy, but I'm afraid Ian will find me. Please let me know what you want me to do and give me the strength to do it. Even if you want me to leave. Please be with Joe. Take care of him please, and bless him."

Carly went to the tiny bathroom, brushed her teeth, changed into her pajamas, and lay down. But she didn't sleep for a long time. Her mind was full of memories, old and new, and she couldn't chase them away. Finally she drifted off to a fitful sleep.

"We'd better call the boss," the passenger in the BMW said to the driver. "He ain't gonna like it that she's got a boyfriend hanging around. Maybe he'll come up here sooner, and we can get away from Hicksville."

The driver pulled into a parking space and turned off the car.

"I'll do it as soon as I'm in my room," he growled. "You were supposed to watch and make sure no one was around, and yet you couldn't even figure out that someone was sitting in that dumpy truck. You can't do anything right." They both stopped talking as they walked past the night receptionist sitting at the desk, knitting.

"How was I supposed to know the kid stayed in there? I can't see too well in the dark," the little one whined as soon as they were past her.

"Shut up and go to your room," the other snarled as he let himself into his own cozy room and shut the door. He sat on the bed, dreading to make the phone call to Ian. Ian had a bad temper and would blame everything on them.

Well, here goes
, he thought as he dialed.

"Ian Lane here," was the almost instantaneous answer.

"Ian, this is Steve. We're just checking in," Steve answered lamely.

"Well good," he almost sounded cheerful. "I was wondering how my baby's doing out there all by herself. How is she? Still beautiful?" He laughed gleefully. "She's about ready to come home, right?"

"Well, uh," Steve cleared his throat. "Not exactly."

"What do you mean 'not exactly'?" he snarled. "Did you lose her again?"

"No, no, we didn't lose her. We still have her, and we're keeping an eye on her, but uh, I think she's got a boyfriend." He grimaced and waited for him to explode.

Quiet. Then, "What are you doing about it? You're doing something. I know you are. Because if you aren't," Ian threatened, "you won't want to come back. You will have no job. You will have no life. No one gets near my girl. She's mine, and I won't share her with anyone, you got that?"

"Yeah, I got it, but I don't really know how to keep her away from this guy without her running again," Steve complained. "I don't know what you want me to do."

"Call her. Let her see you watching her. She'll remember that she belongs to me, and she'll push this guy away and you won't have to. You can figure out the rest." Ian hung up.

I hate him
, Steve thought, dropping the handset back into the cradle and leaning his head on his hand in exasperation.

The next morning, Carly came to work with her mind made up. She had decided to make Joe understand. She had to convince him that he really didn't like her, and that it wasn't going to work out anyway. That it was better for both of them if they just stopped now. She just didn't know if she would be able to go through with it.

Sam came in with a curious glance at Carly. She knew that he would want to hear all about it, and she decided to tell him the whole truth. About their dinner, that is. Not about her resolve to break it all off before it began, or about Ian, but she did want to let Sam know that she truly did have fun with him and enjoy his company.

"Well, Red? How was it?" he asked before he even went to the office to put away his lunch. He placed both arms on the countertop and leaned forward so he wouldn't miss a word.

"I take it you mean the dinner?" she asked innocently.

"Yep, and take your time to tell me everything. I have strict instructions from Sue that I better not leave any part of it out." Carly smiled. She told him everything, even of their little mishap on the kitchen floor, and had Sam chuckling within five minutes.

The phone rang and interrupted her story.

"S&S Hardware. May I help you?" Carly answered. No response.

"Hello? S&S Hardware. May I help you?" she repeated. She could hear someone breathing, but they wouldn't say anything. "Hello? Hello?" Finally they hung up. Carly was puzzled.

"Do you get a lot of prank phone calls, Sam?" she asked, brows furrowed.

"Can't say that I do," he said. "Probably Billy Pruit trying to aggravate you. Go on with your story."

Carly continued but not with as much mirth as before. She was wondering if it could have been Billy after all. She made up her mind that it must have been and gave Sam her attention again.

Half an hour later, the phone rang again.

"S&S Hardware. May I help you?" she asked into the phone. Again no answer. "Hello? Billy? Is this you? If it is, grow up!" she hollered and hung up.

Sam came to the front. "Another prank?" he asked. She nodded, her face pale.

"I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. Here's a customer." And Sam went back to inventory the shelves.

A short, ugly man wearing an expensive double-breasted suit walked in. Carly didn't recognize him from town.

"May I help you?" she asked, warily giving him a slight smile.

"I need nails," he barked rudely. He kept staring at her, and it unnerved her. She showed him to the nails.

"Here you go," she said as politely as she could and hurried away.

She was sweeping the front of the store when he finally came back to the counter fifteen minutes later.

"Are you ready?" She put the broom down and went to check him out. He put one box of nails on the counter silently and stared at her. Carly rushed to get this ugly man out of the store. He was making her extremely nervous. "That's three fifty please."

He wordlessly handed her a fifty. She gave him change and went back to sweeping. He didn't leave right away. He just stood there for a few seconds longer.

"Is there anything else you need or want?" she asked guardedly, gripping the broom handle just in case she needed to defend herself.

"Nope," he said, sneering at her. It made her skin crawl. This guy was a real creep.

Sam came to the front after he left.

"Did you know that guy?" Carly asked, watching him walk across the street.

"Nope. But judging from the way he was toward you, I'd have to say he was a relative of Billy Pruit's!" Sam laughed.

Carly saw Joe's truck drive by. She'd thought that he might come by today, and she was apprehensive.

"Sam, may I take a break?" she asked, hoping he didn't see Joe drive by. She couldn't see him right now, and it would look odd to Sam if she didn't talk to him.

"Sure. Have fun," he said off-handedly. He hadn't seen Joe. Carly almost ran upstairs, the bell tinkling behind her as she closed her door silently.

"Hey there, Sam!" Joe called, looking around. "Where's Carly?"

"Just missed her. I just let her go on break," Sam replied. "I hear you all had a good dinner last night."

"Yes, we did. I had a great time," he said, disappointed. "How long will she be on break?"

"I usually give her about fifteen minutes for a break. You're welcome to wait here, if you're wanting to. She usually comes back early. How do your parents like her?"

"Well, I guess they like her. We really haven't talked about her much. You know what, I'll try back later before you close. I've got some other things to do as well. Will you please tell her I was looking for her?" Joe said distractedly. He was hoping that if he left quickly he could see her in town. "Bye, Sam," he called over his shoulder.

"Yep, bye," answered Sam.

Carly watched him leave before she came back down.

"You just missed Joe, Red," Sam called over his shoulder. He was inventorying again. Carly came over to help him. "He said he'd try back before we closed."

"Oh, okay," Carly mumbled. She didn't know how she was going to avoid him, but she was going to give it her best effort.

Joe stopped at the little hotel Kelly worked at as receptionist and all around assistant. She was at the front desk when he walked in.

"Joe!" she said, a happy smile brightened her face. "Wow, this is a surprise. What brings you to town in the afternoon?"

"Hi, Kelly. Has Todd called you yet?"

"No, the phones have been pretty busy. Why? Did he need something?"

"I need to ask you a few questions. I'm not sure if you can give me any answers, but maybe you could help me out."

Kelly was intrigued. "Sure. I'll see what I can do. What do you need?"

"Last night Todd and I saw a BMW in town, and we were wondering if the owners were staying here?" Joe asked quietly, looking around to make sure no one was listening.

"BMW. Hmm. Let me look, just a minute," she answered. The phone rang, and she picked it up. "Bailey Bed and Breakfast. May I help you? Oh hi, Todd. Joe's already here. I was just going to look when you called. All right, I'll tell him. See you later." She turned her back toward Joe and said quietly, "I love you too." She hung up the receiver and went to the filing cabinet, her face pink.

"Here we go," she said, coming back to the desk with a manila folder. "We have two people with BMWs staying here. Do you know the license plate number?"

"No, I didn't get a glimpse of it." Joe stopped as a customer came to the desk to complain of not enough towels.

"I'll send some right up, sir," Kelly answered, smiling. The man turned and walked away gruffly.

"He's been grumpy since he arrived." Kelly shook her head and sighed. "I just can't seem to make him happy with anything."

"Can you tell me where the people that own the BMWs are from?" Joe was whispering now.

"One is from South Dakota, and the other is a rental from Billings. I'd guess they rented it from the airport. Is there anything else?" Kelly answered quickly and efficiently.

"Did you check them in?" Joe asked.

"Yes, one was tall and thin, and the other man was short and really ugly. They were both very well dressed. You know, the city-slicker type. The tall, thin man bossed the other one around a lot, and they both had Southern accents."

"Do they have any particular habits that you noticed?" Joe was getting excited now. He felt that he was onto something.

"Well, when one is in, the other is out. The tall, thin man is a photographer, I think. He carries a camera bag with him everywhere he goes. I don't really think the short, ugly one does anything but sightsee. He never takes anything with him. That's about all I know," Kelly said apologetically. "Todd asked me to let you know that your mom needs some bread and cheese from the store."

"Thanks, Kelly. I appreciate it. Have a good night," he called, going toward the door. Changing his mind, he turned and walked back to her. "Would you do something for me?" he asked, thoughtfully.

"Sure. What is it?" Kelly was interested. Joe never seemed to need anyone to do anything for him.

"Would you talk to Carly? Kind of buddy up with her and keep her company a little bit? I don't trust"—he hesitated—"Billy. She's all alone over at that store, and she's vulnerable. Would you mind?" He thought that if she just had a good friend it would help her to stay.

"Of course I will! I think she's just great! Especially how she keeps you on your toes." Kelly grinned mischievously.

Joe just smiled and walked out. He drove back to the hardware store, hoping to see Carly.

"Hey, Sam. Carly off break yet?" Joe called as he walked inside.

"Oh yeah. She's back, but you won't find her here. Sue called and needed her help at the house for a while. I told her you came in earlier," Sam said, peering over his gold-rimmed glasses. " Carly's been jumpy as a cat today. She couldn't seem to settle down and was real nervous like."

"Jumpy? Why would she be jumpy?" Joe puzzled. "We had a great dinner, and I thought she really enjoyed herself."

"I know she enjoyed herself, 'cause she told me all about it. Her face positively lit up like a candle talking about it. I don't know why she's so jumpy today. There have been a few crank calls, but I don't see why a few pranks would work somebody up like that."

Joe's curiosity was piqued. "Phone calls? What kind of phone calls?"

"Oh there were about four prank phone calls that she answered today. They didn't say anything, they would just breathe, and then after awhile, they'd hang up. I think it's just Billy tormenting her."

"Did you answer any of them?"

"Yes, I did. But when I answered someone would just say, 'Sorry, wrong number' and hang up. Carly quit answering the phone, and they just stopped after I started to answer. You leaving?" Sam asked as Joe started toward the door.

"Yeah, I've still got to get some bread and cheese from the store for Mom. Have a good evening, Sam," Joe called over his shoulder.

He was sure now that someone was purposely bothering Carly, and he suspected those two men had a part in it.